Greetings from Bristol, the place fall is simply previous its peak and the leaves are ripe for peeping. It has been a whirlwind few weeks on the street and, but, I might prefer to, for a large number of causes, freeze the current second. Partially so I can catch my breath (and perhaps a couple of z’s) however principally due to how quickly time appears to be flying by.
Residing in Los Angeles it is easy to disregard summer season’s rolling into fall and the eventual climb to winter. I am not complaining about 80 diploma climate in November — and I am not silly sufficient to suppose anybody feels sorry for me — however the absence of seasons typically creates a frozen-in-carbonite delusion. Had been it not for the depth of October baseball (18 innings!!!) and the cadence of the NFL, I may be satisfied that Labor Day was simply across the nook.
Then New England occurs. And I’m crammed with bittersweet delight. The hills are dappled with shades of heat whereas the wind whips with a trademark chill. Individuals transfer with extra intention, shoulders barely hunched, flippantly bundled in sweaters and hoodies. I nonetheless meander partially as a result of I’m, as my mom at all times chides, a “wanderer,” however principally as a result of I wish to soak up all the autumnal goodness. It is a novelty and in addition a stark reminder of time’s relenting passage.
Can we pause, please? However, after all, we will not.
There are, in any case, occasions to organize and stay up for. Halloween sweet to type, Thanksgiving dishes to delegate, and vacation items to stash away. Whether or not we’re being pushed or pulled, the ultimate two months of the 12 months at all times appear to return at breakneck pace. Whereas I do not benefit from the thought of bracing for the onslaught, I do perceive readying oneself for the inevitable rush.
And similar to that, now we have arrived on the midway level of the fantasy season. There now exists an abundance of information from which to attract substantial conclusions. A list of our rosters, for his or her strengths, weaknesses, and values could be correctly assessed. I am hesitant to advocate for the creation of a full-blown playoff preparedness plan, however it might be silly to not a minimum of peek at what’s forward. Whereas accidents will, sadly, proceed to throw wrenches, exploitable matchups determine to stay smooth and figuring out these may help us keep in rivalry by way of the double-digit weeks.
Let’s agree, although, to crunch a couple of leaves and pocket some funsized Snickers earlier than going full boar on the Christmas music and fruitcake, okay? We need not rush to the end line… as a result of we will miss this earlier than we understand it.
Details and Emotions for Week 9
Bo Nix, QB, Denver Broncos: Nix might have his critics throughout the footballhead set, however he is been a boon for fantasy managers as of late, clearing 23 fantasy factors in back-to-back outings. The digital recreation’s QB5 total, Denver’s franchise sign caller at present ranks inside the highest seven on the place in passing TDs (15) and speeding scores (3). The asterisk to those numbers is, after all, that he is confronted the Giants and Cowboys over his previous pair of outings.
A duel in Houston would not determine to be as fruitful, nonetheless. The Texans have allowed the fewest fantasy factors per recreation to QBs, and it is not even shut. For context, Houston has given up a median of 10.5 fantasy factors per recreation to quarterbacks, with Buffalo giving up the second-fewest at 13.8. Actually, simply one of many previous 5 QBs to face Matt Burke’s unit has registered 10 fantasy factors (Mac Jones). Moreover, given Nix’s dwelling vs. street splits (24.1 FPPG at dwelling and 16.2 FPPG on the street), the second-year QB figures to battle, rating outdoors of the highest 15 gamers quarterbacks in Week 9.
Christian McCaffrey, RB, San Francisco 49ers: McCaffrey has been on an absolute tear, averaging practically 25 fantasy factors per recreation (RB2) whereas rating second on the place in whole carries (140) and first amongst RBs in receptions (56). Buyers can due to this fact forgive his momentary stumble in Week 8, whereby he managed fewer than 20 fantasy factors for the primary time in 2025. The versatile again figures to bounce again this Sunday when he faces a Giants protection that has given up the seventh-most fantasy factors to the place and allowed each Saquon Barkley in addition to Tank Bigsby to achieve double-digit yardage totals this previous weekend.
When reviewing the numbers, managers’ want to cling to McCaffrey makes an entire lot of sense. But, within the spirit of trying forward, it may be worthwhile to maneuver the 29-year-old sooner reasonably than later. That is as a result of CMC has a reasonably ill-timed bye in Week 14, probably placing playoff contending groups in peril. Curiously, Jahmyr Gibbs (who took his bye this previous Sunday) will face the ever-generous Dallas protection that very same week. Moreover, Detroit’s lead again faces the gettable Steelers and Vikings defenses in the course of the fantasy semis (Weeks 16 and 17). As compared, McCaffrey is scheduled to battle an imposing Colts protection (seventh-fewest fantasy factors to RBs allowed) in Week 16. Elite one-for-one trades are at all times spicy, however that does not imply that they can not or should not be executed. Ponder as you please.
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Daniel Dopp declares Tyrone Tracy Jr. a precedence pickup
Daniel Dopp explains why Tyrone Tracy Jr. has turn out to be a viable fantasy possibility with the harm to Cam Skattebo.
Tyrone Tracy, RB, New York Giants: As mentioned on Tuesday’s episode of “Fantasy Focus,” Tracy is predicted to emerge as one in every of this season’s most beneficial wire-waiver provides. Whereas his ability set is vastly totally different from Cam Skattebo’s, Tracy’s anticipated quantity vaults him into instant RB2 rivalry. To that finish, Mike Clay has the transformed huge receiver projected to the touch the ball 19 instances this Sunday. Curiously, Tracy averaged 17.3 fantasy factors and 108 scrimmage yards per recreation when managing 19 or extra touches in 2024.
