"In a Pinch" Week 9

QBs

In Week 9, Denver, Tennessee, St. Louis, San Francisco, Washington, and Jacksonville are all on byes.  As far as quarterbacks go, not much to worry about except for Kyle Orton, Vince Young, and Donovan McNabb.  More than likely then you don’t need a quarterback, but if you do, here are a few guys that could get the job done.

Matthew Stafford (Detroit Lions):  So last week I told you to pick up Stafford.  If you didn’t listen, you have only yourself to blame, as Stafford threw 4 touchdown passes.  This week the Lions draw the Jets, which is not a good matchup, but if you’re struggling to find a bye week replacement, Stafford may just be your guy, but I wouldn’t expect a great week out of him.

Ryan Fiztpatrick (Buffalo Bills):  If for some reason Fitzpatrick is still available, pick him up.  He may not have had as good of a week as he had been having against the Chiefs, but the Chiefs defense has been much improved and very stingy.  This week Fitzpatrick has a better matchup against the Chicago Bears.  Throw in the fact that the Bills are a pass first team (witness Fitzpatrick throwing 48 times against Kansas City), and you have a chance for a great week.

Josh Freeman (Tampa Bay Buccaneers):  Freeman played just as I predicted this past week.  He put up solid fantasy numbers, but nothing that blew your mind.  Fact is, he plays just well enough each week to give you a chance to eek out a victory, but when you’re dealing with bye weeks, most victories tend to be close.  I’d give Freeman a serious look if you need a QB this week.

Jon Kitna (Dallas Cowboys):  Listen, the Cowboys suck.  I told anyone who wanted to listen at the beginning of the year that the Cowboys were overrated and turns out I was right.  That being said, it doesn’t matter if the Cowboys win or lose week in and week out, as wins don’t count for fantasy points.  What counts is production during the 60 minutes of game time, and what Kitna gives you is production.  He threw 49 times for 379 yards 1 touchdown.  Yes he threw 4 interceptions, but they weren’t his fault, as his receivers just couldn’t hold on to the ball.  Just like the Bills, the Cowboys are a throw first team, and especially when they start losing, which happens every game.  I’d trust Kitna not only as a bye week fill in, but as a fill in for the rest of the year if you don’t have a better option.

RBs

Knowshon Moreno, Chris Johnson, Steven Jackson, Frank Gore, Ryan Torain, and Maurice Jones-Drew all on a bye this week, which no doubt leaves a majority of fantasy owners scrambling to find a good 1 week option, and I just happen to have a few.

Fred Jackson (Buffalo Bills):  Jackson isn’t putting up great fantasy production, but he at least gives you a chance.  He’s the starter getting at least 20 carries a game, and against Kansas City, Jackson was targeted 8 times in the passing game.  So he’s heavily involved in the offense, and if he can break off a couple 20 yard runs, even better. 

LeGarette Blount (Tampa Bay Buccaneers):  22 carries, 120 yards, 2 touchdowns.  Yeah, that’s a heck of a week for a guy that is most likely unowned in your league (I’m proud to say I picked him up in both my leagues and started him).  So if you didn’t pick him up last week as I suggested, do it now.  He’s going to be the hot commodity this week amongst free agent running backs, most likely being the top picked up free agent out there amongst all positions, so hopefully your waiver wire position is low to get him or you have enough money saved up in your budget to bid on him. 

Danny Woodhead /BenJarvus Green-Ellis (New England Patriots):  If you’re in a PPR league, Woodhead is the New England running back you want, but if you’re looking for rushing yards, go with The Law Firm of BenJarvus Green-Ellis.

Mike Hart/Donald Brown (Indianapolis Colts):  Joseph Addai is banged up and against the Houston Texans, Mike Hart had 12 carries for 84 yards, which averages out to 7 yards/carry.  A very solid day for Hart, and if Addai is out another week, Mike Hart wil be the starter.  Unfortunately, Hart tweaked his ankle in the 4^th quarter, which may mean that Donald Brown ends up being the back in week 9.  Keep an eye on the injury report to see which of the two ends up being the starter.

WRs

Brandon Lloyd, Eddie Royal, Jabar Gaffney, Kenny Britt, Danny Amendola, Michael Crabtree, Santana Moss, Mike Sims-Walker all on a bye.  No doubt you’re looking for a second receiver or a flex WR this week to fill in.

