Teams on Bye: Seahawks, Bucs, Lions, WFT
Week 8 is proving to be more brutal than ever. First off I want to recognize the loss of the family of the girl that died in the crash with Henry Ruggs, and also the loss Ruggs is experiencing despite the carelessness of his actions. Nothing is worth the risk of getting behind the wheel intoxicated.
Going into week 9, owners are now without Aaron Rodgers because of COVID (guess that alternative treatment didn’t quite work) and according to @JayGlazer Kyler Murray is experiencing a legitimate ankle sprain following last week’s game, and could miss this week and possibly more.
We had already said goodbye to Jameis Winston and are still waiting on official word if Taysom Hill will start, but he’s trending in the right direction according to his head coach.
Obvious QB1 Starts Week 9
Matthew Stafford vs the Titans: QB6 finish last week despite only playing 3 quarters, Stafford is playing some of the best ball in the league. The Titans are bottom ten in the league in passing yards allowed.
Josh Allen at the Jaguars: Jacksonville is stiffening against the pass the last three weeks, allowing only 232 passing yards per game, so Allen is only no 2 this week.
Lamar Jackson vs the Vikings: The Vikings barely stood up to the passing attack of Cooper Rush last week. No reason to think Lamar isn’t top three this week.
Dak Prescott vs the Broncos: Check practice reports to ensure he’s good to go but given that he was a game-time decision last week, should be fine. Fire up as QB4.
Joe Burrow vs the Browns: Three straight games with 3 TDs, QBR north of 100, Burrow is playing at a very high level. Still no rushing floor.
Patrick Mahomes II vs Green Bay: Mahomes won’t be facing Rodgers so might not have reason to chuck it, and frankly something is off. Not sure if its practice reps being too easy or Reid losing an edge, but his throws were almost all off last week.
Derek Carr at the Giants: Losing Ruggs hurts but still think Carr is good for 300+ and 2 TDs.
Justin Herbert at the Eagles: Somebody get this kid some strawberries. Two straight duds, maybe the Eagles bottom 8 pass D can help get him back on track.
Kirk Cousins at the Ravens: Cousins has been maddeningly inconsistent but should be good for top 10 numbers in a week with a lot of QBs out.
Tua Tagovaioloa vs the Texans: QBs do kinda well against the Texans. 4th worst in FPA to QBs. With the trade pressure off at least for now, Tua should be back to his fantasy-winning ways.
Jalen Hurts vs the Chargers: We really didn’t learn anything about Hurts last week. The Chargers will tell us a lot about his future. Chargers are top ten against QBs and have shut down running quarterbacks.
Ryan Tannehill at the Rams: Tannehill is without Henry and facing a newly strengthened Rams pass rush. Should be a rough game but garbage time will save his fantasy day.
Questionable QB2 Starts Week 9
Taysom Hill vs the Falcons
All we have to go on is last year, and it sounds like there is a chance that he won’t be able to suit up. But I’m planning on him starting. In his two games against the Falcons he passed for 230+ and had 49-2 and 83-0. Should be good for this week as the Falcons defense has not improved since last year. Probably the best of the QB2s available this week. Start with confidence.
Mike White at the Colts
I covered this in my WW column this week but White took the underneath stuff Cincy was giving him and had a lot of success. Check the chart:
I really can’t see any reason to put this guy any lower. You can’t just accidentally throw for 405 yards and 3 TDs. I can see regression to about 250 and 2 but that’s the floor. 300 and 3 is attainable but the Colts are only giving up 215 yards through their last 3, allow the 12th-most fantasy points to QBs on the season.
Daniel Jones vs the Raiders
Jones just isn’t pulling it together with any regularity. A player that seems to possess all the potential in the world, this is Jones’s third season delivering uneven results.
The Raiders are top ten in the league against the pass in their past three in passing yards allowed and sacks per game, and in the top half in completion percentage. Don’t expect big things from Jones this week, or ever.
Mac Jones at the Panthers
Jones has been less than thrilling as a fantasy option this year. So boring in fact he didn’t even merit a throw chart for week 8. His rating went into the toilet (70.9) as he managed only a 51% completion for a meager 218 yards and no scores. But that was against the Chargers, and Carolina is allowing a 70+ completion percentage to opposing QBs over their last three.
Teddy Bridgewater at the Cowboys
Teddy has been more consistent with previous versions of himself, underwhelming and staying conservative. Likely won’t change against the ascendant Cowboys defense, even though they have softened a bit in their last three. They held Kirk Cousins to under 200 yards passing, I think they will easily be able to do the same to Teddy.
Matt Ryan at the Saints
Ryan came crashing back to earth after a really promising game in week 7 after his bye. He had a 5.4 YPA with only 146 yards on 27 attempts. Some think that Ridley’s late announcement left them scrambling, but the problem that really reared its head is Ryan being scared to throw into the tight coverage surrounding Pitts. Still Pitts didn’t do Ryan any favors catching only 2 of 6 targets. The Saints are currently second in pass completion percentage allowed over their past three, so despite the rivalry this is not a get right spot for Ryan, but I do expect a better outing than last week, like 250 and 2 TDs.
Desperation Plays at QB Week 9
Tyrod Taylor at the Dolphins: Very risky play in his first game back.
Jimmy G vs the Cardinals: Don’t chase points and the Cards are likely without Murray. Probably won on the ground.
Baker Mayfield at the Bengals: Not in great shape and very few skills players to rely on, but should be forced to throw by Bengals offense.
Justin Fields at the Steelers: Not a recommended play, the Steelers are sack machines and TJ Watt will have a field day.
Carson Wentz vs the Jets: No longer looking like a cakewalk, and Wentz sucks.
Gentle Ben vs the Bears: Just can’t trust him…arm is shot.
Avoid at All Costs QBs Week 9
Trevor Lawrence vs the Bills: Not with this coach, not against the Bills. No sir.
Sam Darnold vs the Patriots: Belichik is not going to know how to game plan because literally nothing is working for the Panthers right now.
Jordan Love at the Chiefs: Rookie QB who looked terrible in preseason at Arrowhead in his first game as a starter…no.
Colt McCoy at the Niners: You know, I could see him Mike White-ing the Niners, but the floor is literally 65 yards and 18 sacks.