Jets @ Colts
Elijah Moore was the story in this game, he’s had a total of 20 targets across his last 3 games so appears independent of the Jets QB carousel. Moore was constantly getting open and both White and Johnson hit him for TDs. He’s likely not rostered in your league (under 30% rostered in yahoo) so he’s a high end waiver target this week. Beyond next week’s matchup against the Bills the schedule is great for Jets receivers. For Indy the most fantasy relevant point is whether Rodrigo Blankenship will return to take over kicking duties against the Jags in week 10.
Falcons @ Saints
Wow Matt Ryan, he rolled back the years and was lights out for 343 yds and 2 touchdowns. He’ll be a viable QB option against the Cowboys in week 10, but the Atlanta running game was a non factor. This offense funnels through Cordarrelle Patterson and Kyle Pitts, Mike Davis belongs on your bench and any other Atlanta receiver is merely a flyer. Alvin Kamara owners might be a little worried with Mark Ingram eating up carries but look at it this way, he’s going to get less wear on his tires and stay fresher throughout the season. His usage was on par with CMC and look at how that has caught up to consensus fantasy number 1 in recent seasons. Kamara might actually be more effective and for longer now Ingram is back in NOLA.
Broncos @ Cowboys
I don’t think anyone beyond the most die hard Denver fans predicted this result, including me. Again Bridgewater threw less than 30 times and Courtland Sutton was the victim, he only has 8 catches over the last 3 games. Jerry Jeudy is the clear no.1 fantasy receiving option with Tim Patrick now second, Sutton can be left out of lineups. Also a nod to the Denver run game controlling the clock for a whopping 41 minutes, yes I was wrong about starting the duo! At one point Dak Prescott was 3/17 passing, he really struggled, but garbage time came to the rescue and saved his fantasy day. I think the Cowboys were straight up caught off guard by the Broncos, and we’ll put this down to a blip, they have a great rebound game against the Falcons in week 10.
Patriots @ Panthers
We should know by now that New England’s DST is a must start against Sam Darnold, though how many more opportunities are we get for that? I expect slim to none. It was a bad game for the Pats in fantasy terms, little to no production from anyone other than Hunter Henry. The backfield just got really murky with Stevenson looking good, but both him and Damien Harris picked up head injuries, who knows what happens from here on out. Run CMC is back, rejoice fantasy managers, he’s a locked in RB1 again, but if you have Hubbard, I would suggest retaining him in a bench slot. Also buy low on DJ Moore.
Vikings @ Ravens
The Raven’s backfield really only has two hard truths, Lamar is RB1, and Ty’Son Williams is no longer even a hope. Baltimore had 45 rushing attempts with almost half going to Jackson. When Murray comes back I don’t think you can count on any of the 3 veterans to be the guy, Marquise Brown is the receiving guy though, last year is a memory long gone! For the Vikings, Tyler Conklin continues to be consistent, its nothing flashy, but its serviceable if you are in need at TE.
Browns @ Bengals
Beyond a 60 yd TD bomb to Donovan Peoples-Jones there is absolutely nothing to report for the Cleveland pass catchers. Two receptions was the max for any Browns receiver, Baker only completed 14 passes, honestly don’t waste your time here, its fantasy misery. This was a bad game for the Bengals and Joe Burrow, the Browns pass rush just teed off on him, and he wasn’t helped by some costly drops and fumbles. But again there is no reason to panic with the bye week coming up, all Cincy players values were unaffected by this game.
Bills @ Jaguars
Carlos Hyde was solid but not amazing replacing James Robinson, but this game was a field goal fest, zero touchdowns. It was and ugly game for Josh Allen and he was upstaged by his namesake on the opposing team. I’m very low on the Bills run game, but Singletary salvaged his day with 7 catches for 43 yards. That said neither him or Moss are anything more than bench depth, I would not start either unless in a bye week bind.
Texans @ Dolphins
There was a total of 5 interceptions thrown by the QBs in this game, and only 1 touchdown and that basically sums up the quality in this game. That said Jaylen Waddle performed with Jacoby Brissett under center and that’s encouraging, and Myles Gaskin gets enough volume to be an RB2/Flex option against the Ravens on TNF.
Raiders @ Giants
I figured Bryan Edwards would carve a significant role in the Raiders offence after last weeks tragedy, however he laid a goose egg. DeSean Jackson signed with the team on Monday, and this probably adds to Waller and Hunter Renfrow’s value underneath. Kenyan Drake had a nice day with 6 catches for 70 yds whilst adding 30 yds on the ground, he should be a factor again next week against the Chiefs. Kadarius Toney had another let down of a game and when the rest of the Giants pass catchers return he’s going to be extremely hard to trust. Shepard is still the guy here when healthy.
Chargers @ Eagles
This was a mega bounce back game for guys on both sides of the ball, for the Chargers QB Justin Herbert had 2 passing TDs and one on the ground and he’ll look to back it up against the Vikings in Week 10. The Chargers were good again, but unfortunately Mike Williams continues to be boom or bust. The reigning Heisman trophy winner DeVonta Smith had a big game going over 100 yds receiving. Between himself and Dallas Goedert they combined for a massive 70% target share, and this will most likely continue.
Packers @ Chiefs
If this game tells us anything it’s that the Packers need Aaron Rodgers to be successful, and that also means from a fantasy perspective. I’d be real worried about AJ Dillon if I’m an Aaron Jones owner, look to trade the veteran RB1 as I think his value is going to keep decreasing. Man the Chiefs are bad, it seems like the NFL has figured out how to play defense against them and Mahomes is making bad decisions. If Rodgers was playing it’d be another Chiefs loss, Clyde Edwards-Helaire is due to back soon, and I think he’s a very good buy low candidate.
Cardinals @ 49ers
With DeAndre Hopkins and AJ Green out, Christian Kirk rewarded managers with 6 catches and 91 yards, he’ll continue to be a strong FLEX play this week. James Conner will move into RB1 status with Chase Edmonds going down, he’ll be a difference maker at least for a few weeks. Eli Mitchell showed receiving upside during a negative game script which is mega for his overall value. Brandon Aiyuk had a game, he’s had 15 targets in the last 2 games, but you have to wonder if he only has value when the Niners are chasing games.
Titans @ Rams
Pretty cool to see Adrian Peterson back in the NFL and scoring a touchdown but the carries were split between the Titans 3 backs. It’s worth adding D’Onta Foreman as he might take the job over the next few weeks. Matt Stafford was bad Matt Stafford, very Jared Goff esque, and hopefully its just a one game blip, a lot of those this week. Van Jefferson had a couple redzone looks and would’ve had a touchdown if it wasn’t called back. He’s actually a good depth guy to add because he’s getting looks, and its a pass heavy team, WR3-4 range.
Bears @ Steelers
Welp Khalil Herbert’s value just took a nosedive to earth with David Montgomery back, I’m kind of shocked that Monty just took RB1 status back immediately with how well Herbert has done. It was also good to see Fields throw more than 20 times, hopefully it continues because Allen Robinson being valueless saddens me! Pat Freirmuth gobbled up 2 touchdowns and stole the show for the Steelers, he’s venturing into TE1 status, he’s a definite waiver target if still available.
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