Fantasy Football Week 9 Predictions

Some things you can see coming from miles, or months, away. Like the matchup of Peyton Manning at the New England Patriots; clearly that was going to be outstanding.

Others are a bit more blurry: Like the future of Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III, which was on shaky ground just weeks ago.

We delve into those stories and more in Bleacher Report's Week 9 Predictions. Manning and Tom Brady are going to put up huge numbers against each other, as most would expect. On the bold side of things, we go so far as to predict a big return of RG3, too.

MVP

Uncredited/Associated Press

Tom Brady, New England Patriots (vs. Denver Broncos) 

Projected stat line: 375 passing yards and four touchdowns

We had to pick a quarterback from the Hall of Fame duel between Peyton Manning and Tom Brady as a matter of form. We chose the quarterback whose team will have a harder time running the ball against the Broncos' No. 1-ranked run defense. 

It is the way the stats go in fantasy. Most teams cannot stop everything. If it is good against one aspect, it struggles against another. The Broncos are in the bottom half against the pass and bottom 10 against fantasy quarterbacks, per FFToday.com. We pass on the passer who is facing the NFL's No. 2-ranked pass defense, even if Manning will get his.

This game, which features the highest over-under in Las Vegas this week (55.5), according to OddsShark.com, is going run a big number. Brady is going to have to carry the Pats' side of things. Expect Rob Gronkowski, Shane Vereen (in the passing game), Brandon LaFell and Julian Edelman—at least—to have productive days.

We ranked Brady the No. 1 overall player in Bleacher Report's Week 9 Big Board, so consider him the week's MVP.

Honorable Mention

RB Arian Foster, Houston Texans (vs. Philadelphia Eagles)

QB Andrew Luck, Indianapolis Colts (at New York Giants)

TE Rob Gronkowski, New England Patriots (vs. Denver Broncos)

TE Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs (vs. New York Jets)

QB Cam Newton/WR Kelvin Benjamin/TE Greg Olsen, Carolina Panthers (vs. New Orleans Saints)

WR Dez Bryant, Dallas Cowboys (vs. Arizona Cardinals)

Biggest Breakout Star

Robert Griffin III, Washington Redskins (at Minnesota Vikings)

Projected stat line: 275 yards passing, three touchdowns and 25 yards rushing

As the season wears on, there are fewer hidden gems for fantasy owners. The waiver wire this week wasn't exactly rife with emerging threats. Instead, it was littered with last week's retreads and surprises. You cannot surprise again after a breakthrough week.

So, we go with a bounce-back star as the breakout. RG3 is headed for a strong, strong finish for fantasy owners, and Dianna Marie Russini of NBC4 in Washington tweeted he will be named the starting quarterback at the Minnesota Vikings.

This is not an easy pick for breakout either. The Vikings are No. 2 in fantasy against quarterbacks, per FFToday.com. They haven't given up a 300-yard passer all season.

The Redskins have weapons just waiting to be unleashed in bunches, though: Pierre Garcon, DeSean Jackson and Jordan Reed. RG3 is out to reclaim his status as a burgeoning star quarterback in the NFL. We are all in on his return from a serious ankle issue, even if he won't be ripping off runs at 100 percent.

Honorable Mention

TE Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs (vs. New York Jets)

RB Bobby Rainey, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at Cleveland Browns)

RB Andre Williams/WR Odell Beckham Jr., New York Giants (vs. Indianapolis Colts)

RB Travaris Cadet, New Orleans Saints (at Carolina Panthers)

RB Christine Michael/WR Doug Baldwin, Seattle Seahawks (vs. Oakland Raiders)

QB Andy Dalton/RB Jeremy Hill/WR Mohamed Sanu, Cincinnati Bengals (vs. Jacksonville Jaguars)

Biggest Bust

Michael Vick, New York Jets (at Kansas City Chiefs)

Projected stat line: 175 passing yards, five sacks, three turnovers and no touchdowns

Vick is back! Not so fast.

Just look at this week's MVP pick: Tom Brady. He is scorching right now. When his New England Patriots visited Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, he was getting run out of town and losing his quarterback job to rookie Jimmy Garoppolo. 

