The Sanderson Gazette - 2026-11-11 - Monday Night Meh

Given that four games were undecided until Monday night, it shouldn't surprise anyone that week nine's average margin is the second lowest of the year (behind week one).

Week 9 Recap

Kevin def. Pulley, 92.54-89.87

After Christian Watson's (28.80 for Pulley) and Ja'Marr Chase's (26.67 for Kevin) big days canceled each other out and Jaxon Smith Njigba (6.80 for Pulley) and Kyren Williams (6.63 for Kevin) both disappointed on Sunday, these two were within two points of each other heading into Monday night. In that game, they each had one Viking going, so the stage was set for drama!

Well, the Vikings offense was terrible, so both Aaron Jones, Sr. (2.27 for Pulley) and Jordan Addison (3.73 for Kevin) had bad games... and their respective scores meant Kevin emerged victorious.

Babel def. Richie, 106.12-97.65

Our game of the Blingaweek also went into Monday night in flux, with Babel ultimately holding on as Justin Jefferson (7.73) couldn't do enough for Richie. It was a pyrrhic victory for Babel, though, as standout WRs Puka Nacua (26.00) and Luther Burden III (16.93) both got injured late in their games. (He also lost Josh Jacobs (0.50) early in his.)

Richie was yet again paced by Joe Burrow (31.25) but fell back below .500 on the year.

Schertz def. Scott, 130.63-117.69

Jordan Love (38.40 for Scott) may have outdueled CeeDee Lamb (30.00 for Schertz), but the latter's fantasy team won this barnburner. That was due to Schertz's down-roster guys, like Rome Odunze (14.00) and DeMario Douglas (13.60), putting together respectable games while Scott's, like Alvin Kamara (5.47) and D.J. Moore (4.43), did not.

Rob def. Matt, 112.86-97.94

Rob extended his winning streak to two games while pushing Matt's losing streak to seven behind C.J. Stroud's 38.70 and a strong Monday night performance from the Bills defense (17.00) and Tyler Bass (13.60). Matt had a shot to come back in the week's final game, but Josh Allen scored just 13.20.

Pat def. Derrek, 96.91-69.45

Pat failed to keep his triple digit streak alive, but he did move to 9-0. And he did it with his high scorer being kicker Spencer Shrader (17.60)! That's because Derrek had a week to forget, with Ladd McConkey (zero) getting injured during pre-game activities and the Patriots defense (-3.00) nearly bottoming out.

Ed def. Mike R., 147.27-96.03

Mike also failed to maintain his streak of hundred-plus point games, but it didn't really matter as - for the second straight week - his opponent scored nearly 150 points.

Ed got huge games from Kenneth Walker III (33.67), Matthew Golden (27.87), and Bucky Irving (25.43) as he cruised to victory. Mike suffered through 3.60 from Malik Willis and 4.17 from Devin Singletary.

Rabbit def. Dave, 87.46-70.85

Rabbit ended his four game skid with the 49ers defense (19.00) putting up his highest score. Dave took a zero from Adonai Mitchell and 1.47 from Mike Gesicki as he narrowly avoided his fifth sub-70 game of the year.

Trades

Trade between Ed and Scott

Ed received:

  • Bucky Irving - from Scott - ineligible to be kept
  • Antonio Williams - from Scott - keeper cost: 9th

Scott received:

  • D.J. Moore - from Ed - keeper cost: 2nd
  • Cam Skattebo - from Ed - keeper cost: 7th
  • Jordan Love - from Ed - keeper cost: 10th

This trade was initiated by Scott offering a one-to-one keeper-for-Love deal, and ultimately turned into this.

And brace yourselves: Ed has benefitted from this trade so far! Irving scored 25.43, and he wasn't going to start Love's 38.40. Scott did get that great QB game from Love, but Moore scored just 4.43 and Skattebo missed week nine with injury.

Trade between Ed and Mike R.

Ed received:

  • Kenneth Gainwell - from Mike R. - keeper cost: 8th

Mike R. received:

  • Ka'imi Fairbairn - from Ed - keeper cost: 11th

Ed was carrying two kickers and his week nine, opponent, needed one. Nothing much more to see here.

