Week 9 Loves & Hates
Loves
QBs
Tom Brady (Buccaneers)- Brady gets one of the easier matchups this week when he goes up against the Saints. This season Brady ranks as the 5th QB, he has put up solid numbers all season, with the exception of the Panthers game in Week 2. Getting back to the game this week, the Saints put up little challenge to QBs (27th), WRs (23rd), and TEs (30th). The Saints defense has been thrown on this season, and with strong WRs, and TEs on the Buccaneers, Brady should be able to put up another big performance. Plus you should be looking to stack Brady with either Mike Evans or Rob Gronkowski.
Josh Allen (Bills)- Allen gets one of the best matchups anyone could ask for this week. He gets a Seahawks team that doesn’t know how to stop, or even slow down the pass. The Seahawks are ranked 31st against QBs, and have allowed 25.40 points. The stats that the Seahawks have allowed this season for QBs is shocking for the once fabled Legion of Boom. They have allowed 2565 passing yards, 13 passing TDs, and 4 rushing TDs. These stats paint a favorable picture for Allen to succeed. Not to mention the Seahawks are ranked 32nd against opposing WRs, more of this stat to come. So this week seems like a lock for Allen.
RBs
Chase Edmonds (Cardinals)- With Kenyon Drake out we can finally see if Edmonds has what it takes to be the lead back. This week Edmonds gets a nice matchup with the Dolphins, who rank 26th this season. The Dolphins have allowed 719 rushing yards and 6 rushing TDs, while also giving up 39 receptions for 325 yards and 2 TDs to RBs. This could be the perfect storm for Edmonds, as I believe he will have plenty of chances to prove he is the guy in the Cardinals backfield. This should be a good day for Edmonds.
James Connor (Steelers)- I am almost starting to feel bad for the Cowboys and how their season has gone, and this week I am glad I am not one of them. The Cowboys get the undefeated Steelers, who by all accounts should just steamroll this team. With the Cowboys still trying to figure out who their QB will be and their inability to stop anybody on defense, the Steelers might be able to get into a run heavy game script quite early. If this happens the Cowboys cannot do much to stop them. The Cowboys are 21st against opposing RBs, with some staggering stats allowed. The Cowboys have allowed 1109 rushing yards and 8 rushing TDs to this point, which must make Connor excited about this game.
Damien Harris (Patriots)- With the Patriots still not able to throw the ball effectively, and the Jets being pretty bad against RBs, we could see a run heavy game script from the Patriots featuring Harris. Harris saw an increase in his workload last week, as he was the only player to have double digit carries. The Patriots have leaned heavily on him to become the lead back, and with a Jets team that allowed both Zack Moss and Devin Singletary to have productive days. One thing about Harris though, is his lack of targets in the pass game. If this game comes down to that then he could disappoint.
WRs
Stefon Diggs (Bills)- As I highlighted above, the Bills have a fantastic matchup against this Seahawks defense. Diggs has shown to be a vital addition to this Bills offense, and not to mention he is the 6th ranked WR this season! With the Seahawks being ranked 31st against QBs and 32nd against WRs, I would be absolutely shocked if he falls flat. With the Seahawks allowing 1885 receiving yards and 11 TDs to WRs, Diggs should be able to participate. Plus, with John Brown on the injury report again, it is likely he will not be able to go for this game, leading to more targets for Diggs. With Allen and Diggs having great matchups, you should consider stacking them.
Terry McLaurin (Washington Football Team)- The second year WR was honored by his team this week as the team named him a captain. With QB Kyle Allen settling in and looking more comfortable this rematch should be different than a couple of weeks ago. This is not the best matchup, but McLaurin is a player that needs to be featured for this team to win. With that said, I do think the Washington Football Team can feature McLaurin as the Giants rank 22nd against WRs. With McLaurin’s ability he should be able to be an even bigger part in this game.
Will Fuller V (Texans)- Last time the Texans and the Jaguars played each other Brandin Cooks was the leading receiver, but Fuller should see an increase. Randall Cobb was on the injury report this week, and if he can’t shake this sickness then he won’t be able to play. Fuller has been fairly consistent this season and with QB Deshaun Watson having a great matchup, he should be able to take advantage and get his top flight receiver involved.
TEs
Rob Gronkowski (Buccaneers)- As I alluded to in the Brady breakdown, the Saints are bad against the pass, and one of the worst when it comes to opposing TEs. The Saints are ranked 30th and have allowed 393 yards and 6 TDs to TEs. With Brady and Gronk back on the same page things have gotten scary for defenses. We all know that Brady loves having his security blanket back and playing very good. The Bucs should be able to take advantage of this bad Saints defense, and Gronk-Spikes should be expected on Sunday.
Logan Thomas (Washington Football Team)- Thomas has been a steady contributor for the Washington Football Team this season. With another year at TE, Thomas has shown some promise. The Giants are a fairly strong defense this year, but one area where they tend to be a little shaky is against TEs. With the Giants letting up 408 yards and 5 TDs to TEs, and Thomas having a strong outing last time they played the trend could continue. With the Giants being able to pressure QBs, Thomas should be looked to often as a reliable outlet for Allen.
D/ST
Texans- With the rematch coming this week, the odds seem to be even more in the Texans favor. Last game we saw the Texans win 30-14, with a Jaguars team that was fairly healthy. However, this time the Jaguars are at a disadvantage with Gardner Minshew II dealing with an injury to his throwing hand. Minshew sustained a ligament sprain and small break in his right thumb. This injury will undoubtably impact how Minshew throws the ball. If the Texans get to play against a back up QB then it should be an even better matchup.
Hates
QB
Lamar Jackson (Ravens) The league MVP just is not having the same impact as he did last season. Plus he has a very difficult matchup this week against the Colts. The Colts are the top ranked team when it comes to defending against QBs and TEs, while ranking 4th for RBs and 15th for WRs. This season the Colts have only allowed 1599 yards passing with 10 TDs while also having 11 interceptions. They have also only allowed 67 rushing yards to QBs and 1 TD. If the Colts are able to contain Jackson and force turnovers, this game will not go the Ravens way.
RB
Ezekiel Elliot (Cowboys)- Zeke started this season off strong with multiple 20 point outings. But then Dak Prescott sustained his horrific ankle injury, and then Andy Dalton got knocked out and got COVID, then Ben DiNucci didn’t perform well. Because of these changes at the QB position Zeke has suffered and put up some horrible numbers. This week things do not get any easier, as they get the Steelers who are ranked 2nd against RBs. The Steelers have only allowed 551 yards rushing 5 TDs, and 158 yards receiving with 1 TD. This is not a game that I would want to play Zeke.
WR
A.J. Brown (Titans)- It looks like Brown will get his toughest matchup this season. The second year receiver has taken the role of number 1 receiver and has produced. But, the Bears are tough against the pass as they rank 3rd against WRs, only allowing 1184 yards, 93 receptions, and 2 TDs. While also being 5th against QBs with 1935 passing yards, 8 TDS, with 5 interceptions. This just is not the best matchup this week for a WR and QB, so I would not start these players. Although, I think you still have to start Brown, but you really need to tamper your expectations.
TE
Mark Andrews (Ravens)- As I stated in the Jackson piece above, the Colts have the best defense against QBs and TEs. So far this season the Colts have only allowed 222 receiving yards on 25 receptions with 0 TDs. Andrews is one of the go to targets for Jackson, but with how well the Colts are at stopping TEs, I think they will try to take this option away from Jackson. Based on what I have seen, I would not want to start Andrews, as I have highlighted there are better options.
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