NFL Fantasy Football Week 9: 10 Primetime Matchups to Exploit
Why do fantasy football owners get so nervous about benching an early round pick?
Regardless of draft slot, if a player is not producing for your team, it only makes sense to leave him on the bench.
How many frustrated Kevin Kolb owners have seen a poor start to their season? Is Carolina's Steve Smith really adding value to any fantasy lineup at this point?
One of the best things about fantasy football is the ability to exploit new matchups from week to week. The same player you might not have even rostered three weeks ago—Steve Johnson (BUF), for example—is suddenly looking like a solid WR2 play.
Let's take a look at the top 10 matchups to exploit as we turn past the halfway point and enter Week 9.
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10. Santonio Holmes, WR New York Jets
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After missing the first quarter of the season due to a suspension, Holmes has become more involved in the offense with each passing week.
Despite the Jets' offense failing to get on the scoreboard in Week 8, a tasty matchup against a very questionable Detroit secondary is exactly what the doctor ordered for this big-play threat.
While some hesitant fantasy owners would like to see some more production from the wideout before tossing him into the lineup, Holmes has breakout game written all over him for this contest.
While he shouldn't be considered anything more than a flex play or WR3 option, Holmes could very well outproduce your WR1 when it's all said and done. Expect him to make his first appearance in the end zone as a member of the Jets this week.
9. Jay Cutler, QB Chicago Bears
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Owners had better have a lot of nerve to stick Cutler into the starting lineup this week, but the potential rewards far exceed the risk taken here.
Despite playing just about as poorly as any quarterback possibly could over the last couple of games, Cutler's matchup against a horrendous Buffalo pass defense could be exactly what he needs to get back on track.
After a quick start to the season where he really seemed to embrace the Mike Martz offense, Cutler has taken a step back in recent weeks, and once again looks like the headache that he was for much of last season.
Fear not, owners. This could be the week he ascends back to the top of the slag heap.
With two weeks to prepare for a winless Bills team, Cutler should be able to find the end zone at least twice in this game.
The Bears will certainly be looking for a convincing victory, and the team will only go as far as Cutler's arm can take them.
8. Shonn Greene, RB New York Jets
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Coach Rex Ryan said a few weeks back that the team was going to make a concerted effort to Greene more involved in the offensive attack.
Well, so much for that.
With just seven fantasy points over his last two contests combined, Greene hasn't exactly provided the type of return on investment that owners were looking for when they burned an early round pick on him.
Having said that, the Jets are taking on the Lions this week. This contest could turn out to be a one-sided romp if Gang Green comes out and plays effectively.
If that happens, look for Greene to get a ton of work late in the game and break off some serious runs as a result.
While he can't be considered anything except a flex play at best, Greene could have the highest upside of any player currently toiling in fantasy football mediocrity.
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7. BenJarvus Green-Ellis, RB New England Patriots
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By now, if you still don't know about Green-Ellis, odds are you're in the bottom half of the standings.
With a touchdown in every contest since Week 3, Green-Ellis has earned his title as the Patriots starting RB in a big way. After torching Minnesota last week to the tune of 112 yards, "The Law Firm" has shown that his success is no fluke.
Taking on a Cleveland Browns defense that is nowhere near as good as Minnesota's, Green-Ellis should find plenty of holes early and often, which result in big plays. Additionally, this one could turn into an absolute blowout considering coach Bill Belichick's history with Cleveland coach Eric Mangini, so Green-Ellis could see his most productive fantasy day yet.
If he's on your roster, he needs to be starting.
6. Steve Breaston, WR Arizona Cardinals
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After returning from a knee injury last week, Breaston exploded for eight catches and 147 yards, which is sure to draw the attention of fantasy owners across the globe.
Despite the quarterback problems in Arizona, Breaston is a man that should be active in the majority of lineups. With WR Larry Fitzgerald seeing constant double teams across from him, Breaston is often left in one-on-one sideline situations multiple times per contest that have the magical big-play potential.
