👉 TAP TO SAVE 30% WITH CODE NEW
X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

Week 9 Lineup Sleepers & Busts for Fantasy Football

The Boom or Bust play is one of the most talked about aspects of fantasy football each week. Boom or Bust players can be used in the deep lineup leagues, when it appears you are a heavy underdog in your head-to-head matchup or even in Guaranteed Prize Pool Tournaments in DFS.

In this article, I will cover five of my favorite boom or bust plays for Week 9 of the fantasy football season.

Editor's Note: New users that sign up on Fantasy Aces, make a $20 deposit, and enter any game will receive our full season NFL (or NBA) Premium Pass for free, a $59.99 value. Just email [email protected] with your new FantasyAces username - and boom, that's it! We will email you with your Premium pass.

Featured Promo: Looking for some more fantasy football action? Adopt a dynasty orphan team over at FFPC. Sign up today and get $25 off any FFPC league. Sign Up Now!

Quarterback

Matthew Stafford, Lions QB vs MIN

Matthew Stafford is having one of the best campaigns of his career in the first season of the post-Calvin Johnson era in Detroit. Stafford is the QB9 in fantasy points per game with 19 points or more in six of eight games so far this season.

Due to injuries to Ameer Abdullah and Dwayne Washington, the Lions have struggled to get anything going in the running game as the Lions rank 27th in the NFL, averaging 85.5 rushing yards per game. Theo Riddick is returning to full health, but he has proven porous in the running game with a 3.7 yards per carry. To an extent, it has been a positive for the volume of Matthew Stafford as a passer. However, in a tough matchup on the road against a Minnesota defense that has allowed the second fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks so far this season, I think the lack of an ability to establish a run game will mean that the Lions won’t be able to move the ball against the Vikings defense, making Stafford an unattractive play in week 9.

Verdict: Bust

Running Back

Mark Ingram, Saints RB at SF

“The benching”. The horror story that was Mark Ingram in Week 8. Mark Ingram had 18 or more touches in each of his previous games before Week 8. However, Ingram was benched after fumbling, cutting his day short. Ingram has never had a fumbling problem during his career, but he was quickly benched after his mishap against the Seahawks.

The question fantasy players and analysts are asking now are whether or not the benching punishment will carry into the Saints Week 9 matchup against the 49ers. Ingram is a risky play, but I do think that the Saints coaching staff will return to trusting Ingram as the workhorse. He heads into a plus matchup against a 49ers defense that has allowed the most fantasy points to running backs so far this season.

Verdict: Boom

Wide Receiver

Corey Coleman, Browns WR vs DAL

Corey Coleman is expected to make his return to the Browns offense after being out with a broken hand since Week 2. Coleman was the first wide receiver drafted in the 2016 NFL draft at 15th overall, and showed early on he was worth that selection with seven catches for 173 receiving yards and two touchdowns in his first two NFL games.

Along with Coleman, Cody Kessler returns at quarterback against the Cowboys this week. I think that the return of Coleman will dampen much of the excitement around Terrelle Pryor. Coleman will be getting a bulk of the targets for a Browns team that will be trailing early. The Cowboys are 7 point favorites on the road. With heavy volume and his abilities, Coleman could be a top 10 play at wide receiver this week.

Verdict: Boom

Tight End

Lance Kendricks, Rams TE vs CAR

Lance Kendricks is the perfect example of an “unsexy” boom/bust play this week. Kendricks is the TE23 so far this season, but he has scored 10+ PPR points in four of seven games so far. When searching for a tight end streamer, targets are one of the most important things to look at and Kendricks has seen six-plus targets in four of seven games, as well as eight-plus targets in each of the last two games.

This week, Kendricks faces a Carolina defense that has allowed the second most fantasy points to the tight end position. In a plus matchup, and as one of the most targeted weapons on the team, Kendricks is definitely in a position to be a top-six scorer at tight end this week. You can’t ask for much more from a player who is on most waiver wires.

Verdict: Boom

Hail Mary of the Week

In the Hail Mary of the Week, I will choose a Boom/Bust candidate who is available on the waiver wire or at the end of benches in most fantasy football leagues and could have a big week.

