RADIO
Joe Burrow Delivers Elite Fantasy Value on Fewer Throws
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow threw 19 fewer passes than he did against the Tennessee Titans last week and still accounted for every Cincinnati touchdown in Sunday's 34-17 Week 9 win over the Atlanta Falcons in Madrid. Burrow went 24-for-29 for 271 yards with three touchdown passes and no interceptions. Ja'Marr Chase supplied more than half of those yards, finishing with 155 and scoring from 47 yards out. His other three touchdowns came from inside the 10-yard line. He scored on a one-yard sneak, his second rushing touchdown in as many games, and hit Tee Higgins from four and eight yards out. The second Higgins score came on the drive after Atlanta cut the lead to seven in the third quarter. Burrow has thrown 12 touchdown passes over his last three games, with two of those outings coming on 30 attempts or fewer. He's an elite QB1 for the Week 10 home rematch with the Pittsburgh Steelers, who gave up 282 passing yards and three touchdowns to him in Week 3.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Raiders Plan to Keep Kirk Cousins Through Trade Deadline
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins had drawn no trade inquiries as of this weekend, and the Raiders have no interest in dealing him ahead of Tuesday's deadline, according to Adam Schefter. The Raiders plan to keep Cousins as their starter until they believe Fernando Mendoza, the first overall pick, is ready. Cousins threw for 247 yards and three touchdowns and ran for another score in last week's 38-33 win over the New York Jets, which ended a four-game skid. He enters Sunday's game at San Francisco with 19 touchdown passes and five interceptions through eight games. Mendoza remains second on the Week 9 depth chart. All eight of his regular-season pass attempts came in his 10-snap debut against New England, when he completed six for 48 yards.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
Deshaun Watson Reportedly Inactive After Clearing Concussion Protocol
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (concussion) is inactive for Sunday's Week 9 game against the New Orleans Saints, according to Mary Kay Cabot. Watson returned to the Week 8 game against Pittsburgh after a concussion evaluation and reported symptoms to the team's medical staff Tuesday morning. He missed practice Wednesday and Thursday and was a limited participant Friday, when he went through individual drills. Cleveland listed him as questionable Friday, and he cleared the concussion protocol Saturday. Shedeur Sanders took the first-team reps throughout the week and will make his first start of the season, with Dillon Gabriel backing him up.
Source: Mary Kay Cabot
Source: Mary Kay Cabot
Tanner McKee Expected to be Active as Backup Quarterback in Week 9
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Tanner McKee (ribs) is expected to be active as the backup for Sunday's Week 9 contest against the New York Giants, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. McKee, who was demoted to the backup role earlier this week, is officially listed as questionable after suffering a cracked rib during the opening drive of last week's game against the Washington Commanders. The 26-year-old's demotion to No. 2 on the depth chart is not a result of his injury, but rather a direct product of poor play. He has two touchdowns and three turnovers this season, including all three turnovers in his last two starts. McKee was thrust into action back in Week 6 with Jalen Hurts out for the year due to blood clots. McKee went 0-3 in his time as the starter, so the Eagles will turn to Milton in a desperate attempt to save their season. The 26-year-old is known for his strong arm and mobility, but accuracy has been an issue for him in the past.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Source: Ian Rapoport
Sam Darnold in Jeopardy of Missing Week 10
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (quad, rib) has already been ruled out for Week 9, and he might also miss Week 10, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. Schefter points out that the Seahawks have a Week 11 bye, which could influence their decision. Instead of pushing Darnold to get ready for next Sunday's game, they could keep him on the sideline through the bye. Compared to getting Darnold back for Week 10, keeping him out next week would force him to miss just one extra game while getting an extra 14 days to recover. The Seahawks will also likely consider the net loss of having Darnold miss a game. Seattle has plenty of confidence in its backup quarterback, Drew Lock, who performed well when Darnold missed time with a glute injury in Weeks 1 and 2. If Lock plays well against the Cardinals this Sunday, the Seahawks could feel more compelled to play him next week and give Darnold the extra time to rest. There are several factors at play here, but it seems like there's a very real chance we don't see Darnold again until Nov. 29 against the 49ers.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
Josh Allen Goes Up Against Vaunted Vikings Defense
Bills quarterback Josh Allen is RotoBaller's No. 2-ranked quarterback as Buffalo takes on the aggressive Minnesota Vikings defense on Monday night. The Vikings are blitzing opposing quarterbacks at an incredibly high rate this season, with their blitz percentage sitting at 73.1%, according to Next Gen Stats. Expect Allen, who has been sacked just 13 times this season, to be under duress early and often against Minnesota. How he handles the blitz will be a deciding factor in Monday's contest. Allen has completed 65.7% of his passes against the blitz this season, but he has been intercepted three times while throwing three touchdowns when opposing defenses bring extra pressure. The Bills could be without two starting offensive linemen this week, as left guard Alec Anderson and left tackle Dion Dawkins are both questionable. Allen is projected to score 21 fantasy points against the Vikings.
