The following is an excerpt from the latest edition of Yahoo’s fantasy football newsletter, Get to the Points! If you like what you see, you can register for free here.
The opening questions can be anxiety-inducing, even for the best fantasy managers. Here’s a traffic light report to help you prepare for Week 9.
✅ Green light
WR Josh Downs at Vikings
Downs has been the king of separation all year and the blitz-happy Vikings are vulnerable to long passes. Every Downs manager (and Michael Pittman Jr.) was thrilled when Joe Flacco was given the starting QB job.
TE Travis Kelce vs. Buccaneers
He often brings a little extra juice to prime-time games, and Tampa Bay’s defense hands out tight end touchdowns like Halloween candy.
Saints offensive against the Panthers
Key players are healing everywhere — especially quarterback Derek Carr and the offensive line — and Carolina’s leaky offense can take a sad song and make it better. Chris Olave’s low-cost shopping window closes on Sunday.
RB James Cook vs Dolphins
He gave it his all (three touchdowns) during Miami’s last meeting, and the Dolphins haven’t repaired their front seven since (28th in DVOA run-defense).
QB Bo Nix for the Ravens
He does something with his legs almost every week, and Baltimore’s injury-riddled defense is torched on intermediate and deep routes.
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🫤 Yellow light
QB Caleb Williams for the Cardinals
The matchup is favorable but Williams isn’t offering a solid fantasy pitch yet. Last week’s no-show against Washington was stunning, and most of its index metrics are below league average.
RB JK Dobbins at Browns
He started with two smash plays, but has been a turtle since (3.16 YPC, with two modest touchdowns). The time to get the Browns was earlier in the year; they are a legitimate opponent for the future. If Dobbins returns fantasy value this week, it will have to come from significant volume.
WR Khalil Shakir vs. Dolphins
He’s coming off a good game, but Buffalo’s receiver room has gotten crowded and Miami’s slot coverage has been good all year. Now is not the time to chase last week’s points.
QB Kyler Murray vs. Bears
He’s been inconsistent all year, and now he’s profiling a Chicago pass defense that ranks sixth in DVOA. This game might struggle to reach its total of 44.5.
🛑 Red light
RB Javonte Williams to Ravens
It’s easier to get Baltimore’s defense through the air, and we have to worry that every regular on Denver’s offense, including Bo Nix, has had more success than Williams this year. Sean Payton won’t be afraid to tinker. Audric Estimé is worth a possible roster stash.
WR Diontae Johnson vs. Broncos
Fantasy managers wanted him out of Carolina, but Baltimore’s expansive receiver room already had plenty of talent. I expect a slow integration for Johnson, and there is no guarantee he will acquire WR3 value for the remainder of the season.
WR Wan’Dale Robinson vs. Commanders
Daniel Jones tends to struggle at home, and Robinson is probably the third most talented receiver in a low-return passing game (Darius Slayton comes in and Malik Nabers flashes on the screen). Even in the best Robinson games, they rarely include a touchdown.