Steve Breaston (Arizona Cardinals):  Maybe people gave up on Breaston and dropped him when he didn’t play for 4 straight weeks.  If that’s the case in your league, Breaston is definitely worth a look this week.  He had 11 targets, catching 8 for 147 yards.  A great week, that should make him a hot pick up going into Week 9.

Davone Bess (Miami Dolphins):  Is he out there in your league?  If he is, get him now before it’s too late.  Stat line this week was just like every other.  9 targets, 7 catches, 53 yards.  If you’re in a PPR league, no doubt this guy is already on somebody’s roster, but if not, you have to pick him up.  He gets at least 6 to 7 catches every week.  For those of you in non PPR leagues, he’s still worth a flex option or as your 3^rd receiver.

Steve Johnson (Buffalo Bills):  No doubt he’s gone, but if he isn’t, get him.  Just like I said with Fitzpatrick, the Bills are a pass first team, so why not pick up the most targeted receiver on the Bills in Johnson (he’s lead the Bills in targets over the last 4 weeks).

James Jones/Jordy Nelson (Green Bay Packers):  Donald Driver was pulled after the first half of the Packers game against the Jets.  If Driver doesn’t come back healthy this week (keep your eyes on the injury report), both guys move up a slot in the wide receiver chain.  Factor in the matchup against the Dallas Cowboys, who even David Garrard threw 4 touchdowns against, and you have a chance for one or both of these guys to have a solid week.

 Anthony Gonzalez (Indianapolis Colts):  With Dallas Clark out for the rest of the season and Austin Collie out for a couple of weeks, that elevates Anthony Gonzalez to the #3 receiver on the team.  Throw in a injured Joseph Addai, and the Colts are more of a passing team than usual.  You need a flex or a 3^rd wide receiver, you could do worse than Gonzalez.

Nate Washington (Tennessee Titans):  Washington is not the receiver Kenny Britt is, but with what Jeff Fisher is terming a “serious” hamstring injury, already ruling him out for Week 10 (Titans are on a bye in week 9), Washington is going to be the #1 receiver.  This past week against the Chargers he had 9 targets, catching 4 for 117 and a touchdown.  If he’s out there, he may be one of the better receiver options for to pick up.  Remember, on a bye this week, but if you have the roster space and need a receiver for week 10, he’s a solid option.

TEs

Vernon Davis, Chris Cooley, and Marcedis Lewis owners have to worry this week.  Unfortunately there are slim pickings available amongst free agent TEs.

Benjamin Watson (Cleveland Browns):  Playing against New England, so it’s a good matchup.  I assume Colt McCoy is still the starter, which bodes well for Watson since rookies love tight ends.  But if Delhomme or Wallace is starting instead, I still like Watson because of the matchup.

Anthony Fasano (Miami Dolphins):  Over the last two weeks, Fasano has been targets 11 times, so the ball is coming his way a little more often than usual, but Fasano does have a bad matchup in facing the Ravens coming off a bye.  I wouldn’t expect much from him, but if you’re desperate for at least a couple of catches, why the hell not with Fasano.

David Thomas (New Orleans Saints):  Just like with Fasano, you’re desperate if you are picking him up, but he is receiving at least 4 targets a game, so you never know, once of those targets might be in the endzone.

Jermaine Gresham (Cincinnati Bengals):  He’s getting at least 6 targets or more a game, he’s just not doing much with them unfortunately.  Nonetheless, I think he’s a better option than Fasano or Thomas in what is clearly a pass first offense now.

Heath Miller (Pittsburgh Steelers):  I like him more than Fasano or Thomas, but not by much, as you’ll see when the rankings are posted on Wednesday. That being said, you have to be stretched thin to think about picking him up.

Jacob Tamme (Indianapolis Colts):  No Dallas Clark, no problem for the Colts and Peyton Manning.  Out of Tamme and rookie TE Brody Eldridge, Tamme was the TE for Indianapolis on Monday Night Football.  He was targeted 9 times, catching 6 for 64 yards and a touchdown.  I can see this kind of production week in and week out, so if I was you, and I needed a TE for the upcoming week, or even for the rest of the season, Tamme is the #1 tight end out there to pick up.