Week 9 of the NFL season is here, and we have officially turned a corner with our sights set on fantasy playoffs. Mangers have worked tirelessly all offseason and throughout this season to build the perfect lineups to beat their opponents and chance titles.
No more than ever, starting lineup construction presents challenges due to the growing number of injuries, COVID cases, and bye weeks. Pin-pointing players with big-week potential is critical at this stage of the game.
This is the time to separate yourself from your league-mates. The best way to do so is by identifying breakout candidates, which I have done with my Week 9 Bold Predictions. Check them out!
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Week 9 Bold Predictions
Darren Waller (TE – LV) is the TE1 this week. Waller will be relied upon in the division rivalry matchup. Waller has been consistent all season but has not put up 20 or more fantasy points since the second week of the season. Look for that to change this week, with the talented tight end posting eight or more receptions for 75+ yards and two touchdowns. Waller is as safe as an option as it comes to fantasy football managers.
DeeJay Dallas (RB – SEA) rushes for 100 yards. The Bills run defense has been subpar all season, allowing multiple 100-yard rushers throughout the season. With Chris Carson and Carlos Hyde sideline, Dallas is in line to handle the majority of snaps in the backfield. Last week he was able to maximize his touches and put forth a solid outing. Dallas should have all the opportunity to succeed once again for fantasy managers, sneaking his way into flex consideration for Week 9.
Justin Jackson (RB – LAC) goes for 100+ scrimmage yards and a touchdown. Jackson has looked solid since stepping into a more prominent role in the Chargers offense once Austin Ekeler went down with a hamstring injury. Jackson has 20 or more touches in two of the last three games, an indication that he can handle an increased workload. Battling a beatable Raiders defense, Jackson will be utilized in all facets of the offense once again in a favorable matchup. Jackson is a firm RB2 with upside this week.
Denzel Mims (WR – NYJ) breakout game. Mims recorded 97% of offensive snaps last week, a clear sign that his role will continue to expand as he becomes more familiarized with the offense. Now that he is three weeks removed from returning from injury, Mims will break loose for five or more receptions, 100 yards, and a touchdown, making a late-season splash and showcasing why he was a 2020 second-round pick. Mims is a homerun play for those who want some action on Monday Night Football.
Brandin Cooks (WR – HOU) is a WR1 in Week 9. Cooks is a WR1 this week. Coming off an impressive three-game stretch in which he has recorded seven or more receptions and topping double-digit fantasy points across each game, Cooks will look to build off his hot streak against a vulnerable Jacksonville defense. In a game that could be a high-scoring affair, the Texans could elect to a pass-heavy approach to beat their division rivals. Look for Cooks to continue his dominant play, hauling at least five receptions for 70 yards and a score. Cooks is a high-upside WR2 this week and should be plugged into most lineups.
Todd Gurley (RB – ATL) rushes for 100 yards for the second time this season. Gurley has been a touchdown machine this season, which has helped him climb into the top-10 fantasy running backs. Gurley has been somewhat impactful on the ground, although he has only rushed for 100 yards one time all season. This changes in Week 9 when Gurley runs all over the Broncos defense, equating to another RB1 finish for the veteran RB. If all goes as planned, Gurley could find himself falling into the end zone at least one time during this contest. Gurley, as always, is a must-start this week.
Michael Thomas (WR – NO) records 10 receptions in return from injury. The Michael Thomas Saga of 2020 has been strange and unusual. Injury, a team fight and suspension, and another injury has kept Thomas out of action since Week 1. With Thomas set to return, Drew Brees and the Saints will look to feed him early and often. Thomas will get back into his old form, recording double-digit receptions, giving managers some relief after they spent early draft capital on Thomas during the offseason. Look for Thomas to rise back into his WR1 ways in Week 9.
Patrick Laird (RB – MIA) catches a touchdown. Laird could serve as the pass-catching RB with Myles Gaskin on IR, Matt Breida out, and Jordan Howard most likely set to handle the early-down and goal-line work. Laird has not been utilized this season until this point but could capitalize on his limited opportunity. I predict Laird handling multiple receptions out of the backfield, breaking loose with one of his catches, and turning that into a touchdown. Laird is a dart-throw, desperation play this week, but has a chance for increased snaps and touches due to injuries.
Conclusion
Making all of the right start/sit is a challenge. It is easy to beat yourself up if you do not start the right player which could cost you the matchup.
Trust yourself, trust the players that you drafted, and understand matchups. Draft capital is out the window at this point, so do not let that be a deciding factor in who you start.
We are all in this together, let’s win the week!
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Joshua Lefkowitz is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Joshua, check out his archive and follow him on Twitter @JLefkoNFL.
