NFL: Recap Week 9/Week 10 Matchups

We love this game for so many reasons, but in the end, Week 9 was pure entertainment.

Week 9 Recap

• Bills Still Beat MIA – Was it a good effort by the Fins? Yes, but the bottom line is, they cannot beat this team. Even when BUF could not stop MIA, especially in the 4th Quarter when BUF led twice by a TD. QB Tua Tagovailoa (25 for 28, 231 yards, 2 TDs, 0 INTs) took the team down for game tying TDs. However, BUF was able to get in position for a super long FG, 61 yarder that sets the BUF team record to win, 30-27. Bills move to 7-2 while MIA falls to 2-6.
• Commanders Best Start Since 1996 – WAS won in NY on Sunday. It was a blowout the Giants put up 12 points late to make it interesting. Still, QB Jayden Daniels (209 yards, 2 TDs, 0 INTs) continues to take the league by storm, and with this 7-2 start by WAS, that matches the best start to the year since 1996 for the Commanders (formerly Redskins).
• Bears Need to Fire Eberflus – 3-18 – that is HC Matt Eberflus’s record on the road since he has been hired. Those 3 wins against terrible QBs, and the Bears haven’t won a road game on a Sunday since 2021. AZ was good again on Sunday. The Cardinals rushed for 213 yards, so QB Kyler Murray didn’t have to do much for this 29-9 win. AZ still leads the NFC West.
• Rams Win Thriller – Down 13-3 at the half, the Rams roared back to take the lead late mostly off of SEA’s QB Geno Smith’s INTs (363 yards passing, 3 TDs, 3 INTs). However, the game went to OT, and SEA had a promising drive to start, but they got stuffed 3 straight times trying to get 1 yard inside the 20. Then, QB Matthew Stafford (298 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT) 4 plays later hit a bomb to end the game for the big win, 26-20 – the Rams are not dead yet.
• Lions of the North – It was a rainy day for the DET’s first outdoor game, but the Lions looked like the better prepared team as the Packers dropped passes repeatedly, costly penalties, and another terrible Jordan Love Pick 6 that really set up the Lions to win this. The Pack tried to make it close, but DET was able to run the clock out to continue their hot streak, 24-14. Time to bet the Lions to win the SB at +550.

Predictions: S/U – 4-0; ATS 2-2 and Totals 1-3 – Off on the Totals, but right on all the picks this week. ATS has been tough if you don’t pick favorites every week.

Fantasy Football – Week 10

There are still key waiver wire guys this week with QB Cooper Rush, DAL, WR Jaxson Smith-Ngiba, SEA (I dropped him before his breakout), WR Quentin Johnston, LAC. However, let’s look at some trade targets. Most league deadlines are next week. So, it is time to fortify that lineup. Targets should always be in ascending positions on their team and on teams that will catch fire in the 2nd half of the season. Remember, as I have written in previous years, the Art of the Trade is really matching up surplus to need in finding a trade partner. We all want a good team, so find a partner that is weak in WRs and trade your surplus RB or TE to solidify your team. It can be a win, win for everyone.

Quarterbacks to Target

Quarterbacks are not great to trade for in Fantasy Football, but if you are like me on one team where you just need a solid performer, then target one of these guys:

• Brock Purdy, SF – Purdy started off great, but he has struggled lately with just 10 TDs and 7 INTs – 13th in QB Scoring. He is going to get McCaffery back (likely) and Deebo. It would be a good time to trade for him.
• CJ Stroud, HOU – He is 17th in QB scoring. He will face DET in Week 10 which may not be great, but then his next 3 games are: 28th, 15th, 31st plus he should get Nico Collins back.
• Jared Goff, DET – Goff is playing at an MVP level, despite 14th in Fantasy scoring. They do run the ball more than years past, but his next 3 matchups: 26th, 32nd, 22nd.

Running Backs to Target

The RBs this season have been kinda hit or miss. If you are like me drafting CMC with the first pick, then you probably already traded or tried to find another guy. Most fantasy owners will not part with their RB1, but here are a few that you can shake free from an owner.

