Trashman’s Fantasy Fallout Going Into Week 9

We’re halfway through the fantasy season, and A.J. Green still hasn’t played a down. Here’s the fallout going into Week 9…

 

Redskins – 9 @ Vikings – 19

 

• Case Keenum(16/130) was less than good, but he’s still Washington’s best shot to move the ball down the field. He’s currently in concussion protocol and could be in danger of missing Week 9 against the Bills. If Dwayne Haskins has to start, no Redskins player is safe for fantasy, and the Bills are a top 5 defense this week. 

 

• Derrius Guice is slated to return in Week 11 for what that’s worth. 

 

• Unfortunately for Stefon Diggs owners, Adam Thielen is slated to return in Week 9. The matchup against KC is actually pretty great for both players as long as Patrick Mahomes starts. 

 

• Alex Mattison(13/61) is perhaps the best backup in the NFL and needs to be owned by all Dalvin Cook owners and anyone who has some bench space. 

 

Bronos – 13 @ Colts – 15

 

• Joe Flacco saps all the value from any Broncos pass catcher not name Sutton. Noah Fant benefitted from Jeff Heuermann going down to a knee injury, but even on 8 targets Fant only came away with 26 yards. Fant is worth a look if Heuermann misses time, but his, and every other Denver offensive player’s upside is limited in this offense. 

 

• Marlon Mack(19/76/1) and I suppose Jack Doyle(4/61) were the only Colts who met or exceeded their expectations on Sunday. It was just one of those slogging games where neither team could get the ball into the endzone more than once. The Colts should have a better go of it this week against the Steelers. 

 

Buccaneers – 23 @ Titans – 27

 

• Mike Evans(11/198/2) was the Bucs’ offense in this one, as the Titans shored up pretty much everything else. All Bucs playmakers should have a better day against Seattle this week. 

 

• O.J. Howard is out with a hamstring injury and may be traded before the deadline. Cameron Brate(3/32) didn’t capitalize when Howard left the game though, and Tanner Hudson was in over Brate within the 10 yard line for the Bucs. 

 

• Ugh, Corey Davis(2/9) had his worst game since Week 1, following his best game of the season last week. Davis was targeted 6 times(tied for 2nd on the team), but he didn’t come down with much. Davis should bounce back this week, but we’ve seen his floor under Ryan Tannehill and it’s a trench. 

 

• Jonnu Smith(6/78/1) was the big winner on the day with Delanie Walker out with injury. He should be added in all formats in the chance that Walker misses more time. 

 

• Tajae Sharpe and A.J. Brown both had TDs, but neither player had more than 18 yards receiving. 

 

Cardinals – 9 @ Saints – 31

 

• Kyler Murray(19/220, 13 yards rushing) had his second straight subpar game on Sunday, and things probably won’t get much better soon as he has the 49ers bookending Tampa over the next 3 weeks. 

 

• Chase Edmonds‘ run was shorter than we’d hoped as he injured his hamstring on Sunday as is unlikely to play Thursday night. The team picked up Kenyan Drake in trade on today to step in as the interim starter in Arizona. Drake should obviously be added in every format. 

 

• Charles Clay was the Cardinals’ leading receiver on Sunday, racking up 88 yards on 3 receptions. Most of his action came on broken plays, so I wouldn’t count on him doing it again this week. In fact he’s limited as of now with a back injury. 

 

• Christian Kirk(8/79) was stellar in his first game since Week 4. He’s the AZ WR to own as Larry Fitzgerald seems to be fading down the stretch. Fitzgerald is actually benchable right now. 

 

• Drew Brees(34/373/3/1) shook the dust right off on Sunday and should be back in lineups going forward. 

 

• Latavius Murray broke open the game again this week, but this may have been the last we’ll see of him in major doses for some time, as Alvin Kamara seemed close to going this week, and the Saints get a bye week for Kamara to heal up further. Kudos to you if you can somehow trade Murray between now and then. 

 

Bengals – 10 @ Rams – 24

 

• The Bengals playmakers had good days all around, as Cincy threw the ball a ton in an effort to keep up with the Rams. Alex Erickson(6/97) led the Bengals in receiving, but all bets are off as A.J. Green is slated to return after the bye this week. If Green somehow gets traded before then, Erickson would be worth an add in deeper formats, as he’s been on a tear as of late. 

 

• Darrell Henderson(13/69) out touched Todd Gurley(10/44/1) 13 to 10 in this one, and Gurley was seen getting knee treatment late in the game. The Rams have a bye this week, but Henderson needs to be owned moving forward. 

 

• Brandin Cooks left the game early with a concussion, and Josh Reynolds(3/73/1) took his place to great effect. Cooks has the bye to get better, but Reynolds would be a high upside streamer should he not be able to return in Week 10. 

 

Jets – 15 @ Jaguars – 29

 

• TE Ryan Griffin was 4 of 4 for 66 yards a TD on Sunday, leading the Jets in receiving. Griffin has scored in 2 of his last 3 games, but the soon return of Chris Herndon should render him almost completely useless for fantasy purposes. 

 

• Demaryius Thomas(5/63) has been the Jets most consistent WR over the last few weeks, though his ceiling has been low. The Jets WRs have a cherry schedule over the remainder of the season, so it’s not a bad idea to grab a piece of their offense for streaming purposes. 

 

• Dede Westbrook started on Sunday, but was plagued by injury all day before leaving in the third quarter. If he can’t go this week, Chris Conley(4/103/1) makes for a decent start against the Texans in London.  

 

Giants – 26 @ Lions – 31

 

• Daniel Jones(28/322/1) had his second best game of the season against the Lions on Sunday, though most of his stats came in garbage time. He’s not an advised start against Dallas this week.

