Brace yourself for everything Week 9 had to offer as managers move forward. Was he a one-hit wonder? Did someone falter and end up back in the free agent pool? The information comes at you from every angle, like so many schedule adjustments that happen on Sundays at 12:59 p.m. Join us for a long-winded stream of consciousness rivaled only by the YouTube show/podcast of the same name (9 p.m. EST Tuesday evenings on YouTube).
Given the current circumstances, there is even more wisdom to consider regarding the latest notable developments in the NFL and how they impact you, the manager. These could be trending thoughts from industry analysts on Twitter, or my own take on specific topics. It’s all for the benefit of everyone from casual fans to seasoned veterans.
Get ready for the stretch run to the playoffs. We fly to the moon so we can play among the stars. Let’s go.
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Fantasy Football News
The byes keep saying goodbye
Dropping Kyler Murray so Brissett wins a week of fantasy football is a bold choice. But I’ll do it again
— Ryan (@RyanDTWD) November 4, 2025
‘Tis the season of despair! Fantasy managers everywhere are being forced to make tough (or not so… see above) decisions to stay afloat. This is also the first time players have done this at a lot…also called ‘crafting’. On the one hand, you have a tough guy in your lineup who isn’t particularly sexy, but is reliable. But the downside is an explosive, shiny new car with no guaranteed play time. To top it all off, each game has choice features, like so many post-Halloween Snickers vs. 3 Musketeers decisions. At that point you will definitely choose wrong. In retrospect, you were right all along. That’s why “tinkering” can be the downfall of any team, even one currently in the driver’s seat.
‘Show me what life is like’
The grass is not always greener and mistakes are made at the most inopportune times. It’s the fantasy manager’s way of rebounding that sets the contenders apart from the bridesmaids. The temptation is always to do too much instead of what got you to this point in the beginning.
Stafford or Drake Maye? Leaning towards Maye, I’m 7-1, stick with what got me here? #AskFFT
— T (@tomzukowski) November 2, 2025
When you have a side that has somehow defied the odds this season to (I assume) establish a commanding lead in the league, then right now not to change horses mid-stream. This is what “tinkering” can do with a team. Do you want to look back and say you lost/won with your best team? The one that got you to 7-1? Or would you rather have the opposite and hear “…and THEN he drops Maye!” at every league match until the end of time?
There is a time and place to take the right steps to improve your fantasy football team. Successful managers carefully weigh their options, research the moves, look at the upcoming schedules and ask, “Do I care if this player is on a competitor’s team?” If the answer is no, it won’t shake up the core of your team and “Go with God.” If the answer is yes, you better shoot for the moon. This is only advisable if the team is mediocre and you need a Hail Mary to make the postseason. Sugar, we’re going down swinging.
Step aside, you puny man
To the above purpose, there is a time and place to voice those acts of desperation that could pay off in a run to the playoffs. As we say time and time again, the hardest part is getting there. Once you arrive, it is “Any given Sunday” times ten. The muscular best team rarely wins in fantasy football, leaving a glimmer of hope for the skinny, pasty white wallflower who just wants to take a shot at the weights.
Life as a fantasy football manager is a lot like that. After all, that is not necessary play football or be the biggest guy. If you’re the smartest, you’re more likely to do mental gymnastics around that 30-year-old who still talks about that time they won state in 2013 and he got the most popular girl in school… the best friend.
There is a time and place to flex your muscles
It is of utmost importance not to let your fellow competitors dictate how you should behave in fantasy football. You can evaluate drops and calculate FAAB as you like. That’s research and it can give you an edge. Looking ahead to potential playoff schedules when adding players can do the same.
Brian Thomas Jr. left the week 15-16 showdown with CB Sauce Gardner and Pat Surtain…
Now to see Sauce Gardner Weeks 14 AND 17 with Pat Surtain in week 16.
this man can’t catch a break
— Andrew Erickson™ (@AndrewErickson_) November 4, 2025
Nowhere is it more important not to let your competition dictate your choices than with projected pre-matchup point totals. Even the most disciplined fantasy football managers have fallen into the trap of trying to get the higher expected total on their respective platforms. I have news: You can do better than whatever AI they’re using or an intern cutting their teeth in the industry. Trust your feeling. If you’re surprised when a player is projected higher, find out why.
At the risk of putting a lot of “analysts” out of work, you can try to move away from “should I start this guy or this guy” and ask someone who will take the time to explain why the projections are the way they are. First of all, there are a lot of analysts and forecasters, great guys and gals who are always happy to help. Or pay for a service that puts everything in black and white. Even better, find someone you like and respect and work out a personal deal.
