Week 9 Overview
As Week 9 rolls around, we’re seeing the return of some notable players like Puka Nacua, Jackson Smith-Njigba, and Amon-Ra St. Brown. Sure, some solid receivers are on byes this week, but it could be a blessing in disguise for AJ Brown, Garrett Wilson, and Emeka Egbuka, giving them the chance to recover.
The teams in focus include the Cleveland Browns, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Philadelphia Eagles, and New York Jets.
Players to watch are Jerry Jeudy, Emeka Egbuka, Tez Johnson, AJ Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Garrett Wilson.
Christian Watson, Packers vs. Panthers
Watson is back on the roster and proved to be a big-play threat right away. The Packers really missed a reliable receiver like him for most of the season. In his first game back, he only had four targets but made a big impact by catching all of them for 85 yards. While the Panthers have had a tough time defending against the pass this season, they can still be caught off guard. If you’re in need of a lift, Watson might be available on the waiver wire.
Rondon sat out Week 8 due to a hip issue but is reportedly improving daily. He could have a chance to suit up against the Patriots this week, though he’ll need to log some practice time first.
Nacua has dealt with multiple injuries throughout his games but has shown resilience, continuing as a fantasy WR1. Sadly, he injured his ankle in Week 6 and missed both Week 7 and 8. Signs suggest he’s on track to return just in time for the starting lineup.
Wilson was marked as questionable due to a hyperextended knee from Week 6, causing him to miss the following two weeks. If the injury timeline holds, the bye in Week 9 could set him up for a comeback in Week 10.
Pearsall hurt his knee in Week 4 but expected a quick recovery. Unfortunately, he’s been out for four games now. It’ll be worth keeping an eye on his practice status this week.
Ridley faced a hamstring injury in Week 6, sidelining him for the next two games. This week, his situation appears uncertain since he hasn’t practiced yet.
Collins experienced a concussion in Week 8, impacting his availability for the Week 9 matchup against the 49ers. Here’s hoping he clears protocol this week as the Texans gear up for a challenging game against the Broncos.
Brown is also dealing with a hamstring issue, missing Week 9. However, there’s cautious optimism he could return following a bye against the Packers.
Game Totals and Team Projections
In terms of projected high-scoring matchups, we have Rams at 29 points, Packers at 28.5, Ravens also at 28.5, Cowboys at 28.3, and Lions at 28.
On the lower end, the Saints are projected at 15.5, Panthers at 16, and Titans at 16.5.
In terms of spreads, the Saints face a hefty one at -13.5 against the Rams, followed by the Panthers at -12.5 facing the Packers, the Chargers at -10.5 against the Titans, and Vikings vs. Lions at -8.5.
