Daniel Jones Keeps the Colts Job for Dallas Despite Nine Interceptions: Cowboys at Colts Is Week 9's Shootout Spot

Shane Steichen confirmed on Monday that Daniel Jones will start for the Indianapolis Colts against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 9, even after Jones threw two more interceptions in a 42-7 loss at Jacksonville. The decision keeps a turnover-prone quarterback under center for a franchise that is openly rebuilding: in the past week the Colts traded guard Quenton Nelson to Seattle and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner to San Francisco, and they are listening to offers for running back Jonathan Taylor before the Nov. 10 deadline.

Dallas is favored by five and a half to six points, and the total sits in the low 50s, one of the highest on the Week 9 board. For fantasy managers, that combination of a leaky, rebuilding defense and a Cowboys offense led by a top-five passer makes this one of the week's best spots to target.

Why Steichen stayed with Jones

Jones has the lowest completion rate of his career this season, and the Colts as a team have 12 turnovers, tied with the Chargers for the most in the league. Steichen is sticking with him anyway.

Here is where Jones stands through eight games.

Those numbers are why the market expects Dallas to win, and why the Cowboys' defense looks like an appealing streaming option despite the high total. A quarterback with a nine-interception first half can produce points for the other side as easily as for his own team.

Dak Prescott's matchup

Prescott enters the week fifth in the league with 2,046 passing yards and 14 touchdown passes, and he has not thrown an interception in his last two games. Dallas is coming off an overtime loss in Arizona, where Gardner Minshew threw three touchdowns in relief, but the offense moved the ball well enough to keep Prescott in the QB1 tier.

The Colts' defense just gave up 42 points in Jacksonville, and losing Buckner removes its best interior pass rusher, which means Prescott should have a clean pocket more often than usual. Prescott is a top-eight quarterback play this week and a strong DFS option given the game environment.

The Cowboys' injury watch centers on tight end Jake Ferguson, who has an ankle injury. Initial tests were reported as clean, but his practice participation will tell the story. If he is limited, Dallas's target share concentrates further on its wide receivers.

The Jonathan Taylor question

Taylor has 610 rushing yards and eight touchdowns this season, production that would make him an RB1 in most offenses. But he may not be a Colt by the end of next week. ESPN reported that Indianapolis is at least listening to offers and has received an offer involving a second-round pick plus additional compensation, and that teams showing at least some interest include the Broncos, Packers, Vikings, Giants and Seahawks. Taylor has said he has not asked to be traded.

Complicating any deal is his contract: his full 2027 salary of $20.5 million is guaranteed, which narrows the list of teams that can absorb it. If he plays Sunday, he is a must-start. A big game on Sunday would only help Indianapolis's asking price.

For managers holding Taylor, a trade is not necessarily bad news. Several of the reported suitors have stronger offenses and would give him more scoring opportunities. The risk is a committee situation, so watch where he lands.

Colts pass catchers in a shootout

Tyler Warren and Josh Downs both played in Jacksonville, and Downs has asked to be traded. If Indianapolis falls behind early, the Colts will throw, and Warren's role as a reliable underneath option makes him a TE1 in a high-total game. Downs is a flex play in PPR formats, though his trade request and Jones's inaccuracy cap his ceiling.

The betting angle

The market expects a lot of points here, with consensus around 51.5 to 52.5.

The case for the over rests on Prescott's form and a gutted Colts defense. The case against it is Jones: turnovers end drives, and a Colts offense that cannot finish possessions could leave Dallas protecting a lead in the fourth quarter. Bettors who expect Dallas to win comfortably may prefer the Cowboys' team total to the full game total. Verdexed's full Week 9 view is coming in the picks piece at /blog/nfl-week-9-picks-2026, and the model's live numbers are on the /nfl/predictions page.

What's next

Taylor's status is the headline, and every rumor between now and Nov. 10 affects how this game is priced. In fantasy, the plan is clear: start Prescott and the Cowboys' top receivers, start Taylor if he suits up for Indianapolis, play Warren as a TE1, and consider the Cowboys' defense as a contrarian stream against a quarterback who has thrown nearly twice as many interceptions as touchdowns.