To A.I. Or Not To A.I. Fantasy Football Edition

Should You Use AI (Artificial Intelligence) in Fantasy Football?

Can it actually help you win games — maybe even a championship?

Last year, I partnered with Greg Kellogg, an FSWA Hall of Famer, to test this in a head-to-head battle against AI. The only problem: we didn’t track results. (Lesson learned — humans forget, algorithms don’t.)

In 2025, we’re doing it right. We’ll be tracking results weekly, documenting everything, and sharing it with you. By the end of the season, you’ll have the answer to the question every fantasy manager is secretly asking: To AI, Or Not To AI?

Each week, I’ll be joined by Sir Whittington (Google AI’s alter ego) and KROG. We’ll each be saddled with three random players — because let’s be honest, the biggest fantasy headaches usually come down to your flex spot.

Here’s how it works:

• One WR or RB ranked outside the top 24
• One TE ranked outside the top 12

Our mission: pick the guy who can beat his projection and make us look smart.

Your mission: decide whether to trust me or the algorithm that also recommends socks after you shop for lawn chairs. Oh, and here’s the twist — the “winner” isn’t the one who scores the most points. The player with the most points is actually the loser. We’re tallying it week by week to see who gets crowned by the end of the season.

Week 8 Recap

Finally, I had a perfect week, and shoutout to Rick Brusuelas behind the scenes for another perfect week.

As for the machines vs. me, here is our yearly total:

• Sir Whittington: 20 points
• KROG: 28 points
• Tipp: 20 points

KROG is starting to get left behind and might be in need of a tune-up or recalibration.

Here are the finishes for each player last week:

• TE Kyle Pitts: 14.9 points
• RB Chuba Hubbard: 9.4 points
• WR Kendrick Bourne: 7.4 points

This week, we are choosing between the following players:

• TE Dalton Kincaid
• RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt (Bill)
• WR D.J. Moore

Okay, metalface with a built-in frown — you might want to watch your back and don’t get too comfortable. So you’ve got…

Sir Whittington’s Response:

Ah, Week 9! The time when fantasy managers start sweating over every toss and tumble on the gridiron. Let’s take a proper look at three players who’ve got folks buzzing: D.J. Moore, Dalton Kincaid, and Jacory Croskey-Merritt.

D.J. Moore (WR, Chicago Bears)
Moore is the Bears’ reliable workhorse when it comes to hauling in passes. Even though he’s up against the Bengals an easy matchup and Moore’s consistent targets makes him a steady play. In PPR leagues, he’s the kind of player who won’t leave you hanging, offering that comforting sense of “I’ve got this covered” while everyone else is fretting.

Outlook:Moore’s role as the primary target in Chicago ensures he’ll continue to produce dependable numbers. Even if the matchup is tough, he’s unlikely to disappoint fantasy managers who value stability.

Dalton Kincaid (TE, Buffalo Bills)
Kincaid is a bit of a wild card. Coming off a light injury stint, he hasn’t quite been firing on all cylinders, but if the Bills find themselves in a high-scoring matchup with the Chiefs, he could rack up targets quickly. Riskier than Moore, yes, but the upside could make him a worthwhile gamble.

Outlook: Kincaid’s volume potential in a high-scoring game makes him a sneaky play. If healthy and on target, he could surprise with a big week, though managers should brace for some volatility.

Jacory Croskey-Merritt (RB, Washington Commanders)
Croskey-Merritt has struggled of late, and his limited passing-game role makes him a tough sell in PPR formats. Facing a strong Seahawks defense, he’s a low-floor option who may only be worth considering in deeper leagues.

Outlook: Croskey-Merritt’s recent form and limited usage suggest a modest fantasy output. Consider him a desperation play if injuries strike.

KROG’s Response:

Week 9 is here, and fantasy managers are once again hoping someone — anyone — can rescue their lineups. Here are three players who might keep you afloat.

D.J. Moore (WR, Chicago Bears @ Cincinnati Bengals)
D.J. Moore is the Bears’ main lifeline in the passing game, and he’s facing a Bengals defense that has been generous in PPR scoring. Moore’s 24% target share with Caleb Williams has been steady, and coming off a 73-yard outing in Week 8, he could build momentum. In a game projected for 51.5 points, Moore is a safe, high-floor option.

Dalton Kincaid (TE, Buffalo Bills vs. Kansas City Chiefs)
Kincaid has quietly become Josh Allen’s safety valve, averaging 8.1 targets over his last five games. In a potential shootout with Kansas City, he could deliver another strong performance. The Chiefs’ defense has been average against tight ends, giving Kincaid a solid opportunity for volume and red-zone work.

Jacory Croskey-Merritt (RB, Washington Commanders vs. Seattle Seahawks)
Croskey-Merritt has shown flashes, but his matchup this week is brutal. Seattle’s elite run defense ranks among the league’s best, and with only 1.8 catches per game, his PPR upside is limited. Playing him this week would be a significant gamble.

Tipp’s Response:

I know these AI models are missing one thing — the heart and instincts that come from truly watching the game we love. They’ve put up a good fight, but I’m finally catching my groove. Let’s keep this momentum rolling!

D.J. Moore (WR, Chicago Bears)
Moore has been one of the bigger disappointments this season. He’s not being used much downfield, and his chemistry with Caleb Williams hasn’t clicked yet. Still, Moore has seen at least five targets in every game — he’s far from forgotten. This week’s matchup against the Bengals could be a get-right spot. Cincinnati has allowed the fourth-most receiving yards to visiting opponents, and since Joe Flacco took over, their offense has been averaging nearly 29 points per game, forcing opponents to stay aggressive. One encouraging sign: Moore has found success in the 10–19-yard range, posting an impressive 12.4 yards per route run there. Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson highlighted a recent misfire between Williams and Moore against the Ravens, explaining that it came down to chemistry and decision-making — both fixable with more reps. If that connection starts to sync, this matchup could be where D.J. Moore finally reminds everyone of his big-play potential.

Outlook: If the Bears get drawn into a high-scoring game, Moore’s volume and efficiency could finally align, giving him his best chance yet to deliver a breakout performance.

Dalton Kincaid (TE, Buffalo Bills)
What a difference a year makes. Just last season, opposing tight ends were thriving against the Chiefs. Now, Kansas City has flipped the script and become one of the league’s best at limiting the position. Kincaid will need to step up, but it won’t come easy — the Bills are facing the No. 1 coverage unit in football. Still, this is a must-compete game for Buffalo, and Kincaid will be heavily involved. He’ll need 6–8 targets to stay fantasy relevant and help the offense move the chains. After last year’s critical drop that may have cost the Bills a trip to the Super Bowl, this is the perfect opportunity for him to deliver a statement performance against the Chiefs.

Outlook: The matchup is as tough as it gets, but if the Bills fall behind early, Kincaid’s target volume could result in a much-needed bounce-back week.

Jacory Croskey-Merritt (RB, Washington Commanders)
Jacory Croskey-Merritt is likely to be fantasy irrelevant in Week 9. He faces the Seahawks — the worst possible matchup for running backs. Seattle ranks first in rushing yards allowed per game at just 75 and has yet to give up a rushing touchdown at home this season. Jayden Daniels is expected to return this week, but hamstring injuries can linger. On top of that, Jeremy McNichols has been cutting into Croskey-Merritt’s passing-down work. Between the matchup, limited touches, and competition for snaps, Merritt faces an uphill battle.

Outlook: Between a brutal matchup and reduced opportunity, Jacory Croskey-Merritt is an easy fade for Week 9.

Week 9 Breakdown: