Here, we will look at some of the trending fantasy football players who had a boom or bust game in week 9. Players like AJ Brown and Dak Prescott had disappointing weeks because they left their games early due to injuries. That will disqualify them from this list. What does not disqualify you from this list is getting thrown from the game..
BOOM
Mike Gesicki TE CIN 24.5 Points
With WR Tee Higgins set to miss his 2nd straight game, Mike Gesicki became a popular streaming option at TE in week 9. Gesicki had 6 targets on the day which was 2nd only to Ja’Marr Chase (rightfully so).
With 5 catches for 100 yards and 2 TDs, Gesicki is week 9’s TE1 heading into Monday Night Football.
Gesicki’s targets have clearly increased with Higgins missing time, so it’s difficult to see if he will be a steady part of the offense once Burrows WR2 returns. He’s worth holding onto and continuing to stream if you do not have a solid TE1 or you keep 2 TEs on your roster.
Rico Dowdle RB DAL 19.2 Points
Rico Dowdle was given the spotlight due to backfield mate Ezekiel Elliott being a healthy scratch for disciplinary reasons. Dowdle did not disappoint and turned in a 19.2 point performance for fantasy owners.
He finished with 12 carries for 75 yards and 5 catches for 32 yards and a TD which made week 9 his highest point total of the season.
QB Dak Prescott will undergo an MRI on Monday after leaving the game early. If he is to miss any time, it should only increase Dowdle’s workload. The backfield appears to be solely his going forward, which makes him a solid RB2.
Chase Brown CIN RB 24.2 Points
The Bengals‘ offensive explosion against the Raiders produced more than one fantasy star in week 9. RB Chase Brown had a huge game working alone in the backfield without his usual partner Zack Moss, who missed the game due to a neck injury.
Brown carried the ball 27 times for 120 yards. He also added 5 catches for 37 yards and a TD. His 24.2 fantasy points make him the RB5 for week 9 going into Monday Night Football.
Moss is a candidate for injured reserve, which would mean considerably more volume for Chase Brown. He should be in your lineup regardless, but without Moss to share touches with – Brown is an RB1.
BUST
Puka Nakua WR LAR 2.6 Points
No player has been more frustrating to own than Puka Nacua over the last 2 weeks. After returning from IR last week, Nacua was rumored to be on a snap count and was held out of many starting lineups. He proceeded to rack up 14.6 points for fantasy owner’s benches as he went for 106 yards on 7 catches.
As he re-entered everyone’s starting lineups, he exited the Rams week 9 game against the Seahawks.
Nacua totaled just 2.6 points after hauling in 1 pass for 11 yards. He likely will not face a suspension since he was tossed from the game so early and should remain in your lineup as a WR1 next week.
Kyle Pitts ATL TE 1.6 Points
The Kyle Pitts fantasy saga continues, just as you thought he was a safe start for the rest of the season. Pitts had turned in double-digit outings in 3 of his last 4 games, before catching only 1 pass in week 9.
1.6 was his 2nd lowest point total of the season. Pitts seems destined to forever be a fantasy football wildcard at TE, but he should remain in your starting lineup as the Falcons offense is red-hot.
Brian Thomas Jr. JAX WR 5.2 Points
With the injury to Christian Kirk, Thomas has no competition for the title of WR1 in Jacksonville. In his first game as the undisputed primary target, Thomas turned in a stinker for just 5.2 points.
He managed to catch 2 of his 4 targets for just 22 yards. He added 2 more points on a successful 2 point conversion. It was a poor showing for managers with high expectations in week 9, but that’s no reason to pull him from your lineup. Thomas is a high level flex play or a WR2 going forward in 2024.
All stats and point values are from ESPN and are based on .5 PPR.