What You Need to Know From Week 9

Jacksonville 33 - Baltimore 10

• The Jaguars' passing game was quiet again as the Ravens barely put up a fight, led by gimpy UDFA rookie Joe Fagnano at quarterback. At least one of the two balls Parker Washington caught was a 50-yard touchdown. You should stick with Trevor Lawrence and Washington against the Titans in Week 10, but there's a risk of another blowout win. Just hope that the team doesn't settle for four field goals and get two of their three touchdowns on the ground at Tennessee.
• Bhayshul Tuten was a game-time decision and played, but neither he nor Chris Rodriguez Jr. found much room to run against a good Ravens run defense. At least both scored on short touchdown plunges, and both got 12 touches. We'll be watching Tuten's practice participation, with an expectation that the split will swing back towards Tuten as long as he can get some practices in.
• The Ravens had no chance with Fagnano in, but they did run some wildcat with Derrick Henry, and offensive coordinator Declan Doyle did the best he could on a short week of preparation. This offense should be functional with Jacoby Brissett, who the team traded for last week. The Ravens will be the sixth team that Brissett has started for, so he knows his way around an NFL playbook. Zay Flowers and Henry should both be worth playing, and Brissett might be of some use in 2QB/Superflex leagues.

Cincinnati 34 - Atlanta 17

• Joe Burrow, Tee Higgins, and Ja'Marr Chase put on a show for the fans in Madrid. Burrow threw for three scores (two to Higgins, one to Chase) and ran in another one. He's the hottest quarterback in the AFC heading into a first-place showdown with the Steelers Sunday night.
• Chase Brown and Mike Gesicki were both quiet, but the ceiling of this offense every week keeps Brown in as an RB2/Flex and Gesicki as a streaming tight end consideration.
• Michael Penix Jr. was quiet for fantasy in a matchup that had been very good for quarterbacks in recent weeks, including Tyler Huntley and Malik Willis. Penix isn't worth carrying in 1QB leagues, and he's a subpar QB2/Superflex. Aaron Rodgers is still a viable Caleb Williams bye-week coverage option this week, and we'll still target the Bengals pass defense when setting our lineups.
• Drake London didn't score, but did draw two pass interference penalties in the end zone. The potential for a blow-up game is there every week as long as Penix stays healthy.
• Kyle Pitts Sr. was a huge disappointment against a defense that had given up gobs of catches and yards to opposing tight ends this season. He's not an essential hold after a touchdown outburst earlier this season revived hopes of fantasy relevance.

New Orleans 23 - Cleveland 22

• Neither team scored a touchdown until the fourth quarter, and both also scored a touchdown in overtime, with the Saints prevailing on a two-point conversion stop in what was a defensive battle.
• Tyler Shough leaned on Chris Olave, but also targeted #8 overall pick Jordyn Tyson five times on 18 snaps in his NFL debut. Tyson caught four of them for 30 yards, including one that he fumbled at the Cleveland two-yard line. He should be added in all redraft leagues and goes into Week 10 as a WR3/Flex against the Panthers.
• Audric Estimé was reunited with the Saints this week, and they parted ways with Kendre Miller. Estime took over the lead in the running game and got consistent gains, just like he did in that role late last season. Estime scored the go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter and got three red zone opportunities to one for Alvin Kamara - a catch down to the two, setting up Estime's short-yardage score. Travis Etienne Jr. should come back from injured reserve soon, but Estime has a chance to remain the goal-line back and carry some matchup RB2/Flex value against a weak remaining schedule.
• Shedeur Sanders was not effective for most of the afternoon, but a 60-yard bomb to Denzel Boston set up a field goal, a 64-yard bomb to KC Concepcion Jr. put the Browns ahead in the fourth quarter, and a 39-yard Harold Fannin Jr. catch-and-run that featured multiple broken tackles in overtime gave the Browns a chance to win on a two-point conversion. The team hasn't announced the Week 10 starter at quarterback, but early expectations are that they will go back to Deshaun Watson against the Texans.

