Week 9 MNF: Chiefs-Buccaneers Preview, Props & Prediction
Mon Nov 4 9:05am ET
Field Level Media
The Chiefs try to keep their perfect season alive when they host the Buccaneers on Monday night.
Despite being 7-0, things haven't gone smoothly for Kansas City with mounting injuries at skill positions.
Wide receivers Rashee Rice (knee), Hollywood Brown (shoulder), and Skyy Moore (groin) are all on injured reserve, while JuJu Smith-Schuster will miss a second straight week after reaggravating his hamstring.
Kansas City is also without starting running back Isiah Pacheco (fibula).
But the Chiefs moved quickly to add reinforcements, signing free agent running back Kareem Hunt and trading for veteran wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins.
The Buccaneers won't have much sympathy for the Chiefs. Tampa Bay lost top two best wide receivers, Chris Godwin (ankle) and Mike Evans (hamstring), to injuries in Week 7.
Back-to-back defeats dropped the Bucs to 4-4, and it's unlikely that the team will be a buyer before the trade deadline.
As things stand, it's difficult to see a path to victory for the Buccaneers in what figures to be a tricky spot on the road against the Chiefs.
Weather could lead to slow start for Buccaneers
While it's fair to debate whether Kansas City is worthy of being a massive 9-point favorite, there are other factors we must consider for this matchup.
The weather could play a critical role as the forecast calls for extended periods of rain with wind.
Such conditions could be detrimental for the Bucs, who are more used to playing under clear skies and warm Florida sun.
If the Buccaneers fall behind, it's difficult to see the offense gaining traction after consecutive double-digit losses.
Considering their injuries at wide receiver, the last thing you'd want if you're Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield is to throw a wet ball to receivers who lack significant reps with the first team.
The weather and limited options at wide receiver could make Tampa Bay's offense look unbalanced.
Although there's no disputing that the Buccaneers have one of the better rushing attacks in football, they'll face a Chiefs team that ranks second in the FTN Fantasy Defense-adjusted Value Over Average (DVOA) against the run.
Kansas City is also one of four teams limiting opponents to under 100 rushing yards per game.
Offensively, the Chiefs are willing to take risks in the passing game. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes still has weapons at wide receiver with Hopkins, Xavier Worthy, Justin Watson, Mecole Hardman and the reliable Travis Kelce at tight end.
Teams have had their way with this Tampa Bay defense and the Bucs are being hit with big plays. The Buccaneers rank 31st in opponent yards per carry (5.2), and they're tied for the league-worst in yards per play (6.0). Tampa allowed 15 TD passes in the first eight games of the season.
While the Buccaneers attempt to get their footing early in the game, watch for Kansas City to land a few haymakers, making the Chiefs' first-half spread of -4.5 an intriguing option worthy of strong consideration.
Best bet: Chiefs 1H -4.5 (-110 at FanDuel)
Prop Shop: Kareem Hunt has become a central figure in the Kansas City offense since rejoining the Chiefs. With injuries at wide receiver and the Buccaneers giving up 131.6 yards and one rushing touchdown per game, Monday night should be no different.
Pick: Kareem Hunt 10-plus rushing yards in every quarter, +390
--Michael Nwaneri, Field Level Media
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The Paur Report
Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 9
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Tank Bigsby was deemed active not too long before kickoff on Sunday but wasn't able to produce a big performance in the 28-23 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. The 23-year-old saw eight carries for 22 yards and didn't get targeted at all in the passing game. Bigsby has been seeing a higher percentage of snaps this season but hasn't been able to produce many fantasy points when Travis Etienne Jr. is also active. The ground game in general was shut down in this contest and they had to play catch up almost the entire time. The Jaguars will take on another tough defense in the Minnesota Vikings in Week 10.
From RotoBaller
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. only received five total touches in the 28-23 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. He registered three carries for 24 yards and hauled in two of his three targets for six yards. The Eagles' defense not only shut down the run, but they jumped out to a big lead to start the game and the Jaguars had to play catch up for almost the entire time. Etienne saw five fewer carries than backfield mate Tank Bigsby but was more of a factor in the passing game. He'll look to bounce back in Week 10 against the Minnesota Vikings.
From RotoBaller
Through the first eight weeks, Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride's only touchdown had been from a fumble recovered in the end zone. That trend changed in the Week 9 win over the Chicago Bears when McBride scored a rushing touchdown on a 2-yard jet sweep. McBride has been putting together a Pro Bowl-caliber season at tight end for the Cardinals, and that continued even with the passing game not up to par. McBride's official stat line was three catches for 35 yards and one rush for 2 yards, resulting in a rushing touchdown. This is an encouraging sign for fantasy managers, as the Cardinals showed an emphasis on getting McBride involved in the red zone. If McBride's touchdown upside increases, he could make a case to finish as the number one tight end in fantasy this season. He should be started in all league formats when the Cardinals host the New York Jets in Week 10.
