The Fantasy Footballers Podcast Recap – Week 9
Andy, Mike, and Jason are back to reflect on an exciting weekend of offense. Remember to listen to The Fantasy Footballers podcast, available wherever you listen to your podcasts.
Monday – Week 8 Studs and Duds, Monday FUNday, Ready to Roll
After getting sophisticated, the guys jump in.
Ready to Roll
Eight weeks in we have some data based on the draft strategy you selected, and one often used is zero-RB. This year was slightly different because so many WRs were drafted early on this season. However, this year, most of the RBs drafted in the middle rounds were not that successful, and most teams that are winning have a key RB piece. Jason mentions that the pendulum should swing back in the other direction next year.
News
The weekend was not without injury, with Stefon Diggs going down with a non-contact injury. The Jaguars lost all their WRs, and Evan Engram is the new David Njoku. Jordan Love has a groin issue, and it is unclear if he will miss time. Kendre Miller hurt himself, and Jordan Mason left the game against Dallas. Rico Dowdle was inactive due to an illness.
Studs
A lot of players had great games, including Jalen Hurts, who started slowly. Bo Nix has come into his own lately, and he has a couple of tougher matchups coming up, but he is still a dual-threat QB. Kirk Cousins also had a great week, and even in a challenging game, Lamar put together a strong fantasy outing. Baker Mayfield was good, independent of his two-star WRs. Welcome back, De’Von Achane, to the stud section. Rhamondre had an excellent fantasy outing with all the opportunities, and D’Andre Swift also played a great game. Jonathan Taylor had a strong return.
Josh Downs managed a great day, even with Anthony Richardson, but Jason cautions about getting too excited. The Chargers are throwing more, Ladd McConkey is reaping the benefits, and Marvin and Kyler are finally on the same page for Arizona. Superstar Calvin Ridley was a star on Sunday, making Andy exhale loudly. DeVonta Smith returned with a vengeance. It was a big week for the TEs this holiday weekend, including Cade Otton and Kyle Pitts. George Kittle keeps getting it done, and Mike needs Trey McBride to get a TD.
Duds
Caleb Williams was horrendous against a Washington defense that continues to improve. Joe Burrow started strong but went downhill quickly, and C.J. Stroud had a rough day and has now lost Diggs. Anthony Richardson was bad. That is it. Geno was bad without D.K. There was no Bone Zone on Sunday, much to Mike’s chagrin, and Javonte is suddenly not dependable again.
Davante Adams continued his dud journey in a Jets uniform, Jaylen Waddle was bad, and Amari Cooper did not deliver. The guys hoped for more from Cole Kmet, but this was probably a Caleb Williams problem, and Jake Ferguson looked terrible.
Enjoy the Monday night game!
Tuesday – Week 9 Waivers and Season-Ending Difference Makers
Monday Night Recap
The Steelers looked competent last night, at least offensively, and looked strong on defense. We need the catch child back to give George Pickens those TDs, and Tyrone Tracy looked great against a stout defense. He left with a concussion in the fourth quarter, so Devin Singletary might still be a thing.
Difference Makers
The guys are trying to stay ahead of the curve by finding a few players who might have some opportunity moving forward, similar to Dak Prescott and David Njoku last year. Jason mentions that T.J. Hockenson could be a difference-maker this season. Chris Olave could cost a little more, but he has some great matchups, and you should also consider Raheem Mostert.
News
The Seahawks are optimistic that Metcalf will return this week, and San Francisco plans to open the 21-day practice window for Christian McCaffrey. It is uncertain whether Anthony Richardson will continue to start for the Colts. He is very tired. Jordan Love is now on groinindex.com, and Derek Carr will practice this week. Jameis Winston will be the starter moving forward for the Browns. Brian Thomas Jr. is day-to-day.
Waivers
There aren’t tons of great options out there, especially for RBs. You could look at Jaylen Warren, but he is going on bye. Jason believes the best pickups this week are the backup RBs, such as Blake Corum, Braelon Allen, and Kimani Vidal. Tyler Allgeier would be the spot start. Pay attention to Keaton Mitchell, and MarShawn Lloyd is eligible to return this week.
