Key Fantasy Starters and Tough Calls: Lineup Spotlights for Week 9 - Zack Moss, Boston Scott, Jeremy McNichols, Robert Woods

Scott Engel provides Week 9 fantasy football lineups analysis, spotlighting key NFL players to start and tougher lineup start/sit decisions to make. He also adds some betting tips.

Below you will find some of my spotlight choices and players to go with when dealing with challenging lineup decisions in Week 9. These selections are based off my Premium Weekly Lineup Rankings, available as part of the RotoBaller NFL Premium Pass. Enter promo code KING at checkout for a discount and get access to my ranks in all formats, plus a full roster of tools and analysis for the 2021 season. Skill position analysis here is based on my PPR rankings.

We now add in some betting tips, as many of the recommendations here naturally work into some prime player props. Plus, I also share some over/under, ATS, and money line picks for selected games. All odds and prop plays are via DraftKings Sportsbook.

For a significant betting edge, check out RotoBaller's Premium Betting Tools and content.

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Running Backs

-Zack Moss had 58 scrimmage yards and a career-high six catches last week. He has 50+ scrimmage yards in four of his past five games. Against Jacksonville, Moss could be good for more than one TD run, as a finisher of some scoring drives in a game where Buffalo should easily have its way on offense. The Bills have frequently looked like a Super Bowl team this year, and champions easily dispose of inferior opposition. Moss will be significantly involved as Buffalo puts up very good offensive numbers on the way to a blowout. Moss is also a good alternative to start at 1 p.m. ET if you don’t want to wait for the Elijah Mitchell news.

Betting Tip: Moss is a good play at +125 to score a TD on Sunday, and consider taking him at +700 to score two or more TDs.

-Josh Jacobs has a rush TD in four of five games this season. The Raiders did lose a key WR, but Derek Carr has other playmakers to move the ball effectively against the Giants. New York is middle of the pack in terms of passing yards allowed per game, and they are 22^nd  against the run, so Las Vegas won’t be facing an opponent that should shut them down. Jacobs has been a quality source of rushing TDs over the past two seasons (17 in 20 games) and should find the end zone again. Jacobs can be started as an RB2 or flex this week.

Betting Tip: Jacobs is at +110 to score a TD, which is a good play. If you want to go bigger, take him at +750 to score the first TD of the game. He is also at +350 to score the first TD for the Raiders.

-Boston Scott has rushed for at least one TD in each of his last two games and scored twice in Week 8. He also rushed for 60 yards on 12 carries, an average of five yards per attempt. The Chargers have been the worst team against the run this season and Scott is the best rushing option among the three Eagles RBs involved in their current committee. He certainly is a recommended flex play for Week 9.

Betting Tip: You have to take the prop of Scott over 44.5 rushing yards at -110. He is also a good play at +140 to score a TD.

-Jeremy McNichols had three catches for 33 yards last week. He is also averaging 9.7 yards per reception this season. Adrian Peterson may not be a heavy offensive contributor in his Titans debut after missing a full preseason and eight weeks of the regular season. McNichols could be a very busy pass-catcher as the Titans play from behind against the Rams.

Betting Tip: I am going to take the Rams at -7 in this one, as the Titans will not be able to control the clock as they normally would with Derrick Henry. I will certainly take the Rams over 30 points at -115 as Matthew Stafford faces the league’s 24^th-ranked pass defense.

Wide Receivers

-Jarvis Landry has five receptions in three of four games this season. He has five-plus catches and 60-plus yards in his last four road games and the Browns travel to Cincinnati this week. Once again, Baker Mayfield is in a situation where he has to rely heavily on Landry to help him move the sticks. Landry does not have a TD catch yet this season and lacks upside. But the Browns should be able to throw effectively when they choose to do so against the league’s 23^rd-ranked pass defense. The Bengals are also 23^rd in Fantasy Points Per Game allowed to WRs, Landry is a respectable pivot for DeAndre Hopkins and is a decent fill-in option for players that may be on byes such as DK Metcalf or Terry McLaurin. He could provide 12 to 14 PPR points.

Betting Tip: Take the Browns on the money line at +115, as they need this game to remain among the AFC North contenders. Also, take Landry for sure for over 5.5 receptions at -120.

-Mike Williams has 6+ catches, 80+ receiving yards, and a receiving TD in three of his past four road games. Williams has cooled off after a hot start to the season. He has scored less than five fantasy points in each of the last two games. The Eagles, this week’s opponent, are third best in allowing Fantasy Points Per Game to wide receivers. Williams could be hindered by a knee issue and he does not have a good matchup. Still, the Chargers need to get him rolling again to bounce back, so start him as a fantasy WR3.

Betting Tip: Take Williams to go over 56.5 receiving yards at -115. Justin Herbert is going to take some deep shots with Williams.

-Christian Kirk has 5+ receptions in three of four road games this season. A.J. Green is out and DeAndre Hopkins is a game-time decision, pushing Kirk into a more prominent role for the Cardinals no matter who starts at QB. He is the most established wideout with the best health outlook on the Arizona roster heading into the matchup with San Francisco. Consider Kirk as a fantasy WR3 option this week.

Betting Tip: Arizona is +140 on the money line, indicating that there may not be much confidence that Kyler Murray will play. I would be checking for the Kirk props and consider his catch total regardless of the QB situation.

-Robert Woods has a TD catch in three of his past four Sunday night games. The Titans allow the most Fantasy Points Per Game to WRs. Woods has scored 14.8 or more fantasy points in four of his past five games. He has not quite produced as hoped this season, yet Woods should get the call in any tight lineup decisions involving him this week.

Betting Tip: Take Woods at +105 to score a TD vs. Tennessee.

Quarterback and Tight End

-In three road starts this season, Kirk Cousins is averaging 322.7 passing yards per game with eight TDs and no INTs. Baltimore has the worst pass defense in the league and you should start Cousins with confidence.

Betting Tip: Take the Over of 50.5 and Cousins over 275 passing yards at -115.

-Pat Freiermuth is the only rookie TE in the NFL with two receiving TDs this season. He has scored over 27 Fantasy Points in his past two games. If you don’t roster a surefire starter at TE, start plugging in Freiermuth for respectable output.

Betting Tip: Take the Under of 39 in Bears-Steelers. Chicago will drag the game under the total.

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