The offense is, after all, totally different this go round, however Jaxson Dart has thrown to the RB place with extra regularity than many might understand. Actually, Skattebo collected 13 catches (RB12) with Dart because the starter from Week 4 to 7. That units up properly for Tracy, significantly when contemplating that the 49ers have allowed the fourth-most receptions (43) to RBs. With Devin Singletary logging a snap share of 16 p.c and having a season excessive of seven touches, Tracy is predicted to guide the Giants backfield by a large margin. With that type of quantity in a succesful offense (which has averaged over 24 factors per recreation with Dart because the starter), Tracy enters Week 9 with top-15 positional enchantment.
Quentin Johnston, WR, Los Angeles Chargers: Followers of the digital recreation had been understandably shook when Johnston posted a goose egg in Week 8. Whereas his zero targets can possible be defined away by the Vikings’ blitz-heavy strategy and a subsequent lack of deep passes on Justin Herbert’s behalf, Johnston’s clean would not sting any much less. The TCU product is sure to bounce again in a plus matchup on the Titans this weekend. But, the emergence of Oronde Gadsden II in addition to Ladd McConkey’s return figures to quell the bang with which Johnston started 2025.
The Bolts offense is beginning to tackle a roulette wheel-like complexion — related in impact to current iterations of the 49ers — whereby two of the staff’s beginning pass-catchers growth huge whereas the others backside out.
Quentin Johnston: 2 video games of 20-plus FPTS, 4 video games of 14-plus FPTS, 2 in single digits
Ladd McConkey: 2 of 20-plus, 4 of 14-plus, 3 in single digits
Keenan Allen: 1 of 20-plus, 4 of 14-plus, 3 in single digits
Oronde Gadsden II: Again-to again with 18-plus
Predicting manufacturing figures to turn out to be an more and more irritating endeavor. As 9.5-point favorites at Tennessee, the necessity for a prolific passing recreation appears unlikely, suggesting fewer alternatives for this ultra-capable corps. Given his particular ability set, Johnston presents as a shaky (albeit high-upside) flex possibility.
Consistency Scores: See which gamers are boom-bust and which offer regular weekly flooring
Jordan Addison, WR, Minnesota Vikings: By both clearing 100 receiving yards or discovering the top zone for 4 consecutive outings, Addison rewarded affected person traders who had been prepared to stash him over the primary three weeks of 2025. With Carson Wentz underneath middle, Addison and Justin Jefferson have emerged as an elite duo, every averaging 75 or extra receiving yards per recreation. For context, the one different pair to match these numbers are CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens.
A dip, nonetheless, seems to be on the horizon. J.J. McCarthy has been re-installed because the staff’s starter underneath middle. Whereas he and Addison have but to share the sector, Jefferson’s numbers with McCarthy underwhelmed at first of the season, suggesting a possible cooling off for the in any other case red-hot Addison. Moreover, the matchup may be trickier than initially anticipated with the Lions secondary starting to return to well being. As such, take into account using Addison in a flex-like capability, reasonably than counting on an computerized 15+ fantasy factors.
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Malik Washington’s fantasy upside going ahead
Liz Loza explains why fantasy managers ought to take into account Malik Washington as a flex possibility in fantasy.
Travis Hunter, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars: Hunter’s two-way utilization posed loads of query marks heading into the season. Over the previous 4 weeks, nonetheless, his offensive snap share has steadily elevated from 53 p.c in Week 4 to 87 p.c in Week 7. Moreover, the rookie posted season-high numbers simply forward of Jacksonville’s Week 8 bye, managing an 8-101-1 stat line on 13 seems to be in his most up-to-date effort. With ESPN’s Michael DiRocco reporting that Hunter is “going to be a big participant within the offense going ahead” and may very well be “getting the WR1 remedy from the Jaguars within the season’s second half,” it seems as if the Heisman Trophy winner’s fantasy inventory is on the rise.
A gathering on the Raiders in Week 9 figures to additional improve Hunter’s enchantment. Not solely is the versatile expertise much less more likely to be wanted on protection, however his odds of changing on offense are excessive. Las Vegas has allowed the fourth-most fantasy factors to WRs. With commerce buzz surrounding Brian Thomas Jr. (regardless of these having been shot down by Liam Coen), Hunter may pleasantly shock on Sunday. Take into account him a top-30 fantasy play at huge receiver this weekend.
Colston Loveland, TE, Chicago Bears: Because the twelfth tight finish chosen in fantasy drafts, lofty expectations surrounded Loveland heading into his first professional marketing campaign. An unsettled playbook in addition to an early-season hip harm shortly quieted the excitement, sending the rookie again to benches and the free agent pool. Nevertheless, the tide seems to be to be shifting as soon as extra.
Loveland has recorded snap shares of 67 and 80 p.c (highest of the season) over his final two outings. Curiously, 23 of his 50 snaps in Week 8 got here as a large receiver (slot or out huge). Whereas his three grabs and 38 receiving yards (on 5 targets) certainly not moved the fantasy needle, these totals had been season highs. With Luther Burden III at present within the concussion protocol and Cole Kmet nursing a again ailment, Loveland’s function may proceed to develop this Sunday.
The Michigan product figures to make good on these potential alternatives given the matchup at Cincinnati. The Bengals have allowed probably the most fantasy factors to tight ends, giving up eight receiving scores to the place during the last 4 weeks. In what’s projected to be an in depth (Bears are -2.5 favorites) and high-scoring (52.5 over/underneath) affair, Loveland’s breakout (or a minimum of his first double-digit fantasy whole) may be simply days away. Proceed with pleasure.