Week 9 NFL underdog report: Jets, Vikings keep up losing ways 

Dell has only 229 yards this season but had 45 catches for 709 yards and seven touchdowns in 11 games as a rookie last year. He should be fine but if he struggles against the NFL’s second-best pass defense, the team can always lean on running back Joe Mixon.

Only the Ravens’ Derrick Henry (118.3) and Philadelphia’s Saquon Barkley (109.4) average more yards per game than Mixon (100.6). With 319 yards and four touchdowns in his last three games, Houston’s lead back shows no signs of the high ankle sprain that forced him to miss Weeks 3-5.

For what it’s worth, Texans’ legend and NFL analyst J.J. Watt doesn’t understand how the Jets are favored against the defending AFC South champions. Neither do we. Expect Houston to win the game.

Indianapolis Colts at Minnesota Vikings (-6)

Minnesota has lost its last two games after starting the year with five straight wins. Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold had a pair of first-quarter touchdowns against the Lions last week but was held in check for the rest of the game.

Meanwhile, Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson completed a season-low 31.3% of his passes against the Texans and even asked to sit out a play due to fatigue. 

“Tired, I ain’t gonna lie.” Richardson told reporters. “ That was a lot of running right there that I did, and I didn’t think I was gonna be able to go that next play.” 

He’ll get plenty of rest now that head coach Shane Steichen said that 39-year-old Joe Flacco will be the team’s starting quarterback “going forward.” Flacco went 1-1 in two starts for the Colts this year but impressed with 359 yards and three scores in a 37-34 loss to the Jaguars in Week 5.

Colts running back Jonathan Taylor didn't play in that game but rushed for 105 yards and a touchdown against the Texans last week after missing the previous three games with an ankle injury. Taylor could have trouble against Minnesota’s third-ranked run defense but Flacco should do well against the team’s third-ranked secondary.

Last year, Flacco helped the Browns win their last four regular season games in place of Deshaun Watson. Look for him to do the same in relief of Richardson and for the Colts to get their fifth win of the year.