Week 9 is in the books and the fantasy scoring was surprisingly low for all major players. Check your leagues – I’ll bet the team scores are among the lowest overall of the year. There was just one 100-yard rusher and it was Keaton Mitchell who is likely on your waiver wire (for now). None of the other 26 teams that have played this week had a running back that hit that mark.
Of the five 100-yard performances by a wide, two of them were Tank Dell and Noah Brown – both Texans likely on fantasy benches if not the waiver wire.
And of you think this week offered up some low fantasy points for your players, just wait for Week 10 when the Chiefs, Rams, Dolphins and Eagles are on their bye. That’s a lot of player swapping this week as fantasy teams make their starting lineup by either raiding their roster depth or wincing when they look at what is still on their waiver wire.
Miami 14, Kansas City 21 Frankfurt, Germany
Another watered-down matchup in Europe. The ending wasn’t a surprise, but the lack of points and yards was a disappointment. Both quarterbacks failed to throw for more than 200 passing yards and the winning difference ended up being a fumble being returned for a 59-yard touchdown.
Tua Tagovailoa threw for 193 yards and one score to Cedrick Wilson (1-31, TD). Tyreek Hill (8-62) and Jaylen Waddle (3-42) were the leading receivers in the depressed passing effort. Raheem Mostert (12-85, TD) came to life late in the game but never had a catch. Waddle was banged up but returned to the game. It was a sluggish performance and the Fins posted 14 points in the third quarter but were unable to reach the endzone again. They fall to 6-3 and head onto their bye.
Patrick Mahomes directed the first series to an impressive touchdown but then only ended with 185 yards and two scores in the game. Travis Kelce was held to only 14 yards on three catches and the scores went to Jerick McKinnon (2-22) and Rashee Rice (2-17, TD). There were 11 players that had targets and no one caught more than three passes or gained over 34 receiving yards. Isiah Pacheco (16-66) was effective but had no scores or catches. The win boosts the Chiefs to 7-2 and they also go on their bye.
Minnesota 31, Atlanta 28
This was the Game-o-the-Week until the wild Houston comeback. The Jaren Hall Era only lasted for one quarter before he was knocked out of the game. Joshua Dobbs’ jersey still had crease marks and he stepped in and played a great three quarters with a team he’d never really practiced with. Dobbs threw for 158 yards and two touchdowns, plus ran for 66 yards and a touchdown. T.J. Hockenson (7-69) and Jordan Addison (5-52) were the top receivers. Cam Akers and K.J. Osborn were also forced from the contest with injuries. Alexander Mattison ran for 44 yards on 16 carries and scored on his two catches for 49 yards. The Falcons took the lead 28-24 with two minutes left to play but Dobbs lead the team down to the ATL-6 yard line where he connected with Brandon Powell for the winning score with 27 seconds left to play. The 5-4 Vikings host the Saints on Sunday.
The Falcons started Taylor Heinicke who threw for 268 yards and one score with Drake London already out. Jonnu Smith (5-100, TD) caught that lone passing touchdown while Kyle Pitts (4-56) and KhaDarel Hodge (3-60) were the only other receivers with more than 36 yards. Once again, the passing game favored “the other” tight end and the rushing effort was more Tyler Allgeier (12-39, TD) than Bijan Robinson (11-51) despite, as usual, Robinson being the more effective runner. The offense looked better with Heinicke than it had with Desmond Ridder, so HC Arthur Smith will get to answer his weekly queries about why he prefers Allgeier over Robinson. The Falcons fall to 4-5 and play in Arizona this week.
Seattle 3, Baltimore 37
This was never close. The Seahawks were flat from the start and could do nothing to get back into the game. Geno Smith threw for only 157 yards and one interception. Jaxon Smith-Njigba (6-63) led the receivers while DK Metcalf (1-50) and Tyler Lockett (3-32) had minimal impact. The rushing effort only totaled 13 rushes for 24 yards and Kenneth Walker totaled just 17 yards in the game. It was a beatdown but at least non-conference. The Seahawks fell to 5-3 and are now tied with the 49ers for the NFC West lead. They host the Commanders on Sunday afternoon.
