Week 9 Fantasy Football Rankings: Projecting the Week's Fantasy Monsters

Monsters are mean—unless they're on your fantasy football team and you desperately need a win to stay alive for the postseason.

With the fantasy football season nearing its regular-season closure, these four players will most definitely put on a monstrous show in Week 9.

Arian Foster: RB, Houston (vs. Cleveland)

Even with Andre Johnson missing the past few weeks, the Houston Texans offense hasn't missed a beat—their ground game ranks No. 4 in the NFL. As for Cleveland, the Browns rush defense ranks No. 26 in the league, so expect big things from Arian Foster in Week 9.

The Browns do have a solid pass defense but that's only because no one bothers to test them through the air. What's the point of throwing the ball when you can be even more effective on the ground?

Houston's dynamic offense gives the Texans a major advantage—once the ground game gets established, Foster will also earn some targets on screens and check-downs to really increase his total yardage.

Michael Turner: RB, Atlanta (at Indianapolis)

The Falcons may be known for having more of a passing offense, but RB Michael Turner is the engine that keeps Atlanta going.

Against the Colts this week, Turner will have a great performance, as Indy's defense ranks No. 31 against the rush and No. 22 against the pass. Atlanta's offense may not be extremely explosive, but they're diverse enough to slice their way through Circle City.

Turner's going to do all of his damage on the ground. With the Falcons' deep receiving threats, the play-action pass will prove to be deadly. The best-case scenario is that the Falcons pound the rock all day with Turner and control the game clock to wear down the Colts.

Fred Jackson: RB, Buffalo (vs NY Jets)

Yes, Week 9 is the week of the running back, as Buffalo's Fred Jackson will also have a sick game. The Bills play host to the New York Jets. Even though Rex Ryan has a sound pass defense, his rush defense allows almost 130 yards per game.

As for Jackson, he's only one of two backs currently averaging over 100 rush yards per game. Since Buffalo has a good enough pass offense to keep the opponent's defense honest, Fred will roll through the Jets en route to another divisional win for Buffalo.

If the Jets stack the box against Jackson, Buffalo's receivers will be left in one-on-one situations—the best-case scenario against Ryan's pass defense. That said, Jackson could very well top all fantasy performers in Week 9.

San Francisco 49ers Defense (at Washington)

So it's a dramatic shift to defense. But anyone who thinks the Redskins are going to move the ball should re-evaluate that thought process.

Washington was shut out against a Buffalo defense that ranks No. 24 against the pass and No. 20 against the rush. Sure, the Bills are good at forcing turnovers—but at some point the 'Skins should have been able to move the rock.

The worst part for Washington, however, is that San Francisco is better than Buffalo defensively—though they're No. 21 against the pass, the 49ers are No. 1 against the rush. And it's not like the Redskins have the passing offense to shred any NFL defense right now.

San Fran may not get four or five turnovers, but they'll rack up sacks, force a couple fumbles and, once again, the Redskins will be blanked on the scoreboard.

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