Joshua Abbe, Mike Fanelli, Givanni Damico | November 2nd, 2019
To help fantasy football players with their roster construction, three of our writers have provided some insight on which players they would start, would sit, and consider a sleeper for week nine. Be sure to follow all of them on twitter and ask any of The Scorecrow’s fantasy writers for fantasy advice.
Quarterbacks
Starts
Kirk Cousins at Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City is surrendering an average of 20 fantasy points a game at home and 15 passing touchdowns to opposing quarterbacks. They allow the fifth-most passing yards when passes are thrown deep to wide receivers. Cousins has been great as of late and even though he didn’t throw a touchdown last week, still look to play him as a low-end QB1/definite QB2. – Josh
Jameis Winston at Seattle Seahawks
Yes, Winston isn’t a good real life quarterback but he is a good fantasy quarterback. Because the Buccaneers struggle to run the ball or play defense, combined with his turnovers, Winston spends the majority of the game chasing points. Winston has just two games under the league average (16.3 fantasy points) this season. He has thrown for at least two touchdowns or 300 yards in each of his last five games. Meanwhile, the Seahawks’ defense isn’t what it once was. They give up 2.5 more fantasy points than the league average to quarterbacks and have given up either two-plus touchdowns or 300 plus passing yards in 63% of their games this year. This should be a high scoring game and that is great for Winston’s fantasy value. – Mike
Matthew Stafford at Oakland Raiders
The Raiders have one of the worst passing defenses in football and with the trade of Gareon Conley last week, it’s only gotten worse. Stafford has been relatively consistent this year and he could see another game like he had against the New York Giants. With Kerryon Johnson out of the picture, for the time being, the Lions are even more likely to throw the ball. This looks like a great opportunity for Stafford and his fantasy owners. – Gio
Sits
Philip Rivers vs Green Bay
Rivers has been putting up duds as of late scoring fewer than 15 fantasy points in three of the last four games. It doesn’t get any better for him facing the Packers Sunday. The Packers are allowing fewer than 15 fantasy points per game to rival quarterbacks. At the turnover rate of interceptions thrown so far for the season at seven, fade Rivers this week if possible. – Josh
Daniel Jones vs Dallas Cowboys
Once again Danny Dimes balled out for fantasy owners. After scoring a total of 38.4 fantasy points over the last four games, Jones scored 28.2 on Sunday against the Lions, throwing a career-high four touchdowns. However, he won’t have similar success Monday night. The Cowboys give up the fourth-fewest fantasy points per game to quarterbacks, giving up just 12.2 per game. Over their last five games, the Cowboys have allowed quarterbacks to scored over 11 fantasy points just once. Coming off their bye week, the Cowboys had two weeks to prepare for Jones and the Giants offense, and I expect them to torture Jones, similarly to how they did Carson Wentz two weeks ago. – Mike
Lamar Jackson vs New England Patriots
At this point, I’m against starting anyone that’s playing the Patriots. This is the first real test for them, but you can’t use their strength of schedule as an excuse for how well they’re playing. Jackson will likely have an ineffective day throwing the ball and may rely on his legs a lot. Turnovers have been an issue for opponents of New England all year long and I expect nothing to change Sunday night. – Gio
Sleepers
Josh Allen vs Washington Redskins
Redskins have given up a generous 14 passing touchdowns on the season and are giving up 17 fantasy points a game to quarterbacks. To add on the Redskins are giving up 240 passing yards a game, 138 rushing yards, and a 64 percent completion rate. Allen should total anywhere from 200 to 300 total scrimmage yards. He’s a great possible low end QB1/QB2 with huge upside. – Josh
Derek Carr vs Detriot Lions
The return of Tyrell Williams brought out the best of Carr. Last week against the Texans, Carr scored a season-high 23.4 fantasy points and threw a season-high three touchdowns. The matchup was good last week and it’s good again this week. The Lions give up the seventh-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks, giving up 21.1 per game. Furthermore, over the last two weeks, the Lions have given up 660 passing yards and eight touchdowns to Jones and Cousins. The Raiders defense can’t slow down any passing attack and Carr should have no trouble throwing against the Lions’ secondary. – Mike
Gardner Minshew vs Houston Texans
