Tag: Week 9 fantasy football

Fantasy Football Market Report: Week 9

The top risers and fallers heading into Week 9.

Week 8 showed us once again how an injury to a quarterback can have a ripple effect. The Minnesota Vikings lost Kirk Cousins for the season with a torn Achilles. With a lot of uncertainty about his replacement, even after Minnesota acquired Joshua Dobbs, the value of all Vikings fantasy players take a huge hit – from Justin Jefferson and T.J. Hockenson on down.

The same was true with the New York Jets in Week 1. For the first time in years, a slew of Jets players ended up on fantasy rosters on draft day – only to see their weekly value bottom out when Aaron Rodgers went down.

Quarterbacks last longer in fantasy drafts than their value indicates, because so many of them are equally productive from week-to-week. But when you lose one, the ripple effect on the rest of the offense can be devastating.

The best fantasy football gamble of Week 9

Seven straight weeks of paltry results shouldn’t stop gamers from playing this bruiser.

Every week, at least one player becomes my fascination of whether he’s worthy of a fantasy football start as a streamer. The decision can be a mental wrestling match, but for the purpose of brevity, only one player can be chosen as the fantasy football gamble of the week.

The best fantasy football gamble for Week 9

Tracking my predictions: 2-5-1
Win: Player produces ≥ 75% of projected fantasy points
Loss: Player produces >75% of projected fantasy points
Tie: Player is ejected, leaves with an injury, or lands on COVID-19 list after publishing

2021 record: 8-9-1
2020 record: 5-10-1

A tie … meh. Last week’s inclusion of Minnesota Vikings tight end Irv Smith marked the second straight week in which the player chosen for this article series met an untimely fate. After Week 7’s inclusion, Matt Ryan was benched for the remainder of 2022, and Smith now will miss up to 10 weeks after suffering an ankle injury. Given the rules of scoring “winners” and “losers” in this segment, an injury counts as a tie.

Let’s see which player I can kneecap for the third consecutive week …

Green Bay Packers RB AJ Dillon at Detroit Lions

Dillon has to be among the most disappointing preseason darlings of the fantasy football season, and it hasn’t been for a lack of opportunities. He has rushed at least 10 times in six of eight outings and has averaged more targets than last year. Frustratingly, this has amounted to one touchdown — which came a million years ago in Week 1 — and no showings of more than 9.4 PPR points since the opening week.

After nearly two months of being a lineup anchor following the Week 1 teaser, it’s understandable why gamers have given up on Dillon as a weekly starter. The results just haven’t been good enough, and there are only so many times a fantasy owner can risk a precious lineup spot on a string of paperweight performances.

Two simplistic factors are at play to make Dillon a viable Week 9 starter: A fortuitous scheduling of six teams on their byes coincides with an intradivisional date with Detroit’s laughably weak defense. In this case, necessity alone may make Dillon a starter for some gamers, but it’s really the matchup itself to side with in this one.

[lawrence-related id=471288]

Detroit has given up the most rushing TDs in 2022 (11 through seven games), and just Cleveland has allowed more total TDs to the position, which took an extra game to happen. The position has racked up 10 individual performances of at least 11.2 points in PPR scoring. RBs have averaged more than 5.2 yards per carry, and four of the nine players to rush for a TD haven’t even been their respective team’s RB1. This matchup is 19.4 percent easier than the league average for positional success.

One aspect that’s more difficult to account for but still could be working Dillon’s favor is Green Bay’s pathetic passing game. Detroit is equally as terrible at preventing wideouts from wreaking havoc, and it’s a larger leap of faith to assume the Packers’ unimpressive passing attack will find more success through the air than on the ground.

While Aaron Jones will get the majority of chances to gash this group, Dillon shouldn’t be far behind him in touches, especially if this one gets out of hand early on.

My projection: 13 carries, 71 yards, 1 TD, 2 targets, 2 receptions, 13 yards (16.4 PPR fantasy points)

Gameday inactives, injuries and weather: Week 9

Week 9 weather, injury updates and gameday inactives.

Sunday updates will begin when teams start releasing official pregame inactives and starter information to the league. This is typically around 60-90 minutes prior to the kickoff of their game.

Weather forecasts are courtesy of The Football Database.

Week 9 gameday inactives, weather and notes

TODAY’S KEY GAME-TIME DECISIONS

Early games: RB James Robinson (inactive), QB Tua Tagovailoa (active but not starting), WR Cole Beasley (active), WR Amari Cooper (active), WR CeeDee Lamb, (active) WR Rashod Bateman (active), WR Sammy Watkins (inactive)
Afternoon games: WR DeAndre Hopkins, QB Kyler Murray, WR Deebo Samuel, RB Elijah Mitchell
Sunday night: WR Robert Woods, WR A.J. Brown
Monday night: RB David Montgomery, WR Darnell Mooney

Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals (1:00 p.m. EST)

Kickoff Weather: 53 degrees, clear

Bengals

Inactives: WR Auden Tate, OG Fred Johnson, WR Trenton Irwin, DE Cameron Sample and CB Vernon Hargreaves III

Lineup notes: WR Auden Tate (thigh) will not be available.

Browns

Inactives: DT Andrew Billings, TE Miller Forristall, DT Tommy Togiai, DE Joe Jackson, CB Herb Miller, OL Hjalte Froholdt and WR Odell Beckham Jr.

Lineup notes: RB Kareem Hunt (calf) remains on IR. WR Odell Beckham Jr. (personal) is out, but his release is pending. TE David Njoku (neck) and QB Baker Mayfield (shoulder) didn’t get injury tags after practicing Friday. WR Jarvis Landry (knee) was limited Friday but is off the report. WR Donovan Peoples-Jones (groin) will start despite a questionable designation.

Denver Broncos at Dallas Cowboys (1:00 p.m. EST)

Kickoff Weather: 62 degrees, clear (retractable-roof dome)

Broncos

Inactives: OT Garett Bolles, LB Malik Reed, S Jamar Johnson and DL Mike Purcell

Lineup notes: OT Garett Bolles (ankle) is out. TE Noah Fant (COVID-19) will not play, so TE Albert Okwuegbunam will make the start. Backup QB Drew Lock (COVID-19) will not be available after testing positive Sunday following a pair of negative tests Saturday.

Cowboys

Inactives: CB Israel Mukuamu, WR Simi Fehoko, OT Tyron Smith and QB Will Grier

Lineup notes: OT Tyron Smith (ankle) and TE Blake Jarwin (hip) are out. WR Michael Gallup (calf) will remain on IR for Week 9. QB Dak Prescott (calf) practiced fully Friday and is off the report. WR Amari Cooper (hamstring) and WR CeeDee Lamb (ankle) were limited Friday and both will play through questionable tags.

Houston Texans at Miami Dolphins (1:00 p.m. EST)

Kickoff Weather: 69 degrees, clear

Texans

Inactives: WR Davion Davis, QB Jeff Driskel, QB Deshaun Watson, LB Eric Wilson, CB Cre’Von LeBlanc, LB Hardy Nickerson Jr. and TE Pharaoh Brown

Lineup notes: RB Rex Burkhead (hip) and WR Chris Conley (calf) practiced Friday and are good to go. QB Tyrod Taylor (hamstring) was activated and will start.

Dolphins

Inactives: TE Hunter Long, WR Preston Williams, DE Darius Hodge, S Sheldrick Redwine, CB Trill Williams, DL John Jenkins and OT Greg Little

Lineup notes: WR Will Fuller (finger) remains on IR. QB Tua Tagovailoa (ribs, finger) is active but will only play in case of an emergency. QB Jacoby Brissett will make the start. WR DeVante Parker (hamstring) was placed on IR after aggravating the injury in practice.

Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints (1:00 p.m. EST)

Kickoff Weather: Dome stadium

Falcons

Inactives: DE Jacob Tuioti-Mariner, DT Ta’Quon Graham, DL John Cominsky, DL Jonathan Bullard, RB Wayne Gallman and OG Josh Andrews

Lineup notes: WR Calvin Ridley (personal) has been placed on the non-football injury list as he focuses on mental health and will miss at least three more games. WR Russell Gage (groin) practiced fully Thursday and Friday and is off the report.

Saints

Inactives: DE Jalyn Holmes, DE Malcolm Roach, TE Juwan Johnson, DT Montravius Adams, RB Ty Montgomery and DE Carl Granderson

Lineup notes: WR Michael Thomas (ankle) will miss the rest of the season after suffering a setback with his ankle. QB Jameis Winston (knee) will miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL. QB Taysom Hill (concussion) will make his return this week, but it will be in the hybrid role as QB Trevor Siemian will start under center.

Las Vegas Raiders at New York Giants (1:00 p.m. EST)

Kickoff Weather: 52 degrees, partly cloudy

Raiders

Inactives: OT Jackson Barton, CB Amik Robertson, RB Peyton Barber, DL Damion Square and DE Malcolm Koonce

Lineup notes: WR Henry Ruggs III was released earlier in the week after being arrested on multiple felony charges.

Giants

Inactives: DE Lorenzo Carter, RB Saquon Barkley, WR Sterling Shepard, FS Nate Ebner and LB Oshane Ximines

Lineup notes: RB Saquon Barkley (ankle) and WR Sterling Shepard (hamstring) are out again. WR Kenny Golladay (knee) and WR John Ross (quadriceps) both will play through questionable tags. WR Kadarius Toney (thumb) was limited all week but is off the report.

New England Patriots at Carolina Panthers (1:00 p.m. EST)

Kickoff Weather: 57 degrees, mostly cloudy

Patriots

Inactives: RB J.J. Taylor, LB Ronnie Perkins, CB Shaun Wade, TE Devin Asiasi, WR N’Keal Harry and OG Yasir Durant

Lineup notes: TE Jonnu Smith (shoulder) was limited all week and is questionable but will give it a try.

Panthers

Inactives: WR Shi Smith, CB Stantley Thomas-Oliver, C Pat Elflein, DT Phil Hoskins, LB Kamal Martin, RB Royce Freeman and CB CJ Henderson

Lineup notes: RB Christian McCaffrey (hamstring) has been activated from IR and will play. QB Sam Darnold (concussion, shoulder) cleared the concussion protocol and will play.

Buffalo Bills at Jacksonville Jaguars (1:00 p.m. EST)

Kickoff Weather: 53 degrees, mostly cloudy

Bills

Inactives: TE Dawson Knox, RB Matt Breida, LB Efe Obada, DE Carlos Basham Jr., DL Justin Zimmer and OT Spencer X. Brown

Lineup notes: TE Dawson Knox (hand) has been ruled out. WR Cole Beasley (ribs) is questionable will play.

Jaguars

Inactives: DE Jordan Smith, CB Tre Herndon, TE Jacob Hollister, WR Tyron Johnson and RB James Robinson

Lineup notes: RB James Robinson (heel) was dealing with too much pain during warmups and will not play.

Minnesota Vikings at Baltimore Ravens (1:00 p.m. EST)

Kickoff Weather: 52 degrees, partly cloudy

Vikings

Inactives: LB Chazz Surratt, WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette, DL Michael Pierce and QB Kellen Mond

Lineup notes: WR Dede Westbrook (ankle) upgraded to a full practice Friday and is off the report.

Ravens

Inactives: RB Latavius Murray, S Ar’Darius Washington, WR Sammy Watkins, DL Brandon Williams and C Patrick Mekari

Lineup notes: RB Latavius Murray (ankle) won’t play. WR Rashod Bateman (groin) and WR Sammy Watkins (thigh) are both questionable. Watkins isn’t ready, but Bateman will give it a whirl.

Los Angeles Chargers at Philadelphia Eagles (4:05 p.m. EST)

Kickoff Weather: 54 degrees, partly cloudy

Chargers

Inactives:

Lineup notes: RB Justin Jackson (quadriceps) has been ruled out. RB Austin Ekeler (hip) and QB Justin Herbert (hand) practiced all week and are good to go.

