Good morning. IT’S SUNDAY, LET’S GO! And if you’re reading this after 9:30 AM ET, it’s too late. The Dolphins and Chiefs game has kicked off in Frankfurt, Germany. Why? Because 3.6 million Germans say they are avid N.F.L. fans — that’s a lot of Germans!

Thank you, NFL scheduling team, for putting the GAME of the season early in the morning… At least most of us got an extra hour of sleep thanks to daylight savings.

Good news to start your day: NYG LB Kayvon Thibodeaux is this week’s recipient of the NFLPA Community MVP. Kayvon raised $120,000 for youth enrichment at his JREAM Foundation’s first gala and hosted a financial literacy workshop for kids at the Boys & Girls Club of Harlem.

He also started a student mentorship program, life skills workshop, and hosted a youth football and cheer summer camp to promote healthy living. What a legend.

TRIVIA

RANKINGS

Ken Walker falls to RB9. Don’t overreact too much to Zach Charbonnet out-snapping Walker (31 to 24) last week, as Walker was nursing a calf injury. But Charbonnet looked good (10.6 YPC against a tough Cleveland defense) and HC Pete Carroll said they wanted to give Charbonnet more opportunities, per @CoachspeakIndex.

Diontae Johnson rises to WR28. Over the last 3 weeks, Johnson has a 29.6% target share, 42% yardage share, and 69% catch rate (nice), per Chris Wecht of Fantasy Points — all of which are significantly higher than WR2 George Pickens.

Our rest-of-season 0.5 PPR rankings were updated early this morning 👇️ 

SPONSOR

Co-founded by Kenny Beecham, Enjoy Basketball is a positive-first media brand that gives NBA fans the news they need to know, without the Skip Bayless-style hot takes. From 2023-24 season predictions to off-season news, stay up to date with their coverage on all things hoops this offseason. They got you covered on all the moves and happenings around the league!

Get your day started with game recaps, league news, NBA player interviews, trivia, memes, and more.

Join the FREE 3x weekly newsletter HERE and keep up with the game alongside 50,000+ Enjoyers of basketball.

START EM SIT EM

Quarterback

Start Dak Prescott. Prescott enters the softest portion of his schedule and Tristan Cockroft of ESPN sees the Cowboys passing game being key to this game. After scoring 24.8 points against the Chargers in Week 6 and 28.0 against the Rams in Week 8, Prescott should again be the focal point of the Cowboys' offense against the Eagles, who just let Sam “Sacked” Howell post 30.9 points.

Start Derek Carr. “Carr is coming off his third consecutive 300+ yard game after a rough start to the season. The Saints host the Bears, who rank as the fifth-best overall fantasy matchup”, per Renee Miller of The Athletic ($). Vegas also loves it, giving the Saints the fourth-highest implied team total of the week.

Sit Geno Smith. “The Seahawks are in a nightmare spot this week. They are traveling east to face a Baltimore defense that ranks second in the NFL in EPA per play allowed. The most passing yards the Ravens have allowed this year is 253, when Jared Goff had two quarters of garbage time”, per Kyle Dvorchak’s Week 9 Start/Sit on NBC Sports.

• Start Mac Jones. The Commanders rank 30th in EPA per dropback allowed and the Patriots have a 22-point implied team total this week. That’s higher than the Chargers and Seahawks, per Kyle Dvorchak’s Week 9 Start/Sit on NBC Sports.

• Start Gardner Minshew. The Colts quarterback has put up strong fantasy numbers and has one of the best matchups of Week 9.

• Sit Deshaun Watson. He has a juicy looking matchup, but if you have another option, take a wait and see approach with the uncertainty of his shoulder injury.

Running Back

Start Aaron Jones, who might finally be back. Jones was on a “pitch count” in Week 8 and was limited in practice to start the week (hamstring). BUT Jones is off the injury report. HC Matt LaFleur’s tone has shifted: “Ready to cut him loose.” — on Aaron Jones.

Start Isiah Pacheco. The Chiefs abandoned the run when trailing in Week 8 vs. the Broncos. “The good news is that Pacheco’s usage, by market share, remains strong. Over the last four weeks, Pacheco has garnered 67% of the backfield's expected fantasy points and handled 80% of the RB carries. On the season, Pacheco has handled 76% of the Chiefs RB touches inside-the-10”, per Graham Barfield’s Start/Sits on Fantasy Points.

Start Chuba Hubbard. “This weekend, the Panthers get a soft matchup in the run game against a Colts defense that has allowed the second-most points per game (23.4) on the ground. The 1-6 Panthers have a chance to keep this one close based on a three-point spread, which should keep Hubbard involved in the game plan”, per Dwain McFarland’s Week 9 Rankings on Fantasy Life.

• Start Kareem Hunt. Hunt is a flex conversation against the Cardinals defense allowing 25.8 PPG to running backs.

