Can’t decide who to play this week in your fantasy football roster? Well, you’re not alone, but we’re here to assist you with your lineup with our fantasy points projections for each skilled player set to participate in Week 9. Keep tabs on the latest injury report statuses on the featured fantasy studs, as well as possibly heed our guidance regarding how certain teams match up against each other to maximize your starting roster’s potential.
And if you’re still in need of more sagely advice, check out our sleeper picks for the week as well as the experts’ waiver wire suggestions after this.
[sc:Football ]
Complete NFL Week 9 Fantasy Points Projections
**data courtesy of ESPN Fantasy Football (for standard league/non-PPR formats)
Thursday, November 5
Cleveland Browns vs. Cincinnati Bengals (8:25 PM ET)
Team/Position
Player
Projected Points
Cleveland
Browns D/ST
2.7
QB
Johnny Manziel
13.5
RB
Duke Johnson Jr.
4.6
WR
Travis Benjamin
7.7
TE
Gary Barnidge
6.8
Cincinnati
Bengals D/ST
7.5
QB
Andy Dalton
17.5
RB
Jeremy Hill
13.7
WR
A.J. Green
12.1
TE
Tyler Eifert
6.0
[sc:NFL240banner ]Welcome back, Johnny Football! Die-hard Cleveland fans can finally rejoice the return of Johnny Manziel as the team’s starting QB, but the fantasy world may not be better off with him at the helm. Still, Manziel’s own Week 9 projection is still rather lofty, but almost at the expense of his supporting crew’s numbers.
As for Cincinnati, Expect this season’s studs in Dalton, Green and Hill to put up huge points against the Browns’ troubled defense. We also wouldn’t be surprised in the Bengals’ own D produces more than usual, especially if Manziel’s erratic ways come into play on Thursday night.
Sunday, November 8
Oakland Raiders vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (1:00 PM ET)
Team/Position
Player
Projected Points
Oakland
Raiders D/ST
3.7
QB
Derek Carr
14.0
RB
Latavius Murray
8.7
WR
Michael Crabtree
8.6
TE
Mychal Rivera
3.0
Pittsburgh
Steelers D/ST
6.5
QB
Ben Roethlisberger
17.8
RB
DeAngelo Williams
12.6
WR
Antonio Brown
14.8
TE
Heath Miller
6.0
Life after Le’Veon Bell has got to sting for Pittsburgh, but as long as Big Ben is at the helm of the team’s offense, even Bell’s backup in DeAngelo Williams is a wise pick for a solid RB2 option. Heath Miller is also a trendy starter in spite of the low projection given how he excels with Big Ben calling the shots downfield.
Meanwhile, the Raiders’ skill position players were not given a whole lot of credit this week going up against the Steelers’ hardly imposing D, and there’s still doubt within fantasy and casual football fans that Oakland’s bound to implode sooner than later. Then again, a cross-country road game is not something to be excited about, and we all know how Raider games tend to work out in those situations.
Green Bay Packers vs. Carolina Panthers (1:00 PM ET)
Team/Position
Player
Projected Points
Green Bay
Packers D/ST
9.9
QB
Aaron Rodgers
19.4
RB
Eddie Lacy
8.2
WR
Randall Cobb
11.0
TE
Richard Rodgers
5.1
Carolina
Panthers D/ST
4.6
QB
Cam Newton
18.1
RB
Jonathan Stewart
9.9
WR
Ten Ginn Jr.
6.0
TE
Greg Olsen
9.0
Clearly, Week 9’s game of the week poses a lot of problems for fantasy owners. Can Carolina actually upend the mighty Packers? Was Green Bay’s loss to Denver the previous week a sign of a downward trend for the Cheeseheads?
What’s rather peculiar above is how the Panthers D/ST is predicted to put just about what the Packers’ own D/ST will on Sunday, especially considering that the Packers are playing the second of a back-to-back road trip. The wa we see it, Rodgers and Newton are still must-starts at the QB slot, but even Randall Cobb and Greg Olsen may be in for a less-than ideal outing if the contest becomes a hotly-contested defensive battle for NFC supremacy.
Washington Redskins vs. New England Patriots (1:00 PM ET)
Team/Position
Player
Projected Points
Washington
Redskins D/ST
2.8
QB
Kirk Cousins
12.8
RB
Chris Thompson
4.9
WR
DeSean Jackson
8.5
TE
Jordan Reed
6.8
New England
Patriots D/ST
7.7
QB
Tom Brady
21.6
RB
LeGarrette Blount
11.1
WR
Julian Edelman
9.6
TE
Rob Gronkowski
10.8
Boy, what are we to do about these Redskins players? Chris Thompson outranked Alfred Morris in the team’s projected points standings this week, and so did DeSean Jackson over Pierre Garcon. While Jackson is indeed a better starting option than Garcon, take note that he’s still nursing a bad hammy, which could ultimately limit his production, let alone snaps in the Washington offense.