Cole Beasley, Cowboys WR at CLE

With the return of Dez Bryant to the Cowboys lineup, many have soured on Cole Beasley as a fantasy asset. I think that souring may be a bit premature, though, as Beasley has nine-plus PPR points in every game this season and has had six or more targets in five of seven games. The two games where he didn't, Bryant was out anyways. I think that a false correlation between the two has been developed. Beasley is a great play this week against a Browns defense that has allowed the most fantasy points to wide receivers this season. 




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Caleb Durbin

Red Sox Acquire Caleb Durbin from Brewers
Marcell Ozuna

Inks One-Year Deal with Pirates
Jonas Rondbjerg

Out for Olympics
Brad Marchand

Good to Go for Olympic Opener
Gabriel Landeskog

Healthy for Olympics
Mikey Romero

in Line for 2026 MLB Debut?
Jack Hughes

Cleared for Olympics
Ryan Clifford

to Compete for Early MLB Debut?
Max Anderson

Could Compete for Opening Day Role?
New York Yankees

Ben Hess Earns Invite to MLB Spring Training
Pittsburgh Pirates

Edward Florentino a Budding Star in Pittsburgh System?
Robert Williams III

Listed as Questionable vs. Philadelphia
George Klassen

Will Attend Big-League Spring Training
Jaylon Tyson

Could Miss First Game Since November
Scoot Henderson

Probable Monday vs. 76ers
Cedric Coward

Set to Return Monday Against Warriors
Santi Aldama

Out Again Monday Against Warriors
Ajay Mitchell

Ruled Out Against Lakers
Shaedon Sharpe

Misses Second Straight Game
Jalen Williams

Back for Thunder Monday
Brett Baty

is Getting Reps in Left Field
Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Returns to Super Bowl After Injury Scare
Sandy Alcantara

Likely to Start on Opening Day
Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Being Evaluated for Concussion, Questionable to Return
José Berríos

Jose Berrios Could Shift to the Bullpen
MJ Melendez

Mets Sign MJ Melendez to Major League Deal
Egor Demin

Resting Against Bulls
Michael Porter Jr.

Will Miss Monday's Game
Deni Avdija

Uncertain for Monday Night
Stephen Curry

Still Out Monday
Deandre Ayton

Expected to Play Monday
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic Ruled Out for Monday
Joel Embiid

Considered Questionable for Monday's Game
Jalen Smith

Iffy for Monday
Tre Jones

Doubtful for Monday
Josh Giddey

Likely to Remain Out Monday
Dyson Daniels

Questionable for Monday Due to Ankle Issue
Keyonte George

Won't Play Against Heat
Malik Monk

Set to Miss Another Game Monday
Jurickson Profar

May Be Undervalued After Suspension-Marred 2025
Tanner Bibee

in Line for Resurgent 2026 Season?
Ian Happ

Showing Subtle Signs of Aging Heading into 2026
Ryan Pepiot

Returning to More Favorable Home Park in 2026
Roki Sasaki

Can Roki Sasaki Rebound from Disappointing 2025 Campaign?
James Pearce Jr.

Arrested Following Police Chase
Christian Yelich

Unlikely to Replicate 2025 Campaign
Emilio Pagán

Emilio Pagan Could Regress After Career Year
Conner Capel

Rockies Sign Conner Capel to Minor-League Deal
Lou Trivino

Heading Back to Phillies
Quinn Hughes

Enters Olympics in Red-Hot Form
NHL

Juho Lammikko Returns to Switzerland
Pavel Zacha

Misses Olympics
Travis Kelce

Undecided on Playing Future, Leaning Towards Returning in 2026?
CFB

Rutgers Hiring South Dakota Head Coach Travis Johansen as Defensive Coordinator
Vinicius Oliveira

Looks For His Seventh Consecutive Win
Mario Bautista

A Favorite At UFC Vegas 113
Kyoji Horiguchi

Set For UFC Vegas 113 Co-Main Event
Amir Albazi

Looks To Bounce Back
Rizvan Kuniev

Looks For His First UFC Win
Jailton Almeida

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Marc-Andre Barriault

In Dire Need Of Victory
Michal Oleksiejczuk

Looks For His Third Win In A Row
Michael Penix Jr.

