WEEK 9 START ‘EM, SIT ‘EM

Each week, 750 The Game fantasy expert Bryce Wells gives you his top options on who to start and sit in your lineups for the NFL weekend.  Check out Bryce’s opinions below, and remember, make wise choices.  Good luck!

Week 8 Top Performers:

QB:

• Daniel Jones – 28/41 attempts – 322 yards – 4 TD’s / 4 carries – 13 yards – 2 fumbles
• Deshaun Watson – 27/39 attempts – 279 yards – 3 TD’s / 10 carries – 46 yards
• Aaron Rodgers – 23/33 attempts – 305 yards – 3 TD’s / 6 carries – 29 yards
• Drew Brees – 34/43 attempts – 373 yards – 3 TD’s – 1 INT
• Matthew Stafford – 25/32 attempts – 342 yards – 3 TD’s – 1 INT / 2 carriers – -3 yards

RB:

• Aaron Jones – 13 carries – 66 yards / 7 receptions – 159 yards – 2 TD’s
• Tevin Coleman – 11 carries – 105 yards – 3 TD’s / 2 receptions – 13 yards – 1 TD
• Latavius Murray – 21 carries – 102 yards – 1 TD / 9 receptions – 55 yards – 1 TD
• Dalvin Cook – 23 carries – 98 yards – 1 TD / 5 receptions – 73 yards
• Christian McCaffery – 14 carries – 117 yards – 1 TD / 4 receptions – 38 yards

WR:

• Mike Evans – 11 receptions – 198 yards – 2 TD’s
• Cooper Kupp – 7 receptions – 220 yards – 1 TD
• Kenny Golladay – 6 receptions – 123 yards – 2 TD’s – 1 fumble
• Julian Edelman – 8 receptions – 78 yards – 2 TD’s / 1 carry – -3 yards
• Michael Thomas – 11 receptions – 112 yards – 1 TD / 1 carry – -9 yards

TE:

• Ryan Griffin – 4 receptions – 66 yards – 2 TD
• Darren Fells – 6 receptions – 58 yards – 2 TD
• Jonnu Smith – 6 receptions – 78 yards – 1 TD
• Austin Hooper – 6 receptions – 65 yards – 1 TD
• Travis Kelce – 4 receptions – 63 yards – 1 TD

 

Criteria for the Start/Sit categories

Auto start players would be guys you don’t have to think twice about, guys that will be starters no matter the matchup. Starters are players that are most likely in your lineups unless you have auto start players that can be played in their spot instead. Sit players are players I’m not playing in lineups based on the matchup and other possible reasons.  I would not play these players in the sit category unless your options are limited. Don’t Sweat It players are players that are irrelevant at the moment, they should be nowhere near your starting lineups.

 

49ERS @ CARDINALS

 Auto Start: 

• George Kittle

Start:

• Jimmy Garoppolo
• Tevin Coleman
• Emmanuel Sanders
• Christian Kirk

Sit: 

• Raheem Mostert
• Jeff Wilson Jr.
• Dante Pettis
• Deebo Samuel
• Kyler Murray
• Kenyan Drake
• Larry Fitzgerald
• Damiere Byrd

Don’t Sweat It:

• Matt Breida
• Marquise Goodwin
• Chase Edmonds
• Zach Zenner
• Charles Clay

Conclusion:

Finally, a Thursday night game worth watching even if my ears are bleeding while listening to Booger McFarland and Joe Tessitore do play-by-play.  So we know Arizona gives up the most fantasy points to tight ends but even if they didn’t George Kittle would have been starting anyways.  I’m also expecting Emmanuel Sanders to go back to his old Bronco ways with the Cardinals giving up 37.79 points per game to opposing wide receivers.  In addition, with the 49ers running back situation in injury hell, Tevin Coleman may have the opportunity to repeat a similar stat line to Week 8.  For the Cardinals, I’m out on Kyler Murray especially against a defense with the 4th most sacks in the league and an offensive line that’s given up 26 sacks through 8 games. Don’t forget about Christian Kirk either, he has a chance to gain a few chunk plays against a 49ers defense that’s given up a decent amount of yards to slot receivers. Just a thought, juuuuuust a thought.

TEXANS @ JAGUARS

Auto Start:

• Deshaun Watson
• Gardner Minshew II
• Leonard Fournette
• D.J. Chark
• Chris Conley

Start:

• DeAndre Hopkins
• Darren Fells

Sit: 

• Carlos Hyde
• Duke Johnson
• Kenny Stills
• Keelan Cole

Don’t Sweat It:

• DeAndre Carter
• Keke Coutee
• Josh Oliver

Conclusion:

Through eight weeks Deshaun Watson currently sits at the top of the list as QB1 in fantasy. However his supporting cast has been somewhat lackluster, even DeAndre Hopkins isn’t quite back to his old ways. Carlos Hyde has been serviceable, Kenny Stills hasn’t been consistent, and a guy like Darren Fells at 33 years old is breaking out. For the Jaguars, Gardner Minshew and D.J. Chark keep putting together solid weeks as their connection has been stable. As for Leonard Fournette, the guy has rushed for 1054 yards since his last touchdown. He was robbed of one last week by a lame forward progress call but that hasn’t kept him out of the top ten at his respected position. 