Make sure to check for Calvin Ridley and Jauan Jennings on your wire, but they are heavily rostered. Josh Downs would be a great pickup if the team moves to Joe Flacco. Cedric Tillman will be less rostered and you can also consider Elijah Moore. Parker Washington is an option for a beat-up Jacksonville squad. A lot of people may forget about Xavier Legette, and if Diontae Johnson gets traded, he could get a bunch more opportunities.
If you are lucky to get Cade Otton off waivers, congratulations! The guys begrudgingly mention Zach Ertz and Mike Gesicki must also be looked at, even without a TD this week. He is involved when Tee Higgins is out. You might be able to spot Will Dissly this week if Quentin Johnston misses another game. Defensive options include the Saints, Commanders, Bengals, and, pre-emptively, the Giants.
Wednesday – Midseason Review and Trade Targets, Hungry for More
Hungry for More
Andy is hungry for more from the Chargers’ Ladd McConkey, much to Jason’s delight. Jason wants to see more from Josh Downs, and Mike is hungry for more from Jalen McMillan.
News
Stefon Diggs is out for the year with a torn ACL, which is a big bummer for a WR his age. It is now or never for Tank Dell this week. The Ravens traded for Diontae Johnson, and he will be questionable for fantasy in the offense with many mouths to feed. The Colts have named Joe Flacco as their QB moving forward, giving them the best chance to win while making Josh Downs a fantastic option. Jordan Love is determined to play against Detroit this week, and Doug Pederson is confident that Travis Etienne will return this week.
Midseason Review
Starting with the QBs with a minimum of four games played – Lamar and Baker sit on the top of fantasy points per game. Until his two big stars return, Jason is less apt to start Baker, but Andy is less concerned. The guys think that Brock Purdy has the most chance of falling out of the top 10, and Dak Prescott has the best chance of entering it. Kyler is the biggest question here.
Moving on to RB, where Derrick Henry and Joe Mixon are almost tied at the top. De’Von Achane does not make this list, but if you just look at the games he played with Tua, you will see he would be at the top. Saquon and Kyren are also up there, with Jahmyr Gibbs not too far behind. Breece Hall is the most frustrating person in the top 15. Andy thinks James Cook is the one who has the biggest chance of falling out of this group, and Mike believes James Conner has a great shot of making it in.
Nico Collins and A.J. Brown top this list of WRs, even after missing games. Amon-Ra is missing from the top 10, with their volume on the ground so successful this year. Andy thinks Marvin Harrison Jr. has a solid chance to get into this list as the season progresses, and the guys chime in with Tyreek Hill and George Pickens. Jason also believes this week might be challenging, but Tank Dell should have an excellent second half of the season. George Kittle is the highest TE by a mile, with Brock Bowers in second. Engram and Andrews close out the top 10. Njoku, Otton, and Engram could have upward trajectories.
Thursday Night Breakdown
The Jets and the Texans play in primetime this week, and Houston is beat up and on the road. The offense might flow through Joe Mixon on the Texans’ side, and Andy will be benching Tank Dell. For the Jets, the guys are in on Adams and Wilson in this game. Breece Hall is always an option, and the guys are not starting any of the QBs.
Thursday – Halloween Show! Spooky Starts and Week 9 Breakdown
Happy Halloween FootClan!
News
Bryce Young is starting on Sunday, which is the spookiest news of the week. There is optimism that Travis Etienne will play this week, and it is uncertain whether Brian Thomas Jr. will. Jordan Love is still not practicing, and Jason suggests caution if he plays without practice. Josh Jacobs did not practice Wednesday, so monitor that. Also, Lamar Jackson had a rest day.
Starts of the Week
This week, Andy is starting Joe Burrow, Tony Pollard, Josh Downs, and Sam LaPorta. Jason is going with Dak Prescott, James Conner, Chris Olave, and Evan Engram. Finally, Mike is starting Sam Darnold, Chuba Hubbard, Ladd McConkey, and Mark Andrews.