Kansas City 35 - New York Jets 12

• Ken Walker III broke out of his mini slump with 143 total yards (two more than his combined total in Weeks 7-8) and three scores (after failing to score in Weeks 7-8). Emmett Johnson added a garbage-time score to remind us that he is the most valuable injury-upside backup in fantasy football.
• Patrick Mahomes II only threw two scores - plays where Ken Walker III did most of the work - and he suffered a strain of his throwing elbow on a play where he got while throwing that looked like it could sideline him for the rest of the game, if not multiple weeks. He's not an automatic QB1 play going forward in this horizontal passing game.
• Mahomes and Kelce became the all-time #1 quarterback/tight end combo in NFL history in passing yardage during this game, and Kelce added a one-yard run on a lateral chest pass from Mahomes at the goal line. Kelce should be an even better high-floor TE1 going forward after Xavier Worthy left with a hamstring injury. Worthy isn't an essential hold in short bench leagues.
• The Jets moved the ball consistently until they got in Chiefs territory. That led to five first-half field-goal attempts. Jason Sanders made four, and the team didn't score after that. This offense should still be productive against the Bills next week after Geno Smith wasn't traded at the deadline.
• Omar Cooper Jr. suffered an ankle injury in this game, but caught eight balls for 55 yards. Adonai Mitchell got seven targets with Garrett Wilson sidelined by a concussion, but didn't catch any of them. Wilson should be back in Week 10. If Cooper is out, Mitchell will be a what-the-heck WR3/Flex.
• Breece Hall was back after being out since suffering a groin injury in Week 3. Braelon Allen got more snaps than Hall, but Hall got 18 touches to Allen's 10, and Allen also fumbled in his own territory during the game. Hall will be a low-ceiling RB2/Flex, and Allen has injury-upside depth against the Bills and going forward.

Denver 26 - Carolina 21

• Jaylen Waddle left this game with a concussion, but Bo Nix still threw touchdowns to Pat Bryant (who was back from injured reserve) and Courtland Sutton. Nix is coming on at the right time as the Broncos go into their bye and face a weak second-half schedule. He's a solid QB1 option going forward.
• Jonah Coleman was the clear lead back and notched 88 total yards on 21 touches, including a rushing score. He's a low-end RB1 until RJ Harvey comes off of injured reserve, with the Broncos failing to add a running back at the trade deadline.
• Bryce Young bounced back for a strong game against a tough pass defense for the first time in the last three contests. He'll face a Saints defense that held him under 300 passing yards in the last matchups last year combined, so Young is only a QB2/Superflex option for Week 10. He's not an essential hold in 1QB short bench leagues with a tough stretch of Baltimore, Tampa Bay, and Minnesota coming up in Weeks 11-13.
• Darren Waller revived visions of him in his prime as he dominated the catch point in the middle of the field against a Broncos defense that historically has trouble defending tight ends. He posted eight catches for 90 yards and a score, and Panthers tight ends combined for 14-132-2 in total. Brock Bowers, Dalton Kincaid, and Hunter Henry draw the Broncos in the fantasy playoffs.
• Tetairoa McMillan scored and beat Patrick Surtain II handily a few times to demonstrate that he is basically matchup-proof, but Jalen Coker had another underwhelming fantasy showing as the #2 receiver. He's more of a what-the-heck WR3/Flex than a player you try to fit into your lineup after his hot start has fizzled out.

Dallas 27 - Indianapolis 23

• The Colts defense gave up over 500 total yards of offense as trading DeForest Buckner back to the 49ers took the stopper out of the bathtub. We'll target them going forward, although they face a gimpy Malik Willis who isn't a run threat right now in Week 10. It could be an Ollie Gordon II week as the Cowboys running backs combined for 178 yards on 32 carries.
• Tyler Goodson racked up 77 of those on 12 carries, but will be sidelined with a knee injury for multiple weeks, so the Cowboys are in the market for a backup running back.
• CeeDee Lamb came up huge with George Pickens sidelined by a hamstring injury. Ryan Flournoy didn't post big numbers, but he caught a big deep ball on the game-winning touchdown drive and also drew a pass interference penalty in the end zone. Don't drop him just because he didn't come through in this matchup.
• Jonathan Taylor was stopped on two goal-line carries and gave way to backup Seth McGowan, who scored. Taylor later fumbled, and the team seemed to trust McGowan over him late in the game. Taylor was not traded at the deadline, which is a disaster for his fantasy value.
• Keenan Allen and Josh Downs were both traded at the deadline - Allen to San Francisco and Downs to Kansas City. Allen is the better pickup in PPR leagues, while Downs serves more to help the Chiefs' passing game stay afloat and stabilize the values of Patrick Mahomes II, Rashee Rice, Travis Kelce, and Ken Walker III. Laquon Treadwell, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Ashton Dulin, and Deion Burks will compete for the snaps that were freed up.
• Daniel Jones wasn't traded at the deadline. He moves down on the 2QB/Superflex league desperation play list.