Standings

  1. Pat, 9-0, 1,024.11
  2. Mike R., 7-2, 1,032.75
  3. Babel, 7-2, 1,020.90
  4. Pulley, 6-3, 1,047.85
  5. Schertz, 6-3, 943.46
  6. Kevin, 5-4, 848.42
  7. Scott, 4-5, 932.36
  8. Richie, 4-5, 829.15
  9. Ed, 3-6, 971.64
  10. Rabbit, 3-6, 851.05
  11. Dave, 3-6, 778.36
  12. Matt, 2-7, 930.59
  13. Derrek, 2-7, 816.76
  14. Rob, 2-7, 771.48

Blingalytics Ratings

  1. Mike R., 688 (7-2)
  2. Pat, 687 (9-0)
  3. Babel, 643 (7-2)
  4. Pulley, 636 (6-3)
  5. Ed, 592 (3-6)
  6. Scott, 548 (4-5)
  7. Matt, 540 (2-7)
  8. Schertz, 534 (6-3)
  9. Rabbit, 439 (3-6)
  10. Kevin, 398 (5-4)
  11. Derrek, 348 (2-7)
  12. Richie, 342 (4-5)
  13. Dave, 322 (3-6)
  14. Rob, 284 (2-7)

Weekly Awards

Team Blangums

Ed's 147.27 was his highest score since 2012 and just the fifth time ever he's scored more than 140.

Slapped Heartbeat

Derrek's 69.45 gave him his first Slapped Heartbeat of the season, though it's not his low mark on the year.

Weekly MVP

How about C.J. Stroud, who scored 38.70 for Rob?

Dud of the Week

If Jaxon Smith-Njigba (6.80) had merely equaled his previous low for the year (10.13), Pulley would have won his matchup.

Start of the Week

He didn't need it to win, but Schertz made a good call starting DeMario Douglas (13.60) over Omarion Hampton (6.00) and Dallas Goedert (6.67).

Misplay of the Week

Tank Dell (20.00) was sitting on Pulley's bench while Aaron Jones, Sr. scored just 2.27, but that would have been a really bold move from Pulley.

He'll still get this award, though, for playing the Broncos defense (7.00) over the Rams (14.00).

Pickup of the Week

Ed picked up the Giants defense and was rewarded with 15.00.

D'Ernest D'oh

Pulley will get this award for the same reason he got Misplay of the Week. He picked up the Rams defense only to leave them on his bench.

Playoff Scenarios

Pat clinches a playoff berth with:

  • a win

OR

  • a Scott loss AND a Richie loss.

Week 10 Preview

Game of the Blingaweek

Bernie's Bullies (Mike R., 7-2, 2nd) vs. Pullman's MondoSquad (Pulley, 6-3, 4th)

Mike R. leads all-time series, 11-8.

Pulley and Mike have been first and second in total points since week five (and also after week three), so this is an easy choice for Game of the Blingaweek.

Mike's coming off consecutive losses after a 7-0 start. While he doesn't need to worry about making the playoffs, this week could be a must-win if he still wants to get a first round bye. That makes George Pickens (vs. SF) extra important; he's been a disappointment all year and isn't a sure thing to return from injury this week. If Mike can get WR2-level play from Pickens on top of Christian McCaffrey (@DAL), Trey McBride (vs. LAR), and Chris Olave (vs. CAR), his championship odds should see a big boost.

Pulley's also on a bit of a skid, having lost two of three and having failed to hit 100 points since his tremendous 182.80 back in week five. Jaxon Smith-Njigba (@LV) was a dud this past week, but he'll be fine moving forward. Christian Watson (vs. MIN) and Malik Nabers (vs. WAS) probably will, too. That means Derrick Henry (vs. LAC) might have to prove he still has a lot left in the tank if Pulley wants to win the Cup.

Pick: Bernie's Bullies, assuming Mike is able to acquire a QB; Pullman's MondoSquad otherwise.

Other Blingamatches

The Vistas are Back (Pat, 9-0, 1st) vs. Barftastic (Richie, 4-5, 8th)

Pat leads all-time series, 10-4.

Just how long can Pat stay undefeated? With the way Jahmyr Gibbs (vs. NE) and Tee Higgins (vs. PIT) have been playing, the answer could be "forever." But let's be real, two players are not enough; Pat will really need Jared Goff (vs. NE) and/or Jayden Daniels (@NYG) to get him points reliably if he wants to capitalize on the promise of his magical season.

Richie doesn't have to worry about QB, where Joe Burrow (vs. PIT) has been outstanding. Burrow and Brock Bowers (vs. SEA) have kept Richie afloat. So now is it time for Justin Jefferson (@GB) - reunited with the QB of his glory days - to start playing like the WR1 Richie was counting on him to be?

Pick: The Vistas are Back.

Let him Cook Moore! (Scott, 4-5, 7th) vs. Live Commish (Ed, 3-6, 9th)

Ed leads all-time series, 6-2.

