As the calendar changes to November, the NFL regular season has passed the midpoint. There was plenty of activity this week on a busier-than-usual trade deadline. That’s had an impact on fantasy but don’t overreact for this week. Let’s go through the 13 teams in action for Week 9 and examine some under-the-radar starts and sits at each position.
Start of the Week Quarterback – Jared Goff
Coming off his bye week, Goff should be well-rested and ready to take on a New York Giants defense that allows the fifth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks. Goff is on the road in Week 9. Two of Goff’s three best fantasy starts this season have come on the road.
Keep in mind that the Giants have suspended their top cornerback, Janoris Jenkins, for this game. That should make the task much easier. Sean McVay and Goff should have used the bye week to work out kinks and improve the Rams offense. Expect good things from Goff on Sunday.
Sit of the Week Quarterback – Andy Dalton
After one of his best games of the season, Andy Dalton heads on the road to take on the best defense at stopping quarterbacks: the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jaguars have allowed just four passing touchdowns this season while picking off ten passes and sacking the quarterback a league-best 33 times. As good as they’ve already been, they could be even stronger. Remember that they acquired Marcel Dareus from the Buffalo Bills, so they are going to be an even bigger challenge for the Bengals offensive line.
Dalton has been better since the team changed offensive coordinators but he’s still lacking a solid supporting cast around him. Tight end Tyler Eifert is out, no No. 2 receiver has stepped up and the running game has been very hit or miss. That makes Sunday’s affair a tall order against a stout defense.
Start of the Week Running Back – Adrian Peterson
Coming off his bye week with a great matchup against the San Francisco 49ers, Adrian Peterson once again could explode for another big game as a Cardinal. The 49ers allow the most fantasy points per game to running backs. Add in the fact the Cardinals will start Drew Stanton behind and Peterson should get a more significant workload in Week 9. Yes, there is no Carson Palmer in the lineup but given the frail opponent, this could be one of the few times to start AP.
Sit of the Week Running Back – Jay Ajayi
The move to Philadelphia may prove fruitful for both Jay Ajayi and fantasy owners, but he gets to face the top-ranked defense against fantasy running backs, the Denver Broncos, in his first week as an Eagle. And remember that LeGarrette Blount is still the lead dog (for now) and isn’t likely to relinquish duties right off the bat. The Eagles are not in a desperate situation, so they can afford to ease Ajayi in. Keep him on the bench and look for his role to expand down the stretch as the Eagles fight for the top seed in the NFC.
Start of the Week Wide Receiver – Marvin Jones
Jones is coming off a spectacular performance against one of the best defenses in the NFL in Week 8. Jones had 128 receiving yards against the third best fantasy defense against wide receivers. Jones faces the Packers in Week 9, who are ranking in the bottom third of the league in points allowed to wideouts. Jones has been known to go on hot streaks in his career and could be starting another.
Sit of the Week Wide Receiver – Jamison Crowder
Although he is coming off his best game of the season, it is too early to proclaim Jamison Crowder is back. Crowder has twice this season burned fantasy owners for negative points (in standard scoring), and against the still-good Seattle defense (less week notwithstanding), Crowder could struggle again. Keep in mind that he also seems to have picked up a midweek injury (hamstring), which is never a good sign.
Start of the Week Tight End – Jimmy Graham
With the Seahawks all but abandoning the run game, Jimmy Graham should continue to see an increase in his involvement in the offense. This week, Graham faces the Washington Redskins, one of the worst teams in the NFL at stopping tight ends. Graham showed off what he could do last week in a good matchup, grabbing two touchdowns. Look for another productive week from Graham.
Sit of the Week Tight End – Jason Witten
In a matchup where points are expected, Jason Witten may not be the best tight end to start in Week 9. The Chiefs defense has not been great this season, but their biggest strength has come at limiting tight ends. They have been prone to giving up the big play to the position but limiting opposing tight ends from getting many receptions, and they have not allowed a touchdown. Witten is not a big play tight end, and if cannot get enough receptions he is not a great fantasy option.
Start of the Week Defense – Oakland Raiders
The Raiders play the Dolphins on Sunday night. The Dolphins offense is awful. Their offense ranks last in points per game, yards per game and yards per play. They just traded one of their best offensive players (Jay Ajayi) and could struggle even more on offense without him. Get Oakland’s offense in your lineup for Week 9.
Sit of the Week Defense – Cincinnati Bengals
With Leonard Fournette coming back healthy, the Jaguars offense should be humming against the Bengals on Sunday. The Bengals defense has averaged 4.50 fantasy points in their last two road games. One of those games came against the Cleveland Brown. If you still have the Bengals defense on your roster, go a different route in Week 9.
Start of the Week Kicker – Ka’imi Fairbairn
The Houston Texans and Ka’imi Fairburn face an inept Houston’s Texans offense on Sunday. The Colts give up the most points to kicker this season. In addition, with how well Watson and the Texans’ offense has been moving the ball, expect Fairburn to have ample field goal opportunities.
Sit of the Week Kicker – Brandon McManus
Philadelphia has not been kicked to opposing kickers this season, giving up the fourth fewest points to the position. The Broncos offense is not moving the ball well either, limiting McManus’ chances to put points on the board.
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