NY Giants 19 - Philadelphia 11

• J.J. McCarthy took a shot to the side and left the game briefly with a hip pointer. Jameis Winston led the only touchdown drive of the day for the Giants while McCarthy was out, but it sounds like McCarthy is healthy enough to start on Thursday against the Commanders.
• Devin Singletary got almost all of the backfield work with Cam Skattebo out, but only managed 31 yards on 21 carries. Skattebo will be back for Thursday night, so there's no reason to hold onto Singletary, who was outplayed by UDFA Greg Derosiers Jr., who was poached from the Chargers' practice squad.
• Malik Nabers appeared to be unhappy that he didn't get the ball more during the game. He ended up with five catches for 43 yards, but also dropped a touchdown pass.
• Joe Milton III looked like a quarterback who has been on the fringe of NFL rosters for most of his career. He moved the offense with scrambles and pass-interference penalties on deep balls almost as much as he did by completing passes. He isn't going to improve the numbers of Makai Lemon or Dallas Goedert (who wasn't dealt at the deadline) any more than Tanner McKee did. DeVonta Smith won't fare much better when he returns either.
• Saquon Barkley scored, but was otherwise held in check by the Giants defense in a part-time role. He should get healthier during the bye, but in this offense Barkley won't be more than a low-ceiling RB2/Flex, with some help from a spirited defense that can keep the Eagles in games against lesser offenses.

LA Rams 20 - Washington 13

• The Rams won the game, but lost Puka Nacua on their last offensive play. He is expected to be placed on injured reserve with an MCL/PCL sprain and turf toe. He'll be out until at least Week 15. There's no obvious pickup as the team waits for Davante Adams to return from his hamstring injury no earlier than Week 13, with a 6-10 week absence projected from the Week 6 injury. Matthew Stafford is not worth carrying in 1QB leagues and won't help much as a QB2/Superflex until Adams returns.
• Blake Corum scored for the fifth straight game, and Kyren Williams got 18 touches but turned them into just 61 total yards. The offense is going to have to go through the backfield, and the defense was boosted by the debut of Myles Garrett, who recorded three sacks and forced a fumble. Williams remains an RB2 and Corum a weekly flex play, with a lower floor in a Puka-less offense.
• Terrance Ferguson was set to return from injured reserve earlier in the week, and then pulled a hamstring in practice. We'll be monitoring for his return in a few weeks, as he could play an outsized role in this shorthanded pass offense.
• The Commanders are not having great success running the ball or throwing downfield, but Garrett's presence didn't help. Everyone in this offense is a what-the-heck flex or worse, with Antonio Williams and Stefon Diggs overshadowed by Van Jefferson and Chig Okonkwo leading the team with six catches. Okonkwo is a Colston Loveland bye coverage option on the waiver wire against the Giants in Week 10. None of the wide receivers are essential holds, but the Commanders offense does get an easier stretch of Bengals, Cardinals, and Titans after Week 10.

Detroit 19 - Miami 9

• The Dolphins defense was tough against the run and pass, resulting in floor games for Jahmyr Gibbs, Jared Goff, and Jameson Williams. Miami's defense is improving, but head coach Jeff Hafley also had success against the Lions as the Packers' defensive coordinator last year. The Lions should bounce back against the Patriots in Munich after the Packers ran them ragged last week in their own house.
• Sam LaPorta hasn't come through for fantasy for three straight games. He's not an automatic TE1 play until he snaps out of this.
• Malik Willis was limited as a runner with a groin injury and ended up on injured reserve with a core muscle injury. Kyle McCord will take over. He also put time in with the Packers, but there will likely be a drop-off in an offense that was starting to turn the corner before Willis got hurt. Caleb Douglas and Malik Washington aren't essential holds, but keep them on the waiver wire speed dial if you drop them.
• Ollie Gordon II remains a low-ceiling RB2, as the Dolphins' improving defense should keep his volume high against the Colts this week. Hopefully McCord will be a pleasant surprise and a somewhat functional passer.
• Greg Dulcich was quiet in a great matchup and can be removed from streaming consideration until we see how McCord looks throwing to him this week.

Houston 44 - LA Chargers 22

• The Chargers defense had been surprisingly tough in the first half of the season, but they seemed to run out of gas in this game. C.J. Stroud lit them up for 384 yards and five scores. Stroud will have a tougher matchup at Cleveland this week, but he's a high-floor QB1 going forward.
• Tank Dell caught a long touchdown, and Kayshon Boutte scored twice, but both are playing part-time roles. Dell did lead the team in targets with nine, so he's the better pickup and what-the-heck WR3/Flex for Week 10 if you have to pick one.
• Marvin Harrison Jr. was the only Texans wide receiver to not catch a touchdown in this game.
• Woody Marks still did nothing of note in the running game. Perhaps run lanes will open up if Stroud keeps playing like this.
• Ladd McConkey did not play a snap because of back spasms. It's reasonable to drop him with this offense in shambles.
• Poor Justin Herbert.

Seattle 17 - Arizona 3

• Drew Lock was competent, but not much more than that in this win. He suffered an oblique injury, but the team sounds confident that he will start against Las Vegas in Week 10. Sam Darnold should be back from his quad injury after the Week 11 bye.
• Zach Charbonnet looked a lot better in his second week back from ACL surgery, and Jadarian Price busted a long play as a receiver. Both are flex plays against the Raiders this week.
• AJ Barner got the only rushing touchdown on a tush push "barnyard formation" play, and he also caught Lock's only touchdown pass. He's a streaming TE1 option against a Raiders defense that has given up at least 30 points in each of their last six games.
• Gardner Minshew II (elbow) and Michael Wilson (neck) were lost for the season in this game. Rookie third-round pick Carson Beck will start at quarterback going forward. The top three wide receivers for the Cardinals right now are Reggie Virgil, Devin Duvernay, and Simi Fehoko. 

