Fantasy Football Start/Sit – Week #9
Quarterback
Start – Eli Manning vs Buccaneers
Last week Eli Manning was overshadowed by Drew Brees‘ 7 touchdown passes in a shoot out in the Super Dome. Manning played second fiddle to that record breaking performance throwing for 350 yards and a “mere” 6 touchdown passes. If not for Brees’ heroics he would of been the talk of the league but I’m sure his fantasy owners were still more than satisfied and should double up on Manning again this week against a soft Buccaneers secondary. In the last 3 weeks the Bucs have allowed Blake Bortles, Kirk Cousins, and Matt Ryan to throw for 300+ yards and at least 2 TDs. The last time Manning faced the Buccaneers he threw for 510 yards, I expect at least 300 with multiple TDs in this matchup.
Notables – Derek Carr vs Steelers, Jameis Winston vs Giants, Ben Roethlisberger vs Raiders
Sit – Andrew Luck vs Broncos
Andrew Luck has struggled all season long but if healthy he will be a great buy low candidate because of the schedule he faces in the second half of the season (marshmellowy soft). But this is not the week to start the Luck man as he faces off against the indisputable best defense in the league, the Denver Broncos. The Broncos had the best defensive performance I have seen in a while stifling and shutting down the great Aaron Rodgers for only 77 passing yards total. Luck is trending down while the Broncos are trending up and I will stay far away from this matchup for the QB.
Notables – Sam Bradford vs Cowboys, Teddy Bridgewater vs Rams, Kirk Cousins vs Patriots
Running Back
Start – Jeremy Langford vs Chargers
Started from the bottom now he is here. Langford a fantasy football afterthought could not get on the fantasy radar because of the greatness (and consistency) that is Matt Forte. Langford flashed talent at Michigan State last season, killed the combine, but was destined to sit behind the all-time Bear Forte on the depth chart once Chicago selected him in the 2015 draft. Well, things will be different this week as Forte is out with a MCL injury opening the opportunity for Langford to get 20+ carries against the woeful Chargers run defense. You scooped him off waivers to sit him? Start him without question as I expect at least 125 total yards and a TD.
Notables – Chris Ivory vs Jaguars, Antonio Andrews vs Saints, Dion Lewis vs Redskins, Mark Ingram vs Titans
Sit – Eddie Lacy vs Panthers
Here is another big name sit candidate as Eddie Lacy faces off against Luke Kuechly, Thomas Davis, and the tough and speedy Panthers defense. Although the Panthers has allowed a 100+ yard rusher in 3 of the last 4 games I believe they get on track this week against Lacy. Not only has Lacy looked slow and inefficient this season but now backup James Starks has cut into his snaps and touches to an almost 50/50 split over the last couple of games. Expect the same treatment for Lacy this week and if you have options at the position I wouldn’t blame you for sitting your number 1 pick.
Notables – T.J. Yeldon vs Jets, Frank Gore vs Broncos
Wide Receiver
Start – Malcom Floyd/Stevie Johnson vs Bears
More free agent love in this week’s start/sit. The Chargers offense and Phillip Rivers likes to throw the ball and they like to throw it a lot. Rivers has thrown a league high 348 passes over the first 8 games and is on pace to throw nearly 700 passes for the season. The reason for the Floyd/Johnson recommendation is due to Rivers number 1 target Keenan Allen being done for the season. Someone will have to catch all the passes coming from Rivers and I expect both Floyd and Johnson to cash in this Monday Night against a poor Bears secondary. The Bears have allowed 16 receiving TDs and 100+ QB rating while Rivers comes in with the number 1 passing offense.
Notables – Brandin Cooks vs Titans, Brandon Marshall vs Jaguars, Martavis Bryant vs Raiders
Sit – Dez Bryant vs Eagles
One more big name sit for you this week as Dez Bryant makes the list not because of Dez or because of an “improved” Eagles secondary but it has everything to do with his quarterback. Matt Cassel is terrible and his arm talent (or lack thereof) will now allow Dez to put up the big numbers fantasy owners have grown accustomed to. Cassel threw for a whopping 97 yards against the Seahawks last week and could not get Dez involved often times throwing ducks as Dez looked like the defender breaking up passes intended for Richard Sherman. Although Byron Maxwell isn’t half the player Sherman is, I expect the same type of performance from Cassel.
Notables – Mike Wallace vs Rams, Allen Hurns vs Jets
Tight End
Start – Charles Clay vs Dolphins
Charles Clay gets his second opportunity to stick it to his former team and you should count on it happening again. Clay had his best fantasy performance in the Week 3 matchup against the Dolphins catching for 82 yards and a TD. I expect him to replicate this performance as he gets his starting QB Tyrod Taylor back from injury. Without Taylor under center Clay’s numbers dropped off considerably with back up E.J. Manuel starting. This will be a perfect storm for Clay going up against his former team with his starting QB throwing him passes.
Notables – Jacob Tamme vs 49ers, Heath Miller vs Raiders, Antonio Gates vs Bears
Sit – Vernon Davis vs Colts
I know everyone is excited to start their shiny new toy Vernon Davis with him now playing with Peyton Manning in a tight end friendly offense. But temper your expectations this week as Davis is just learning the offense and will not play more than 50% of the snaps. Davis will become a factor as the season goes along for the Denver Broncos as injuries and inconsistent QB play from Colin Kaepernick torpedoed his production in San Francisco. Hopefully we get to see the old Vernon but I don’t think we see it this week.
Notables – Jason Witten vs Eagles, Kyle Rudolph vs Rams
Defense
Start – Falcons D vs 49ers
Blaine Gabbert is now the starting quarterback in San Fran, need I say more?
Sit – Titans D vs Saints
Drew Brees is currently on fire and is fresh off his record tying 7 TD performance. The Titans D will have its hands full.
