Booms and Busts - Starts and Sits for Week 9 Lineups

In what has been a consistent weekly thing, Week 8 in fantasy brought us numerous unknowns providing sparks in terms of production. Seeing players like Drew Lock, DeeJay Dallas, and Corey Davis high in their positional rankings is not where we thought we would be at this point in the NFL season. But as injuries continue to plague fantasy owners, adjustments must be made. Many of the lineup decisions made last week were tough based on the confusion of playing situations with many roles up in the air. But as we got closer to kickoff on Sunday, the picture became more clear. We knew players like Giovani Bernard and Damien Harris would see the bulk of the action in their backfields. But snap shares for Zack Moss and DeeJay Dallas were vague as games got underway. But the smart manager knows to trust the information they have, the advantageous matchups, and put together winning lineups.

That will again be the case as we enter Week 9 action. Questions surrounding Chris Carson, Chris Godwin, and again Michael Thomas have fantasy managers scrambling to have backup plans in place and ready. As we are well past the halfway point of the fantasy season, perspective is key. Knowing what matchups to attack regardless of the skill level of players is vital to the success of a fantasy manager. It's more than just starting the player with the higher projected score. It comes down to having the guts to make the tough calls because you know the under the radar player can outperform your weekly starter. As we begin the stretch run to the playoffs, every win counts as managers are positioning themselves to either prepare for a title run or just merely fight for that last playoff spot. Whichever one you are, being fully prepared can only help as you put together an optimal lineup.

With all these pieces in motion, fantasy managers have to trust matchup decisions more than ever. That is what we do here for you with the Woos and Boos for Week 9. We Woo the players that are typically under the radar but could shine with plus matchups. While we Boo those every week starters that could be set-up to disappoint as they face difficult situations.

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Week 9 Woos

Derek Carr @ Los Angeles Chargers

Before the dud last week in Cleveland, playing in tough winds, Carr had put together two straight QB1 finishes. He has just two games on the season without multiple passing touchdowns. He is currently top-10 in both yards per attempt (7.8) and deep-ball completion percentage (50%). He brings those skills to the table in a plus matchup against the Chargers. A secondary that is currently among the worst in the league in points allowed to the position (23.2 FPPG). I expect to see another multi-touchdown game from Carr in this one, making him a borderline QB1 play in Week 9.

Antonio Gibson vs. New York Giants

Last time out we saw Gibson put together his best game as a pro (128 rushing yards and a score) leading him to an RB4 finish. The snaps in the backfield continue to be a headache overall as J.D. McKissic stays involved in game-plans. Gibson's opportunity-share ranks him 27th in the league (50.5%) but he shows well with the limited snaps as he is a top-10 back in evaded tackles (33). He will be bringing his playmaking ability into a matchup against the Giants in Week 9. A defense that is middle of the pack in points allowed to opposing running backs (18.5 FPPG). The Giants have been somewhat stingy in rushing yards allowed as of late but have allowed plenty of receptions to running backs in recent weeks. Look for Washington to try to get Gibson the ball in open space to utilize his elusiveness in this matchup. I expect to see him put together a solid week with an RB1 ceiling.

Jerry Jeudy @ Atlanta Falcons

Things may be finally starting to click for Jeudy and Drew Lock as he will be coming off of a 10 target game just a week ago. Although he has just one touchdown on the season, he is a top-20 receiver in both yards per reception (15.6) and air yards (651). Managers should look to get him into their lineups in Week 9 as he will be facing a Falcons Defense, that on the season is bottom five in points allowed (29.4 FPPG), even though they have played well since the change in the head coach. This game could become a back and forth affair and I expect to see Jeudy finally get back into the end-zone.

Eric Ebron @ Dallas Cowboys

Last week Ebron put together just his second TE1 finish on the season against the Ravens (4/48/1). Despite that, he continues to show value at the position. Ebron currently sits top-10 across several categories, including air yards (338), deep targets (5), and red-zone targets (8). Look for him to improve upon those numbers this week as he will be facing the putrid Cowboys Defense that is allowing 8.9 FPPG to the position. If he is available on your waiver wire and you just lost George Kittle, pick up Ebron and plug him into your lineup in Week 9.

Week 9 Boos

Lamar Jackson @ Indianapolis Colts

Jackson managers that were hoping to capitalize on last year's monster season have been left with a disappointment as their QB1 in 2020. The rushing consistency is down and he continues to shows cracks in his progression as a passer rankings 27th in both passing yards (1,343) and accuracy rating (7.1). He has just three QB1 finishes on the season and will be facing a tough Colts Defense in Week 9. This defense is currently the best unit in the NFL in points allowed to the position (14.8 FPPG). Now obviously you won't be sitting Jackson unless you have a stellar replacement (Justin Herbert), but you will have to temper expectations nonetheless.

Jonathan Taylor vs. Baltimore Ravens

What an amazing disappointment we saw from Taylor in Week 8. In what was perceived as a smash spot for him against the Lions, he saw Jordan Wilkins outperform him on the field as he trailed him in snaps. He has been largely disappointing on the season despite the great offensive line, ranking 31st in snap share (47.6%), 18th in rushing yards (389), and 27th in total scores (3). This week the going will be tougher as he faces the stout Ravens Defense that ranks 31st in points allowed to opposing backs (13.4 FPPG). What we once considered a weekly no-brainer starter, Taylor now finds himself as someone you can consider benching with better options available.

A.J. Brown vs. Chicago Bears

Since returning from injury in Week 5, Brown has scored in each game since. The targets have been consistent, although he has yet to achieve double digits on the season. Outside of the big Week 7 performance (153 yards), Brown has been largely touchdown-dependent, making him a boom or bust play. The scoring potential will likely be off the table in Week 9 against a Bears Defense that is one of the toughest in fantasy in points allowed (16.7 FPPG). This defense has allowed just two scores to the position on the season, so expect to see Brown be held without this week, making him a fringe starter in PPR formats.

Mike Gesicki @ Arizona Cardinals

Gesicki has been the epitome of hot-and-cold in fantasy during the 2020 season. He has three TE1 finishes in seven games, while the rest of the weeks his top finish has been just TE23. He ranks 34th in snap share (59.9%) but does a lot with the opportunities ranking second in both air yards (420) and deep targets (5). His games have been mindnumbing as he plays well in tough matchups while laying eggs in some easy ones. That will be the case in Week 9 as all signs point to a decent matchup for Gesicki. Facing a Cardinals Defense allowing 6.5 FPPG to opposing tight ends. Most managers will be looking to start him this week, but beware as I expect to see him struggle.