Our panel of NFL experts predicts Week 9's biggest upsets, fantasy football flops and potential sleepers. Plus, they make a few predictions for the season.
Dive into our analysts' takes on who has been dominant, whom they're worried about and more.
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Which team made your favorite trade since training camp?
Matt Bowen, NFL writer: Patriots get wide receiver Mohamed Sanu for a 2020 second-round pick. New England made an aggressive move to get Sanu, parting with a valuable pick. With Josh Gordon now on injured reserve, Sanu fills an immediate need in New England as a veteran target for quarterback Tom Brady.
Mike Clay, NFL writer: Seahawks get Jadeveon Clowney for a 2020 third-round pick, Jacob Martin and Barkevious Mingo. As much as I want to credit the Dolphins for several savvy moves as they build for the future, Seattle managing to acquire a 26-year-old franchise player for a Day 2 pick and a pair of reserves (who have combined to play 77 snaps for Houston, by the way) was thievery. Clowney has only two sacks, but his 37 pass-rush wins are third most in the league. Seattle will either extend one of the league's best pass-rushers this offseason or land a midround compensatory pick if Clowney signs elsewhere.
Dan Graziano, national NFL writer: Rams get cornerback Jalen Ramsey from the Jaguars for two first-round picks and a fourth-round pick. Crazy price, yeah, but the best NFL moves aren't the quick-fixers but the ones that take into account the long term and the big picture. Yes, Ramsey makes the Rams better now. But the reason to like this move -- especially since it involved multiple first-rounders -- is because Ramsey is a long-term building block for them and a good enough player to allow them to go a little cheap at some of the positions around him.
Jeremy Fowler, national NFL writer: Dolphins get cornerback Aqib Talib and a fifth-round pick from the Rams for a 2022 seventh-round pick. Fleecing a cap-strapped team by acquiring a veteran's bloated salary in exchange for better draft positioning is so NBA it hurts -- and I'm here for it. The Dolphins know they stink and are faithfully following the Cleveland Browns' blueprint for stockpiling picks by agreeing to pay Talib's $4.24 million in remaining salary. The team is now projected to have 14 picks in 2020, including three first-rounders, in hopes that it doesn't have to make these trades two years from now while in playoff contention.
Field Yates, NFL analyst: Steelers get Minkah Fitzpatrick from Dolphins for their 2020 first-round pick, 2020 fifth-round pick and 2021 sixth-round pick. I was bullish on the move at the time and remain so today. Yes, the price was significant and a rash of injuries has put a different outlook on Pittsburgh's season, but acquiring four years of an elite talent on a team-friendly deal was a worthwhile decision. In five games with Pittsburgh, Fitzpatrick has intercepted three passes, contributed 23 tackles and is a terrific locker room piece. It's a win-win.
What's your top upset pick for Week 9?
Bowen: Jaguars (+2) over Texans. Give me Jacksonville as the upset pick in London. Expect a balanced offensive game script for the Jags to control tempo on Sunday versus Houston. But it's the ability of QB Gardner Minshew to make second-reaction throws that allows Jacksonville to create some big plays in the passing game.
Clay: Lions (+2) over Raiders. The Lions improved to 3-3-1 on Sunday, with their only losses to the Chiefs (by four points), Packers (one point) and Vikings (12 points). This is a solid team with playoff aspirations, and scoring points against an Oakland team that has allowed three-plus touchdowns in six consecutive games shouldn't be particularly challenging.
Graziano: Ravens (+3.5) over Patriots. Go big or go home, right? Baltimore is coming off a bye, playing at home and has a total wild card in Lamar Jackson, who plays nothing like any quarterback the Pats have seen this season. I know Bill Belichick will have a plan for Jackson and probably keep him in the pocket and make him throw it downfield. But I say Jackson pulls it off and his MVP campaign kicks into high gear Sunday night.
Fowler: Chargers (+3) over Packers. Go Rivers or go home. Aaron Rodgers strengthens his MVP case by the week and the Packers' defense is fierce, but the Chargers are not done yet. They still have elite firepower on offense, and the addition of Russell Okung should help a sagging offensive line. Joey Bosa & Co. can help keep Rodgers from throwing outside the pocket.
Yates: Titans (+3.5) over Panthers. The Titans have strung together consecutive wins since inserting Ryan Tannehill into the starting lineup, as he has injected life into the passing game and the team has been playing rugged, physical defense. We'll see who starts at quarterback for Carolina, but give me the Titans.
Mitchell Trubisky has struggled this season. What should the Bears do at quarterback in 2020?
Bowen: Given Trubisky's limitations, and lack of development, the Bears have no choice but to address the quarterback position this offseason. For me, that means signing a veteran quarterback during free agency and also investing a Day 2 pick in the position as they don't have a first-round pick because of the trade for Khalil Mack.
Clay: The Bears aren't in position to draft a high-end quarterback in 2020, so they'll need to look to the trade market or free agency to quickly improve the position. Free agent Teddy Bridgewater makes sense, as his conservative nature could complement a strong defense, but a trade for Nick Mullens or Nick Foles also would be worth exploring. Chicago also should throw a dart at a quarterback on Day 2 of the draft.
Graziano: I'd bring in a veteran to compete and throw the competition open. Make Trubisky show development and earn the job. The model would be what Tennessee did this season, bringing in a viable challenger in Ryan Tannehill with Marcus Mariota on the final year of his deal. Obviously, Mariota wasn't up to the challenge, and now the Titans know they have to explore all options. The Bears need to find that out before the end of 2020.
