National Football League

Fantasy Football Week 9: Starts, Sits, and Sleepers

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 3:09 p.m. ET

foxsports

Nov 3, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Adam Humphries (11) is congratulated by quarterback Jameis Winston (3) after he scored a touchdown against the Atlanta Falconsduring the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Atlanta Falcons defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 43-28. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Buccaneers suffered through another morale sucking loss, but Bucs fans may be able to save their weekend with a fantasy football win.

If your real team can’t win, maybe your fantasy football team can, right?
Well, if you started Jameis Winston this week then you’re off to a good start with 31.84 points after he tossed three touchdowns in a losing effort.
Mike Evans owners are even happier despite the Buccaneers’ defeat as he turned in 32.5 points during his 11-catch evening on primetime television. It’s his third time going over 20 points this year, and second time in just three weeks.
Cameron Brate got in on the action as well by turning in 13.3 points to his owners, which is good marks for a tight end. Numbers you can definitely live with.
Of course, in the win Julio Jones contributed 21.10 points in fantasy football scoring giving him three 20+ point performances in his last four games.
Matt Ryan continued to make his owners happy as the Falcons got their second straight win after many predicted a 2015 like meltdown, and he got his second straight 40+ point week.
So there’s some sad fans of the Bucs everywhere, but if you’re looking for this weekend to pick you up a bit, here’s some fantasy options who may just do the trick for Week 9.

Oct 30, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) reacts after scoring a two point conversion against the Atlanta Falcons during the fourth quarter at the Georgia Dome. The Falcons defeated the Packers 33-32. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

START – Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers

Green Bay Packers vs Indianapolis Colts – Sunday, November 6th @ 4:25 PM EST

Aaron Rodgers is tied for third in the NFL for touchdown passes, and is going up against a Colts defense which is one of the ten worst teams in the league when it comes to giving up scores through the air.
This means his fantasy football outlook is looking up.

Since the bye Rodgers has thrown multiple touchdowns in three of his four games, including four against Atlanta just last week.
Some may say his numbers have been inflated because of the defenses he’s faced, and they could be absolutely right.
If they are, then this week is no different considering the Colts are surrendering the third most passing yards per game and are bottom ten when it comes to giving up touchdowns to quarterbacks.
They’ve proven very forgiving as well as they’ve only picked off two passes against eight opponents.
If Rodgers’ numbers are getting inflated due to poor defensive play, then they may get just a bit more inflated this week, given Indianapolis’ tendency to be extra nice to pass-happy offenses.

START – Trevor Siemian, Denver Broncos

Denver Broncos @ Oakland Raiders – Sunday, November 6th @ 8:30 PM EST

Only thing which could make Buccaneers’ fans madder than their quarterback throwing for just

More from The Pewter Plank

180-yards against the Raiders secondary would be Trevor Siemian throwing for even 181.
Granted the Broncos quarterback has a better arsenal and a much better defense to back up his mistakes, but the fact Jameis Winston couldn’t take advantage of the eighth friendliest quarterback defense in all fantasy football was more than a bit annoying.
Before facing Tampa, the Oakland defense hadn’t held a single passer under 200-yards.
Still, even with his struggles and a 50% completion rate, Winston finished 13th in fantasy scoring amongst quarterbacks. For those in small leagues this may seem horrible, but for deeper leagues it really isn’t bad.
The Broncos should be able to facilitate a more efficient offense than the Bucs did in their Week 7 loss to the Raiders, and Siemian should see more than a couple short routes turn into chunks of yards and a score or two.
If you need a bye week fill in and Siemian is available, I say grab him up.

SIT – Case Keenum, Los Angeles Rams

Los Angeles Rams vs Carolina Panthers – Sunday, November 6th @ 4:05 PM EST

The Los Angeles Rams are playing the Carolina Panthers this week, and some may be considering taking a bye-week flier on Case Keenum who continues to struggle in a deplorable offense.
Chris Weinke can say whatever he wants, but the bottom line is this: Putting Goff in now puts him in position to fail, and puts your franchise future in trouble.
The Rams have the NFL’s fourth-worst rushing attack due to an offensive line that couldn’t block a phone call, and the ability this gives opposing defenses to focus on the one playmaker they have outside of Todd Gurley has led to L.A. being one of just three teams with more interceptions than touchdown passes.
There could be some talk about starting Keenum though, for the bye week desperate, as they face the Panthers defense which is allowing 20.9 points per week to quarterbacks.
True, Carolina has given up back-to-back 300+ yard performances to Drew Brees and Carson Palmer respectively. They’ve also held three quarterbacks under 220-yards and have an interception in all but two of their games this season.
There’s a chance Tavon Austin takes one of his patented 2-yard screen passes and slips through weak tackling to break a 50-yard touchdown, but it’s just as likely Keenum throws a pick six to Luke Keuchly.

