This is the week many fantasy mavens in Minnesota dread most: Justin Jefferson’s bye week.

Four NFL teams were off last week, but Week 6 is the first one with significant bye consequences. The Vikings will be joined on the sidelines by the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs, the Miami Dolphins and the Los Angeles Rams.

The absences include top quarterbacks (Patrick Mahomes, Matthew Stafford), running backs (Aaron Jones, Kyren Williams, Kareem Hunt, De’Von Achane) and pass catchers (Tyreek HIll, Jaylen Waddle, Travis Kelce, Xavier Worthy).

So this will be the season’s busiest week yet on the waiver wires. Here are some of the top players you might be able to grab this week:

Quarterbacks: Everyone saw Atlanta’s Kirk Cousins top 500 yards last week. And the Chargers’ Justin Herbert still has big upside. Seems hard to believe, but the Giants’ Daniel Jones and Indy’s Joe Flacco could be good plays for this week.

Darnell Mooney #1 of the Atlanta Falcons celebrates with Kirk Cousins #18 after scoring a 12 yard touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the fourth quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Oct. 03, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Running backs: The Jaguars’ Tank Bigsby ran wild last week and is the obvious top choice. But there’s also Cincy’s Chase Brown, Dallas’ Rico Dowdle … and a deep sleeper we discuss later in this report.

Tank Bigsby #4 of the Jacksonville Jaguars runs for a fourth quarter touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts at EverBank Stadium on Oct. 06, 2024 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)

Wide receivers: The Chiefs’ JuJu Smith-Schuster would be a great choice were it not for the bye. But Atlanta’s Darnell Mooney looked great last week, as did the Giants’ Wan’Dale Robinson and the Colts’ duo of Josh Downs and Alec Pierce.

JuJu Smith-Schuster #9 of the Kansas City Chiefs runs after a catch during the second quarter against the New Orleans Saints at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Oct. 07, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Tight ends: Green Bay’s Tucker Kraft is a keeper after scoring twice last week. The Steelers’ Pat Freiermuth is serviceable, and the Giants’ Theo Johnson could be a nice sleeper.

Tucker Kraft #85 of the Green Bay Packers scores a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams during the third quarter at SoFi Stadium on Oct. 06, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

Sitting stars

Jets RB Breece Hall has been one of the season’s biggest busts, and he will continue to be against Buffalo. … Denver’s suddenly competent defense will cool off Chargers RB J.K. Dobbins. … Jacksonville RB Travis Etienne has been relegated to the background as the Jags take on Chicago. … Same goes for Cincinnati RB Zack Moss against Chicago. … Dallas’ CeeDee Lamb will again face double coverage from Detroit. … Pittsburgh WR George Pickens will continue to be an afterthought against Las Vegas. … Cleveland WR Amari Cooper will again be a bystander in Philadelphia. … And Seattle QB Geno Smith will have trouble against a 49ers defense still stinging from its upset loss to Arizona.

Breece Hall (20) of the New York Jets looks on before a game against the Denver Broncos at MetLife Stadium on Sept. 29, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)

Matchup game

Everyone runs on the Colts, and that will include Tennessee RB Tony Pollard. … Both running backs in the Atlanta-Carolina matchup will go off, so make sure you start Bijan Robinson and Chuba Hubbard. … San Francisco RB Jordan Mason will have one more big game against Seattle before the return of Christian McCaffrey. … Dormant Saints WR Chris Olave will wake up against the weak Tampa Bay pass defense. … Jacksonville will not be able to cool off the Bears’ hot combo of Caleb Williams and D.J. Moore. … Tight end Dallas Goedert will likely lead the Eagles again against Cleveland. … And we think this is finally the week that Mark Andrews regains his spot as Baltimore’s No. 1 tight end against Washington.

Tony Pollard #20 of the Tennessee Titans rushes against Storm Duck #36 of the Miami Dolphins during the third quarter at Hard Rock Stadium on Sept. 30, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

Injury watch

Among the New York Jets’ many issues is the ankle injury suffered by QB Aaron Rodgers against the Vikings in London. Don’t expect him to be full speed this week against Buffalo. … New Orleans is hurting worse at QB with Derek Carr out (oblique). … The list of questionables is overflowing with running backs (Colts’ Jonathan Taylor, Texans’ Joe Mixon and Dameon Pierce, Bengals’ Zack Moss, Steelers’ Jaylen Warren and Raiders’ Zamir White), receivers (Giants’ Malik Nabers, Raiders’ Davante Adams, Packers’ Romeo Doubs and Christian Watson, Eagles’ A.J. Brown and Devonta Smith, Bills’ Khalil Shakir and Panthers’ Xavier Legette) and tight ends (49ers’ George Kittle, Browns’ David Njoku, Jaguars’ Evan Engram, Saints’ Taysom Hill). There are even a couple of notable kickers (49ers’ Jake Moody, Cardinals’ Matt Prater).

