Here are the guys you should smash(start) in your lineups and the guys you should be passing on(sitting) for week 9! These aren't guys you 100% have to start or 100% have to bench, they're just guys we believe are going to exceed expectations this week or fall short of what they're expected to do. Also, if any fantasy points are mentioned, we use PPR as our primary scoring marker and 6 point passing TDs for QBs.
Quarterbacks:
Smash
Shawn - Cam Newton @ NYJ: Cam has struggled, mightily. He does not look like SuperCam and has thrown only 2 passing touchdowns this entire season. However, this is the Jets we're talking about here and a QB who has been known for his ability to run the ball throughout his career. The Jets cannot stop the run and they will struggle to contain Cam. He's a bye-week fill-in this week for me.
Q - Matt Ryan vs DEN: Matty Ice has struggled this season to say the least. But this week, I think the offense gets back on track once again. Going up against a bottom 12 defense against fantasy QBs, they have been very consistent against this defense. Matty Ice should not break this trend and should have a solid outing so plug him back in this week.
Matty P - Josh Allen vs SEA: Josh Allen gets to be home in Buffalo in a game where he's going to have to do it all to keep up with the Seahawks. If you've stuck with Josh this long, stick with him again this week because I think this will for sure be his best game since week 3.
Tgods - Justin Herbert vs LV: I made the mistake of benching Herbert for Carson Wentz for some strange reason. I will not make this mistake ever again. Herbert has been a top 5 QB on a ppg basis and is currently a top-10 QB. Their run game does not get much work in the red zone and Herbert airs the ball out a TON. Keep rolling him out there he's a stud for fantasy right now.
Pass
Shawn - Ryan Tannehill @ CHI: Tanny has been a reliable starter this season in fantasy and has a lot of upside. However, the Bears D is making me nervous this week. If you've been banking on him this season, you'll probably be forced to roll him out there again this week, but lower expectations. This Bears defense has been solid, not giving up more than 26 points in any game this season.
Q - Lamar Jackson @ IND: Chances are you may not have a better fantasy option than Lamar, but he has not been his MVP self this season. He's going up against another top 5 defense this week. Last week vs the Steelers he had 4 turnovers and completed less than 50% of his passes. He has been inconsistent and makes me nervous in this tough matchup.
Matty P - Drew Brees @ TB: Brees has actually been consistent and now may finally be getting Michael Thomas this week. However, the Bucs defense has been playing rock solid lately and it makes me a bit nervous. They are top 5 against fantasy QBs this season and only have given up more than 22 fantasy points this entire season. Pass on Brees this week if you have another option, even with MT back.
Tgods - Ben Roethlisberger @ DAL: Big Ben is Big Benched for me this week. The Steelers have been scoring a ton of points, but Big Ben has not for fantasy. They're going to blow out the Cowboys but with the defense and the solid run game, Ben will not have to do much for this blowout and that makes me nervous. This has insane blowout potential, but it's a risk to start Ben this week.
Running Backs:
Smash
Shawn - Chase Edmonds vs MIA: No brainer, just a reminder to lock Edmonds into your lineup, no matter your options. Edmonds has had at least 14 points in 3 of the last 4 games with Drake in the mix. Now he will be the sole running back on one of the leagues best offenses with a very solid floor of pass catching. Lock him in as an RB1 this week.
Q - Justin Jackson vs LV: Jackson has been a rock solid RB2 since Ekeler has gotten injured. He continues to have a solid floor being involved in the passing game and continues to be the lead back on this team. With Pope who emerged last week still sidelined, plug in Jackson again this week as Kelley continues to struggle.
Matty P - Leonard Fournette vs NO: Fournette got the majority of the work last week after Rojo fumbled and was benched for it. Although Fournette was not perfect, I think he has a solid enough floor in the passing game to be a consistent running back moving forward. Feel confident plugging Fournette into your lineups again this week.
Tgods - David Johnson @ JAX: David Johnson 's work has been steadily increasing since Bill O'Brien got the boot and his fantasy numbers have been increasing as well. Lock him in as a strong RB2 this week with RB1 upside as the Jaguars have been a bottom 5 team against running backs this season.
Pass
Shawn - Philip Lindsay @ ATL: Lindsay had a huge run this past week for a touchdown and that was awesome. However, don't drink the juice. He only had 7 touches last week and 9 the week before, and you just cannot rely on that little volume. ESPECIALLY because Lindsay is a poor pass catcher. 2 catches on the season in 4 games and not many last year. Avoid him unless you're desperate.
Q - Jonathan Taylor vs BAL: Taylor got banged up last week and was able to come back to practice. I'm a bit nervous that he could reaggravate it, but also because the Ravens defense is no joke. Hines and Wilkins also looked really solid last week while Taylor struggled through his injury. If you have a better option look for one, but he's still a decent RB2 this week.
Matty P - Phillip Lindsay @ ATL: Shawn hit the nail on the head above, but to give you another reason to avoid Lindsay, he also is coming into this game a bit banged up. The Falcons are also a terrible secondary, but not that bad against the run. Stay away from Lindsay for sure.