BROWNS @ BRONCOS

Auto Start:

• Nick Chubb

Start:

• Philip Lindsay

Sit:

• Baker Mayfield
• Dontrell Hilliard
• Jarvis Landry
• Odell Beckham Jr.
• Courtland Sutton
• Royce Freeman

Don’t Sweat It:

• Demetrius Harris
• Ricky Seals-Jones
• Brandon Allen
• Noah Fant

Conclusion:

I’m going to say it even though I don’t want to. It’s over for my Broncos and worst of all with a defense that continues to shine without Bradley Chubb, it hurts even more that we don’t have an offense that can help win us games.  The Browns are similar as they’re also underperforming except for Nick Chubb who has become a top running back talent in the league.  Denver’s secondary has been phenomenal so don’t play Browns receivers. In addition, Brandon Allen is in at quarterback for the Broncos so don’t play their receivers either.  This qualifies as a nominee for the worst matchup of the week but at least it’s not numero uno.

REDSKINS @ BILLS

Auto Start:

• John Brown

Start:

• Josh Allen
• Frank Gore

Sit:

• ALL REDSKINS
• Devin Singletary
• Cole Beasley

Don’t Sweat It:

• Dawson Knox

Conclusion:

Sad day, I have finally decided to sit Terry McLaurin.  It shouldn’t come to you as a surprise as the Bills hold opposing wide receivers to 28.37 points per game and yes that’s for all receivers combined.  Unfortunately, Dwayne Haskins hasn’t had the start out the gate we were all hoping for and even worse his college connection hasn’t been there either.  He will get the start this week for the Redskins but he’s riding the pine on our fantasy teams. For the Bills, John Brown continues to be the only passing option I trust along with Cole Beasley sprinkled in every so often.  Last week, Frank Gore out-touched Devin Singletary despite Gore’s lack of production in the passing game.  The old man keeps on plugging away and until Singletary proves me wrong, Gore will continue to be the more reliable option.

TITANS @ PANTHERS

Auto Start:

• Derrick Henry
• Christian McCaffrey

Start:

• Jonnu Smith
• Curtis Samuel
• Greg Olsen

Sit:

• Ryan Tannehill
• A.J. Brown
• Corey Davis
• Adam Humphries
• Kyle Allen
• D.J. Moore
• Jarius Wright

Don’t Sweat It:

• Dion Lewis
• Tajae Sharpe

Conclusion:

Ryan Tannehill didn’t turn the ball over last week but then again the Titans did play the Bucs.  However, for Week 9 the Panthers will be a much bigger challenge for a Titans offense that’s still trying to figure itself out with a new QB.  Derrick Henry only rushed for 75 yards against the Bucs but he’s the type of player you won’t bench no matter the matchup.  In addition, Jonnu Smith has been exceptional while taking over for Delanie Walker so keep his name in the back of your mind.  If you’re trying to figure out which receiver to play for the Titans it’s neither because neither one of them posted more than two catches against the Bucs last week which I don’t even know how that’s possible.  For the Panthers, they had a rough matchup last week against the 49ers and Kyle Allen looked like the UDFA everyone thought he was.  Well, now he gets another top defense and will need to perform at a high level to fend of Cam Newton when/if he returns.  Curtis Samuel is the play at wide receiver after being targeted 11 times last week and it seems as if Kyle Allen tends to lean on Samuel more in tough matchups.  This should be a good game with two very similar teams battling to keep their playoff runs alive.

VIKINGS @ CHIEFS

Auto Start:

• Dalvin Cook
• Stefon Diggs
• Adam Thielen (IF HEALTHY)
• Travis Kelce

Start:

• Kirk Cousins

Sit:

• Alexander Mattison
• Matt Moore
• LeSean McCoy
• Damien Williams
• Tyreek Hill
• Mecole Hardman
• Sammy Watkins
• Kyle Rudolph
• Irv Smith Jr.

