NFL Week 9 fantasy football questions and answers

Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water …

COVID-19 has reared its ugly head again in NFL circles, and while the Green Bay Packers managed to hand the Arizona Cardinals their first loss on Oct. 28 without leading receiver Davante Adams after he was sidelined with the coronavirus, how will they do it again without quarterback Aaron Rodgers?

These are the times that try fantasy managers’ souls. And those of Packers fans, too. Certainly it’s a huge opportunity for Jordan Love, but in fantasy football it’s more probable managers will turn to other, better-known quantities at the position, whether already on their rosters or otherwise.

Love is playing against the Kansas City Chiefs, though, who rank 29th in total defense and have looked shaky at pretty much everything over the past month. If ever you were going to take a flier on Love (how romantic!), this is the time: Signal-callers playing against the Chiefs have ended the week as top-five options in fantasy four times this season.

ESPN fantasy sports researcher Kyle Soppe, who generates the fantasy questions, wonders what Love will mean for the Packers’ ground game. He also has questions about the running games in Philadelphia, Cleveland, Houston and Kansas City. And our reporters have answers.

On byes this week and thus not included below are Washington, Detroit, Tampa Bay and Seattle. Away we go.

AFC EAST

Was the big Cole Beasley game the result of Dawson Knox missing this game?

Somewhat. A portion of the targets that Knox might have gotten in the middle of the field went to Beasley in his first 100-yard game of the season, but he’s not going to be a reliable substitute going forward. Beasley also missed multiple days of practice this week with a rib injury, and might be a less reliable option against the Jaguars. The Bills are going to get different weapons more involved on a week-to-week basis, and until Knox returns, there is not one person who will benefit in his place. — Alaina Getzenberg

DeVante…