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Thursday Night Football Matchup Analysis (Week 9)

The Dolphins have become quite the train wreck, haven't they...

After suffering a 40-point blowout loss last Thursday night, it should become abundantly clear for fantasy owners that there are next to no reliable players to be found in the Miami Dolphins offense (especially with the departure of Jay Ajayi for Philadelphia). The returns of Jay Cutler and DeVante Parker for next week's tilt with the Oakland Raiders might help to some degree, but that offense is simply a fantasy wasteland. Looking at Baltimore, Alex Collins looked exceptional against the Miami front-seven, carrying the ball 18 times for 113 yards. As a surprising stat of the day, Collins is tied with Kareem Hunt with a league-high 10 runs of 15+ yards (on 44 fewer carries, no less). He will undoubtedly get more playing time and should be picked up as a sneaky matchup-based play in fantasy football.

Thankfully, Week 9 features an AFC East matchup sans Miami on Thursday night between the Buffalo Bills and New York Jets. Both teams are surprisingly pushing for a playoff berth as part of their 5-2 record. Don't let the Jets' 3-5 record fool you though, as they have plenty of fantasy relevant players thanks to quarterback Josh McCown being under center. Let's not waste any time; time to dive into the mid-season Thursday Night Football Matchup article!

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2024:

 

Buffalo Bills @ New York Jets

Date and Start Time: Thursday, November 2 at 8:00 PM ET

Notable Injuries and Status:

  • Charles Clay (TE, BUF) - Knee - Inactive
  • E.J. Gaines (CB, BUF) - Hamstring - Inactive
  • Muhammad Wilkerson - Shoulder/Foot - Inactive
  • Matt Forte - Knee - Active

 

Offensive and Defensive Rankings (2017):

Bills Jets
Passing Yards  29th  21st
Rushing Yards  9th  22nd
Pass Defense  28th  20th
Run  Defense  3rd  28th

 
 

Must Starts

Top Performers That Have To Be In Your Lineup

LeSean McCoy (RB, BUF)

It goes without saying, but McCoy is one of the most reliable workhorse backs in the league and is a must-start no matter the matchup. The Bills currently rank seventh in rush attempts, with McCoy receiving 18 or more carries in five of his seven starts this season. Expect more of the same against a bottom-tier Jets' run defense this Thursday with a few receptions sprinkled in for good measure.

Austin Seferian-Jenkins (TE, NYJ)

With quarterback Josh McCown's propensity to spread the ball around, it's tough to trust most of his receiving options on a consistent basis. However, Seferian-Jenkins has been one of his go-to targets as the team leader in receptions and red zone targets. The Bills have been giving up chunk yardage to tight ends over the previous two weeks in games against the Buccaneers and Raiders to the tune of 10 receptions for 117 yards. Seferian-Jenkins may have had a touchdown vultured from him in Week 8 that snapped his consecutive scoring streak, but there is a good chance he will get back on track and reward owners who start him.

 

Must Sits

Players To Avoid Putting In Your Lineup

Jordan Matthews (WR, BUF)

The Bills' offense runs through LeSean McCoy and the ground game, as is evident by the team running the fewest passing plays in the league. Although Matthews is important to the Bills as their leading possession receiver to help move the chains, his fantasy value is simply non-existent by-and-large due to the lack of overall targets to go around. Leave him and his 32.2 yards per game on your waiver wire, nothing to see here.

Nick O'Leary (TE, BUF)

O'Leary's big game back in Week 5 was thought to have signaled a healthy floor for the big-bodied tight end in the wake of an injury to No. 1 option Charles Clay. Even though the Jets defense has been especially vulnerable over the middle, it's tough to rely on a tight end who has a one reception floor and is primarily heralded for his run blocking. When you start O'Leary, you are hoping for boom or bust production that has characterized his last two weeks against Tampa Bay and Oakland. Outside of really deep leagues, it would be much better to seek out a better streaming option that will play on the weekend rather than force the issue on Thursday.

Jets' Running Backs 

The New York Jets' running back carousel is spinning between Bilal Powell, Matt Forte, and Elijah McGuire without signs of stopping. Now that all three are fairly healthy, it's anyone's guess as to how backfield work will be split up in coming weeks. Buffalo's run defense has stymied much better backs in the past, meaning it would be unwise for any fantasy owner to bet on rushing totals or touchdowns from a Jets' rusher in Week 9. There might be some value in PPR for Forte based on his 6 receptions last week, but all three of the Jets' runners figure to step in at some point with no clear passing down back.

Other Notable Must Sits: Zay Jones (WR, BUF), Jeremy Kerley (WR, NYJ)

 

Solid Options/Sleepers

Which Players Will Have Solid Games and Which Could Surprise?

Solid Option: Tyrod Taylor (QB, BUF)

Tyrod has been the poster-child for quarterback streamers in 2017 and draws another favorable matchup with potential for QB1 output against the Jets. While his passing yardage numbers haven't been spectacular, he has thrown for at least one touchdown over his last five games and has a rushing floor to further bolster his fantasy production. Add that he now gets a rangy target in Kelvin Benjamin and you have a quarterback with immense streaming appeal.

