Let’s dive into some news and notes around the league, my top fantasy plays and favorite picks for Week 9.
Notes:
• It was a brutal weekend of injuries to the quarterback position, headlined by the confirmation that Kirk Cousins did tear his Achilles and will be out for the remainder of the season. It very well may be the last time Cousins wears a Vikings uniform, and it’s a huge blow to fantasy mangers as Cousins is tied for the league lead in touchdown passes with 18. Matthew Stafford, Kenny Pickett, Tyrod Taylor and Desmond Ridder each exited early on Sunday, but it seems all avoided serious injury.
• Will Levis was impressive in his first career start and could force himself into the starting role for the rest of the way with a repeat performance on Thursday against the Steelers. He tossed four touchdown passes, three to DeAndre Hopkins, but he’s got T.J. Watt coming for him this week.
• A.J. Brown is the best receiver in the NFL right now. Yes, Tyreek Hill is the only 1,000-yard receiver, but Brown is a matchup nightmare for any cornerback in the game. He’s got the speed to beat defenders and the size to outmuscle them. He’s a menace in the open field, and we saw twice on Sunday that even when he’s covered, he’s actually not. Much has been made about the Eagles’ Brotherly Shove, but Brown is the franchise’s best weapon.
• Speaking of the Brown and the Eagles, they’ll next host the Cowboys, whose star wideout led all players in half-PPR scoring in Week 8. CeeDee Lamb torched the Rams’ secondary, hauling in 12 passes for 158 yards, both career highs, and two scores. Lamb has posted more than 100 yards in back-to-back games after just 138 combined yards in the three games prior. Philadelphia is surprisingly one of the league’s worst defenses against the pass, and I’m expecting a lot of passes to be thrown in the NFC East showdown.
• The Ravens have been feeding Gus Edwards and it’s paid off the past two weeks. He was the top fantasy running back this week and has scored 20-plus points in consecutive games. Justice Hill had eight touches against the Cardinals compared to 21 for Edwards. It’s becoming clear who is the running back to own in this backfield. Baltimore has been linked to a couple running backs as we approach the trade deadline, but Edwards has earned the right to be the lead back the rest of the campaign.
• The trade deadline is Oct. 31 at 4 p.m., and fantasy managers should be ready to make waiver claims if any running backs are on the move. If Derrick Henry is traded, Tyjae Spears becomes a must add and trade target. But if Henry were to be traded to Baltimore, the aforementioned Edwards would be downgraded significantly.
• We have another international game this Sunday and it should be a dandy, as the Dolphins and Chiefs are set to battle in Germany. It’s a 9:30 a.m. EST start, so set your lineups accordingly.
• Bye weeks are also back this week. The Broncos, Lions, Jaguars and 49ers are all off this week. Next week’s bye teams feature some of the league’s best as the Chiefs, Dolphins and Eagles will get the week off. Plan ahead if you’re a Patrick Mahomes, Tua Tagovailoa or Jalen Hurts owner.
Thursday Night Game: Titans vs. Steelers
Sunday Night Game: Bengals vs. Bills
Monday Night Game: Chargers vs. Raiders
Top Pickups of the Week: Sam Howell, Will Levis, Kyler Murray, Chuba Hubbard, Emari Demercado, Jahan Dotson, Rashid Shaheed, Taysom Hill, Trey McBride
Buy Low: Aaron Jones, Chris Olave, Cooper Kupp, Logan Thomas
Sell High: DeAndre Hopkins, Courtland Sutton, Jordan Addison, Taysom Hill
Send to the Waiver Wire: Kirk Cousins, Miles Sanders, Jerick McKinnon, Kadarius Toney, Hunter Henry
Start ‘Em:
Quarterback: Derek Carr
Running Back: Zack Moss
Wide Receiver: Garrett Wilson
Tight End: Luke Musgrave
Defense: Browns
Sit ‘Em:
Quarterback: Geno Smith
Running Back: Emari Demercado
Wide Receiver: Jordan Addison
Tight End: Tyler Higbee
Defense: Cowboys
Sleepers:
Quarterback: Will Levis
Running Back: Latavius Murray
Wide Receiver: Odell Beckham Jr.
Tight End: Trey McBride
Defense: Colts
NFL Picks for Week 9
Weekly Pick ‘Em (Season Record: 74-48)
Steelers (vs. Titans)
Chiefs (vs. Dolphins)
Falcons (vs. Vikings)
Ravens (vs. Seahawks)
Browns (vs. Cardinals)
Packers (vs. Rams)
Buccaneers (vs. Texans)
Commanders (vs. Patriots)
Saints (vs. Bears)
Colts (vs. Panthers)
Raiders (vs. Giants)
Eagles (vs. Cowboys)
Bengals (vs. Bills)
Chargers (vs. Jets)
Five Picks Against The Spread (Season Record: 19-21)
Commanders +3 vs. Patriots
Colts -3 vs. Panthers
Buccaneers +3 vs. Texans
Bengals -2.5 vs. Bills
Chargers -3 vs. Jets
Five Over-Under Totals (Season Record: 18-22)
Titans-Steelers under 36.5
Seahawks-Ravens over 42.5
Rams-Packers under 39.5
Giants-Raiders under 39
Cowboys-Eagles over 46.5
One Bold Prediction for the Week
Week 1: Sam Howell finishes as a top-five fantasy QB against Cardinals. (miss)
Week 2: Michael Thomas leads all players in receiving yards in the two Monday night games. (miss)
Week 3: Justin Fields leads the league in rushing yards in an effort to keep up with the Chiefs. (miss)
Week 4: Travis Kelce has more receiving yards than Zach Wilson has passing yards in the “Sunday Night Football” game. (miss)
Week 5: The Bills put up 50-plus points against the Jaguars in London. (miss)
Week 6: Josh Jacobs has more total scrimmage yards than Mac Jones has passing yards. (miss)
Week 7: The Eagles hold Tyreek Hill to under 50 receiving yards. (miss)
Week 8: The Jets and Giants score more points than the Patriots and Dolphins. The Jets-Giants total is 36.5, while Patriots-Dolphins total is the highest of the week at 47. (major miss)
Week 9: Tee Higgins leads all receivers in yardage against Bills.
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