Let’s dive into some news and notes around the league, my top fantasy plays and favorite picks for Week 9.
Notes:
• National Tight Ends Day has been good for fantasy managers in recent years, but that was not the case this season unless you had Tucker Kraft. Dallas Goedert found the end zone twice and Oronde Gadsden II had another great game, but overall, it was another week of tight ends disappointing fantasy owners. Jake Ferguson was the biggest letdown of them all, who entered the week as TE1, but failed to catch a single pass. Tight end remains the most infuriating position for fantasy managers.
• Running backs ran wild in Week 8 with four running backs scoring 30-plus points. All four — Jonathan Taylor, James Cook, Breece Hall and Saquon Barkley — were highly drafted, but the players who were drafted late or undrafted are the ones who should be monitored. RJ Harvey found the end zone three times and finished as RB6. Kimani Vidal finished as RB7. Tyjae Spears, Isaiah Rodgers, Ollie Gordon II, Woody Marks, Sean Tucker, Emanuel Wilson and Tyler Allgeier all finished as a RB2. It is an important reminder that while it is great having an elite running back, Zero RB is prevalent for a reason. Stash as many handcuff running backs as possible.
• We are halfway through the season and there are some players who have overperformed and underperformed. Chase Brown and George Kittle are a couple of guys I want to invest in at a discount. I am looking to sell high on Courtland Sutton and Quentin Johnston.
• Keep an eye on the trade deadline. If Breece Hall and Alvin Kamara do get dealt, pounce on Isaiah Davis and Devin Neal. Receivers are a little harder to gauge as it depends on where they get dealt. If Chris Olave is traded and Rashid Shaheed remains in New Orleans, Shaheed value rises. I suggest turning on alerts for some of the industry’s top reporters so you beat your league mates to the waiver wire.
• Remember to check the weather heading into Sunday for your kicker selection. Target kickers playing in domes and fair weather conditions. As we inch closer to the winter months and every point helps, this matters more than ever.
Thursday Night Game: Ravens vs. Dolphins
Sunday Night Game: Seahawks vs. Commanders
Monday Night Game: Cardinals vs. Cowboys
Start ‘Em:
Quarterback: Jordan Love
Running Back: Tyrone Tracy Jr.
Wide Receiver: Marvin Harrison Jr.
Tight End: Kyle Pitts
Defense: 49ers
Sit ‘Em:
Quarterback: C.J. Stroud
Running Back: Jordan Mason
Wide Receiver: Cooper Kupp
Tight End: Evan Engram
Defense: Vikings
Sleepers:
Quarterback: Sam Darnold
Running Back: Kyle Monangai
Wide Receiver: Jaylin Noel
Tight End: Jonnu Smith
Defense: Jaguars
NFL Picks for Week 9
All odds are from FanDuel Sportsbook at time of writing
Weekly Pick ‘Em (Season Record: 80-39-1)
Ravens (at Dolphins)
Patriots (vs. Falcons)
Packers (vs. Panthers)
Broncos (at Texans)
Chargers (at Titans)
Bengals (vs. Bears)
Colts (at Steelers)
49ers (at Giants)
Lions (vs. Vikings)
Rams (vs. Saints)
Jaguars (at Raiders)
Chiefs (at Bills)
Seahawks (at Commanders)
Cowboys (vs. Cardinals)
Five Picks Against the Spread (Season Record: 20-20)
Patriots -5.5 vs. Falcons
Packers -12.5 vs. Panthers
Broncos -1.5 at Texans
Chargers -10.5 at Titans
Bengals +2.5 vs. Bears
Five Over-Under Totals (Season Record: 21-19)
Ravens-Dolphins under 47.5
Broncos-Texans over 39.5
Colts-Steelers under 49.5
Jaguars-Raiders under 44.5
Chiefs-Bills over 51.5
One Bold Prediction for the Week
Week 1: Trevor Lawrence finishes as a top-10 QB against the Panthers (miss)
Week 2: Zay Flowers remains the overall WR1 after torching the Browns (miss)
Week 3: Daniel Jones makes it three straight weeks finishing as a top-five fantasy quarterback (miss)
Week 4: Josh Allen accounts for five total touchdowns against the Saints (miss)
Week 5: A tight end leads all FLEX-worthy players in scoring (miss)
Week 6: Matthew Stafford finishes as a QB1 against the Ravens (miss)
Week 7: Quinshon Judkins is a top-10 RB against the Dolphins (finally got one!)
Week 8: Joe Flacco throws for over 300 yards against the Jets (miss)
Week 9: Marvin Harrison Jr. records 150 receiving yards against the Cowboys
Photo Credit: Kenya Allen/PressBox