Week 9 - BRIAN WITH THE SAVE

As our fearless leader, Thomas, has experienced technical difficulties I figured I’d do a quick week 9 preview as I wait for the 1:00 pm kickoffs. There will be a snapshot of the power rankings below followed by week 9 game previews.

Power Rankings

(based on FantasyPros ROS Rankings)* Updated in last 3 days

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Game of the Week

Kill God, become Jesus (4-4)

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VT 35 ODU 49 (4-4) +9

Our GOTW this week features two well-rounded teams slugging it out for 2nd place in the WUBALUBADUBDUB Division. The winner of this tight matchup will move into sole possession of 2nd place as well as picking up a key division winner which could come in handy down the line. Another storyline is Joe once again has a chance to get above .500 and regain his team naming rights. Joe will be hoping his stud duo of RBs in Gurley and Zeke will carry him to victory. Lockett, on the other hand, will be banking on the return of Melvin Gordon and his Steelers WRs to keep things close with AJG and Luck on a bye. Gronk is looking iffy so Lockett may be relying on a late waiver wire add to pull this one out.

Fitz-Magic (6-2) vs Harrisonburg 21-16 (3-5) +11.5

The real FitzMagic is back under center and will be lining up for Jacob this week as he goes for the upset bid. He’ll be missing the league’s #1 TE in Zach Ertz with Vance “ I’m Lovin’ It” McDonald filling that void. Two elite options at WR in Hopkins and Julio will lead the way while hoping a solid trio of backs will find the end zone. A loss for Jacob will have him drop to 3-6. On the other side of the field look for Conner and White to continue their surprisingly top 10 seasons to pace Fitzmagic in this one. OBJ on a bye and an injury to Diggs sees Fitzmagic relying on two WRs in Hill and Kupp coming off their own injuries.

Planet Cuck 9 Space Pirates (2-6) vs Super Bowl Champion Eagles (7-1) +5.7

Butler has had some dire luck this season between injuries and close losses but comes into this one as the slight favorite over the league-leading Super Bowl Champion Eagles. Key to this upset bid is the Baaaaaaaaadddddd man himself, Aaron Rodgers against Pat’s own Patriots in prime time. The Philip Lindsay story looks to continue as Freeman is out again while Butler will be hoping Drake and Miller can continue their resurgence. On Thomas’s side of the ball, there is a glutton of talent riding the pine this week due to Bye-pocalpyse. Wentz, Saquan, Mixon, and Marlon Mack are all chilling this week which leaves Shady and the Slam Sedan to lead the backfield while UNC’s own Blake Bortles….I mean Mitch Trubisky gets the call under center. The connection/ battle between Butler’s Rodgers and Thomas’s Adams could prove the difference.

TETRAHYDRO CHUCKABINOL (3-5) vs Call Me Big Popp-ah (6-2) -19.8

Sam enters this game as the league’s leading scorer behind the trio of Hunt, Kamara, CMC and will be looking to stay at the top of the standings with Thomas and I. Chuck, on the other hand, can inch closer to .500 with a major upset here. Pat Mahomes and Sammy Watkins will be striving for a repeat of last week to push Chuck ahead while praying Mahomes and Kelce don’t connect. Speaking of tight ends George Kittle went off on the Thursday night with a fantastic 18.8 point performance to kickstart things for Chuck.

Kings of Leon (3-5) vs Falls Church FOBS (2-6) +44.3

As of this writing at 12:20 pm Phil has 3 bye week players in the lineup leading to this crazy line. Phil plugging in 3 starters would make this a neck in neck game. Nick is lead by Tom Brady and Michael Thomas, with his Colts contingent on a bye as well as Fournette. He’ll be looking for key contributions from his Miami waiver wire pickups. Carson being a GTD will have Nick sweating things out. Phil is off to a rough start with Jordy only contributing 2.6 points on Thursday night, #1 WR Adam Theilen will be looking to put the team on his back Greg Jennings style. Cam Newton and Keenan Allen await Phil’s orders as the clock towards kickoff dwindles down….tick tock….