🏈 Waving Hello to a Title

Good morning. We’re back and onto Week 8: Surviving the worst bye-week in fantasy football history wasn’t easy, but you did it. You lived to Die Another Day.

The Cowboys didn’t lose this week and it’s a great day to be a Bengals fan.

Also, as an FYI - our shares of Damien Harris, A.J. Brown, and Elijah Mitchell are up almost 30% on Prediction Strike (the stock market for fantasy football).

What a weekend, what a waiver wire, and what a newsletter!

Waiver Wire Report

Last week we highlighted top waiver pickups including D’Ernest Johnson, Rashod Bateman, and Mo Alie-Cox (who now has 4TD/4 games). Past recs include Dawson Knox, Kadarius Toney, and Khalil Herbert (before it was cool).

What’s worse than victory laps? Victory laps by people who also got it wrong (see: Miles Sanders). But enough about us, let’s get into the waivers.

RB: Kenneth Gainwell

I don’t know many who go by Kenneth, but I do know one. The Kenneth I know might be a thing:

The Kenneth I know:

• Was the 2nd best RB in Week 4 according to PFF’s rating (90.0).

• Was PFF’s 5th highest graded RB on the season going into Week 5.

• Played QB until college. In college, the Kenneth I know was so good at RB that Memphis moved Antonio Gibson to WR to make room for Kenneth to be RB.

• In 14 games at Memphis:

  • Kenneth Gainwell: 2000+ total yards - 16 TDs.

  • Antonio Gibson: 900+ total yards - 12 TDs.

• Runs a lot like D’Andre Swift

• Saw 51% of the snaps in Week 7, his previous career-high was 39%.

• Is the #1 priority add this week with Miles Sanders week-to-week (ankle).

Please Nick Sirianni, don’t be an idiot. Play the one Kenneth I know.

WR: Rashod Bateman. Again.

Bateman made his presence felt in Week 7, tying Marquise Brown for the team lead in receiving yards (80) in only his second NFL game. What we wrote last week is still true (and Sammy Watkins is still injured):

Plus, you can change your team name to the Master-Baters.

TE: C.J. Who’sYourMomma

The nickname worked better for T.J. Houshmandzadeh, but C.J. Uzomah remains a stud. Uzomah saw above 83% of snaps (in 3/4 games) and:

• After his 91 yard 2 TD performance against the Ravens on Sunday, now has 5 TDs and 217 yards in the past 4.

• No other Bengals TE sees any work in the passing game, making Uzomah a viable streamer against the Jets in Week 8.

• He also returned Sebastian’s phone in one piece (video).

Give Me More Nerd!

You must consider adding the following:

• Michael Gallup: Expected to return from the IR soon: saw 7 targets in his lone game this season.

• Mo Alie-Cox: Do we need to explain again?

• Boston Scott: We’re higher on Gainwell but Scott will see opportunities in Sanders’ absence.

• Marquez Valdes-Scantling: There’s hope he returns Week 8 (which D. Adams might miss).

Quick Slants

• In the most depressing news of the day, the Eagles are trading Joe Flacco to the Jets for a conditional 2022 sixth-round pick. Not sure what will be worse, watching Joe Flacco play or the Jets offence.

• Despite a brutal Week 7, Kyle Shanahan announced Jimmy Garoppolo will start this week against the Bears. Trey Lance remains one-injury/Jimmy G poor performance away from being fantasy-worthy. Stash if you could use a high-upside QB.

• Davante Adams is unlikely to suit up Thursday after the Packers placed him on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Adams must return two negative COVID-19 tests 24 hours apart to be activated from the reserve/COVID list, which means if he tests positive today, he’s out. Unless you have depth, you’re starting Robert Tonyan & Allen Lazard.

• Matt Nagy tested positive for COVID-19. The Bears also tested positive for Being-Terrible in Week 8.

• Josina Anderson reports Nick Chubb (calf) is expected to play in Week 8 against the Steelers, barring any setbacks in practice.

It’s an Amazing Day

No, we’re not talking about the fact that Adam Gase still isn’t an NFL coach, or that Cam Akers might return for the playoffs (both great); we’re talking about the Morning Huddle’s first-ever giveaway. Here’s how it works: 

• When you share the Huddle today after getting your unique referral link, you are entered into a raffle to win an NFL jersey of your choice.

• If you win a jersey, we'll select someone you referred to win one, too. And the more you share, the better chance you have (1 referral = 1 ticket).

• If you hit 12 referrals, you win a customized championship ring & case with your league name on it ($75 value) Act quick, we’re drawing the winners on Nov 1.

• You can see all prizes by clicking below:

Thanks for joining me this morning. We’ll be back tomorrow with deep dives, a stats roundup, and much more.

- Jake

PS: If you’re in first place and can’t get the top waiver adds, you can always buy them on Prediction Strike. Then, when someone asks what you’re doing, you can respond: I’m investing, Karen.

Who needs Tesla when this is your portfolio:

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