Greetings from Bristol, the place fall is simply previous its peak and the leaves are ripe for peeping. It’s been a whirlwind few weeks on the highway and, but, I’d prefer to, for a mess of causes, freeze the current second. Partially so I can catch my breath (and perhaps a number of z’s) however largely due to how quickly time appears to be flying by.
Dwelling in Los Angeles it’s straightforward to disregard summer time rolling into fall and the eventual climb to winter. I’m not complaining about 80-degree climate in November — and I’m not silly sufficient to suppose anybody feels sorry for me — however the absence of seasons typically creates a frozen-in-carbonite delusion. Have been it not for the depth of October baseball (18 innings!!!) and the cadence of the NFL, I could be satisfied that Labor Day was simply across the nook.
Then New England occurs. And I’m crammed with bittersweet delight. The hills are dappled with shades of heat whereas the wind whips with a trademark chill. Individuals transfer with extra intention, shoulders barely hunched, evenly bundled in sweaters and hoodies. I nonetheless meander partially as a result of I’m, as my mom at all times chides, a “wanderer,” however largely as a result of I need to soak up the entire autumnal goodness. It’s a novelty and in addition a stark reminder of time’s relenting passage.
Can we pause, please? However, in fact, we will’t.
There are, in any case, occasions to arrange and stay up for. Halloween sweet to kind, Thanksgiving dishes to delegate, and vacation presents to stash away. Whether or not we’re being pushed or pulled, the ultimate two months of the yr at all times appear to return at breakneck velocity. Whereas I don’t benefit from the thought of bracing for the onslaught, I do perceive readying oneself for the inevitable rush.
And similar to that, we now have arrived on the midway level of the fantasy season. There now exists an abundance of knowledge from which to attract substantial conclusions. A listing of our rosters, for his or her strengths, weaknesses, and values will be correctly assessed. I’m hesitant to advocate for the creation of a full-blown playoff preparedness plan, however it might be silly to not at the least peek at what’s forward. Whereas accidents will, sadly, proceed to throw wrenches, exploitable matchups determine to stay gentle and figuring out these might help us keep in competition by means of the double-digit weeks.
Let’s agree, although, to crunch a number of leaves and pocket some fun-sized Snickers earlier than going full boar on the Christmas music and fruitcake, okay? We don’t have to rush to the end line… as a result of we’re going to overlook this earlier than we understand it.
Bo Nix, QB, Denver Broncos: Nix might have his critics throughout the footballhead set, however he’s been a boon for fantasy managers as of late, clearing 23 fantasy factors in back-to-back outings. The digital sport’s QB5 total, Denver’s franchise signal-caller presently ranks inside the highest seven on the place in passing TDs (15) and speeding scores (3). The asterisk to those numbers is, in fact, that he has confronted the Giants and Cowboys over his previous pair of outings.
A duel in Houston doesn’t determine to be as fruitful, nevertheless. The Texans have allowed the fewest fantasy factors per sport to QBs, and it’s not even shut. For context, Houston has given up a mean of 10.5 fantasy factors per sport to quarterbacks, with Buffalo giving up the second fewest at 13.8. In reality, simply one of many previous 5 QBs to face Matt Burke’s unit has registered 10 fantasy factors (Mac Jones). Moreover, given Nix’s dwelling vs. highway splits (24.1 FPPG at dwelling and 16.2 FPPG on the highway), the second-year QB figures to battle, rating outdoors of the highest 15 quarterbacks in Week 9.
Christian McCaffrey, RB, San Francisco 49ers: McCaffrey has been on an absolute tear, averaging almost 25 fantasy factors per sport (RB2) whereas rating second on the place in whole carries (140) and first amongst RBs in receptions (56). Buyers can due to this fact forgive his momentary stumble in Week 8, whereby he managed fewer than 20 fantasy factors for the primary time in 2025. The versatile again figures to bounce again this Sunday when he faces a Giants protection that has given up the seventh-most fantasy factors to the place and allowed each Saquon Barkley in addition to Tank Bigsby to achieve double-digit yardage totals this previous weekend.
When reviewing the numbers, managers’ want to cling to McCaffrey makes a complete lot of sense. But, within the spirit of trying forward, it could be worthwhile to maneuver the 29-year-old sooner fairly than later. That’s as a result of CMC has a fairly ill-timed bye in Week 14, probably placing playoff contending groups in peril. Curiously, Jahmyr Gibbs (who took his bye this previous Sunday) will face the ever-generous Dallas protection that very same week. Moreover, Detroit’s lead again faces the gettable Steelers and Vikings defenses through the fantasy semis (Weeks 16 and 17). As compared, McCaffrey is scheduled to battle an imposing Colts protection (seventh-fewest fantasy factors to RBs allowed) in Week 16. Elite one-for-one trades are at all times spicy, however that doesn’t imply that they will’t or shouldn’t be executed. Ponder as you please.
Tyrone Tracy, RB, New York Giants: As mentioned on Tuesday’s episode of “Fantasy Focus,” Tracy is predicted to emerge as one in every of this season’s most beneficial wire-waiver provides. Whereas his ability set is vastly totally different from Cam Skattebo’s, Tracy’s anticipated quantity vaults him into quick RB2 competition. To that finish, Mike Clay has the transformed huge receiver projected to the touch the ball 19 occasions this Sunday. Curiously, Tracy averaged 17.3 fantasy factors and 108 scrimmage yards per sport when managing 19 or extra touches in 2024.