Fantasy Forecast
Dallas and Atlanta start us off in a high over/under game. Managers will have real concerns if Dak can’t make it work this week. Kirk Cousins has been hot and cold for Atlanta, but Andy believes he will have a good game. Bijan is a start, and Jason thinks Tyler Allgeier can also be flexed. Do not play a Dallas RB. Jalen Tolbert could be a desperate start. Miami battles Buffalo in a do-or-die game for Miami. Start Tyreek, but temper expectations against a tough matchup. Achane is a great play, as well as Mostert. Andy is nervous about starting Amari Cooper but is behind Keon Coleman.
The Raiders head east to play the Bengals. Start your Cincy studs, and keep an eye on Tee Higgins and his status. Mike Gesicki is a good option if Higgins is sidelined. On the other side, Alexander Mattison should get all the volume, and Brock Bowers is always in your lineup. The Chargers and Browns are up next. Mike likes McConkey for Los Angeles, and Cedric Tillman is in play for Cleveland. J.K. Dobbins has not been incredibly effective lately, but you can still put him in your lineup.
New England and Tennessee play in the lowest over/under of the week. It is uncertain whether Drake Maye will play, and past him, Rhamondre is in play as the workhorse back. Hunter Henry is a decent TE streamer in a pinch. Andy expects Calvin Ridley to be out there again this week for the Titans. The Commanders head to New York to play the Giants in Andy’s almost upset. Tyrone Tracy is progressing through the protocol, so keep your ears to the ground on his status. He is a start if he goes along with Nabers. On the other side, start your Washington studs, and Zach Ertz is a perfect bye-week fill-in.
Enjoy the Thursday night game!
Friday – Week 9 Matchups and Ducer Daycare, Fantasy Faceoff
It is an Andy and Mike Friday with a J-Grizz appearance!
Thursday Night Recap
If you had Joe Mixon, you were quite pleased, and if you had C.J. Stroud, hopefully, you did not start him. On the other side, Garrett Wilson got into the end zone, and Breece Hall was alright. Aaron Rodgers was still limited mobility-wise but ended the evening with a decent line.
News
It is the weekly Tee Higgins did not practice announcement, meaning you can play Mike Gesicki. David Njoku did not practice on Thursday, so keep an eye on him. It looks like Tyrone Tracy will make it out of concussion protocol to play this week. Conversely, Drake Maye is still in the protocol. Puka was added to the injury report after practice and did not speak to the media. D.K. Metcalf looks to miss another week.
Fantasy Forecast
The Saints and Panthers start us off today. Derek Carr will play, and you are starting Kamara and Olave. On the other side, Chuba Hubbard can be in your lineups, and there are some dart throws in Legette and Coker. Denver heads to Baltimore to take on the Ravens. Bo Nix has been great lately, and they are piecing it together. It should be just Javonte and Sutton when it comes to starts. Lamar is back at practice, you are starting Henry, and the WRs should be okay. Mike is alright with starting Mark Andrews.
Philly is a heavy favorite against Jacksonville in the next matchup. Play your Eagles studs and move on. On the Jags’ side, best of luck! Evan Engram is the last man standing, and the game is in the late window, so you must have a pivot option. Chicago and Arizona are the next game. Kyler has been hot and cold, and James Conner is the engine of the offense. Marvin and TMcB are in your lineups. On the Chicago side, Mike is nervous when it comes down to picking the WR to start.
Detroit heads to Green Bay for a battle of the NFC North. If Jordan Love starts, you can put the offensive weapons in your lineup. For Detroit, fire up the RBs as usual, as well as the other studs. This one is easy. The Rams head to the Pacific Northwest to play the Seahawks. Kyren always seems to find the end zone, and if Puka is available, you can start him. The Seattle WR room has not lived up to expectations, and Metcalf looks to miss another week.
Sunday night brings up the Flacco-led Colts and the Vikings. Pittman is in your lineup and Josh Downs is Andy’s start of the week. There is not much beyond those names, but Joe Flacco could be a streaming option. Aaron Jones is the man in Minnesota, and the guys are doing a wait-and-see on Hockenson in his first game back. Tampa Bay and Kansas City close out the week. Cade Otton is a great start, and Baker loves to throw, so other pass-catchers could be startable. Mike is keeping an eye on Xavier Worthy, and you are starting Kelce. You could stream Mahomes.
Andy and Mike reveal their DraftKings lineups, and Jason is not here to spin the Wheel of Shame!
Good luck, FootClan!