Tgods - Devin Singletary vs SEA: Singletary has not had double digit fantasy points since week 4. He has struggled mightily and now has lost the red zone duties as well. Zack Moss was able to find the endzone twice last week, but Singletary came up empty. After 16 catches through the first 4 weeks, he simply has 5 in the last 4 weeks. Until he gets more involved on this offense again, stay away.
Wide Receivers:
Smash
Shawn - Robby Anderson @ KC: Robby has been a rock solid WR this season and continues to be consistent. After a disappointing game all around for the Panthers, they get the Chiefs on the road this week. The Panthers are going to have to throw a ton all game to keep up and they're most likely getting CMC back this week. Robby should have a great game vs a beatable secondary.
Q - Sterling Shepard @ WAS: Shepard has 18 targets in the past 2 games and is looking like a top 25 WR right now. He should continue to be involved this week in a tight game against the Football team. Lock him in as a rock solid flex option with a safe floor.
Matty P - Justin Jefferson vs DET: The Ultimate Boom or Bust sadly busted last week. A tough break for owners who listened to me when I said smash him last week. However, with the upside that he has, you have to plug him in again this week. Philip Rivers just torched this defense last week, so Kirk Cousins should be fine. Start JJeff with confidence.
Tgods - Marvin Jones @ MIN: A couple of weeks ago on the podcast, we said to drop Marvin Jones, but clearly we were mistaken. With Golladay back, it helped to free him up a bit, but even without him last week he found the endzone twice. The Vikings are a bottom 3 team against WRs in fantasy, so start Marvin Jones in your flex as a solid option this week.
Pass
Shawn - DJ Chark vs HOU: Chark had 2 catches for 5 yards against Bradley Roby the last time they met. He did leave that game early in the 4th with an Ankle injury, but this matchup is a nightmare for Chark. He still has the talent to make the big play happen, but downgrade expectations heavily with this tough matchup ahead.
Q - Jamison Crowder vs NE: Crowder continues to deal with injuries this season. Despite being outstanding when he does play, he may be more limited in this one, not being able to get a full practice in this week yet. If there is one thing the Patriots still do well, it is take away the best option on the other team. That would definitely be Crowder so that makes me nervous.
Matty P - Marquise Brown @ IND: Hollywood? More like a boring suburban town. He has been anything but Hollywood this season. He had at least 6 targets in every single game this season until last week where he only had 2 against the Steelers. The Steelers have also struggled a bit against wide receivers if any position this season. The Colts are average against opposing wide receivers, but don't expect a boom performance from Brown this week.
Tgods - Darius Slayton @ WAS: Slayton has still been pretty solid the past few games. 10+ points in 3 of the last 4 and every week he has a chance to take one to the house. However, the Football Team is the #1 team in the league against opposing wide receivers. Their corners have been solid and Slayton has played second fiddle to Shepard and Engram the past couple of weeks. Avoid him again this week because he's very risky.
Tight Ends:
Smash
Shawn - Hunter Henry vs LV: Hunter Henry was pretty solid to start the season, so with Herbert in playing out of his mind, you would think Henry would be thriving right? Wrong. Henry is outside the top 10 for tight ends and has not lost you any games, but has not won you any either. I believe this week is his bounce back game, lock him in for a solid performance and I think he finds the endzone this week.
Q - Eric Ebron @ DAL: Ebron has been pretty solid the past couple of games, 13 targets in the last 2 and found the endzone last week. Ebron has made a living in the red zone so he is always a threat to score. I think the Steelers blow the doors off of the Cowboys this week and Ebron should be in on the feast.
Matty P - Hunter Henry vs LV: Henry is due for a bounce back performance with the consistent volume he has been getting. A couple of weeks ago, two chargers tight ends caught TDs from Herbert, neither of them were Henry. He should be fine, plug him in again this week and don't think twice.
Tgods - Rob Gronkowski vs NO: Gronky Kong is back. Lock him in as a solid option as Brady continues to look for him in the red zone. Even with all of their weapons, he is still a solid option in the red zone. With how scarce the tight end position is, keep rolling Gronk out there with that TD possibility.
Pass
Shawn - Mike Gesicki @ ARI: I was going to use this as a reminder to bench Gronk every week, but he very well may be back. We shall see with that offense moving forward, but don't start Gesicki this week. Rookie QB at the helm who only threw for 93 yards in his debut. Stay away from Gesicki until we see what Tua and this offense are really going to look like.
Q - Jonnu Smith vs CHI: I was a big believer in Jonnu early this season, but not anymore. With all of their weapons healthy and Derrick Henry feasting on defenses, Jonnu has become quickly forgotten. 7 fantasy points combined the past 3 weeks, he is better left on benches until proven otherwise.
Matty P - Colts TE's vs BAL: Burton and Doyle have been HOT in the red zone lately. Not this week. Rivers will most likely struggle against this stagnant Ravens secondary, even with Humphrey on COVID/Reserve. I don't trust Doyle or Burton this week, despite their recent performances. They make me nervous, stay away.
Tgods - Eric Ebron @ DAL: I know Q is smashing, but I am most definitely passing. The Steelers may only need to pass for 1 quarter in this game to secure the win. This is going to be a very good game for the Steelers defense and James Conner. Ebron as the 4th pass catching option on a team that hasn't surpassed 300 yards of passing offense since week 2? Yikes. Stay away as he is nothing more than a TD dependent TE in my opinion.
Comments