Picture this: your fantasy football squad cruising through Week 8's blowouts, only to hit a whirlwind of shocks and setbacks in Week 9 – it's the ultimate rollercoaster that keeps us all hooked on the NFL! And this is the part most people miss – these ups and downs aren't just about wins and losses; they reshape your entire season strategy. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just dipping your toes into the fantasy waters for the first time, Week 9 served as a refreshing reset after some uneven contests. We saw exhilarating highs, like rookie sensations erupting and a young quarterback proving his mettle, alongside crushing lows from unexpected injuries. But here's where it gets controversial – should coaches risk star players in blowouts, or is that just plain malpractice? Let's unpack the top five takeaways from Week 9, exploring the surprises and disappointments that could redefine your fantasy lineup.
Before we jump in, remember these handy tools for staying on top of your game: our Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Advice (https://www.fantasypros.com/nfl/myplaybook/waiver-wire-assistant.php) to snag those hidden gems, Weekly Fantasy Football Expert Rankings (https://www.fantasypros.com/nfl/rankings/half-point-ppr-rb.php) for precise scoring insights, Fantasy Football Start/Sit Advice (https://www.fantasypros.com/nfl/start/) to make those tough calls, and Fantasy Football Trade Tools (https://www.fantasypros.com/nfl/myplaybook/trade-central.php) to negotiate like a boss.
Now, diving into the biggest highlights and heartaches from Week 9.
Fantasy Football Week 9 Surprises
The Bears Unleashed a Pair of Rookie Standouts
It was a week to forget for D'Andre Swift (https://www.fantasypros.com/nfl/players/dandre-swift.php), who skipped practice entirely and was officially sidelined on Friday due to a groin issue. Experts speculate this could keep him out for several weeks, prompting the Bears to handle their rushing attack with extra care – especially after what happened next against Cincinnati's struggling defense.
Per Pro Football Focus (PFF), backup Kyle Monangai (https://www.fantasypros.com/nfl/players/kyle-monangai.php) dominated with 59 snaps, 25 routes, 26 carries, and four targets. Meanwhile, other running backs like Brittain Brown (https://www.fantasypros.com/nfl/players/brittain-brown.php) and Travis Homer (https://www.fantasypros.com/nfl/players/travis-homer.php) shared just 19 snaps, 13 routes, one target, and five carries combined. Monangai capitalized on the lead role, churning out 176 rushing yards and hauling in three catches for 22 yards. Many fantasy managers grabbed him quickly once Swift was out, and he's still a top priority on waivers where available. As long as Swift is sidelined, view Monangai as a reliable RB2 driven by high volume – he might even hold that spot upon Swift's return if head coach Ben Johnson shifts the backfield dynamics, or drop to flex status in a more even split.
But Monangai wasn't the only Bears rookie lighting up the scoreboard. Tight end Colston Loveland (https://www.fantasypros.com/nfl/players/colston-loveland.php) shredded the Bengals for six grabs, 118 yards, and two touchdowns on seven targets. While Cincinnati's secondary has been weak against tight ends, the real game-changer was starter Cole Kmet (https://www.fantasypros.com/nfl/players/cole-kmet.php) exiting early with a concussion, thrusting Loveland into the full-time spotlight. This could solidify his role moving forward. For fantasy players desperate for tight end help – especially those who lost Tucker Kraft (https://www.fantasypros.com/nfl/players/tucker-kraft.php) to a probable ACL tear – Loveland is an essential pickup.
The Vikings Seem Poised for Success Under New Leadership
Doubters of J.J. McCarthy (https://www.fantasypros.com/nfl/players/jj-mccarthy.php) whispered that his high-ankle sprain led to a cushy benching, but Minnesota's cautious approach paid off big time in a narrow 27-24 win over the Lions. McCarthy's performance wasn't perfect – he absorbed five sacks and tossed a pick – yet he delivered two passing touchdowns and one on the ground. In just his third pro start, the Vikings racked up 27 points, and McCarthy stayed cool under relentless pressure late, nailing a clutch third-and-five throw with under two minutes left to seal the deal.
According to Pro Football Reference, Detroit ranked ninth in pressure rate (23.6%) and fifth in sacks (23) before the game. Future matchups should be easier on McCarthy, potentially encouraging coach Kevin O'Connell to open up the playbook more. That said, in such a close game (excluding the game's final kneel-downs), the Vikings balanced things with 26 rushes and 25 passes – not ideal for their pass-catching stars.
Wide receiver Justin Jefferson (https://www.fantasypros.com/nfl/players/justin-jefferson.php) saw nine targets on McCarthy's 25 attempts (36%) across 30 routes (0.30 targets per route), translating to six catches, 47 yards, and a score. Jordan Addison (https://www.fantasypros.com/nfl/players/jordan-addison.php) secured four targets for two receptions, 48 yards on 30 routes, plus a 16-yard run. His potential is capped until O'Connell trusts more throws, but 64 yards without a touchdown doesn't scream "sell him off." T.J. Hockenson (https://www.fantasypros.com/nfl/players/tj-hockenson.php) redeemed his day with a touchdown grab, but he's stuck in boom-or-bust mode after just three targets, two catches, and 11 yards on 27 routes. In 12-team leagues, streaming tight ends might be wiser than relying on him.
The Rams Are a Well-Oiled Machine
What's better than a powerhouse offense? One where the focus stays on a select few stars, and that's exactly the Rams' recipe. Matthew Stafford (https://www.fantasypros.com/nfl/players/matthew-stafford.php) knows his go-to targets all too well.
Davante Adams (https://www.fantasypros.com/nfl/players/davante-adams.php) covered 27 routes, while Puka Nacua (https://www.fantasypros.com/nfl/players/puka-nacua.php) logged 22 before exiting due to rib contact. Coach Sean McVay played it safe, as evidenced by this tweet: "Sean McVay said Puka Nacua is good. Said Nacua 'got his ribs,' could've gone back in game but team erred on side of caution by not putting him back in" – Stu Jackson (@StuJRams) November 3, 2025 (https://twitter.com/StuJRams/status/1985138881705214037?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw).
Stafford spread eight targets to Nacua and seven to Adams out of 32 attempts, completing 24 for 281 yards, four scores, and no picks. Nacua led with seven catches and 95 yards, including a touchdown. Adams added five for 60 yards but has a knack for the end zone, now with eight on the season. Both are obvious starters, thriving under Stafford's guidance, who remains a solid QB1 (tied for eighth in points per game per FantasyPros' leaders report (https://www.fantasypros.com/nfl/reports/leaders/qb.php?year=2025)), even without rushing prowess.
Kyren Williams (https://www.fantasypros.com/nfl/players/kyren-williams.php) anchors the ground game with 55 snaps, 22 routes, 25 carries for 114 yards and a score. Blake Corum (https://www.fantasypros.com/nfl/players/blake-corum.php) backs him up with 22 snaps, eight routes, and 13 carries for 58 yards – no targets for either. Williams is a top RB1, while Corum is a valuable handcuff with flex potential in blowouts. He's hit double-digit touches in three of the last four wins and five games overall.
Fantasy Football Week 9 Disappointments
Joe Alt Faces Yet Another Setback
It was a tough Sunday for Joe Alt (https://www.fantasypros.com/nfl/players/joe-alt.php), who suffered another injury. The young offensive tackle lasted just 10 snaps in Week 4 before a left high-ankle sprain kept him out until Week 8, and now it's a right lower-body issue, possibly involving the knee or ankle (per Jeff Mueller, PT, DPT (@jmthrivept) November 2, 2025 (https://twitter.com/jmthrivept/status/1985064788171555086?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)). Fingers crossed it's not a long-term absence.
Justin Herbert (https://www.fantasypros.com/nfl/players/justin-herbert.php) excels in the Chargers' pass-heavy scheme, but his performance fluctuates wildly with Alt protecting him. Stats from NextGenStats (via Tony Holzman-Escareno (@FrontOfficeNFL) October 24, 2025 (https://twitter.com/FrontOfficeNFL/status/1981585234551541764?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)) show Herbert averaging 8.0 yards per attempt, nine TDs, two INTs, and a 107.2 rating with 40.5% pressure when Alt's on; off the field, it's 6.7 yards, seven TDs, five INTs, 88.6 rating, and 45.5% pressure. (These figures predate Week 9, where he took six sacks against the Titans.)
Alt's absence could dip the fantasy stock of Herbert, Ladd McConkey (https://www.fantasypros.com/nfl/players/ladd-mcconkey.php), Oronde Gadsden (https://www.fantasypros.com/nfl/players/oronde-gadsden-ii.php), Keenan Allen (https://www.fantasypros.com/nfl/players/keenan-allen.php), Quentin Johnston (https://www.fantasypros.com/nfl/players/quincy-johnston.php), and Kimani Vidal (https://www.fantasypros.com/nfl/players/kimani-vidal.php). Still, Herbert shone brightly on Sunday, and the offense hums when he's not under siege. Adjust your expectations for potential bumps, and it might be smart to trade Chargers assets at peak value.
Jayden Daniels Suffers a Horrific Injury in a Lopsided Game
Fans and analysts are outraged: why leave Jayden Daniels (https://www.fantasypros.com/nfl/players/jayden-daniels.php) in a 38-7 rout with 7:39 to play, leading to a devastating elbow injury? If you're squeamish, skip the video (https://x.com/jmthrivept/status/1985196261671399543). Daniels could be out for the season.
Enter Marcus Mariota (https://www.fantasypros.com/nfl/players/marcus-mariota.php), now a super flex contender and streamer in single-QB formats. He started Weeks 3, 4, and 8, ranking QB6, QB17, and QB19 (per FantasyPros leaders (https://www.fantasypros.com/nfl/reports/leaders/qb.php?year=2025)). Pass-catchers like Terry McLaurin (https://www.fantasypros.com/nfl/players/terry-mclaurin.php), Deebo Samuel (https://www.fantasypros.com/nfl/players/deebo-samuel.php), and Zach Ertz (https://www.fantasypros.com/nfl/players/zach-ertz.php) have seen mixed results in his outings (via Fantasy Points data).
Ertz might be tradable before Tuesday's deadline. McLaurin missed Week 9 with a quad issue; with the Commanders at 3-6 and Daniels sidelined, rushing him back isn't priority. Hold him in deeper leagues to monitor practice. Samuel could be a PPR sleeper without McLaurin, but his upside is limited in non-PPR, and he's far less potent sans Daniels.
But here's where it gets controversial – was keeping Daniels in that blowout a reckless decision, or just a calculated risk that backfired? Some argue it builds toughness, while others call it negligent. What do you think: should coaches pull stars early in mismatches to avoid injuries? Is Mariota worth the hype now, or are the Commanders' receivers doomed? And does this shift your view on trading Ertz before the deadline? Drop your opinions in the comments – I can't wait to hear the debate!
Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive (https://www.fantasypros.com/news/correspondents/josh-shepardson.php) and follow him @BChad50 (https://twitter.com/BChad50).
