Fantasy Week 9, But Spooky

Once again, I bring you the weekly fantasy ‘what’s good?’ and once again, I’ve changed my formatting and approach. I live in the world of constant tweaks… just like your weekly fantasy lineups do!

(see how I brought that back around?)

I know everybody’s is busy with the trick or treating tonight before these awesome thunderstorms roll in and bring with it real football weather on the back end, so let’s make sure to shore up those fantasy lineups early and follow my lead on the Tricks (sit ’em), Treats (start ’em) and the players that are Dead Asleep (sleepers).

I want everyone’s fantasy lineups to bring home more candy and fewer rocks this week!

BYE: Falcons, Bengals, Rams, Saints

Quarterback

Trick: Jacoby Brissett @ Yinz

I hope I’m way off on this one, but Brissett is going to struggle against the Steelers, who are gaining momentum defensively (not overall, let’s not kid ourselves) after forcing four turnovers against Miami last week. Brissett was blanked by a strong Denver D last week, and could suffer a similar fate in Pittsburgh this week. 

Treat: Aaron Rodgers @ Chargers

Rodgers looks to be getting Davante Adams back on Sunday, which is a huge boost, but even if he doesn’t? Rodgers has a 10:1 TD:INT ratio the past three weeks without Adams. He’ll be fine against a porous Bolts D. 

Dead Asleep: Sam Darnold @ Fins

Darnold looked AWFUL two weeks ago, but it was also against the Patriots, so can we knock him? Last week he showed signs of life with a pair of touchdown passes (and three picks) in a losing effort to the Jags, but this week? He gets a porous Fins secondary without the services of Xavien Howard. That’s a sweet matchup to expose and a solid deep sleeper.

Running Back

Trick: Chris Carson vs Bucs

Carson is clearly a top tier running back in the NFL, but this week’s matchup is not in the cards for Carson. Tampa’s Run D is the perfect mix, as they rank 1st in ypc (3.0) and 1st in rush yards per game allowed (68.6). Carson will struggle on Sunday.

Treat: Dalvin Cook @ Chiefs

67 (5.2), 192 (4.7), 132 (4.6). Those are the numbers of Aaron Jones, Carlos Hyde and Marlon Mack in the Chiefs’ last 3 home games. Dalvin Cook has 100+ rushing yards in five out of eight games this season, as he averages 5.3 ypc. He’s going to EAT. 

Dead Asleep: Mark Ingram vs Pats

Ingram has only averaged 48 rushing yards per game over his last three, but this week’s matchup versus New England presents an interesting opportunity. The Pats will be keyed in on Lamar Jackson and keeping him contained, but Ingram is facing a Pats defense that looks stout on the surface (4th in rush ypg) but gives up 4.6 yards per carry- 21st in the NFL. We saw what Nick Chubb was able to do last week in New England, and I expect similar results from Ingram.

Wide Receiver

Trick: Odell Beckham Jr @ Broncos

The Broncos opted to stand pat at the trade deadline and keep their 3rd ranked pass defense intact. Five of OBJ’s past six games have been of the sub-60 yards receiving variety, with 0 total touchdowns over that stretch. Look for the Broncos (and Chris Harris Jr.) to lock Beckham down and keep the trend going.

Treat: D.J. Chark @ Texans

After two lackluster weeks against Cincy and the Saints, Chark had a game last week with 6/12/79/1 against the Jets. Yes, the Jets are a bad team but do you know who has a worse pass defense? His opponent this week- the Texans – who are 28th in receiving yards allowed per game (293.4) and 29th in receiving touchdowns allowed (17).

Dead Asleep: Robby Anderson @ Fins

I’ve called Sam Darnold a sleeper this week, so he needs somebody to catch those touchdown passes, right? Anderson is just a few weeks removed from a 5/8/125/1 game against the Eagles’ porous secondary, but struggled against stout Patriots and Jags defenses the past two games. A JV secondary for the Dolphins should bring good fortune to Anderson this weekend.

Tight End

Trick: Jimmy Graham @ Bolts

Graham’s 4/4/65/1 game against the Raiders two weeks ago was splendid, but he fell back to earth last week with a a meager three-catch, 20 yard showing against the Chiefs. Add in the return of Devante Adams to steal more targets, and I expect to see Graham return to fantasy obscurity.

Treat: Darren Waller vs Lions

I’m expecting a shootout in the Raiders-Lions game, and Waller will be a huge recipient of a chunky target share. He had a down week last week against the Texans (2/8/11/1) but the previous week against the Packers, Waller blew up for 7/8/126/2. Look for the former Raven to extend his touchdown streak to three games. 

Dead Asleep: Jonnu Smith @ Panthers

Smith stepped into a starting role when Delanie Walker went down, and in the last two games with Walker absent, Smith has put up a solid 9/10/142/1 line. The Panthers provide a tough matchup, but with Smith’s target share last week rising against the Bucs and proving fruitful (6/7/78/1), I expect another heavy workload against the Panthers. 

Defense/Special Teams

Trick: Patriots @ Ravens

Alright, I’m doing it. I know New England has the number one defense in the NFL, but this matchup against the Ravens is going to be something completely new to them, as they’re no longer facing scrubs and cellar dwellers. Baltimore comes in with two weeks to prepare, and I think we’ll see Baltimore put up 24 points of offense against New England, and keep the turnovers at a goose egg. Reality won’t be a pretty look for the self-proclaimed ‘Boogeymen.’

Treat: 49ers @ Cardinals

Kliff and Kyler have been on the struggle bus this year, and with David Johnson already being ruled out this week, the entire Cards offense will hinge on newly acquired RB Kenyan Drake. If I had to bet on a shutout this week, this is the game.

Dead Asleep: Colts @ Steelers

Indy hasn’t been a force on defense in fantasy by any stretch, but I like their matchup this week. The Steelers will be without James Conner and Benny Snell, while the passing offense won’t be getting the cupcake matchup as they did last week against the Dolphins practice squad. The Colts’ 11 sacks over their last three games won’t help either. In the past three games, the Colts have held the Chiefs to 13 (and won) the Texans to 23 (and won), and the Broncos to 13 (and won). They’ll shut down Pitt as well.