Fantasy Football Week 9: Big Board and Advice for 'Monday Night Football'
Week 9's Monday Night Football matchup features two teams that are currently far from contenders in their respective divisions—the Chicago Bears and San Diego Chargers.
However, both teams feature some fantasy football studs, including Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery.
Both of these teams have had a rough last four games. The Chargers have lost all four and are now 2-6, whereas the Bears' last four games have been decided by just nine points—combined.
In addition to that, both teams are dealing with significant injuries, including pretty much the entire Chargers secondary and the current RB4 in points-per-reception leagues, Chicago's Matt Forte.
According to Odds Shark, the Chargers are 3.5-point favorites at home.
That's right on par where this game will end up.
I'm taking the Chargers, 24-20.
Big Board
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Here's the Monday night big board:
| Rank | Name | Pos. | Team |
| 1 | Alshon Jeffery | WR | Bears |
| 2 | Philip Rivers | QB | Chargers |
| 3 | Jeremy Langford | RB | Bears |
| 4 | Dontrelle Inman | WR | Chargers |
| 5 | Malcom Floyd | WR | Chargers |
| 6 | Antonio Gates | TE | Chargers |
| 7 | Danny Woodhead | RB | Chargers |
| 8 | Jay Cutler | QB | Bears |
| 9 | Martellus Bennett | TE | Bears |
| 10 | Stevie Johnson | WR | Chargers |
Injury Report
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Chicago Bears
- Cameron Meredith, WR, Probable
- Shea McClellin, LB, Questionable
- Pernell McPhee, DE, Questionable
- Eddie Royal, WR, Out
- Matt Forte, RB, Out
The Bears will be without Forte for the first time since Week 3 of the 2012 season.
San Diego Chargers
- Antonio Gates, TE, Probable
- Ladarius Green, TE, Probable
- Brandon Flowers, CB, Questionable
- Jason Verrett, CB, Questionable
- Eric Weddle, FS, Questionable
- Denzel Perryman, LB, Out
- Manti Te'o, LB, Out
The Chargers could potentially be without Flowers, Verrett and Weddle in the secondary. Yikes.
Injury reports courtesy of ESPN.com.
Quarterbacks
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Chicago Bears: Jay Cutler
Believe it or not, in the games that Bears quarterback Jay Cutler has played in, he's tied for the QB14 spot and is just two points behind Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton.
The good news for Cutler is that the Chargers may need to recruit tailgating fans to play cornerback.
In road games this season, he averages right around 302 passing yards per game. However, Cutler is a low-end quarterback option this week.
Projections: 260 passing yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
San Diego Chargers: Philip Rivers
Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers absolutely obliterates opposing defenses at home. He is averaging more than 365 passing yards per game at Qualcomm Stadium this season.
In Week 8, Rivers had his lowest passing-yardage total since Week 3, passing for 301 yards. Yeah, that's his lowest since Week 3.
The Bears are the seventh-most generous team to opposing quarterbacks, giving up over two touchdown strikes through the air per game.
Projections: 300 passing yards, 3 TDs
Running Backs
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Chicago Bears Starter: Jeremy Langford
With fellow running back Matt Forte out, Bears rookie running back Jeremy Langford could not ask for a better matchup.
The Chargers are the league's absolute worst unit against opposing running backs, allowing more than five yards per carry and nearly one rushing touchdown per game.
Have at it, Langford.
Projections: 90 rushing yards, 1 TD; 3 receptions, 35 receiving yards
San Diego Chargers Starter: Melvin Gordon
Chargers running back Melvin Gordon has yet to run for 100 yards in a game this year.
In addition to that, he has zero rushing touchdowns on the year and is averaging a mere 3.7 yards per carry.
Unlike St. Louis Rams rookie running back Todd Gurley, Gordon has been a massive disappointment.
Projections: 45 rushing yards
San Diego Chargers: Danny Woodhead
By far the running back you want to own in San Diego, Danny Woodhead is obviously a points-per-reception beast.
In Week 8, he caught a season-low two passes, but only saw two targets. Before that, he was averaging right around five receptions per game.
If you own him in a points-per-reception league, he's a solid RB2 this week.
Projections: 20 rushing yards; 6 receptions, 60 receiving yards
Wide Receivers
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Chicago Bears: Alshon Jeffery
"I don't always play football. But when I do, I simply destroy cornerbacks."