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8), right, reacts as he is tackled during the second half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium in London. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Deepest sleeper

He started out as an unremarkable wide receiver at Iowa. But he has converted to running back, and now New York Giants rookie Tyrone Tracy Jr. is one of the most sought-after players on the waiver wires. He rushed 18 times for 129 yards last week in Seattle, taking over after teammate Eric Gray’s catastrophic fumble at the goal line. While Devin Singletary may return from his groin injury this week, Tracy has earned a spot in the Football Giants’ offense.

Tyrone Tracy Jr. #29 of the New York Giants carries the ball against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on Oct. 06, 2024 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

The Thursday pick

49ers at Seahawks (+3½):
Pick: 49ers by 8

Jordan Mason #24 of the San Francisco 49ers runs with the ball while being chased by Christian Gonzalez #0 of the New England Patriots in the third quarter at Levi’s Stadium on Sept. 29, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

You can hear Kevin Cusick on Wednesdays on Bob Sansevere’s “BS Show” podcast on iTunes. You can follow Kevin on Twitter — @theloopnow. He can be reached at kcusick@pioneerpress.com.

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Legalizing marijuana isn’t as hot-button an issue in this election as abortion or immigration, but both presidential candidates former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris have weighed in, and for once, they’re in agreement.

Both, however, are missing a big point.

Last month, Trump posted on the Truth Social platform: “As I have previously stated, I believe it is time to end needless arrests and incarcerations of adults for small amounts of marijuana for personal use. We must also implement smart regulations, while providing access for adults, to safe, tested product. As a Floridian, I will be voting YES on Amendment 3 this November. As President, we will continue to focus on research to unlock the medical uses of marijuana to a Schedule 3 drug, and work with Congress to pass common sense laws, including safe banking for state authorized companies, and supporting states rights to pass marijuana laws, like in Florida, that work so well for their citizens.”

A spokesman for Harris’s campaign dismissed it as “blatant pandering,” the Hill reported.

On Monday, however, Harris spoke up on the issue for the first time publicly since she became the Democratic nominee.

“I just think we have come to a point where we have to understand that we need to legalize it and stop criminalizing this behavior,” Harris said during an interview on the sports and culture podcast “All the Smoke.”

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“I just feel strongly people should not be going to jail for smoking weed. And we know historically what that has meant and who has gone to jail.”

The vice president added that supporting marijuana legalization is “not a new position for me. I have felt for a long time we need to legalize it.”

Not quite.

As San Francisco’s district attorney and Attorney General for California, Harris aggressively prosecuted marijuana-related crimes. She also spoke out against Proposition 19, the failed 2010 California ballot measure to legalize and regulate marijuana. She switched sides as a senator, and co-sponsored legislation to end the federal prohibition of marijuana.

Legalizing weed plays well among the younger voting demographic, one coveted by both parties. But the question: “What happens after marijuana is legal and readily available” is rarely asked or answered.

A 2022 study by the National Institutes of Health on traffic crash rates after legalizing weed found that recreational use of marijuana was associated with a 6.5% increase in injury crash rates and a 2.3% increase in fatal crash rates.

Legalizing marijuana may spur a boost in entrepreneurship in the cannabis industry and create jobs, but it isn’t without consequences. If both candidates are touting the legalization of weed across the country, then both need a strategy to reduce buzzed driving and cut down on marijuana-influenced crashes.

— The Boston Herald

The Lexington’s spooky past is in the spotlight.

Chuck Love and Kelsey Mead, who have several years of experience investigating the paranormal, spent some quality time recently checking out the ghostly happenings at the St. Paul restaurant on Grand Avenue at Lexington Parkway.

They will air their encounters in person and on YouTube on their ghost-hunting show, “Midwest Paranormal.” The pair will show the second episode of their new series on haunted places around the Midwest at the Lexington on Oct. 23 and Oct. 25. This episode features the Lexington, which opened in 1935.

In the episode, Love and Mead dig up the Lexington’s long past. The location was a speakeasy before it opened as a restaurant. It was even a Greenbook location, a list of safe places for African American travelers in the Jim Crow era.

“The investigation at the Lexington was quite enjoyable,” Love said.

Without spoiling much, Love said they communicated with many spirits.

“We had gotten so much communication. There’s a couple of times within the restaurant’s history where it closed down for a little bit, but think of how many bodies went through there, right?”

Footage for the episode includes a two-night on-site investigation and recorded interviews with the staff detailing their first-person experiences. After the showing later this month, there will be a Q&A with Love and Mead. Love is most excited the public will get to see what they experienced through the screen and have conversations with skeptics.

“That is a really fun thing, to be able to do this in the actual spot we were capturing all of this,” Love said.

Both Love and Mead have individually investigated paranormal activity for around 15 years. Three years ago they decided to work together, Love said. Last year, they decided to start filming. Their first episode features Forepaugh’s restaurant in St. Paul.

The “Midwest Paranormal” investigators bring a fresh perspective to ghost hunting, Love said. They are young and have a diverse team. Going forward, they plan to drop one or two episodes a month. Their next episode takes place at Edinburgh Manor in Scotch Grove, Iowa.

It’s “spooky season,” and Love wants everyone to know their experiences at the Lexington were remarkable.

