Atlanta Falcons

Fantasy Football: 5 Players Ready For A Big Week 9

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 8:02 p.m. ET

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Oct 16, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) carries the ball past Green Bay Packers defensive end Datone Jones (95) in the second quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Week 9 starts tonight with Thursday Night Football with the Falcons taking on the Buccaneers. Here is a look at the best fantasy football options for this week:

Fantasy Football is really heating up. It’s Week 9 already in the NFL season, but doesn’t it seem like it was the beginning of September and Week 1? The season is halfway over, but the Fantasy season is just getting started for teams trying to make the final push for the playoffs.

My recommendations for teams on the bubble of making or missing the playoffs is to look through the waiver wire daily. Do what you can to improve your team if via the waiver wire or through trades. If you do that well, your chances of making the playoffs increase dramatically.

Is your fantasy team playing well? Here are five players that will score big this week.

Oct 23, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; San Diego Chargers running back Melvin Gordon (28) eludes the tackle of Atlanta Falcons middle linebacker Deion Jones (45) in the fourth quarter of their game at the Georgia Dome. The Chargers won 33-30 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

Melvin Gordon

This 2nd year running back has been a stud all season long. In eight games this season, Gordon has been averaging 16 points per game. He might not gain a lot of yards on the ground against a stout Titans defense, but he will be effective as a receiver out of the backfield.

Gordon has been one of the best players coming out of the 2015 Draft. In his rookie season, he ran for 641 yards. Barring a season ending injury, he is on pace to rush for over 1000 yards because at the moment, he has 572.

If Gordon stays patient, holes might open up which will help his numbers. Gordon will have one touchdown and get 10-12 fantasy points this weekend.

Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

Julio Jones

Julio Jones seems to always put up monster numbers week and week since coming into the league. It’s rare that he gets less than five catches per game, but this season he’s done it four times out of the eight games that the Falcons have played. Either he is hurt, or the other team is double teaming him on every play.

It doesn’t hurt that Jones has Matt Ryan throwing him the ball and that Jones is an exceptional athlete. The Buccaneers secondary isn’t that good so Jones should have a fantastic game against them.

I’d be shocked if Jones didn’t have 150 yards receiving and two touchdowns. He is my stone cold lock as your first wide receiver for this week.

Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Ezekiel Elliott

This rookie has been lights out this year so far. It doesn’t hurt the fact that his offensive line is outstanding! His lowest points per game this season was in week 1 with only 11 points. I’d be very happy if any of my running backs got me 11 points and more per game.

Elliott will be facing a Cleveland Browns defense that isn’t very good. The way that Elliott has been running this year has been great and I don’t see him slowing. The only thing that might slow him down is injuries or if his off the field issue comes back to haunt him.

The good thing about Elliott is that he can also catch the ball out of the backfield which opens up the Cowboys offense even more. With everything that Elliott does, I can see him getting 175 yards on the ground and through the air. He’ll also score a couple touchdowns that will help the Cowboys win easily over the Browns.

Oct 23, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

T.Y. Hilton

T.Y. Hilton has always been a little underrated at a Wide Receiver for the Colts. The transition has been a smooth one for Andrew Luck after Reggie Wayne retired.

Good news for Hilton is that the Packers secondary isn’t at full strength which could mean a big day for him. Andrew Luck will need time in the pocket if he wants Hilton to have a big games. Drops have been an issue so far this season. Those can be forgotten if he catches the ones that count and don’t end up costing the team.

This season has been a little uneven for Hilton. If he’s on his game on Sunday, he should be able to rack up 7 receptions for 100 yards and a touchdown.

Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

Aaron Rodgers

Aaron Rodgers is a gamer. No matter the score and if the Packers are down, he will do whatever it takes to mount a comeback. You saw that when he lead two comebacks to win one and tie the other last season. To me, Rodgers is like the Tom Brady of the NFC. No matter who he has a receiver, he gets results out them.

Indianapolis has never been one to have a great defense. This has been like that since Peyton Manning was the starting quarterback. They struggle against the run and the pass.

In week 9, I expect Rodgers to be able to throw for 300 yards with three touchdowns. It’s nice when you see players like Rodgers having fun on the field and I root for him when he isn’t playing against the Ravens.

Fantasy football is a great escape from our normal lives. It gives us a chance to root for player’s who we normally don’t get to root for or watch. As a matter of fact, I don’t like the Steelers, but if I pick up a Steeler in fantasy, I will root for him.

Furthermore, some fantasy football players can get a little too into it. It’s just fantasy and has no real significance in your life, unless you make a little money out of it.