It’s hard to stay up to date with absolutely everything that went down in NFL Week 9. Obviously you know the big storylines—Jonathan Taylor AND James Conner dominating their matchups are clear headlines—but it’s important to also note minor storylines, ones that might have more actionable fantasy football takeaways.
Looking at each game this week, I’ve compiled my top 5 takeaways from Week 9. Let’s get it!
Running Back Committee in Tennessee
Sunday Night Football brought our first look at the Titans’ backfield sans Derrick Henry and let me tell you, it was a mild jumbled mess. Adrian Peterson came away with the best fantasy performance simply because he was able to punch in a 4th quarter touchdown. Peterson finished the night with 11 touches for 26 yards and the score on 19 snaps (33%).
Adrian Peterson. All day. ☀️#Titans #TENvsLAR pic.twitter.com/FabJPg4xQn
— NerdBall Fantasy Football (@nerdballff) November 8, 2021
Jeremy McNichols saw the highest snap share, playing 45% of the Titans’ offensive snaps. McNichols, as expected, was used primarily as a pass-catcher, leading Tennessee’s backfield with 12 routes run and 3 targets. It was actually D’Onta Foreman who looked the best running the football vs the Rams. The recent signee rushed for over 5 yards per carry on his 5 carries and saw an increased role in the second and third quarters.
We might see the backfield settle more in Week 10. I think McNichols will continue to have a role as the No. 1 pass-catching back while Peterson handles the first and second down work. Foreman might cut into Peterson’s workload if the veteran continues to be inefficient with his touches. However it’ll be a a tough matchup against the Saints this coming week. I don’t feel confident starting any of these backs against New Orleans’ No. 1 run defense per NEFF.
Elijah Moore Is Giving Us Moore
It’s easy to forget about the Thursday night games but I implore you to not overlook what Elijah Moore did vs the Colts. The rookie receiver caught 7-of-8 targets for 84 yards and 2 touchdowns. With Corey Davis inactive, Moore led the Jets in receptions and yards and tied with Keelan Cole for team lead in targets.
Elijah Moore’s first receiving touchdown! The rookie is cooking! 🔥#TakeFlight #NYJvsIND pic.twitter.com/HC0dYbDEoy
— NerdBall Fantasy Football (@nerdballff) November 5, 2021
Since the Jets’ Week 6 bye, Moore is averaging 6.6 targets per game and has had at least 67 yards receiving or scored a touchdown in each game. Week 10 brings a tough matchup against the Bills, but after that, the Jets face one of the easiest pass defense schedules rest of the year. Moore is rostered in just over 40% of Sleeper leagues and should be a top target this week.
Jordan Howard Is The Eagles’ Lead Back Question Mark
Let me start this section by simply stating that I loathe Nick Sirianni. I know that NFL coaches don’t care about our fantasy football teams, but I have to think Sirianni is doing this on purpose just to spite me.
I fired up presumed RB1 Kenneth Gainwell against the Lions in Week 8, just to see Boston Scott and Jordan Howard out-touch him. So naturally I fired up Boston Scott this week against an equally juicy matchup vs the Chargers, only to see Jordan Howard somehow now be the lone running back to trust. Even Gainwell out-performed Scott, scoring a touchdown. Needless to say, I was not pleased with the outcome.
update: i am dead inside pic.twitter.com/FefWkfjEdA
— pete astronaut aboard the pitts-8 rocket rogers (@petemrogers) November 7, 2021
Howard saw over 55% of the Eagles’ rushing work despite playing 2 fewer snaps than Scott. He carried the ball 17 times for 71 yards and a touchdown. With the Eagles set to face the Broncos in Week 10—another defense struggling to stop the run—Howard, at just 18% rostered in Sleeper leagues, is well worth streaming. There’s obviously risk involved as Scott played more snaps and ran more routes than Howard, but it seems Howard has Sirianni’s admiration for the time being.
Gainwell’s touchdown was a fluke as he played just 11 snaps, 3rd fewest of any Eagles player. He’s honestly worth dropping as it seems he really doesn’t have a role in Philly with what the offense wants to do with Miles Sanders out.
Monitor Zach Moss’ Injury
Zach Moss left the Bills vs Jaguars game with a head injury early in the game. He did not return, passing the entire backfield work onto Devin Singletary’s shoulders. Singletary managed to rack up 59 yards on 13 touches, with most of his work coming via the pass. This is noteworthy and normally that’s Moss’ role in this offense. For the first time this season, Singletary saw more than 5 targets, catching 7-of-8 vs the Jaguars for 43 yards. Moss’ injury also meant Singletary played his highest snap share (72%) since Week 1.
If Moss is unable to suit up for Week 10, it’s clear Singletary will be stepping into his biggest workload all season. And it couldn’t come at a better time for fantasy managers as the Bills play the Jets this coming week. The Jets who just got ripped apart by Jonathan Taylor and are currently giving up the most RB PPG this season. Singletary is rostered in 64% of Sleeper leagues and is an ideal streaming option if Moss misses time.
Drop Robby Anderson Already
An under-appreciated part of attacking the waiver wire is actually figuring out who you’re going to drop to free up the roster spot. Given that, I want to make sure I include at least one player you can confidently drop from your fantasy teams each week in this rundown. The fact that Robby Anderson is still almost 50% rostered in Sleeper leagues despite having not done anything of note since Week 1 really makes him an easy choice to highlight.
From Week 4 to Week 7, with Christian McCaffrey out, Anderson averaged 9.5 targets per game. He didn’t do anything with them, but at least he was getting looks that maybe he could do something with as some point. Sunday marked the first game back for Run CMC and Anderson’s targets dropped down to three, right in line with where they were to start the year.
With McCaffrey back, and not to mention Sam Darnold just being a complete mess, Anderson has zero fantasy value moving forward. He can safely be dropped from your fantasy lineups. Go get yourself Moore, or Rashod Bateman, or Hunter Renfrow instead.