Welcome to the Wild World of Week 9 Fantasy Football Rankings!
Ah, Week 9 of fantasy football! It’s like that time of year when the leaves change, the air turns crisp, and we all start questioning our life choices—like why we thought it was a good idea to roster that backup running back from a team that has as much chance of winning as my 12-year-old self had of becoming an astronaut. But hey, let’s not sulk; we have fantasy rankings to dissect!
#CheckTheLink-age
And before diving into this week’s juicy rankings, let’s remember the mantra: Check the links, or risk missing the bus! We’re serving up extra content to enrich your fantasy experience—links to waiver wires, strength of schedule, and a handy podcast for those who prefer their insights with a side of chuckles. If you’re not checking these out… well, let’s just say it’s akin to choosing Tootsie Rolls over a box of chocolates—an affront to your taste buds!
Logical Lunacy of Week 9 Matchups
Texans at Jets
- Tank Dell—that name sounds like a character from a bad 80s sitcom, but here he is, ready to take on your lineup. If Stroud can avoid getting double-teamed as if he’s a pop star on the red carpet, we might be in for a show!
- Breece Hall didn’t see third-down touches last week. Might as well go get a pumpkin spice latte and cry into it, eh?
Cowboys at Falcons
- Rico Dowdle is riding the wave! He’s like the underdog movie of the season—only way more potent on the ground.
- And as for Darnell Mooney? Well, his time might be up. If he were any more covered, you’d mistake him for your grandmother’s couch in the family room—always there, but no one wants to sit on him.
Dolphins at Bills
- Now, Tua Tagovailoa is back, but let’s face it—his air yards are about as high as my hopes during a Monday morning meeting.
- Keep an eye on Keon Coleman transitioning from “who’s he?” to “who’s that stud on my fantasy team?”
Raiders at Bengals
- Jakobi Meyers has become the ultimate boom-or-bust player—like finding out your favorite restaurant now serves vegan options. How did we get here?
- If Joe Burrow keeps it up with Tee Higgins, it’s a lovely time to be a Bengals fan—or at least, a fan of guys named Joe. They seem to have all the luck.
Chargers at Browns
- The Chargers have mastered the art of making every game a slow burn, much like watching paint dry—except there’s the potential for chaos. I guess that’s some excitement!
Patriots at Titans
- The Patriots have their own reality show happening weekly. If you like drama, just tune in! Talk about inconsistency.
Commanders at Giants
- These two teams are giving me major “who cares?” vibes. It’s a spicy matchup no one asked for, like pineapple on pizza.
Broncos at Ravens
- Will Bo Nix become the next breakout QB, or will he just ride the pine? It’s the fantasy gamble we all dread!
Jaguars at Eagles
- With the Jaguars running their defenses like they’re on the Big Brother household, expect A.J. Brown to stack those points.
Buccaneers at Chiefs
- Baker Mayfield could either boom or just… well, not. It’s the classic tale of “what could’ve been”!
Week 9 Sleepers: The Underdogs!
Yes, we all love the stars, but keep an eye on these tasty sleeper options:
- Josh Downs: With Joe Flacco back, it might be time for things to get funky in Indianapolis.
- Tony Pollard: If the Titans can hold up, Pollard is primed for a week to shine—better than a glittery sweater!
Wrapping Up with Candy Rankings!
And since it’s Halloween week, here’s the kicker: candy rankings! Whoever thought you could rank fun-sized treats like they’re rookies in the draft? “Nerds Gummy Clusters” are on top! Obvious choice, right? Meanwhile, we have the horrid “Necco Wafers” at the bottom—like the last pick in every fantasy draft—nobody wants that.
Your Fantasy Football Gameplan
Before you submit those lineups, remember: Always stay on your toes, like a kid avoiding the dentist after too much Halloween candy. Check your links, make your adjustments, and maybe don’t eat all the candy yourself—your body will thank you later!