San Francisco 38 - Las Vegas 17

• The 49ers offense moved the ball easily even though their starting wideouts were Brandin Cooks and Jordan Watkins. Watkins actually reeled in a long touchdown and caught three other passes in a massive what-the-heck flex hit. The 49ers traded for Keenan Allen at the deadline, but it's not known yet if he'll play in Week 10 against Dallas. Any of Allen, Watkins, and Demarcus Robinson, who should be more involved after returning from injured reserve last week, are what-the-heck flex plays in Week 10.
• Kirk Cousins was traded to the Vikings at the deadline, so #1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza will start going forward. Mendoza won't run the offense as smoothly (especially against the Seahawks this week), but he should be better than a typical rookie #1 pick starter because he's had time to study under Cousins. Tre Tucker could also benefit because Mendoza has better deep-ball arm strength than late-career Cousins. 

Green Bay 45 - New England 27

• The Patriots defense seemed to give up against a Jordan Love-led vertical passing game that is in tune and making beautiful music in fantasy leagues. Love is a high-ceiling QB1 and still worth playing in Week 10 despite the matchup with the Vikings, who he threw for almost 400 yards against in Week 1. Christian Watson and Matthew Golden are both elite WR1s right now.
• Josh Jacobs left with a broken finger and will miss multiple weeks. Kaleb Johnson scored and broke one long run, finishing with 68 yards on 14 carries, and he's the waiver-wire pickup after the Packers didn't add a back at the deadline. Johnson is a flex or bye/injury RB2 play against a beatable Vikings run defense in Week 10.
• Drake Maye racked up numbers throwing to DeMario Douglas, Efton Chism III, and Mack Hollins, and assuming A.J. Brown is out for Week 10 in Munich against the Lions, Douglas, Chism, and Hollins will all be WR3/Flex options. Douglas is actually scoring like a WR2 over the last five games, so he's an easy call, while Chism has caught all 10 ten targets Maye has thrown his way over the last two games, and Hollins caught a touchdown in his return from injured reserve.
• Rhamondre Stevenson will miss multiple weeks with a knee injury that knocked him out of this game. It's not known when TreVeyon Henderson will return from his neurological/physical malady, so the team will go forward with a Corey Kiner/Lan Larison combo. Kiner is worth a pickup as the early down and goal-line back. He's a viable flex or bye/emergency RB2 against Detroit.
• Hunter Henry played despite leaving Week 8 early with a foot injury. He only caught three balls for 35 yards, but he's still a good streamer in Week 10 against a Lions defense that has given up 11 touchdowns to tight ends this season.

Chicago 27 - Tampa Bay 24

• Caleb Williams started red hot with two scoring drives against the Bucs and then threw four picks in a sign that he might be a bit overconfident. The Bucs pass defense is one of the best in the league and deserves some credit too. Williams isn't quite matchup-proof yet, which matters because he still has Jacksonville and Green Bay left on the schedule.
• D'Andre Swift was predictably held in check by the Bucs stout run defense. He'll get much-needed rest during the bye, but Kyle Monangai will also be ready to return from his turf toe injury in Week 11.
• Luther Burden III and Rome Odunze both caught touchdowns on their way to good fantasy games. It appears Burden will be the most consistent fantasy play in the passing game, but Odunze and Colston Loveland should also be every-week starts as a WR3/Flex and TE1, given the weekly upside of this offense.
• Baker Mayfield and the Bucs wide receiver group played poorly in this game. There's no fantasy value to harvest in this passing game in lineups right now, and only Emeka Egbuka is worth carrying through the bye.
• Bucky Irving scored twice and was the engine of the offense again. He'll get some well-deserved rest after leveling off as an elite RB1 and one of the best picks in fantasy drafts this season.

Buffalo 23 - Minnesota 6

• The Vikings defense gave Josh Allen a lot of trouble, including on a deep ball that looked like a possible score to DJ Moore while it was in the air, only for Byron Murphy II to undercut it and return the ball to midfield. Allen and the rest of the passing game should bounce back in a big way against the Jets in Week 10.
• Carson Wentz had one of the worst games this year, or in any year. He was benched for Max Brosmer, and the Vikings then traded for Kirk Cousins at the deadline. Everyone in the offense gets a bump with Cousins' arrival. He knows the offense and has excelled under Kevin O'Connell in the past. Consider picking Jordan Mason up if he was dropped.

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