Week 9 Sit-Start Where to Put em

Thursday, Nov 1, 2012 at 12:00 pm ET

fantasy football rankings
Where to Put 'em is the Fantasy Football Nerd's look at the best and worst matchups for Week 9 of the 2012 NFL season. Decisions are based upon the FFN rankings and matchup analysis. Given the known conditions, these matchups are the ones to watch and/or avoid.

This list does not generally include the elite players that you are going to start regardless of matchup. You don't need us to tell you to start Aaron Rodgers, Andre Johnson, or Ray Rice. Where to Put 'em takes a look at other players on your team that we believe either have great matchups or should be avoided for multiple reasons. Factors like opposing defense, performance trending, and peer comparisons may influence our decisions.

Put 'em In The Game: Michael Vick
Andy Reid announced this week that Michael Vick will remain the starter for the Eagles which is good news for Vick owners as Philly gets ready to face New Orleans on Monday night. The Saints give up more points to opposing QB's and have made every QB they've faced look like a Hall of Famer. You've struggled a bit with Vick this year - this is your redemption game.

Put 'em In The Game: Cam Newton
Like Michael Vick above, Cam Newton has not lived up to our draft expectations in 2012. The Panthers are a mess but they face a porous secondary in the Redskins. Washington gives up the 3rd-most yards per game (316 yds) and the 2nd-most fantasy points. If there was a week to play Newton, this is it.

Put 'em In The Game: Josh Freeman
Josh Freeman has so far surpassed all expectations this season - not that those expectations were particularly high to begin with. He's on the edge of being a Top 10 fantasy QB for the season and has been putting up better numbers lately than most of the QB1's that we all drafted. The Raiders allow close to 18 fantasy points to QB's and Freeman is on a roll. There's no reason to sit him now.

Put 'em In The Game: Reggie Bush
I know that Reggie Bush didn't pan out as much as we had hoped last week but we're giving him another shot this week against the Indianapolis Colts who are giving up the 8th-most fantasy points to RB's. The rise of Daniel Thomas, particularly at the goal line, has become more of a threat but there should be plenty of fantasy points available to both this week.

Put 'em In The Game: Trent Richardson
Plenty of folks kept Trent Richardson out of their lineups last week on news that he would be wearing protective gear to help protect his sore ribs. Those fears were ultimately unfounded as Richardson went on to rush for 122 yards and a score. This week he'll face the Ravens who are not the fearsome, dominating D that they used to be. In fact, they're giving up the 5th-most fantasy points to opposing rushers. Richardson should see plenty of action this week.

Put 'em In The Game: Alfred Morris
As expected, Alfred Morris struggled last week against the Steelers. He shouldn't struggle this week against the Panthers who are giving up the 6th-most fantasy points to opposing RB's. Morris has been one of the true fantasy gems this year ranking in the Top 15 among all fantasy backs. Who would have thought that we'd be recommending a Shanahan-running back?

Put 'em In The Game: Denarius Moore
It's comforting to hear Carson Palmer this week say that Denarius Moore is his "go-to guy". It's hard to argue that as Moore has been on a roll as of late seeing the endzone four times in his last five games. While they don't allow many touchdowns, the Buccaneers have still given up the 3rd-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers this year.

Put 'em In The Game: Jeremy Maclin
So much of Jeremy Maclin's value is tied to Michael Vick. When Vick struggles, so does Maclin (and DeSean Jackson). This week should provide some relief as the Saints give up more fantasy points to wide receivers than any other team and the 3rd-most receiving yards. Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker had fantastic days last week against the Saints. Maclin and Jackson should as well.

Put 'em In The Game: Steve Smith
Yes - we were wrong. It does happen. Last week we were expecting Charles Tillman to smother Steve Smith and it didn't happen (7 recs for 118 yds). We're not making that mistake again, particularly when he's facing one of the worst passing defenses in the league. We're going on record here and predicting Smith's first TD of the year. Newton and Smith should put up solid numbers against the Redskins.

Put 'em In The Game: Jermaine Gresham
If you need a bye week replacement or a solid flex play option, Jermaine Gresham could be your man. The Broncos are really coming into their own this year but they've been soft on TE's giving up the 4th-most fantasy points to them. Gresham's size and agility pose a matchup dilemma and Denver will have difficulty stopping him.

Put 'em In The Game: Greg Olsen
We've already highlighted Cam Newton and Steve Smith. We might as well put Greg Olsen on this list. Washington gives up the most fantasy points and the 3rd-most yards per game to tight ends making this an awfully sweet matchup. Olsen has quietly put himself in the Top 15 among fantasy TE's and his production should continue this week.

Put 'em In The Game: Garrett Hartley
Drew Brees was uncharacteristically off last week often leaving the field as the punter ran onto it. Garrett Hartley didn't have many opportunities to put some points on the board. That should change this week when the Saints go marching in to face the Eagles, a team that is giving up the 3rd-most fantasy points to opposing kickers.

Put 'em In The Game: Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons may be the best team in the NFL right now. Their record would certainly help support that statement. The Atlanta defense is ranked 8th in the league in fantasy production and they should get a boost in production this week. Tony Romo has been a train wreck this year throwing for 13 interceptions in 7 games with 3 returned for TD's. Expect the Falcons to be flying this week.

Put 'em On The Bench: Joe Flacco
For many folks, Joe Flacco has become their backup QB and for good reason. His consistency is questionable and has had tremendous difficulty playing on the road. Combine that with a terrible track record against the Browns and there's nothing to get excited about here. Flacco's simply too much of a risk to play this week even as a bye week filler.

