C.J. Stroud’s historic day stands out among ugly QB play in Week 9

Did the Chiefs and Dolphins disappoint you in Week 9? Were you let down by the Seahawk or Ram receivers? Fear not, because C.J. Stroud is here to rewrite the record books.

In a thrilling game between the Texans and Buccaneers, Houston made a stunning comeback to win 39-37. The game featured multiple lead changes, including two in the final minute. Baker Mayfield’s touchdown pass seemed like the game-winner, but Stroud led a miraculous 75-yard scoring drive to steal the victory. Stroud connected with fellow rookie, Tank Dell, for the winning 15-yard touchdown pass.

Stroud’s performance was historic, as he amassed 470 passing yards and five touchdowns. It’s the highest passing yardage by a rookie in NFL history, and only the second time a rookie quarterback has thrown for five touchdowns, joining Matthew Stafford.

Stroud’s tape confirms his impressive stats. He made smart decisions from clean pockets and showed the ability to salvage plays when under pressure. His ball placement allowed his receivers to generate yards after catch, and he displayed accuracy and arm strength when needed.

Interestingly, the Texans lost to the Panthers last week, despite Stroud outperforming Bryce Young. This performance raises questions about the Panthers’ decision in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Before Week 9, Stroud had a solid but not outstanding fantasy season. However, he exploded with 41.80 fantasy points in this game. He had not surpassed 22 points in the previous two months, making him an overlooked option for many fantasy managers. Nevertheless, the Texans’ receivers had a field day. Dell, Noah Brown, and Nico Collins all had impressive performances, and Dalton Schultz had a standout game as a tight end.

Stroud’s ability to distribute the ball allowed four different pass catchers to contribute to fantasy scores, a rare occurrence in fantasy football. However, the Texans’ running game was lackluster, as Devin Singletary struggled to produce despite multiple opportunities.

In Tampa Bay, fantasy success depended on individual needs. Rachaad White delivered with his volume-driven performance, while surprise tight end Cade Otton emerged as a winner with two touchdowns. Mike Evans and Chris Godwin’s performances were underwhelming, and Mayfield had a decent but not spectacular fantasy game.

Week 9 saw several disappointing performances from quarterbacks. Patrick Mahomes and Tua Tagovailoa failed to reach 200 passing yards in a lackluster game. Lamar Jackson had a dominant win but didn’t post significant fantasy numbers. Deshaun Watson had a decent outing, but some of his points came from a fortunate touchdown pass. Jordan Love and Mac Jones also underwhelmed, but there is hope for improvement.

Despite these disappointing performances, there were also positive surprises. The Cowboys and Eagles provided an entertaining fantasy matchup, and regular Bengals and Bills players came through. The return of the Broncos, Lions, Jaguars, and 49ers to the player pool next week brings excitement, and Joshua Dobbs impressed in his Vikings debut. Justin Jefferson’s return is on the horizon.

In fantasy football, it’s not about outscoring everyone; it’s about outscoring your opponent. This season, you don’t need to be perfect to be competitive. Each season brings its own quirks, but there’s plenty of excitement and surprises in the 2023 season.

Speed Round:
– Sam Howell showed improvement in his decision-making and downfield passing, facing tough opponents in the Eagles’ pass rush and the Patriots’ defense.
– Taysom Hill shines near the goal line for the Saints, contributing with his running, receiving, and passing abilities.
– Jaylen Warren outperformed Najee Harris in several metrics, and the usage between the two needs to be adjusted.
– Tyson Bagent showed promise for the Bears, but he needs to perform at his highest level to secure the starting job.
– Aaron Jones’ workload and involvement in all offensive packages make him a low-end RB1 option.
– The Green Bay passing game lacked efficiency, and no receiver is a reliable fantasy start.
– The Dallas offense functions better when tight end Jake Ferguson is utilized as the second passing option.
– The Seahawks plan to self-assess after a disappointing loss and may involve rookies Zach Charbonnet and Jaxon Smith-Njigba more.
– The Seahawks’ decision to prioritize Kenneth Walker over other rookies suggests a potential change in strategy.

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John Smith

ohn Smith is your NFL insider, providing in-depth coverage of football’s biggest league. With a passion for the game and a keen eye for statistics, John delivers game analysis, player profiles, and breaking news to keep readers updated on all things NFL.