Week Nine of the 100th season is officially in the books. It brought us the Patriots’ first loss of the season, the Dolphins’ first win, and a Seahawks-Buccaneers shootout. It was another entertaining week in the NFL that made me question who’ll represent each conference in the playoffs. Nevertheless, I return with the Week Nine edition of my NFL stock market. Whose stock rose from last week, and whose performance dropped-off?
Stock Up: Russell Wilson vs. Buccaneers
67.4 completion percentage, 378 passing yards, 5 passing touchdowns, and a 133.7 passer rating.
Here Russell Wilson is again with his stock going up. Wilson might just end the season as the league’s best offensive player or most valuable one. In this eye-popping shootout against Tampa Bay, Wilson did what he does best, which is pretty much everything. He absolutely flamed this Buccaneers’ defense who really had nothing to combat him. All season he’s been playing like the best player in the league.
Leading the Seahawks to a 7-2 record, Wilson continues to impress the masses on his quest for his first MVP award. Although he’s not my favorite to win the award, there’s no doubt that he’s the general favorite. Many rave about Patrick Mahomes, but while he was down with an injury, Wilson has been still performing. After Week 9, Wilson’s totals include 22 passing touchdowns and just one interception. As impressive as these performances are, they’re turning into just business as usual for Wilson.
Stock Down: Aaron Rodgers vs. Chargers
65.7 completion percentage, 161 passing yards, 1 passing touchdown, and a 85.5 passer rating
It wasn’t an awful day from Aaron Rodgers nor a good one. It was an uncharacteristic showing from one of the league’s most talented quarterbacks. Just when I thought Rodgers was entering the MVP conversation, he took himself out. In games against the Raiders, Chiefs, and Cowboys, Rodgers was just unstoppable. That was largely in part to Aaron Jones stepping in for Davante Adams. However, as good as he’s been, he took a bad loss to the Chargers.
This reinvented Matt LaFleur offense is one that’s more than capable of putting up more than 11 points. Every team has their bad games, though, which is why I can give Rodgers a break. Despite that, it must be widely understood that the NFC is open for the taking. A really good team in the conference won’t make the playoffs. And, if Rodgers keeps playing like this, the Packers will be that team. Let’s hope for a much-needed turnaround.
Stock Up: Christian McCaffrey vs. Titans
24 carries, 146 rushing yards, and 2 rushing touchdowns.
As I’ve stated, Russell Wilson isn’t my favorite to win the MVP Award, Christian McCaffrey is. I shamefully ranked him as my fifth-best running back for this season. However, we can all agree that he should’ve been ranked much higher. It was another dominating display from McCaffrey whose numbers are challenging those of Chris Johnson in 2009. McCaffrey earns a stock up for his continued dominance on the ground.
No defense seems to be able to completely shut him down, as he keeps finding ways to score. Putting up these numbers against the 13th-ranked defense should count for something, right? McCaffrey is my MVP frontrunner. He’s shown to be the most elusive, effective, and dominating non-QB this season. His numbers continue to reflect that of an MVP, and because of that, McCaffrey’s stock just keeps on rising.
Stock Down: Le’Veon Bell vs. Dolphins
Le’Veon Bell told his fantasy owners that he would make up for his absence last season. So far, not so good. The Jets are among the worst teams in the NFL with one of the worst head coaches. Bell, in my opinion, began his comeback on the wrong team. The Jets are just awful, to say the least, and Bell is in the middle of it. Their offensive line is nothing special, and he doesn’t have a quarterback that makes him as effective as Ben Roethlisberger did in Pittsburgh. It’s safe to say that this stock down was long overdue because he really hasn’t been the player I thought he’d be.
Stock Up: Lamar Jackson vs. Patriots
73.9 completion percentage, 163 passing yards, 1 passing touchdown, a 107.7 passer rating, 15 carries, 61 rushing yards, and 2 rushing touchdowns.
This is what the analysts call a statement game. Lamar Jackson showed up and showed out in what was the Patriots’ first real test of the season. The young quarterback faced off against the then best defense in the league who had Tom Brady on the other side of the ball. Jackson didn’t have an overly great showing, but he did enough to hand New England their first loss. In previously hyped up match-ups against Russell Wilson and Patrick Mahomes, one can argue that Jackson disappeared in both games.
That wasn’t the case against New England where Jackson passed the ball with precision, was effective on the ground, and was a leader all night. Do I believe that Jackson can lead the Ravens to the Super Bowl? No. However, he showed the world that, with him behind center, the Ravens can beat any team in the AFC. We can only continue to watch and see what other jaw-dropping moments Jackson has in store for us. Stock up for Jackson who knocked off who many had as the best team in the NFL.
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