From RotoBaller
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Jalen Tolbert hauled in a touchdown reception from backup quarterback Cooper Rush late in the game on Sunday. Dallas wound up falling 27-21 to the Atlanta Falcons despite the fourth-quarter touchdown. Tolbert was targeted six times, but only hauled in three receptions for 19 yards along with the score. If CeeDee Lamb (shoulder) misses any time, Tolbert would near must-start territory. For now, the third-year receiver remains a touchdown-dependent flex option.
From RotoBaller
The Philadelphia Eagles defense allowed 17 points, generated two sacks, and forced two interceptions during the team's 28-23 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. For the fourth week in a row, the team has held an opponent to fewer than 20 points score offensively and they finally started to generate turnovers with a game-sealing interception caught by linebacker Nakobe Dean in the late fourth in the end zone being the highlight of the game. It was another solid fantasy performance from the team and they will be on the streaming radar next week when they travel to Dallas to take on a beat-up Cowboys team that may be without starting quarterback Dak Prescott (hamstring).
From RotoBaller
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. had another boom-or-bust outing in the 29-9 victory over the Chicago Bears. Harrison Jr. entered the season with high expectations for a rookie, but he has shown his youth throughout the first nine weeks. After recording 111 yards and a touchdown in the previous week against the Miami Dolphins, it seemed as though Harrison Jr. was back on the right track for the rest of the season. However, he recorded only two catches for 34 yards and a fumble against the Bears. One positive was that Harrison Jr. led the team in targets with five, but the Cardinals' lack of passing attack was likely due to a shift toward a more conservative game plan as they took a commanding lead in the second half. As of now, it's hard to view Harrison Jr. as anything other than a boom-or-bust wide receiver, but he should still be started in fantasy lineups in Week 10 when the Cardinals host the New York Jets.
From RotoBaller
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush entered Sunday's game in the fourth quarter after Dak Prescott (hamstring) left with an injury and did not return. The longtime Cowboys' backup looked solid in the comeback attempt, completing 13-of-25 passes for 115 yards and a touchdown pass to Jalen Tolbert. It is unclear whether Prescott will miss any further time, as he is set to have an MRI on Monday. If Prescott misses time, Rush would be an intriguing QB2 option in multiple-quarterback leagues.
From RotoBaller
Philadelphia Eagles tight end Grant Calcaterra caught all five of his targets for 30 yards during the team's 28-23 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. The third-year tight end was involved early in the game having four grabs before halftime, but did little after. Next week will mark the fourth since starter Dallas Goedert (hamstring) was injured against Cleveland and will be his first real shot at making a return to the field. Fantasy managers will need to monitor practice reports during the week, but Calcaterra may move back to his role as the No. 2 option if Goedert is able to put in any practice time this week.
From RotoBaller
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (hamstring) suffered a hamstring injury late in their game against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. He left the game while Cooper Rush took over, and is now in doubt for Week 10. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said that he was concerned and Ian Rapoport reported that Prescott will undergo an MRI on Monday to determine the extent of the injury. The Cowboys' offense has already been disappointing, so if Rush has to take over for a week or more, the entire offense would get a big downgrade until Prescott is healthy. A clearer picture should come into focus after the MRI.
From RotoBaller
Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle was productive in the 27-21 loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. The 26-year-old saw most of the running back work with Ezekiel Elliott (healthy scratch) missing the game due to disciplinary reasons. Dowdle rushed 12 times for 75 yards while also securing five receptions for 32 yards and a touchdown on an impressive grab in the endzone. Dowdle appears to remain set as the lead back in Dallas and is an RB2 moving forward.
From RotoBaller
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson led the way through the air on Sunday in the 27-21 loss to Atlanta. Ferguson was targeted 10 times, securing seven receptions for 71 yards. The performance was Ferguson's second-highest receiving yardage total of the season. The third-year tight end still has not found the end zone in the 2024 campaign, but remains a key part of Dallas' passing offense and is still a top option at the bleak tight end position.
From RotoBaller
Philadelphia Eagles kicker Jake Elliott made one of two field goal attempts and converted his lone extra point attempt during the team's 28-23 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. After his best week of the season, the 29-year-old came back to earth in Week 9 and missed a long field goal attempt late in the game that would have given the Eagles an eight-point lead rather than a five-point one. It went on not to matter in the end, but the up-and-down season for Elliott continues. At this point, fantasy managers need to consider him a boom-or-bust streaming option who only needs to be started in plus matchups. That applies next week when the Eagles take on a reeling Cowboys team.
