Week 9 Recap

As we head into the final stretch of the 2024 season, the stakes are higher than ever. Managers are pulling out every stop to get ahead in the polls (or just a better playoff spot). Here’s a rundown of this week’s results and the shifting approval ratings.

🗽 Bonus Summaries  🗽

Weekly High Score Caucus

Andy rallies his party, snagging his second bonus win with a show-stopping 167.6 points. Meanwhile, Chris, hot on his trail, nearly clinched it with 162.45. They’re both gunning for the "highest score endorsement," but Andy’s pulled off an impressive (and cash-filled) win this week.

Biggest Blowout Platform

No change here! Despite Matt crushing DJ by over 50 points, no one’s come close to the colossal +97.65 lead Josh threw down in Week 6. Think you can do better? That remains to be seen.

The “Win’s a Win” Party

No new developments here, either. Andy still claims the title as front-runner of the “Win’s a Win” constituency with a narrow win score below 115. It’ll take a true low scorer to knock him from his platform.

Survivor Pool

It’s the final four! Adam, Chris, Josh, and Rob have each made it through primary season, but with only 23 points separating the top and bottom candidates this week, the pressure is on. The last man standing will have to outlast them all!

---

 🦅      The Matchups – Candidate Highlights      🦅  

Trash Panda (JASON) vs. Puttin’ on the Ritz (ADAM)

This was a true underdog match-up between the scrappy 8th seed and the well-entrenched 2nd place. Jason stormed the polls with Joe Burrow and Saquon Barkley each scoring over 30 points, making this the biggest performance we’ve seen from him in weeks. But Adam wasn’t about to let him dominate the stage. He countered with Jalen Hurts and De’Von Achane, each surpassing 30 points as well. As the dust settled on Sunday, Jason found himself 25 points behind, with only Travis Kelce and Xavier Worthy left to close the gap. Kelce performed his patriotic duty with a solid 22 points, but Worthy went as negative as a smear campaign, leaving Jason stuck in last place with a sixth straight loss.

And in classic Fantasy Football Dictatorship style, The Farley Rule has come down on Jason. As the rule clearly states:

“Managers are expected to maintain their rosters and lineups on a weekly basis. Starting a competitive lineup maintains the integrity of the league, and ensures that we have an enjoyable and fair fantasy football experience.”

With an inactive Amari Cooper still in his lineup, Jason missed out on a win.  Considering that this error changed the outcome of the match, and his opponent is tied for 1st place and in contention for the playoffs, therefore this had a significant impact on the league overall, Jason has been found Guilty of violating The Farley Rule. Considering this was his first infraction, he’s slapped with a $5 fine. Adam remains tied for first, while Jason ends up polling at rock bottom.

Tua 3, 4 Concussions (ANDY) vs. THE Gimpledaumus (JOSH)

A race for the middle, this matchup saw both candidates gunning for their playoff place. Andy’s campaign surged with Lamar Jackson, Alvin Kamara, and Chuba Hubbard scoring over 20 points each. Josh countered with his youth-mixed-with-experience lineup featuring Jayden Daniels, Chase Brown, and Cooper Kupp. Going into Sunday night, Josh held a lead, but with four players left to go, Andy took the victory. His Kansas City stars clinched the high score for the week, moving him up to a respectable 4th place. Josh, however, drops to a three-game losing streak and needs a serious campaign revamp to stay in playoff contention.

Team Cady (ROB) vs. The BIG Show (CHRIS)

The much-anticipated contest of the week! Rob and Chris entered tied for first, with Points For acting as the only true deciding tie-breaker. This matchup was all about raw power as Kirk Cousins faced off with Josh Allen, and Davante Adams with Garrett Wilson. Both put on an electrifying display, but Chris claimed victory, even without Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s 37 points, securing his top position in the standings. Both head into Week 10 comfortably in playoff territory, each with a fresh set of promises and a wide base of support.

Tua-Tang Clan (MATT) vs. nWo4LIFE (DJ)

The true battleground match of Week 9! Each team needed a win to keep their campaign viable, and Matt’s team finally answered the call with big plays from Bijan Robinson, Zay Flowers, and a defense putting up 19 points. DJ’s approval ratings, meanwhile, took a nosedive as his bottom half players averaged just 1.8 points. DJ ultimately became the only team not to break 100 points this week. Now sitting at 7th with a dim 2% playoff chance, he may need to start looking ahead to 2028.

---

Week 9 has brought some clear front-runners, violations and fines, and questionable lineups. All that seemed to be missing were a few felonies and an aw-shucks take on sexual assault. With only a few weeks left in the season, the field is narrowing, but the excitement is just beginning.