Solid Options: Robby Anderson / Jermaine Kearse (WRs, NYJ)

If you have to lean on a Jets pass-catcher for Week 9, Anderson is the ideal selection as he has out-targeted Kearse 40-to-27 over the last six games as the clear top option. Kearse, while more touchdown dependent, is ultimately not a bad option either considering he will be lining up against cornerback Shareece Wright who hasn't been particularly impressive in recent weeks. Both are worth flex consideration with so many wideouts on the bye.

Sleeper: Kelvin Benjamin (WR, BUF)

Odds are slim that Benjamin will see many snaps after coming over to Buffalo on a short week, but the one thing that the Bills lack on offense at present is a tall red zone threat to keep teams on their toes. Benjamin brings that flexibility and could haul in a touchdown to go with one or two receptions, but expectations should definitely be kept to a minimum.

Sleeper: Josh McCown (QB, NYJ)

McCown is riding a hot streak of 18-plus fantasy points in his last three contests and is being gifted the opportunity to build on that production against a banged up Bills' secondary. Although Buffalo hasn't been giving up much in the way of passing touchdowns, McCown will certainly get his in the yardage department and should manage to find the end zone with his myriad of pass catchers helping out along the way.

 

More Week 9 Lineup Prep




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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Jamaal Williams7 mins ago