Minshew Mania is back again with another game against a weak secondary that he should be able to expose. This game is in London which is like a home game for the Jaguars so he will have the crowd backing him. He has weapons that should be able to expose Johnathan Joseph and the slower Houston secondary. Houston wins the game, but it’ll be closer than people believe. – Gio
Running Backs
Starts
Derrick Henry vs Carolina Panthers
After a rough week eight performance, he should bounce back nicely against the Panthers tomorrow. The Panthers are allowing 10 rushing touchdowns and five yards a carry to running backs. Henry is getting 14 carries a game and 75% of the carries in the red zone so far this season. He is primed to add on that total for Carolina. Not to mention the Panthers are fourth-worst defense while in the red zone. Henry is easily a must start against the Panthers. – Josh
Jordan Howard & Miles Sanders vs Chicago Bears
The Bears have one of the best pass defenses but have struggled to slow down running backs in recent weeks. Last week against the Bills, the duo of Howard and Sanders ran the ball 26 times for 170 yards (6.4 yards per carry). Expect the Eagles to implement a similar game plan again this week. The Bears give up the ninth most fantasy points per game to running backs, giving up 27 fantasy points per game. However, over their last three games, the Bears have given up an average of 35.7 fantasy points per game and six rushing touchdowns to running backs. With the good matchup and likely game plan, both running backs will get enough workload to be solid low-end RB2s this week. – Mike
Devin Singletary vs Washington Redskins
Hopefully, the Bills realize that they need to utilize Singletary more. Every time he touches the ball, it seems as though a big play happens. The Skins have one of the worst run defenses in football and the Bills needs to take advantage of that. They failed to expose the Eagles’ secondary last week and got a lot of heat from the fans for it. They need to win back the fans and destroy the Redskins. – Gio
Sits
Sony Michel at Baltimore Ravens
With facing the Ravens upcoming Sunday night, Michel has a tough task at hand facing a defense allowing only 71 rushing yards per game. Then there’s the Raven’s red zone defense ranking fifth-best since week five and allowing only one rushing touchdown a game for the season of 2019. Michel is also impacted with Rex Burkhead back in the lineup missing after he the past few games because of injury. – Josh
Mark Ingram vs New England Patriots
After getting off to a hot start, scoring 22 or more fantasy points in two of his first three games, Ingram has scored under 13 fantasy points in three of his last four games. His yards per carry has been four or less in three straight games and he has failed to rush for over 75 yards in four straight games. Furthermore, Ingram has become touchdown dependent. In games where Ingram scores a touchdown, he is averaging 21.6 fantasy points per game while in games where he doesn’t reach the end zone, he is averaging just eight fantasy points per game. Meanwhile, the Patriots give up the fewest fantasy points per game to running backs, just 13.3 per game and haven’t given up a rushing touchdown this season. – Mike
Melvin Gordon vs Green Bay Packers
Gordon has been near useless to the Chargers’ offense this year. I expected him to be dealt at the trade deadline but the Chargers held onto him. Austin Ekeler has played a much bigger role than Gordon and I expect him to continue to get a more productive workload. Gordon looks sluggish and not as elusive as normal. Until he shows that he’s capable of being productive, keep him on your bench. – Gio
Sleepers
Phillip Lindsay vs Cleveland Browns
Browns are allowing 4.5 yards per carry to opposing backs and they give up the fourth-most rushing yards per game at 143. Even though Lindsay splits carries with Royce Freeman, Lindsay has been the better of the two. Fire him up against the Browns this week who have given up a few RB6 or better performances this season. – Josh
Adrian Peterson at Buffalo Bills
While the Redskins are a dumpster fire, Peterson has been solid for fantasy owners recently. With Derrius Guice returning in a few weeks, Peterson might be on your waiver wire and would be an excellent last-minute fill in for your fantasy team if needed. Over his last three games, Peterson is averaging 20.3 touches for 106.7 scrimmage yards and 11.3 fantasy points per game. Meanwhile, the Bills give up around the league average in fantasy points per game to running backs (25.9) but was destroyed by the Eagles last week, giving up 45.5 fantasy points. With Dwayne Haskins expected to make his first career start, expect the Redskins to focus heavily on the run and keep it a low scoring game. – Mike
Jaylen Samuels vs Indianpolis Colts
With James Conner and Benny Snell both inactive this week, Samuels is expected to take on a much larger workload which should include a plethora of catches out of the backfield as well. With his effectiveness in the passing game, he’s a great option in both non PPR and PPR leagues. – Gio
