Week 8 finally had some big scoring. Unfortunately, the biggest scorers were not in my lineups. But onwards we go. There were also some significant QB injuries (Kirk Cousins and Matthew Stafford) that will definitely have a huge impact going into Week 9. Let’s take a quick look at my Week 8 recap.
QB: Derek Carr- 22.3, Tua Tagovailoa- 26.7
RB: Travis Etienne- 15.9, Breece Hall- 16, Alvin Kamara- 16
WR: Josh Downs- 14.2, Garrett Wilson- 20.6, Kendrick Bourne- 12.6, Ja’Marr Chase- 28.2
TE: Evan Engram- 17.8
D/ST: CIN D/ST- 9
My best GPP lineup didn’t cash despite a solid score, here is the lineup:
QB: Joe Burrow- 27.6
RB: CMC- 29.8
RB: Breece Hall- 21.3
WR: Ja’Marr Chase- 28.2
WR: Brandon Aiyuk- 18.9
WR: Demario Douglas- 7.9
TE: Dalton Schultz- 2.5
FLEX: Jaxon Smith-Njigba- 12.6
D/ST: Bengals D/ST- 9
For a total of 157.82 points!
Time to identify some winners for Week 9!
Games to target:
1. DAL @ PHI – 46 O/U
Implied totals: DAL 21.5; PHI 24.5
2. CHI @ NO – 41 O/U
Implied totals: CHI 16.25; NO 24.75
3. TB @ HOU - 44 O/U
Implied totals: TB 18.5; HOU 21.5
4. IND @ CAR – 44.O/U
Implied totals: IND 23.5; CAR 21
Top Cash Plays:
Quarterbacks
I am paying down at QB in cash this week.
Dak Prescott ($6,500)
With all the QB injuries that have taken place, Dak finally makes for a nice cash play in Week 9. Dak has back-to-back games of 24+ fantasy points, which I think can extend for a 3rd week. The Eagles rank 31st in True Matchup Rank for opposing RBs, so Dak is going to have to pass for the Cowboys to win. The Eagles rank 3rd in True Matchup Rank for opposing QBs.
Derek Carr ($5,700)
Once again Derek Carr makes the list as a cheap cash play. He has 3 straight games of 20+ fantasy points and in Week 9 he gets a matchup against the Bears.
Other options: If you really want to squeeze savings at the QB spot, look at Taylor Heinicke ($5,000). Heinicke was named the starter and is very intriguing in cash considering his pricing.
Running Back
Alvin Kamara ($8,100)
Kamara is still the “weighted opportunity rating” (WOPR) king. I expect Kamara’s 22.3% target share to continue in Week 9 against the Bears. The Bears come in as the #1 matchup for opposing RBs and the Saints have a 24.75 implied point total. I’m locking Kamara in all my lineups this week, both cash and GPPs.
Rachaad White ($5,600)
White has been getting the job done lately. He has 13 combined targets and 60+ receiving yards in each of his past two games. He ranks 14th in WOPR and has no real backfield competition. The Texans rank as the 8th best matchup for opposing RBs. Enjoy the savings and production from White in Week 9.
Wide Receiver
AJ Brown ($8,600)
AJ Brown has been incredible this season. He has over 100+ receiving yards in 6 of 8 games. Just to show how dominant Brown has been, here are some of his statistical ranks this season:
3rd in weighted opportunity rating WOPR
5th in targets
5th in True Target Value (TTaV)
9th in points per opportunity excluding TDs (PPOxTD)
1st in big plays
Brown is a crucial part of the Eagles offense and will be leaned on to defeat the Cowboys in Week 9.
Josh Downs ($5,200)
Downs has been a staple of my lineups the past three weeks. Downs has 6+ targets in every game this season except two and has put together three straight strong performances with Gardner Minshew under center. Trust Downs to be a PPR machine and solidify your cash lineup.
Tight End
Mark Andrews ($6,800)
Andrews was a letdown last week. This week, he gets a Seattle defense that allows the 2nd most points to the slot. Andrews is 3rd in slot snaps, running a route from the slot at a 45.5% clip. Look for Andrews to pummel the Seattle defense.
Dallas Goedert ($4,800)
Goedert ranks 12th in WOPR this season and has heated up after a slow start. He’s had 5 or more targets in every game this season except two. Even better, the Cowboys defense ranks as the 8th best matchup for opposing TEs. Trust Goedert to get the job done for you in Week 9.
