Start 'Em Sit 'Em Week 9
Another week, another lineup to set. We are entering the grind, and getting these lineups right is even more important. The championship is the goal but we have to get to the playoffs first. For me, most of my teams are at the crossroads heading into Week 9. I have a few players coming back from injury but with teams at 4-4 or 3-5, it's time to lock in and string these wins together. Sometimes it's smart to play the matchups and other times it's important to pay attention to what the players volume looks like. There are a few players who are now number one options on their teams that should get consideration for starting in your lineups this week. For example, Jakobi Meyers is the new WR1 for the Raiders after the Davanta Adams trade and he performed well in his first starting role as the top option. Meyers finished as the WR19 and posted a 17.2 fantasy point game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Just something to keep in mind but heading into Week 9, I have some options for your lineups for the new fantasy week.
Starts
Patrick Mahomes vs. TB
Mahomes rebounded nicely against the Las Vegas Raiders (and seemingly was ready to respond to the offseason smoke the Raiders were dishing during training camp), but his 18.2 fantasy performance should inspire some hope for fantasy managers. Arguably his best game of the season to this point, Mahomes will look to build off of this performance against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs are giving up 24.4 FPPG to opposing quarterbacks, the most in the NFL. Time to fire up Mahomes in a great-looking matchup this week.
Sam Darnold vs. IND
Sam Darnold has been playing better than expected this season. I know, you've probably heard me say that before. Darnold is a top 15 fantasy QB heading into Week 9 and will be getting another weapon back in tight end TJ Hockenson from the injured reserve. Darnold is averaging q 107.2 passer rate and a 14:5 touchdown-to-interception ratio. The Vikings take on the Indianapolis Colts in Week 9, a defense that's allowed the eighth-most passing yards this season. I think Darnold can take advantage of the Colts' defense and have a big day with Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and the rest of the gang in this matchup.
Tony Pollard vs. NE
Pollard has been the lone bright spot in the Titans offense this season. Pollard is averaging 70 yards per game and is giving fantasy managers 14.2 FPPG, putting him in the top 25 among fantasy running backs this year. Heading into Week 9, the Titans get the New England Patriots who're allowing 4.5 y/a to opposing running backs. Pollard is averaging 4.3 y/a this season but also seeing a lot of work in the Titans backfield. Pollard currently ranks 11th in rush attempts among all running backs this season with 114 and that's not even mentioning the work he gets as a receiver. Pollard is also eight in targets with 29. The Patriots are allowing 28.1 fantasy points to running backs this season. Fire Pollard UP!
Brian Robinson Jr. vs. NYG
BRJ continues to put in work on the ground in this "new look" offense down in Washington and it's a sight to see. BRJ ranks right behind Tony Pollard in total fantasy points on the season, coming in as the RB22 averaging 14.1 fantasy points. The leading man out of the Commanders' backfield, Robinson Jr is averaging 4.6 y/a this year and has a nose for the endzone with six rushing touchdowns. The Giants are the opponent for a red-hot Commanders team that finished off the Chicago Bears in dramatic fashion, with an "All Hail Mary" to Noah Brown to win the game (I just wanted to throw that part in there). The Giants are allowing the fifth-most rushing yards this season and giving up nearly 24 fantasy points per game (13th-most).
Chris Olave vs. CAR
The news that Derek Carr is expected to return from his oblique injury is certainly good news for the injury-riddled Saints wide receiver corps. If you managed to hold onto Chris Olave, you are in great shape. Olave had a solid game against the Los Angeles Chargers. Olave dropped 18.7 fantasy points against the Chargers and saw 14 targets in the contest. As one of the remaining starters on the roster, expect Carr to look early and often in Olave's way against the division-rival Carolina Panthers in Week 9. The Panthers' defense is one of the worst in fantasy, allowing nearly 35 fantasy points to opposing wide receivers. Olave will be Carr's top option in the contest.
Keon Coleman vs. MIA
I'm riding the wave on this one. Coleman has had a nice stretch as of late even with the Bills making the trade for wide receiver Amari Cooper. Over the last two games, Coleman has posted 16.8 and 18 fantasy point performances and has seen seven targets in each of his last two contests. Now Coleman will go up against the Miami Dolphins in Week 9. In his first contest against the Dolphins, Coleman saw just one target. That might change in this game as the confidence and trust levels have looked to have increased over the last couple of games. Coleman gets a Dolphins defense that surrendered 111 yards and a touchdown to Marvin Harrison Jr. when the Arizona Cardinals came to town. Coleman may not be MHJ but he can use his big frame and jump ball skills to put in work.
Sam LaPorta vs. GB
LaPorta seems to be turning a corner after his unusually slow start this season. LaPorta got in on the action as the Detroit Lions stomped out the Tennessee Titans 52-14. LaPorta went six for six adding 48 yards and a touchdown, catching a pass on a trick play from David Montgomery (sorry Jared Goff owners). Hopefully, this means LaPorta's targets will continue to trend upward. This is only the second time this season that LaPorta has seen more than five targets in a game, going back to Week 1. LaPorta should be more involved in the Lions passing attack with fellow Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams out for another game due to suspension. The Packers are giving up 14.2 fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends, ninth-most among fantasy defenses.
Sits
Daniel Jones vs. WAS
Currently the QB22 on the season, Daniel Jones isn't giving fantasy managers (even desperate ones) what they need from the quarterback position. Averaging just 12.3 fantasy points per game and hasn't thrown a touchdown in his last three games, Jones should be left off fantasy rosters and placed firmly on the waiver wire. Jones takes on a Washington Commanders team that cooled off a piping-hot Caleb Williams, holding him to just 9.3 fantasy points in their contest. Jones isn't worth gracing the presence of fantasy rosters. Move on.
Tank Bigsby vs. PHI
The Eagles defense is beginning to roll and they've managed to slow down opposing running backs over the last couple of games. The Eagles head into the matchup ranking fifth-best against the run despite allowing a 4.5 average to opposing running backs. The Eagles are also tied for allowing the fourth-fewest rushing touchdowns this season. While Bigsby has been putting on a show for fantasy over the last couple of weeks. From Weeks 5-8, Bigbsy slots in as the RB9 averaging nearly 16 fantasy points per game over that span. Travis Etienne could also be on the rebound after dealing with a hamstring injury and that could eat into some of his work.
Joshua Palmer vs. CLE
I'm not sure what to think about Joshua Palmer this season. He hasn't done anything to jump off the page this year. With Quentin Johnston injured, you would've expected Palmer to see more work. Over the last three games, Palmer has seen just 12 targets combined. While the Chargers may opt to run the ball, Palmer's lack of involvement in the offense is telling. The Browns are giving up fantasy points to the wide receivers (37.5 FPPG) but Ladd McConkey's big game against the Saints may have him in the spotlight for Justin Herbert. Quentin Johnston could be returning this week and that would add another wrinkle to hinder Josh Palmer.
Tyler Conklin vs. HOU
Conklin finished third on the Jets in targets against the Houston Texans and has seen a steady target before the Davante Adams trade. Over the last few games, however, Conklin's targets have taken a hit. Conklin has seen just 11 targets over the last three weeks and now has to go up against a Texans defense that's allowing just 6.8 fantasy points per game to tight ends, the lowest of all fantasy defenses.
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