Week 9 in the NFL was tumultuous before it really even started, setting the theme of how the games would result. The big news last week coming out of practice was the ACL tear of Super Rookie, Deshaun Watson (although some point to this play in the Seahawks game). Let’s all have a moment of silence for Watson, the Houston Texans and all DWat fantasy owners. . . Ok, now that this moment is over with, I don’t feel too bad for Houston; after all, the Astros did just win their first World Series ring!
Another big story before the games began Sunday was the deactivation of another super rookie, Leonard Fournette, “due to an infraction of a team rule,” said Head Coach Doug Marrone. “This has been addressed internally and further details will not be made public.” Many fantasy folk raced to the waiver wire for Chris Ivory (20-69-0; 103 APY) or to their DraftKings/FanDuel lineups for T.J. Yeldon (11-41-0)… I did neither cause they both stink worse than cheese that’s been left out on the counter for a week! Ok, onto the games…
Teams on Bye: BEARS, BROWNS, VIKINGS, PATRIOTS, STEELERS, CHARGERS
Sticking with the Jags, things were very heated from the start of their game vs. the Bengals. A.J. Green and Jalen Ramsey were both ejected after a fight before halftime, although Green was the only one throwing punches and put Ramsey in a choke hold. The landscape of the game was forever changed; Jags won 23-7.
More fighting in the Saints/Bucs game, as Ryan Fitzpatrick (who came in for injured Jameis Winston – more on him later) was hit late by Vonn Bell. Afterwards, a huge “brew-ha-ha” erupted on the sidelines when Winston was pointing towards standout rookie CB Marshon Lattimore, almost calling him to be taken out like Paul Heyman shouting orders to Brock Lesnar. In this instance, Mike Evans was Winston’s Lesnar, blasting him to the ground! New Orleans outlasted Tampa Bay, 30-10.
Oh my Lord, do the New York Football Giants fucking suck! They couldn’t hold onto the ball on offense (2 FUM, 1 INT) and let up a 52-yard TD REC to Robert Woods on 3rd & 33! Sure it was a wise decision to suspend Janoris Jenkins? Ben Mcadoo has lost his locker room and will soon lose his job!
Philadelphia Eagles (8-1) continued to roll with a commanding victory over the Brock Osweiler-led Denver Broncos. Carson Wentz (15/27-199-4) put on a show, enjoying the best Eagle QB season since 1950 with 23 TDs! Alshon Jeffery had his first standout performance as an Eagle (6-84-2), while recently acquired prized-possession Jay Ajayi enjoyed “flying” high with his new Bird teammates (8-77-1). The real highlight of this game was Corey Clement (12-51-2; 15-yard TD REC)… in terms of fantasy, though,THAT HELPED NO ONE! Are the Eagles Super Bowl bound, Philadelphia??? If so, they are gonna need to restock their fireworks supply!
Apologies, we actually ran out of fireworks at @LFFStadium. #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/4uXjPPRSDe
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) November 5, 2017
Other Headlines:
TNF.. was.. boring. Next!
Panthers vs. Falcons went down to the wire, trying to determine who sucks more in the NFC South. In the end, Matty Ice (24/38-313-2) melted away… see what I did there?
In the surprising game of the day, Washington held on to upset Seattle in the great Northwest 17-14… But where was the 10-second runoff?
TY Hilton (5-175-2) exploded in the his first game after fellow teammate Andrew Luck was declared DFS. Will Brissett-to-TY be the next big thing???
Cards/49ers was a “battle” of backup quarterbacks. I’d like to tell you more about this game, but I had better things to do with my time like crocheting a motherfucking blanket. Arizona did win 20-10, and AD had a monstrous game (37-159-0) along with a lost fumble. Trying to reclaim former glory, he is.
In Tony Romo’s first broadcast back in Jerry World, the home crowd paid homage to the former Cowboys QB; “Welcome Home 9!” As for the game, in what was suppose to be a shootout, turned into a ball control, field position contest… until Dallas’ D fell asleep just before halftime and allowed Tyreek Hill to trot into the endzone for a “Hill-Mary.” This play spurred a second half resembling some of the fights at UFC 217, with the two middleweights trading shots. In the end, the Cowboys D atoned for the earlier gaff with an interception by Jeff Heath to seal the deal. It was Alex Smith’s first INT in his last 298 pass attempts, snapping the 5th longest streak all-time. Too many pre-snap penalties doomed KC.
