NFL Reactions: Week 9

We've all heard the old saying: "Every dog has its day."

Well, apparently it's day was Sunday, November 7. Woof.

The NFL is always good for a couple surprises each week. It's probably what makes football America's pastime – the fact that on any given Sunday, any team can come out on the field and pull off an awe-inspiring upset. Who doesn't love rooting for the underdog? Sunday's slate provided us with a buffet of shock, intrigue and downright confusion.

The surging Cowboys fall flat in a home game against the struggling Broncos. The Raiders lose to the lowly Giants. The Falcons hold on to beat the Saints, a team that upset the Buccaneers in Week 8. The Bengals can't get it done at home against the Browns. The Cardinals manage to go on the road with Colt McCoy at the helm and beat the 49ers in convincing fashion. Six underdogs came up big in Week 9.

Let's not forget the biggest upset of the day: the Jaguars held the Bills – one of the league's best offenses – to six points and won.

If you put a six-game parlay bet on all of that to happen, you're probably reading this from your private jet. If that's the case, go enjoy yourself. You've earned it. The rest of us will still be putting the pieces together of an NFL Sunday that raised more questions than it answered. Usually, as the season goes on, we get clarity. This season seems to be a different story.

The Bills and Cowboys games are especially perplexing. Both teams seem destined to potentially see each other in February, but they looked like shells of themselves. The Bills should have won by mercy rule, but their offense couldn't get anything done. The Cowboys experience was similar, but their improving defense looked to be in peak 2020 form – a form that was historically bad. These are games that teams of this caliber need to win. The Jaguars and the Broncos don't exactly inspire fear, but they proved that teams like the Bills and the Cowboys can't rest on their laurels if they want to make a push for a championship this season.

The craziness of Sunday also reminds us of how unpredictable the NFL is. Fantasy managers starting Josh Allen entered the day riding high with confidence, but were met with much disappointment and thoughts of what could've been. Our process can seem perfect, but the truth is that football, like life, can often surprise us ...

… and remember: Every dog has its day.

Sunday Takeaways

• Lamar Jackson is special. The Ravens' signal caller threw for 266 yards and three touchdowns, which itself would make for a nice fantasy day. On top of that, Jackson was Baltimore's leading rusher, carrying 21 times for 120 yards. With a stretch of favorable matchups coming up, Jackson may have a nice run as the fantasy cheat code we know and love.
• Despite being on a "snap count," Christian McCaffrey returned to the field and finished with 14 carries for 52 yards, while adding four receptions for 54 yards. It was a solid effort for fantasy purposes, but the biggest takeaway is that CMC looked good coming off his hamstring injury. Fantasy managers can expect his role to continue to grow, as the Panthers desperately need him to help the offense move the ball.
• Nick Chubb was the main attraction in Cleveland's backfield today, rushing 14 times for 137 yards and two touchdowns. With Kareem Hunt (calf) on injured reserve, Chubb will likely continue to shine in Cleveland's run-first offense. After D'Ernest Johnson was a touchdown-vulture in Week 8, the backup totaled an unimpressive 16 yards on eight carries.
• The departure of Odell Beckham and the Browns' 41-16 thumping of the Bengals can't be related…right? Anyway, after Beckham's exit, it appears Donovan Peoples-Jones may be a wideout fantasy managers could consider adding if he's still available. He had a team-high 86 receiving yards in the blowout win, 60 of which came on a touchdown strike from Baker Mayfield.
• The Broncos rushing duo of Melvin Gordon and Javonte Williams continued to be a part of a frustrating backfield split. Luckily for fantasy managers of each back, the Broncos found themselves in a run-heavy script against the Cowboys. Gordon rushed 21 times for 80 yards and a score, while Williams rushed 17 times for 111 yards. It remains to be seen if the Williams takeover will ever materialize in 2021, and Gordon continues to make his case to remain the 1A in Denver.
• Olamide Zaccheaus is a name to remember as Week 9 draws to a close. The Falcons wideout had three grabs for 58 yards and two touchdowns in a win over the Saints. With Calvin Ridley out indefinitely, Zaccheaus could emerge as a reliable playmaker for Matt Ryan.
• With Chase Edmonds exiting the game against the 49ers with an ankle injury, James Conner took over the lead role and had a monstrous fantasy day. Conner rushed 21 times for 96 yards and a touchdown. The running back also did damage as a receiver, catching five balls for 77 yards and a score. With 11 total touchdowns on the year, Conner is becoming a player fantasy managers can start with reasonable confidence and a fantastic start if Edmonds misses time.
• Welcome back, Justin Herbert. The second-year quarterback had an amazing day passing, completing 32 of 38 passes for 356 yards and two touchdowns. Herbert even hit pay dirt on an eight-yard run in the fourth quarter. Sunday was a reminder that Herbert is capable of these types of games despite his propensity to underwhelm for fantasy purposes at times. Next week, the Chargers take on the Vikings in a game that will likely be a shoot-out.
• Keenan Allen was back to his former self once again in Week 9, catching 12 balls for 104 yards – both team-highs. It appears fellow wideout Mike Williams has taken a backseat to Allen in the passing game, though it certainly looked like this wouldn't be the case at the beginning of the season. Consider Allen the safe play he's historically been as a target machine in a good offense.
• What is going on with Patrick Mahomes? He threw for just 166 yards and one touchdown in a 13-7 win over the Packers without Aaron Rodgers. Everyone waiting for Mahomes and the Chiefs to get back to their former glory will have to wait another week when they take on the Raiders. Mahomes, a fantasy player drafted to help carry teams, is hurting them in many cases. Scary stuff…

Injury Notes

• Chase Edmonds exited in the first quarter of the Cardinals win over the 49ers with an ankle injury. In his absence, James Conner scored a touchdown through the air and on the ground. If Edmonds is forced to miss time, Conner is a must-start in all formats.
• Albert Okwuegbunam left the Broncos' win over the Cowboys during the first half with a knee injury. He started the game in place of Noah Fant who was on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Fant will likely be back in time for Week 10, so Okwuegbunam should be off the fantasy radar.
• Both Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson suffered a head injury in the Patriots win over the Panthers. It is unclear if the two suffered concussions. If they are both healthy for Week 10, Harris is the preferred fantasy option of the two, though Stevenson's performance may have earned him more playing time.
• Jonnu Smith left the Patriots' win early with an aggravation of his shoulder injury. Even when healthy, Smith is not good option for fantasy with Hunter Henry taking over as the No. 1 tight end in New England.
• Zack Moss was ruled out of Buffalo's loss with a concussion. The running back will look to be cleared ahead of a favorable Week 10 matchup against the Jets. If he isn't available, Devin Singletary will likely benefit with a boost to his touches out of the backfield.
• Trevor Lawrence exited the Jaguars' win over the Bills with a low-ankle sprain, but he only missed a couple of plays. He was able to finish the game, but the team's injury reports leading up to Week 10 should provide more information. If he is forced to miss time, backup C.J. Beathard would likely start in the team's next game against the Colts.