Says he's Ahead of Schedule After Knee Surgery
Cleveland Browns

Jim Schwartz Resigns as Browns Defensive Coordinator
Malik Nabers

Says his Rehab has Been "Phenomenal"
CFB

Oklahoma Hiring Former NFL Defensive Lineman DeShawn Williams to Analyst Role
CFB

Jahmal Edrine Charged with Sexual Assault, No Longer Enrolled at Virginia
Jakob Chychrun

Makes Big Impact in Thursday's Win
Brandon Bussi

Shuts Out Rangers With 16 Saves
Anze Kopitar

Reaches 1,300 Career Points
Mark Stone

Becomes First Vegas Player With 100 Multi-Point Games
Daniil Tarasov

Injured in Battle of Florida
Andrei Kuzmenko

Hurt Versus Vegas
John Carlson

Suffers Lower-Body Injury
Matthew Stafford

Named 2025 NFL MVP, Will Return in 2026
Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Takes Home Offensive Player of the Year Honors
Christian McCaffrey

Named Comeback Player of the Year
Tetairoa McMillan

Named Offensive Rookie of the Year
Myles Garrett

Unanimously Wins Defensive Player of the Year Award
Brad Marchand

Evan Rodrigues Among Panthers Absentees Thursday
Calum Ritchie

Rejoins Islanders Lineup as Second-Line Center
Zach Benson

Sits Out Second Straight Game
Pierre-Luc Dubois

Available Against Predators
Rickard Rakell

Out Thursday
Brayden Point

Won't Play in Olympics
Jonathan Huberdeau

to Have Season-Ending Hip Surgery
CFB

Houston, Vanderbilt, Tennessee Land Top-Three QBs in 2026 Class
Joe Mixon

Committed to Playing in 2026
CFB

Michigan Signs Top-15 Recruiting Class Despite Coaching Change
CFB

USC Finishes with No. 1 Signing Class in 2026
CFB

Trinidad Chambliss Denied Medical Redshirt Waiver By NCAA
CFB

Sam Leavitt to be Limited In Spring Practice
Jordan Love

Avoids Offseason Surgery
Matt Fitzpatrick

Back in Action at WM Phoenix Open
Sahith Theegala

Riding Hot Start Into WM Phoenix Open
J.J. Spaun

Looks to Regain Form at WM Phoenix Open
Viktor Hovland

a Volatile Option at WM Phoenix Open
Rasmus Hojgaard

Aims to Build on Solid Start to 2026
Brian Harman

Looks to Find Form at WM Phoenix Open
Daniel Berger

Has the Tools to Go One Step Higher at Scottsdale
Max Greyserman

Searching for Consistency at WM Phoenix Open
Jake Knapp

Wants Revenge at WM Phoenix Open
CFB

Joey Aguilar Granted Temporary Restraining Order Against NCAA
Joel Dahmen

Carrying Momentum Into WM Phoenix Open
Corey Conners

Unlikely to Contend at Scottsdale
Sepp Straka

Seeks a Rebound After The American Express
Jordan Spieth

Healthy Heading to WM Phoenix Open
Keith Mitchell

Building Momentum for Event in Scottsdale
Tom Hoge

The Tom Hoge Roller Coaster Heads to Scottsdale for WM Phoenix Open
Rickie Fowler

Worth a Look at WM Phoenix Open
Xander Schauffele

Making Second Appearance at Phoenix Open
Collin Morikawa

Needs a Bounce-Back at Waste Management Phoenix Open
Hideki Matsuyama

Has a Shot to Challenge at the Waste Management Phoenix Open
Max Homa

Playing Well Heading to Waste Management Phoenix Open
Ben Griffin

Will Need to Find Approach Game to Compete in Phoenix
Michael Penix Jr.

Matt Ryan Not Committing to Michael Penix Jr. as the Starting QB
NASCAR

Billy Horschel Unlikely to Right the Ship in Phoenix
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF