Week 9 Sunday Preview

As always this season, it's a free-for-all Sunday morning.  Ask questions, answer questions, ask and answer your own questions . . . For now, here's the most interesting fantasy-relevant storyline I'm following for each Sunday team:

Falcons vs. Broncos -- It has been and remains Todd Gurley, one of the most intriguing fantasy RBs this season.  An RB1 on the leaderboard, a mid-range RB2 in points per game, and one of the least efficient and most TD-dependent backs in the top 30.  He's a regression candidate unless he remains the go-to goal-line option.  And if Phillip Lindsay is less than 100%, will Melvin Gordon strengthen his position?  As always, I doubt it.

Bills vs. Seahawks -- Another backfield battle: Zack Moss and Devin Singletary.  I continue to lean toward Moss, though reasonable people can see this as a 50/50 call or even a lean Singletary.  And because RBs are fascinating this week, I'm curious whether DeeJay Dallas or even Alex Collins can earn head coach Pete Carroll's trust.

Titans vs. Bears -- Corey Davis vs. A.J. Brown.  Brown remains the favorite to lead this receiving corps, but a healthy Davis is wreaking havoc in a passing attack that can't easily support multiple fantasy starters.  And while David Montgomery's YPC has improved each week, his passing-game usage hasn't been consistent despite Tarik Cohen's absence.  I want to see Montgomery as a reliable top-20 RB, and he's not quite there.  

Colts vs. Ravens -- As always, will Indy lean more heavily on Jonathan Taylor, or is this officially a three-headed backfield?  And personally I'm rooting for Dez Bryant to shine in his first game in three years.  In reality, he's a fantasy stash with a solid ceiling for WR-needy Baltimore, and a cut-after-Week-10 floor.

Chiefs vs. Panthers --  Clyde Edwards-Helaire vs. Le'Veon Bell, round 3.  And will Christian McCaffrey return to greatness?  The universal answer is "yes."  I remain cautious about the top-5 potential for an uber-franchise running back on a team likely going nowhere this season.

Vikings vs. Lions -- Is Kirk Cousins streamable these days?  (I say yes, but we'll see.)  And who will step up as the #1 in Kenny Golladay's absence?

Washington vs. Giants -- Can we trust Antonio Gibson as a weekly starter?  And is Darius Slayton still--possibly--the #1 receiver for the Giants?  Either he isn't, or he hasn't been lately because he's been dealing with an injury suffered a few weeks ago.

Jaguars vs. Texans -- Jake Luton probably will outperform expectations.  The question is whether that means top 20-24 production or something closer to top 14-16.  I actually (surprisingly) like him this week in the latter range.  And is David Johnson the back-end RB3 he's looked like since Week 2?

Chargers vs. Raiders -- Has Justin Jackson officially seized the lead RB job?  And will the Raiders find a way to get Henry Ruggs more involved?

Cowboys vs. Steelers -- Will Dallas's fourth QB of the 2020 season be their fourth best QB, or is there still hope for their talented receivers?  And can JuJu Smith-Schuster continue his recent high-volume resurgence?

Cardinals vs. Dolphins -- Will Chase Edmonds end the day as Arizona's clear-cut #1 back?  And will Tua Tagovailoa flop again, forcing Miami to pivot back to Ryan Fitzpatrick and a higher-powered passing attack?

Buccaneers vs. Saints -- Will Antonio Brown be fantasy relevant?  And can Michael Thomas return to greatness in his first game back?