If none of these things appeal, trust your judgment. As soon as you start asking five different starting/sitting questions with the same team in the same week, it is no longer really your team. There is some heavy lifting to be done on your end. You will have more fun and satisfaction when you play this crazy game.
Now let’s get to the good stuff.
This is a textbook NFL touchdown… Depending on the schedule of the officiating crew:pic.twitter.com/EL5SIelg19
— sidelinecreeper (@Sidelinecreepin) February 6, 2020
Walking the exemption wire
If you hit the wire tonight, here are some winners:
- Colston Loveland | TE, CHI (24%)
- Alec Pierce | WR, IND (27%)
- Parker Washington | W.R., J.A.C. (18%)
- Marcus Mariota | QB, WAS (5%)
- Carlo Tillman | W.R., C.L.E (11%)
- Malik Washington | W.R., M.I.A. (17%)
- Devin Singletair | R.B., N.Y.G. (5%)
- Money Demercado | R.B., A.R.I. (7%)
- Kyle Monangi | RB, CHI from CHI71%)
- Tez Johnson | W.R., T.B. (35%)
- Theo Johnson | TE, NYG (33%)
- Troy Franklin | WR, DEN (48%)
Fantasy football injury watch
Quarterbacks
- Jayden Daniels (WAS) has a severely dislocated elbow and is out indefinitely, but the injury will not require surgery. Whether he returns or not will likely depend on Washington’s play in the coming weeks.
- CJ Stroud took a big hit and ended up in concussion protocol. He’s unlikely to appear in Week 10, which would give Davis Mills the start.
- Brock Purdy (SF, toe/shoulder) and Kyler Murray (ARI, foot) are both still on the everyday list and could look to return for Week 10.
Running backs
- Bucky Irving (TBB, shoulder) is still listed as day-to-day but has no timetable for return.
- Omarion Hampton (LAC, ankle) remains on injured reserve (IR). According to HC Jim Harbaugh, he won’t return until after the Chargers’ Week 12 at the earliest. Fantasy managers shouldn’t expect a comeback.
- Trey Benson (ARI, meniscus) has recovered from surgery and is attending meetings. While he works with trainers, he has not returned to practice. Benson will be eligible for reinstatement after this weekend, but will likely remain out until Week 12. He’s a sneaky waiver wire stock for the playoffs at just 59% on the roster.
- All other running injuries are listed as daily. Monitor practice reports.
Wide receivers and tight ends
This is the most devastating injury since Bakhtiari tore his ACL just before the 2020 playoffs. I am absolutely sick of this. We don’t have a man to step in and do what he did for us 😔💔 pic.twitter.com/Aystht8sxu
— Tucker Kraft, see you in Valhalla 🍺🧀🐐 (@GOATRodgersSZN) November 2, 2025
- Garrett Wilson (NYJ, knee) said he plans to play in Week 10.
- Terry McLaurin (WAS, quad) injured his quad again and will be out for at least two weeks. Probably more.
- Ricky Pearsall (SF, knee) is day to day, but without a timetable. He has already been ruled out for week 10.
- Cooper Kupp (SEA, hamstring) plans to return in week 10. So do the Seahawks added Rashid Shaheed to their wide reception area.
- Chris Godwin (TBB, ankle) does still “getting close,” but has no timetable.
- Marvin Mims (DEN, concussion) could almost miss Week 10. The Broncos play Thursday night.
- Tucker Kraft (GBP, ACL) is lost this season.
- Cole Kmet (CHI, back) re-aggravated a lower back injury but was able to return to the Week 9 game… then left with a concussion that will likely keep him out of Week 10
More “Whiplash!” to come
We’ll be back next Tuesday with more football junk food before you settle for waiver claims! More quick hits and injury updates than you can shake a stick at. Use your head! Don’t make unnecessary moves and make the right ones count. Pay attention to the playoff schedules. Destroy the waivers, steal some drops, talk some smack and get your popcorn ready. People are counting on you… kick the metal!
Please note, op “Fantasy Whiplash! LIVE” at 9pm EST on Tuesday (that’s tonight!), we’ll dig deeper into waiver wire gems, fades, and sleepers! I’ll see you back next Tuesday for all your fantasy football news.
Be sure to visit us at “Fantasy Whiplash LIVE!” wherever you get your podcasts or on YouTube every Tuesday night at 9pm EST! It’s completely different from the buzz drum you’re used to! Have fun in the chat and ask questions if you have any!
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