Week 9 of the 2024 NFL season delivered thrilling highs and devastating lows for fantasy football managers. While some little-known players burst onto the scene with huge performances, established stars struggled mightily. But even more concerning was a rash of injuries to key players that could shape the rest of the fantasy season. Let’s dive into the biggest winners, losers, injuries and expert grades from a roller-coaster Week 9.
Achane Leads Fantasy Winners
The biggest winner of the week was undoubtedly Miami Dolphins running back De’Von Achane. The rookie stunned with 31.2 PPR points in a loss to Buffalo, piling up 63 rushing yards, a touchdown, and a stellar 8 catches for 58 yards and another score. Achane’s dual-threat ability was on full display, and with 14 receptions for 108 yards and 2 TDs in his last two games with QB Tua Tagovailoa back, he’s vaulted into locked-in RB1 status moving forward.
Other top performers included:
- Joe Burrow, Bengals QB: 29.14 points, 5 TDs
- Mike Gesicki, Bengals TE: 27.0 points, 5-100-2
- Zay Flowers, Ravens WR: 29.7 points vs. tough Broncos D
- Garrett Wilson, Jets WR: season-best 30.0 points on TNF
Winston, Top RBs Among Losers
On the flip side, Cleveland Browns QB Jameis Winston headlined the Week 9 duds. Getting his first start of the season, Winston imploded with 3 INTs and a fumble in a blowout loss to the Chargers. He finished with an abysmal -22 EPA, per NFL Next Gen Stats. Browns fans have to wonder why the team was so reluctant to bench a struggling Deshaun Watson.
Other notable disappointments included star RBs Nick Chubb (CLE) and Breece Hall (NYJ), who combined for just 14.5 PPR points against soft matchups. Dolphins WR Jaylen Waddle also continued to struggle, catching 2 passes for -4 yards.
Injury Bug Bites Hard
Unfortunately, Week 9 will be remembered more for its devastating injuries than its on-field action:
- CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys WR: Exited late with a shoulder injury. getting an MRI.
- Dak Prescott, Cowboys QB: Pulled hamstring in 4th quarter. Could miss time.
- Chris Olave, Saints WR: Carted off with a concussion. 2nd of season.
- Drake London, Falcons WR: Hip injury on TD catch. Declared out.
The Lamb and Prescott injuries are especially concerning for a Dallas offense already struggling with consistency. If one or both miss time, it would be a huge downgrade for the entire unit. Michael Gallup and Jalen Tolbert would see more work in Lamb’s absence.
Week 9 Grades: A’s and F’s
Finally, let’s hand out some grades. Earning an A this week:
Trey Hendrickson, Bengals edge: 3 sacks and a FF in a dominant performance. Led all Week 9 players in pass rush win rate at a whopping 50%.
Panthers CBs Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson: Neither budding star allowed a SINGLE catch in Carolina’s upset win.
On the other end, Jameis Winston earned a clear F for his turnover-filled debacle. So did Bills WR Keon Coleman, who dropped a gimme TD that turned into a red-zone INT.
Week 9 reminded us how quickly fortunes can change in the NFL, both in real life and in fantasy. The Achane breakout and Winston face-plant flipped scripts, while injuries to Lamb, Prescott and others could alter the landscape for the rest of the 2024 season. The only certainty in this league? Expect the unexpected.