• Sit Alexander Mattison. The Minnesota Vikings‘ running back rotation has been unpredictable, and Mattison faces a strong Falcons run defense.

• Sit Devin Singletary (if you can). Completely understand if you need to chase the volume here, but be warned: The Buccaneers rank 7th in fantasy points allowed to running backs per game. They also allow just 99 rushing yards per game, 10th best in the NFL, per Moh of Rotostreet Journal.

Wide Receiver

This could be Chris Olave week. “Carr’s been playing better (101.1 Avg QB rating over his past four games) and Olave faces the Bears (31st in EPA per pass), who use zone coverage on 74.1% of their defensive snaps. Against zone, Olave’s air-yard share has increased to an eye popping 42.6%. Olave will run most of his routes against the struggling Tyrique Stevenson (125.6 passer rating against) and Kyler Gordon (99.4), setting him up for a potential smash game”, per Jake’s 13 Insights on The Athletic.

Start Demario Douglas. “Over the last two weeks, Douglas has earned a 79% route share, 6.5 targets per game, and 15.8 expected fantasy points per game (XFP/G). Over the full season, 15.8 XFP/G would rank 16th-best among WRs – and Douglas earned that usage with Bourne and Parker in the mix (both are injured)”, per Jake Tribbey’s DFS Values on Fantasy Points.

Flex Nico Collins and Tank Dell. In Week 8, the Texans dropped back to pass a season-low 24 times, "10 percentage points below their season average.” But this week, “we could see them throw the ball against a strong Buccaneers run defense. Tampa Bay gives up the second-most passing yards per game (271.3) on the slate”, per Dwain McFarland’s Week 9 Rankings on Fantasy Life. Collins was C.J. Stroud’s first read on 35% of his pass attempts in Week 8, he’s the preferred start.

• Start Jahan Dotson. With Curtis Samuel (toe) ruled out, Dotson again becomes an intriguing WR2/WR3. Since a brutal Week 6, Dotson has averaged nine targets per game. The Commanders are second in pass rate over expected (8.7 percent), per Zachary Krueger of NBC Sports.

• Sit Jaxon Smith-Njigba. With Metcalf back, JSN reverted to part-time usage (63% route share). His average depth of target was just 0.8 yards… and the Ravens present a tough matchup.

Tight End

Start David Njoku. “Njoku appears to have taken over as Cleveland’s clear No. 2, behind Amari Cooper. Over the last two weeks, Njoku’s target share has jumped to 23.2% (up from 12.8%). Among all TEs over this span, he ranks 6th in targets (16), 6th in yards (131), 4th in XFP/G (15.1), and 9th in FPG (14.1)”, per Scott Barrett’s Everything Report on Fantasy Points.

Start Donald Parham Jr. if you’re desperate. Although Gerald Everett is expected to play Monday night, ESPN’s Mike Clay thinks Parham Jr. is a solid TE streamer, especially given that he leads all tight ends with six end zone targets.

Sh-t on the Steelers fans in your life because they aren’t as good as they think. The Steelers are the only team since 1933 - when rushing and receiving stats were first tracked - to be out gained in each of their first 8 games of a season and still have a winning record.

• Start Trey McBride. Even if Clayton Tune is the Cardinals’ starter, McBride saw the ball enough in Week 8 to rank as a TE1 this week. He earned an elite target share of 40% and an air yards share of 41%.

• Consider Hunter Henry. Henry is the next best candidate after Demario Douglas to become Mac Jones' favorite target.

INJURY REPORT

Keaton’s Time?

🚀 Stash:

1. Keaton Mitchell. He’s looked great in limited action (video) and is healthy. Every time he’s touched the ball, good things have happened. The Ravens RB3 just needs to beat Justice Hill and Gus Edwards out.

2. Jonathan Mingo. The second-round pick led Panthers’ WR in snaps last week and converted five targets into four catches for 62 yards - all after a change in offensive playcaller.

3. Michael Wilson. This Cardinals offense should be much improved with Kyler Murray under center.

4. Zamir White. The highest upside RB that is rostered in fewer than 10% of leagues, Raiders want to feature Jacobs but could give their RB2 a longer look.

5. Daniel Bellinger. There are few things I trust less than Darren Waller’s hamstrings. If Bellinger takes the TE1 role, he could be a rest of season streamer.

👀 Monitor:

1. Justin Fields (thumb) returned to practice. He is officially listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game.

2. Joshua Palmer (knee) did not practice on Friday. With Palmer limited in Week 8, Quentin Johnston posted career highs in receiving 5-50 and snaps (70%).

3. Puka Nacua (knee) is questionable for Week 9 against the Packers. With Stafford (thumb) also questionable, you’ll want to confirm the starting QB is playing even if Nacua starts.