Don’t Sweat It:

• Olibisi Johnson
• Patrick Mahomes (INJURED)

Conclusion:

I don’t know what Kirk Cousins is drinking but I’d like some because he’s completely turned his season around and revived Stefon Diggs at the same time. Yeah, Adam Thielen has been hurt but he may back and if so play everyone in this offense except for the tight end.  For the Chiefs, Matt Moore is at quarterback again and unfortunately, the Vikings allow the 11th fewest points in the NFL to opposing quarterbacks.  Even with guys like Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce this offense isn’t the same without Patrick Mahomes. However, Travis Kelce is still TE2 and averaging 11.7 fantasy points per game on the season so if there’s anyone to play, it’s him. If you’re wondering why I’ve decided to sit Tyreek Hill it’s because Xavier Rhodes has kept all receivers he’s faced under a 100 yards. The proof is in the pudding.

JETS @ DOLPHINS

Auto Start:

• NONE

Start:

• Le’Veon Bell

Sit:

• ALL DOLPHINS
• Sam Darnold
• Demaryius Thomas
• Quincy Enunwa
• Jamison Crowder

Don’t Sweat It:

• Ryan Griffin

Conclusion:

I should start keeping track of how many worst matchups of the week the Dolphins are involved in.  Without looking I’d be willing to bet they’re 7-0 on this Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em and I don’t know if “I wish I could say the same about their win-loss record.”  For the Jets, they’re almost in the same scenario except I don’t plan on giving up on Le’Veon Bell. With the amount of volume, he pulls in every week eventually the guy will find the endzone.  It really comes down to Sam Darnold and if he can limit the turnovers, maybe the offense would know what the word “endzone” means.

BEARS @ EAGLES

Auto Start:

• Allen Robinson II

Start:

• Carson Wentz
• Zach Ertz

Sit:

• Mitchell Trubisky
• Anthony Miller
• Taylor Gabriel
• David Montgomery
• Mike Davis
• Tarik Cohen
• Jordan Howard
• Miles Sanders
• Nelson Agholor
• Alshon Jeffery
• Dallas Goedert

Don’t Sweat It:

• Cordarrelle Patterson
• Trey Burton

Conclusion:

This matchup is a strange one. When looking at it from a glance this should be a great game to watch however for fantasy, it’s a disaster.  Allen Robinson has been consistent week in and week out even with the poor quarterback play from Mitchell Trubisky. I’m not chasing last week’s points with David Montgomery and until I see more consistency, I’m out. That’s all there is to talk about with the Bears and the Eagles aren’t much different.  The Bears’ defense is still dominant and Carson Wentz hasn’t quite been the quarterback most were expecting this season. The last two weeks he’s only thrown 2 touchdowns and to be fair it was against the Bills and Cowboys but I can’t imagine him throwing for multiple TD’s against the Bears, even at home.  Regardless, you still have to start him but if you can look elsewhere, do it. Kinda seems like Zach Ertz is battling Dallas Goedert for those red-zone targets, doesn’t it? It has begun, Ertz is still TE7 but the offseason warned us of Dallas Goedert and now Ertz is starting to take a hit in fantasy because of him.

COLTS @ STEELERS

Auto Start:

• JuJu Smith-Schuster

Start:

• Jacoby Brissett
• Marlon Mack
• T.Y. Hilton
• Mason Rudolph
• Diontae Johnson

Sit:

• Nyheim Hines
• Jordan Wilkins
• Zach Pascal
• Jack Doyle
• Eric Ebron
• Jaylen Samuels (START IF HEALTHY)
• James Washington
• Vance McDonald

Don’t Sweat It:

• Chester Rogers
• Parris Campbell
• Nick Vannett

Conclusion:

At the moment I dislike Jacoby Brissett for more than a few reasons.  The only thing that matters is if he can put together a better week than what he gave his owners last week.  Denver was tough but the Steelers are only slightly worse against opposing quarterbacks. The good news is Brissett isn’t a turnover machine, we would prefer him to just find the endzone more often. For the Steelers, Mason Rudolph is back! He didn’t look half bad either.  JuJu Smith-Schuster owners have to be rejoicing after his 1st 100 yard game of 2019 and their rookie Diontae Johnson is looking to be the WR2 for the Steelers instead of James Washington. In addition, Vance McDonald continues to disappoint and it’s officially time to move on. 

LIONS @ RAIDERS

Auto Start:

• Matthew Stafford
• Kenny Golladay
• Josh Jacobs
• Darren Waller

Start: 

• Marvin Jones Jr.

Sit:

• Tra Carson
• Ty Johnson
• Danny Amendola
• T.J. Hockensen
• Derek Carr
• Tyrell Williams
• Hunter Renfroe
• Zay Jones

Don’t Sweat It: 

• Marvin Hall
• DeAndre Washington
• Jalen Richard

Conclusion:

For those who don’t know Matthew Stafford is QB10 on the season averaging 20.8 points per game.  I really just want all Detroit passing offense haters to reappear from the shadows and admit they were wrong because I was never down on the offense. Especially with players like Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones Jr. who I both expect to have an even share of points against a Raiders defense who allows the 6th most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers.  Above all else, avoid the running back situation in Detroit, they’ve already announced a running back by committee approach with Kerryon Johnson out.  Don’t feel too bad I bit on Ty Johnson as well.  For Oakland, it’s still Josh Jacobs and Darren Waller and there’s no need to stress on Oakland wide receivers, Tyrell Williams may have had a great week against an awful Houston defense but Detroit’s defense isn’t that bad.

