RADIO
The Houston Astros won the World Series on Wednesday night. The Houston Texans lost Deshaun Watson for the rest of the season to a torn ACL during practice on Thursday. Houston sports--something good, then something bad. The Watson injury is a big one in terms of its fantasy impact, because Watson was playing not just like a QB1 but like THE QB1--in my mental rankings for the rest of the season, I had Watson finishing as the top overall quarterback. Now, they'll turn to Tom Savage. That is...not great.
The trade deadline was the other big news this week, specifically the fact that Jay Ajayi is now an Eagle. That's going to make the Philadelphia backfield more confusing and the already struggling Dolphins backfield even...well, even more confusing. The Dolphins might be the weirdest 4-3 team of all-time, because they already look and feel like a team that has been eliminated from the playoff hunt despite still being firmly in it.
I mention these two pieces of news because they will factor into this week's bust list. But first, a word from myself as I look back at my past mistakes.
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Recap of Last Week
Quarterback: Trevor Siemian got handled pretty well by the Chiefs defense--198 yards and three interceptions. Alex Smith was a little better--202 yards and just one interception--in a game that wasn't great for quarterbacks. That's what happens when one team has a good defense but also has Trevor Siemian as their quarterback. (But hey! Now they don't have Siemian because he's getting replaced by Brock Osweiler.)
Running Back: Jalen Richard got 10 total touches for 56 yards, which was pretty good if you started him in one of your deeper leagues, though not great if you needed him in smaller ones where last week's terrible bye week didn't hurt as much. Tarik Cohen had eight yards against the Saints, but he salvaged the day somewhat with a touchdown. Still, not the kind of usage you want to see from him. Rob Kelley had a similar day--19 yards and a touchdown. I did pretty good predicting their usage, but not their scoring potential.
Wide Receiver: Oh. I doubted Will Fuller against the Seahawks because, well, it was the Seahawks and he was riding an unsustainable scoring streak. What did he end up doing? 125 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Deshaun Watson's ability to buy time with his feet and then make the big play downfield really helped Fuller. It's going to be sad to watch him now that Watson is out. Terrelle Pryor didn't have a single catch, though! And Dontrelle Inman ended up being an inactive, which I guess is a correct pick by default.
Tight End: Oh. O.J. Howard came back down to earth, but Jack Doyle--wow. 12 catches for 121 yards and a touchdown was shocking because the Colts offense had been looking terrible. I'm so sorry if you listened to me on this one, though. I'm pretty sure benching Doyle cost me a win and knocked me out of first place in the Rotoballer dynasty league.
Alright. Let's look at 10 dudes who will disappoint you this week now!
Top 10 Busts - NFL Week 9
Kirk Cousins (Quarterback, Washington Redskins)
Yes, Deshaun Watson tore the Seahawks defense up last week, but Kirk Cousins is no Deshaun Watson (which is a statement that feels shocking to be making, doesn't it?) Cousins has turned the ball over three games in a row and the Seahawks, despite their struggles in terms of yardage and touchdowns last week, just picked Watson off three times. I expect a big bounce back performance by Seattle and for Washington's offense to struggle.
Marcus Mariota (Quarterback, Tennessee Titans)
Mariota might be without his most consistent target, tight end Delanie Walker, and he plays a Ravens defense that has been strong against the pass. He's also only thrown four touchdown passes this season and is coming off a very disappointing showing against the Browns.
C.J. Anderson (Running Back, Denver Broncos)
Anderson put up fine numbers last week against the Chiefs, but two things that worry me. First, he seems to be finding himself in a three-way timeshare after Devontae Booker just kind-of reappeared from nowhere to start taking away touches. Second, the Eagles defense--they've allowed just 348 rushing yards this season to running backs. They've also allowed four receiving touchdowns to backs, which could benefit Booker.
Kenyan Drake (Running Back, Miami Dolphins)
We've seen so little of Drake that it's hard to really judge him, but we can look at what the Dolphins running game has done so far this season: Jay Ajayi is the 31st ranked running back in Standard and has not scored a touchdown. A thing I believe is true: Drake is not as good as Ajayi. Factor in that Damien Williams is going to touch the ball at least a handful of times too, and I'd sit him. There are hopeful signs: the Raiders have allowed the fourth-most yards to running backs. But I still don't think it's worth the risk.
Also, I'm not mentioning him by name just because I think most people know not to start him this soon after a trade, but I'd sit Ajayi.
Frank Gore (Running Back, Indianapolis Colts)
The Texans have only allowed one rushing touchdown. Gore has just two games with more than 50 yards. Marlon Mack had 11 carries last week, a career high. I'm not sure why I'd trust Gore this week, even with him coming off his highest yardage total of the year.
Will Fuller (Wide Receiver, Houston Texans)
Well, it's time. The Watson injury puts Tom Savage back under center. Savage was benched at halftime during Week 1 because he was so bad. He's slow and playing behind a struggling offensive line, which won't help Fuller, who is at his best when he can stretch the field. This is the week where he stops scoring touchdowns.
Alshon Jeffery (Wide Receiver, Philadelphia Eagles)
Aside from a seven catch performance for 92 yards back in Week 2 against the Chiefs, Jeffery doesn't any games with more than four catches or more than 71 yards. Factor in the Denver defense, which held Tyreek Hill to 38 yards last week, and I'd be very careful about trusting Jeffery.
Rishard Matthews (Wide Receiver, Tennessee Titans)
With a more crowded receiver group than last season, Rishard Matthews hasn't been putting up the kind of numbers that fantasy owners have been wanting to see. I hope I'm wrong--the bye weeks are forcing me to start him--but the Ravens defense is strong and the Titans probably won't complete enough passes to make any of their receivers reliable. If Corey Davis plays, that just makes things worse.
Tyler Higbee (Tight End, Los Angeles Rams)
This is my Go Against Conventional Wisdom pick of the week. Everyone is telling you to start Higbee against a Giants defense that has allowed touchdowns to tight ends EVERY WEEK. But Higbee hasn't scored this season and he has five games with under two points in Standard. The Rams receiving corps is pretty crowded. I get the logic of playing Higbee if you're in a tough situation with the bye weeks, but I'd be willing to bet this is the week the Giants' streak ends.
Darren Fells / Eric Ebron (Tight Ends, Detroit Lions)
We're going two-for-one here. The Packers have not allowed a touchdown to tight ends all season. Fells and Ebron will eat into each other's meager usage and neither will have a good fantasy day. Depending on your league size, you might be tempted to play one of them. Nope!
