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Reading the Sideline Sage each week gives fantasy football fans a powerful advantage, offering expert advice on sleepers, stats, and winning tips that can turn casual players into league champions by providing unfiltered truth, bold predictions, and strategic insights on trades and emerging trends, while also connecting readers to a vibrant community of engaged sports fans eager to share ideas and maximize their fantasy football success
For week 9, the Sideline Sage zeroes in on critical fantasy football challenges as bye weeks and injuries force managers to make tough choices between contenders and pretenders, offering readers expert advice on emerging waiver-wire targets like Tyrone Tracy Jr. and strategic start-sit picks based on matchups and current form, along with timely warnings about risky projections—helping readers navigate lineup dilemmas and maintain a winning edge during one of the season’s most unpredictable stretches.
Here are some team observations as we head into week 9 of the NFL season.
The loss of RB Cam Skattebo is a major blow to this team. Joining forces with his good friend QB Jaxson Dart has rejuvenated this team. With Skattebo lost for the season, Tyrone Tracy will regain the starting job, which he held to start the season. He is a viable RB to use during bye weeks or due to injury. Keep an eye on Devin Singletary to determine his usage for a potential roster spot.
QB Carson Wentz, who has been filling in for the injured JJ McCarthy, is out for the year with an injured shoulder. McCarthy has been practicing and will resume his role as the starting QB. He started the first two games this season and was underwhelming, throwing only two TD passes with three interceptions while completing less than 60% of his passes. This does not bode well for this offense.
RB Aaron Jones Sr. returned from injury in week 8, which negatively impacted the value of Jordan Mason. Unfortunately, there will be a time share between the two RBs with the hot hand getting the majority of work. Good luck trying to figure out who that will be week-to-week.
Their RB room has been decimated by injury. Starting RB James Conner is out for the year. Backup RB Trey Benson is out until week 10 at the earliest. The next man up was Emari Demercado who is now also injured. The fourth RB expected to start was Michael Carter but he was cut but then added to the practice squad this week. This leaves Zonovan “Bam” Knight. The Cardinals have a great matchup this week against the Dallas Cowboys. He is worth starting this week if you need help with the RB position.
RB Saquan Barkley injured his groin in week 8. The good news is that the Philadelphia Eagles are on a bye week 9, which gives Barkley two weeks to recover. Given an opportunity for playing time against the New York Giants in week 8, RB Tank Bigsby rushed for 104 yards on only 9 carries. Bigsby was acquired earlier this season in a trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars as a backup to Barkley. Bigsby is a quality player who should be on your roster and a definite handcuff for owners of Barkley.
As an owner of RB TreVeyon Henderson, I have been very frustrated by his use and performance to date. I have kept him on my roster because I know how explosive he can be. Coach Mike Vrabel says he wants to get him more involved in the offense but has still given the majority of work to fumble-prone Rhamondre Stevenson. This past week against a solid Cleveland Browns defense, Stevenson rushed 14 times for 34 yards while Henderson had 10 rushes for 75 yards. Henderson did lose a fumble, which may be a prerequisite to get more playing time with this team. Continue to monitor this situation and see if Coach Vrabel finally sees the upside of playing Henderson more and making him worthy of starting in fantasy leagues.
The Chiefs’ rushing attack has been a time share between Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt. Pacheco gets the majority of first and second down work while Hunt is the third down receiving back but also the goal line runner. This usage makes both players’ production unpredictable. Pacheco injured his knee in week 8 and his availability is week-to-week. This is a boost for Hunt fantasy owners if Pacheco misses any time. However, another RB who would receive a boost from this injury is Brashard Smith who has slowly gained more and more playing time.
Week 8 Results
QB: Joe Flacco (Cincinnati Bengals): 237 total yards, 3 TDs, 0 Int
Michael Penix (Atlanta Falcons): Inactive (injured)
RB: JK Dobbins (Denver Broncos): 2 receptions, 121 total yards, 0 TDs
Jordan Mason (Minnesota Vikings): 3 receptions, 50 total yards, 0 TDs
WR: Michael Pittman (Indianapolis Colts): 1 reception, 6 total yards, 0 TDs
Zay Flowers (Baltimore Ravens): 7 receptions, 71 total yards, 0 TDs
TE: Oronde Gadsden III (Los Angeles Chargers): 5 receptions, 77 total yards, 1 TD
Travis Kelce (Kansas City Chiefs): 6 receptions, 99 total yards, 1 TD
PK: Evan McPherson (Cincinnati Bengals): 8 points, 5 PATs, 1 FG
John Parker Romo (Atlanta Falcons): 4 points, 1 PAT, 1 FG
DF: Atlanta Falcons: 34 points against, 338 total yards allowed, 1 sack, 0 takeaways
Indianapolis Colts: 14 points against, 341 total yards allowed, 4 sacks, 1 takeaway
Players to Start Week 9
QB: Jared Goff (Detroit Lions vs. Minnesota Vikings)
Matthew Stafford (Los Angeles Rams vs. New Orleans Saints)
RB: Travis Etienne (Jacksonville Jaguars at Las Vegas Raiders)
Kimani Vidal (Los Angeles Chargers at Tennessee Titans)
WR: Rome Odunze (Chicago Bears at Cincinnati Bengals)
Sleeper – Romeo Doubs (Green Bay Packers vs. Carolina Panthers)
TE: Mark Andrews (Baltimore Ravens at Miami Dolphins)
Dalton Kincaid (Buffalo Bils vs. Kansas City Chiefs)
PK: Michael Badgley (Los Angeles Chargers at Tennessee Titans)
Tyler Loop (Baltimore Ravens at Miami Dolphins)
DF: Los Angeles Rams (vs. New Orleans Saints)
Seattle Seahawks (at Washington Commanders)
Week 8 Selections vs. the Point Spread
Los Angeles Chargers (-3.0) vs. Minnesota Vikings Final Score: LAC 37 Minn. 10
Pittsburgh Steelers (+3.5) vs. Green Bay Packers Final Score: GB 35 Pitt. 25
Kansas City Chiefs (-10.0) vs. Washington Commanders Final Score: KC 28 Wash. 7
Week 9 Selections vs. the Point Spread
Baltimore Ravens (-7.5) at Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins are a hard team to figure out. They were beaten by the Carolina Panthers but demolished the Atlanta Falcons. The AFC North division is the weakest division in the NFL. Although two games behind the Pittsburgh Steelers and with a losing record, the Ravens can still capture the division. Although it’s a lot of points to spot, I’ll take the Ravens who should run all over the Dolphins porous run defense especially with QB Lamar Jackson back.
Seattle Seahawks (-3.5) at Washington Commanders
The Seahawks have one of the most underrated defenses in the NFL. They will make life miserable regardless of who is at QB for the Commanders. The Seahawks offense is balanced and Jaxon Smith Njigba leads the NFL in receiving. Take the visitors and give the points.
Dallas Cowboys (-2.5) vs. Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals are coming off of a bye and have lost five straight games. The good news is that they have been competitive in each game losing by no more than 4 points. This should be a high scoring game, which favors the Cowboys. Their offense is much more prolific at home than on the road. Take the Cowboys and give the points.
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