Source: Next Gen Stats
Source: Next Gen Stats
Deshaun Watson Expected to be Inactive Sunday, Should Return in Week 10
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson cleared concussion protocol on Saturday, but he is still expected to be inactive for Sunday's Week 9 contest against the New Orleans Saints, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. However, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports that Watson is expected to return in Week 10. The Browns are presumably making Watson inactive this Sunday because he was in concussion protocol all week long, which means that he didn't get a chance to practice and prepare for the Saints. Projected starter Shedeur Sanders and backup Dillon Gabriel, on the other hand, went through a full week of practice and were able to prepare for the packages that we might see in Sunday's game. Watson will get back to a full level of participation in practice on Wednesday, putting him on track to play in Week 10 against the Houston Texans.
Source: Jeremy Fowler
Source: Jeremy Fowler
Lamar Jackson Out 6-9 Weeks, Plans to Return Later This Season
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (thumb) has told teammates that he plans to return later this season, according to Ian Rapoport of ESPN.com. "Just stay alive" was Jackson's message to teammates in the aftermath of the thumb injury he suffered in Week 8, Rapoport notes. The Ravens fell to 4-5 this past Thursday with Joe Fagnano at quarterback, and the team could be destined for some more ugly losses with Jackson sidelined and backup Tyler Huntley (toe) expected to miss the remainder of the season. While Jackson currently expects to return before the end of the year, we wouldn't be shocked to see the team shut him down if the Ravens are eliminated from playoff contention before he's healthy enough to play again. The 29-year-old was diagnosed with a fractured and dislocated thumb on his right hand, and with a six-to-nine-week recovery timeline, Jackson probably won't play again until Week 15, at the earliest.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Source: Ian Rapoport
Vikings Could Trade for Both Daniel Jones and Jonathan Taylor
The Minnesota Vikings could try to acquire quarterback Daniel Jones and running back Jonathan Taylor ahead of the Nov. 10 trade deadline, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Minnesota is reportedly exploring the possibility of a quarterback trade after losing their first game of the season in Week 9, even though Kyler Murray (hamstring) turned in a fine performance with 210 passing yards, 35 rushing yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. The run game has been a much bigger weakness for the Vikings, which explains their interest in Taylor, who already has 610 rushing yards, 202 receiving yards, and eight touchdowns through eight games this season. Florio notes that the Colts would love to get a first-round pick -- they traded their own 2026 first-rounder to the Jets last year -- but packaging Jones and Taylor together might be their only path to securing a Day 1 selection. Trading a first-rounder for Jones, who has six touchdowns and 12 turnovers this year, and Taylor may feel like a steep price, but the fact that the pick will likely be later in the first round might soften the blow. It's also worth noting that the Vikings have a pre-existing connection to Jones, as they rostered the veteran passer as a backup between his stints with the Giants and the Colts.
Source: Mike Florio
Source: Mike Florio
Daniel Jones Faces Favorable Cowboys Defense Despite Recent Struggles
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones will start against the Dallas Cowboys despite being replaced in the fourth quarter of last Sunday's 42-7 loss to Jacksonville. He completed 19 of 28 passes for 144 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions before Anthony Richardson Sr. took over with the Colts trailing by 35. Coach Shane Steichen attributed the switch to the lopsided score, but Jones has thrown only five touchdowns against nine interceptions across eight games. Dallas presents one of the friendlier passing matchups, allowing 15 touchdowns through the air while ranking 30th in defensive EPA allowed per dropback. The Cowboys were exposed again in Week 8 after Gardner Minshew II replaced Jacoby Brissett late in the third quarter and threw for 188 yards and three touchdowns in Arizona's overtime win. Even so, RotoBaller's Week 9 rankings place Jones at QB27, making him a desperation option in Superflex leagues. He has taken 13 sacks over his last three starts, while right tackle Jalen Travis (thumb, hamstring) is questionable despite a full Friday practice.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Dak Prescott Faces Touchdown-Friendly Colts Defense
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott enters Sunday's road game against the Indianapolis Colts as a strong QB1, with RotoBaller's November 7 rankings placing him at QB5. The Colts rank 12th in net passing yards allowed (211.8 per game), but have surrendered 14 passing touchdowns while intercepting only two passes. That vulnerability was clear in Week 8, when Trevor Lawrence needed just 14 attempts to throw for 210 yards and three touchdowns against Indianapolis. Prescott's recent outings have been less consistent: he threw three touchdowns against Philadelphia in Week 7, then managed 195 passing yards against Arizona, scoring his first rushing touchdown of the season. Still, he has 2,046 passing yards and 14 passing touchdowns through eight games, and Dallas averages 37.8 pass attempts per contest. The primary uncertainty concerns his receiving corps. George Pickens (hamstring) was limited in all three practices, while Jake Ferguson (ankle) sat out Wednesday and Thursday before returning in a limited capacity Friday. Both are questionable, and KaVontae Turpin (ribs) is out.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Carson Wentz Has Potential In Week 9, And Possibly Beyond
With quarterback Kyler Murray (hamstring) set to miss Week 9, Minnesota Vikings backup Carson Wentz carries potential for a Monday night game against Buffalo. The veteran has his flaws -- he took 19 sacks in five starts last year -- but he also can provide the downfield spark this offense so desperately needs against a Bills defense that ranks 22nd against fantasy quarterbacks. Wentz's three-touchdown performance in relief in Week 1 remains the Vikings' best passing game of the year, and at minimum, he will give top receiver Justin Jefferson plenty of chances. Even in one-QB formats, the journeyman is worth a speculative stash for managers looking to solidify their bench or repair their roster after a QB injury. The Vikings may still trade for another quarterback, but if Wentz plays well, he'll have the inside track to continue starting. As RotoBaller's No. 20 QB this week, Wentz is starting caliber in Superflex leagues, but there's also a chance he could carry value beyond this week if the Vikings look good on Monday.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Michael Penix Jr. Looks to Bounce Back in Potential Week 9 Shootout
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. had a forgettable Week 8, completing just eight of 24 passes for 125 yards and four interceptions. The lefty QB came into last week's contest with two straight three-touchdown performances and a 9:1 TD:INT, so he had been trending up. Perhaps some of the poor statistics can be chalked up to the inclement weather, and the former first-rounder can try to get back on track this weekend in Madrid, Spain in a matchup versus the Bengals. Cincinnati has been middle of the road in terms of allowing fantasy points to opposing QBs, but with the highest projected total on the slate this week (52.5), Penix may have to keep pace with Joe Burrow and company in order to keep this one close. The 26-year-old is ranked as the No. 22 QB overall this week at RotoBaller, but has shown the ability to finish as a QB1, so consider him a volatile low-end QB2 with a low floor and a high ceiling.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Matthew Stafford Remains a Strong QB1 Option Against Washington
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford has maintained QB1 value despite the absence of Davante Adams (hamstring), and he should continue to rank as a top-10 option for Week 9 against the Washington Commanders. Although the veteran quarterback hasn't had one of his primary receivers available, he has still been able to produce at a high level for fantasy football thanks to his advanced passing skills and a supporting cast headlined by superstar Puka Nacua. The 38-year-old routinely gets the Rams into scoring position, and he's now up to 15 touchdowns this season (plus eight turnovers). It seems unlikely that he'll replicate last season's QB3 finish, but he is still the QB10 in scoring this year. He'll also benefit from this week's matchup against the Commanders, who have allowed the fifth-most passing touchdowns and ninth-fewest interceptions to opposing quarterbacks. He ranks as the overall QB10 in RotoBaller's Week 9 fantasy football rankings.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Deshaun Watson Cleared From Concussion Protocol, Remains Questionable
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (head) has been cleared from the NFL's concussion protocol on Saturday but remains questionable for Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints in Week 9, according to Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer. The Browns already announced on Friday that second-year QB Shedeur Sanders will start against the Saints, but Watson will make the trip and could be active as Sanders' backup. The 31-year-old Watson did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday before getting in a limited practice on Friday, which gives him a chance to suit up this weekend. The three-time Pro Bowler has led Cleveland to a 5-3 record through the first eight weeks in 2026, but he leads the NFL in sacks taken (33) and has not thrown a touchdown pass in the last three games. The Browns have not given Watson a vote of confidence by saying that he will be their starter after Week 9, so if Sanders comes in and shows out in New Orleans, the team could have a QB controversy on their hands. Watson came into Week 9 as the QB17 overall in fantasy scoring with 1,806 passing yards, seven touchdowns, and three interceptions in his eight starts.
Source: The Cleveland Plain Dealer - Mary Kay Cabot
Source: The Cleveland Plain Dealer - Mary Kay Cabot
