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Cowboys’ Defensive Collapse Turns Week 9 Rival Into a Fantasy Football Nightmare

The Dallas Cowboys defense has struggled all season, which is why their opponents are often considered safe bets in fantasy football.

The Dallas Cowboys host the Arizona Cardinals on Monday Night Football in Week 9 and have a good shot at improving to 4-4-1 before heading into the bye week.

Their chances of securing a win increased on Saturday, when it was announced that Kyler Murray would be out with a foot injury. In his place will be veteran Jacoby Brissett, who is a solid backup, but hasn't had the success that Murray has in AT&T Stadium.

Tight end bóng bầu dục và vai trò trong chiến thuật offense

That doesn't mean it's a guaranteed win for Dallas, however, especially with the way their defense has played this season. An example of how bad they've been on that side of the ball is evident in a recent piece from Bleacher Report's Moe Moton.

Moton named his top sleepers in Week 9, and says Arizona's Bam Knight is a name to watch. Injuries have thrust Knight into a prominent role, and he's set to face a defense that surrenders the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing running backs.

"Knight started in the Cardinals' previous game before the team's Week 8 bye, and he's recorded double-digit rush attempts in back-to-back outings, racking up 91 yards and a touchdown on 25 carries. Running back Emari Demercado missed Arizona's last game with an ankle injury, though even if he suits up, the 26-year-old will likely reclaim a limited third-down pass-catching role," Moton wrote.

"This week, Knight draws a highly favorable matchup with the Cowboys' 29th-ranked run defense. He could be in line for his best rushing performance Monday night. Dallas allows the fourth-most fantasy points to running backs."

Cowboys need Kenny Clark to deliver if they want to stop the run

When Dallas traded away Micah Parsons this year, Jerry Jones was adamant that he wanted a run-stuffing defensive tackle as part of the trade package.

That wound up being Kenny Clark, who made an impact early in the season on run defense. That hasn't been the case over the past few weeks, and Clark is the one who will have to step up if that's going to change.

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While Knight is being named a sleeper, this is just as much of an opportunity for Clark and the defensive line to build some confidence. Whoever wins this matchup could go a long way in determining how this one plays out.

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Packers' Star QB Refuses MVP Title to Fully Focus on Team in Tough Phase
Can you believe it? Jordan Love, the "red-hot" quarterback of the Green Bay Packers, is on track to compete for MVP with +1000 odds at DraftKings – but this guy is "refusing" personal glory to pour all his energy into the team struggling with a "hellish" schedule! Is this a heroic act or just a ploy? Read now to uncover the "truth" behind it! In the Super Bowl era, the Packers have produced three MVP legends: Bart Starr (1966), Brett Favre (1995-1997), and Aaron Rodgers (2011, 2014, 2020, 2021). Now, Jordan Love has a chance to become the fourth, putting the Packers on par with the Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts – the only team with four QB MVPs like Johnny Unitas, Earl Morrall, Bert Jones, and Peyton Manning. With his current "explosive" form, Love ranks fourth in the NFL for passer rating (105.4), tied for fifth in touchdown passes (22), with only four interceptions – the fewest among QBs starting all 13 games, and a 67.1% completion rate ranking seventh. But instead of "dreaming" of MVP, Love seems to be "rejecting" it! In a recent interview, he emphasized: "These are the most important games of the season, obviously with a lot of things coming down to playoff seeding and the division race, so this is the important football. I think it’s everybody, we keep stacking and keep getting better and better throughout the season and learn from the mistakes we make and overcome some of the obstacles. Just keep stacking and trying to find ways to get better every day is something that’s been helping us." These words are like a clear "declaration": Love doesn't care about MVP, but only wants to focus on the team in its "tough phase" with a 9-3-1 record, trailing the Rams (10-3) in the NFC. Head coach Matt LaFleur also "sings along": "Yeah, he’s playing really good football right now. That’s obviously important and it’s going to be important moving forward." And offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich praises the consistency: "I would say just the consistency that he’s had has been great... Just being a consistent, efficient quarterback is one thing that I’ve been really pleased with." But it's Packers defensive end Micah Parsons who "reveals" why Love deserves but is "overlooking" MVP: "I definitely think he deserves recognition... If you go off strength of schedule, how he's played and with him missing half his receivers, I think that goes unnoticed, too. Some of the things he did without (Christian Watson) early in the year, then (Jayden Reed), so this guy was missing two of his starting receivers majority of the year and they're just now getting back in these last eight weeks of the stretch, so I definitely think he deserves a lot more credit and I'm just happy I'm able to be a part of this journey with him." Currently, Matthew Stafford of the Rams leads the MVP race with -180 odds, 35 touchdown passes (far ahead of Dak Prescott with 26), passer rating 113.1, and only four interceptions. Drake Maye of the Patriots follows with +200, passer rating 111.9, 3,412 passing yards, and 23 touchdowns. Love, with a four-game winning streak (nine touchdowns, one interception, passer rating 112.1), could stage a comeback if he maintains "red-hot form" – especially in the upcoming two "epic" games: away at Denver (11-2) and Chicago (9-4). If the Packers leap to the NFC's No. 1 seed (likely needing a 4-0 finish), while the Rams stumble against Detroit (8-5) and Seattle (10-3), or the Patriots slip against Buffalo (9-4) and Baltimore (6-7), Love would have a shot at MVP. But with his "humble" attitude, does Love really want to "accept" that title? Or is he sacrificing personally to save the Packers from the "tough phase"? The 2025 NFL drama is "hotter than ever"! Do you think Love is "playing a trick" to motivate the team? Comment now and follow for the "shocking" outcome of the MVP race!