Hot Fire Fantasy Football Questions: Week 9
Our “Hot Fire Fantasy Questions” series takes a look at Week 9 following up recent news, fantasy performances, and implications for owners moving forward. Our Hot Fire contributors from our Fantasy Footballers writing staff includes Ryan Weisse (@TheFantasyFive), Keaton Denlay (@KeatonDenlay), and Nate Hamilton (@DomiNateFF).
Make sure you listen to today’s podcast to get Andy, Mike, and Jason’s reactions from all the Week 9 action.
1. Which game did not go the way you foresaw in Week 9?
Denver @ Philadelphia
How is the answer not the Eagles-Broncos game? I know the Eagles have been playing well but I don’t think anyone expected the Broncos to get thrashed to the tune of 51 points. I expected a slugfest but 74 combined points later I was very very wrong. –Keaton Denlay
Tampa Bay @ New Orleans
I expected it to be a high scoring shoot out. I expected Jameis Winston to return to form. I expected the New Orleans DEF/ST to have a bad game. And I expected Willie Snead to finally show up and make an impact. Instead, the Saints dismantled Tampa Bay but Snead played no part (except a lost fumble) and it turned into the Alvin Kamara show. I started Winston, Mike Evans, and Snead in multiple leagues and avoided the New Orleans DEF/ST as well…not how I like my Sundays to go. –Ryan Weisse
Washington @ Seattle
Seattle is supposed to be one of the toughest places to play for opposing teams and the Redskins were able to hold the Seahawks offense without a score until 11:53 left in the 4th quarter. The Redskins defense intercepted Russell Wilson twice in this game and won without a Kirk Cousins touchdown. A very odd game and one I did not see playing out the way it did. -Nate Hamilton
2. Which rookie RB would you rather have ROS: Alvin Kamara, Christian McCaffrey or Kareem Hunt?
Alvin Kamara
Very much Kamara for me, at least in an PPR format. The Saints offense is and always has been made for pass catching RBs and Kamara is just getting started. Hunt is probably the best RB of the group but defenses are keying on him and slowing him down. McCaffrey is starting to see success as well but I’m interested to see how defenses adjust to this offense minus Kelvin Benjamin. -Ryan Weisse
Chris Graythen/Getty Images
Kareem Hunt is the best true RB of the group and I like him a lot going forward. However, because Kamara has already had his bye and gets an easier schedule going forward I will give him the slight edge over Hunt. –Keaton Denlay
Kareem Hunt
I have to still go Kareem Hunt here. Yes, Christian McCaffrey gets a bump without Kelvin Benjamin in the lineup but his quarterback is volatile this season, making McCaffrey volatile by association. Alvin Kamara is in a very good offense in New Orleans which makes him appealing. I do like his upside but he just doesn’t get the volume I would want in my RB position to want him over someone like Kareem Hunt rest of season. Yes, Hunt matched his season low in carries (9) Week 9 vs Dallas but the Chiefs offense had to play catch-up with the Cowboys all game. We’ve all seen the RB1 upside Hunt can provide and we’ve seen it often enough to not write this guy off. Hunt has over 100 total yards in his first 7 games of the season. He had a tough matchup vs Denver Week 8 and Dallas hasn’t been terrible against the run either. I’d expect Kareem Hunt to be rejuvenated during his Week 10 bye week and come out swinging on the other side. –Nate Hamilton
3. Whose fantasy performance let down their owners the most?
A.J. Green
For me it has to be A.J. Green. We knew he had a tough matchup against Jalen Ramsey but we started him anyway because ‘he’s A.J. Green’. Not only did Green only manage 1 reception he couldn’t keep his emotions in check and got himself ejected in an embarrassing fashion. As they said on the broadcast, in the storied rivalry between fists and helmets, the helmets are undefeated. –Keaton Denlay
Mike Evans
I started this year as the biggest Mike Evans supporter I knew and I ended last night shopping him for a QB (I own Winston as well). 1 catch for 13 yards is not acceptable from a “superstar” WR and neither Winston or Ryan Fitzpatrick can be trusted moving forward. -Ryan Weisse
LeSean McCoy
He was supposed to be the most talented player on the field Thursday night against the New York Jets defense. The newly acquired Kelvin Benjamin was inactive for the Bills only increasing McCoy’s value. So we thought. LeSean McCoy ended the night with 12 carries for 25 yards and ZERO catches. If that’s not pooping in your big boy pants, than I don’t know what is! -Nate Hamilton
4. What under-the-radar fantasy stat line from Week 9 do owners need to pay attention to?
Terrance Williams
9 receptions on 9 targets for 141 yards. The only reason a stat line like this may be under the radar is because this stat line belongs to Terrance Williams, WR for the Dallas Cowboys. Dak Prescott heavily targeted Williams even with Dez Bryant on the field. Dez was diagnosed with a sprained ankle so this could provide a boost for Williams should Dez miss any time or be limited in some fashion. At the very least, Williams should have earned more trust catching 100% of his targets Dak threw his way, which should lead to more targets in the weeks to come. -Nate Hamilton
Matthew Visinsky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Kenyan Drake
Kenyan Drake and Damien Williams had similar fantasy production against the Raiders on Sunday Night Football and most owners will remember that Drake lost a fumble while Williams was the one that scored. However, I think it is more telling that Drake was the more efficient runner (7.7 ypc to 2.0) and that Drake out touched Williams in the second half, which was post-fumble, 8 touches to 2. –Keaton Denlay
Texans WRs
If our own Nate Hamilton hasn’t pointed it out yet, DeAndre Hopkins caught 6 of 16 targets for 86 yards and a TD…with Tom Savage at QB. Nobody was quite sure what to do with Texans WRs after they lost Watson but “sell” seemed to be the common answer. Hopkins looks like he is going to continue to be peppered with targets and is still going to be a WR1. Will Fuller on the other hand…Fuller saw targets equal to Bruce Ellington (8) and caught fewer. He ended the game with 2 catches for 32 yards. The problem is, the 2 catches are what he was averaging with Watson but it appears that he will find the endzone much less with Savage at the helm. Seems like a lot of Dud weeks ahead for Fuller. -Ryan Weisse