Eagles

Inactives:

Lineup notes: RB Miles Sanders (ankle, foot) landed on IR and will miss at least two more games. WR J.J. Arcega-Whiteside (ankle) has also been ruled out. WR Jalen Reagor (ankle) missed some practice time, but he’s off the report.

Green Bay Packers at Kansas City Chiefs (4:25 p.m. EST)

Kickoff Weather: 66 degrees, clear

Packers

Inactives:

Lineup notes: TE Robert Tonyan (knee) is on IR and out for the season with a torn ACL. QB Aaron Rodgers tested positive for COVID-19 and will miss the Week 9 game, meaning QB Jordan Love will make his first regular-season start. WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling (hamstring) was activated from IR and will play. WR Davante Adams and WR Allen Lazard missed the Week 8 game on the Reserve/COVID-19 list but have returned and will play.

Chiefs

Inactives:

Lineup notes: RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire (knee) remains on IR. TE Travis Kelce (neck) and WR Tyreek Hill (ankle) practiced fully and are off the report.

Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers (4:25 p.m. EST)

Kickoff Weather: 59 degrees, partly cloudy

Cardinals

Inactives:

Lineup notes: WR DeAndre Hopkins (hamstring) and QB Kyler Murray (ankle) were out of practice all week and are questionable. Neither player is expected to be active. WR A.J. Green tested positive for COVID-19 but is vaccinated and will not be available. RB Chase Edmonds (shoulder) practiced Friday and is good to go.

49ers

Inactives:

Lineup notes: TE George Kittle (calf) was activated for Week 9. OT Trent Williams (ankle) was limited Friday but is off the report. WR Deebo Samuel (calf) and RB Elijah Mitchell (ribs) were limited Friday and are listed as questionable. Both are expected to play. RB Jeff Wilson Jr. (knee) was activated from the Physically Unable to Perform.

Tennessee Titans at Los Angeles Rams (8:20 p.m. EST)

Kickoff Weather: 61 degrees, clear (one-air dome)

Titans

Inactives:

Lineup notes: RB Derrick Henry (foot) landed on IR after foot surgery, and he’s out 6-10 weeks. RBs Adrian Peterson and D’Onta Foreman were signed to the active roster. WR Julio Jones (hamstring) was limited all week but is off the injury report. OT Taylor Lewan (knee) and WR A.J. Brown (knee) are questionable. Brown appeared on Friday’s report as a DNP, but Sunday reports say expect him to play.

Rams

Inactives:

Lineup notes: QB Matthew Stafford (back) and WR Robert Woods (foot) were limited Friday. Stafford is off the report, but Woods is questionable.

Chicago Bears at Pittsburgh Steelers (8:15 p.m. EST)

Kickoff Weather: 56 degrees, clear

Bears

Lineup notes: RB David Montgomery (knee) has a really good chance of being activated for Monday Night Football. RB Damien Williams (knee) was out of practice Thursday and will need to be monitored Saturday. WR Darnell Mooney (groin) is questionable and was limited Saturday.

Steelers

Lineup notes: WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (shoulder) is out for the season and on IR. TE Eric Ebron (hamstring) has been ruled out, and QB Ben Roethlisberger (pectoral, hip, shoulder)  missed some practice time this week but isn’t on the injury report.

The best fantasy football gamble of Week 9

Jordan Love has fantasy profit written all over him.

Every week, at least one player becomes my fascination of whether he’s worthy of a fantasy football start or bench. The decision can be a mental wrestling match, but for the purpose of brevity, only one player can be chosen as the fantasy football gamble of the week.

The best fantasy football gamble for Week 9

Tracking my predictions: 2-6-0
Win: Player produces ≥ 75% of projected fantasy points
Loss: Player produces >75% of projected fantasy points
Tie: Player is ejected or leaves with an injury

Here I sit, 2-6 with four bad beats and consecutive whiffs leading up to Week 9. This must be how the New York Giants or Washington Football Team feel … there’s a creeping sense of hopelessness and despair. That is, until I remember back to what I personally would say was my finest fantasy football season yet.

Picture it … San Diego, 2012 … my fantasy team sported a thoroughly embarrassing 2-5 record, residing in last place. I decided it was time to completely rebuild around two key pieces, so four trades later, I had acquired Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson.

In Week 8, I squeaked out a victory by fewer than three points to get to 3-5. Week 9 saw me blow out my opponent by 43 and inch closer to 0.500. The next week, Stafford and Megatron combined for 65.45 points, and I scored 185, rattling off my third straight win to get back to even in the W-L department. I knew the team was something special at that point. I’ll spare you the week-to-week recap from there, but suffice it to say, that team never lost another game.

Goonies never say die.

Each week, when narrowing my player choice for this spot, one thing always becomes a factor … do I play is safe and recommend a player with an easier chance of meeting the expectations, or do I swing for the fences. In other words, there’s always a measure of risk one has to weigh on the proverbial scale of difficulty.

This week, maybe I’m on tilt, but something about this situation has me feeling it a little more than the others I assessed.

QB Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers at Kansas City Chiefs

The controversial news surrounding Aaron Rodgers being placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list makes for endless TV banter, but what intrigues me the most is finally getting to see Love start a meaningful game. Not just a regular-season contest but one that has huge implications for both franchises.

Nerves will be a factor, and mistakes will be made, but as 2019 Jameis Winston taught us, if at first you throw 30 interceptions, try, try and try again, because eventually you’ll toss 33 touchdowns … or something like that. The point is, even through a ridiculous number of errors, Winston still finished as the QB2 overall that year. It wasn’t pretty, but he still did it. The same kind of situation happened back in 2006 with Jon Kitna … in fact, he threw more picks that scores and still finished QB3.

