Expect Calvin Ridley to have a big game this week. Photo via Atlanta Falcons/Facebook
Week 9 is here and I’m back to give out more sleeper plays. My standard for a good fantasy game is around 100 total yards and/or a TD, and this is for PPR scoring. A game with a lot of catches helps too, obviously. Of course, the bar is a little lower for TEs.
I went 8-4 last week, and you can check out that article here. Week 8 was pretty damn good, so I’m happy with those results. With the bye weeks upon us, I will continue to look for players that can help you, and are also widely available.
QB
Kirk Cousins (MIN): Cousins faces a Lions defense that is allowing over 25FPTS/G to QBs over the past month. They’ve also given up 10 passing TDs in that span.
Ryan Fitzpatrick (TB): This one is not as much about the matchup. I think Cam Newton has a big game, and Fitzpatrick will have to throw to keep up with the Panthers.
RB
Isaiah Crowell (NYJ): It’s hard to trust anybody on the Jets offense, but his matchup is spectacular. The Dolphins give up on average over 32FPTS/G to RBs over their last 5 games. He could have a big day.
Nick Chubb (CLE): He has a great opportunity facing the Chiefs run defense that is allowing almost 30FPTS/G to RBs in their last 5 games. He does come with some downside if this game gets out of hand and the Browns stop running the ball.
Adrian Peterson (WAS): He’s dealing with a shoulder injury, so keep an eye on that. If he’s able to go, you have to roll with him again in this favorable matchup against the Falcons. They’re giving up almost 30FPTS/G to the position over their last 4 games.
WR
Calvin Ridley (ATL): I’m back in the saddle backing Ridley. Josh Norman will have his hands full with Julio Jones, and Ridley should have a nice game. The Redskins are allowing an incredible 47 FPTS/G to WRs in the last 4.
D.J. Moore (CAR): This is all about the matchup and I think Cam goes off here. Moore is starting to get going as of late, and I think this game could be a shootout.
DeVante Parker (MIA): Halloween may be over, but counting on Parker to come through is VERY scary. He looked great last week against Houston, and the matchup is terrific. The Jets allow over 46FPTS/G to WRs over the past month. If there was ever a time to play Parker, this has to be it.
Sammy Watkins (KC): Watkins has been playing really well lately, and I think Tyreek Hill gets the tough matchup against Browns CB Denzel Ward. Plus, Cleveland is giving up over 40FPTS/G to WRs over their last 4 games.
Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp (LAR): I think both these guys have a big game. Just make sure Kupp is active. He’s expected to come back from his knee injury and play this week. Cooks should have to deal with Saints star CB Marshon Lattimore, so I think these two go off.
TE
O.J. Howard (TB): The Panthers allow the most points to TEs over their last 4 games, so he’s worth starting for sure.
Greg Olsen (CAR): Olsen has a Top 10 matchup against the Bucs, so I’d fire him up.
That’s all I have for this week. For more fantasy info, make sure you check out my show Moneyline on ESPN 97.5 every Sunday from 10-noon. Jerry Bo and I will get you ready for kickoff and answer any questions you may have. Also, follow us on Twitter.
Good luck in Week 9!
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A timely blast from Caratini fuels another Astros win
Jul 1, 2025, 11:32 pm
Houston Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez has experienced a setback in his recovery from a broken right hand and will see a specialist.
Astros general manager Dana Brown said Alvarez felt pain when he arrived Tuesday at the team's spring training complex in West Palm Beach, Florida, where he had a workout a day earlier. Alvarez also took batting practice Saturday at Daikin Park.
He will be shut down until he's evaluated by the specialist.
“It’s a tough time going through this with Yordan, but I know that he’s still feeling pain and the soreness in his hand,” Brown said before Tuesday night's series opener at Colorado. “We’re not going to try to push it or force him through anything. We're just going to allow him to heal and get a little bit more answers as to what steps we take next.”
Alvarez has been sidelined for nearly two months. The injury was initially diagnosed as a muscle strain, but when Alvarez felt pain again while hitting in late May, imaging revealed a small fracture.
The 28-year-old outfielder, who has hit 31 homers or more in each of the past four seasons, had been eyeing a return as soon as this weekend at the Los Angeles Dodgers. Now it's uncertain when he'll play.
“We felt like he was close because he had felt so good of late,” Brown said, “but this is certainly news that we didn't want.”
You can watch Brown discuss the setback in the video below.
#Astros GM Dana Brown has the latest on Yordan Alvarez who will see a hand specialist tomorrow
We'll discuss on @astros Pregame before tonight's game with the Rockies starting at 7PM on SCHN pic.twitter.com/7hyIFL9jah
— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) July 1, 2025
Also Tuesday, the Astros officially placed shortstop Jeremy Peña on the 10-day injured list with a fractured rib and recalled infielder Shay Whitcomb from Triple-A Sugar Land.