The offense is, in fact, totally different this go round, however Jaxson Dart has thrown to the RB place with extra regularity than many might understand. In reality, Skattebo collected 13 catches (RB12) with Dart because the starter from Weeks 4 to 7. That units up properly for Tracy, notably when contemplating that the 49ers have allowed the fourth-most receptions (43) to RBs. With Devin Singletary logging a snap share of 16% and having a season excessive of seven touches, Tracy is predicted to guide the Giants’ backfield by a large margin. With that sort of quantity in a succesful offense (which has averaged over 24 factors per sport with Dart because the starter), Tracy enters Week 9 with top-15 positional attraction.
Quentin Johnston, WR, Los Angeles Chargers: Followers of the digital sport have been understandably shook when Johnston posted a goose egg in Week 8. Whereas his zero targets can probably be defined away by the Vikings’ blitz-heavy strategy and a subsequent lack of deep passes on Justin Herbert’s behalf, Johnston’s clean doesn’t sting any much less. The TCU product is certain to bounce again in a plus matchup on the Titans this weekend. But, the emergence of Oronde Gadsden II in addition to Ladd McConkey’s return figures to quell the bang with which Johnston started 2025.
The Bolts’ offense is beginning to tackle a roulette wheel-like complexion — related in impact to current iterations of the 49ers — whereby two of the crew’s beginning pass-catchers increase large whereas the others backside out.
Predicting manufacturing figures to turn into an more and more irritating endeavor. As 9.5-point favorites at Tennessee, the necessity for a prolific passing sport appears unlikely, suggesting fewer alternatives for this ultra-capable corps. Given his particular ability set, Johnston presents as a shaky (albeit high-upside) flex choice.
Consistency Scores: See which gamers are boom-bust and which offer regular weekly flooring
Jordan Addison, WR, Minnesota Vikings: By both clearing 100 receiving yards or discovering the tip zone for 4 consecutive outings, Addison rewarded affected person buyers who have been keen to stash him over the primary three weeks of 2025. With Carson Wentz below heart, Addison and Justin Jefferson have emerged as an elite duo, every averaging 75 or extra receiving yards per sport. For context, the one different pair to match these numbers is CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens.
A dip, nevertheless, seems to be on the horizon. J.J. McCarthy has been reinstalled because the crew’s starter below heart. Whereas he and Addison have but to share the sector, Jefferson’s numbers with McCarthy underwhelmed initially of the season, suggesting a possible cooling off for the in any other case red-hot Addison. Moreover, the matchup could be trickier than initially anticipated with the Lions’ secondary starting to return to well being. As such, think about using Addison in a flex-like capability, fairly than counting on an automated 15-plus fantasy factors.
Travis Hunter, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars: Hunter’s two-way utilization posed loads of query marks heading into the season. Over the previous 4 weeks, nevertheless, his offensive snap share has steadily elevated from 53% in Week 4 to 87% in Week 7. Moreover, the rookie posted season-high numbers simply forward of Jacksonville’s Week 8 bye, managing an 8-101-1 stat line on 13 appears in his most up-to-date effort. With ESPN’s Michael DiRocco reporting that Hunter is “going to be a major participant within the offense going ahead” and could possibly be “getting the WR1 remedy from the Jaguars within the season’s second half,” it seems as if the Heisman Trophy winner’s fantasy inventory is on the rise.
A gathering on the Raiders in Week 9 figures to additional improve Hunter’s attraction. Not solely is the versatile expertise much less prone to be wanted on protection, however his odds of changing on offense are excessive. Las Vegas has allowed the fourth-most fantasy factors to WRs. With commerce buzz surrounding Brian Thomas Jr. (regardless of these having been shot down by Liam Coen), Hunter might pleasantly shock on Sunday. Take into account him a top-30 fantasy play at huge receiver this weekend.
Colston Loveland, TE, Chicago Bears: Because the twelfth tight finish chosen in fantasy drafts, lofty expectations surrounded Loveland heading into his first professional marketing campaign. An unsettled playbook in addition to an early-season hip harm shortly quieted the excitement, sending the rookie again to benches and the free agent pool. Nonetheless, the tide appears to be shifting as soon as extra.
Loveland has recorded snap shares of 67% and 80% (highest of the season) over his previous two outings. Curiously, 23 of his 50 snaps in Week 8 got here as a large receiver (slot or out huge). Whereas his three grabs and 38 receiving yards (on 5 targets) certainly not moved the fantasy needle, these totals have been season highs. With Luther Burden III presently within the concussion protocol and Cole Kmet nursing a again ailment, Loveland’s function might proceed to develop this Sunday.
The Michigan product figures to make good on these potential alternatives given the matchup at Cincinnati. The Bengals have allowed probably the most fantasy factors to tight ends, giving up eight receiving scores to the place over the previous 4 weeks. In what’s projected to be a detailed (Bears are -2.5 favorites) and high-scoring (52.5 over/below) affair, Loveland’s breakout (or at the least his first double-digit fantasy whole) could be simply days away. Proceed with pleasure.
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