Won't Play In Week 9
Christian Kirk15 mins ago

Lands On The Injured Reserve List
DJ Chark35 mins ago

Activated From Injured Reserve
Bucky Irving1 hour ago

Officially Questionable Against The Chiefs
Ezekiel Elliott2 hours ago

Inactive For Week 9
Kevin Huerter2 hours ago

Out Versus Toronto
Stephen Curry2 hours ago

Spotted At Shootaround
Lauri Markkanen3 hours ago

Out Again On Saturday
Puka Nacua3 hours ago

Expected To Play
JuJu Smith-Schuster3 hours ago

Juju Smith-Schuster Ruled Out For Week 9
Bryce Young3 hours ago

Panthers Not Considering Moving Bryce Young
Cooper Kupp3 hours ago

Rams Not Expected To Move Cooper Kupp
Davante Adams3 hours ago

Jets Not Expected To Move Garrett Wilson, Davante Adams
Drake Maye4 hours ago

Clears Concussion Protocol, Will Play In Week 9
Robbie Ray4 hours ago

Doesn't Opt Out Of Contract, Stays With Giants
Tee Higgins4 hours ago

Bengals Not Looking To Trade Tee Higgins
4 hours ago

Yankees Could Make Play For Pete Alonso This Offseason
Jaylen Brown4 hours ago

Won't Play On Saturday Night
Sean Manaea4 hours ago

Opts Out Of Contract, Becomes Free Agent
Cody Bellinger4 hours ago

Picks Up $27.5 Million Player Option With Cubs
Gerrit Cole4 hours ago

Opts Out Of Contract With Yankees
Rhys Hoskins7 hours ago

Staying In Milwaukee
7 hours ago

Seattle Declines Club Option On Jorge Polanco
Luke Weaver7 hours ago

Returning To New York
Josh Downs8 hours ago

Cleared To Play In Week 9
Eugenio Suárez8 hours ago

Arizona Picks Up Club Option On Eugenio Suarez
Michael Pittman Jr.8 hours ago

Will Play In Week 9
DK Metcalf8 hours ago

Has Strong Chance To Return In Week 11
Nikolaj Ehlers9 hours ago

Totals Four Points Versus Blue Jackets
Igor Shesterkin9 hours ago

Stops 40 Shots Versus Senators
Aleksander Barkov10 hours ago

Amasses Four Points In Finland
Dan Vladar10 hours ago

Shuts Out Devils Friday Night
Adam Pelech10 hours ago

Makes Early Exit Versus Sabres
Mike Reilly10 hours ago

Exits Friday's Action With Injury
NHL10 hours ago

Nathan Bastian Suffers Jaw Injury On Friday
Jordan Clarkson17 hours ago

Out At Least A Week
Kyle Kuzma18 hours ago

Out Again On Saturday
Jamal Murray18 hours ago

Won't Return On Friday Night
Giannis Antetokounmpo18 hours ago

Anticipated To Play Versus Cleveland
Puka Nacua19 hours ago

Has A Shot To Play In Week 9
Jordan Love19 hours ago

Tracking To Play In Week 9
Stephen Curry22 hours ago

Unavailable Saturday
Yves Missi22 hours ago

Expected To Take The Court Friday
Karl-Anthony Towns22 hours ago

Available On Friday
Eric Comrie22 hours ago

Faces Blue Jackets Friday
Daniel Theis22 hours ago

Likely To Suit Up Friday
David Savard22 hours ago

Sits Out Practice For Maintenance Purposes
De'Anthony Melton22 hours ago

Unavailable Saturday
Jordan Hawkins22 hours ago

Expected To Play Friday
Alexander Romanov22 hours ago

Ready To Play Friday
Al Horford23 hours ago

Resting Against Charlotte
Evgeni Malkin23 hours ago

Takes Maintenance Day On Friday
Andrew Wiggins23 hours ago

Probable For Saturday's Matchup With Houston
Rose Namajunas23 hours ago

An Underdog At UFC Edmonton
D'Angelo Russell23 hours ago

Will Suit Up Versus Toronto
Devon Levi23 hours ago

Returns To Sabres Crease
Clayton Kershaw23 hours ago

To Undergo Two Surgeries
Anthony Davis23 hours ago

Available Against Toronto
Erin Blanchfield23 hours ago

Returns At UFC Edmonton
Brandon Lowe23 hours ago

Rays Pick Up Club Option On Brandon Lowe
Ryan Hartman23 hours ago

Rejoins Wild Lineup Friday
Zach LaVine23 hours ago

Will Play Against Brooklyn
23 hours ago

Nick Martinez Headed To Free Agency
Erik Cernak23 hours ago

Available On Friday
Marc-Andre Barriault23 hours ago

Dustin Stoltzfus Set To Face Marc-Andre Barriault At UFC Edmonton
Brent Suter23 hours ago

Inks Extension With Cincinnati
Immanuel Quickley23 hours ago

Out Again On Friday Night
CJ McCollum23 hours ago

Out At Least Two Weeks
23 hours ago

Yankees, Mets Among Teams In Battle For Juan Soto
Marc-Andre Barriault23 hours ago

A Favorite At UFC Edmonton
Blake Snell24 hours ago

Opts Out Of Deal With San Francisco
Josh Jacobs1 day ago

Questionable For Sunday
Drake Maye1 day ago

Questionable For Week 9
Tyler Boyd1 day ago

Tony Pollard, Tyler Boyd Listed As Questionable
Tyjae Spears1 day ago

Ruled Out For Week 9
Trevin Giles1 day ago

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Mike Malott1 day ago

Opens Up UFC Edmonton Main Card
Zach Benson1 day ago

Could Play Next Week
Jani Hakanpaa1 day ago

And Connor Dewar Sent On Conditioning Stint
Dmitri Voronkov1 day ago

Ready For Season Debut Friday
Mathew Barzal1 day ago

Getting Tests Done For Upper-Body Injury
Vladimir Tarasenko1 day ago

Ready To Go For Saturday
Mark Stone1 day ago

Misses Practice Due To Birth Of Child
Tomás Nosek1 day ago

Tomas Nosek Ready For Panthers Debut On Friday
1 day ago

Royals Decline Option On Adam Frazier
1 day ago

Manuel Margot, Kyle Farmer Headed To Free Agency
1 day ago

Milwaukee Declines Option On Wade Miley
Lucas Giolito1 day ago

Staying In Boston
Chris Stratton1 day ago

Hunter Renfroe, Chris Stratton Returning To Kansas City
Jordan Montgomery1 day ago

Staying In Arizona
Brendson Ribeiro2 days ago

Searching For 1st UFC Win At UFC Edmonton
Caio Machado2 days ago

Drops Down To Light Heavyweight At UFC Edmonton
Jhonata Diniz2 days ago

Gets Big Step-Up At UFC Edmonton
Derrick Lewis2 days ago

Faces An Unranked Heavyweight At UFC Edmonton
Amir Albazi2 days ago

An Underdog At UFC Edmonton
Brandon Moreno2 days ago

Ends Layoff At UFC Edmonton
Chase Elliott5 days ago

Comes Up Short at Homestead
William Byron5 days ago

Rallies to Sixth at Homestead
Kyle Larson5 days ago

Tire Issue at Homestead Could Doom Kyle Larson's Championship Hopes
Tyler Reddick5 days ago

Charges To A Thrilling Victory At Homestead
Ryan Blaney5 days ago

Loses At Homestead On The Final Corner To Tyler Reddick
Christopher Bell5 days ago

Quietly Nabs A Top-5 Finish At Homestead
Khamzat Chimaev5 days ago

Remains Undefeated
Robert Whittaker5 days ago

Gets Submitted At UFC 308
Aleksandar Rakic5 days ago

Drops Decision At UFC 308
Armen Petrosyan5 days ago

Knocked Out At UFC 308
Shara Magomedov5 days ago

Gets Highlight-Reel Knockout Win At UFC 308
Joey Logano6 days ago

Intentionally Sleepwalked Through Homestead to Focus on Phoenix
Denny Hamlin6 days ago

Advances to Championship 4 as Owner but Not as Driver
Dan Ige6 days ago

Loses Second-Straight Fight At UFC 308
Lerone Murphy6 days ago

Remains Undefeated At UFC 308
Magomed Ankalaev6 days ago

Wins Lackluster Decision Win At UFC 308
Max Holloway6 days ago

Gets Knocked Out For First Time At UFC 308

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