NFL Week 9 Predictions: 3 Fantasy Studs Guaranteed to Disappoint

For three entirely different reason, three fantasy football go-to starters are poised to have poor showings this week. Whether it's due to a bad matchup, an injured quarterback or an all-around disappointing year, here are three players that you shouldn't expect much out of for Week 9.

RB Chris Johnson, Tennessee Titans (vs. Cincinnati Bengals)

Even if the Titans' Chris Johnson wasn't struggling to produce anything on offense this season, this week would prove to be a poor matchup for the running back because the Cincinnati Bengals and their top-10 run defense comes to town.  

But when you combine that defense with Johnson's disappointing 43.1 yards-per-game average, it's a formula for yet another down day from the formerly-studly fantasy back.

Johnson only has 302 yards and one touchdown in 107 carries and 27 receptions for 160 yards through seven games. He even has found himself in the unfortunate situation of splitting carries with backup Javon Ringer.

This means that Johnson's fantasy stock has dropped from stud to dud in the matter of eight weeks, and I don't even recommend giving him a cautious start this week.

RB Ray Rice, Baltimore Ravens (at Pittsburgh Steelers)

The first time the Steelers and the Ravens met this season, in Week 1, Rice rushed for 107 yards and one touchdown, adding an additional 42 yards and a score from four receptions. This week, when the teams meet yet again, don't expect him to have as much success.

The Steelers have allowed just two more 100-plus yard rushing days from their opponents since the Week 1 loss. The Arizona Cardinals rushed for just 73 yards against them in Week 7 and the New England Patriots rushed for only 43 last Sunday.

Granted, the Ravens offense always finds ways to get Rice the ball, whether on the ground or in the air, and it's short-sighted to think that he won't have a significant impact in this week's game.

However, it's not going to be the kind of dominant performance one would hope to get from him; his rushing numbers have been inconsistent, with only one 100-yard day to his credit since that Week 1 explosion. Temper your expectations when you give Rice a start this week.

WR Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals (vs. St. Louis Rams)

Though the Rams don't boast a strong secondary, it's not the matchup that makes Fitzgerald due for a downturn this Sunday.

It's the fact that his quarterback, Kevin Kolb, won't likely take the field while he recovers from a host of foot injuries including turf toe.

Backup John Skelton would get the start, and considering that in his four starts in 2010 he averaged just 154.2 yards per game, completed 47.5 percent of his passes and threw just two touchdowns, Fitzgerald's production will clearly be affected.

Yes, Fitzgerald is good at getting open no matter the opponent, and the Rams have fairly poor corners. However, the fact that Skelton is going to struggle to throw him the deep ball means that we're likely to see more running from the Cardinals than passing.

Fitzgerald's fantasy impact, therefore, will be limited. He's still worth the start, but beware that he's not going to have the same type of showing he would if Kolb were healthy and under center.