Week 9 is peeking out over the horizon signaling the mid-point of the regular season is upon us. We once again have a good chunk of teams on bye, with two regular fantasy starters in Baker Mayfield and Jalen Hurts sidelined. Justin Fields gets to bask in his win and ability to shut owner Woody Johnson up for a second. Then there’s Dillon Gabriel, who could possibly lose his job during the bye, but that’s conjecture at this point.
We should get some quarterbacks back in the fold, as Kyler Murray, Lamar Jackson, and Jayden Daniels have reasonable chances to return this week. And if Murray and Jackson can get back, they get to play the Cowboys and Dolphins. Yes, those Cowboys and Dolphins. The awful at defense Cowboys and Dolphins.
Week 9 byes
Cleveland Browns, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Philadelphia Eagles, New York Jets
Quarterbacks on bye
Dillon Gabriel, Baker Mayfield, Jalen Hurts, Justin Fields
QB streamer of the week
Joe Flacco, Bengals vs. Bears
Flacco has helped turn the Bengals offense back into a competitive entity, helping them to 33 and 38 points against the Steelers and Jets the last two weeks. Those were good matchups, which he likely needs to put up useful fantasy number, but thankfully a date at home against the Bears poor and injured defense should keep him as a fantasy starter.
The Bears rank eighth-worst in fantasy points allowed to quarterbacks and are coming off games against Spencer Rattler and Snoop Huntley. They’re also hurting in their secondary and have allowed the second-most 20+ air yard touchdowns in the league.
QB injuries/news
Bryce Young, Panthers
Young injured his ankle in Week 7 and couldn’t play in Week 8 against the Bills. Backup Andy Dalton played in Young’s place and it wasn’t pretty. They head to Green Bay as big underdogs this week no matter who starts, but they’ll probably hope to get Young back sooner than later.
Jayden Daniels, Commanders
Daniels tweaked his hamstring in Week 7 against the Cowboys and missed Monday night’s game against the Chiefs. He has a chance to return this week when they host the Seahawks.
Kyler Murray, Cardinals
Murray has a mid-foot sprain and missed the last two games and then got a Week 8 bye to heal up. He should be ready to go against awful Cowboys defense on Monday Night Football.
JJ McCarthy, Vikings
McCarthy has been out since Week 3 with an ankle injury and is slated to return this week when the Vikings play in Detroit. Carson Wentz had season ending surgery, pushing Mas Brosmer into the backup role moving forward.
Lamar Jackson, Ravens
Jackson was forced from Week 4’s game against the Chiefs with a hamstring injury and has missed three games and had a bye week in between. The star QB was able to get limited practices in all week and should be very close to playing this Thursday against the Dolphins poor defense.
Brock Purdy, 49ers
Purdy’s toe injury flared up during their Week 4 loss to the Jaguars. He’s been unable to play the last four games. There is a chance he can return this week to take on Giants in Houston, but his status remains uncertain. Mac Jones would again take the lead role if Purdy can’t go.
Week 9 odds
Highest point totals
Cardinals at Cowboys (53.5)
Chiefs at Bills (52.5)
Bears at Bengals (51.5)
Colts at Steelers (50.5)
Lowest point totals
Broncos at Texans (39.5)
Chargers at Titans (43.5)
Highest implied individual team totals
Rams (29)
Packers (28.5)
Ravens (28.5)
Cowboys (28.3)
Lions (28)
Lowest implied individual team totals
Saints (15.5)
Panthers (16)
Titans (16.5)
Largest point spreads
Saints at Rams (-13.5)
Panthers at Packers (-12.5)
Chargers (-10.5) at Titans
Vikings at Lions (-8.5)