However, the Best TD Celebration of the Week goes to Travis Kelce and the Chiefs with a potato-sack race…
End zone SACK RACE! pic.twitter.com/PIz355ypgr
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) November 5, 2017
NFL WEEK 9 KEY INJURIES
Jameis Winston (shoulder): I told y’all last week that “Famous Jameis’ shoulder/rotator cuff just is not right and I think they should shut him down!” Winston said he reaggravated the AC joint sprain during the loss at New Orleans by falling hard on his right shoulder upon receiving a blow from Saints DE Alex Okafor.
Prognosis: “Team doctors examined him at halftime and opted to rule him out for the rest of the game. Considering Winston has suffered a few setbacks with the shoulder since suffering the initial injury in Week 6, the Buccaneers may consider a respite to get Winston back to full health (Duh?). Either way, his status will be one to watch in the coming days.” ~ via Rotowire.com
Fantasy Impact: Considering Winston’s ADP was 61.14 according to CBS Sports, many fantasy owners may be scrambling to grab a QB for Week 10. Jared “Baby Hands” Goff has been silencing the critics (14/22-311-4 vs. the aforementioned Giants) and would make for a good add (49% own). Goff and the Rams face Houston in Week 10, whose secondary (specifically long-in-the-tooth CB Johnathan Joseph) has been burnt in recent weeks. However, Goff’s schedule gets hairy after this game – Week 11: @MIN, Week 12: vs. NO, Week 13: @ARI, Week 14: vs. PHI, Week 15: @SEA, Week 16: @TEN. Be prepared to stream QBs come playoff time!
Other Injury News
Dez Bryant (right ankle injury)
Terrance Williams (possible leg injury; costly victory for Dallas)
William Gholston (scary neck injury)
Eddie Lacy (groin)
Pierre Garcon (IR – neck injury)
Kenny Vaccaro (groin injury)
Jeremy Maclin (shoulder injury)
Vernon Davis (hand)
NOTABLE ROOKIE PERFORMANCES
With Watson and Fournette out, who will make the list this week?
Alvin Kamara (10-68-1; 6-84-1)
Corey Clement (12-51-2; 15-yard TD REC)
Christian McCaffrey (15-66-1; 5-28)
Zay Jones (6-53-1)
Joe Mixon (13-31-1)
WEEKLY STAT LEADERS (HEADING INTO MONDAY NIGHT)
MNF PREVIEW
Detroit Lions @ Green Bay Packers (Lambeau Field, 8:30 EST): It’s always a challenge to play on the “frozen tundra” of Lambeau Field, but luckily for the 3-4 Lions, it’s only November. GB (4-3) is playing a man down with Rodgers on the shelf, so Brett Hundley is the man behind center. This downgrades all GB pass catchers, despite Hundley being a tremendous athlete. I do like his prowess in the running game, so he makes an interesting pivot off of Russ Wilson/Matt Stafford in Mon-Thurs DFS. In the end, the Lions will be looking to avenge their tough 20-15 loss to the Steelers on SNF. Stafford should have a field day vs. an awful GB secondary (#18 Pass DVOA), especially when throwing to Theo Riddick.
Lions win 31-17
Betting Info:
Lions -2.5 O/U 43 (Take the Lions giving the points – should be a larger spread – and obviously the over)
Vegas Team Totals: Lions – 22.5, Pack – 20.5
Fantasy Projections: If GB stands a chance in this game, they are gonna need big nights from Aaron Jones & Ty Monty. I LOVE Jones, despite Detroit having the #5 Rush DVOA. He is so multi-versatile; I feel he nets 80 yards on the ground, a few receptions and a score. But this week, it’s Stafford to Marvin Jones Jr. for.. the… Monday Night Miracle!
Oh, and guess who’s back… back again?!