Scott's new flashy QB, Jordan Love (vs. MIN), goes up against a tough defense this week, so he'll need Cam Skattebo (vs. WAS) to have a strong return from injury against the Blingaleague franchise that traded him away. Scott should also benefit from his Bills duo - James Cook III and D.J. Moore - both being @NYJ.

Coming off a Team Blangums performance and with the fifth highest point total in the league, Ed once again has playoff hopes. Kenneth Walker III (@ATL) and new addition Amon-Ra St. Brown (vs. NE) should do their damnedest to help him get there, but DK Metcalf (@CIN) - who's been merely a shade of his former self - is the more critical player moving forward. Getting any sort of production out of a second WR would be a huge boon for the commish.

Pick: Live Commish.

The Chocolate Donuts (Kevin, 5-4, 6th) vs. Pralines & Dick (Rabbit, 3-6, 10th)

Rabbit leads all-time series, 11-8.

Kevin currently sits in the final playoff spot, which is quite the accomplishment after he failed to break 80 points in either of the first two weeks. He's strong at the top of his roster, as Ja'Marr Chase (vs. PIT), Bhayshul Tuten (@TEN), and Kyren Williams (@ARI) have been good all year, but eventually he's going to need something from Jordan Addison (@GB) if he wants to elevate above the fringe contender level.

Rabbit got the win he needed to keep his longshot playoff hopes alive, but did so with the third lowest score of the week. He's going to need his team to step up if he wants to make a late push. So while most of the players I've been highlighting in these previews are secondary or tertiary guys, I'm going to switch gears and call out Jonathan Taylor (vs. MIA) here; maybe now that he knows he'll still be a Colt, he can return to past levels of production. If not, it will be very difficult for Chase Brown (vs. PIT) and Drake London (vs. KC) to turn Rabbit's season around.

Pick: The Chocolate Donuts.

Keep Calm & Dameon (Babel, 7-2, 3rd) vs. Harrison Hammers (Matt, 2-7, 12th)

Matt leads all-time series, 13-8.

After a multi-week run of playing the reigning Team Blangums, Babel gets a reprieve with an opponent on a seven game losing streak. The timing couldn't be better, as Babel will be without Puka Nacua and Josh Jacobs for a few weeks, at least. Can Carnell Tate (vs. JAC) finish his rookie year strong and push Mark into a bye? Drake Maye (@DET) has at least shown that now even his bad games aren't total fantasy disasters.

As of the time of publication, Matt still has Josh Allen (@NYJ) despite now being a seller. (He's already shipped off one of his top players for Matthew Golden (vs. MIN).) It seems likely he'll hold onto Javonte Williams (vs. SF), though, as the Dallas RB will remain cheap next year, but the most interesting player currently on the Hammers is Harold Fannin, Jr. (vs. HOU); think of these last five weeks as the Browns TE auditioning for a keeper spot next year.

Pick: Keep Calm & Dameon.

schertzopotamus (Schertz, 6-3, 5th) vs. D's Nuts (Derrek, 2-7, 13th)

Derrek leads all-time series, 9-6.

Which Schertz will show up? The one who scored 130+ in weeks seven and nine, or the one who stumbled below 90 in week eight? Tony Pollard (vs. JAC) has been playing his best football since his Dallas days, which suggests the former, but as long as Omarion Hampton (@BAL) and the Chargers keep struggling, the latter is also possible. Keep an eye on waiver pickup Corey Kiner (@DET); with the Patriots' injuries at RB, there's a chance he can push Schertz all the way into the bye conversation.

Derrek, like his 2018 Blingabowl opponent, has started making moves to acquire keepers. Denzel Boston's (vs. HOU) draft slot makes him a nice cheap option for now, but a strong finish could make him look like one of the top keepers for 2027. Also, having Bijan Robinson (vs. KC) means that D can still play spoiler this year.

Pick: schertzopotamus.

Double Digits (Dave, 3-6, 11th) vs. Rob for Today (Rob, 2-7, 14th)

Rob leads all-time series, 13-10.

These two teams have six Slapped Heartbeats between them and account for more than half of the sub-75 point games this season. They'll each be playing out the string to determine if their Carolina WR is worth keeping: Tetairoa McMillan (@NO) for Dave, and Jalen Coker (@NO) for Rob.

Pick: Rob for Today.

Closing Thoughts

The trade deadline is week twelve, which means that players can be traded up until kickoff of their game that week. (Players with week twelve byes can be traded until the kickoff of the last game of the week.) That means there are just three weeks left to make a big move!