Gross Bombs: NFL Props for Week 16
Josh Gross
Need a summary of Week 9?
The good got better and the bad got worse.
Elite teams such as Philadelphia (8-1), Baltimore (7-2) and Kansas City (7-2) all found victories while Arizona (1-8), Carolina (1-8), Chicago (2-7), New England (2-7) and the Giants (2-7) all continued their losing ways.
Each Sunday night, I will provide my five instant fantasy football reactions from the slate of games. What were the key performances, surprises and disappointments from across the NFL?
Let’s get into Week 9!
Reaction No. 1: C.J. Stroud Explosion
Houston suffered a rough last-second loss at previously winless Carolina in Week 8, but rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud made sure that didn’t happen again. Stroud ripped Tampa Bay for 470 yards and five touchdowns in a thrilling 39-37 victory over the Buccaneers.
Stroud produced three different 100-yard Texans receivers and threw touchdown passes to four different targets without one single turnover. Stroud led the Texans down the field for the game-winning score in just 46 seconds, capped by this touchdown pass to Tank Dell.
The rookie now has 15 total touchdowns and just one interception on the season. Stroud has thrown for 2,270 yards in just eight games. Houston travels to Cincinnati next week before playing three straight games at home.
Reaction No. 2: Joshua Dobbs Learns Quickly
Joshua Dobbs may have saved Minnesota’s season.
Despite having just arrived this week in a trade from Arizona, Dobbs was thrust into the limelight after Vikings starting quarterback Jaren Hall left with a concussion. Dobbs was simply brilliant, completing 66.7% (20 of 30) of his passes with 66 rushing yards and three total touchdowns in Minnesota’s 31-28 win at Atlanta. It was the Vikings fourth straight win putting them in sole possession of second place in the NFC North, just 1.5 games behind Detroit. This scramble on fourth-and-seven with just 46 seconds left exemplifies Dobbs’ incredible performance.
Minnesota has four winnable games upcoming, against the Saints, Broncos, Bears, and Raiders. They remain hopeful that wide receiver Justin Jefferson can return shortly from a hamstring injury.
Reaction No. 3: Keaton Mitchell, Hot Waiver Wire Pickup?
Baltimore’s decision to sign East Carolina running back Keaton Mitchell this offseason is proving to be a superb choice. Mitchell brings 4.36 speed and elite college production, which is why Sunday’s 138-yard, 1 touchdown performance should not come as a complete surprise. This fourth-quarter, 60-yard run put the cherry on top of a huge Baltimore win.
The Ravens sit atop the NFC North at 7-2, a full 1.5 games ahead of a three-way tie between Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, and Cleveland. Baltimore will face two of those rivals at home the next two weeks, which could translate to more playing time for the dynamic rookie rusher.
Reaction No. 4: Tight End Explosions
While tight end has been a lackluster fantasy position for most of the season, Week 9 gave us the best overall stat lines for the position this season.
Jonnu Smith (ATL): 5 recs, 100 yards, TD
Luke Musgrave (GB): 3 recs, 51 yards, TD
Hunter Henry (NE): 4 recs, 39 yards, TD
Taysom Hill (NO): 4 recs, 13 yards, TD; 52 rush yds; 1 passing TD
Cole Kmet (CHI): 6 recs, 55 receiving yards, 2 TDs
Cade Otton (TB): 6 recs, 70 yards, 2 TDs
Dalton Schultz (HOU): 10 recs, 130 yards, TD
Mark Andrews (BAL): 9 recs, 80 yards
Jake Ferguson (DAL): 7 recs, 91 yards, TD
Dalton Kincaid (BUF): 10 recs, 81 yards
Reaction No. 5: Favorites and Unders Rule The Day
Favorite covered nine of the 13 games this week, while under hit in 10 of the 13 games. On the season, favorites are 69-61-5 (53.1%) ATS, while unders are 82-52-1 (61.2%) this season. (BetLabs).
