Kickoff: Sunday, November 7th at 1 PM ET
Location: Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina
Betting Odds: NE, -3.5, 40.5 Total on Sports Line
Network: CBS
New England Patriots
Quarterback
Mac Jones (Sit)
Mac Jones deep bomb to Nelson Agholor.
— Pats Buzz (@PatsBuzz) October 31, 2021
Mac Jones has been one of, if not the most impressive rookie QB, football-wise. Fantasy-wise he’s been very underwhelming, but this is understandable as we’ve seen the Patriots aren’t trying to rely on him to win games. Jones has found consistent targets in this offense and is looking like a good dynasty piece going forward. In this game against one of the better secondaries in the game, I expect Jones to be his consistent self. He probably won’t go past 225 yards and a TD, maybe 2. Jones is a sit-in this game because he’s been a sit most of this season, he’s played a game manager role this season. I understand the logic but hate the fantasy value, he’s a QB2 for fantasy managers that need a desperation spot-start.
Running Backs
Damien Harris (Start), Brandon Bolden (Flex option)
Damien Harris' sixth rushing TD of the season! #ForeverNE
📺: #NEvsLAC on CBS
📱: NFL app pic.twitter.com/9E6g9oXLO8— NFL (@NFL) October 31, 2021
Damien Harris is becoming a locked and loaded high-end RB2 and could end up an RB1 this season. Harris has been averaging 95 yards/game for the past 3 games. Since the Panthers undefeated streak ended they have allowed 122 yards on average to opposing running backs. This to me says start Harris with confidence because he’ll have a RB1 game this week. Brandon Bolden, I would say could be flexed, I personally wouldn’t do it. The reason why is because the Panthers have been damn good at defending pass-catching backs, only allowing 28 catches, for 145 and a TD. For me, Bolden is a desperation Flex, but should be sat this week.
Wide Receivers and Tight Ends
Jakobi Meyers (Sit), Nelson Agholor (Flex), Kendrick Bourne (Flex), Hunter Henry (Start), Jonnu Smith (Sit)
https://twitter.com/FTBVids_YT/status/1454905568649363457
Jakobi Meyers would be a good player to have if he ever scored touchdowns. He gets the target volume, he’s guaranteed 4 receptions, 40 yards but without a TD, that stat line sucks. So for me, I’m starting to fade Meyers, I’d sit him this week personally, he’s a flex at best. Nelson Agholor is a good play this week, he’s averaged 5 targets over the last three games. The thing that makes Agholor a play over Meyers to me is what he can do with the ball, he’s a speedster so there’s always a chance he can take it to the house. For that reason, I deem Agholor a flex option for this Week 9 matchup. Kendrick Bourne is a “safety net” for Jones, and someone Jones likes to go to in close games. I’m predicting this will be a close game and that bourne will get involved in Week 9. Look for him to be a flex option in PPR leagues, not in standard. The Panthers have been middle of the road against tight ends this year and for the Patriots it’s Hunter Henry that you want. So far out of the two, he’s been the most effective. Henry is a startable TE1, and Jonnu Smith should not be played until we see more involvement.
Carolina Panthers
Quarterback
Sam Darnold (Sit)
Imagine being Robby Anderson getting out of New York, signing a new contract, and having a career year only for Sam Darnold to come back and almost end ur career https://t.co/qIYX8rbl7Z
— Mike Renner (@mikerenner_) October 31, 2021
Sam Darnold might not be the quarterback in Carolina for long, but until then he’s a sit. Darnold just has not been the same since Christian McCaffrey went down. Since Week 4, Darnold has thrown 7 interceptions and has looked absolutely like he’s wearing a Jets uniform underneath that Panthers uniform. Just someone that you want to get away from this week. It’s hard to think that Darnold is going to flash against a team that has held Justin Herbert and Tom Brady in check. Darnold is a QB2 for people that need him out of desperation this week.
Running Backs
Christian McCaffrey (Start), Chuba Hubbard (Start)
Chuba Hubbard punches it in for 6!
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/PwhWXIgaCA
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) October 31, 2021
Christian McCaffrey is coming off the IR this week but isn’t a guaranteed start this week. So for CMC managers, keep track of the injury report. If he plays, then you play him obviously, right?! Chuba Hubbard should be a play if CMC is out. The Patriots have allowed the eighth-most rushing yards (797) and fourth-most receiving yards (476) to opposing running backs. Sounds like a good day to be a Panthers running back, start whoever plays. CMC should be an RB1, and if Chuba plays he’ll be an RB2.
Wide Receivers and Tight Ends
DJ Moore (Start), Robby Anderson (Sit)
Last time DJ Moore visited the Benz dome…👀 pic.twitter.com/hFeTUDiWsA
— Unnecessary Bluntness Owner/Coach/QB (@DuncOnDemand) October 28, 2021
DJ Moore is it for this team, I don’t even feel good starting him because he’ll draw J.C. Jackson. Moore unfortunately is someone you can’t put on your bench. So I’ll say he’ll be a decent PPR guy, probably a WR2/3 in PPR, and WR3 in standard. I don’t think I have to go in-depth on why not to start Robby Anderson, but first off that injury that he sustained last week was brutal. What can be more brutal, oh how about his stat line, 50 targets, 18 catches, 204 yards, and 2 TDs. Stay away from him, he is a desperation flex, and even then look on the waiver wire before you submit the lineup.
“Henry Ruggs III was involved in a car accident earlier this week, in which the other vehicle involved unfortunately saw a casualty.”
aka
“Henry Ruggs III killed someone while drunk driving”
Everyone in America get high some kind of way rather it’s with drugs or drinking sad that this happened but things happen
Please don’t excuse his behavior like it couldn’t have been prevented by justifying it with a “things happen” comment. He made the choice to have the blood alcohol twice the legal limit, and chose to not only drive drunk but at high speed while intoxicated. He should have done the responsible thing and called for an Uber.