Before you jump into the Week 9 fantasy football rankings, keep in mind that I always sprinkle in some creative and entertaining rankings. This could span everything from beloved cartoon characters, iconic players from the 80s, and even some humorous guidelines on what not to do once you’ve hit the big 3-0. I welcome your suggestions too! Meanwhile, I strive to respond to a multitude of comments, but if you’re asking about a basic “Who do I start?” or “Who should I trade for?” question, the answer is typically already addressed within the rankings and in the links to the trade charts. So let’s dive in and get started!
#CheckTheLink-age
Week 9 Waiver Wire
Week 9 SOS Ranks
Fantasy 101 (weather, start/sit, trading, more)
🎙️All in Fantasy Podcast🎙️
WEEK 9 FANTASY FOOTBALL PREVIEWS
BYES: PIT, SF
Texans at Jets, Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET
- The Texans are currently down to Tank Dell, with a rotating trio of Xavier Hutchinson, John Metchie, and Robert Woods backing him up.
- The Jets have allowed the ninth-most completions of 20+ yards, making Dell a near must-start option, although this does come with the caveat that if the Jets manage to get pressure on C.J. Stroud, they could double cover him all game.
- Week 8 marked the first time Breece Hall was without a third-down touch.
- Garrett Wilson has only seen a slight decrease in his target market share from 30.6% to 27.0% since the addition of Davante Adams, with his yards per route run increasing from 1.62 to 2.60.
Cowboys at Falcons, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
- Rico Dowdle stands alone as the only Cowboys running back averaging an impressive 5.0 yards per touch; the next closest is Deuce Vaughn, who trails at 3.8.
- This could be a tough outing for Darnell Mooney. Of his 37 receptions, a significant 30 were made while facing a defense that had seven men in coverage, yet the Cowboys drop seven into coverage the third least among NFL teams (36.8%).
Dolphins at Bills, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
- In his return, Tua Tagovailoa recorded just 5.1 Air Yards per Attempt and only 5.3% of passes traveled 20+ Air Yards, a notable drop from his performance last year.
- Keep an eye on Keon Coleman as he continues his impressive output; check the “Sleepers” section for more details.
Raiders at Bengals, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
- Jakobi Meyers’ target market share since Week 3 has fluctuated between 23.1% and 41.7%, with fantasy points per game varying accordingly.
- Joe Burrow has demonstrated a stark contrast in performance with and without Tee Higgins on the field this season.
Chargers at Browns, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
- The Browns utilize Cover-1 schemes 34.5% of the time, while Ladd McConkey ranks third in yards per route run against Cover-1 with 4.35.
- The Chargers allow the fourth-fewest plays per game at 57.7, thanks to their lengthy snap-to-snap time of 29.7 seconds, influencing the overall pace of their matchups.
Patriots at Titans, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
- The Patriots have seen a constantly rotating wide receiver trio, though Kayshon Boutte has started to stabilize his role over the past three games.
- Since the Titans bye week, standout wide receivers like CeeDee Lamb, A.J. Brown, and Justin Jefferson have surpassed Calvin Ridley’s TmTGT% mark of 31.1%.
Commanders at Giants, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
- The Commanders lead the NFL in Pressure Percentage by rushing only four players at 47.1%, a tactic that greatly enhances their defensive effectiveness.
- The Giants allow the fourth-highest pressure percentage when rushing just four defenders (37.4%), a number that further climbs to 45.1% without Andrew Thomas.
- In the two games following Devin Singletary’s return, Tyrone Tracy Jr. has recorded a remarkable 70.5% RB Touch Percentage.
Saints at Panthers, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
- The Panthers implement Cover-3 more than any team in the league at 50.7%, and Chris Olave has excelled against this scheme with 2.68 Yards Per Route Run.
- It’s no surprise that the Panthers and Jaguars boast the highest percentages of drives culminating in touchdowns.
- With Andy Dalton at quarterback, the Panthers average a solid 5.3 Yards Per Play.
Broncos at Ravens, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
- Bo Nix continues to struggle in key metrics among quarterbacks, ranking 31st in TD/Attempt Percentage.
- Meanwhile, the Ravens have allowed a league-low of only seven rushing attempts of 10 or more yards.