Vick told Steve Serby of the New York Post he has "a lot" left to give in the NFL, but it might not come right away:

"

Just has to be holstered. I got a lot left. You seen it. Just got to protect the football. ... Just having the chance to become a starter again, it's almost like a dream come true. ... Last week I got greedy. I was trying to play like a 24-year-old Mike Vick, and I can understand I've got to play that way, but you've got to play with some type of control.

"

Kansas City—No. 3 in fantasy against quarterbacks, per FFToday.com, and with a head coach who knows Vick better than most—might not be a great restart Take II to Vick's career. With Eric Decker and Percy Harvin getting back up to speed, it might take some time for Vick...if the Jets give the ball to him after benching Geno Smith.

Honorable Mention

QB Derek Carr/RB Darren McFadden/WR Andre Holmes, Oakland Raiders (at Seattle Seahawks)

RB Jonas Gray, New England Patriots (vs. Denver Broncos)

RB Jerick McKinnon/Matt Asiata, Minnesota Vikings (vs. Washington Redskins)

Biggest Bounce-Back Player

RB Marshawn Lynch, Seattle Seahawks (vs. Oakland Raiders) 

Projected stat line: 120 yards rushing, three touchdowns and three catches for 30 yards

The Seahawks proved with Percy Harvin that they are going to rid themselves of bad seeds without blinking. They held Lynch through the trade deadline and now the erstwhile veteran draws a matchup against the Raiders, the second-worst team in fantasy against running backs, per FFToday.com.

The time is right for a huge day for Lynch and his backups.

We give Lynch the nod for the bulk of the early duty here. He hasn't rushed for 100 yards since the season opener and hasn't scored a touchdown since Week 3. Both streaks end here. 

This is going to be such a good day for the running game of the Seahawks, you can consider Christine Michael and Robert Turbin viable flex options amid the six-team bye week. Don't worry, though, Lynch will get his before handing the baton. 

Honorable Mention

TE Julius Thomas, Denver Broncos (at New England Patriots)

WR Michael Floyd, Arizona Cardinals (at Dallas Cowboys)

QB Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks (vs. Oakland Raiders) 

QB Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers (vs. New Orleans Saints)

QB Andy Dalton/RB Jeremy Hill/WR A.J. Green, Cincinnati Bengals (vs. Jacksonville Jaguars)

WR Wes Welker, Denver Broncos (at New England Patriots)

WR Julian Edelman, New England Patriots (vs. Denver Broncos)

Top QB Matchup Plays

Here are the bottom eight teams versus fantasy QBs, per FFToday.com:

1. Chicago Bears (bye)
2. New York Jets (at Kansas City Chiefs)
3. Philadelphia Eagles (at Houston Texans)
4. Washington Redskins (at Minnesota Vikings)
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at Cleveland Browns)
6. New Orleans Saints (at Carolina Panthers)
7. Arizona Cardinals (at Dallas Cowboys)
8. St. Louis Rams (at San Francisco 49ers)

Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers (vs. New Orleans Saints)

Projected stat line: 280 yards passing, two touchdowns, with 45 yards rushing and a TD

Newton is coming off a dreadful performance at home against the Seattle Seahawks in a defensive struggle. This game will not be that way. Against Drew Brees and the Saints, it should be wide-open.

Newton is bolstered by the return of DeAngelo Williams (ankle) and should make Kelvin Benjamin and Greg Olsen huge Week 9 stars. The Saints are a favorable matchup for quarterbacks (above) and wide receivers (fourth-worst), according to FFToday.com.

We are already fully aware the Panthers defense isn't the same this season. Brees is going to put up a lot of points. It will be up to Newton and company to keep up. Count on it.

Honorable Mention

Colin Kaepernick, San Francisco 49ers (vs. St. Louis Rams)

Alex Smith, Kansas City Chiefs (vs. New York Jets)

Nick Foles, Philadelphia Eagles (at Houston Texans)

Andy Dalton, Cincinnati Bengals (vs. Jacksonville Jaguars)

Eli Manning, New York Giants (vs. Indianapolis Colts)

Top RB Matchup Plays

Here are the bottom eight teams versus fantasy RBs, per FFToday.com:

1. Atlanta Falcons (bye)
2. Oakland Raiders (at Seattle Seahawks)
3. Carolina Panthers (vs. New Orleans Saints)
4. New York Giants (vs. Indianapolis Colts)
5. New England Patriots (vs. Denver Broncos)
6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at Cleveland Browns)
7. Cleveland Browns (vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
8. Tennessee Titans (bye)

Mark Ingram, New Orleans Saints (at Carolina Panthers)

Projected stat line: 110 yards rushing, two catches for 20 yards and two touchdowns

After his 172-yard performance last week, Ingram is headed for a career year. After his slow start, that isn't saying much, but Ingram has finally taken hold as an elite threat in a potent Saints offense.

