16 hours agoWashington Commanders running back
Jeremy McNichols could see an increase in opportunities in Week 9 with
Brian Robinson Jr. (hamstring) listed as questionable. Throughout the first half of the campaign, McNichols only has had opportunities when the Commanders had sizeable leads in games. He saw only seven or more carries in three games this season and two or fewer in the others. However, he has performed well with his limited workload, averaging 6.3 yards per carry with three total scores. If Robinson cannot suit up, McNichols would serve as a change-of-pace option behind
Austin Ekeler and could see opportunities late in the game if Washington has a sizeable lead over the Giants.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
16 hours agoWashington Commanders running back
Austin Ekeler could see increased usage as No.1 option
Brian Robinson Jr. (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game. Last weekend, Ekeler continued to serve as the clear No.2 option in the backfield, carrying the ball seven times for 52 yards and bringing in two passes for six yards. This was his highest yardage total since Week 6 against Baltimore. Throughout his first eight games as a Commander, Ekeler eclipsed double-digit PPR points in all but two games due to his pass-catching ability. If Robinson plays, Ekeler should be viewed as a flex option in PPR formats but would move up to a solid RB2 in all leagues if he is the lead option facing the Giants, who have allowed the 16th-most PPR points to opposing RBs.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
16 hours agoWashington Commanders rookie quarterback
Jayden Daniels should continue to be viewed as a high-end QB1 heading into Week 9 when he faces the New York Giants. Last weekend, the LSU standout was a game-time decision with a rib injury but was able to suit up and lead the Commanders to a thrilling victory. In this game, Daniels threw for a season-high 326 yards and a score that was capped off by a game-winning Hail Mary pass to
Noah Brown. This week, he was a limited participant in practice but does not carry an injury designation into the weekend. Fantasy managers should feel confident putting Daniels in their lineup as the Giants have allowed the 20th-most points to opposing QBs this season.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
16 hours agoThe Philadelphia Eagles defense will take on the 2-6 Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 9. The defense has started to get back on track the past few weeks with last week's win over the Bengals being the best game for them all year. While Jacksonville looked like a great offense coming into the year, they are now dealing with a slew of injuries to top receivers
Christian Kirk (collarbone),
Brian Thomas Jr. (chest), and
Gabe Davis (shoulder). Kirk is on IR and both Thomas Jr. and Davis are game-time decisions. On top of this, running back
Travis Etienne (hamstring) is a game-time decision as well and the Jaguars just traded anchor left tackle Cam Robinson to the Vikings, leaving a hole in the team's already struggling offensive line. Philly has a chance to take advantage of these issues and is a top-tier streaming option in Week 9.
--Ryan Larrison - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
16 hours agoPhiladelphia Eagles kicker
Jake Elliott will face off against the 2-6 Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 9. The 29-year-old hitting all three of his field goals with two being from 40-plus yards away and connecting on all four of his extra-point attempts. The Philadelphia offense has started to click over the past three weeks and it has put the veteran kicker back on the streaming radar. Elliott can be seen as a boom or bust option in Week 9, as the Eagles should be in scoring position often, but if they find the end zone at a high rate we may not see many field goal opportunities.
--Ryan Larrison - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
16 hours agoPhiladelphia Eagles tight end
Grant Calcaterra will take on the 2-6 Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 9. The 25-year-old got involved in last week's win over the Bengals, nabbing all three of his targets for 58 yards. He did well gaining big chunks and faces a Jaguars defense that is struggling to stop all positions at the moment. Jacksonville allows the 15th-most fantasy points per game to tight ends and will have their hands full guarding
A.J. Brown and
DeVonta Smith. This may be the last week that Calcaterra is starting in place of
Dallas Goedert (hamstring) so fantasy managers in need have a chance to stream him in a decent Week 9 matchup.
--Ryan Larrison - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
16 hours agoPhiladelphia Eagles wide receiver
DeVonta Smith will face off against the 2-6 Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 9. The former Heisman winner got back on track last week against the Cincinnati Bengals, catching six of seven targets for 85 yards and a score. Now, Smith gets to take on a Jacksonville defense that struggles to stop any position, but especially wide receivers. The Jaguars allow the fifth-most fantasy points per game to the position and will have their hands full stopping the duo of
A.J. Brown and Smith. The 25-year-old is a must-start in Week 9.
--Ryan Larrison - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
16 hours agoPhiladelphia Eagles wide receiver
A.J. Brown will take on the 2-6 Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 9. The 27-year-old tallied 84 yards last week in a blowout win over the Cincinnati Bengals, but was held out of the end zone for the first time in his four games played this season. He has the chance to rectify that this week against a Jacksonville defense that hemorrhages fantasy points to wide receivers, allowing the fifth-most per game to the position. Fellow receiver
DeVonta Smith is a great play as well, but Brown should be considered a top-five option at the position in Week 9.