Fowler: Let Trubisky play out the season, then exhaust all options in 2020. Even if he is what he is, extreme patience is required for a quarterback Chicago gave up major draft capital to acquire. The Bears must find out exactly what they have. If Trubisky continues to fizzle over the final nine games, do two things: Draft a Day 2 quarterback and acquire a quarterback via free agency or the trade market. Get one of the Jaguars' quarterbacks, or reunite offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich with Marcus Mariota. Ask about Cam Newton too.
Yates: I'd treat the quarterback position as a blank slate. Don't feel constricted by the investment you made in Trubisky and let that affect your desire/willingness to draft a quarterback high or pursue one in free agency. He just has not become the answer, and the Bears' ceiling is limited because of it.
Who's your pick to be the biggest fantasy flop this weekend?
Bowen: Cardinals QB Kyler Murray. He hasn't thrown a touchdown pass in his past two games, and now the rookie gets a matchup versus the 49ers' defense. San Francisco has allowed only 128.7 passing yards per game this season, tops in the league. Look out for that pass rush Thursday night.
Clay: Ravens RB Mark Ingram. After scoring five touchdowns during Weeks 1-3, he has cooled, with only two scores in his past four games. The veteran back will have a tough time getting on track Sunday against a New England defense that has allowed the fewest fantasy points to running backs. Ingram's minimal receiving role (12 targets) will make it tough to overcome an underwhelming rushing day.
Graziano: Seahawks RB Chris Carson. The Buccaneers are allowing a league-low 68.6 rushing yards per game and have been the third-toughest defense against fantasy running backs. Plus, you can throw all over them. Carson could find the sledding tough Sunday even if the Seahawks win the game easily.
Fowler: Browns WR Jarvis Landry. Expect Cleveland to force-feed Odell Beckham Jr. after he declared the Browns went soft against New England. Cleveland already relies heavily on the run, so an increased workload for Beckham would affect Landry's bottom line. The Broncos rank fourth in passing defense and won't likely let two guys go off.
Yates: Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald. I'll tag-team with what Matt Bowen highlighted earlier: The 49ers' pass defense is absolutely incredible, just stifling opponents on a weekly basis. Fitz is in the midst of a cool two-game stretch as well, posting just three catches for 20 yards. It's hard to imagine a monster night Thursday.
Which team has the NFL's best WR corps?
Bowen: Chiefs. With a healthy Patrick Mahomes, I'm looking at Kansas City receivers Tyreek Hill, Sammy Watkins, Demarcus Robinson and rookie Mecole Hardman. Speed and explosive play ability in Andy Reid's offensive system.
Clay: Rams. You could've made the case during the offseason that the Rams belonged atop this list, and that was before Cooper Kupp's full-on breakout. There are some extremely impressive wide receiver duos in the league, but Kupp, who went for a ridiculous 220 yards Sunday, joins Robert Woods (1,219 receiving yards last season) and Brandin Cooks (1,000-plus yards each of the past four seasons) to form the best trio. Josh Reynolds has proved solid as a fourth option.
Graziano: Rams. Kupp's emergence as a dominant No. 1, along with the past accomplishments of Cooks and Woods, makes this the league's best group on paper. And Reynolds might be as good a No. 4 as anyone has.
Fowler: Chiefs. The Rams are tempting but let's go with the Chiefs, whose speed is unmatched. Hill is on the short list of true No. 1 receivers, and the depth behind him can stretch any defense. Where else can you find a No. 4 receiver (Robinson) on pace for 650 yards in an offense with an elite tight end? Watkins is having his most efficient season since 2015, and Hardman is Hill Lite.
Yates: Rams. Kupp has been incredible this season, while Woods and Cooks can stress any defense immensely. Reynolds has shown developmental upside and would likely start for several teams. This group rocks.
Pick a fringe fantasy player who should be started in Week 9.
Bowen: Jaguars WR Chris Conley. In his past two games, Conley has caught 7 of 14 targets for 186 yards and a score. He's a high-upside play as a WR3 in non-PPR leagues with a Week 9 matchup versus the Texans' defense.
Clay: Lions QB Matthew Stafford. He tossed three touchdowns Sunday and has now hit that mark in four of his seven games this season. Despite his strong play and a good matchup, Stafford was in only 50.6% of ESPN lineups in Week 8. That number should be much higher in Week 9 against an Oakland defense that has surrendered the third-most fantasy points to quarterbacks.
Graziano: Bears WR Anthony Miller. He has 19 targets and 183 receiving yards in the past three games, and while those aren't Hall of Fame numbers, this isn't exactly the Greatest Show on Turf they're operating there in Chicago. Miller is getting more involved in an offense that needs SOMETHING to spark it, and the Eagles have been hemorrhaging fantasy points to receivers all season. Take a shot on Miller if you're bye week-strapped.
Fowler: Giants WR Darius Slayton. He seems to have something brewing with Giants quarterback Daniel Jones. After the pair connected on two touchdowns Sunday at Detroit, Jones targeted Slayton twice in the red zone late in the fourth on two controversial pass interference no-calls. With limited options in New York's passing game, Slayton's combination of size and speed makes him a must-play.
Yates: Eagles TE Dallas Goedert. It's hard to find trustworthy tight ends in fantasy football, but Goedert's recent emergence in Philadelphia has not gone unnoticed. While Zach Ertz is the best tight end on Philly's roster and still the most heavily targeted, Goedert has produced as a near co-starter of late, with a touchdown in back-to-back games and 12 catches total over his past three outings.