QUARTERBACKS

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Tony Romo @ Cardinals – That’s right! This author recommends you start Romo this week. Romo has proven he is one of the best options at QB week in and week out despite what others may tell you. The Cardinals defense is also not as great as it seems, they’ve surrendered over 18 fantasy points to three of their last five opposing quarterbacks. If Romo starts for the Cowboys he better start for you too.

 Andy Dalton vs. Jaguars – The Red Rocket Andy Dalton hasn’t been great this season but he also hasn’t had the luxury of throwing to WR A.J. Green for the majority of the year. Now with Green expected to return, Dalton is in line for a big week. Just remember the Jags have allowed the 6th most passing yards in the entire NFL and just three interceptions.

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Michael Vick @ Chiefs – Listen people Vick isn’t 24 anymore he isn’t going to get you 140 rushing yards to go with his 250 passing and he isn’t going to toss four touchdowns. If you are in absolute need of a bye week replacement MAYBE but this author recommends you stay far away from Vick. He proved last week against the Bills that he can no longer float like a butterfly or sting like a bee. He fumbled FOUR TIMES, threw one interception and just didn’t look good under center last week. Things are unlikely to change in Week 9. 

Ben Roethlisberger vs. Ravens – After throwing for what seemed like a bajillion yards in Week 8 you have to start Big Ben right? Wrong. Since 2010, the Steelers have not scored more than 20 points against the Ravens at Heinz Field once, not once! It’s a tough divisional matchup where you can expect low scoring. Remember they already met once this year and the Black & Yellow scored six points! Awesome.

Running Backs

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Ahmad Bradshaw vs. Giants – REVENGE GAME! Nothing screams fantasy value more than when a player is going up against the team that gave up on him. Just ask Steve Smith Sr. how he made Carolina feel in Week 4. Bradshaw has been a consistent top five fantasy runner so far this season because of his talents in the passing game. With Trent Richardson still dealing with a little bit of an injury you can expect a huge performance from Bradshaw on MNF not to mention the Giants give up the 4th most fantasy points to opposing RBs in the entire NFL. Put him in all lineups including your DFS leagues.

Alfred Morris vs. Vikings – With RGIII expected to return from injury you have to have his lead runner in your fantasy lineups. He averages over a YPC more with Griffin under center and should be leaned on heavily to help ease RGIII back into the passing game. The Vikings also allow the 10th most fantasy points to opposing RBs with 19 FPPG against.

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Every Rams RB @ 49ers – Sit them all! Yep everyone. Tre Mason was supposed to have emerged as the lead runner in Week 7 and look how that turned out (7 RSH  |  32 YDS) they gave five carries to Zac Stacy and four to Benny Cunningham as well. As long as Jeff Fischer continues to wear the headset you cannot trust a Rams’ RB in your fantasy lineup. Especially with the 49ers giving up just 13.1 points to opposing runners this season.

Chris Ivory vs. Chiefs – You want to know what opposing RBs do against the Chiefs? Usually ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. They’re the only team in the NFL yet to give up a rushing touchdown. Coupled with that they are the third best defense against running backs giving up just over 11 points per game on the ground. With a change at QB and a run defense like the Chiefs coming to town, you cannot trust Ivory.

WIDE RECEIVERS

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Wes Welker @ Patriots – Like this author said earlier REVENGE GAMES mean a lot of fantasy points. The Patriots didn’t pay Welker two off-seasons ago. He didn’t make them pay for it last year with just 31 yards so you have to think that this will be the game. We haven’t seen the Broncos utilize him in the passing game much this season but if there was ever a week to take a chance on him due to bye-weeks or just a gut feeling. This is it.

Reuben Randle vs. Colts - Ben Roethlisberger threw six touchdowns and over 500 yards against the Colts last week showing how inept their pass defense can be. We’re not saying you can expect the same thing from Eli Manning but he may have a decent game. His #1 WR, well that would be Randle which means you can expect a lot of targets and open space. What does that mean? He’s going to score you some fantasy points.

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Torrey Smith @ Steelers – After breaking out with two strong games in Weeks 6 & 7 he put up another dud in Week 8 with zero RECEPTIONS! The Ravens offense apparently beats to their own drum and that doesn’t bode well for Smith owners. Also, in his three visits to Heinz Field in his career he’s racked up just nine receptions -139 receiving yards and one touchdown.  Not good.

Marques Colston @ Panthers (Thurs) – The veteran wide out was supposed to rebound this season and put up great fantasy numbers, but that just hasn’t been the case. Even without his favourite target Jimmy Graham, Brees failed to find Colston on a consistent basis. With just 1 touchdown this season and only two games over 10 points (BARELY) you can go ahead and keep Colston on your bench until he proves otherwise. Maybe try and deal him to a Saints fan in your league.

TIGHT ENDS

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Dwayne Allen @ Giants – Last week he recorded only one catch which wasn’t very impressive however, it was a touchdown so it made up for what seemed like a bad week. Allen has been one of the most consistent TD scorers in the NFL this season with touchdowns in six of his eight games. The Giants are also giving up the 10th most fantasy points to opposing tight ends this season. Enjoy.

Travis Kelce vs. Jets – Ignore the struggles by Kelce the last three weeks and here’s why. Which team gives up the 4th most points to tight ends? The Jets. Which team let the Buffalo Bills drop a 40 burger on them last week? The Jets. Which team has yet to throw a TD to anyone other than their Tight end and RB this season? The Chiefs. Pretty sure you know how this puzzle is going to turn out!

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Greg Olsen vs. Saints (Thurs) - The Saints are giving up the fewest amount of points to tight-ends this season with an average of just four points against per game. Olsen also had a pretty bad game in Week 8 recording just one reception on eight targets. Expect Cam Newton to exploit the Saints’ weak secondary and throw to his guys out wide a lot more than Olsen.

Vernon Davis vs. Rams – 100% the biggest bust at the TE position this season and he has shown no signs of improvement. Through his last four games he’s totaled 17 receptions for 98 yards and zero touchdowns, including a three-catch, 30-yard effort against these same Rams. Don’t expect anything different in Week 9, start looking for a rest-of-season replacement.  

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About the author
Drew Livingstone
Fantasy Sports are king. Member of the Fantasy Sports Network and Vavel teams. Canadian with a love for American sports.