And what else do you want us to say about New England’s top-tier performers? Start ’em all without hesitation including the Pats defense, which could have a field day in harassing Cousins in the pocket.
Tennessee Titans vs. New Orleans Saints (1:00 PM ET)
Team/Position
Player
Projected Points
Tennessee
Titans D/ST
7.4
QB
Marcus Mariota
15.9
RB
Antonio Andrews
7.6
WR
Dexter McCluster
6.6
TE
Delanie Walker
7.0
New Orleans
Saints D/ST
3.6
QB
Drew Brees
16.7
RB
Mark Ingram
13.8
WR
Brandin Cooks
7.4
TE
Benjamin Watson
6.2
Funny how New Orleans’ Drew Brees is expected to explode in this game, but the Titans D/ST is still projected to double the output of the Saints’ own defense. Nevertheless, if the Saints’ numbers from the barnburner against the Giants last week holds this Sunday, you’ll be glad to have started any of their offensive studs, alright.
For Tennessee, avoid their receivers at all costs. Dexter McCluster is a rather fascinating pickup, though, as he’s eligible both as an RB and a WR. But when all is said and done, the Titans passing game is still not one to behold, and even their backfield is crowded. With Antonio Andrews, McCluster and (to some extent) Bishop Sankey sharing hand-offs, the team’s D seems like the only viable start, and that’s not really saying much when it’ll be pitted against the resurgent Saints.
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. New York Jets (1:00 PM ET)
Team/Position
Player
Projected Points
Jacksonville
Jaguars D/ST
6.0
QB
Blake Bortles
14.3
RB
T.J. Yeldon
6.1
WR
Allen Robinson
8.7
TE
Julius Thomas
5.6
New York
Jets D/ST
10.3
QB
Geno Smith
15.9
RB
Chris Ivory
12.0
WR
Brandon Marshall
10.3
TE
Jeff Cumberland
0.5
We don’t necessarily agree that Geno Smith will outdo Blake Bortles because the Jets are not the same on offense when Ryan Fitzpatrick is under center. Then again, the Jets are playing at home, and Smith’s weapons are capable enough to do the heavy-lifting for him (save for any and all of New York’s tight ends, of course).
Also; he may not be listed here, but Jacksonville’s Allen Hurns is also a smart play in Week 8, as his numbers are almost on par with that other Allen wideout (Robinson). He’s a much safer start over the once-prolific TE Julius Thomas as well, who’s still iffy with his lingering injury problem.
St. Louis Rams vs. Minnesota Vikings (1:00 PM ET)
Team/Position
Player
Projected Points
St. Louis
Rams D/ST
10.7
QB
Nick Foles
9.3
RB
Todd Gurley
13.0
WR
Tavon Austin
5.4
TE
Jared Cook
4.0
Minnesota
Vikings D/ST
7.8
QB
Teddy Bridgewater
11.4
RB
Adrian Peterson
9.9
WR
Stefon Diggs
6.5
TE
Kyle Rudolph
2.4
Yikes… Based on the projections above, the 5-2 Vikings may be running into a brick wall that is the Rams’ daunting defense. With Stefon Diggs questionable for this Sunday’s game (hamstring), AP seems like the only passable Minnesota starter.
The same can also be said about Todd Gurley for the Rams, who will look to add more massive digits to his already-impressive rookie campaign. This St. Louis vs. Minnesota bout is truly shaping up to be a run-heavy contest, meaning Tavon Austin’s role could very well feature him more as the speedy backfield threat to complement to Gurley’s stellar work in the trenches.
Miami Dolphins vs. Buffalo Bills (1:00 PM ET)
Team/Position
Player
Projected Points
Miami
Dolphins D/ST
6.3
QB
Ryan Tannehill
15.0
RB
Lamar Miller
11.0
WR
Jarvis Landry
7.4
TE
Jordan Cameron
6.0
Buffalo
Bills D/ST
9.0
QB
Tyrod Taylor
16.3
RB
LeSean McCoy
11.8
WR
Sammy Watkins
8.6
TE
Charles Clay
4.8
These two middling teams from the AFC East are tough to crack, alright. Yes, the Dolphins were manhandled yet again by the Pats just last week just when things were going right. But Ryan Tannehill should likely put up better numbers than Buffalo’s Tyrod Taylor, who hasn’t started a game in almost a month and is lacking options himself in the Bills’ receiving corps.
You know what? We give up… Just start whoever you want from these two clubs’ top-tier players. They’re extremely inconsistent, yet they all have the ability to surprise fantasy owners – for better or for worse.
Atlanta Falcons vs. San Francisco 49ers (4:05 PM ET)
Team/Position
Player
Projected Points
Atlanta
Falcons D/ST
8.3
QB
Matt Ryan
15.7
RB
Devonta Freeman
18.4
WR
Julio Jones
12.5
TE
Jacob Tamme
5.7
San Francisco
49ers D/ST
1.6
QB
Blaine Gabbert
11.0
RB
Shaun Draughn
4.8
WR
Anquan Boldin
7.8
TE
Garrett Celek
4.0
Talk about a barren wasteland… After Carlos Hyde’s injury and Colin Kaepernick having been benched in favor of *gasp* Blaine Gabbert, the Niners roster right now could easily pass as a mere waiver wire section on its own.