Wide Receivers
Starts
Tyrell Williams vs Detroit Lions
Williams has scored in every single game he has played in and not many players can say that. He is the undisputed WR1 for the Raiders and gets the volume like so. He has a nice matchup against the Lions this week and should continue to see the same work. The Lions give up the most passing yards in the league at 290 a game. The Lions also give up 12 yards a completion and two passing touchdowns a game. He’s in a prime spot to put up high-end WR1 numbers this week. – Josh
Michael Gallup at New York Giants
After returning from a knee injury, Gallup had a season-high 14 targets and 24.3 fantasy points in week five against the Packers. However, in the two games since, he has just 11 targets and 15.2 fantasy points. The good news is the Giants give up the third-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers, giving up 42.2 per game. Furthermore, the Giants gave up 63.9 fantasy points to the Lions’ wide receivers last week and have given up 47 or more fantasy points to wide receivers in 50% of their games this season. Amari Cooper is must start every week and Gallup joins him with that label this week. – Mike
Marvin Jones at Oakland Raiders
Two weeks ago, Jones had four touchdown catches and he had another last week. With both Kenny Golladay and Jones playing at a high level, this Lions’ passing offense is a serious threat to whoever they play. The running game hasn’t been getting it done with Johnson out, so the Lions will be passing more often. Jones is in line for a high volume of targets this week against an awful Raiders secondary. – Gio
Sits
Alshon Jeffery vs Chicago Bears
Although the revenge game narrative could apply here, Jeffery has a tough matchup against his former team. Chicago is allowing only nine yards a catch and have given up just one touchdown to wide receivers lined up outside. The Bears are 10th best against the pass and only allowing one passing touchdown a game. He’s a risky flex play going into Sunday. – Josh
Terry McLaurin at Buffalo Bills
Much for the same reason why I like Peterson this week, I hate McLaurin. Last week against the Vikings, McLaurin scored 7.9 fantasy points in the first half with Case Keenum under center. However, when Keenum missed the second half with a concussion, Haskins took over and McLaurin saw one target and zero fantasy points. While they were college teammates, McLaurin has played better with Keenum on the field. Meanwhile, the Bills give up the fifth-fewest fantasy points per game to wide receivers, giving up just 28.7 per game. Furthermore, the Bills have held opposing wide receivers under 25 fantasy points in three of the last four weeks. McLaurin will see plenty of Tre’Davious White tomorrow and that makes me want to bench him all the more. – Mike
Jarvis Landry at Denver Broncos
Landry has lacked production all-year long and has been an overall disappointment. I don’t expect much from him against the Broncos who still have a great pass defense. Baker Mayfield has spread the ball around a lot this year so far but Landry hasn’t been on the receiving end of many big plays. He is also dealing with an injury and is questionable. Avoid Landry if possible this week. – Gio
Sleepers
D.K. Metcalf vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Going into a nice matchup against the Buccaneers Sunday, Metcalf has a chance to break out sneakily. While Tyler Lockett is the WR1 for Seattle, Metcalf quietly has moved up in red zone opportunities leading the NFL with the most (13) red-zone targets. While Josh Gordon was just claimed off waivers, he won’t play for the Seahawks tomorrow. Metcalf is eight in targets and 17th in routes run. With lining up on the outside, he has an opportunity to score again facing a Tampa Bay defense who gives up the fifth-most fantasy points to receivers lined up on the outside and seven touchdowns to the outside receivers. Plug him in with confidence. – Josh
DeVante Parker vs New York Jets
Normally I want nothing to do with the Dolphins but Parker has some value this week. With several fantasy relevant wide receivers on a bye this week, Parker’s recent play and matchup make him a solid bye week filler. Over his last four games, Parker has scored 11.8 or more fantasy points in each game, he has a touchdown in three of those games, and has seen eight or more targets twice. Meanwhile, the Jets give up the eighth-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers, giving up 38.4 fantasy points per game. Furthermore, the Jets’ secondary was burned for a season-high 51.2 fantasy points by the Jaguars last week. Between his recent consistent play and the matchup, Parker is a safe floor WR3/flex option this week. – Mike
Randall Cobb at New York Giants