Sean Payton isn't averse to a power running game. He just needed Ingram to step forward with this kind of juice. 

Saints tackle Zach Strief sees a different Ingram this year, telling Mike Triplett of ESPN.com:

"

For one, I think [Ingram] is more confident. Not only more confident in what we're trying to do up front, how these plays are supposed to hit and who he's got to set up for us, but more in just his ability. I think he's had success, and I think it came at the end of last year when Mark [started] feeling some confidence and had some success and kind of saw how much he could help us help him. It was really good to see him get as much action as he did last night and come through with such a big game.

"

Expect the former Heisman Trophy winner to keep it rolling against a Panthers defense that has been suspect against the run (bottom five) and fantasy running backs (above).

Honorable Mention

Ahmad Bradshaw/Trent Richardson, Indianapolis Colts (at New York Giants)

Ronnie Hillman, Denver Broncos (at New England Patriots)

Ben Tate, Cleveland Browns (vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

Bobby Rainey, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at Cleveland Browns)

Christine Michael/Robert Turbin, Seattle Seahawks (vs. Oakland Raiders)

Top WR Matchup Plays

Here are the bottom eight teams versus fantasy WRs, per FFToday.com:

1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at Cleveland Browns)
2. Arizona Cardinals (at Dallas Cowboys)
3. Philadelphia Eagles (at Houston Texans)
4. New Orleans Saints (at Carolina Panthers)
5. Carolina Panthers (vs. New Orleans Saints)
6. Houston Texans (vs. Philadelphia Eagles)
7. Baltimore Ravens (at Pittsburgh Steelers)
8. San Francisco 49ers (vs. St. Louis Rams)

Kelvin Benjamin, Carolina Panthers (vs. New Orleans Saints) 

Projected stat line: Eight catches for 130 yards and a touchdown

We already delved into Cam Newton's great matchup in the quarterback slide. Newton needs a running mate and has found one in the rookie Benjamin, who is on pace for an 1,100-yard, 10-touchdown campaign.

A matchup against the Saints and Drew Brees lines up perfectly for Benjamin because there will be garbage-time numbers, if not mere shootout totals. Newton is going to break down the Saints' shaky secondary by buying time in the pocket, and Benjamin is a nightmare matchup at 6'5", 240 pounds.

"His role on this team has far surpassed any type of rookie's expectation," Newton told ESPN.com's David Newton. "I'm happy that we have Benji on our team. As long as he keeps his attitude up that he wants to be the best in this game, it will be great for us."

Honorable Mention

Dez Bryant/Terrance Williams, Dallas Cowboys (vs. Arizona Cardinals)

Andre Johnson/DeAndre Hopkins, Houston Texans (vs. Philadelphia Eagles)

Marques Colston/Brandin Cooks/Kenny Stills, New Orleans Saints (at Carolina Panthers)

Jeremy Maclin, Philadelphia Eagles (at Houston Texans)

Martavis Bryant, Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. Baltimore Ravens)

Michael Crabtree, San Francisco 49ers (vs. St. Louis Rams) 

Top TE Matchup Plays

Here are the bottom eight teams versus fantasy TEs, per FFToday.com:

1. Chicago Bears (bye)
2. Dallas Cowboys (vs. Arizona Cardinals)
3. Cincinnati Bengals (vs. Jacksonville Jaguars)
4. New York Jets (at Kansas City Chiefs)
5. Seattle Seahawks (vs. Oakland Raiders)
6. Indianapolis Colts (at New York Giants)
7. Jacksonville Jaguars (at Cincinnati Bengals)
8. New York Giants (vs. Indianapolis Colts)

Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs (vs. New York Jets)

Projected stat line: Six catches for 75 yards and two touchdowns

Kelce hasn't scored since Oct. 5, but expect this matchup against the Jets secondary to be arguably his most favorable one of the season. The Jets have allowed a league-high nine touchdowns to fantasy tight ends.