• Jonathan Taylor, IND – Taylor is ranked 23rd in RB scoring well under his draft position. With Flacco at QB, he will have more value for 2 reasons: 1) Rushing TDs – Richardson took some away and 2) Lighter defensive fronts. I would trade for him.
• Breece Hall, NYJ – Hall was drafted really high, so the owner may not want to part with him. However, he has vastly underperformed his draft position (14th in RB Scoring). Yet, the next 5 matchups have all Run D’s at 17 or higher. He should have a much better 2nd half of the season.
• Rhamondre Stevenson, NE – You are probably 2 weeks late, but Stevenson has benefitted with Drake Maye under center. I think he will continue to get it done.

Wide Receivers and Tight Ends to Target

WRs and TEs are not rounding into form. We will always target WRs and TEs in high volume offenses, but at this point the Red Zone opportunities are even more important. Teams are pretty predictable when it comes to TD scorers, so if you can dig into the numbers a bit, then you would find these guys:

• Jameson Williams, DET – First, he is coming back from Suspension, so it may be the right time to approach his owner. However, like Goff, he is going to face 3 bad Pass Ds in a row. Grab him while you can.
• Deebo Samuel, SF – See a trend here. I like Deebo to have a big 2nd half once he is back healthy. With McCaffery back in the fold, Deebo becomes even more valuable.
• Tyreek Hill, MIA – He has to be the most disappointing WR in the league this year. However, he didn’t break out against BUF. He will in the coming weeks. Make a deal for him now.
• Sam LaPorta, DET – As you can see, I like Lions here. I believe LaPorta has been getting healthier. He, too, faces poor Ds down the stretch.

Defenses to Target

I do not typically trade for DSTs, but I do try to get a top D down the stretch. The schedule is big on this, but also what the defense brings to the table. If the wire does not have what you want, then do not be afraid to ask for a throw in DST to solidify your team. Here are a few I would like:

• Jets – The Jets schedule becomes extremely easy down the stretch. You would think the D would be able to dominate lesser opponents down the stretch.
• Broncos – They are #2 in DST scoring, but they fill face the Chiefs this week. They will be a good target after that game.

Wegs Index After Week 9

Key Matchups in Week 10 – Byes: CLE, GB, LVR, SEA

• Bengals at Ravens (-6, 53 Total) – Thursday, 11/7 at 7:15 PM Central on Amazon – It is the Bengals last chance to make a move in the AFC North. They did get the win over the Raiders, but if they lose this one, it kills any chance at winning the division. Just a few weeks ago, CIN played good enough to win against the Ravens, but finally let Derrick Henry get lose to lose late. I just can’t trust that D for CIN, even though the Ravens D is still not great. I still trust Lamar Jackson and Henry to put the hammer down in this one to win, Cover -6, Over 53.
• Broncos at Chiefs (-8, 41.5 Total) – Sunday, 11/10 at 12 Noon Central on CBS – A divisional matchup in the AFC West for the undefeated Chiefs. Well, will they lose this year? I think so, but perhaps not in this one. Rookie QB Bo Nix has not faced a D as good as KC’s, so I definitely see a Chiefs’ victory. However, can the Broncos keep it close? I think so, -8 (down from -9 at open) is just too much. KC wins, DEN +8, Total Under 41.5.
• Steelers at Commanders (-3, 45.5 Total) – Sunday, 11/10 at 12 Noon Central on CBS – We have a great one here. Both PIT and WAS have been pleasant surprises this year. I would have loved to see this game flexed up to a prime time game, but we will take it at Noon Central. I’ve been trying to fade my Commanders for a couple of weeks, and I think this is a perfect game for HC Mike Tomlin to turn up the juice on the young Jayden Daniels. So, I think PIT wins this one, Covers +3, Over 45.5.
• Lions at Texans (+3.5, 49 Total) – Sunday, 11/10 at 7:20 PM Central on NBC – Can the Lions continue to beat up on teams? I think so. Unless, we get news that WR Nico Collins is back this week, then HOU does not have enough O to keep up with the Lions. So, Lions win, Cover -3.5, Total Under 49.

We are pushing right along into this season.

Wegs