SIT – Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions

Detroit Lions @ Minnesota Vikings – Sunday, November 6th @ 1:00 PM EST

I told you to sit Matthew Stafford last week against the Houston Texans and he turned in just 13.6 points making him the 19th ranked quarterback in fantasy football for Week 8.

I’m going to tell you to sit him again, only this time hopefully you listen to me. Of course, I have no way of knowing if the person reading this started him or not, so presumptions aside…don’t start him in Week 9.
He’s facing the Vikings. Enough said? No?

Ok.
Minnesota’s defense has allowed six touchdown passes this year and only one quarterback has had two. That quarterback was Marcus Mariota.
Apparently, the Vikings defense got so mad they gave up two scores to the Titan-Duck they decided to go on an interception spree and have picked off twice as many passes as they’ve allowed into their end zone.
They also haven’t allowed a single 300-yard passer this season, and the closes to that mark didn’t even reach 275-yards.
Since you need more convincing, Minnesota is one of just 11 teams who have sacked opposing quarterbacks at least 20 times this year, and are on of just three teams who have yet to allow more than 1,500-yards passing against them period.
If you’re still not convinced, then start him. Maybe this will be the week the Vikings forget to play defense. At home. Against a division rival.

SLEEPER – Sam Bradford, Minnesota Vikings

Oct 31, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford (8) looks to pass the ball against the Chicago Bears during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

Minnesota Vikings vs Detroit Lions – Sunday, November 6th @ 1:00 PM EST

Sam Bradford has zero games this year throwing for over 300-yards and has thrown two touchdowns in a game just twice.
However, he’s had three games completing over 70% of his passes and only has one interception on the season.
Matching him up against a Detroit Lions defense which is allowing the second most fantasy football points to quarterbacks is prime position for Bradford to slip in as a bye week replacement for one of the three top fantasy QBs off this Sunday.
The Lions didn’t hold a single passer under 200-yards in 2016 until they face the much-maligned franchise quarterback of the Houston Texans: Brock Osweiler.
Even he got a touchdown pass in on them, which makes Detroit 8-for-8 when it comes to allowing teams to score a touchdown through the air.
Bradford won’t get you 385-yards and four touchdowns like Luck did in Week1, but 238-yards and two touchdowns like Carson Wentz got against them is certainly a respectable expectation.

SLEEPER – Derek Carr, Oakland Raiders

Oakland Raiders vs Denver Broncos – Sunday, November 6th @ 8:30 PM EST

Derek Carr is either going to be one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, or he is already.
The third year QB brother of David Carr has four games of at least 299-yards passing, and games with at least two touchdown passes.
As the third ranked fantasy football quarterback this year he’s surpassing names like Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers coming in right behind Matt Ryan and Andrew Luck.
So why is he a sleeper? Because he’s facing the Denver Broncos who are giving up just 12 points on average to quarterbacks this year.
Only two guys have thrown for more than 250-yards on this defense: Ryan and Philip Rivers.
Both threw for 267-yards exactly and the second of the two also got picked off three times.
However, cornerback extraordinaire Aqib Talib has been ruled out for this game and linebacker Brandon Marshall is still being nagged by a hamstring issue.
Carr should break 268-yards this week, and I think he announces himself as a top-shelf NFL quarterback on Sunday Night in the process.

Oct 30, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) celebrates a first down against the Philadelphia Eagles at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

START – Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys

Dallas Cowboys @ Cleveland Browns – Sunday, November 6th @ 1:00 PM EST

If you’ve got this rookie from Ohio State on your fantasy football team then you’re certainly starting him every week you can.
If you’re a DFS player though, every week is a debate between price and production. In other words, will he produce enough to warrant spending the cap space you must to get him?
This week, the answer is a resounding yes.
The NFL’s leading rusher coming into Week 9 is facing the second worst rushing defense in the league.
In addition to the yards Cleveland is giving up, they’ve allowed a rushing touchdown in every single week but one.
The price tag hurts, but the points will make you feel good about it.