On the flipside, Atlanta’s studs are all given the green light to start in your lineup with how this matchup looks on paper. Barring an epic meltdown on the road, the Falcons are about to put a lot of smiles across fantasy team owners banking on the team to regain its offensive prowess from early this season.
New York Giants vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4:05 PM ET)
Team/Position
Player
Projected Points
New York
Giants D/ST
6.0
QB
Eli Manning
17.0
RB
Rashad Jennings
5.7
WR
Odell Beckham Jr.
11.6
TE
Larry Donnell
6.5
Tampa Bay
Buccaneers D/ST
6.1
QB
Jameis Winston
14.6
RB
Doug Martin
11.0
WR
Mike Evans
10.6
TE
Austin Seferian-Jenkins
6.2
You have been warned: tight ends are a no-no here. New York’s Larry Donnell did not practice this Wednesday and is still questionable (neck), while Tampa Bay’s Austin Seferian-Jenkins (shoulder) was limited in practice himself. You can also all of the Giants’ RBs on the no-no list as far as the team continues to run by committee.
On the other hand, QBs and wideouts are good starts here, with Eli Manning coming off a career game (again, because of that wild shootout with the Saints last weekend) and Jameis Winston faring much better than his baby steps of NFL play in the first few weeks of this season.
Denver Broncos vs. Indianapolis Colts (4:25 PM ET)
Team/Position
Player
Projected Points
Denver
Broncos D/ST
11.3
QB
Peyton Manning
16.3
RB
Ronnie Hillman
10.1
WR
Demaryius Thomas
12.0
TE
Vernon Davis
5.7
Indianapolis
Colts D/ST
4.5
QB
Andrew Luck
15.8
RB
Frank Gore
8.8
WR
T.Y. Hilton
8.7
TE
Coby Fleener
4.7
This was supposed to be a game for the ages, with Peyton Manning once again set to face off against his former team and eventual successor, Andrew Luck. However, both of these elite QBs are anything but elite lately, though Manning’s composure in the huge win over Green Bay last Sunday is a good sign for his owners.
If you can accept having an INT-prone quarterback starting for your team this week, Manning and Luck are still not as bad as the remaining QBs on the waiver wire. Still, the only star in this matchup when the dust has settled will likely the the Broncos D/ST, who are already licking their chops at shutting down Indianapolis’ careless offense.
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Dallas Cowboys (8:30 PM ET)
Team/Position
Player
Projected Points
Philadelphia
Eagles D/ST
6.7
QB
Sam Bradford
13.0
RB
DeMarco Murray
11.4
WR
Jordan Matthews
7.7
TE
Zach Ertz
6.5
Dallas
Cowboys D/ST
7.0
QB
Matt Cassel
10.2
RB
Darren McFadden
10.5
WR
Dez Bryant
8.9
TE
Jason Witten
5.2
What is it with the NFL’s teams from the Eastern divisions this year (save for New England)? We literally don’t know what to expect from the Eagles, and Dallas’ offense is going nowhere without Tony Romo. For Philly, DeMarco Murray appears to be the only steady pick, as Sam Bradford still hasn’t found a go-to receiver in the passing game, let alone learn how to protect the football.
Having Dez Bryant back from his foot injury is something to be optimistic about, but not until you realize that it’s Matt Cassel that’s still starting for the Cowboys. Still, the Eagles D is giving up over 12 yards per catch to opposing receivers, so Bryant’s return to form could come as early as this weekend already.
Monday, November 9
Chicago Bears at San Diego Chargers (8:30 PM ET)
Team/Position
Player
Projected Points
Chicago
Bears D/ST
5.1
QB
Jay Cutler
13.3
RB
Jeremy Langford
10.9
WR
Alshon Jeffery
11.0
TE
Martellus Bennett
6.9
San Diego
Chargers D/ST
6.4
QB
Philip Rivers
19.6
RB
Danny Woodhead
8.5
WR
Stevie Johnson
8.5
TE
Antonio Gates
8.4
Jeremy Langford’s projection is rather high, but we can’t really knock him too much for his lack of experience if the Chicago’s offense is indeed clicking of late. Plus, he’s been serviceable as a backup even before Matt Forte got hurt last week.
On the other hand, those San Diego players’ numbers above are a testament to just how Philip Rivers is distributing the workload in his team’s offense. Heck, even Chargers running back 1-A Melvin Gordon is on par with Danny Woodhead with an 8.5 point-projection this Monday night. Careful with their receivers, though, as Stevie Johnson only made the cut on this list because the team’s top wideout in Keenan Allen is out for the year as of last week due to a lacerated kidney.
