Notes:
• Scoring had been down in fantasy for much of the season, but a whopping five players scored three touchdowns on Sunday. Christian McCaffrey completed the trifecta of a passing, rushing and receiving touchdown. A.J. Brown had three receiving touchdowns by halftime. Alvin Kamara is back in the top 10 players in fantasy. Tony Pollard and D’Onta Foreman, two “backup” running backs, exploded on the scene for fantasy owners.
• And then there is the “King” Derrick Henry, who owns the Texans. He now has rushed for more than 200 yards in four consecutive games against Houston, and he’s firmly entrenched in the top five of fantasy football.
• Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes are 1-2 in the quarterback rankings, but Jalen Hurts is entering the discussion after his four-touchdown performance. Hurts is surrounded by talent, and Philadelphia’s schedule is arguably the easiest the rest of the way.
• Jonathan Taylor is giving fantasy owners fits who took him first or second overall. He’s battled injury in recent weeks, but if you can find a frustrated owner willing to part ways, get him on your team. It wasn’t until the second half of last year that he erupted, and I’m banking on it happening again.
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• We saw this week why the Jaguars were willing to part ways with James Robinson. Travis Etienne has seen his rushing totals increase from 71, 86, 114 and 156 yards throughout the past four weeks. Fantasy owners who patiently waited for him to take over as the lead back are reaping the benefits, and he’s posted huge numbers without contributing much in the pass game.
• Cooper Kupp injured his ankle late in the loss to the 49ers and could miss this week’s contest. Allen Robinson should get more targets if the top receiver in football is out.
• Mark Andrews left Thursday night’s game with a shoulder injury, and rookie Isaiah Likely stepped up admirably in his place. The Ravens would be wise to sit Andrews with a bye upcoming in Week 10, making Likely a solid streaming option.
• After only two teams on a bye in Week 8, there is an absurd six teams on a bye in Week 9. The Browns, Broncos, Cowboys, Giants, Steelers and 49ers will not take the field this week.
• Remember to check the weather heading into Sunday for your kicker selection.
Thursday Night Game: Eagles vs. Texans
Sunday Night Game: Titans vs. Chiefs
Monday Night Game: Ravens vs. Saints
Top Pickups of the Week: Justin Fields, D’Onta Foreman, Khalil Herbert, Allen Robinson, Terrace Marshall Jr., Tyler Conklin
Buy Low: Jonathan Taylor, D’Andre Swift, DeVonta Smith, Curtis Samuel, Kyle Pitts
Sell High: Tom Brady, Josh Jacobs, Leonard Fournette, Michael Pittman, Zach Ertz
Send to the Waiver Wire: Derek Carr, Aaron Rodgers, Chase Edmonds, Hunter Renfrow, George Pickens, Rashod Bateman, T.J. Hockenson
Start ‘Em:
Quarterback: Geno Smith
Running Back: D’Onta Foreman
Wide Receiver: Romeo Doubs
Tight End: Evan Engram
Defense: Chargers
Sit ‘Em:
Quarterback: Matthew Stafford
Running Back: Dameon Pierce
Wide Receiver: Jakobi Meyers
Tight End: T.J. Hockenson
Defense: Rams
Sleepers:
Quarterback: P.J. Walker
Running Back: Brian Robinson
Wide Receiver: Allen Robinson
Tight End: Isaiah Likely
Defense: Vikings
NFL Picks for Week 9:
Weekly Pick ‘Em (Season Record: 70-51-1)
Eagles (vs. Texans)
Chargers (vs. Falcons)
Dolphins (vs. Bears)
Bengals (vs. Panthers)
Packers (vs. Lions)
Colts (vs. Patriots)
Bills (vs. Jets)
Commanders (vs. Vikings)
Raiders (vs. Jaguars)
Cardinals (vs. Seahawks)
Buccaneers (vs. Rams)
Chiefs (vs. Titans)
Ravens (vs. Saints)
Five Picks Against The Spread (Season Record: 24-16)
Chargers -3 vs. Falcons
Packers -3 vs. Lions
Colts +5.5 vs. Patriots
Jets +13.5 vs. Bills
Cardinals -1 vs. Seahawks
Five Over-Under Totals (Season Record: 23-17)
Panthers-Bengals over 43
Vikings-Commanders over 43.5
Bills-Jets under 47.5
Rams-Buccaneers under 42.5
Ravens-Saints under 48.5
One Bold Prediction for the Week
Week 1: Baker Mayfield and Russell Wilson each throw for 300 yards and two touchdowns against their former team. (miss)
Week 2: Four different wide outs finish with more than 100 receiving yards in the two Monday night games. (miss)
Week 3: Jalen Hurts has five total touchdowns against the Commanders. (miss)
Week 4: Lamar Jackson has more than 500 yards of offense against the Bills. (miss)
Week 5: Josh Allen finishes with more rushing yards than the entire Steelers offense. (miss)
Week 6: Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes combine for 800 yards of total offense in a potential preview of the AFC championship game. (miss)
Week 7: Derrick Henry has three rushing touchdowns against the Colts. (miss)
Week 8: The Colts rush for more than 200 yards against the Commanders. (miss)
Week 9: Davante Adams posts more than 150 receiving yards after being held to one catch in Week 8.
Photo Credit: Kenya Allen/PressBox