Jaguars at Eagles, Sunday, 4 p.m. ET
- The Jaguars run Cover-1 34.4% of the time, while A.J. Brown has dominated with an incredible 5.52 Yards Per Route Run against that defense.
- Despite Jalen Hurts scoring three rushing touchdowns last week, Saquon Barkley still possesses the third-most goal line rush attempts.
Bears at Cardinals, Sunday, 4 p.m. ET
- D’Andre Swift is ranking in the top tiers for fantasy production since Week 4, with impressive stats across several key metrics.
- Week 8 saw Marvin Harrison Jr. finally exceed a catchable target percentage of 71.4%.
Lions at Packers, Sunday, 4 p.m. ET
- Week 8 was starkly different for Sam LaPorta, as he received a significant share of the targets that game.
- The leaders in yards per completion outside the pocket are Jordan Love and Malik Willis.
Rams at Seahawks, Sunday, 4 p.m. ET
- The Rams face one of the league’s highest Press Percentages against their offense at 54.4%, while the Seahawks also struggle under pressure.
Colts at Vikings, Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET
- The Colts have swung to a decidedly more passing-centric approach with Joe Flacco under center, coupled with improvements in scoring efficiency.
- Think the Vikings look better with Aaron Jones? That assumption could very well be accurate.
Buccaneers at Chiefs, Monday, 8:15 p.m.
- This matchup presents a crucial challenge for Baker Mayfield against a formidable Chiefs defense.
- DeAndre Hopkins had limited participation in his debut; while we hope for an increase this week, the integration with the team remains uncertain.
WEEK 9 SLEEPERS
QUARTERBACK
- Patrick Mahomes, KC — Considered a sleeper selection this week due to his underwhelming performance relative to his usual standards, Mahomes faces a less-than-stellar Buccaneers defense.
- Matthew Stafford, LAR — With Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua back, Stafford is expected to take advantage of a vulnerable Seahawks pass defense.
RUNNING BACK
- Tony Pollard, TEN — If Tyjae Spears is able to return, Pollard will see an uptick in usage against a struggling Patriots run defense.
- Chase Brown, CIN — With shifting roles indicating he is now favored as a running option, Brown could shine if the Bengals secure a commanding lead this week.
WIDE RECEIVER
- Josh Downs, IND — With Joe Flacco revived under center, there are increased expectations for Downs against the Vikings’ challenging yet exploitable defense.
- Courtland Sutton, DEN — Sutton has typically thrived against the Ravens’ coverage scheme. He presents a risk-reward option for your roster this week.
- Keon Coleman, BUF — Coleman is positioned well as the Bills’ offense adapts to having Amari Cooper and is someone to look out for against the Dolphins.
TIGHT END
FUN WITH RANKINGS!
The Halloween season inspires a candy ranking fun! Remember, we’re focusing on the snack-sized versions of your favorite treats. Thankfully, Nerds corrected this years ago, reinforcing their title as the king of Halloween candy!
Best Halloween Candy Ranked
- Nerds Gummy Clusters (the best candy you can find, especially the berry pack!)
- Reese’s Peanut Butter Pumpkins (the undeniable champion of chocolate candy)
- Peanut Butter M&Ms (plain M&Ms are nowhere near the top)
- Twizzlers Rainbow (regular Twizzlers would be lower than this)
- Starburst FaveREDs – Enjoy a lucky strawberry two-pack!
- Snickers — a classic favorite.
- Swedish Fish Minis — always a delight.
- Sour Patch Watermelon Slices — perfect for those who love a scoop of sourness.
- Haribo Gold Bears (the only gummy bears that matter, along with Disney ones)
- Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups — fan favorites.
- Take 5 — combines perfect flavors and textures.
- Hot Tamales — a spicy classic.
- Junior Mints – delightfully refreshing treats.
- Hi-Chew — especially the berry flavors.
- Nestle Crunch — classic, yet satisfying.
- 100 Grand — great but doesn’t beat Take 5.
- Airheads (Strawberry, Watermelon, Mystery) — fun, soft chewy candy.
- Twix — slightly less impressive than before.