START – DeMarco Murray, Tennessee Titans

Tennessee Titans @ San Diego Chargers – Sunday, November 6th @ 4:25 PM EST

Like Elliott, this is an easy start if you’re in a season-long league, but if you’re playing DFS the question again is whether or not Murray will do enough to warrant eating so much of your salary pool.
Facing the Chargers in Week 9, Murray should be able to take full advantage of a defense giving up big yards to running backs just about every week.
Like some other defenses going up against our start and sleeper picks, this one is giving up touchdowns to running backs on a weekly basis.
Only the Broncos I their first match-up of the season didn’t have a running back score.
Last week, Devontae Booker gained over 80-yards and scored a rushing touchdown against the very defense Murray is taking on this week.
For DFS guys, you probably won’t have both Murray and Elliott on your roster this week, but make sure you have one of them.

SIT – Mark Ingram, New Orleans Saints

Oct 23, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram (22) carries the ball against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

New Orleans Saints @ San Francisco 49ers – Sunday, November 6th @ 4:05 PM EST

The San Francisco 49ers are giving up the most points on average to opposing running backs in fantasy football which should make just about every runner facing them a must start.
However, Mark Ingram of the Saints is a different story because of how he’s beating himself the past two weeks.
In the first five years of his career Ingram lost just three fumbles and even went two full years without losing a single one.
In the past two weeks though, the sixth year back has lost one in each game.
Last week against the Seattle Seahawks his lost fumble resulted in his being benched in favor of Tim Hightower who went on to rip off more than 100-yards as New Orleans beat Seattle.
This gives us two reasons not to go with Ingram in Week 9 despite the great match-up on paper.
First, his fumble problems mean the 49ers defense will certainly be honing in on him and trying with all their might to strip the ball for a third straight week.
Secondly, Hightower’s effective week against one of the best defenses in the league mean he’ll likely get more touches than normal even if Ingram doesn’t get benched.
This is a fact the starting running back mentioned himself earlier this week.
Whether he’s losing touches because he’s fumbling or because his back-up is doing well; he’s losing touches, so avoid him until he regains them.

SIT – Frank Gore, Indianapolis Colts

Indianapolis Colts @ Green Bay Packers – Sunday, November 6th @ 4:25 PM

If you saw Frank Gore being a Top-10 fantasy football running back then you may be a genius.
Through the first eight weeks of the year Gore is the ninth ranked RB and the 33-year old has done it despite scoring just five touchdowns to this point.
This week however, he’s facing the Green Bay Packers and a defense which has only allowed one running back to get over 50-yards rushing this season.
Bobby Rainey was able to accumulate more than 50-yards receiving in one week, but no other back has hit even 40 against the Packers out of the backfield.
Similarly frustrating to running backs is the lack of scores the Green Bay unit is giving up to their position group.
Until Devonta Freeman found the endzone twice against them, this defensive unit had only given up one touchdown to backs in 2016.
This is a tough match-up for the entire Colts team, but Gore especially will find it hard to accomplish much of anything.

Sep 18, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos running back Devontae Booker (23) carries the ball in the second half against the Indianapolis Colts at Sports Authority Field at Mile High.The Broncos defeated the Colts 34-20. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

SLEEPER – Devontae Booker, Denver Broncos

Denver Broncos @ Oakland Raiders – Sunday, November 6th @ 8:30 PM EST

With C.J. Anderson out for the year, Devontae Booker has been thrust into the starting lineup, and has done fairly well.
With two straight 14-point fantasy football outputs, Booker comes into this week’s match-up with back-to-back weeks over 80-yards from scrimmage with a touchdown in each of his starts.
He also lost a fumble against the Chargers in Week 8, but it shouldn’t prevent him from getting at least 15 carries and five targets in the passing game.
As the only real weapon at the running back position who can help young Trevor Siemian keep the Broncos’ season rolling, Booker should get plenty of work.
The Raiders are the NFL’s tenth friendliest defense when it comes to fantasy running backs, and just about all of the 20.8 points being allowed on average by Oakland, should go to Booker.

SLEEPER – Terrance West, Baltimore Ravens

Baltimore Ravens vs Pittsburgh Steelers – Sunday, November 6th @ 1:00 PM EST

Terrance West has seen his career revived in Baltimore as he unseated the starting running back and subsequently ran the ball for at least 87-yards in three straight games while finding the endzone three times.
The surprising outburst gave him some fantasy football clout, but then he fell victim to a Week 7 performance which saw him gain just 10-yards on eight carries with no scoring plays.
Coming off the bye week and against a division rival will certainly make fantasy owners and DFS players nervous, but his match-up should give the third year back a chance to shine again.
The Steelers are surrendering an average of 24.9 points per week to opposing running backs, and have allowed more than 100-yards of offense to four of the seven starting running backs they’ve faced.
They’ve also allowed all but the Chiefs’ runners to find the end zone against them, and in all have surrendered ten touchdowns to opposing RBs.
He may not get RB1 numbers, but he should be a solid RB2 at a price which will allow you to invest elsewhere.

