It is Week 9, when some fantasy analysts/writers become burned out. Not us here @Razzball. We are here all year and even cover for each other if something comes up. Speaking of that, I will be away from this and the weekly Waiver column (and the Sunday Start-Sit You Tube Show) for a week. I will be headed out for a much-needed vacation I am sure you can all appreciate. Do not fret as I will be back after that week ready to get back to handing out analysis and opinion. Remember, I do not provide chalky names in this column. I dig deeper to help you with the harder roster assignments. Here we go again…onto my Week 9 Start recommendations.
Be sure to check out Razzball Football’s updated rankings: Top 150 | QB | RB | WR | TE | DEF | Rookie
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Start These Players:
- Position: QB
- Player: Matthew Stafford
- Week 3 Opponent: at the Seattle Seahawks
We saw what Stafford can do with a healthy Kupp and Puka (and Kyren) against a top-tier defense. Now, let’s watch him go on the road against a friendlier defense. Can he replicate his 4-TD game? Probably not, but you just never know. I love this matchup and think Stafford is a smash play. Sneaky Play: Jameis Winston and/or Joe Flacco being listed together begs the question ‘is there a better time to be alive?’ I think not. Fantasy football is about a lot of things, and fun is certainly near the top of the list. These two QBs offer about as much fun as there is to be had and I like both matchups. Notice I did not type ‘love’ both matchups. ‘Like’ is the key word as both the Vikings and Chargers are not cupcakes. We always hope for the positive game script meaning our guys Jameis and Joe will be unleashed to throw the rock all over the yard. Go out there and have some fun this week by starting one of these two.
- Position: RB
- Player: Raheem Mostert
- Week 3 Opponent: at the Buffalo Bills
Mostert tops my list this week for two simple reasons: (1) The Bills are tough to throw against, (2) You CAN run on the Bills. Mostert appears to be healthy and fell into the end zone last week coming off missed games. While the younger backfield mate will catch the headlines and most of the touches, Mostert will get his. Sneaky Play: In what appears to be a terrible matchup on paper (@KC), I think this is a perfect fantasy set-up for Baker and his pass catching RBs. The Chiefs have an excellent defense, and their offense does enough to win each week. I think Baker can find ways to get the ball into the hands of both Rachaad White and Bucky Irving. Add to that the fact the Chiefs are stout against the run and you have the perfect storm for these two athletic RBs. Remember, real football does not always equal fantasy football. This is the type of matchup you want to lean into and exploit especially in a PPR format.
- Position: WR
- Player: Khalil Shakir
- Week 3 Opponent: home versus the Miami Dolphins
The addition of Amari Cooper led some Shakir owners to fear the worst. Well, two weeks into the Cooper tenure in Buffalo and Shakir has more than proven he can be an every week FLEX starter at a minimum. In come the Miami Dolphins for a matchup that looks to be in the division leading Bills favor. You never know when these two meet especially when there is not show on the ground. I expect the Dolphins to keep it close through at least the middle of the 3rd quarter, meaning Shakir and the passing game will be active for the Bills. If you want a little more, check out the increased passing stats for Josh Allen over the past two weeks (33, 34 attempts up from 25). Sneaky Play: Josh Downs is my guy when the Joe Flacco starts for the Colts. With the benching of TEMU Justin Fields, it is Downs to the moon in Week 9. Look for the Colts to throw early and often to stay up with the Vikings. I think both Downs and Pittman will have good numbers during the SNF game, so fire them both up this week. We prefer Downs play outside vice the slot as the matchup with Minnesota is much better on the outside. If Downs plays inside, you could do worse than flexing Alec Pierce here. I prefer Downs but think he, Pittman, and Jonathan Taylor will produce solid numbers.
- Position: TE
- Player: Cade Otton
- Week 3 Opponent: at the Kansas City Chiefs
The underneath passing game will be heavily utilized against the Chiefs. This may limit the run after catch for Otton, but this young TE is on a heater so we should ride the wave. I made a similar call last week and Otton paid off nicely. Fire him up again this week along with the RBs and remember that garbage and trailing fantasy points count as much as any other type. Sneaky Play: Jake Ferguson provide a nice floor at a position that has left a lot to be desired this season. Coming out of the bye, Ferguson saw eight targets in a game dominated by CeeDee Lamb. The Falcons will need to double Lamb which leaves Dak’s #2 option to roam around the middle of the field. I can see a Ferguson line of 9-95-1 which plays in any format. If that is not enough, tell me the last time the Falcons were NOT in a high-scoring game. Look at the two games against the Bucs and know that is what I expect to see this week from the Dallas-Atlanta game.
Since you are here, check out more fantasy goodness at Razzball. Follow me on Twitter/X @Stiles08. Don’t forget to drop a comment or question down below. Looking forward to seeing you during our Sunday Start/Sit Show on YouTube @RazzballFantasy two hours before kickoff where we answer all your questions live on the air!
-Stiles-
