Week 9 Fantasy Recap
- Faraz Siddiqi
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
Patriots vs. Falcons
Drake London’s Hat Trick
Stats: 14 targets, 9 receptions, 118 yards, 3 TDs
The Michael Penix–Drake London connection is alive and well after both missed Week 8. London commanded 14 targets, turning them into 113 yards and three touchdowns. He’s averaging 13.3 targets per game over his last three outings since the bye — clear WR1 usage. And for anyone wondering, yes, he produced with Darnell Mooney on the field.
TreVeyon Henderson Leads the Patriots Backfield
Stats: 14 carries for 55 yards, 6 targets for 4/32; 75% snap share, 73% route participation
TreVeyon Henderson saw elite RB1 utilization, handling 75% of snaps and 73% of routes while dominating passing-down work. Terrell Jennings was still mixed in (11 carries, 1 target) and poached a goal-line TD, but Henderson’s 20 opportunities cement him as a strong RB2 if Rhamondre Stevenson misses more time.
Kayshon Boutte Injury Opens Door
Injury: Hamstring (2nd quarter)
With Boutte sidelined early, DeMario Douglas stepped up with 4 catches for 100 yards and a TD — but on just 33% route participation. That’s not enough to trust him next week, even if Boutte sits. Kyle Williams replaced Boutte as the X receiver and is worth a speculative add in deeper leagues.
Chargers vs. Titans
Kimani Vidal Falls Flat
Stats: 12 carries for 30 yards; 68% snaps, 56% route participation
Jaret Patterson was elevated from the practice squad and surprisingly out-produced Vidal (9 carries, 44 yards). Vidal still dominated snaps and goal-line work, but it was a letdown given the matchup. He remains a volume-based RB2 next week vs. Pittsburgh.
Oronde Gadsden Keeps Producing
Stats: 5/5/68; 85% route participation
Gadsden led the Chargers in receiving again and has now averaged 94 yards per game over his last four. Targets were evenly distributed among Gadsden, McConkey (7), Johnston, and Keenan Allen, but Gadsden’s rising route rate makes him a lineup lock moving forward.
Chimere Dike Regresses
Stats: 3/1/5 receiving, punt return TD
Dike’s offensive role diminished, though his special teams score salvaged his fantasy day.
Bears vs. Bengals
Kyle Monangai Breakout
Stats: 26/176 rushing, 5/3/22 receiving; 74% snaps
With Swift and Roschon out, Monangai exploded for 198 total yards on 29 touches. Even when Swift returns, Monangai should have earned a bigger slice of the workload. Just note that this came against the league’s worst run defense.
Colston Loveland Breaks Out
Stats: 7 targets, 6/118/2; 76% routes
After Cole Kmet exited with another concussion, Loveland stepped up and dominated — including a 58-yard game-winner. He’s a top streaming TE if Kmet misses more time, and could hold the role even after Kmet returns.
Bengals Air It Out
Joe Flacco: 470 yards, 4 TDs
Tee Higgins: 9/7/121/2 (injured late)
Ja’Marr Chase: 8/6/111
The Bengals' defense remains a sieve, forcing Flacco to keep airing it out. The result: huge fantasy numbers across the board. Cincinnati is on bye next week, giving Higgins time to recover from his late-game injury.
Chase Brown Bellcow Role
Stats: 11/37 rushing, 14 targets, 8/75 receiving; 96% snaps
When Samaje Perine left early with an ankle injury, Brown became a full-time bellcow. If Perine’s injury lingers, Brown could see this usage again in Week 11.
Colts vs. Steelers
Alec Pierce Emerges
Stats: 13 targets, 6/115 receiving
Pierce excels vs. single-high coverage and did it again here. He’s seen double-digit targets in two of the last three and gets Atlanta next week — the heaviest single-high defense in the league. He’s a top waiver pickup this week.
49ers vs. Giants
Giants Split Backfield
Singletary: 8/43 rushing, 2/8 receiving (56% snaps)
Tracy: 5/18 rushing, 4/19 receiving (44% snaps)
Singletary led in early downs and goal-line work, but Tracy handled most passing situations. Tracy’s minor injury limited him briefly, but this is shaping up as a near-even split. Both backs should be rostered.
Giants Target Breakdown
Wan’Dale Robinson: 11 targets, 9/46 (33%)
Darius Slayton: 7/5/62 (21%) — dropped an easy TD
Theo Johnson: 6/3/27/1 (18%)
Broncos vs. Texans
RJ Harvey’s Expanding Role
Stats: 5/51/1 receiving; 32% snaps, 44% route participation
The Broncos are scheming ways to get Harvey involved, and it’s paying off. His usage spike in the passing game makes him a stash in PPR leagues.
Nico Collins Safe Even Without Stroud
CJ Stroud left with a concussion, but Davis Mills peppered Nico with 9 of his 11 targets (30% share). If Stroud misses Week 10, Collins should remain a strong play against Jacksonville.
Vikings vs. Lions
Vikings Lean Run-Heavy With JJ McCarthy
McCarthy attempted just 25 passes (143 yards, 2 TDs) and added a rushing score. The offense flowed through Aaron Jones, who dominated early (9/78) before exiting with a shoulder sprain. The injury isn’t serious, but expect a more even split with Jordan Mason next week. Lower expectations for Justin Jefferson (6/47/1) and Jordan Addison (2/48) until passing volume ticks up.
Panthers vs. Packers
Rico Dowdle Takes Over
Stats: 25/130/2 rushing, 3/2/11 receiving; 72% snaps
Finally, rational coaching. Dowdle dominated touches and out-snapped Chuba Hubbard 42-13. With 27 touches and over 140 total yards, he’s trending toward RB1 status moving forward.
Tucker Kraft Injury & Packers WR Updates
Tucker Kraft likely tore his ACL, ending his breakout campaign. Matthew Golden also left with a shoulder issue. Luke Musgrave is next up at TE, but Romeo Doubs (8.2 targets/game over his last 5) and Christian Watson (75% routes) are the real beneficiaries.
Jaguars vs. Raiders
Parker Washington Steps Up
Stats: 8/9/90
With Travis Hunter on IR and multiple WR injuries, Parker Washington became the go-to option. He led the team in routes (60/40 slot-outside split) and looks like Jacksonville’s WR1 next week vs. Houston. Top waiver pickup.
Brock Bowers Erupts
Stats: 12/127/3
Bowers is back. After battling through a knee issue, he exploded for 3 TDs and 127 yards. Rest-of-season, he’s right back in the elite TE1 conversation.
Saints vs. Rams
Saints Offense Collapses
With Tyler Shough at QB, the Saints' offense was lifeless. Alvin Kamara totaled just 7 touches, and Chris Olave saw only 4 targets. Rashid Shaheed led the team but could be traded before the deadline. Temper expectations across the board.
Puka Nacua Shines, Then Sits
Stats: 7/95/1**
Puka briefly exited with a rib injury, but Sean McVay said he could’ve returned if needed. Expect him back next week.
Seahawks vs. Commanders
Jayden Daniels Hurt Again
Daniels left late with an arm injury and is set for an MRI. Marcus Mariota will take over if he misses time — a major downgrade for the offense — a brutal season for Daniels.
Seahawks Passing Clinic
Sam Darnold went nuclear in the first half, completing all 16 passes for 282 yards and 4 TDs before halftime. Tory Horton caught two of those and played over 80% of routes for the first time, taking advantage of Cooper Kupp’s absence. Horton’s a priority waiver add — he could force his way into a larger role even when Kupp returns.