Oct 23, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) runs after catch and stiff arms New England Patriots cornerback Logan Ryan (26) during the second quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

START – Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh Steelers

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Baltimore Ravens – Sunday, November 6th @ 1:00 PM EST

Coming in as the eighth leading receiver in fantasy football, Antonio Brown has had a bit of a down year versus expectations.
It’s a testament to the expectations more than anything though, as Brown has five touchdown catches and three games over 100-yards.
Nobody overestimated the Baltimore defense however, and in turn they’ve allowed two very big games as Corey Coleman and Odell Beckham Jr. each racked up yards and touchdowns against the Ravens secondary.

Four receivers this season have actually caught two or more touchdowns against this team, and Brown should turn in WR1 numbers himself facing this team in Week 9.

START – Michael Thomas, New Orleans Saints

Sep 11, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas (13) runs after a catch in the second quarter against the Oakland Raiders at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

New Orleans Saints @ San Francisco 49ers – Sunday, November 6th @ 4:05 PM EST

The New Orleans Saints have played seven games in the 2016 season and Michael Thomas has been the most targeted between he and Brandin Cooks in five of them.
While Cooks has the obvious big play ability every time he touches the ball, Thomas is getting the volume which has led to him being ranked 18th among all NFL receivers in fantasy football scoring to date.
Averaging 15.7 points per week, Thomas is facing a 49ers defense which has given up just two 100+ yard receiving days to opponents, but has also allowed seven to have more than 65-yards with three of them having two touchdown catches a piece.
In fact, the only game San Francisco hasn’t given up a touchdown catch to a receiver was in Week 1 against the Los Angeles Rams.
Cooks is an every week start for sure, but this week, Thomas should crack the WR2 conversation as well.

SIT – Jarvis Landry, Miami Dolphins

Miami Dolphins vs New York Jets – Sunday, November 6th @ 1:00 AM EST

I’d love to tell you to go ahead and start Jarvis Landry this week against a Jets defense allowing 26.4 points per week to wide receivers.
I just can’t though, for two reasons: Trends and Jay Ajayi.
In eight games this year only A.J. Green, Doug Baldwin and Terrelle Pryor came in as their teams primary receiver and had the best day amongst their teammates.
More often than not, it’s a second or even third guy like Marquise Goodwin or Chris Conley getting the bulk of the action against the Jets.
Then of course there’s Jay Ajayi who has suddenly become one of the hottest running backs in the NFL contributing at least in part to Arian Foster’s retirement mid-season.
Since Ajayi started showing up, Landry has disappeared more and more. On the year Landry has just one touchdown reception, and the Dolphins’ most talented receiver hasn’t seen 10 targets in the last three games.

Oct 23, 2016; London, United Kingdom; Los Angeles Rams receiver Tavon Austin (11) enters the field through smoke during game 16 of the NFL International Series against the New York Giants at Twickenham Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

SIT – Tavon Austin, Los Angeles Rams

Los Angeles Rams vs Carolina Panthers – Sunday, November 6th @ 4:05 PM EST

In the real world, Tavon Austin got paid this off-season. In the fantasy football world, Tavon Austin has been one of the bigger busts this season.
Coming into Week 9 as the 42nd ranked wide receiver with just 84.1 points on the year, Austin has yet to have a 100-yard receiving day and has just two touchdowns on the year.
Being just one member of a severely disappointing Rams offense has really hurt this young man’s fantasy stock, but a ten catch day last week to go with his second touchdown of the year may have inspired some belief he may be coming back to form.
As Lee Corso says, “Not So Fast!”
The Panthers defense hasn’t been near as strong as they were last season, but they’ve been better than the Rams offense has.
Austin will probably get a good amount of catches in this one, but I wouldn’t expect him to break his drought of 100-yard games or score multiple TDs in this one.
His longest play from scrimmage this season is 43-yards, and don’t expect him to eclipse that this weekend.