BUCCANEERS @ SEAHAWKS

Auto Start:

• Mike Evans
• Chris Godwin
• Russell Wilson
• Tyler Lockett

Start:

• Chris Carson
• D.K. Metcalf

Sit:

• Jameis Winston
• Ronald Jones II
• Peyton Barber
• O.J. Howard
• Cameron Brate
• Rashaad Penny
• David Moore
• Jacob Hollister
• Luke Willson

Don’t Sweat It:

• Dare Ogunbowale

Conclusion:

Which wide receiver for the Bucs will go off next? I don’t think it matters because the upside is what Mike Evans did last week.  Either way, neither of these guys disappoint that often.  It’s Jameis Winston that needs to get his act together because if he did we would be seeing even better numbers from two top ten receivers at the moment.  For the Seahawks, it’s an easy one. Play all your major starters, Russell Wilson, Tyler Lockett, Chris Carson, D.K. Metcalf are all great starts against a defense that allows the 4th most fantasy points to opposing teams per game. It’s as simple as that so don’t overthink it.

PACKERS @ CHARGERS

Auto Start:

• Aaron Rodgers
• Aaron Jones
• Davante Adams (IF HEALTHY)
• Keenan Allen

Start:

• Jamaal Williams
• Austin Ekeler
• Hunter Henry

Sit:

• Marquez Valdes-Scantling
• Geronimo Allison
• Allen Lazard
• Jimmy Graham
• Phillip Rivers
• Melvin Gordon
• Mike Williams

Don’t Sweat It:

• Jake Kumerow

Conclusion:

I don’t care much for this game as the Packers should easily come out on top.  Aaron Rodgers is playing out of his mind and if he’s lucky he might get Davante Adams back this week as he has been practicing.  Aaron Jones is back to being the top dog in Green Bay however, at any moment Jamaal Williams could find himself taking over if staying healthy becomes a problem for Jones.  For the Chargers, Phillip Rivers sucks which means Keenan Allen sucks however they did just fire their OC Kevin Whisenhunt which could boost their very stale offense.  That being said, Hunter Henry and Austin Ekeler have been consistent enough to deserve starting spots on your roster against a defense that has been mediocre at best.

PATRIOTS @ RAVENS

Auto Start:

• Julian Edelman
• Lamar Jackson

Start:

• Sony Michel
• James White

Sit:

• Tom Brady
• Phillip Dorsett II
• Mohamed Sanu
• Mark Ingram II
• Gus Edwards
• Marquise Brown
• Mark Andrews

Don’t Sweat It:

• Rex Burkhead
• Jakobi Meyers
• Ben Watson
• Miles Boykin
• Willie Snead IV

Conclusion:

The matchup of the week is here. Finally, we get to see the Patriots face a legitimate team they may see later in the playoffs, nothing better than a little preview.  I talked about Mark Andrews on the Tuddy Talk Podcast as a player I hate for Week 9 and with less than 50 percent snap share against a nightmare defense, we, unfortunately, have to look elsewhere at tight end.  For the Patriots, I will continue to roll out the usual: Julian Edelman, Sony Michel, and James White.  If you’re wondering why Tom vs. Time is sitting it’s because at this point in his career there are other better fantasy options.

COWBOYS @ GIANTS

Auto Start:

• Dak Prescott
• Ezekiel Elliott
• Daniel Jones
• Saquon Barkley
• Evan Engram

Start:

• Amari Cooper
• Golden Tate
• Darius Slayton

Sit:

• Michael Gallup
• Jason Witten
• Randall Cobb

Don’t Sweat It:

• Tony Pollard
• Cody Latimer
• Bennie Fowler
• Rhett Ellison

Conclusion:

The Cowboys are back from their bye week and get to face what looked like a solid Giants team last week despite losing to the Lions.  Amari Cooper should be good to go after getting a week off and I’m really not worried about anyone on the Cowboys offense.  The Giants last week almost gave multiple Lions receivers 100 plus yards and I expect them to give up a similar line to Cowboys receivers.  As for the Giants, Daniel Jones balled out and finished as the top QB in fantasy for Week 8 thanks to Saquon Barkley, Golden Tate, and Evan Engram. Imagine if this offense had Sterling Shepard right now, we might be talking about a top ten offense if that were the case.  That’s wild to say I know but with a somewhat favorable schedule down the road, it might be time to trade for some weapons on the Giants offense.

 

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