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Scott Engel breaks down his Week 9 fantasy football lineup rankings, spotlighting key NFL players to start and tougher lineup start/sit decisions to make.
Welcome to Week 9, RotoBallers! Below you will find some of my spotlight plays and tough lineup decisions for the upcoming week of the fantasy football season.
These player selections are based off my Premium Weekly Lineup Rankings, available as part of the RotoBaller's NFL Premium Pass. Enter promo code KING at checkout for a 10% discount and get access to all of my ranks in all formats, plus a full roster of tools and analysis for the rest of the 2019 season.
Note that all skill position picks here are based off of my PPR ranks.
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Spotlight RB Starters for Week 9
Jordan Howard vs. CHI: The matchup may look daunting at first here, but Howard has shown at times that he can still be an authoritative and determined runner. The “Revenge Game” narrative is in heavy play here. Football is a game fueled by emotion and adrenaline, and Howard wants to show the Bears he can still get it done and they made a mistake. His teammates and coaches will make sure they give him some opportunities to finish off scoring drives.
Melvin Gordon vs. GB: I do like him this week, but not quite as much as other experts. I think he is a low-end RB2/flex play. An offensive coordinator change may boost his workload and he started to look more like himself last week while registering his first TD run of the season.
Devin Singletary vs. WAS: This could be the week when the exciting rookie busts out. Washington has been the second-worst team in allowing Fantasy Points Per Game to RBs. Buffalo could use another player to challenge defenses, as John Brown is the only true significant threat right now.
Spotlight WR Starters for Week 9
Jamison Crowder vs. MIA: He is Sam Darnold’s best receiver for high percentage catches and to move the sticks when he is going well. The matchup is obviously a friendly one this week and Crowder is a Top 15 play in PPR formats. Robby Anderson should also get WR3 consideration.
D.K. Metcalf vs. TB: The rookie is progressing quickly in the Seattle passing game and we have not seen his best yardage output in a game yet. He is going to make some splash plays in a shootout and should definitely be used as a fantasy WR3.
Danny Amendola vs. OAK: He has caught eight passes in each of his past two games with 200 total yards in both. The Lions are a throw-first, second and third team now and Amendola will continue to be a frequent target for Matthew Stafford.
Spotlight TE Starters for Week 9
Jason Witten vs. NYG: He can provide adequate totals this week, which is important if you need a streamer. The Dallas offense will be clicking on Monday Night against the Giants and Witten will make some key grabs and may catch a short TD pass.
Noah Fant vs. CLE: Fant had a season-high eight targets last week and could emerge as the Broncos’ No. 2 receiving target with the departure of Emmanuel Sanders. Brandon Allen might look to him often as a safer option in his first NFL start.
Spotlight QB Starters for Week 9
Gardner Minshew vs, HOU: He will at least give you a respectable floor, and there is significant upside with his trio of D.J. Chark, Dede Westbrook and Chris Conley against the very shaky and somewhat depleted Texans secondary.
Jameis Winston at SEA: Even if the erratic Winston throws three interceptions, he is facing a secondary that allowed Andy Dalton and Matt Schaub to pass for 400 yards. He could still finish with 350 passing yards and three TDs. The Seahawks secondary cannot hold down his two standout WRs.
Tough Lineup Decisions
Sony Michel over David Montgomery: The rookie had what appeared to be a breakout game last week, but he faces a tough Eagles run defense and the Bears may use more of Tarik Cohen if they are playing catch-up. Michel has a better chance to finish off a scoring drive with a TD run.
Miles Sanders over Mark Walton: We certainly like Walton this week against the Jets, but both Eagles RBs are in play. Sanders has way more upside than Walton and can score any time he touches the ball against any defense. If you want a high ceiling, go with Sanders. If you want the safer start, take Walton.
Alshon Jeffery over Courtland Sutton: The “Revenge Game” is also a motivator for Jeffery this week. Sutton had a really strong on-field relationship with Joe Flacco and may be the only one who will miss him.
Devante Parker over Zach Pascal: The latter is expected to be the Colts’ WR1 with T.Y. Hilton out. But Parker has a better matchup against the Jets as Pascal takes on Pittsburgh. The Miami-New York game is more likely to be high scoring.
Mike Gesicki over Vance McDonald: The Steelers TE is overrated, and Gesicki was starting to improve before a quiet outing on Monday. He could get into the end zone as Miami possibly nets its first win of the year. He is a good dart throw if you are desperate at TE this week.
Ryan Fitzpatrick over Jacoby Brissett: Yes, the Dolphins will provide some quality production this week. Fitzpatrick can be the key to victory for Miami with a good outing, while Brissett has a depleted WR group.