The Ravens always led this matchup and Lamar Jackson only passed for 187 yards and no scores. Mark Andrews (9-80) and Odell Beckham (5-56, TD) were the top receivers but Beckham’s touchdown was late in the fourth quarter from Tyler Huntley during mop-up time. Gus Edwards (5-52, 2 TD) did his damage in the second quarter and Keaton Mitchell finally saw his first real action and ran for 138 yards and a touchdown on nine carries. He broke free for a 60-yard run and his score was from 40 yards. And he wasn’t just mop-up running. He had a full series in the second quarter and will be scraped off waiver wires this week. The Ravens rise to 7-2 and host the Browns on Sunday in a big AFC North matchup.
Arizona 0, Cleveland 27
No surprises here. The Cardinals shipped off Joshua Dobbs (see “Miracle Performance in Minny”) and Kyler Murray wasn’t ready to be pummeled in this horrible matchup, so Clayton Tune survived his seven sacks to throw for 58 yards and two interceptions. Yes – that’s the entire game. He also ran for 28 yards as the leading rusher while Keaontay Ingram (9-8) took the start and finished with the rare “less than one yard” rushing average. Marquise Brown was the leading receiver with four catches for 24 yards. This was always going to be bad, but still was worse than expected. Kyler Murray is not returning to much. The 1-8 Cardinals continue their stranglehold on the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft and host the Falcons on Sunday.
Deshaun Watson picked a good week to return. He passed for 219 yards and two scores and even rushed for 22 yards. Amari Cooper (5-139, TD) had a great performance and David Njoku (4-26, TD) caught the other score. Jerome Ford only gained 44 yards on 20 carries but added five catches for 33 yards. Kareem Hunt (14-38, TD) was marginally more effective and never had a catch. Aside from Cooper, none of the Browns’ skill players did much in a game that was never in doubt. They rise to 5-3 and head to Baltimore for the most important game of the years.
Los Angeles Rams 3, Green Bay 20
Another matchup where the visitor shows up with a backup quarterback that does not end well. Matt Stafford was out with his thumb injury and Brett Rypien took the start. He passed for 130 yards and one interception, and the only receivers with more than 16 yards were Cooper Kupp (2-48) and Puka Nacua (3-32) who were has ineffective as feared (but could never be on a fantasy bench). The rushing effort split up between Royce Freeman (12-32) and Darrell Henderson (10-19). The 3-6 Rams tumble down again and lose all fantasy value when Matt Stafford is out. The Rams head onto their bye.
The Packers didn’t have to do much to wrap up this win. Jordan Love passed for 228 yards and one score to Luke Musgrave (3-51, TD). None of the other receivers had more than 49 yards and none scored. Aaron Jones seemed better last week when he ran for 73 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries and added four catches for 26 yards. This was an easy win and the only real positive was that Aaron Jones is looking more back to form after a disappointing season. The Packers are 3-5 and head to Pittsburgh on Sunday.
Washington 20, New England 17
The Patriots’ commitment to mediocrity showed in this fourth home loss. Sam Howell passed for 325 yards and one score to Jahan Dotson (4-69) while Terry McLaurin (5-73) was the top receiver and yet there were six players with at least 30 receiving yards. Brian Robinson (18-63, TD) also scored while Antonio Gibson ran for 34 yards on six carries and caught five passes for 42 yards. The Pats led 17-10 in the third quarter but the Commanders scored a touchdown and field goal to finish out the quarter. Neither team reached the end zone in the fourth quarter. The 4-5 Commanders head to Seattle for the later afternoon game on Sunday.
The Patriots were unable to exploit the Washington secondary that ranked among the worst entering the game. Mac Jones only passed for 220 yards and one score with an interception that killed the final drive. Demario Douglas (5-55) and JuJu Smith-Schuster (6-51) replaced Kendrick Bourne and DeVante Parker but made little difference. Rhamondre Stevenson (9-87, TD) had a big game thanks to a 64-yard touchdown run and he added four catches for 42 yards. Ezekiel Elliott only gained 32 total yards. The loss drops the 2-7 Patriots deeper in the AFC East basement and they face the Colts early, early next Sunday in Germany.
