Rod Villagomez and Munaf Manji break down NFL Week 9 fantasy football. The guys also preview Thursday Night football Ravens at Dolphins
Rod Villagomez & Munaf Manji — Week 9 Fantasy Focus

Week 9 arrives with playoff hopes on the line and the fantasy margins thinner than ever. Rod Villagomez and Munaf Manji dig into the chaos of byes, injuries, and the Thursday night clash between Baltimore and Miami. The Ravens finally welcome Lamar Jackson back, and his presence reshapes both the offense and the week’s fantasy outlook. Derrick Henry looks revitalized and ready to punish a Miami defense that’s struggled to stop the run despite holding Bijan Robinson in check. The expectation is a heavy dose of ground dominance mixed with Lamar’s creative spark. Baltimore sits near a touchdown favorite, and while Miami’s coming off a shock win over Atlanta, this feels like a classic correction spot. Fantasy managers are weighing trust: Rashod Bateman, quiet for most of the year, gets another chance with Lamar at full strength; Justice Hill and Keaton Mitchell become late-game upside plays. For the Dolphins, Malik Washington remains a sneaky target option as volume keeps him fantasy relevant. Beyond Thursday, Rod and Munaf circle the season’s pivot points — players who can define playoff pushes. Woody Marks has quietly turned into a reliable producer in Houston, blending rushing and receiving work in double-digit weeks. Travis Hunter’s breakout for Jacksonville was dazzling but risky to repeat. Taj Spears continues to carve into Tony Pollard’s usage in Tennessee, proving that efficiency and timing matter more than depth-chart labels. Christian Watson’s return instantly boosts Green Bay’s vertical threat, while emerging names like Troy Franklin and Bam Knight headline deep-league wish lists. As Rod notes, it’s the stretch when every decision can tilt an entire season. Start confidence matters more than ceiling projections; knowing when to trust floor plays can separate contenders from dreamers. For Munaf, the metrics say Baltimore’s offense explodes and Henry hits the over on both rushing attempts and yards. For Rod, the flex debate dominates the week — Bateman’s boom potential versus Washington’s steady volume. The conclusion is the same: keep the lineup flexible, trust usage over hype, and ride the matchups that feel sustainable, not just exciting. Week 9 rewards those who read momentum rather than panic over one bad week. With Lamar’s return and fantasy teams clawing for playoff life, Thursday night sets the tone for a make-or-break stretch across the league.

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