That's what Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery's life motto is...well, probably.
Entering Week 9, Jeffery has played in just three games but has seen 11 or more targets in all three of them.
Looking at the whole season, he is tied for the WR46 spot with Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans in PPR leagues.
However, in the three games he's played, he's the WR4.
When he plays, he's money.
Projections: 9 receptions, 120 receiving yards, 1 TD
Chicago Bears: Marquess Wilson
With fellow wide receiver Eddie Royal set to sit this one out, Marquess Wilson will step in as the team's No. 2 wideout option.
However, with Jeffery out there, running back Jeremy Langford likely being a big part of the offense and tight end Martellus Bennett hanging around, Wilson is a low-end wide receiver play in Week 9.
Projections: 4 receptions, 40 receiving yards
San Diego Chargers: Malcom Floyd
Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen is out for the season after suffering a lacerated kidney in Week 8.
As a result of this, wide receiver Malcom Floyd, among others, will benefit in a big way.
As we saw in Week 8, Rivers is obviously confident in his veteran wide receiver. You should follow suit.
Projections: 5 receptions, 75 receiving yards, 1 TD
San Diego Chargers: Stevie Johnson
Coming into the season, the bandwagon for Chargers wide receiver Stevie Johnson was packed full.
However, he has had trouble staying on the field.
Although Allen will miss the rest of the season, the next Chargers receiver we'll go over is someone who's more likable this week.
Projections: 4 receptions, 50 receiving yards
San Diego Chargers: Dontrelle Inman
I'm the conductor of the bandwagon for Chargers wide receiver Dontrelle Inman. With Allen out, Inman should take over the slot receiver role.
At the end of 2014, Inman proved to be a valuable target for the Chargers when Allen was out with a collarbone injury. In those two games, he averaged eight targets, six receptions and 79 receiving yards per game.
Inman also had an 88-yard game earlier this season.
He is going to score his second career touchdown on Monday Night Football.
Projections: 7 receptions, 65 receiving yards, 1 TD
Tight Ends
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Chicago Bears: Martellus Bennett
With wide receiver Eddie Royal out, Bears tight end Martellus Bennett will be the second option in this Bears passing game over wide receiver Marquess Wilson.
Before Week 8, Bennett had three straight games with at least 10 targets, so that shows Cutler has a great deal of trust in his steady tight end.
However, Bennett is averaging just 46 receiving yards per game. He is a TE1, though.
Projections: 5 receptions, 65 receiving yards
San Diego Chargers: Antonio Gates
Honestly, Chargers tight end Antonio Gates does not age. Like, at all.
Playing in just three games so far this season, he has been a stud when he's on the field. In those games, he's averaged right around 81 receiving yards and nine receptions.
He's listed as probable, so expect him to be on the field.
He'll be a top tight end this week.
Projections: 5 receptions, 50 receiving yards, 1 TD
Defense/Special Teams
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Chicago Bears Defense/Special Teams
The Bears defense/special teams unit ranks dead last in terms of fantasy points.
Analysis complete.
Projections: 24 points allowed, 3 sacks
San Diego Chargers Defense/Special Teams
The Chargers have perhaps one of the worst defensive lines in football. They're also tied with the Bears in interceptions with just four.
Remember how the Bears are the worst team in terms of fantasy points? The Chargers are the third-worst.
Projections: 20 points allowed, 1 INT, 3 sacks
Best Sleeper Add
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Malcom Floyd, WR, San Diego Chargers (Owned in 59.2 percent of ESPN Leagues)
With wide receiver Keenan Allen out for the season, Floyd is a must-own in all leagues.
Although Inman is a hot commodity (at least in my opinion) this week, Floyd is a much more reliable option going forward.
Start or Sit?
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Melvin Gordon, RB, San Diego Chargers
Chargers running back Melvin Gordon's rookie season has been a huge disappointment. He should be on your bench unless you have no other options.
Verdict: Sit
Malcom Floyd and Dontrelle Inman, WR, San Diego Chargers
Malcom Floyd and Dontrelle Inman both have solid upside this week.
For this week, if you own Floyd, you definitely want to start him. If you own Inman and are experiencing bye-week blues—or just feeling a bit risky—slot him in.
Verdict: Start
All advanced stats courtesy of Pro Football Focus.
Follow me on Twitter @RichardJanvrin.
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