With Halloween officially behind us and Thanksgiving on the horizon, several changes are about to descend upon Storrs.
For starters, colder weather is at our doorstep. Puffer jackets are no longer fashion accessories; they’re clothing necessities. Perhaps the most obvious change, however, is the shortening of daylight. As the sun sets earlier each day, night seems to arrive before you’ve even had a chance to enjoy the afternoon.
For fantasy football managers, a similar phenomenon is unfolding. With the NFL season approaching its halfway point, the time to turn a struggling fantasy team around is shrinking. Each passing week makes the playoff picture clearer and leaves less daylight for managers hoping to make a late-season push.
Despite the sun setting earlier, this week’s Fantasy Forecast is here to shed some light on Week 9. Whether your fantasy team is basking in the late autumn glory or hiding from the encroaching winter night, read below so that you’re prepared for what’s ahead.
Green Bay Packers vs. New England Patriots
When the New England Patriots began the season 1-2, everyone pointed to quarterback Drake Maye’s timid performance for answers. Six interceptions and only one passing touchdown were not what anyone expected from the reigning AFC champion.
However, it would appear that the Patriots have completely turned the tide, winning four of their last five for an overall record of 5-3. Steering the ship, Maye has recorded only two interceptions since Week 3, alongside 14 passing touchdowns, silencing the original doubters.
Anchored in their path to back-to-back victories are the Green Bay Packers, the only other NFL team to have the exact same start as the Pats. Leading the league in passing yards, quarterback Jordan Love will need all the wins he can get to climb the competitive NFC North standings.
For fantasy managers, the Foxborough matchup should prove to be a competitive. With both teams maintaining middle-to-upper-tier defenses, offensive potential could be limited. Plus, with Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson, wide receiver A.J. Brown and tight end Hunter Henry all listed as questionable for Sunday afternoon, fantasy managers must constantly check in. This will ensure their lineups don’t suffer from any last-minute absences.
With both teams eyeing the top of their respective divisions and possessing legitimate chances of reaching it, this midseason brawl will have plenty of eyes on it. Kickoff is slated for 4:25 p.m.
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Atlanta Falcons
For the second time in NFL history, a regular-season game will be held in Madrid, Spain. As part of the league’s efforts to expand its influence around the globe, the Cincinnati Bengals will take on the Atlanta Falcons, with kickoff set for 9:30 a.m. EST.
Even with a meager average of 2.3 points in the first quarter over the last three weeks, Cincy has scored above 30 in each contest, with a notable 40-point bomb in last week’s overtime thriller against the Tennessee Titans.
At a whopping 20 passing touchdowns, quarterback Joe Burrow leads the league, with wide receiver Tee Higgins sitting second in receiving yards. In addition to Higgins, wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase also sits among the league’s best with six touchdowns, placing him two off the premier spot.
As for Atlanta, much of its offensive prowl lies in the hands of running back Bijan Robinson. Although the seasoned veteran has accrued 780 rushing yards (the league’s best) and five total trips to the end zone, the Falcons still perch at 3-5. With three of their losses separated by just one score, Atlanta may pose a bigger threat to Cincy than statistics may show.
With the Bengals’ air attack getting stronger every week and the Falcons yet again relying on their ground game, fantasy managers should expect strong performances in those domains and almost nothing else. Both opposing defenses struggle in those respective categories, making the potential for fantasy heydays exciting.
Buffalo Bills vs. Minnesota Vikings
When the Minnesota Vikings lost to the Detroit Lions last week, their aspirations of a perfect season quickly dissipated. While the 1972 Miami Dolphins breathed a sigh of relief knowing their historic achievement would remain untouched for another year, those in Minnesota began to doubt their 6-0 run.
Looking closely at their schedule so far, one might notice the potential grounds for a fraudulent ranking. Aside from Week 1, the Vikings have averaged around 16 points per game, with their defense holding opponents to an average of 11. To stoke the deceit, over their last four games, Minnesota’s opponents have recorded only three wins combined.
In other words, the Vikings have played easier teams and don’t have the offense to prove outright dominance. The case for fraud becomes clearer when you realize their first loss was also to the first team they played with a winning record.
Clearly, Minnesota is in trouble this week as they welcome the Buffalo Bills for a Monday night matchup. The Bills, who average 33 points per game, are chasing their fourth straight win. Under the direction of quarterback Josh Allen, the Bills are poised for another playoff appearance.
For fantasy managers, the 8:15 p.m. bout will certainly answer a lot of questions. Is the Vikings’ defense truly a threat, or has its strong start been smoke and mirrors? Perhaps Buffalo’s fierce offense may have the answer.
To sum it up: With the Packers and Patriots both trying to secure their sixth win of the season, fantasy managers should be confident in a tight contest. Meanwhile, as the Bengals travel to Madrid to face off against the Falcons, Cincinnati users can expect a repeat of last week’s passing success. Finally, although the Bills and Vikings both boast a 6-1 record, the potential for a fraudulent latter means the former could easily capitalize. Best of luck, Huskies.