Byes are back, and unfortunately, so are numerous injuries. The Week 9 fantasy football rankings will experience significant changes compared to recent weeks. While Will Levis, Dalton Kincaid, and Trey McBride have made impressive impressions, we also need to highlight some sleeper picks and provide tidbits about the upcoming games. Additionally, there’s some Disney fun this week! #CheckTheLink-age
Week 9 Waivers | Week 9 SOS Ranks
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All in Football Podcast WEEK 9 FANTASY FOOTBALL PREVIEWS ** BYES: DEN, DET, JAX, SF **
NOTE: You’ll notice frequent references to “Since Week 4” in the following analysis. This is because it’s essential to consider recent performance in comparison to the entire season when analyzing defenses and other factors. In-season adjustments can significantly impact performance. For example, the Broncos were initially the worst defense but have improved since Week 4, now ranking in the middle of the pack.
Titans at Steelers, TNF (8:15 p.m.)
Since Week 4, the Titans’ run defense has become vulnerable, allowing 4.6 yards per carry (eighth-highest in the league). The Titans also have a low turnover rate, forcing turnovers on only 6.8% of opponents’ drives (second-lowest in the league, with the Rams being the lowest at 7.1%). The Steelers have allowed the highest yards per route run (YPRR) since Week 4 at 1.83 (against HOU, BAL, LAR, JAX). The Commanders and Panthers are tied for the second-most YPRR at 1.79. Joey Porter Jr. is now the top-graded corner in man coverage, primarily playing on the left side (86%) with DeAndre Hopkins matching up against him 44% of the time on that side and 34% on the right.
Dolphins at Chiefs, 9:30 a.m., Germany
The Dolphins were previously dominant in Explosive Play% with 18.8% through Week 5, with the 49ers coming closest at 13.2%. However, in their past three games (against CAR, PHI, NE), the Dolphins have only achieved an 11.8% Explosive Play% mark. Rashee Rice has been running the second-most routes among Chiefs wide receivers, right behind Marquez Valdes-Scantling. However, Rice has yet to reach 65.0% of the routes or 19.0% of the targets. He has only had one game with more than 12.0% of the Air Yards. Jalen Ramsey graded as the top cornerback in his return, which should benefit Rashee Rice as he primarily plays in the slot. In contrast, MVS and Justin Watson spend more time out wide (and on the right side).
Vikings at Falcons, 1 p.m.
Only the Raiders backups and Browns trio have a higher Offensive Target Percentage (OffTGT%) than Joshua Dobbs (16.2%). Dobbs also has a higher Deep Throw Percentage than Kirk Cousins (11.3% compared to 8.0%), with a similar rate of targeting the first read. Trey McBride and Marquise Brown have led the Cardinals in FirstRead% since Week 5, with numbers of 28.6% and 27.4% respectively. T.J. Hockenson and Jordan Addison have taken over since Justin Jefferson’s injury, with FirstRead% figures of 26.7% and 24.8%. With the addition of Joshua Dobbs, Hockenson’s value remains intact, while Addison sees slightly more volatility. K.J. Osborn might be affected if Dobbs targets Brandon Powell downfield or focuses on Hockenson and Addison. However, for this week’s consideration (and possibly longer if Hall impresses), Jaren Hall is an athletic quarterback who excels at short-to-intermediate throws and demonstrates good ball placement. Nonetheless, he has concerns regarding deep-ball accuracy and sideline throws. Expect a more conservative approach from him this week, which may limit the overall yards and scoring opportunities.
Cardinals at Browns, 1 p.m.
The Browns allow the fewest passing yards per game at 163.3, and Clayton Tune has struggled with ball placement and anticipation. This week might be a good time to consider benching Cardinals players until Kyler Murray (hopefully) returns next week. Since Week 4, the Cardinals have allowed the highest completion percentage over expectation (CPOE) at 9.2%. The Panthers are second at 9.0%, and the Steelers are third at 6.7%. In contrast, the Cowboys have the lowest CPOE at -6.6%. Despite dealing with an injury, Jerome Ford played in Week 8, recording seven of his ten touches in the fourth quarter. He rushed for a total of 35 yards on seven attempts. Without Deshaun Watson, Amari Cooper has a target share of 26.0%. However, he has only managed 13 receptions for 235 yards and no touchdowns on 33 targets. David Njoku is the second-most utilized option with a 22.0% target share and a stat line of 28 receptions for 201 yards and one touchdown.
Rams at Packers, 1 p.m.
Darrell Henderson has accounted for 61.8% of the touches in the past two weeks, while Royce Freeman has accounted for the remaining 38.2%. Despite running one fewer route than Freeman, Henderson is the only one with targets and receptions (5 receptions for 59 yards). Since Cooper Kupp’s return, Puka Nacua has maintained a target share of 32.5%, slightly behind Kupp’s 33.3%. Nacua has recorded 37 receptions for 294 yards and one touchdown, while Kupp has recorded 38 receptions for 316 yards and one touchdown. Jordan Love has struggled since Week 3, with the second-lowest completion percentage at 58.2% (only PJ Walker has a lower percentage at 49.5%). Love also has the fifth-lowest yards per attempt (6.0), the sixth-lowest touchdown-to-interception ratio (0.6), and the ninth-highest OffTGT% (13.2%).
Commanders at Patriots, 1 p.m.
Since Week 4, the Commanders have allowed the most passing yards per game at 301.2 (against PHI, CHI, ATL, NYG, PHI). The Chargers are second with 291.5 passing yards per game. The Patriots have the lowest missed tackle rate at 0.08 and the second-highest run stuff rate at 53.2% (since Week 4, against DAL, NO, LV, BUF, MIA). The Bears rank first in run stuff rate at 58.0%, but their missed tackle rate is only 22nd at 0.23 (they also acquired Montez Sweat through a trade). J.C. Jackson is the seventh-worst-graded corner in man coverage (minimum 100 coverage snaps), which bodes well for Terry McLaurin and potentially Jahan Dotson. Rhamondre Stevenson has not received more than 10 carries since Week 4 (against DAL) and has had four games with 6.7 or fewer fantasy points. He has yet to surpass 15.5 fantasy points. Last year, Stevenson had only five games with 6.7 or fewer points (including the first two weeks) and had seven games with over 15.5 points.
Bears at Saints, 1 p.m.
The Saints have the second-most plays per game at 70.0, only after the Browns with 71.7 plays per game. While the Bears rank first in stuff rate on run defense, they are also tenth-toughest against rush defense DVOA. However, they rank 30th overall in defensive DVOA, including pass defense. In Roschon Johnson’s first game back, he had a 38.9% running back touch percentage compared to D’Onta Foreman’s 55.6% through the first three quarters. The Bears gave Darrynton Evans significant playing time in the fourth quarter and garbage time. Johnson had ten passing down snaps, while Foreman had nine. This week, the split between Johnson and Foreman could be even closer.
Seahawks at Ravens, 1 p.m.
The Ravens have one of the lowest percentages of drives ending in a touchdown at just 9.7%. The Jets have the second-lowest at 12.8%, while the Panthers have the highest rate at 30.8%. The Ravens rank first in overall defensive DVOA and pass defense DVOA. They also rank fifth in rush defense DVOA. In terms of playing time and touches, Kenneth Walker had 3 carries
