Studs/Duds/Locks Week 9

Week 9 Studs

Matthew Stafford QB Detroit Lions

Matt Stafford finally gave fantasy owners who drafted him in the first two rounds their moneys worth this past week, and against a tough Seattle pass D. This could be the start of what everyone was expecting from Stafford this season fantasy wise, and against a Jacksonville defense that ranks 23rd against the pass…I like these odds.

Cam Newton QB Carolina Panthers

That’s right, even though Newton has been a HUGE letdown to anyone who drafted him this season, he is on the studs list this week. This guy should be able to put up big points against a Redskins defense that ranks dead last in the league against the pass. Look for the passing game to open up some space for Newton to run, too.

Josh Freeman QB Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Freeman has been on fire lately, and has scored 20+ fantasy points in the last three games. He should be able to keep things rolling this week against a Raiders defense that has given up 12 touchdowns through the air this season.

Alfred Morris RB Washington Redskins

This guy is up against the Carolina run D this week, who has given up on average 20+ fantasy points a game to opposing running backs. Need I say more?

The rookie out of Boise State has been phenomenal.

Doug Martin RB Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Doug Martin is another member of the Bucs team that has been on fire lately. He’s got a favorable match-up against the Raiders this week, who have given up an average 18 fantasy points a game to runners. Should be a good opportunity to see another big game from the rookie out of Boise State.

Trent Richardson RB Cleveland Browns

After seeing what he did to San Diego last week, I don’t think the rib injury will be an issue at all going forward. He will be running against a Ravens defense who has been uncharacteristically gashed by the run this season, giving up an average of 143 yards a game and 9 touchdowns. Start him.

Steve Smith WR Carolina Panthers

Smith racked up his best stat line of the season last week against the Bears, 7 catches for 118 yards, but still has yet to find the end zone this season. I look for him to not only put up another nice stat line reminiscent of that Bears game, but I can also see him finally scoring a touchdown this week, going up against the 32nd ranked Washington pass defense. Even if the touchdown drought continues, Smith should still have a very nice game.

Denarius Moore WR Oakland Raiders

Moore has been a pleasant surprise for fantasy owners this season, myself included. Look for his success to continue against a Bucs defense that has given up the third most fantasy points to wideouts this season.

Desean Jackson WR Philadelphia Eagles

This one’s kind of self-explanatory. Desean hasn’t hit on the big plays like he used to, but there will be a BIG opportunity to going up against the New Orleans pass D who is ranked 30th against the pass, and has given up the MOST fantasy points to opposing receivers.

Greg Olsen TE Carolina Panthers

Yet another member of the Panthers passing attack in the studs list…even though this guy has been inconsistent this year. Why? Like I’ve said already, the Panthers face the the 32nd (out of 32 teams) Redskins pass defense this week.

Packers D/ST

This defense plays the anemic Arizona Cardinals offense this week…at home. This one’s a no-brainer.

Chargers D/ST

The Chargers D is a nice sleeper this week (still available in most leagues) to start on Thursday night. The Chiefs have given opposing defenses more fantasy points than any other team this season.

Week 9 Duds

Ryan Fitzpatrick QB Buffalo Bills

Fitz hasn’t played well against the better pass defenses he’s played this season, and he is going up against an opportunistic Texans D on the road this week who is also fresh off of a bye…bad joojoo.

Christian Ponder QB Minnesota Vikings

Ponder has been a turnover machine the past four games, and I don’t see things getting any better against a Seattle defense that makes a living off of shutting down the pass. Leave him on the bench.

Adrian Peterson RB Minnesota Vikings

This one is a little tough for me…but I just don’t like the match-up against the 5th ranked Seattle run defense. Yes, they got gashed by Frank Gore two weeks ago, but that was also a road game for Seattle. They play much tougher at home, and I don’t think the Vikings will be able to do much of anything on offense. It could be tough sledding for AP this week. I might be wrong, but I’d think about this one a little before plugging him into your starting lineup.

Fred Jackson RB Buffalo Bills

Going up against a Texans D fresh off of a bye week, on the road mind you, who gives up the third fewest fantasy points to running backs isn’t a great scenario. Then throw in the fact that Houston hasn’t allowed a running touchdown this year, and you’ve got a recipe for disaster. I’d advise against starting Jackson this week.

Due to the terrible match-up, I'm benching Harvin this week.

Percy Harvin WR Minnesota Vikings

Harvin is a fantasy owners dream, I know, but again with the Vikings heading to Seattle this week I just don’t like the match-up. Seattle’s been known to shutdown receivers this year, especially the opposing team’s #1 option. Guess what option Harvin is for the Vikings? If you’ve got wideouts with better match-ups, I’d start one of them over Percy this week.

Kenny Britt WR Tennessee Titans

Britt has been a disappointment in the fantasy world this season, posting single digit point performances in four out of the six games he’s played. This will most likely continue this week going against a tough Bears defense that has only given up six scores through the air.

Jermichael Finley TE Green Bay Packers

It’s kind of a joke that I’m even putting this in here. If you have any fantasy knowledge at ALL, you are not only not starting Finley this week, but you’re also dropping him. That’s right. This guy is a bust, and no one should be wasting a roster spot on him. That’s kinda harsh…oh well.

Dennis Pitta TE Baltimore Ravens

Wasn’t this the same guy that every fantasy analyst talked up about being a great sleeper early in the year? Yeah, I was guilty of that too. Pitta has, in fact, been asleep it would seem the past few games. He hasn’t posted double digit numbers since Week 3, and going up against a Browns defense that allows the fourth fewest fantasy points to tight ends isn’t a good combination.

Eagles D/ST

This defense hasn’t been great fantasy-wise this year, and they go up against a potent New Orleans offense this Monday. Not a great situation.

Week 9 Locks

Texans giving 10 points to the Bills

Houston will be fresh off of a bye, and at home this week as they host the Bills. The Bills defense is ranked 31st overall in the league, meaning Matt Schaub, Arian Foster and co. should have a field day against them. Houston’s defense will also be fresh, and is 3rd overall if you were wondering. Texans should win in a blowout.

Lions giving 3.5 to the Jags

This point spread is surprisingly small to me.  I look for the Lions offense to continue to roll against the 25th overall ranked Jacksonville defense, and I also look for the Lions to have a decent game defensively. They should cover by at least a touchdown.

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