[lawrence-related id=461828]

Why do I bring up those players? Well, Love’s situation could play out in a similar way, albeit just in a single-game microcosm. The Packers will need to throw to keep pace with KC, and this one is at Arrowhead, so we all know how that can go for an inexperience passer. Playing him in fantasy requires the acceptance of mistakes.

Love is in an interesting situation … if he’s awful, no big deal. Rodgers put him in this situation, right? If he’s awesome, the conversations begin about whether the Packers should expedite the heir-apparent situation. Sounds crazy? Maybe. We can revisit if he wins and plays well. And, don’t discount the idea there could be some kind of sanction against No. 12 that winds up costing him games.

The Packers get Davante Adams and Allen Lazard back from the COVID-19 list, a week after losing tight end Robert Tonyan to a torn ACL. There’s some merit to the idea Lazard could be utilized in that Tonyan role as a quasi-tight end/WR hybrid out of the slot. They’re the same height, close enough in weight that it’s irrelevant, and Lazard is a capable blocker. All of that only holds true of Marquez Valdes-Scantling (hamstring) is activated for the game. If not, Lazard stays at wide receiver and the offense chugs along. We cannot forget Randall Cobb coming off a two-score game in Adams’ absence, showing the vet still can run a quality route and work a less savvy defensive back.

The Chiefs, for their part in this situation, have allowed every quarterback but Baker Mayfield (Week 1) and Taylor Heinicke (Week 7) to score 20-plus fantasy points in 2021. We’ve seen Lamar Jackson, Justin Herbert, Jalen Hurts, Josh Allen and Ryan Tannehill all go for north of 24 points, with all but the Tennessee quarterback fitting into the 30- to 39-point range.

What do they have in common with Love? Mobility. He’s not going to get confused with Lamar in the open field, but the two most common traits to appear on any of his college scouting reports were arm strength and mobility. The Rodgers variety — move around in the pocket, buy extra time as the play breaks down, and wait for a receiver to get open. Kind of like what we see from Herbert and Daniel Jones, who managed 222-2-1 last week with a few Pop Warner wide receivers at his disposal.

Now, Matt LaFleur could derail my entire logic train right off the tracks by forcing Love into being a game manager and handing off the ball 40 times in effort to keep Patrick Mahomes on the sideline and prevent his own QB from making mistakes. That is entirely possible. Precisely, this is the top area of concern for me. It’s not that Love hasn’t started a regular-season game before or that it’s on the road in a hostile environment. It’s that knowing exactly how a coach will chose to operate is more art than science, unless we’re talking about Jeff Fisher. That dude was as predictable as the sun rising.

So, if you’re in a tough spot with Tom Brady on a bye, Rodgers watching from quarantine, Russell Wilson still hurt and on a bye, or any number of the other reasons why your QB situation has induced a stream of expletives flowing freely, all you need is a little Love in Week 9.

My projectionv: 272 passing yards, 30 rushing yards, 2 TD passes, 1 INT (23.6 fantasy points)

Fantasy football start/bench list: Week 9

Check out where your roster options fit into our Week 9 start/bench tiers.

Player analysis and projections can be found in our Start/Bench Tool customized to your myHuddle league scoring and rosters. All player listings by groups are in no particular order.

