Fantasy Football Week 9: Upgrades, Downgrades, Sleepers From Top Experts

BYE:  Denver, Jacksonville, San Francisco, St. Louis, Tennessee, Washington

A lot of big name RBs are on BYE this week, including Chris Johnson, Frank Gore, Steven Jackson and MJD.  Many fantasy owners might have to turn to the free agent pool in order to field a full team in Week 9.  Check out our Week 9 Waiver Wire RB article if you own a stud RB and need a BYE week replacement.  

It’s worth noting that four offenses (Kansas City, NY Jets, Houston, and Tennessee) are averaging over 140 rushing yards per game.  On the flip side, four rushing attacks appear to be trudging through quicksand as they are averaging less than 90 rushing yards a game—these anemic ground games include Arizona, Seattle, Detroit and Denver.

If your running backs are facing the following defenses you may want to go in a different direction, unless you have every week stud starters.  These Defenses have allowed less than 80 yards per game in 2010:  Pittsburgh, Seattle, Chicago, NY Jets, Houston. 

Meanwhile, if you are fortunate enough to have rushers facing these less stingy ground defenses, it’s probably worth rolling the dice and starting them for your fantasy squad. 

These following units have allowed over 140 yards per game in 2010: Tampa, Indianapolis, Arizona, Oakland and Buffalo.

VIEWS:

Rotoworld.com is higher than most on Dallas' Felix Jones as they ranked him 15th for a Week 9 trip to Lambeau to face a Packer defense coming off a shutout win over the Jets.

BrunoBoys.net expects Cedric Benson to struggle (ranked 23rd) against the No. 1 rush defense when the Steel Curtain invades Paul Brown Stadium.

AOL Fanhouse is very high on Cleveland's Peyton Hillis, ranking him fifth for a home matchup with a Patriots defense that ranks 11th against the run (101 yards/game) but have only yielded three rushing TDs all season.

FantasyPros911.com expects Jamaal Charles to continue his rise to elite status as they rank him 10th while ranking fellow running mate Thomas Jones 26th as they travel to face Oakland's 26th ranked rush defense (127 yards/game).

FANTASY FOOTBALL SPIN

UPGRADE

RB LeSean McCoy (vs Indianapolis)—In Andy Reid's pass happy offense, McCoy has topped 20 carries just once this season, but he has been a real asset in PPR leagues.  The second year back is averaging close to six catches and 42 yards receiving per game.

McCoy ranks sixth in fantasy scoring, averaging 15.4 fantasy points per game with 105 carries for 477 yards (4.5 YPC) and five TDs as well as 38 catches for 293 yards.  The Eagles welcome an Indianapolis defense that ranks 28th against the run, allowing 133 yards/game, surrendering an alarming 4.9 YPC and eight rushing TDs.  Arian Foster hauled in nine catches for 65 yards against the Colts last week.  Look for McCoy to easily top 100 yards combined this week.

DOWNGRADE

RB Cedric Benson (vs. Pittsburgh)—Benson currently ranks 21st in the league in averaging 11.2 fantasy points per game. The 27-year-old impending free agent is averaging only 3.8 YPC with just three TDs this year and he has not crossed the goal line since Week 3.  

In Week 9, Benson faces a Steeler defense that ranks first against the run.  The latest iteration of the Steel Curtain is allowing only 59 yards per game and has yielded a measly two rushing TDs all season—the longest run they've allowed is just 14 yards.  In two games against Pittsburgh last season, Benson totaled 23 carries for 97 yards (4.2 YPC) and one TD. 

In addition to not running very well and facing a stingy defense, Benson gives you nothing in the form of receptions or receiving yards.  Don't be afraid to bench him if you have better alternatives in Week 9.

SLEEPER: 

RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis (@ Cleveland)—The law firm was a beast when the Pats needed him in the fourth quarter of a Week 8 victory over the newly hapless Minnesota Vikings.  He finished with a career high 112 rushing yards and two TDs.  The man of many names has now scored in five straight games.  Through seven games, he is averaging a respectable 10.7 fantasy points per game on a total of 85 carries for 371 yards (4.4 YPC) and six TDs.  

The third year RB out of Mississippi has done most of his fantasy damage against poor rush defenses (16 carries for 98 yards in Week 2 against a league worst Buffalo defense).  Week 9 will be no different when the Pats line up against a Cleveland defense that ranks 19th in the league and is allowing 111 yards/game.  Interestingly, they have given up only one rushing TD all season.  We expect BJGE to make it six straight weeks with a TD in Week 9. 

Check the full Upgrade, Downgrade, Sleeper articles for Wide Receivers and Quarterbacks.   Reserve a spot for Sunday's start/sit recommendations live chat by clicking here.  FFSpin.com and other experts from around the web will use the Fantasy Football Crystal Ball aggregate rankings from the top 20 websites to answer your questions.