4. Josh Downs (knee) is questionable for Week 9 against the Panthers. Confirm his status before kickoff.

🚑️ OUT List:

1. Kyler Murray will return. Next week. Clayton Tune is expected to start Week 9 vs the Browns, while Murray’s 21-day window to be activated ends next week.

2. Drake London. Anyone with a brain would make Kyle Pitts the focus of Atlanta’s passing game. Does Arthur Smith have one? We’ll see.

3. Dameon Pierce. Devin Singletary will benefit from a true RB1 workload in Week 9 while Mike Boone will see an uptick in snaps.

4. Darren Waller. Wan’Dale Robinson is a great candidate to fill in. He is second on the Giants in targets per game, and his short and intermediate routes are needed by Daniel Jones.

5. Emari Demercado. The Cardinals will turn to Keaontay Ingram as the lead and Damien Williams mixing in. Avoid both against the Browns vaunted defense.

BEST BETS

🥇 Wan’Dale Robinson Longest Reception Under 15.5 yards (-114)

Robinson’s aDOT this season is just 3 yards. He’s went over this prop only once this year and only 5.9% of his targets are 10 yards or more. He has zero deep targets this season. He does get Daniel Jones back this week, but Jones is 27th in passing grade and 31st in yards per attempt.

🥈 Dalton Kincaid over 38.5 receiving yards (-115)

In the two games that Dawson Knox has been out to injury, Kincaid went for 65 and 75 yards. Knox will be out and no other TE on the roster got a snap last week besides Kincaid. The Bengals are allowing the third most yards per target (8.7), the third highest catch rate (79.7%) and 8th most receiving yards to opposing TE’s this season. We’re riding the hot hand here.

Disclaimer: Gambling should be enjoyed as a form of entertainment. Never gamble more than you can afford to lose and we’re probably wrong. 2023 record 1-7

QUICK SLANTS

📖 Read Week 9 Walkthrough by Pat Kerrane of Legendary Upside. Additional insight on Chris Olave against the Bears.

“Olave’s targets tend to be deep and along the sideline. Only two teams have allowed more 15+ yard passes on downfield targets along the sideline than the Bears. Olave could remind the fantasy world of his elite deep-threat ability in this matchup.”

📖 Read Beyond the Boxscore by Jacob Gibbs of Sportsline. Why he’s benching Puka Nakua (especially if Stafford sits):

Rams QB “Brett Rypien fed 5/10 targets to Cooper Kupp last week. Only one went Nacua's way. On top of that, the Rams face a Packers defense that invites opponents to run the ball: Green Bay has the second-lowest situation-neutral (score within six points) opponent pass rate (49%).”

📖 Read Week 9 Fantasy Football Start ‘em Sit ‘em by Graham Barfield of Fantasy Points. Learn why he’s sitting both Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs.

🎙️Listen to Titans-Steelers Reactions + Big weeks ahead for Tee Higgins, D’Andre Swift? from Matthew Berry’s Fantasy Football Happy Hour podcast. Hear why Raheem “Must-Start” is Berry’s RB8 this week.

🎙️Listen to Trevor Lawrence’s Value, Practical Advice on Trading for Picks, and the Utility of Trade Deadlines from Matt Waldman’s RSP. They dive into what to make about Trevor Lawrence this far in his career.

📺️ Watch the Top 100 runs in NFL history, which makes us miss Marshawn Lynch👇️ 

Creator of the Day

Tej Seth

In this series, we highlight the best people in the fantasy football industry.

Tej Seth (@tejfbanalytics) published his first article in high school. He now studies data science and teaches coding related to football, and has built an impressive career backed by theory and math. Tej believes in the importance of understanding football concepts, not just fantasy trends.

His 🔥 take? Rashee Rice is a league winner. Rice has quickly become the second option in Kansas City and ranks 11th in yards per route run, so his production should rise - Tej is buying.

SumerSports Preview

Tej does a weekly preview of each week on SumerSports. Some highlights:

Seahawks at Ravens. Both teams have top-10 offenses and defenses. The Ravens defense struggles with the pass out of the 12 personnel, so Tej believes Seahawks TE Noah Fant could be featured. The Seahawks excel against under center QBs, but that won’t help them against Lamar Jackson (who runs exclusively out of the pistol or shotgun). This could be a Mark Andrews week.

Bills at Bengals. Teams are taking away the Bills’ explosive plays (17th best) but the Bengals allow the most explosive plays in the league, so this could be a return to form for the weapons in Buffalo. The Bengals run shotgun 81% of the time, an area where the Bills struggle (12th). Look for Chase to have fun with an inconsistent Bills secondary.

Read the full Week 9 Preview here.

Tweet of the Day

Good luck in Week 9. Do whatever it takes to win — except offering up your wife for just CMC. Make sure you at least get a starting WR, too. It’ll be a lonely offseason.

- Jake, Eddie, Marcus & Sean

Check out our new merch 👇️