Chicago 17, New Orleans 24
No player had a big performance in this game and the difference-maker was the Bears committing five turnovers. Tyson Bagent threw for 220 yards and two touchdowns, but also three interceptions and a lost fumble. Darnell Mooney (5-82), Cole Kmet (6-55, 2 TD), and DJ Moore (3-44) handled the receiving duties. D’Onta Foreman (20-83) was the workhorse back though he had no catches. Roschon Johnson only carried twice for six yards and caught a nine-yard pass as a nonfactor. The loss drops the Bears to 2-7 and they host the Panthers on Thursday night.
The Saints did nothing special other than not turn the ball over five tines (or at all). Derek Carr passed for 211 yards and two scores, while Taysom Hill threw a three-yard touchdown as well. Chris Olave (6-46, TD) and Juwan Johnson (5-29, TD) were the top receivers and Hill (4-13, TD) also caught a score. Hill also ran the ball for a team-high 52 yards on 11 runs while Alvin Kamara (9-26) tacked on four catches for 44 yards. There weren’t any notable performances and the Saints rise to 5-4 and take control of the NFC South. They travel to Minnesota for Week 10.
Indianapolis 27, Carolina 13
The Colts led 20-3 in the third quarter and the Panthers were never close. Bryce Young threw for 173 yards and one touchdown against three interceptions. Hayden Hurst (2-54) and Adam Thielen (5-29) were the best receivers and D.J. Chark (2-9, TD) caught the lone score. Chuba Hubbard (16-58) was the primary back and added four catches for nine yards. But Miles Sanders (6-39) was a more effective rusher and receiver (3-22). The Panthers struggled to keep the ball and the Indy defense was just too much for them. The loss drops them to only 1-7 and remain tied with the Cardinals for the No. 1 overall draft pick next season. The Panthers play in Chicago on Thursday and the short week is not going to make their offense any sharper.
The Colts enjoyed two interception returns for touchdowns and that alone won this game. Gardner Minshew only threw for 127 yards and one touchdown. Michael Pittman (8-64) was the lead receiver but Josh Downs (1-10) left the game with a knee injury. Jonathan Taylor ran for only 47 yards on 18 rushes but added five receptions for 22 yards and the lone offensive touchdown. Zack Moss was just with just seven runs for 26 yards. There was minimal offense for either team but the Colts’ defense made the difference. The Colts break their three-game losing streak at 4-5 and head to New England to play the Patriots.
New York Giants 6, Las Vegas 30
The Giants are Saquon Barkley and nothing else. Daniel Jones returned from his neck injury while Tyrod Taylor landed on injured reserve. Jones only lasted for nine passes before leaving with a knee injury. Tommy DeVito stepped in and only threw for 175 yards and a score with two interceptions. The touchdown came after they were down 27-0 in the fourth quarter and they failed on their two-point conversion. Darius Slayton (4-59). Wan’Dale Robinson (4-35, TD) and Daniel Bellinger (3-43) were the top receivers while Darren Waller was placed on injured reserve. Saquon Barkley ran for 90 yards on 16 carries and caught three passes for 23 yards. Losing Daniel Jones doesn’t make a huge difference and Waller’s absence won’t matter much, but if Saquon is ever not there, this offense would grind to a stop. The 2-7 Giants head to Dallas where it is not going to get any better.
Not unlike many teams, the first contest after dumping a head coach resulted in a win. And they didn’t even have a starting quarterback. Aiden O’Connell threw for 209 yards and no scores, but also no turnovers. Davante Adams (4-34) and Jakobi Meyers (2-38) were disappointing though Meyers added a 17-yard touchdown run. Josh Jacobs was the central focus of the game with 26 rushes for 98 yards and two touchdowns. He never had a target. The win lifts the Raiders to 4-5 and they remain at home to host the Jets for Week 9 as the Sunday night game.
Dallas 23, Philadelphia 28
On the plus, they finally lost a close game instead of getting blown out. The Cowboys were in this game the entire way, and were down by only four points with first-and-ten from the PHI 11-yard line with 27 seconds left to play. But four plays later had CeeDee Lamb tackled at the four-yard-line as time expired. The Cowboys exceeded expectations. Dak Prescott threw for 374 yards and three touchdowns. CeeDee Lamb (11-191), Jake Ferguson (7-91, TD) and Jalen Tolbert (3-49, TD) were the only receivers with more than 19 yards. Tony Pollard (12-51) wasn’t that involved and the Cowboys turned the ball over on downs because they could not punch in a short touchdown. The loss drops the Cowboys to 5-3 and are now two games behind the Eagles in the NFC East. The Cowboys host the Giants in Week 10, so the fantasy points will continue.
The Eagles led for the second half but it wasn’t easy. Jalen Hurts threw for 207 yards and two scores while rushing for 36 yards and one touchdown. A.J. Brown (7-66, TD) and DeVonta Smith (3-51, TD) were the leading receivers and Dallas Goedert (3-50) left with an injury to his forearm. D’Andre Swift ran for 43 yards on 18 carries and added 31 yards on two receptions. As it worked out, both teams scored once in every quarter, but the Eagles had a touchdown instead of a field goal. They rise to 8-1 for the best record in the NFL and head onto their bye.
Buffalo 18, Cincinnati 24
The Bills trailed 21-7 at the half and battled back to a 18-24 deficit with 3:36 left top play but could not get the ball back for a final drive. Josh Allen ended with 258 passing yards and one score, plus ran for 44 yards and a touchdown. Stefon Diggs (6-86, TD) boosted his fantasy points with the late-game touchdown and Dalton Kincaid (10-81) continues to impress. But Khalil Shakir (4-57) was the only other Bill with more than 20 yards. James Cooks only ran for 20 yards on six carries and added four catches for 19 yards but the Bills offense was mostly limited to Diggs and Kincaid. The loss drops the Bills to 5-4 but at least the Dolphins also lost so they are only one game behind in the AFC East. The Bills host the Broncos on Monday night.
The Bengals struggled earlier this season but look like they are starting to peak now. Joe Burrow passed for 348 yards and two touchdowns. Tee Higgins (8-110) had a “get right” game while Tyler Boyd (3-56) and Ja’Marr Chase (4-41) were more quiet. Joe Mixon ran for 37 yards and a score on hi 14 carries an caught five passes for 31 yards. It was a solid win by a Bengals team that is throwing better and playing very good defense. At 4-4, they’ve won their last four games and host the Texans on Sunday.
GAME-O-THE-WEEK: Tampa Bay 37. Houston 39
Little did anyone know just how great this 76-point matchup would be. This will be in the running for game of the year.
Baker Mayfield passed for 265 yards and two scores that both went to Cade Otten (6-70, 2 TD). Mike Evans (4-87) was the top receiver and came within inches of scoring on his 53-yard catch. Rachaad White is doing more in recent weeks and ran for 73 yards and two touchdowns on his 20 carries, and caught four passes for 46 yards. Baker Mayfield led a fourth-quarter drive that ended with the second score by Otton with just 49 seconds left to play and a 37-33 lead. What is the worst that could happen? That would be a final-minute collapse that leaves the Buccaneers at 3-5 and their fourth-straight loss. They host the Titans for Week 10.
C.J. Stroud cooled after a scorching start to the season but he turned on all the burners in this matchup. The rookie set an NFL record with 470 passing yards and five touchdowns, four of those coming in the second half. All of the receivers blew up – Noah Brown (6-153, TD), Dalton Schultz (10-130, TD), Tank Dell (6-114, 2 TD) and Nico Collins (3-54, TD) had monster performances. Dameon Pierce was out and Devin Singletary only gained 26 yards on 13 carries.
The Texans trailed 37-33 with 49 seconds left. Stroud took over at his own 25-yard line and completed passes of 14, 6, 14, and then 26 yards to Tank Dell with ten seconds left for the winning touchdown. Stroud has to be a leader for NFL Rookie of the Year. If he wasn’t already, he certainly is now.