With the Cardinals slated to take on a Minnesota defense that is still a little hobbled in the secondary, Breaston should have no problem eclipsing the 100-yard barrier once again. He may even find himself with a touchdown or two by game's end.
Arizona is going to have to put up a lot of points to win games. Therefore, the more of an offensive shootout it becomes between these teams, the higher Breaston's stock will continue to rise.
5. Matt Schaub, QB Houston Texans
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A consensus top seven quarterback in 99 percent of fantasy drafts, Schaub has been one of the more disappointing players in the first half of the season.
While he's had a couple of nice efforts for his owners this season, Schaub has the same amount of 20+ point games that he does single-digit affairs, with two of each variety.
San Diego might look like a treacherous matchup for Schaub considering how poorly he's been playing from a fantasy perspective. But keep in mind that the Titans' quaterbacks (Vince Young & Kerry Collins) combined for 300+ yards and a couple of scores against them last week.
With the Texans desperate for a win to stay competitive in a tight division, look for Schaub to air it out all game long to a finally-healthy Andre Johnson.
4. Saints D/ST
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While it's not often that a D/ST unit makes it into the top 10, let alone the top five, the New Orleans defense should be in for its most prolific week of the season.
A unit that was supposed to display intensity and ferocity from the get-go finally started playing as they should in last week's victory over the Steelers. Now with a much easier matchup against the lowly Carolina Panthers, the Saints defense will look for at least one defensive touchdown on Sunday.
Although QB Matt Moore does give the Panthers a better chance than rookie Jimmy Clausen, he still makes his fair share of mistakes. That's putting it mildly.
With the Panthers likely to be playing catch-up for the majority of this one, the secondary should have plenty of opportunities to jump routes and make several big plays.
3. Hines Ward, WR Pittsburgh Steelers
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No other player missed QB Ben Roethlisberger during his suspension than old friend Hines Ward.
After totaling just 20 fantasy points in the four games without Big Ben under center, Ward has racked up an incredible 31 points since Roethlisberger was re-inserted into the lineup.
A consistent, reliable fantasy contributor for far longer than most credit him for, Ward has more touchdowns at Paul Brown Stadium than any other road site in the NFL.
With the Steelers set to take on the Bengals this week, look for Ward to have a very large game as he and his team look to bounce back from an abysmal Week 8.
2. Ahmad Bradshaw, New York Giants
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How could any owner still be doubting Bradshaw at this point?
After being passed over on draft day for the likes of guys like Clinton Portis, Pierre Thomas and even Knowshon Moreno, Bradshaw has lived up to the hype in his first full season as the feature back in New York.
Although the Giants are notorious for coming out of the bye week a little slow, Bradshaw has rushed for over 125 yards in three of his last four contests, a trend that should continue against Seattle this week.
The knock on the little big man thus far has been his inability to find the end zone (just three TDs). But owners should keep in mind that he's had a couple of scores stolen by teammate Brandon Jacobs as well.
Despite the timeshare between the two, Bradshaw's chances of finding pay dirt are as high as possible, as the Seattle defense is anything but intimidating.
1. Michael Vick, QB Philadelphia Eagles
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He's baaaaaaaaaaaaack.
After looking better this season than he ever did in a Falcons uniform, Vick makes his triumphant return to the field in Week 9 after sitting out the last several weeks with a rib injury.
Arguably the most talented player in the NFL considering his unique skill set, Vick should slice and dice an Indianapolis defense that is very beat up. In actuality, even if they were fully healthy, it wouldn't matter much, as the D has never exactly been the strong suit of the Colts.
Vick is going to lick a big stamp in this one and prove that his early-season success was no accident. Owners who have been anxiously awaiting his return should have no hesitation immediately plugging him in as the starting quarterback.
With the looming possibility of 200+ passing yards, 100+ rushing yards, and 2+ touchdowns on the horizon, it's easy to see why he's a clear-cut QB1 every time he steps on the field.
Now It's Your Turn
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Do you have start/sit questions?
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