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TEN @ PIT
- Will Levis came back to earth against the Steelers defense, but he was still good enough to sustain value for this offense and will be the starter for the rest of the season. He has some value in 2QB/Superflex, and his career is off to a good start.
- Derrick Henry isn't slowing down in his age-29 season. Levis' solid play and this team's ability to remain competitive will keep him in the RB1 ranks going forward.
- Diontae Johnson is going to dominate targets for the Steelers, while George Pickens is going to be a very talented decoy. Pickens is a mere what-the-heck flex going into a matchup with the Packers.
- Najee Harris scored and looks like a decent flex when the Steelers are favored, like they are this week, but Jaylen Warren is still much more dangerous and productive with the ball in his hands. Harris is a better play than Warren for now, but we hold out hope that Warren's role can grow in the second half of the season.
MIA v KC - Germany
- Jaylen Waddle got banged up again, leaving briefly with a knee injury. He'll have the bye week to rest, but it's beginning to appear that he's not going to hit peak form this season.
- Tua Tagovailoa and Tyreek Hill were contained by the good Chiefs defense. They face the Jets, Dallas, and Baltimore in the fantasy playoffs, so they might not be league winners.
- Raheem Mostert scored and had two big runs to give the Dolphins a chance to tie or win, but he was underused during the game. De'Von Achane should be back after the bye, but Mostert is still running well enough to be at least a flex play.
- Patrick Mahomes II II and Travis Kelce were quiet because the Chiefs jumped out to a 21-0 halftime lead. The Dolphins did commit to taking away Kelce. No one in the Chiefs passing game hurt them for doing that, so the approach could be imitated by opponents in the second half of the season.
MIN @ ATL
- Jaren Hall left with a concussion, and Joshua Dobbs took over yet another unfamiliar offense with unfamiliar teammates and led a stirring fourth-quarter comeback, the first of his career. He was outstanding for fantasy and is at least bye/injury/emergency depth in 1QB leagues, and he has some legs (no pun intended) as a QB2/Superflex. Hopefully, the Vikings start him for the rest of the season. He'll help support T.J. Hockenson and Jordan Addison's value for as long as he's in the lineup.
- Cam Akers suffered another Achilles tear, and his career may be over. Alexander Mattison's role as the lead back is safe, but he is at best a very low-end RB2 in fantasy.
- Taylor Heinicke was better than Desmond Ridder and good enough to keep the job (for now), but without Drake London, Heinicke didn't create much fantasy appeal for himself or this pass offense.
- Bijan Robinson wasn't used in the red zone and Heinicke doesn't favor him in the passing game, so he's getting close to flex value after being a fantasy first-round pick.
- Jonnu Smith ran away from the defense for a 60-yard score and continues to be a limiting factor for Kyle Pitts' value and a what-the-heck TE1 play on a weekly basis.
CHI @ NO
- Tyson Bagent was a gutsy and productive runner and found Cole Kmet for two touchdowns to keep the Bears offense viable on the road in a tough matchup. If he has to start against the Panthers on Thursday night, he can be a QB2/Superflex option, and he'll keep Kmet and DJ Moore in our lineups.
- Moore was outproduced by Darnell Mooney. Mooney is playing well and is worth a pickup if bench size allows, in the hope that Justin Fields' eventual return will boost this offense further.
- The Bears went back to D'Onta Foreman as the lead back after employing a three-back committee in Week 8. Khalil Herbert will be activated from injured reserve, and he'll become the Bears' most valuable back when that happens, but if it's not by Thursday, Foreman will be a solid RB2 play in Week 10.
- Taysom Hill caught a touchdown, threw a touchdown, and led the Saints in rushing yards. He's a solid TE1 going forward with a three-week streak of strong TE1 production.
- Derek Carr was still a high-floor play with Hill vulturing a touchdown as a passer, and he should be in lineups as a QB2/Superflex or bye QB1 against the Vikings this week.
- Michael Thomas was held off of the score sheet and isn't an essential hold with the Saints offense more diverse and Juwan Johnson back to help the high percentage passing game. Johnson scored and might be worth an add in deep or tight end premium leagues.
LAR @ GB
- Brett Rypien was a disaster. The team signed Carson Wentz on Tuesday, so they may not expect to have Matthew Stafford back for Week 11. Wentz would be an improvement over Rypien enough to keep Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp in our lineups, but that's about it.
- Kyren Williams is expected back in Week 12. Darrell Henderson and Royce Freeman are droppable during the bye with only a partial share of a poor offense's backfield for one week as a reason to keep one of them,
- Christian Watson got banged up again. It doesn't appear this wide receiver group is going to have any reliable option this season. Watson could play in Week 10 at Pittsburgh, but don't grip too tightly if a priority waiver add is available.
- Aaron Jones was back to his full workload as billed earlier in the week and back to RB1 value. The buy-low window is closed.
- Luke Musgrave caught a score and is probably the most rosterable of the Packers' pass catchers right now, but only because of the low bar at tight end and the possibility of doing well against the Steelers' banged up linebacker and safety groups.
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