
Should I start Braelon Allen or Josh Downs this week? Week 9 PPR (2026)
THE FF CALL
Slight lean: Braelon Allen
+0.6 projected edge ยท PPR
Start Braelon Allen over Josh Downs for Week 9 PPR: 11.6 projected points versus 11.0.
- Braelon Allen: 18.4 FP recent scoring average.
- Josh Downs: 8.3 FP recent scoring average; 2.5% matchup lift against DAL.
Forecast updated ยท PPR




Josh Downs
WR ยท INDStats & schedule โบWhy this pick?
Braelon Allen
Braelon Allen faces KC in Week 9. Recent scoring average: 18.4 fantasy points.
Josh Downs
Josh Downs faces DAL in Week 9. Recent scoring average: 8.3 fantasy points. The position-specific defensive matchup adjusts the forecast up 2.5%.
THE MATCHUP, IN CONTEXT
What separates Braelon Allen and Josh Downs?
Braelon Allen holds a 0.6 FP projected edge over Josh Downs. Read that as an expected-points preference, not a promise that he will finish higher.
The available estimates disagree: ESPN leans toward Braelon Allen, while Sleeper, FantasyPros lean toward Josh Downs. That disagreement is a reason to examine the matchup and availability rather than count providers as votes.
Braelon Allen
Braelon Allen has a 11.6 FP forecast in PPR at KC. His recorded recent scoring average is 18.4 FP, putting this forecast 6.8 points below that average.
Josh Downs
Josh Downs has a 11.0 FP forecast in PPR against DAL. His recorded recent scoring average is 8.3 FP, putting this forecast 2.7 points above that average. The position-specific defensive adjustment raises the FF estimate by 2.5%; it is already included in the projection.
Compare the saved forecasts side by side
| Source | Braelon Allen | Josh Downs | Projected edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| ESPN | 9.0 FP | 8.6 FP | Braelon Allen +0.4 |
| Sleeper | 10.6 FP | 10.9 FP | Josh Downs +0.3 |
| FantasyPros | 8.8 FP | 10.6 FP | Josh Downs +1.9 |
Before the first kickoff. Braelon Allen: Sun 1:00 PM ET. Josh Downs: Sun 1:00 PM ET.
Your next decision
Scoring & lineup notes
FORTIFIED RANKINGS ยท ยท WEEK 9 ยท PPR
FLEX. The bigger picture.
Ranked by FF expected points. Displayed ties favor the higher FF-minus-ESPN margin. Medians and ranges add context.
- 1
Jahmyr GibbsRB ยท DET vs MIASun 1:00 PM ETRange unavailableMean 27.9Range unavailableMedian unavailableESPN 26.5Sleeper 25.8FantasyPros 26.127.9Expected FP - 2
Jaxon Smith-NjigbaWR ยท SEA vs ARISun 4:25 PM ETRange unavailableMean 25.2Range unavailableMedian unavailableESPN 22.5Sleeper 24.5FantasyPros 23.625.2Expected FP - 3
Puka NacuaWR ยท LAR vs WASSun 1:00 PM ETRange unavailableMean 24.5Range unavailableMedian unavailableESPN 24.1Sleeper 23.0FantasyPros 24.024.5Expected FP
How the forecast and ranges work
FF uses position-specific provider weights, rescored CBS and FFToday stats, and the existing bounded form, defense and metric adjustments. Saved Boosted Trees and Workload have bounded model influence when available. Monte Carlo supplies the distribution; it does not get a duplicate mean vote.
Every player is ranked by the FF expected score (mean), whether or not a simulation distribution is available. Equal displayed scores use the higher FF-minus-ESPN margin when both ESPN forecasts are known, then unrounded FF, a comparable FantasyPros/Sleeper estimate, and stable identity order if still level. This tiebreaker is not a measured probability of beating ESPN. The median marker is additional information and never changes the order. Missing or availability-conditional ranges do not switch the ranking statistic. The window shows the experimental middle 80% (P10โP90), rather than the difference between two model means. Its observed coverage under this new version is still collecting. Availability-conditional distributions are labeled and are not shifted to a different center.
Missing sources and incompatible scoring are excluded. Bye and confirmed unavailable players remain excluded. ESPN, Sleeper and FantasyPros are the benchmark markers. The common scale covers the displayed outcome windows and available benchmarks.
YOUR LINEUP ยท A CLOSER LOOK
More decisions involving your players
More Week 9 decisions
Braelon Allen11.6projected FP
Saquon Barkley13.7projected FP
Braelon Allen11.6projected FP
Rachaad White11.4projected FP
Braelon Allen11.6projected FP
Tyler Allgeier11.9projected FP
Braelon Allen11.6projected FP
Derrick Henry11.9projected FP
Christian McCaffrey22.4projected FP
Kenneth Walker III22.3projected FP
Kenneth Walker III22.3projected FP
Jonathan Taylor20.7projected FP
Jonathan Taylor20.7projected FP
Bijan Robinson19.9projected FP
Bijan Robinson19.9projected FP
Kyren Williams18.0projected FP
Kyren Williams18.0projected FP
Javonte Williams17.7projected FP
Javonte Williams17.7projected FP
Chuba Hubbard17.1projected FP
Caleb Douglas
Kyle Pitts Sr.
Josh Downs