Mario’s Hot & Not Fantasy Rundown: Week 9
New York Jets @ Indianapolis Colts
Hot: Jonathan Taylor
Taylor took over this game early, and never looked back. JT totaled 200 all purpose yards on the day, and scored 2 TDs on the ground. One of them was a 78 yarder to open up the 2nd half. His 35.0 fantasy points on Thursday night, have him at RB2 for the week with the Monday Night game left to play.
Not: Colts D/ST
The Colts were a popular streaming play this week vs a Jets offense being led by backup Mike White. Although White was hurt very early in this game, the Colts allowed 3rd string Josh Johnson to burn them for 317 yards passing and 3 TDs. The defense finished with 5.0 fantasy points, and in the bottom third of defenses in Week 9.
Minnesota Vikings @ Baltimore Ravens
Hot: Lamar Jackson
L-Jax continues to play like the human cheat code. He started off the day slowly, but ended the day with 3 passing TDs, 387 total yards (121 rushing), and 2 turnovers for a total of 36.64 fantasy points. That puts him at QB1 for the week with the Monday Night game left to play.
Not: Adam Thielen
Thielen has been on a hot streak, and was in most fantasy lineups for players expecting a big day in a high scoring game. Thielen salvaged an abysmal day with a late game short TD to up his fantasy score to 8.6, but only had 2 receptions for 6 yards. You likely cannot afford to bench him, so fire him up again next week in another likely shootout with the Chargers.
New England Patriots @ Carolina Panthers
Hot: Christian McCaffrey
This game lacked offense, but oh what a welcome sight #22 was out there on the field Sunday. CMC, the consensus fantasy RB1 was finally back in a somewhat limited capacity. I personally left him on my bench again this week, but I’m throwing him back in the lineup next week. He looked good and healthy vs the Patriots. He touched the ball 18 times, with 4 of those touches being through the air, for a total of 106 all purpose yards, and 14.6 fantasy points.
Not: DJ Moore
The play of the entire Panthers offense has been terrible, but Moore’s fall from grace has been the worst of it. He finished the game vs the Patriots with only 3 receptions for 32 yards, and 7.6 fantasy points. You likely have to start him in your league, and just hope Darnold doesn’t see ghosts.
Cleveland Browns @ Cincinnati Bengals
Hot: Nick Chubb
Chubb returned from injury, and absolutely smoked the Bengals defense for 163 total yards and 2 TDs on only 16 touches, ending the day with 31.3 fantasy points. He finished as RB3 for the week, and helped the Browns tie the Bengals for the division lead.
Not: CJ Uzomah
The Bengals had a bad day all around, but fantasy players were hoping for more production from the TE position with Uzomah on their team. He finished the day with only 4 receptions for 24 yards, and 6.4 fantasy points.
Denver Broncos @ Dallas Cowboys
Hot: Javonte Williams
The Broncos came into Dallas and did what they wanted on offense, led by RB Javonte Williams and his 111 yards rushing. It was the first 100 yard game for the rookie, and helped him finish with 11.1 fantasy points. He didn’t find the endzone, but he looked so good out there, he should start to get more opportunities than Gordon.
Not: CeeDee Lamb
Dallas came into Week 9 as the #1 offense in the league, and no one could have predicted what happened on that field on Sunday. All the offense was bad, but Lamb makes this list after converting a team high 9 targets into only 2 receptions for 23 yards, and 4.3 fantasy points. He remains a must start, and we hope the offense gets back on track next week vs Atlanta.
Buffalo Bills @ Jacksonville Jaguars
Hot: Dan Arnold
This game was disgusting from a fantasy standpoint, but Arnold makes this list for his recent play. He finished the game with 60 yards on 4 receptions, off of a team high 7 targets for 10.0 fantasy points. Arnold now has double digit points in 3 of the last 4 games, and has 30 targets in those games combined. He’s getting plenty of opportunities that will eventually equal more production.
Not: Josh Allen
Allen was a popular DFS play this week, as well as a lock in weekly fantasy, as he was supposed to smash vs one of the worst fantasy defenses in the league. He did manage over 300 total yards, but turned the ball over 3 times. Coupled with 0 TDs for the game, Allen finished with only 10.56 fantasy points on the day. He remains a must start next week vs the Jets.
Houston Texans @ Miami Dolphins
Hot: Jaylen Waddle
This is another game with minimal fantasy implications, but Waddle makes the list after turning a team high 10 targets into 8 receptions for 83 yards. The rookie WR finished the game with 16.3 fantasy points, which gives him double digit points in 3 of the last 4 games. He remains a volume based flex play.
Not: Brandin Cooks
Cooks ended the day with 11.6 fantasy points on 6 receptions for 56 yards. The disappointment lies in that we all expected a bigger boom with Tyrod Taylor back under center. Maybe Taylor needs another week to get his feet under him, so we will give Cooks another chance after the bye week.
