Let’s dive into some news and notes around the league, my top fantasy plays and favorite picks for Week 9.
Notes:
• Can every Sunday be National Tight Ends Day? The position has been brutal all season, but tight ends stole the show this week. Fifteen different tight ends found the end zone. Kyle Pitts and Cade Otton scored twice. Let’s hope this is a sign of things to come in the second half of the season.
• Speaking of Pitts, the Falcons must be upset they do not see the Buccaneers again this season. Kirk Cousins threw for 509 yards and four touchdowns in Week 5 and followed that up with another four-touchdown performance on Sunday. Pitts’ two best statistical games have come against Tampa Bay. The same goes for Darnell Mooney. All three players are rising in the weekly rankings.
• The Eagles’ offense is another unit clicking on all cylinders as of late. Jalen Hurts finished with four touchdowns on Sunday and has not turned the ball over in three games. Saquon Barkley has gone over 100 yards rushing in back-to-back games. A.J. Brown had his “worst” game of the season and still racked up 84 yards. Each is an elite option. The schedule is favorable in the upcoming weeks. Start them with confidence if you have them. Do whatever it takes to get them, if possible.
• Fantasy owners who roster the Dolphins’ skill players are thrilled Tua Tagovailoa is back under center. Miami’s offense has been dreadful without its franchise quarterback, but all seemed well again on Sunday. De’Von Achane finished as RB3 and Raheem Mostert as RB12. Be patient with Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Their time is coming. If you can find a disgruntled owner of either, see if you can buy low on the Dolphins’ receivers.
• Bye weeks are back. Sixteen teams will be out of action throughout the next four weeks. The Steelers and 49ers are off this week. Both Week 10 and Week 11 have four teams on a break. There are six teams on bye in Week 12. It’s time to start preparing now if you need to find a quarterback or tight end to stream for those weeks. If you are in a tight race to make the playoffs, don’t be afraid to make a bye week someone else’s problem in a trade.
Thursday Night Game: Texans vs. Jets
Sunday Night Game: Colts vs. Vikings
Monday Night Game: Buccaneers vs. Chiefs
Start ‘Em:
Quarterback: Matthew Stafford
Running Back: Chase Brown
Wide Receiver: Wan’Dale Robinson
Tight End: Zach Ertz
Defense: Bears
Sit ‘Em:
Quarterback: Dak Prescott
Running Back: Nick Chubb
Wide Receiver: Jerry Jeudy
Tight End: Isaiah Likely
Defense: Buccaneers
Sleepers:
Quarterback: Jameis Winston
Running Back: Sean Tucker
Wide Receiver: Noah Brown
Tight End: Mike Gesicki
Defense: Rams
NFL Picks for Week 9
Weekly Pick ‘Em (Season Record: 74-49)
Texans (vs. Jets)
Titans (vs. Patriots)
Chargers (vs. Browns)
Saints (vs. Panthers)
Bills (vs. Dolphins)
Falcons (vs. Cowboys)
Ravens (vs. Broncos)
Bengals (vs. Raiders)
Commanders (vs. Giants)
Cardinals (vs. Bears)
Eagles (vs. Jaguars)
Rams (vs. Seahawks)
Packers (vs. Lions)
Vikings (vs. Colts)
Chiefs (vs. Buccaneers)
Five Picks Against The Spread (Season Record: 21-19)
Texans +2 vs. Jets
Chargers -1.5 vs. Browns
Panthers +7 vs. Saints
Falcons -2.5 vs. Cowboys
Packers +2.5 vs. Lions
Five Over-Under Totals (Season Record: 21-19)
Patriots-Titans under 38
Dolphins-Bills over 49
Jaguars-Eagles over 45.5
Commanders-Giants under 43
Rams-Seahawks over 48.5
One Bold Prediction for the Week
Week 1: Jayden Daniels finishes as a top-five fantasy QB against the Buccaneers. (Off to a good start!)
Week 2: Greg Dortch finishes as a top-25 wide receiver against the Rams. (WR89 — yikes!)
Week 3: Derek Carr makes it three straight weeks as a top-five fantasy QB against the Eagles. (Major miss)
Week 4: Malik Nabers remains WR1 after scoring two touchdowns against division rival Dallas Cowboys. (Still WR1, but no TDs)
Week 5: A running back will finish with more than 100 rushing yards and 100 receiving yards for the first time this season. (Not even close)
Week 6: A tight end — a position that has been AWFUL to this point — leads all position players in scoring this week. (Close! Cole Kmet finished No. 6)
Week 7: The four rookie QBs — Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye and Bo Nix — combine for more fantasy points than the top four quarterbacks drafted this summer — Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson and Jalen Hurts. (Miss)
Week 8: Courtland Sutton finishes as a WR2 or better after failing to earn a single target last week. (JUST missed. WR25!)
Week 9: Tight ends keep rolling, with four tight ends scoring 20-plus points.
Photo Credit: Kenya Allen/PressBox