SLEEPER – Kelvin Benjamin, Carolina Panthers

Carolina Panthers @ Los Angeles Rams – Sunday, November 6th @ 4:05 PM EST

Kelvin Benjamin’s return hasn’t been quite as triumphant as many thought it would, and the result is a 22nd ranking in fantasy football scoring among wide receivers right now.
This week could provide the third year player a boost though as he plays a defense which can be exploited by tall, strong wide receivers.
In Week 3 of the NFL season, the Buccaneers’ Mike Evans grabbed ten balls for 132-yards and a touchdown.
In fact, three receivers have gone for 130-yards or more against the Los Angeles defense, and eight have found the end zone.
Benjamin is back, but he hasn’t been on top of the fantasy world since Week 2. Look for him to climb back up a bit here.

SLEEPER – Ty Montgomery, Green Bay Packers

Green Bay Packers vs Indianapolis Colts – Sunday, November 6th @ 4:25 PM EST

Ty Montgomery’s late scratch last week burned quite a few fantasy football enthusiasts last week, and the result is some hesitating when considering him for a spot this week.
However, he’s not on the injury list at all right now and should be full-speed ahead when the Packers host the Colts this weekend.
Randall Cobb is still dealing with a nagging hamstring, and Montgomery got double-digit targets in both of his appearances this year before missing Week 8.
It’s no secret the Colts defense is regressing, and last week the Chiefs had three players with at least 40-yards receiving while two had a touchdown reception to go with it.
If Montgomery is in fact fully healthy once again, then he’s already shown what kind of weapon he can be.
Going against a struggling defense – he may show it again.

Oct 31, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) is defended by Chicago Bears defensive back Harold Jones-Quartey (29) during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

START – Kyle Rudolph, Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota Vikings vs Detroit Lions – Sunday, November 6th @ 1:00 PM EST

Kyle Rudolph has only been targeted fewer than six times once this season, and as a result he has fewer than three catches only once.
He’s got three touchdowns and four games of at least 55-yards receiving in 2016.
The Detroit Lions have allowed a tight end to catch a touchdown in 75% of their matchups this season including two to the Colts’ Jack Doyle.
In addition to this, each starting tight end to play the Lions defense has at least three catches except for Jared Cook.
Bottom line – Sam Bradford likes to look for Rudolph, and the Lions don’t like to cover tight ends.

SIT – Jesse James, Pittsburgh Steelers

Oct 9, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jesse James (81) runs with the ball after making a catch in the fourth quarter against the New York Jets at Heinz Field. Pittsburgh won 31-13. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Baltimore Ravens – Sunday, November 6th @ 1:00 PM EST

Replacing a pro bowl caliber tight end is never easy, and Jesse James is finding that out the hard way.
With just two games of more than three receptions this season, the second-year player has a lot of promise, but it’s all promise for the future.
He does have three touchdown catches which certainly saved his fantasy football value in those games a bit, but overall he just hasn’t been reliable.
Coming into this week the Baltimore Ravens are the second toughest defense on tight ends, allowing just 3.6 points per week on average.
Crazier things have happened, but James doesn’t project very well at all in this one.

SLEEPER – Lance Kendricks, Los Angeles Rams

Los Angeles Rams vs Carolina Panthers – Sunday, November 6th @ 4:05 AM EST

With Carolina’s linebackers having to help stop Todd Gurley and stay loose to combat quick screens and slants to Tavon Austin, tight end Lance Kendricks should benefit from a lack of attention and find his way into the Top-12 of this weeks’ position rankings.
Fantasy football is not about what team wins or who the best teams are, it’s all about which individuals do better than the rest of their position group.
Kendricks isn’t a very popular choice in fantasy circles, but he has five catches or more in three of the Rams’ last four games.
In the same stretch, he had at least 34-yards and scored in one of them.
If Kendricks can find the endzone and keep up his catch numbers, then he could become a good target at tight end for your fantasy considerations.

Sep 25, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen (97) celebrates after a sack in the third quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. The Vikings defeated the Panthers 22-10. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

START – Minnesota Vikings D/ST

Live Feed FANTASY FOOTBALL

Minnesota Vikings vs Detroit Lions – Sunday, November 6th @ 1:00 PM EST

The Detroit Lions have the NFL’s eighth worst rushing attack, and the Minnesota Vikings have the best pass defense in the league.
This means the Lions are in trouble, and the Vikings defense should dominate this match-up from start to finish.
I don’t know how many times Matthew Stafford has thrown multiple interceptions in a game, but the Minnesota defense has picked off two of the quarterbacks they’ve faced two times or more this season.
In fact, the Vikings have intercepted more passes than they’ve allowed passing touchdowns against them.
If you can afford them, start this defense and special teams group. Heck, Cordarrelle Patterson and Marcus Sherels may even break one.