D/ST
Los Angeles Rams ($2,600)
Jordan Love was feeling himself after the 1st two weeks of the season, throwing for 6 TDs with 0 INTs and 1 fumble. Then Week 3 hit, and everything started to snowball downhill. Since Week 3, Love has thrown 8 INTs, 5 TDs, and 2 fumbles. The Rams are a strong cheap option against a struggling QB.
Favorite stacks:
1. Dak Prescott + CeeDee Lamb with AJ Brown/DeVonta Smith/Dallas Goedert bring back. This game should be popular but there are many ways to get unique.
2. Derek Carr + Alvin Kamara + Rashid Shaheed/Chris Olave. Olave has to get back on track at some point, right?
3. Gardner Minshew + Michael Pittman + Jonathan Taylor/Josh Downs. No Carolina bring back necessary, Adam Thielen is too expensive.
GPP Plays:
Quarterbacks
Lamar Jackson ($8,200)
Lamar burned me last week but he’s a legitimate GPP play every week he’s on the slate. The Seahawks rank as the 3rd best matchup for opposing WRs and 7th best matchup for opposing QBs. Stack Lamar with TE Mark Andrews and hope for a big week.
Running Back
Jonathan Taylor ($6,400)
I desperately wanted to put Taylor in the cash section, however, he’s still splitting work with RB Zach Moss and Moss continues to impress with his opportunities. Week 8 was the first time Taylor cracked a 60% snap share, yet his rushing share was just 52.2%. Although he’s splitting work, Taylor draws a fantastic matchup against the Panthers this week. The Panthers rank as the 4th best matchup for opposing RBs.
Darrell Henderson Jr. ($5,100)
While Henderson has been splitting work with fellow RB Royce Freeman, he is dominating the passing down work, which is what we want. Henderson also has 57.1% and 60% rushing shares in two weeks with the Rams. The Packers defense ranks as the 6th best matchup for opposing RBs. If you need to get unique with your lineup, Henderson should be low-rostered and provide an adequate number of points.
Wide Receivers
Amari Cooper ($6,100)
Cooper is 18th in WOPR on the season the question is will he have a QB that can get him the ball. Cooper also ranks 5th in aDOT and 17th in target share which pairs well with the Cardinals defense. The Cardinals are the #1 matchup for opposing WRs. With WR Donovan People-Jones gone, the target tree gets thinner and favors Amari Cooper more.
Chris Olave ($6,300)
Olave’s peripheral numbers look good and he’s poised for a breakout game soon. Olave is 5th in total true air yards (450), 1st in unrealized air yards (266) and 5th in True aDOT at 5.8. Olave is also 18th in WOPR. The numbers are there, it’s just a matter of QB Derek Carr getting in sync with Olave.
Tight Ends
I am comfortable using my cash TEs recommendations for GPPs, however, I’ll give you another option for this week.
TE Taysom Hill ($4,700)
Hill seems to be a staple of the Saints offense. He also gives you plenty of avenues to score via rushing, receiving or passing. Hill has 19 offensive touches over the past two games and 3 TDs. If you’re feeling lucky, sprinkle Hill in your GPP lineups.
D/ST
New York Giants ($2,300)
The Giant's defense has improved since their beating at the Miami Dolphins. Since Week 6, they’ve held opponents to 14 or fewer points and have 10 sacks in that same timeframe. The Raiders offense has been a mess and I expect the Giants to cause problems for their rookie QB.
Lone Ranger (sub $5,000 player that can score over 10 fantasy points)
Kendrick Bourne and Josh Downs eclipsed the 10-point threshold in Week 8, putting me at 9-8 on the season. Finally, over .500 and it feels so good! Time to keep it rolling!
WR Jahan Dotson ($4,700), WR Michael Thomas ($4,900)
Dotson finally blew up in Week 8 and showed us some of his magic from last season. He now has 18 targets over his last 2 games and will need to be used against a stingy Patriots defense.
Michael Thomas has been as consistent as they come. He’s had 6+ targets and 40+ receiving yards in every game this season. He’s had 10+ fantasy points in every game except two. I like him in a good matchup against Chicago.
Have a great Week 9 of DFS!
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By Clayton Jones aka @FF_Pulse_88
For a second straight season, I am betting against Mahomes.