From RotoBaller
Arizona Cardinals running back Trey Benson scored his first career touchdown in the 29-9 win over the Chicago Bears. Starting running back James Conner had to check himself out after a hard fall, which opened the door for Benson to enter the game and take the Cardinals' goal-line carries, during which he found his way into the end zone. With the Cardinals taking a commanding lead and Conner getting a little banged up, Benson saw an increase in workload, finishing the game with eight carries for 37 yards, one touchdown, and one reception for 18 yards. It was expected that at some point in the season, the Cardinals would try to get Benson more involved to lower Conner's snap count and keep him healthy, and that happened in Week 9. This was Benson's most impressive game of the season, and the rookie looks like he's starting to find his footing in the NFL. While Benson could be viewed as a handcuff for James Conner, he is not necessarily a viable option when the Cardinals host the New York Jets in Week 10.
From RotoBaller
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith caught four of six targets for 87 yards and scored in the team's 28-23 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. The former Heisman winner found the end zone for the second week in a row, making one of the year's best catches on a one-handed 25-yard grab in the back of the end zone in the fourth quarter. Smith was pivotal for the offense in the second half with A.J. Brown (knee) leaving early in the third quarter. The 25-year-old had a few rough outings after the Eagles Week 5 bye but has since gained 85 or more yards and has found the end zone in each game recently. Smith will be a set-it-and-forget-it WR2 again in Week 10 when Philadelphia takes on a banged-up Dallas team.
From RotoBaller
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown (knee) was forced to leave Sunday's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars with a knee injury and didn't return in the second half. According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the superstar wideout avoided "anything serious and is expected to be fine." This comes as huge news for both the Eagles and fantasy managers who had to endure three games without him already this year. His status should still be monitored throughout the week to see if he may need to miss a game or not though.
From RotoBaller
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Jahan Dotson caught his lone target for a 36-yard gain during the team's 28-23 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. The catch came in the second half after A.J. Brown (knee) left the game early in the third quarter. It was an impressive grab near the sideline but it is just his seventh reception of the year through nine weeks. There have been plenty of chances for the former Washington Commander to stand out in this offense, but quarterback Jalen Hurts does not look his way at the moment. He will remain waiver wire fodder in redraft leagues and a hold in dynasty heading into Week 10.
From RotoBaller
Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado got involved in the Week 9 win over the Chicago Bears with an impressive 53-yard rushing touchdown right before halftime, giving the Cardinals a 21-9 lead. Demercado has impressed throughout the season in his limited playing time, which has frequently come on third downs. His final stat line was four carries for 59 yards and one rushing touchdown, along with two catches for 21 yards. It's unclear whether Demercado's role will increase, making him not an option for fantasy managers when the Cardinals play the Jets in Week 10.
From RotoBaller
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley took 27 carries for 159 yards and a touchdown, added three receptions for 40 yards and an additional score, and lost a fumble during the team's 28-23 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. The 27-year-old's 199 scrimmage yards were his most in a single game this season, and he posted his best numbers as a receiver this year as well. Quarterback Jalen Hurts did not take any goal line opportunities away from Barkley this week, and got things started for the Eagles and threw a 20-yard score to the star back to give Philadelphia its first points scored in the first quarter all season. The Eagles may be without A.J. Brown (knee) for the second time in 2024, but regardless of his status next week the Eagles will likely lean on Barkley again as they face a struggling Dallas team.
From RotoBaller
Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner recorded his fourth 100-yard rushing game of the season in the 29-9 win over the Chicago Bears. Conner finished the game with 18 carries for 107 rushing yards and added three receptions for 12 yards. The Cardinals' rushing attack was dominant, and the offensive line frequently created lanes for the running backs. Conner did take a hard fall in the second quarter, landing on his hip and needing to check himself out after the play. However, that does not seem to be a lingering issue, as he returned to the game in the second half before the Cardinals put their backups in and went into cruise control. Although Conner did not find the end zone, he remains the focal point of the Cardinals' rushing attack, and fantasy managers should be happy with how his season has gone. He remains a likely starter for fantasy managers heading into their Week 10 matchup with the New York Jets.
From RotoBaller
Carolina Panthers rookie tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders set a career-high in Week 9 with 87 receiving yards on four receptions against the New Orleans Saints. Sanders again received the bulk of offensive snaps as veteran tight end Tommy Tremble (back) was inactive, missing his third game in the last four weeks. In Week 8, the one game Tremble was active for in October, Sanders played just 36% of the snaps and recorded one reception for seven yards. While the rookie certainly offers waiver wire value, there remains concern that the coaching staff has preferred Tremble when healthy. Regardless, Sanders could have an opportunity further to cement himself against a weak Giants defense in Germany.
From RotoBaller
