NFL

Williams continued to garner one of the most robust running back roles in the league but went the way of the team, largely struggling to find room against a reinvigorated Dolphins defense. The team also struggled mightily in the red zone and failed to score an offensive touchdown for only the second time with Matthew Stafford under center. Fantasy managers can take solace in the fact that Williams’ robust role should make performances like this one few and far between, even though that doesn’t help ease the pain for those counting on his production in Week 10. Williams could find better success against another AFC East opponent in the Patriots in Week 11.

Stafford led an offense that failed to score a touchdown for only the second time in his career with the Rams, struggling to move the football against a reinvigorated Dolphins defense that got numerous key defenders back from injury ahead of their Week 10 meeting. They would also clearly struggle in the red zone, leading to five field goals on six attempts for kicker Joshua Karty. Stafford’s lone interception came on a tipped pass near the end of the first quarter with the team down 10-0, setting the tone for the remainder of the game. With the loss, the Rams fall to 4-5 and suddenly find themselves 1.5 games back from the division lead with eight games remaining to play. The Rams travel to Foxboro to face the Patriots in Week 11.

Washington took a jet sweep 18 yards to the house to cap off the team’s first possession, marking only the second opening possession touchdown of the season for the Dolphins. He continued to split snaps with veteran wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., the latter of whom played more offensive snaps but managed just 17 scoreless yards on his two touches. Washington likely needs an injury ahead of him on the depth chart to return consistent fantasy production.

Smith would be tackled at the one on his final reception of the game, something that could have made his fantasy week much different had he found his way into the end zone. The modest yardage production have become something of an accepted expectation for the veteran tight end, a man who is unlikely to see robust weekly volume in this offense outside of his typical schemed usage. Even so, fantasy managers in deeper leagues could consider Smith one of the more consistent TE2s in the league for that same schemed usage in this offense.

Two of Waddle’s three grabs came on the team’s opening drive, a possession that led to only the second first-drive touchdown for the Dolphins this season on a Malik Washington 18-yard rush on a jet sweep. Waddle would add just one more catch for two yards the rest of the way while the Dolphins transitioned into game management mode with the Rams struggling to put points on the board. Waddle’s next chance to return viable counting stats comes in Week 11 when the Dolphins play host to the Raiders.

Hill came into Monday listed as questionable and appeared to be a true game-time decision following consecutive missed practices with a wrist injury to end the practice week. He would ultimately suit up but finished sixth on the team in receiving, a fourth quarter touchdown salvaging an otherwise pedestrian fantasy performance. Fantasy managers will want to monitor his practice status closely in the coming short week leading up to a conference clash with the Raiders in Miami.

De’Von Achane held a commanding stranglehold on the Miami backfield against the Rams, seeing 17 opportunities to the three of Raheem Mostert and five of Wright. The team largely struggled to move the football but escaped with a victory to keep their slim playoff hopes alive as we head down the stretch in the 2024 regular season. Wright is likely to need an injury ahead of him on the depth chart to return viable fantasy stats moving forward.

Mostert barely the saw the field behind De’Von Achane through the first three quarters and then ceded change of pace reps to rookie Jaylen Wright in the fourth, notching just two receptions on three targets for the totality of his counting stats. It was an interesting game plan for the Miami backfield considering Mostert is typically good for near 10 carries per game. Either way, the team sneaks out of Week 10 with a win as they cling to playoff hope as we kick off the back nine of the 2024 NFL season.

Achane and the Dolphins did just enough to escape a road visit with the Rams with a win. The good news for fantasy managers is that Achane’s 17 opportunities handily led the backfield as Raheem Mostert saw only three opportunities and Jaylen Wright saw only five. Even so, fantasy managers were likely left wanting more as the electric back managed just 3.1 yards per carry and 3.0 yards per reception against the up-and-down Rams defense. Achane’s next opportunity to return to RB1 status comes in Week 11 when the Dolphins host the Raiders.

Tua enjoyed a fully healthy supporting cast of skill position players after alpha wide receiver Tyreek Hill came into the question listed as questionable following two missed practices to end the week, ultimately doing enough to secure a win to take the Dolphins to 3-6 through their first nine games. They have plenty of work left to do to make the playoffs considering the commanding division lead by the Bills in the AFC East, but this was a step in the right direction with the team likely needing to win all but one or two of their remaining games to have a chance at a wildcard berth. The good news is they have an unimposing opponent in Week 12 when they host the Raiders.