Week nine is underway and the fantasy season is starting to heat up. Vying for that coveted playoff position gets no easier, so we must remain vigilant to gain those wins in hopes for glory of that championship trophy. For those who find themselves at the bottom looking up – there is always a chance and we never quit! Follow us as we look at the best to play and sit this week.
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Tom Brady (TB)
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been somewhat up and down this season, but Tom Brady appears to be turning the corner for your fantasy team. Playing the Saints in a must win contest will bring out the best in this future hall of famer and he gets a new toy to throw to in Antonio Brown. Based on the numbers - we fully expect a great day, making Brady a safe play this week.
The rookie revelation that is Justin Herbert will have yet another opportunity to stick it to a division rival, and now he’ll be geared up for this one more after last weeks loss. Since taking over as the starter, Herbert hasn’t seen less than 23-points in five of his last six games. With a great matchup on the docket – get ready for big numbers to follow again.
James Conner (PIT)
If you needed a wonderful matchup this week, you got it with the Steelers facing the Cowboys. James Conner has been quietly putting together a great campaign and will flourish this week and is a true sure-fire play. With how dynamic this offense is – there is no better week to play this man.
Admittedly, we had our reservations on how well Antonio Gibson would preform this season, and as of now – we are pleasantly surprised. Taking the role as the lead back in this offense will only expand coming off the bye week. With how meek the situation is in the NFC East; this is a very big contest for Washington and we fully expect the ground game to be highlighted. An endzone trip is on the horizon here.
With Mark Ingram on the shelf yet again and Baltimore looking to get back to the ground game as per last week, Gus Edwards is another good start based on volume potential. Edwards saw 16-carries from the backfield last week and will be used a lot verse a Colts defense that is good against the run. There is some level of pause to predict a strong showing, but the numbers should be here to support a sound RB-2/3 this week.
Will Fuller (HOU)
With news that Will Fuller was set to be dealt to the Packers upon the trade deadline, that didn’t occur leaving him a fabulous play this week. Houston is coming off the bye and still alive for the post season, which will promote better offensive output in week nine. Fuller has been a revelation this season as he has been able to remain on the field of play. This week we should see a massive explosion against a secondary that has no real playmaker at this point. Get ready for glory.
Over the past three contests, Justin Jefferson has had two subpar games with one explosion on the list. Entering this week in a big divisional showdown with the Lions – we fully expect Minnesota to get back into throwing the ball much more off the play action. Jefferson is poised to have a fabulous day with Adam Thielen taking the greater coverage. A huge bounce back is on the docket.
Staying with the notion of starting all top end pieces for the Steelers, Chase Claypool is becoming automatic verse weaker defenders piling up a whopping seven total touchdowns so far this season. Having built a good rapport with his quarterback and being that unparallel mismatch on the field – double digit points will be coming for this rookie.
Hayden Hurst (ATL)
Over the course of the season, Hayden Hurst has been very good overall, but boom or bust in some contests. This week with the absence of Calvin Ridley to his foot injury – expect Hurst to have a greater role especially in the redzone. At this point Hurst is ranked as a top six tight end (full PPR) for points scored and he will definitely add to that this week.
Phillip Rivers (IND)
Coming off two solid performances with a bye week in-between, don’t expect Phillip Rivers to showcase that prowess this week on the Ravens defense. Rivers continues to be prone to turning the ball over and should have at least a couple in this one. The Colts are moving in the right direction, but this contest will bring him back down to earth.
The Panthers might get a welcomed sight this week in Christian McCaffrey retuning to the field, but that shouldn’t do wonders for the Carolina pass game. Kansas City has improved so much on the defensive side that Teddy Bridgewater will be in for a very difficult day. For our appetite, it’s a must sit this week.
Jonathan Taylor (IND)
Our enthusiasm for Jonathan Taylor this season isn’t lost, but we must take a sidestep this week as the Colts go up against the Ravens. Taylor is also dealing with an ankle injury and is starting to lose snaps to Nyheim Hines and Jordan Wilkins – which is a concern. We believe he’ll eventually get back on track, but this is the week to sit him down.
In terms of another rookie who had great potential based on team circumstances, we need to completely fall backward in support of Joshua Kelley. At this point, the production isn’t here and now is the time we will see his share of the workload removed with Troymaine Pope looking to take touches from him. Until we see much better statistics and greater usage – the bench is where he belongs.