 

• Darius Slayton caught 2 TDs in this one but he only had 2 catches on the day. Slayton is a big play receiver who will have stellar days, but they may be few and far between. He’s best left as a DFS special while Daniel Jones struggles. 

 

• Tra Carson(34 yards) came out of nowhere to lead the Lions backfield with 12 carries to Ty Johnson‘s 7. Johnson edged him yardage wise due to a 13 yard reception, and had more snaps, but Carson was heavily involved. None of the Lions backs were exceptional, but Carson needs to be added where you can get him, as Johnson is already likely owned in your league. 

 

• Danny Amendola(8/95) is back on the scene, posting 8 receptions in each of his last 2 games. He could be worth a deep league flex against Oakland this week. 

 

Chargers – 17 @ Bears – 16

 

• No Charger had an amazing day against the Bears, but at least Keenan Allen didn’t have any setbacks. What’s alarming for Allen is that he hasn’t had a TD or more than 61 yards in a game since Week 3. With GB, OAK, and KC up next, he could be in for an upswing. He’s worth targeting in trades with impatient owners. 

 

• Mitchell Trubisky stinks, but at least Coach Nagy realized he should hand the ball to David Montgomery(27/135/1) more than twice a game. Montgomery won’t have a cake walk against Philly’s front this week, but if he gets 20+ touches, he should be a fine RB2. 

 

• Anthony Miller has at least 3 receptions and 50 yards in his last 3 games. I don’t trust anything attached to Trubisky’s arm, but Miller is a deep league flex against the Eagles’ pitiful secondary this week. 

 

Eagles – 31 @ Bills – 13

 

• Miles Sanders(6/118/1) had his best game of the season, as the Eagles went away from the pass against the Bills. He injured his shoulder, but he should be fine to go against the Bears this week. He should be a fine flex, as he’s used in both facets of the offense. 

 

• Dallas Goedert‘s play is hurting Zach Ertz in fantasy. Goedert is averaging 10 pts a game over his last 3, while Ertz is averaging 5 pts over the same time. Carson Wentz seems to favor Goedert in the endzone. 

 

• Devin Singletary had his best fantasy day this season with 49 yards and a TD on 7 touches. His utilization in the passing game is what set him apart from Frank Gore, who was not targeted on the day. He’ll be a low floor flex against the Redskins this week. 

 

Seahawks – 27 @ Falcons – 20

 

• Chris Carson continued his ball hogging ways, but at least Rashaad Penny got 8 carries on the day for 55 yards. It was likely a showcase for Penny’s talents as the Seahawks try to move him before Tuesday’s deadline, but he looked good. He’s only worth adding if he gets moved tomorrow. 

 

• Matt Schaub actually put up a 39/460/1/1 line on Sunday in an effort to bring the Falcons back against Seattle. He’s likely seen his first and last action of the season.

 

• WR Russell Gage(7/58) stepped up with Mohamed Sanu now in a Pats uniform. Gage is worth a look in PPR formats even though it’s doubtful Matt Ryan passes the ball 52 times in a game moving forward. 

 

Panthers – 13 @ 49ers – 51

 

• Kyle Allen tanked on Sunday, but Cam Newton isn’t ready to return, so Allen will get the nod again this week against the Titans. The Titans are no SF when it comes to defense, but they’re no pushovers either. I’m not excited about starting any Panther other than Christian McCaffrey this week. 

 

• Matt Breida injured his ankle and left the game on Sunday. He probably could have come back, but with the way Tevin Coleman was playing, that would have been unnecessary. Watch his practice this week. If he doesn’t get a full day in, Raheem Mostert may be worth a flex this week, that is if he isn’t banged up too. 

 

• Emmanuel Sanders led 49ers WRs in targets on Sunday with 5. He only had 25 yards on the day, but he was able to score a TD. Sanders looks like the closest thing we’re going to get for a startable 49ers WR. Deebo Samuel did score on Sunday, but it was on a run play. 

 

Browns – 13 @ Patriots – 27

 

• The Pats puts on a defensive show again, stifling pretty much everyBrown who wasn’t named Nick Chubb. ODB barely topped 50 yards and could be in line for another rough day this week if Chris Harris is still a Bronco by game time. 

 

• Jakobi Meyers time in 3-wide sets is dwindling with the introduction of Mohamed Sanu to Pats’ offense. Sanu is already playing ahead of Meyers, and N’Keal Harry is close to returning from IR. Pick up Sanu where you can. 

 

Raiders – 24 @ Texans – 27

 

• Hunter Renfrow had his best game this season with a 4/88/1 line against the Texans. Most of his yardage came on one play though. He’s still not worth adding in most formats. 

 

• Darren Fells(6/58/2) is used in the red zone too often to not warrant streaming consideration every week. Yes, you’re going to get the occasional 2-pt stinker, but he’s a better option than many TEs right now. 

 

Packers – 31 @ Chiefs – 24

 

• Marques Valdez-Scantling(¼) hurtled back to earth after rising above the clouds last week. I suppose it doesn’t really matter as Davante Adams is slated to return next week. 

 

• Jamaal Williams had his 3rd straight baller game on Sunday night, as he and Aaron Jones were the Packers offense. He’s still unowned in about 40% of leagues, so get him while you can. Adams is likely returning this week, but Williams should still be flex worthy. 

 

• Last week, I said that Damien Williams is worth holding onto while Matt Moore was QB, and that came to fruition. Unfortunately for Williams, Patrick Mahomes may return this week. Either way, I’d continue holding onto him. No one Chiefs back is playing well enough to cancel the other out entirely.