Put 'em On The Bench: Christian Ponder
What happened to the guy who torched the 49ers, Titans, and Redskins? It's highly unlikely that we'll see that Christian Ponder this week against the Seahawks who have made virtually every QB they've faced struggle. Like Flacco above, Ponder's consistency makes him a questionable value in fantasy and casts doubt on him even being a viable bye week filler. No thanks.

Put 'em On The Bench: Chris Johnson
Hate to do this, particularly when we've seen a resurgence from CJ2K, but the Bears defense is running on all cylinders this season. The Monsters of the Midway are giving up the 2nd-fewest fantasy points to opposing RB's and have only allowed one running back to see the endzone (Brown in Week 1). Chances are that you won't have the depth necessary to sit Johnson, and if that's the case, roll the dice but lower your expectations.

Put 'em On The Bench: BenJarvus Green-Ellis
The Law Firm must have been held in contempt of court because he hasn't shown up in weeks. The production from BenJarvus Green-Ellis hasn't met our expectations and it's tough to find much hope going forward. The Broncos, while statistically an average rush defense, have only allowed three rushing TD's all season. Tell the Law Firm to take a seat. The jury's still out.

Put 'em On The Bench: Steve Johnson
The Texans have one of the more dominating defenses in the NFL. They're giving up the 10th-fewest fantasy points to opposing wide receivers this year. Stevie Johnson hasn't been lighting the world on fire this year ranking 31st in fantasy production (ppr) in 2012. There's always a chance that Johnson has a break out game, but the odds of that happening this week are slim at best.

Put 'em On The Bench: Kenny Britt
If there is one guy who has really been worthy of a bench spot, it's Kenny Britt. The QB situation isn't great in Tennessee and Britt's knee still isn't where it needs to be. The Bears give up the 9th-fewest fantasy points to opposing wide receivers so we're not anticipating many points to fall Britt's way this week. When a guy ranks 74th (ppr) among all players at his position, he's not even worth keeping on the bench. Goodbye Kenny.

Put 'em On The Bench: Jermichael Finley
When my 6-year old Packer-loving son refuses to wear his #88 jersey and calls every dropped football a "Finley", it becomes painfully obvious that Jermichael Finley's struggles on the field are now apparent to absolutely everyone. Finley hasn't seen the endzone since Week 1 and hasn't topped 60 yards all year. The Cardinals give up the 6th-fewest fantasy points to opposing TE's - hardly an indicator of fantasy success this week.

Put 'em On The Bench: Dennis Pitta
He started off strong, but like his QB Joe Flacco, Dennis Pitta has become a fantasy risk with little reward. The Browns allow the 4th-fewest fantasy points to opposing TE's and have only allowed one tight end to even see the endzone. It's too difficult to even recommend Pitta as a bye week replacement until he starts to show some life.

Put 'em On The Bench: Dan Bailey
The Falcons give up the 2nd-fewest field goals and the 2nd-fewest fantasy points to opposing kickers this year. Combine those facts with Tony Romo and the Cowboys' inconsistencies and that makes for a tough matchup. No kicker has had more than 10 fantasy points all year against the Falcons and Atlanta has only allowed 6 field goals on the season. Bad matchup for Bailey.

Put 'em On The Bench: Arizona Cardinals
While the Cardinals are currently a Top 10 fantasy defense, most of that can be attributed to monster performances in Weeks 3 and 4. Take away those 2 games and the Cardinals are mediocre at best. Their defense will struggle even against an injury-riddled Green Bay Packers offense that will likely still be without their top 2 wide receivers. Even without Jennings and potentially Nelson, Aaron Rodgers has been fantastic and should dominate the Cardinals secondary.

Join the Discussion

bmaclaughlin CommentedNov 3, 2012 11:00 am

Great advice last week! I ended up winning by 0.72 points!! This week I already picked up SD defnse off the wire and scored 25 points Thursday. Good start, but I need your help with some weak players due to the Bye.

WR - I am Starting Julio (not good at home), DeSean Jackson, James Jones. I have two more receivers for my FLEX. Should I start Josh Gordon or newcomer Ryan Broyles? (I already dropped Britt this week for a new RB)

RB - Since Gore is on a Bye, and my other must start guy is Chris Johnson (bad matchup) I picked up Ronnie Hillman, Justin Forsett, and Phillip Tanner. A couple of these guys are going to be helped out by injuries in front of them on the depth chart. I get 2 RBs. Who should they be?

Also, just out of curiosity. Janos Hanson is available on the waiver wire. Any reason to grab him over Matt Prater. I really like prater getting opportunities with Peyton manning at QB. They are gonna move te ball. But lots of folks ahve Hason as a #1 kicker this week and he is available.

Thanks, again for great advise last week.

Mac

Nerd CommentedNov 3, 2012 11:00 am

WR - I like Gordon over Broyles this week.

RB - I like Tanner, Hillman, and Forsett in that order for both std and ppr.

K - I like Hanson a lot this week, but predicting kicker performances is not exactly science. It's more art form and I don't have a brush.

Good luck!

bmaclaughlin CommentedNov 3, 2012 11:00 am

Thanks for the advice. I think you are unerestimating your ability, though. According to:

http://www.fantasypros.com/nfl/accuracy/?sort=K#2012

your site predictions are the second highest accuracy predictions for kickers out of a long list.

Good luck this week.

Mac