Since the return of Leonard Fournette to the Buccaneers backfield, Ronald Jones has fallen behind and is subject to a very short leash if a mistake is had. Fumbling the ball last week gave Jones a first-class seat on the bench for virtually an entire half. Jones still has value but it’s becoming difficult to trust at the moment. Only play Jones if you have no other option.
DJ Moore (CAR)
Once again, we can’t in any way support the Panthers DJ Moore for another fantasy week. Facing the Chiefs who have found better overall levels of play on defense – the only way we see Moore having success is in PPR points and garbage time touchdowns. There are much safer options for wide receiver this week, play those instead.
With the Cowboys losing Dak Prescott, the realization of how poor this offense will continue to be, has been seen the past couple weeks. The largest downfall on this offense goes to Amari Cooper and his involvement will always be less, based on the position he holds. It easier for lesser passers to find easy marks over waiting for Cooper to beat double coverage and timing patterns. Bench Cooper once again this week.
This is more of a speculation sit, as the Titans are facing the Bears and their impressive pass defense. The Titans are coming off a horrible showing and will be looking to get back on track – but this could be the day AJ Brown is the focal point in this offensive approach. Corey Davis has played well this season, and isn’t a must sit – but rather a caution for this week.
Trey Burton (IND)
The love affair with Trey Burton might come to an end this week as the Colts face off against the Ravens. Playing very strong to opposing players at the position, Burton might have gimmick plays inserted again this week – but nothing tangible to warrant a play. Tight end is a crapshoot overall, and we’ll find better matchups in week nine then Burton.
Ben Roethlisberger (PIT)
The Pittsburgh Steelers are proving to be a very sound club and this week they receive a gift of a matchup that will bring fantasy glory. Facing the Cowboys and their horrible defense, its safe to say you can fire up almost any talented Steeler this week. Ben Roethlisberger could be a top three passer in week nine.
Coming off the bye week and looking to regain anything positive, the Houston Texans will have a great matchup against the Jaguars who will be starting a rookie quarterback. Why is that important for Deshaun Watson? Simple, the Texans offense will get more opportunity with the potential of turnovers and stalled drives. This has the potential to be a very big day.
Chase Edmonds (ARZ)
Coming off the bye week and taking over the lead role for the Cardinals with that Kenyan Drake injury, Chase Edmonds has the opportunity to show that he deserves this role full-time. Facing the Dolphins who in our eyes are just pretending – this will be the week Edmonds runs all over the Fins improving defense.
This play comes with some level of uncertainty, as we await the word on Chris Carson and his availability. Not looking good for Carson to suit up as of today – DeeJay Dallas will have glorious fill in potential verse the Bills terrible run defense. Buffalo has given up at least 100-yards in three of the last four matches and will be worse for wear with Matt Milano out. Dallas is a very good play this week if Carson sits.
We may be going out on a limb here for this play, but from what we witnessed last week, the high risk, high reward play is definitely here. Troymaine Pope has proven ability in both the run and pass games which will lift his overall level of fantasy production. If traction is found from this player this week, replacing Joshua Kelley could be a common thread. If you need a boom candidate this week – Pope could be that guy.
Antonio Brown (TB)
How can you not get romantic about football? The return of Antonio Brown to the field and playing again with Tom Brady has us licking our chops that a very sound day could be found. Not knowing how much Brown will play is the given risk – but the fact that defenses haven’t seen Brown in almost two seasons is a giant advantage for him to get lost in the shuffle. This will go either really bad or very well – no in-between for his return. If your looking for a spark in need of big points, why not Mr. Brown.
The Broncos should get word that Tim Patrick is ready to return to the field and he gets a very solid matchup verse the Falcons. Even as Atlanta has improved on the defensive side the past couple weeks, Patrick is a good mismatch against the Falcons secondary. If he is back to full health – we fully expect him to return the endzone in week nine.
Ever since the Bills Smokey John Brown fell victim to an injury, the deep pass from Josh Allen has suffered and stifled this Buffalo pass game, to what we witnessed at the start of the season. Brown as of today looks nearly back to full health and should have many opportunities to burn the Seahawks defensive backs. There is risk to this play based on lack of production the past several contests – but we could see the great return of Smoke this week.
Noah Fant (DEN)
The Broncos Noah Fant looked sharp in his second game back from injury and receives a wonderful matchup against the Falcons this week. Atlanta has been horrible in covering the position and Fant is just getting started for what he’ll do on the field. If Tim Patrick comes back to the field this week – that is great news for Fant as coverage will be much less directed to his side. A touchdown should be the floor this week for Fant.
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