Peace or Panic? - Week 9

As is always the case, the NFL regular season is filled with players who haven't met our expectations yet. We weekly talk through the current state of things in our segment called - "Peace or Panic."

If you're listening now, you know who you might be panicking about—players who've gotten off to a slow start or had a down week this past week.

Our fantasy coaches, Trip Smith and Bryce Johnson, share their thoughts below.

Week 9 Peace or Panic: Fantasy Football Edition

Welcome back to another edition of Peace or Panic, where we assess whether you should feel calm or concerned about some of the most debated players in fantasy football. As we enter the crucial weeks of the season, let’s see who’s causing us worry and who might still turn it around.

DJ Moore: Peace or Panic?

Verdict: Panic

It’s hard to stay calm when DJ Moore’s production has plummeted. Over the past three games, Moore has failed to eclipse 10 fantasy points, managing only four catches for 33 yards in his latest outing. The frustration is understandable, especially given his flashes of brilliance earlier this season, including a monster game against the Carolina Panthers. However, that performance is looking more like an outlier. If you remove that game from his stat line, Moore would rank around WR 40 on the season.

The real issue lies with the Bears' overall dysfunction. Their offense has turned back into a pumpkin, and it’s clear that head coach Matt Eberflus and offensive coordinator Shane Waldron are not getting the best out of their players. Even though Moore is a top-20 NFL talent, the mismanagement and lack of consistency in the offense have tanked his fantasy outlook. Until Chicago sorts out its coaching woes, Moore’s fantasy production will remain sporadic. Big Panic here.

CJ Stroud: Peace or Panic?

Verdict: Panic (with a caveat)

CJ Stroud burst onto the scene with an impressive rookie year and started this season strong, but recent performances have been troubling. Stroud has completed less than 50% of his passes in two of his last three games, and he’s managed just one touchdown over that stretch. In his most recent outing, Stroud went 11-for-30 for 191 yards, no touchdowns, and took a brutal eight sacks. The offensive struggles are starting to impact fantasy owners.

The Texans' offense isn’t as reliant on Stroud airing it out this year, in part because of a much-improved running game featuring Joe Mixon, who has been more effective than expected. The return of Nico Collins could provide a boost, but overall, Stroud’s role is shifting. Houston is still playoff-competitive and doesn’t need Stroud to put up big numbers every week. While there’s hope for a rebound, Stroud’s current trajectory suggests a level of Panic for fantasy managers.

Final Thoughts

The NFL season is all about adjustments, and fantasy managers need to be prepared to adapt as well. DJ Moore’s struggles are tied to a deeply flawed Bears team, making it hard to trust him down the stretch. Meanwhile, CJ Stroud has shown flashes of brilliance but faces an uphill battle in a changing offensive scheme.

As always, capitalize on players with favorable matchups and look for opportunities to trade or bench players whose situations seem dire. Good Luck!