There will be appetizers and a complimentary drink, according to the Lexington’s website. Tickets are $75.

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The hottest deals to take advantage of during Amazon Prime Big Deal Days

Amazon Prime Big Deal Days is here, and with it comes a ton of deep discounts across the board. This huge fall sale event includes some of the trendiest and sought-after items on the market, including Dyson vacuums, Apple products, Ninja kitchen appliances and more. Many of these typically expensive offerings are now accessible at more affordable prices. We assembled a list of the top deals with these popular products in mind. If you find a deal you like, don’t wait — these coveted picks will likely sell out soon.

The top trending deals to shop this Prime Big Deal Days

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Moisturizing Face Serum 46% OFF

This lightweight facial sunscreen provides broad-spectrum SPF 60 UVA/UVB protection. It’ll save you from sunburns and combat signs of aging associated with sun damage. The hydrating formula is packed with antioxidants and non-comedogenic, so it won’t cause breakouts.

Crest 3D Whitestrips Professional Effects Teeth Whitening Strip Kit 35% OFF

These Crest teeth whitening strips are easy to use and give you a noticeably brighter smile in 22 days. They’re designed for daily application and formulated with hydrogen peroxide that won’t damage tooth enamel.

LANEIGE Lip Sleep Mask 30% OFF

Swipe this lip sleep mask on before bedtime and you’ll wake up to softer, smoother lips. It’s formulated with quality ingredients to take the hydration of your lips to the next level, which makes it an excellent addition to any cold-weather beauty routine. It comes in delicious flavors too.

Ninja AF150AMZ Air Fryer XL 5.5-Quart 11% OFF

An air fryer lets you enjoy deliciously crispy chicken wings, fries, vegetables and more; compared to traditional deep frying, air frying is a much healthier cooking method. This versatile Ninja model has roast, bake, reheat and dehydrate functions in addition to air frying. It has a wide temperature range between 105 to 400 degrees and a mid-sized capacity of 5.5 quarts. The basket and crisper plate are conveniently nonstick and dishwasher-safe, making them easy to clean.

Keurig K-Elite Single-Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Maker 50% OFF

Those who are impatient for their morning tea or coffee will love this Keurig that brews drinks in just minutes. It makes both hot and cold beverages with the option to select a stronger, bolder brew. This Keurig pod coffee maker features 4-, 6-, 8- and 10-ounce brew sizes.

Apple Watch Series 9

The Apple Watch Series 9 is one of the top smartwatches on the market. It lets you answer calls, access smartphone notifications, play and pause music, execute voice controls and more. It’s an advanced health and fitness tracker with built-in GPS that measures your heart rate, detects irregular heart rhythms and monitors your sleep cycles and workouts. There are innovative safety features, too, including international emergency calling, as well as fall and crash detection if you get into an accident. It’s got a bright retina display, all-day battery life and water resistance down to 50 meters.

Dyson V8 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner 36% OFF

This Dyson vacuum has a conveniently lightweight and cordless design. It’s equipped with a powerful motor and designed to effectively remove pet hair from any floor surface. A HEPA filter traps 99.99% of particles and dust. The Dyson V8 converts to a handheld vacuum for cleaning cars, stairs and upholstery. It runs for up to 40 minutes on a single charge and comes with four accessories for versatile cleaning options.

Revlon One Step Volumizer PLUS Hair Dryer and Styler 47% OFF

This popular Revlon product won the Allure Best of Beauty Award. The 2-in-1 tool dries and styles your hair. Whether you want a voluminous blowout, beachy waves or soft curls, this brush does it all. The ceramic titanium barrel protects against heat damage while maintaining shine. It has four heat settings to suit different hair types.

Samsonite Freeform Hardside Expandable Suitcase 31% OFF

If you’re looking to upgrade your luggage for an upcoming trip, it’s tough to beat this Samsonite offering. With a lightweight yet durable hard shell, it’s built to last and take a beating during travel. A recessed TSA combination lock provides extra security and an expandable design that lets you pack more. The four multi-directional spinner wheels also make it a breeze to travel with.

DeWalt 20V MAX Cordless Drill and Impact Driver Combo Kit 33% OFF

DIYers and home improvement enthusiasts will appreciate this combo kit from DeWalt. It contains a 1/2-inch drill/driver and a 1/4-inch impact driver, both cordless tools that pack in a ton of power. The kit also includes two batteries, a charger and a heavy-duty bag for storage and transport.

More trending Prime Day deals

OXO Good Grips 15-Piece Everyday Kitchen Utensil Set 22% OFF
Lodge 6-Quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven 22% OFF
Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 5300 Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush 45% OFF
Samsung 4K The Frame 55-Inch TV 39% OFF
Google Nest Smart Thermostat 35% OFF
Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) 43% OFF
Philips Hue Smart 60W A19 LED Bulb 3-Pack 41% OFF
Amazon Fire TV 32-Inch 2-Series HD Smart TV 29% OFF
HP Sprocket Instant Smartphone Photo Printer
Callaway Golf 300 Pro Laser Rangefinder 50% OFF

Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.

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