Key: Upgrade / Downgrade

QUARTERBACKS WIDE RECEIVERS
BEST BETS Opp BEST BETS Opp
Josh Allen @JAC Cooper Kupp TEN
M. Stafford TEN Stefon Diggs @JAC
GREAT STARTS Opp GREAT STARTS Opp
Lamar Jackson MIN Brandin Cooks @MIA
Tua Tagovailoa HOU Marquise Brown MIN
SOLID STARTERS Opp Tyreek Hill GB
Carson Wentz NYJ Robert Woods TEN
Patrick Mahomes GB Cole Beasley @JAC
Derek Carr @NYG Diontae Johnson CHI
Kyler Murray @SF SOLID STARTERS Opp
Kirk Cousins @BAL DeVante Parker HOU
Joe Burrow CLE C. Sutton @DAL
Dak Prescott DEN E. Sanders @JAC
Justin Herbert @PHI Adam Thielen @BAL
FRINGE FANTASY PLAYS Opp Deebo Samuel ARI
Davis Mills @MIA Hunter Renfrow @NYG
Mac Jones @CAR DeAndre Hopkins @SF
Ryan Tannehill @LAR Jamison Crowder @IND
B. Roethlisberger CHI Ja’Marr Chase CLE
Jordan Love @KC Mike Williams @PHI
Jalen Hurts LAC Chase Claypool CHI
Mike White @IND Davante Adams @KC
Taysom Hill ATL CeeDee Lamb DEN
Daniel Jones LVR M. Pittman Jr. NYJ
Justin Fields @PIT Amari Cooper DEN
SIT ‘EM IF YOU GOT ‘EM Opp D.J. Moore NE
Jimmy Garoppolo ARI A.J. Brown @LAR
P.J. Walker NE Mecole Hardman GB
Baker Mayfield @CIN Jaylen Waddle HOU
Tyrod Taylor @MIA Jerry Jeudy @DAL
Sam Darnold NE J. Jefferson @BAL
Matt Ryan @NO Keenan Allen @PHI
T. Bridgewater @DAL Jarvis Landry @CIN
Trevor Lawrence BUF Tee Higgins CLE
RUNNING BACKS FRINGE FANTASY PLAYS Opp
BEST BETS Opp Van Jefferson TEN
Jonathan Taylor NYJ D. Peoples-Jones @CIN
Austin Ekeler @PHI Rondale Moore @SF
GREAT STARTS Opp Tim Patrick @DAL
Najee Harris CHI Tajae Sharpe @NO
Ezekiel Elliott DEN A.J. Green @SF
Devontae Booker LVR Randall Cobb @KC
D. Henderson TEN T.Y. Hilton NYJ
SOLID STARTERS Opp Tre’Quan Smith ATL
James Conner @SF Zach Pascal NYJ
Boston Scott LAC Christian Kirk @SF
Aaron Jones @KC Allen Lazard @KC
C. Patterson @NO Brandon Aiyuk ARI
Joe Mixon CLE Bryan Edwards @NYG
Michael Carter @IND DeVonta Smith LAC
Khalil Herbert @PIT L. Shenault Jr. BUF
Alvin Kamara ATL Darnell Mooney @PIT
Myles Gaskin HOU Rashod Bateman MIN
M. Gordon III @DAL Jamal Agnew BUF
Dalvin Cook @BAL Elijah Moore @IND
Josh Jacobs @NYG Marvin Jones BUF
Damien Harris @CAR Tyler Boyd CLE
Elijah Mitchell ARI Jakobi Meyers @CAR
Darrel Williams GB Kadarius Toney LVR
Nick Chubb @CIN K.J. Osborn @BAL
FRINGE FANTASY PLAYS Opp SIT ‘EM IF YOU GOT ‘EM Opp
Rex Burkhead @MIA Cedrick Wilson DEN
Adrian Peterson @LAR Deonte Harris ATL
Mike Davis @NO M. Callaway ATL
Kenyan Drake @NYG Julio Jones @LAR
D. Singletary @JAC Sammy Watkins MIN
Derrick Gore GB S. Shepard LVR
Tony Pollard DEN Corey Davis @IND
Zack Moss @JAC M. Valdes-Scantling @KC
J. Williams @DAL Jalen Reagor LAC
Chase Edmonds @SF R. Gage Jr. @NO
Ty Johnson @IND Devin Duvernay MIN
David Johnson @MIA Nelson Agholor @CAR
D’Ernest Johnson @CIN Byron Pringle GB
Latavius Murray MIN Quez Watkins LAC
Carlos Hyde BUF N. Westbrook-Ikhine @LAR
Mark Ingram ATL A. Robinson II @PIT
AJ Dillon @KC John Ross LVR
Chuba Hubbard NE Nico Collins @MIA
J. McNichols @LAR Robby Anderson NE
SIT ‘EM IF YOU GOT ‘EM Opp DEFENSIVE TEAMS
R. Stevenson @CAR BEST BETS Opp
Jordan Howard LAC Steelers CHI
Ameer Abdullah NE GREAT STARTS Opp
Sony Michel TEN Bills @JAC
Royce Freeman NE SOLID STARTERS Opp
Salvon Ahmed HOU Saints ATL
Devonta Freeman MIN Rams TEN
Kyle Juszczyk ARI Colts NYJ
C. McCaffrey NE Dolphins HOU
Saquon Barkley LVR Patriots @CAR
D. Montgomery @PIT Cowboys DEN
C. Edwards-Helaire GB Cardinals @SF
James Robinson BUF FRINGE FANTASY PLAYS Opp
TIGHT ENDS Browns @CIN
BEST BETS Opp Chiefs GB
Dallas Goedert LAC Bengals CLE
Travis Kelce GB Ravens MIN
GREAT STARTS Opp Packers @KC
Mike Gesicki HOU Raiders @NYG
Mark Andrews MIN Falcons @NO
SOLID STARTERS Opp Chargers @PHI
Darren Waller @NYG Texans @MIA
Dalton Schultz DEN Giants LVR
Jared Cook @PHI SIT ‘EM IF YOU GOT ‘EM Opp
Zach Ertz @SF Jaguars BUF
Hunter Henry @CAR Jets @IND
Tyler Higbee TEN 49ers ARI
FRINGE FANTASY PLAYS Opp Bears @PIT
Evan Engram LVR Eagles LAC
Tyler Conklin @BAL Broncos @DAL
C.J. Uzomah CLE Titans @LAR
Mo Alie-Cox NYJ Panthers NE
Kyle Pitts @NO Vikings @BAL
Pat Freiermuth CHI
Noah Fant @DAL
SIT ‘EM IF YOU GOT ‘EM Opp
David Njoku @CIN
Cole Kmet @PIT
Anthony Firkser @LAR
Brevin Jordan @MIA
Adam Trautman ATL
Marcedes Lewis @KC
Jack Doyle NYJ
Tyler Kroft @IND
Tommy Sweeney @JAC
Dawson Knox @JAC

Fantasy Football Rest of Season Rankings: Week 9

Fallout from Derrick Henry and Henry Ruggs’ situations and more this week.

These fantasy football rankings track a player’s value for the remainder of the season and are intended to be used as a tool, not necessarily a definitive guide to player valuation.

The scoring system is performance PPR. There is no exact science behind season-long rankings, considering all of the variables and situational uncertainties at work.

Rankings key:
UP/DN is trending up or down from week’s ranking.
NR means the player wasn’t ranked last week.
UP/DN numbering shows where the player was ranked the prior week.