The Giants’ defense continues to struggle against the pass. Gallup and Cooper are already viable, plug-and-play options, but Cobb hasn’t gained the same credibility. This could be his week to prove himself as a solid number three option for Dak Prescott to rely on. – Gio
Tight Ends
Starts
Greg Olsen vs Tennessee Titans
Olsen has an enticing matchup Sunday facing a Titans defense that is in a prime spot for a top 10 tight end performance. The Titans have given up four touchdowns to tight end which are tied at third-most in the league. Furthermore, through eight games the Titans have allowed four top 10 fantasy performances to tight ends. With Olsen having some quiet showings as of late, he has the potential to blow up this week. – Josh
T.J. Hockenson at Oakland Raiders
Hockenson hasn’t done much this season, which was expected given the history that rookie tight ends are rarely fantasy relevant. However, his matchup this week makes him an interesting streaming option. The Raiders give up the third-most fantasy points per game to tight ends, giving up 16.3 per game, 4.8 more than the league average. They have given up 16.5 or more fantasy points to tight ends in 57% of their games this season. Furthermore, they gave up a season-high 26.9 fantasy points to the Texans’ tight ends last week. Hockenson’s best game of the year came against the Cardinals in week one, where he scored 25.1 fantasy points. The Cardinals are one of only two teams in the league that give up more fantasy points to tight ends than the Raiders. – Mike
Darren Fells at Jacksonville Jaguars
Fells had his best week of production last week, recording six catches for 58 yards and two touchdowns. Good tight ends in fantasy are hard to come about. Fells is a boom-or-bust option but he seems to be developing into a solid target for Deshaun Watson. With Will Fuller’s absence, the targets have opened up for Fells, so hopefully, his production continues against the Lions. – Gio
Sits
Jason Witten at New York Giants
The Giants right now are playing tight ends rather tough this season. They are allowing the fourth-fewest fantasy points per game and only surrendering two touchdowns to tight ends this season. In his last game against New York, Witten only managed 15 yards. In a week with four teams on bye, you need to look elsewhere at tight end. – Josh
Mark Andrews vs New England Patriots
Andrews has been one of the best fantasy tight ends this season, averaging 13.8 fantasy points per game, good for TE5. However, Andrews has scored under 10 fantasy points in 43% of his games this season and to make things worse, he has a Sunday night showdown with the Patriots. We all know how great the Patriots defense has been this year and they shut down tight ends. They give up the fewest fantasy points per game to tight ends, just 5.7 per game, half the league average. Until last week, the Patriots had not given up a touchdown to tight ends and held them to under nine fantasy points in every game. It might be hard to bench Andrews but if Hockenson is available on the waiver wire, I would play him over Andrews this week. – Mike
Mike Gesicki vs New York Jets
Gesicki has been nowhere near consistent this year and he faces a Jets’ team who boasts some good coverage linebackers. The Dolphins’ pass offense hasn’t gotten him the ball enough for him to be worth a look in any leagues unless you’re desperate. – Gio
Sleepers
Cameron Brate at Seattle Seahawks
Even though Brate has performed rather underwhelming in the absence of O.J. Howard, he has a nice chance to make a flash tomorrow. The Seahawks have surrendered the fifth-most receiving yards and fourth-most fantasy points to tight ends. Need a tight end at play in a pinch? Brate is a perfect last minute pick up. – Josh
Dallas Goedert vs Chicago Bears
Goedert has scored 9.6 or more fantasy points in four of his last five games, scoring a touchdown in three of them. Goedert’s role in the offense is growing. After playing an average of 33% of the snaps in the first three games of the season, Goedert has played an average of 70% of the snaps over the last five games. Meanwhile, the Bears give up about the league average in fantasy points per game to tight ends, giving up 13.1 per game. However, over their last three games, tight ends are averaging 14.9 fantasy points per game against the Bears. It might take Goedert getting in the end zone to finish as a top 12 tight end this week but he has a good chance of going that. – Mike
Jonnu Smith at Carolina Panthers
Smith had a productive week in relief of injured veteran Delanie Walker. With Walker out again and Ryan Tannehill still in at quarterback, he’s in line for another solid day. The only problem is that he’s facing the Panthers’ defense which has played superbly well against the pass. This shouldn’t hinder his volume of targets too much though. – Gio
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