Cam Ward, Alvin Kamara, D.K. Metcalf, and the Bottom-5 Fantasy Football Offenses in NFL Week 9
Fantasy football owners are always looking to find the best offenses to help with Start ‘Em and Sit ‘Em decisions every week, but it’s equally important to find the worst offenses to avoid.
We’re now nine weeks into the season (and being on this list doesn’t mean teams are going to be on this list next week or every week), but we’re starting to see some real trends emerge. If you’ve been reading this article all year, you’ll notice some repeat offenders (ahem…Titans and Saints).
And with that said, let’s dive into the five worst fantasy offenses in Week 9 and try to see which ones we should avoid (or consider forgiving) as we move forward into Week 10 and beyond.
5. Houston Texans
The Texans weren't awful on offense on Sunday, but 268 total yards isn't great either. And they also settled for five field goals on the day. With C.J. Stroud leaving the game, Davis Mills stepped in and threw for 137 passing yards, while Nick Chubb (34 rushing yards) and Dalton Schultz (77 receiving yards) led the way otherwise. Chubb and Woody Marks are detracting from each other's fantasy value, but Nico Collins saw 11 targets in his return. He's really the only Texan to rely on moving forward for fantasy purposes.
Week 10 Best Bet to Produce: Nico Collins
4. Minnesota Vikings
While the Vikings upset the Lions, it wasn't because of a huge offensive output from Minnesota. J.J. McCarthy had three total touchdowns on the day, but he only threw for 143 yards. Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason combined for 100-plus rushing yards, but they didn't put up huge fantasy numbers. And while Justin Jefferson and T.J. Hockenson both scored, neither managed more than 47 receiving yards as Jordan Addison led the team with 48. The Vikings have some figuring out to do moving forward as this type of offensive output won't win many games.
Week 10 Best Bet to Produce: Justin Jefferson
3. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers came out of Sunday with a big 27-20 win over the Colts, but it wasn't because of their offense. They only had 241 yards of total offense on the day, and Aaron Rodgers only threw for 203 yards. Jaylen Warren was bottled up to the tune of 31 rushing yards, and Calvin Austin led receivers with just 56 yards. Pittsburgh is a sneaky bad fantasy offense (they're bottom-six in the league in total yards per game), but it's hard to bench D.K. Metcalf and Warren moving forward.
Week 10 Best Bet to Produce: Jaylen Warren
2. New Orleans Saints
The Saints only managed 10 points against the Rams in their 34-10 loss and totaled 224 yards of offense for the day. Tyler Shough only threw for 146 yards, Rashid Shaheed led the team with 68 receiving yards, and Taysom Hill (yes, Taysom Hill) led the rushing attack with 30 rushing yards. New Orleans is a bottom-5 offense, and there's really not much fantasy value here outside of Chris Olave. Devin Neal could find himself in a starting role if Alvin Kamara is traded, but that doesn't offer much promise either as Neal managed just 11 yards on three carries in the loss (while Kamara only had 14 yards on six carries).
Week 10 Best Bet to Produce: Chris Olave
1. Tennessee Titans
The Titans are easily the worst offense in the NFL in terms of total yards per game, and that's basically submarined any fantasy value to be had here. This week's game was no different as they only put up 206 total yards in the loss to the Chargers. Cam Ward only threw for 145 yards, Tony Pollard led the team with just 56 rushing yards, and Elic Ayomanor led the team with only 46 receiving yards. With Pollard on the trade block, Tyjae Spears could step in and have some fantasy value, but there's not much to see here otherwise.
Week 10 Best Bet to Produce: Tyjae Spears
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Once a top-ranked fantasy gamer on ESPN, Nick Raducanu has been playing fantasy sports for over 25 years. His written fantasy coverage includes stops at Rotoworld, Rotowire, and The New York Times.