Sep 18, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Terrell Suggs (55) at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

SIT – Baltimore Ravens D/ST

Baltimore Ravens vs Pittsburgh Steelers – Sunday, November 6th @ 1:00 PM EST

The Ravens have at least six defensive players on the injury report who were expected to make some sort of critical impact on that side of the ball this year.
These names include Terrell Suggs, Kamalei Correa and C.J. Mosley.
While some of them will surely play, how healthy they really are will have a big impact on this game.
The Steelers offense has too many weapons to mess with and the possibility of Ben Roethlisberger’s return just complicates things further.

If Landry Jones gets the start against Baltimore, then maybe we re-look this, but as is and with Big Ben looking to come back – stay away.

SLEEPER – Carolina Panthers D/ST

Carolina Panthers @ Los Angeles Rams – Sunday, November 6th @ 4:05 PM EST

If there’s a game on the Panthers’ schedule where they could look like the defense of 2016, it’s this one.
The Rams are inept, incompetent, and inconceivably ineffective.
On defense the Panthers haven’t been a whole lot better, but as long as this group has Luke Keuchly and Ron Rivera leading them in to the game, they’re better than L.A.’s offense.
Call it a gut feeling, but the Carolina defense could really have a resurgence this week if the Rams’ offense continues to misfire the way they have to this point.

Oct 30, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian (13) yells at the line of scrimmage in the third quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos won 27-19. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

WEEK 9 RECAP

Let’s Recap our selections for this weekends’ match-ups…

START:

Oct 27, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans running back DeMarco Murray (29) walks off the field after a win against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Nissan Stadium. The Titans won 36-22. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay PackersTrevor Siemian, Denver Broncos

Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys*DeMarco Murray, Tennessee Titans

Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh SteelersMichael Thomas, New Orleans Saints

Kyle Rudolph, Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota Vikings D/ST

Oct 23, 2016; London, United Kingdom; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Case Keenum (17) throws a pass against the New York Giants during the second quarter at Twickenham Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Flynn-USA TODAY Sports

SIT:

*Case Keenum, Los Angeles RamsMatthew Stafford, Detroit Lions

Mark Ingram, New Orleans SaintsFrank Gore, Indianapolis Colts

Jarvis Landry, Miami DolphinsTavon Austin, Los Angeles Rams

Jesse James, Pittsburgh Steelers

Baltimore Ravens D/ST

SLEEPERS:

Sep 11, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Ty Montgomery (88) runs the ball during the second half of a football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field.The Green Bay Packers won 27-23. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Sam Bradford, Minnesota VikingsDerek Carr, Oakland Raiders

Devontae Booker, Denver BroncosTerrance West, Baltimore Ravens

Kelvin Benjamin, Carolina Panthers*Ty Montgomery, Green Bay Packers

Lance Kendricks, Los Angeles Rams

Carolina Panthers D/ST

Next: DAILY LINEUP

Oct 30, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) calls a play during overtime against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Oakland Raiders defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 30-24 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

DAILY LINEUPS

Playing daily fantasy football games are not as simple as plug and play. It’s a delicate balance of fiscal responsibility and talent management. Here we provide a couple options which should prove affordable and full of possibilities.

The Pewter Projection

Your weekly lineup provided by the analysis and projections The Pewter Plank brings you every week.

Oct 30, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin (13) runs after a catch in the second quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

QB – Derek Carr vs Denver Broncos

RB – Devontae Booker @ Oakland RaidersRB – DeMarco Murray @ San Diego Chargers

WR – Antonio Brown @ Baltimore RavensWR – Michael Thomas @ San Francisco 49ers*WR – Kelvin Benjamin @ Los Angeles Rams

TE – Kyle Rudolph vs Detroit Lions

K – Greg Zuerlein vs Carolina Panthers

D/ST – Minnesota Vikings D/ST vs Detroit Lions

Next: THE END

Nov 3, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) runs with the ball against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Atlanta Falcons defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 43-28. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

So there we have it. Week 9 NFL action already has one game in the books as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers fell to the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday Night.
Send your questions, comments and individual analysis to our official Twitter feed, to any of our contributors or experts. We can’t get to them all of course, but we’ll get to as many as we can each week.
Which of our starters will hit pay-dirt for your fantasy football team, which of our sits will bust through the doubt and put up top numbers anyway, and which of our sleepers will give a burst to your daily fantasy lineups? Come back next week to see our recap and get your Week 10 insight and advice!

This article originally appeared on