Fantasy football rest of season rankings

Quarterbacks
Rk Never leaves lineup Bye Up/Down Notes
1 Josh Allen, BUF 7
2 Lamar Jackson, BAL 8 UP4 I trust Jackson’s running as much as trust anything with most QBs right now
3 Patrick Mahomes, KC 12
4 Kyler Murray, ARI 12 DN2 struggled in Wk 8 and suffered an ankle injury; he’s expected to play in Wk 9 but the physical issues are starting to mount
Rk Lineup regulars Bye Up/Down Notes
5 Justin Herbert, LAC 7 back-to-back poor games moves him out of the top tier
6 Tom Brady, TB 9
7 Matthew Stafford, LAR 11 UP8
8 Dak Prescott, DAL 7 DNP in Wk 8 w/ a calf injury; he has a good chance to return in Wk 9
9 Joe Burrow, CIN 10
10 Jalen Hurts, PHI 14 threw just 14 passes in Wk 8; the team needed to scale him back, but it really clouds his value
11 Aaron Rodgers, GB 13
12 Taysom Hill, TB 6 NR enters rankings w/ Winston (knee) done for the year; has missed last two games due to a concussion but should return soon
13 Ryan Tannehill, TEN 13 UP16 TEN is going to need more out of Tannehill going forward
14 Derek Carr, LV 8 Want to see how he performs without Henry Ruggs; will reevaluate after Week 9
15 Russell Wilson, SEA 9 on IR w/ a finger injury; eligible to return in Wk 10 but could be out longer
16 Matt Ryan, ATL 6 DN12 the Ridley situation could affect Ryan’s value
Rk Weekly matchup plays Bye Up/Down Notes
17 Kirk Cousins, MIN 7 his fast start has been all but forgotten at this point; still, his weekly upside remains high
18 Ben Roethlisberger, PIT 7
19 Mac Jones, NE 14
20 Daniel Jones, NYG 10
21 Trey Lance, SF 6 was active as an emergency QB in Wk 8 as he continues to recover from a knee injury
22 Trevor Lawrence, JAC 7 UP24
23 Teddy Bridgewater, DEN 11 DN17
24 Justin Fields, CHI 10 UP29 his running in Wk 8 was the most encouraging thing I’ve seen from him as a starter
25 Taylor Heinicke, WAS 9 plays just well enough to offer hope
26 Sam Darnold, CAR 13 suffered a concussion in Wk 8; his status for Wk 9 is TBD
Rk Fringe plays/roster depth Bye Up/Down Notes
27 Carson Wentz, IND 14
28 Tua Tagovailoa, MIA 14 UP30
29 Baker Mayfield, CLE 13 returned in Wk 8 after missing previous game w/ a shoulder injury; too bad toughness isn’t a fantasy stat
30 Tyrod Taylor, HOU 10 missed his sixth straight game w/ a hamstring injury; he could return in Wk 9
31 Jimmy Garoppolo, SF 6 UP32
32 Zach Wilson, NYJ 6 DNP in Wk 8 due to a knee injury; he’s expected to miss 1-3 more weeks
33 Jared Goff, DET 9 DN31 how long until DET gives David Blough a look?
34 Geno Smith, SEA 9
35 Ryan Fitzpatrick, WAS 9 on IR w/ hip injury
36 Mike White, NYJ 6 NR
Running backs
Rk Never leaves lineup Bye Up/Down Notes
1 Alvin Kamara, NO 6
2 Jonathan Taylor, IND 14 UP4
3 Ezekiel Elliott, DAL 7
4 Nick Chubb, CLE 13 returned in Wk 8 after missing two games w/ a calf injury
5 Austin Ekeler, LAC 7
Rk Lineup regulars Bye Up/Down Notes
6 Dalvin Cook, MIN 7 did MIN intentionally scale back Cook’s usage on SNF or was that just a byproduct of the game?
7 Najee Harris, PIT 7 UP9
8 Aaron Jones, GB 13
9 Joe Mixon, CIN 10 UP11
10 James Robinson, JAC 7 suffered a heel injury in Wk 8 and did not return; he’s considered day-to-day and his status for Wk 9 is TBD
11 D’Andre Swift, DET 9
12 Christian McCaffrey, CAR 13 on IR w/ a hamstring injury; he’s eligible to return in Wk 9
13 Darrell Henderson, LAR 11
14 Elijah Mitchell, SF 6 UP20 three times w/ 100+ rushing yards in 5 career games
15 Cordarrelle Patterson, ATL 6
16 Damien Harris, NE 14 UP19
17 Antonio Gibson, WAS 9 DN13 his time share w/ McKissic and Jaret Patterson in Wk 8 was concerning; let’s assume it was related to his shin issue for now
18 Saquon Barkley, NYG 10 missed last three games w/ an ankle injury; has a chance to return in Wk 9
19 Leonard Fournette, TB 9
Rk Weekly matchup plays Bye Up/Down Notes
20 Chase Edmonds, ARI 12
21 Clyde Edwards-Helaire, KC 12 on IR w/ a knee injury; he’s eligible to return in Wk 9
22 James Conner, ARI 12
23 Javonte Williams, DEN 11
24 Josh Jacobs, LV 8 suffered a chest injury in Wk 7; his status for Wk 9 is TBD
25 Miles Sanders, PHI 14 DN21 placed on IR w/ an ankle injury; he’s eligible to return in Wk 11
26 David Montgomery, CHI 10 DN25 on IR w/ a knee injury; he’s eligible to return
27 Michael Carter, NYJ 6 UP44 scored TDs in 3 of his last 4 games; seeing increased involvement in the passing game as well
28 Jamaal Williams, DET 9 did not play in Wk 8 due to a thigh injury; his status for Wk 9 is TBD
29 Zack Moss, BUF 7
30 Kareem Hunt, CLE 13 on IR w/ a calf injury; he’s eligible to return in Wk 10
31 Melvin Gordon III, DEN 11
32 Khalil Herbert, CHI 10 UP35 hard to imagine Herbert hasn’t carved out a role even when Montgomery returns
33 AJ Dillon, GB 13
34 Darrel Williams, KC 12 split carries w/ Derrick Gore in Wk 8; CEH eligible to return
35 J.D. McKissic, WAS 9 UP40