Atlanta Falcons @ New Orleans Saints
Hot: Cordarrelle Patterson
Patterson continues to be the spark of the Atlanta offense, and this week helped them upset the Saints in New Orleans. Patterson’s fantasy contribution was 6 receptions on 6 targets for 126 yards. He did not find the endzone, and was ineffective on the ground, but still ended the day with 19.6 fantasy points. In some fantasy platforms he is designated at a RB/WR, and remains a must start next week vs Dallas.
Not: Saints D/ST
The Saints defense has been playing very well, and set themselves and fantasy players up for a big day at home vs a bad Falcons team. That plan went sideways, as the Saints allowed 366 total yards, 27 points, and only managed 2 sacks and 0 turnovers.
Las Vegas Raiders @ New York Giants
Hot: Devontae Booker
Booker has continued to fill in well in the absence of Saquon. This week he ran for 99 yards and caught 2 passes for an additional 23 yards before leaving midway through the 3rd quarter with an injury. His 15.2 fantasy points led the Giants to victory vs the Raiders. Aside from the injury, this may have been his last time to shine with Saquon slated to return after the bye. If you have the room on your roster, keep Booker in case his number is called on again.
Not: Kadarius Toney
Fantasy players rejoiced at the return of Toney in a juicy matchup with the Raiders, and he promptly let them all down. Deemed healthy before the game, Toney’s impact was minimal, catching 1 pass for 9 yards, and doing nothing else on the day. His final fantasy point total was only 1.7 points as the Giants head into a bye week.
Los Angeles Chargers @ Philadelphia Eagles
Hot: Keenan Allen
Mr. Allen, welcome back to the column. After nearly a month of subpar play, Allen appears to have resumed his role as target monster for the Chargers. Herbert looked his way 13 times on Sunday, and Allen caught 12 of those targets for 104 yards. Although he didn’t find the endzone, it was his first 100 yard day since Week 2. Allen led the Chargers with 22.4 fantasy points on the day.
Not: Dallas Goedert
Goedert turned 6 targets into 3 receptions for 43 yards, totaling 7.3 fantasy points on the day. The Eagles scored 24 points in a back and forth affair, so we’d expect for the TE to be more involved, but that wasn’t the case. You probably do not have another TE available, and because of the potential, Goedert must remain in your lineup.
Green Bay Packers @ Kansas City Chiefs
Hot: Travis Kelce
I doubt anyone predicted this game to have a total of 20 points, even with Rodgers ruled out with Covid. Kelce shined more than any of the other stars on a gloomy fantasy day. He caught 5 passes for 68 yards and the only Chiefs TD of the day for a total of 17.8 fantasy points.
Not: Jordan Love
Love was a popular streaming play in what was supposed to be a high scoring game. Instead, fantasy players who started Love or any of the other Packers offensive weapons, were left disappointed. Although Love was the highest scoring player on the Packers offense with 13.9 fantasy points, his dismal outing affected every other player on the offense. Thankfully, Rodgers is in line to start next Sunday vs the Seahawks.
Arizona Cardinals @ San Francisco 49ers
Hot: James Conner
Fantasy players who have stayed on the Conner train despite limited volume may now have a league winner on their hands. Edmonds injured his ankle early on, and is slated to be out “several weeks”. Conner capitalized with 173 total yards and 2 TDs, including 5 receptions for 77 yards. He is this week’s fantasy RB1 with 40.3 points, and looks to continue this production next week vs Carolina.
Not: Zach Ertz
With Hopkins and Green both inactive for this game, Ertz was expected to receive a higher workload, but only managed 3 receptions for 27 yards, and 5.7 fantasy points. It’s possible McCoy’s game just doesn’t target TEs as much. Ertz may have to wait for the return of Kyler Murray to see more production.
Tennessee Titans @ Los Angeles Rams
Hot: Cooper Kupp
Even in the loss, Kupp looked like the best player on the field. It is encouraging that on a night where the Rams only scored 16 points, Kupp still managed 20.5 fantasy points. He hauled in 11 receptions on 13 targets for 95 yards. Even after an “off” day, Kupp is over 50 points ahead of the next fantasy WR.
Not: Jeremy McNichols
I don’t think anyone expected McNichols to be a barn burner in his first ever start after the loss of Derrick Henry, but I also don’t think anyone expected him to be out touched by a recently signed Adrian Peterson. McNichols finished the night with 35 yards on 10 touches, and 6.5 fantasy points. Granted, it was a tough Rams defense, but the touch disparity could be a concern moving forward.
Chicago Bears @ Pittsburgh Steelers
Hot: Pat Freiermuth
Does fantasy football have another TE1? The landscape is scarce, but Freiermuth may be shining some light in a dark space. The rookie TE caught 5 passes for only 43 yards, but scored 2 TDs from the arm of Big Ben. His 21.3 fantasy points are the most of his young career, and the arrow is pointing up.
Not: Chase Claypool
Claypool has not lived up to expectations this season after a breakout campaign last year. The Steelers scored 29 points on Monday night, but Claypool only contributed 30 yards on 3 receptions for 7.3 fantasy points. Diontae, Najee, and now Freiermuth seem to be eating up all of the targets. Claypool always has the chance for a huge game, but you never know when it’s coming.
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