Matthew Stafford Returns In NFL Week 9 Fantasy Risers

QB

Matthew Stafford, DET

The Lions waited until Matthew Stafford was truly healthy to insert him back in the lineup.

The upstart Lions made the right move as Stafford shook off the rust early and had a huge fantasy day in the process.

Stafford completed 26 of 45 passes (57.8 completion percentage) for 212 yards, one interception and a whopping four touchdowns.

The chemistry between Stafford and Calvin ‘Megatron’ Johnson was brilliant as Johnson caught nine passes for 101 yards and three touchdowns.

This young team is making strides quickly as there is a lot of talent on offense. Matthew Stafford should be a great second half fantasy QB.

Other Notable Performances and Notes:

David Garrard, JAX: 17 for 21 (81.0 completion percentage), 260 yards, 4 TD, Rush TD

Vince Young, TEN: 10 for 21 (47.6 completion percentage), 253 yards, 2 TD

Jason Campbell, OAK: 15 for 27 (55.6 completion percentage), 310 yards, 2 TD

Kyle Orton, DEN: 28 for 40 (70.0 completion percentage), 369 yards, TD, INT

Troy Smith, SF: 12 for 19 (63.2 completion percentage), 196 yards, TD, Rush TD

Michael Vick, PHI: Expected to start Week 9 vs Indianapolis Colts

Last Week’s Rising QB in Week 8:

Jon Kitna, DAL: 34 for 49 (69.4 completion percentage), 379 yards, TD, 4 INT

RB

LeGarrette Blount, TB

Everyone knew at some point LeGarrett Blount would receive carries for the ineffective Cadillac Williams.

The Buccaneers are eying a division title and will need to play smash mouth football in the process.

Blount is the man to do that.

He carried the rock 22 times for 120 yards and scored twice. He also caught two passes for nine yards.

He displayed great power and good speed. His highlight run in the fourth quarter to help close out the game included a brilliant hurdle.

Although Blount fumbled, expect him to be heavily involved in the rushing attack. He could be a huge second half breakout fantasy star.

Keiland Williams, WAS

Ryan Torain was banged up in Week 8 and Keiland Williams filled in admirably. He has a good understanding of the playbook and looked quite explosive during his playing time.

Williams, at the moment, is the only healthy running back on the team and would figure to receive a bulk of touches if he is inserted into the starting lineup.

Torain has two weeks to get healthy, but he is not the most durable of players.

Keep an eye on Williams as Mike Shanahan could be taking the team in a different direction.

Other Notable Performances and Notes:

Maurice Jones-Drew, JAX: 27 carries, 127 yards, 2 receptions, 13 yards

Jamaal Charles, KC: 22 carries, 177 yards, 4 receptions, 61 yards

BenJarvus Green-Ellis, NE: 17 carries, 112 yards, 2 TD, 1 reception, 11 yards

Danny Woodhead, NE: 6 carries, 13 yards, TD, 5 receptions, 45 yards

Mike Tolbert, SD: 11 carries, 63 yards, TD, 4 receptions, 27 yards

Last Week’s Rising RBs in Week 8:

Darren McFadden, OAK: 21 carries, 111 yards, 2 receptions, 24 yards

Thomas Jones, KC: 19 carries, 77 yards, 1 reception, 5 yards

WR

Darrius Heyward-Bey, OAK

Still looking to shake the ‘bust’ moniker in his sophomore season, Heyward-Bey had the best game of his career in a home win over the Seattle Seahawks.

He caught five passes for 105 yards including a nice 69 yard touchdown up the left sideline.

With Louis Murphy out Week 9 and Zach Miller banged up, Heyward-Bey is the only quality receiving threat at the moment. He will receive a lot of targets in the big home division game against the first place Kansas City Chiefs.

Steve Breaston, ARZ

Steve Breaston returned from injury and made an immediate impact.

With a second receiver on the field, Larry Fitzgerald had his best game of the year.

However, playing alongside arguably the best receiver in the game, Breaston does not receive a lot of attention and can exploit defenses.

Breaston caught eight passes for 147 yards.

Breaston has been successful in the past and should be a very good flex play or WR3 going forward.

Other Notable Performances and Notes:

Mike Sims-Walker, JAX: 8 receptions, 153 yards, TD

Terrell Owens, CIN: 5 receptions, 65 yards, 2 TD

Brandon Lloyd, DEN: 7 receptions, 169 yards, TD

Nate Washington, TEN: 4 receptions, 117 yards, TD

Mike Williams, TB: 4 receptions, 105 yards, TD

Last Week’s Rising WRs in Week 8:

David Gettis, CAR: Held without a reception

Kenny Britt, TEN: Held without a reception (Out indefinitely with hamstring injury)

TE

Jacob Tamme, IND

In his first start replacing Dallas Clark, Tamme displayed good hands and great route running.

Manning looked Tamme’s way often and found him in the red zone after Tamme made a great double move faking out two defenders in the front of the end zone.

Tamme caught six passes for 64 yards and a touchdown.

With all of the injuries to the Colts’ receiving core and history of utilizing the tight end, Tamme is a great pick up the rest of the season.

Other Notable Performances and Notes:

Marcedes Lewis, JAX: 2 receptions, 51 yards, 2 TD

Daniel Fells, STL: 4 receptions, 35 yards, TD

Delanie Walker, SF: 5 receptions, 85 yards

Chris Cooley, WAS: 4 receptions, 48 yards

Visanthe Shiancoe, MIN: 4 receptions, 38 yards

Last Week’s Rising TE in Week 8:

Todd Heap, BAL: BYE