Andrew Hedglen
Contributing Writer
Here are the guys to start and sit in fantasy football heading into week nine of the NFL season. Let’s begin with the good – who to start:
Joique Bell (Lions RB) – Bell has scored between five and seven fantasy points in every game this season besides last week. He’s the closer for the Lions in an odd scheme where they split halves with their two backs. Mikel Leshoure gets the majority of the carries in the first half, and Bell dominates the second half touches. Leshoure only had one carry in the second half of last week.
He’s also sitting out of practice, which bodes well for Bell, especially against a Jacksonville Jaguars team that has given up the fourth-most fantasy points to running backs.
Denarius Moore (Raiders WR) – They play the Buccaneers, who have given up the third-most fantasy points to wideouts. Along with the great match-up, Moore has scored a touchdown in four of his last five games, and has cemented himself as Oakland’s best receiver. He’s really in sync with Carson Palmer, and looks to continue with his steady production.
Titus Young (Lions WR) – With Nate Burleson out for the season, Young has come onto the scene quickly as Calvin Johnson’s complimentary wideout. After his breakout performance this week with nine catches for 100 yards, and a pair of touchdowns following an eight point fantasy performance two weeks ago, it’s safe to say that Young is a great option. Ryan Broyles, the rookie slot receiver has also put together nice numbers since Burleson’s season-ending injury. If you’re in a deeper league, he’s a great option, however, Young is the top guy to go with.
Greg Olsen (Panthers TE) – After a dismal performance over the past three weeks, Olsen is due for a big game against a Washington Redskins defense that has given up the most fantasy points to tight ends. The Redskins have simply been horrendous in the pass defense and so have the Panthers. This looks to be a shootout, and Olsen should be quite productive.
Here are some starters that should sit this week:
C.J. Spiller (Bills RB) – He’s been great against mediocre defenses, but got completely shut down against the 49ers and Patriots because they were forced to throw more. In a time share with Fred Jackson against the Texans defense that is third-best against the run, it doesn’t look good for Spiller. That doesn’t mean I like Jackson either. I’d stay away from both this week.
Kyle Rudolph (Vikings TE) – After beginning the season as one of the top tight ends, Rudolph has completely disappeared over the past two weeks. Christian Ponder has struggled greatly, and things only get twice as tough against an elite Seahawks defense.
Eli Manning (Giants QB) – This is really a gut call that I’m making. The Steelers have a top-five pass defense, and the Giants’ offense has struggled a bit as of lately. This is not to say that Manning will have a terrible game, but I think you get a way better option in Palmer, Flacco or Schaub this week.
Michael Turner (Falcons RB) – The Cowboys run defense has been pretty stout, and Turner only managed 58 rushing yards off of 24 carries last week. His much younger backup, Jacquizz Rodgers, managed 60 yards off of just eight carries, so it begs the question as to whether Turner will get as many carries going forward. The Falcons are much more of a passing team anyways, with Matt Ryan running the offense Peyton Manning-like with all of his weapons.