36 Chuba Hubbard, CAR 13
37 Alex Collins, SEA 9 DN29 the news about Collins’ injury sounds better
38 Devin Singletary, BUF 7
39 D’Ernest Johnson, CLE 13 logged only 5 touches as the RB2 in Wk 8, which was not encouraging
40 Tony Pollard, DAL 7
41 Chris Carson, SEA 9 on IR w/ a neck injury; he’s eligible to return in Wk 10, but he might miss additional games
Rk Fringe plays/roster depth Bye Up/Down Notes
42 Derrick Henry, TEN 13 DN1 placed on IR and will undergo foot surgery this week; he’s expected to miss 6-10 weeks
43 Myles Gaskin, MIA 14
44 Kenyan Drake, LV 8
45 Mike Davis, ATL 6 UP53
46 Kenneth Gainwell, PHI 14 was by far the least productive RB in Wk 8, but I still prefer his long-term role/value
47 Sony Michel, LAR 11
48 Latavius Murray, BAL 8 DNP in Wk 7 w/ an ankle injury; his status for Wk 9 is TBD
49 Mark Ingram, NO 6 DN43 acquired from HOU; had 8 touches in his return to NO
50 Alexander Mattison, MIN 7
51 Ty Johnson, NYJ 6 UP65 filling a McKissic-type role the past two weeks
52 Devontae Booker, NYG 10
53 Giovani Bernard, TB 9 UP58
54 Devonta Freeman, BAL 8
55 David Johnson, HOU 10 HOU basically didn’t run in their first game after trading Ingram; hopefully Wk 9 will provide some clarity
56 Samaje Perine, CIN 10
57 JaMycal Hasty, SF 6 NR
58 Ronald Jones, TB 9 DN51 hard to see Jones having any value unless Fournette gets injured
59 Adrian Peterson, TEN 13 NR probably worth a speculative add, though obviously TEN’s RB room is in a state of flux
60 Rhamondre Stevenson, NE 14
61 Nyheim Hines, IND 14 DN46 really hasn’t done much of anything since Wk 3
62 Salvon Ahmed, MIA 14
63 Boston Scott, PHI 14 NR far from sold on PHI’s commitment to running; still, I’d rather rank Scott than Howard
64 Carlos Hyde, JAC 7
65 Marlon Mack, IND 14 DN59
66 Damien Williams, CHI 10 suffered a knee injury in Wk 8 and did not return; his status for Wk 9 is TBD
67 Ty’Son Williams, BAL 8
68 Jeremy McNichols, TEN 13 NR if TEN starts to throw more, McNichols’ pass-catching skills could be featured
69 Phillip Lindsay, HOU 10
70 Justin Jackson, LAC 7 had a 75-yd run but then departed w/ a quad injury in Wk 8 and did not return; his status for Wk 9 is TBD
Wide receivers
Rk Never leaves lineup Bye Up/Down Notes
1 Cooper Kupp, LAR 11
2 Davante Adams, GB 13 missed Wk 8 w/ a positive COVID test; he should return in Wk 9
3 Justin Jefferson, MIN 7
4 Tyreek Hill, KC 12 played his best game since Wk 4 on MNF
5 DeAndre Hopkins, ARI 12 dealt w/ a hamstring injury that limited his snaps in Wk 8; his status for Wk 9 is TBD
6 DK Metcalf, SEA 9
7 Ja’Marr Chase, CIN 10
8 Deebo Samuel, SF 6 UP13 has topped 150 yards receiving 3 times in 7 games this season
9 Mike Evans, TB 9
10 Terry McLaurin, WAS 9 DN5
11 Keenan Allen, LAC 7
12 Stefon Diggs, BUF 7
Rk Lineup regulars Bye Up/Down Notes
13 A.J. Brown, TEN 13 UP16 he might be the new focal point of TEN’s offense
14 CeeDee Lamb, DAL 7 UP15
15 D.J. Moore, CAR 13 still not sure how that wasn’t a touchdown…
16 Diontae Johnson, PIT 7
17 Mike Williams, LAC 7 DN12 has disappeared the past two weeks; not coincidentally, LAC have lost both
18 Adam Thielen, MIN 7
19 Chris Godwin, TB 9 UP24
20 Brandin Cooks, HOU 10
21 Michael Pittman Jr., IND 14 UP27
22 Robert Woods, LAR 11 scored twice but he still feels like years behind Kupp in terms of chemistry w/ Stafford
23 Chase Claypool, PIT 7
24 Amari Cooper, DAL 7
25 Tyler Lockett, SEA 9 had his first impactful performance since Wk 2; a reminder of what a risk/reward play Lockett is each week
Rk Weekly matchup plays Bye Up/Down Notes
26 Antonio Brown, TB 9 DN22 missed last two games w/ an ankle injury; he could return in Wk 10
27 Tee Higgins, CIN 10
28 Marquise Brown, BAL 8
29 Jaylen Waddle, MIA 14
30 Courtland Sutton, DEN 11 DN28
31 Julio Jones, TEN 13 missed his third game in five weeks w/ a hamstring injury; his status for Wk 9 is TBD
32 Emmanuel Sanders, BUF 7
33 A.J. Green, ARI 12 UP43 he has been the most reliable contributor among ARI’s secondary WRs
34 Marvin Jones, JAC 7 DN33 it’s checkdown city in JAC right now
35 Kenny Golladay, NYG 10 missed last three games w/ a knee injury; he’s week-to-week
36 DeVonta Smith, PHI 14 DN34
37 Cole Beasley, BUF 7 UP48 trending upward following a slow start
38 Hunter Renfrow, LV 8 UP49
39 Calvin Ridley, ATL 6 DN19 out indefinitely for mental health reasons; best move is to stash him on your bench and see what happens
40 Corey Davis, NYJ 6 missed Wk 8 w/ a hip injury; he has a chance to play in Wk 9
41 Jerry Jeudy, DEN 11 UP51 returned in Wk 8 after missing six games w/ an ankle injury
42 Darnell Mooney, CHI 10
43 Jarvis Landry, CLE 13 UP52
44 Laviska Shenault Jr., JAC 7 DN38 so much of JAC’s passing game is for the RBs/TEs
45 Jakobi Meyers, NE 14
46 Christian Kirk, ARI 12 UP57 has topped 45 yards receiving in 6 of 8 games this season
47 Jamison Crowder, NYJ 6
