Week 9 Fantasy Picks

Start ‘Em

Matt Forte – RB – CHI (@BUF) – If Forte can’t break off a big game against Buffalo coming off a bye, he’s in trouble.  Look for Forte to have one of his bigger days on the ground in 2010 this week against the Bills.

James Jones – WR – GB (vs. DAL) – With Donald Driver (quad) expected to be limited or miss Sunday’s game all together, Jones should be in line for increased snaps against a Dallas secondary that surrendered four TD’s to David Garrard last week.  Cowboys’ top-CB Terence Newman is battling a rib injury, as well.

Patrick Crayton – WR – SD (@HOU) – For owners who picked up Crayton after Malcom Floyd (hamstring) went down, this is likely your last chance for a spot start out of the former-Cowboy.  Going against Houston’s 32^nd-ranked pass defense will certainly help.

Jonathan Stewart – RB – CAR (vs. NO) – Don’t give up on Stewart after last week’s poor performance against St. Louis.  He’s too talented to not produce if given 20+ touches.  Expect him to get on track this week against the Saints.

LeSean McCoy – RB – PHI (vs. IND) – McCoy was seeing increased running room with Michael Vick under center before he got hurt, so we expect that to resume with Vick back this week.  The Colts are well below-average against the run.

Jason Witten – TE – DAL (@GB) – Witten has shown instant rapport with QB Jon Kitna, and we like that to continue this week against the Packers, as the Cowboys figure to be behind early and forced to throw the ball.  Witten had ten catches last week against  a Jacksonville team that had been near the top of the league in defending opposing tight ends. 

Pierre Garcon – WR – IND (@PHI) – Garcon makes our list for the second consecutive week as we couldn’t not include him in a very favorable matchup against new Eagles starting CB Dmitri Patterson.  Normal starter Ellis Hobbs is dealing with an undisclosed injury.  Garcon should have a huge week.

Sit ‘Em

Jahvid Best – RB – DET (vs. NYJ) – Best gets a tough matchup this week against the Jets after a mildly disappointing performance last week against Washington in which he nearly split touches with Kevin Smith.  Best hasn’t had a dominant performance since suffering a turf toe injury earlier in the season. 

Chad Ochocinco – WR – CIN (vs. PIT) – Ocho has taken a backseat to Terrell Owens this season, just as he predicted before the season began.  We certainly don’t see that changing this week against Pittsburgh.  Ocho is only a matchup play at this point.

Kellen Winslow – TE – TB (@ATL) – Winslow has had a very quiet season, thanks in large part to the emergence of Mike Williams.  Having broken 45-yards receiving only twice so far this season, we don’t expect him to make it three this week against Atlanta.

 Jason Campbell – QB – OAK (vs. KC) – Campbell has posted two solid weeks in a row, throwing for a combined four touchdowns and no interceptions.  We’re expecting a regression this week, however, against a good, young Chiefs defense.  Campbell’s completion percentage is still just 57% for the year, and he’ll likely be without Louis Murphy (chest) and TE Zach Miller (foot). 

Percy Harvin – WR – MIN (vs. ARI) – Harvin is the player who will be most negatively affected by the departure of Randy Moss, as he’ll likely see increased double teams, much like Wes Welker in New England.  Add in the fact he suffered an ankle injury against New England last week, and we’re staying away from Harvin against Arizona. 

Dustin Keller – TE – NYJ (@DET) – Ordinarily we wouldn’t advise sitting anybody against Detroit, so we’re admittedly going out on a limb here.  Keller hasn’t seen as many looks since Santonio Holmes returned from suspension, however, so until he breaks that trend, keep him on the bench. 

Waiver Wire Pickups

Steve Breaston – WR – ARI – If Breaston was dropped in your league, he’s worth an add.  Despite horrendous quarterback play, Breaston managed to put up 147 yards last week against Tampa Bay in his first game back from injury.

James Jones/Jordy Nelson – WR – GB – With Donald Driver (quad) likely to be limited or miss the game all together in Week 9, Jones and Nelson should be in line for extended snaps.  Look for Jones to have a slightly better week.

Keiland Williams – RB – WSH – The Redskins are on bye in Week 9, but Ryan Torain injured his hamstring during Sunday’s game against Detroit, putting his status for Week 10 in question.  Williams is at least worth a speculative stash. 

Julius Jones – RB – NO – Jones could be in line for an increased role in Week 9 if Chris Ivory, who left Sunday’s game against Pittsburgh early with a minor concussion, is limited or forced to miss the game against Carolina. 

Featured Game Picks

New York Jets (-3.5) @DET

New England Patriots (-5) @CLE

Kansas City Chiefs (+2.5) @OAK

Week 8 Results

Start ‘Em

Thomas Jones – KC – 82 total yards

Beanie Wells – ARI – 64 total yards, TD

Pierre Garcon – IND – 7 rec., 78 yards

LaDanian Tomlinson – NYJ – 54 rush yards, 5 rec., 37 receiving yards

Marshawn Lynch – SEA – 7 yards rushing

Matt Stafford – DET – 26-45 for 212 yards, 4 TD’s, 1 INT

Owen Daniels – HOU – 1 rec., 8 yards

Results:  Stafford was solid after shaking off some early rust…Daniels and Lynch were invisible…Tomlinson and Garcon both had decent PPR games…Jones was overshadowed by Jamaal Charles this week…Wells dominated carries and added a TD.

Sit ‘Em

Brandon Jackson – GB – 72 total yards

Sam Bradford – STL – 25-32 for 191 yards, 2 TD’s

Chris Ivory – NO – 7 total yards

Benjarvus Green-Ellis – NE – 123 total yards, 2 TD’s

Larry Fitzgerald – ARI – 6 rec., 72 yards, 2 TD’s

Michael Crabtree – SF – 3 rec., 53 yards, TD

Results:  Green-Ellis exploded in the second-half against a tough Vikings rush defense…Fitzgerald and Bradford both had above-average performances…Crabtree didn’t get many looks from Troy Smith, but did find the end zone…Jackson and Ivory were duds.

Featured Game Picks

Houston (+5.5) @ IND (L)

Pittsburgh (even) @ NO (L)

New England (-6) vs. MIN (W)

Results:  Very disappointing week, as the Texans and Steelers came out flat in primetime…The Patriots looked very good against Minnesota…1-2 puts us at 9-15 in the most difficult season to predict games that we can remember.