Alex Smith is going to spread production out to someone, and Kelce has emerged as his No. 1 threat in the passing game—outside of running back Jamaal Charles, of course. This is a game that can push Kelce into the fantasy elite of the position, in fact. 

Honorable Mention

Larry Donnell, New York Giants (vs. Indianapolis Colts)

Dwayne Allen/Coby Fleener, Indianapolis Colts (at New York Giants)

Tim Wright, New England Patriots (vs. Denver Broncos)

Greg Olsen, Carolina Panthers (vs. New Orleans Saints)

Top D/ST Matchup Plays

Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

Here are the bottom eight teams versus fantasy D/STs, per FFToday.com:

1. Jacksonville Jaguars (at Cincinnati Bengals)
2. St. Louis Rams (at San Francisco 49ers)
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at Cleveland Browns)
4. New York Jets (at Kansas City Chiefs)
5. Chicago Bears (bye)
6. Minnesota Vikings (vs. Washington Redskins)
7. Buffalo Bills (bye)
8. Washington Redskins (at Minnesota Vikings)

Kansas City Chiefs (vs. New York Jets)

Projected stat line: Five sacks, four turnovers, 10 points against and a touchdown

Chiefs fantasy owners have had this day circled on the calendar for weeks. It's a shame the error-prone Geno Smith is missing out on the Chiefs' fun here—we kid.

We already outlined the expected struggles in Michael Vick's return to the starting quarterback job, but doing it at Kansas City is a tough order. This is one of the toughest and loudest places to play in football. Vick is set up to fail here, like most of the Jets quarterbacks before him.

Honorable Mention

Seattle Seahawks (vs. Oakland Raiders)

San Francisco 49ers (vs. St. Louis Rams)

Cincinnati Bengals (vs. Jacksonville Jaguars)

Washington Redskins (at Minnesota Vikings)

Cleveland Browns (vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

Top Waiver-Wire Options

We have already gone in-depth on some of the waiver-wire favorites in B/R's Insider Notebook for Week 9. Here is how CBSSports.com's top 10 most-added players turned out Wednesday morning:

1. WR Martavis Bryant, Pittsburgh Steelers
2. RB Lorenzo Taliaferro, Baltimore Ravens
3. RB Bobby Rainey, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
4. WR Brandon LaFell, New England Patriots
5. K Mike Nugent, Cincinnati Bengals
6. RB Jonas Gray, New England Patriots
7. WR Donte Moncrief, Indianapolis Colts
8. TE Tim Wright, New England Patriots
9. WR Andrew Hawkins, Cleveland Browns
10. K Cairo Santos, Kansas City Chiefs

In the event you missed out on one of those top options, we outline some matchup-based plays for those owned in less than 60 percent of CBSSports.com leagues.

Quarterbacks

1. Robert Griffin III, Washington Redskins (at Minnesota Vikings)
2. Alex Smith, Kansas City Chiefs (vs. New York Jets)
3. Brian Hoyer, Cleveland Browns (vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

Running Backs

1. DeAngelo Williams/Jonathan Stewart, Carolina Panthers (vs. New Orleans Saints)
2. Travaris Cadet, New Orleans Saints (at Carolina Panthers)
3. Lorenzo Taliaferro, Baltimore Ravens (at Pittsburgh Steelers)

Wide Receivers

1. Martavis Bryant, Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. Baltimore Ravens)
2. Donte Moncrief, Indianapolis Colts (at New York Giants)
3. Kenny Stills, New Orleans Saints (at Carolina Panthers) 

Tight Ends

1. Tim Wright, New England Patriots (vs. Denver Broncos)
2. Coby Fleener, Indianapolis Colts (at New York Giants)
3. Jermaine Gresham, Cincinnati Bengals (vs. Jacksonville Jaguars) 

Defense/Special Teams

1. Washington Redskins (at Minnesota Vikings)
2. Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. Baltimore Ravens)
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at Cleveland Browns) 

Kickers

1. Shayne Graham, New Orleans Saints (at Carolina Panthers)
2. Shaun Suisham, Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. Baltimore Ravens)
3. Mike Nugent, Cincinnati Bengals (vs. Jacksonville Jaguars)

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Eric Mack, one of the giants among fantasy writers, is the Fantasy Football Lead Writer for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter, where you can ask him endless questions about your team, rip him for his content and even challenge him to a head-to-head fantasy game.