- Laffy Taffy (Strawberry, Watermelon) — always difficult to unwrap.
- Kit Kat — often leaves candy lovers feeling unsatisfied.
- Sour Patch Kids — fun and entertaining candy.
- Butterfinger (needs to be fresh; otherwise, it loses flavor).
- Skittles — often relegated to the bottom tier due to quality issues.
- Almond Joy — for coconut enthusiasts.
- Milky Way — just a lesser version of Snickers.
Overrated:
- Whoppers — even fresh, they leave a lot to be desired.
- Tootsie Rolls — ubiquitous and undesired.
- 3 Musketeers — bland and not filling at all. Quite disappointing.
Worst Halloween Candy
(ranked from worst to less worst)
- Necco Wafers — are these even real candy?
- Circus Peanuts — reminiscent of orange-colored foam.
- Good & Plenty — utterly confusing in flavor.
- Candy Corn — the most predictable choice.
- Bit-O-Honey — just plain forgettable.
- Mary Jane — fails to impress.
- Generic wrapped candy — what even is that?
- Wax anything — truly bizarre and unnecessary.
- Smarties — hardly better than Necco Wafers and ubiquitous.
- Black licorice — an acquired taste, not for many!
- Dubble Bubble — virtually inedible due to its tough consistency.
- Spongebob Krabby Patties — a disappointing novelty.
- Sugar Babies — just a gritty, overly sweet mess.
- Heath — a mishmash of hard candies and confusion.
- Jolly Rancher — takes too long to reveal its flavor.
- Now and Later — should we even say anything more?
- Flavored Tootsie Rolls — a desperate attempt to change something already bland.
- Stale Skittles – painful on the teeth.
- Runts — too many questions about what they truly are.
- Kisses — enough with the monopolizing of all holidays!
WEEK 9 FANTASY FOOTBALL PROJECTIONS
🚨 HEADS UP 🚨 These differ from my rankings. MY RANKS reflect the order to start players, considering last-minute context.
Projections Download Link
WEEK 9 FANTASY FOOTBALL RANKINGS
🚨 HEADS UP 🚨
- There is no magical ranking system out there. While many check this on mobile, it’s best viewed on a computer for optimal functionality.
- ECR is “Expert” Consensus Ranking (not always evenly updated — treat with caution).
- Updated regularly, be sure to check before lineups lock.
(Top photo of Patrick Mahomes: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images)
! Here are some key fantasy football projections and insights for Week 9. Be sure to adjust your lineups accordingly based on player performances and matchups leading up to game day.
### Quarterback Projections
– **Patrick Mahomes (KC)**: Expected to bounce back against the Buccaneers, with projected stats around 300 passing yards and 2-3 touchdowns.
– **Matthew Stafford (LAR)**: With both Kupp and Nacua at his disposal, Stafford might target 275 passing yards and 2 touchdowns against the Seahawks.
### Running Back Projections
– **Tony Pollard (TEN)**: Should Pollard get increased carries, expect about 80 rushing yards and possibly a touchdown against the Patriots.
– **Chase Brown (CIN)**: Projected to see more opportunities, aim for 70 rushing yards and a chance at a touchdown if the Bengals go up early.
### Wide Receiver Projections
– **Josh Downs (IND)**: With Joe Flacco under center, Downs could see an increase in targets, leading to a projection of around 80 receiving yards and a score.
– **Courtland Sutton (DEN)**: Given his historic performances against the Ravens, look for Sutton to register about 70 receiving yards and a potential touchdown.
### Tight End Projections
– Monitor tight ends’ performances closely as they can fluctuate weekly. Assess matchups before finalizing your lineup.
### Important Reminders
– Keep an eye on injury reports, especially for players like DeAndre Hopkins, who had limited participation last week.
– Always consider the matchups when setting your lineup. For example, a quarterback facing a weak secondary could be a prime candidate for start considerations while evaluating your roster.
### Closing Thoughts
Remember, fantasy football is unpredictable, and trends can change quickly. Stay informed about player statuses, adjust your strategies as needed, and enjoy the game week! Good luck!
