Is this the year we get a running back as MVP? Mr. Jonathan Taylor sure is making his case, as he put together yet another three touchdown day last week and is now on pace for 30 total touchdowns and 2,244 total yards with nine games left. It also doesn’t hurt that his team has the best record in the league at 7-1. The last running back to win MVP was Adrian Peterson in 2012 when he totaled 2,314 yards and 13 touchdowns, while topping 2,000 yards on the ground in a 16 game season. Taylor’s rushing pace is at 1,806 yards at the moment and he has an extra game to stack stats if the Colts aren’t resting starters at that point.
Week 9 byes
Cleveland Browns, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Philadelphia Eagles, New York Jets
Running backs on bye
Quinshon Judkins, Bucky Irving, Rachaad White, Sean Tucker, Saquon Barkley, Breece Hall, Isaiah Davis
RB streamer of the week
Kareem Hunt, Chiefs
With Isaiah Pacheco likely out this week, Hunt will get the lead back role against a Bills team that has been generous to opposing backs. So far, they’ve allowed the sixth-most fantasy points per game to running backs and the seventh-most EPA per rushing attempt. They’ve also given up 5.5 yards per attempts, ranking them only behind the Giants (5.7).
Hunt isn’t the same player he once was, but we’ve seen how effective he’s been around the goal line with five touchdowns through eight games. Add in a few more rushing and receiving yards, along with those goal line looks, and you have a strong fantasy play this week.
RB injuries
Isaiah Pacheco, Chiefs
Pacheco injured his knee late in their Week 8 MNF game against the Commanders. He suffered an MCL sprain, which has him “week-to-week,” per Tom Pelissero. This week they have a big game against the Bills, but also have a bye the following week. Pacheco likely won’t be pushed to play on a short week with a bye next on the schedule. Kareem Hunt should get the lead role with Brashard Smith getting the backup role in a good matchup.
Cam Skattebo, Giants
Skattebo was on his way to a possible rookie of the year campaign, but a gruesome ankle dislocation against the Eagles last week ended a great start to the year. Tyrone Tracy will take over the lead role while Devin Singletary will be his backup. The team could add someone, but at 2-6 they don;t really have hopes for the playoffs.
Bucky Irving, Buccaneers
Irving missed the last four games with a shoulder and foot injury. The team didn’t put him on I.R., but they could have. With a bye this week Irving will hopefully be able to return in Week 10 against the Patriots.
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)