--Ryan Larrison - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
16 hours agoPhiladelphia Eagles running back
Saquon Barkley will take on the 2-6 Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 9. The 27-year-old crossed the century mark in scrimmage yards gained for the sixth time in seven games last week during the Eagles' statement win over the Bengals but left fantasy managers wanting more with no touchdowns scored. He has the chance to rectify that this week against the Jaguars. Jacksonville allows the sixth-most fantasy points per game to running backs this year and struggles to keep offenses out of the red zone in general. Barkley has about the safest fantasy scoring floor in the league and that is no different this week. He should be considered a top-three option heading into the weekend.
--Ryan Larrison - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
17 hours agoPhiladelphia Eagles quarterback
Jalen Hurts will face off against the 2-6 Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 9. The 26-year-old is the QB2 in fantasy over the past three weeks since Philadelphia's bye and he made a statement last week posting four total touchdowns on the Bengals in Cincinnati. Now, Hurts faces a Jaguars defense that allows the second-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks. The Eagles offense has been firing on all cylinders as of late and Hurts has been turnover-free the past three weeks. While this game could become a route early for the Eagles, Hurts carries a solid scoring floor with what is possibly the highest ceiling of the week due to how good his matchup is.
--Ryan Larrison - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
17 hours agoMiami Dolphins running back
De'Von Achane is coming off his most impressive performance of 2024. The second-year back recorded 97 rushing yards on ten carries and caught six receptions on eight targets for 50 yards and a receiving touchdown. Now he gets a matchup against a Buffalo Bills defense that has allowed the second most fantasy points per game to running backs in PPR formats. Further supporting his case is his career average of 84.3 rushing yards and 31 receiving yards against his division rival. Temperatures are projected to drop into the 30s in Orchard Park on Sunday, which would likely mean the Dolphins try to run the ball heavily. With the offense now fully healthy, there should be plenty of soft boxes and room to run. He should be started in all fantasy lineups and comes into Week 9 as RotoBaller's 12th-ranked running back.
--Jake Walker - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
17 hours agoMiami Dolphins quarterback
Tua Tagovailoa (concussion) is coming off a solid return last week vs. the Arizona Cardinals. He completed 28 of 38 passes for 234 yards and one touchdown, adding 13 yards on three rushing attempts. That being said, his outlook for Week 9 doesn't look as great. Miami will travel to take on their division rival Buffalo Bills, whom Tagovailoa has struggled against. In eight games against Buffalo, he's averaged 199.9 passing yards, 0.9 touchdowns, and 1.3 interceptions per contest. His passer rating also drops to 74.1 compared to the 96.4 career mark. Not helping matters is the fact that Buffalo's defense gives up the sixth-fewest fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. With temperatures projected to drop into the thirties in Orchard Park, that does not bode well for the passing attack. It's safe to say Tagovailoa should stay on the bench this week and comes in at number 18 in this week's RotoBaller quarterback rankings, making him more of a play in 2QB or Superflex leagues.
--Jake Walker - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
17 hours agoIndianapolis Colts running back
Jonathan Taylor returned in Week 8 after a three-game absence, going over 100 yards rushing with a touchdown, and does not have an injury designation heading into Week 9. Unfortunately for Taylor, it will be hard to keep the momentum going against a stout Minnesota rush defense. The Vikings have held running backs to 83.9 rush yards per game and 3.9 yards per rush attempt, both third-best in the NFL. However, seven different backs have recorded three or more receptions against the Vikings through seven games and Taylor is a capable receiver. In the only game in which he and
Joe Flacco played together this season, Taylor garnered four looks from the veteran QB, hauling in three of them for 20 yards. Still, with Minnesota allowing the second-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers, the Colts may prefer to attack with their top wideouts, leaving Taylor as a back-end RB1 for Week 9.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
17 hours agoGreen Bay Packers kicker
Brandon McManus looks to keep his run of perfection going as the Packers host the Detroit Lions in Week 9. McManus has been perfect on all of his kicks this season, whether it be field goals or extra point attempts. He's been a perfect 4-for-4 on field goal attempts and a pristine 6-for-6 on extra points and in both games, has kicked the game-winning field goal, so pressure-packed situations aren't fazing McManus. After a rough early season for former Packers kicker
Brayden Narveson that led to his exit, McManus has provided the Packers with stability and dependability. The offensive environment for Week 9's matchup against the Lions should be ripe with offensive opportunity, so consider McManus a solid fantasy kicker in the team's matchup against the Lions.
--Kevin Tompkins - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
17 hours agoThe Green Bay Packers' defense and special teams' unit has been a great D/ST to start for fantasy managers this season, but they will have their hands full as the Packers host the Detroit Lions in Week 9. The Lions are coming off of a 52-point blowout of the Tennessee Titans in Week 8 and stride into Lambeau Field with huge offensive momentum. The Packers were a top-10 fantasy defense from Week 2 through Week 6 but in the last two weeks, have scored just nine fantasy points against the Texans and Jaguars. Against this Lions team that can score at any time and in multiple ways, the opportunistic Packers' defense will have some chances, but it's a unit you shouldn't be starting in your fantasy lineups this week.
--Kevin Tompkins - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
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