48 Mecole Hardman, KC 12 UP53
49 Michael Thomas, NO 6 DN46 on the PUP list w/ an ankle injury; eligible to return but is reportedly still weeks away from playing
Rk Fringe plays/roster depth Bye Up/Down Notes
50 Tyler Boyd, CIN 10
51 Bryan Edwards, LV 8 UP67
52 Odell Beckham Jr., CLE 13 DN42
53 DeVante Parker, MIA 14 UP65 returned in Wk 8 after missing three games w/ a hamstring injury
54 Rondale Moore, ARI 12 DN40 has only topped 50 yards in a game once since Wk 2
55 Russell Gage Jr., ATL 6
56 Brandon Aiyuk, SF 6 seven targets in Wk 8, 4 catches and even a 2-point conversion; don’t give me hope!
57 Rashad Bateman, BAL 8
58 T.Y. Hilton, IND 14 DN56 suffered a concussion in Wk 8, his third injury of 2021; he won’t play in Wk 9
59 Tim Patrick, DEN 11
60 Sterling Shepard, NYG 10 DN54 returned in Wk 8 after missing 3 of last 4 games w/ a hamstring injury; suffered a quad injury and did not return
61 Allen Robinson II, CHI 10 DN39 *sigh*
62 Curtis Samuel, WAS 9 DN50 missed third straight game w/ a groin injury; he won’t be placed on IR and could still return this season
63 Van Jefferson, LAR 11 UP73
64 K.J. Osborn, MIN 7
65 Jamal Agnew, JAC 7 UP75 17 receptions in his last 3 games
66 Robby Anderson, CAR 13 DN59 got lit up on his lone target of Wk 8
67 Amon-Ra St. Brown, DET 9
68 Nelson Agholor, NE 14 UP78
69 Nico Collins, HOU 10 NR
70 Marquez Callaway, NO 6 DN63
71 Kalif Raymond, DET 9
72 Jalen Reagor, PHI 14 suffered an ankle injury in Wk 8 and did not return; his status for Wk 9 is TBD
73 Sammy Watkins, BAL 8 missed last two games w/ a hamstring injury; he could return in Wk 9
74 Michael Gallup, DAL 7 DN71 on IR w/ an ankle injury; could return in Wk 9 but it doesn’t feel like there’s much of a role waiting for him
75 Marquez Valdes-Scantling, GB 13 on IR w/ a hamstring injury; appears likely to return in Wk 9
76 Kadarius Toney, NYG 10 returned in Wk 8 after missing the previous game w/ an ankle injury; suffered a thumb injury and did not return
77 James Washington, PIT 7 DN76
78 Josh Gordon, KC 12
79 Will Fuller, MIA 14 on IR w/ a broken finger; eligible to return but has already been ruled out of Wk 9
Tight ends
Rk Never leaves lineup Bye Up/Down Notes
1 Travis Kelce, KC 12
2 Darren Waller, LV 8 missed Wk 7 w/ an ankle injury; his status for Wk 9 is TBD
3 Mark Andrews, BAL 8
Rk Lineup regulars Bye Up/Down Notes
4 Kyle Pitts, ATL 6 without Ridley, Pitts should be the focal point of ATL’s passing attack
5 T.J. Hockenson, DET 9
6 George Kittle, SF 6 on IR w/ a calf injury; eligible to return in Wk 9
7 Dallas Goedert, PHI 14
8 Mike Gesicki, MIA 14 UP9
9 Dalton Schultz, DAL 7 missed Prescott more than anyone on SNF
10 Rob Gronkowski, TB 9 returned in Wk 8 after missing four games w/ a rib injury only to depart due to back spasms
Rk Weekly matchup plays Bye Up/Down Notes
11 Hunter Henry, NE 14
12 Pat Freiermuth, PIT 7 UP20 finished second to Johnson in targets in Wk 8
13 Noah Fant, DEN 11
14 Zach Ertz, ARI 12
15 Tyler Higbee, LAR 11
16 Tyler Conklin, MIN 7 UP23 50+ receiving yards in 3 of his last 5 games
17 C.J. Uzomah, CIN 10
18 Dawson Knox, BUF 7 did not play in Wk 8 due to a hand injury; his status for Wk 9 is TBD
19 Dan Arnold, JAC 7 UP26
20 Logan Thomas, WAS 9 on IR w/ a hamstring injury; eligible to return
Rk Fringe plays/roster depth Bye Up/Down Notes
21 Evan Engram, NYG 10
22 Jared Cook, LAC 7 DN17
23 Ricky Seals-Jones, WAS 9
24 Jonnu Smith, NE 14
25 Cole Kmet, CHI 10
26 Gerald Everett, SEA 9
27 Adam Trautman, NO 6
28 David Njoku, CLE 13 NR replaces Hooper as CLE’s unplayable fantasy TE
29 Blake Jarwin, DAL 7
30 Marcedes Lewis, GB 13 NR joins the rankings following the injury to Tonyan (knee)
Defensive teams
Rk Never leaves lineup Bye Up/Down Notes
1 Bills, BUF 7
2 Rams, LAR 11 UP3 acquired Von Miller from DEN, which should elevate the pass rush
3 Buccaneers, TB 9
4 Steelers, PIT 7
Rk Lineup regulars Bye Up/Down Notes
5 Cardinals, ARI 12 it’ll be interesting to see if the loss of Watt (shoulder) has a trickledown effect
6 Cowboys, DAL 7 UP8
7 49ers, SF 6
8 Saints, NO 6
9 Packers, GB 13 UP14 since Wk 1, GB has recorded 20 sacks, 14 takeaways and allowed just over 18 PPG; imagine if they get healthy
10 Ravens, BAL 8 DN7
11 Colts, IND 14
12 Patriots, NE 14 DN9
Rk Weekly matchup plays Bye Up/Down Notes
13 Bears, CHI 10 DN10
14 Browns, CLE 13
15 Bengals, CIN 10
16 Panthers, CAR 13
17 Vikings, MIN 7 DN15 losing Hunter (pec) for the year could be a major blow
18 Broncos, DEN 11
19 Seahawks, SEA 9
20 Titans, TEN 13 NR

The Huddle’s Blitzed Fantasy Football Podcast: Episode 155

Player news, DFS advice, and posturing for a playoff run are just some of the topics this week.

In this episode, Steve and Harley bring you B.P.N. NFL news, playoff posturing, and “DFS Pay-ups, Stay-aways and Value Plays.” So Huddle up, tune in, and get Blitzed!

Or click here to listen