Week 9 Rankings

Updated 11/2 at 12:00 PM ET. Removed Charles Sims. Ticked Bobby Rainey up. Ticked Brandon Weeden up.

Come for Manning/Brady XVI, but stay for lesser-known attractions Ronnie Hillman and Brandon LaFell. The nation will be tuning in for Tom Brady, Peyton Manning and the accompanying accoutrements. Demaryius Thomas, Rob Gronkowski, Wes Welker, Bill Belichick’s hoodie, etc.

But lurking beneath the surface of the star power and storylines are two fantasy options you probably didn’t see coming a month ago. In the visitor’s corner is Hillman, an oft-disappointing former third-rounder who suddenly finds himself as fantasy’s No. 5 running back over the past three weeks, and No. 10 over the past five. Hillman is averaging 4.73 yards over his most recent 73 carries despite facing the league’s Nos. 3, 4, 9 and 23 run defenses by opposing YPC.

Checking in for the home team is LaFell, a receiver who grew synonymous with disappointment during his four years in Carolina. Since going catch-less in Weeks 1 and 2, LaFell finds himself averaging a weekly 5/77. He’s scored four touchdowns over his past five games, and has been fantasy’s No. 11 receiver in the process. Coming off career highs in both catches (11) and yards (124), LaFell has grown impossible to ignore as a WR3, and checks in as a legit WR2 in a week where six teams are on bye.

Neither Hillman nor LaFell may be built to last. Juwan Thompson vultured two scores from Hillman in Week 8, while Montee Ball (groin) could return any week now. LaFell has had hot stretches before only to fade. He’s fighting for targets in a very crowded corps of pass catchers. But fret about future prospects another week. Hillman is a top-eight runner against a Patriots defense surrendering the fifth most fantasy points to running backs, and LaFell a top-24 receiver against a secondary that finds itself in constant shootouts because of its own quarterback’s prolific ways. Manning and Brady are the draw, but Hillman and LaFell are a better undercard than you might realize.

Week 9 Quarterbacks

QB Notes: Few Peyton Manning storylines are more enduring than “the Patriots have his number.” Of course, the only number they had in the AFC Championship Game was 400, as in the yards Manning dropped on them in Denver. Granted, the Pats did have Manning’s number in last year’s regular-season showdown in Foxboro, limiting Manning to a season-low 150 yards. What to believe? None of it. Both teams are light years different than the squads that squared off in 2013, while Manning is averaging 3.14 scores per game. Just enjoy the fireworks, and what will likely be another 300/3 from the NFL’s best player. … You could argue that Andrew Luck belongs ahead of Manning and be right. No one is averaging more weekly fantasy points (31.0), while Luck is fresh off breaking Manning’s Colts record for consecutive 300-yard performances (six). On pace for 5,462 yards and 44 touchdowns at the season’s halfway point, Luck is as unstoppable as Manning or Aaron Rodgers.

“On The Road Again” is every Saints fan’s least-favorite song, but they should like this week’s venue. The Panthers’ vaunted defense has come apart at the seams, surrendering 7.4 yards per attempt, a 69.2 completion percentage and 97.7 QB rating against. Only seven teams are allowing more fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. Still fantasy’s No. 5 quarterback despite his supposed “slow start,” Drew Brees is coming off a season-high 28.2 points against the Packers. He’s ready for the Thursday night road challenge. … By now you’ve probably seen the numbers. If you haven’t, Tom Brady is 100-of-144 (69.4 percent) for 1,268 yards (8.81 YPA), 14 touchdowns and zero interceptions since his Week 4 meltdown against the Chiefs. Now he gets a stout Broncos defense, albeit one allowing the ninth most fantasy points to enemy QBs. With shootout conditions all but guaranteed versus rival Manning, Brady is a legitimate top-four option in a week where six quarterbacks are on bye. … The Dolphins represent a stiff road test, but Philip Rivers has tallied multiple touchdowns every week since the opener. With 10 days to prepare, he’ll find a way in Miami.

The good news? Russell Wilson is averaging 28.9 fantasy points over his past two starts. The bad news? One of those was a 40.3-point game, the other a 17.5. Which Wilson is going to show up against the Raiders? Probably one who can split the difference against a defense coughing up a 70.0 completion percentage and 8.2 YPA. … These are uncomfortable heights for Colin Kaepernick. Kaep checks in as fantasy’s No. 13 signal caller though the season’s first eight weeks, but has struggled mightily for consistency. Kaep has been held below 20 points in 3-of-7 starts, but averaged 25.6 across his other four. His best game (32.9) came against the Rams, a team he gets again in Week 9. Only six teams are allowing more fantasy points to quarterbacks than St. Louis. Trust Kaep’s matchup in a week were Aaron Rodgers, Matthew Stafford, Jay Cutler and Matt Ryan are among the quarterbacks on bye. … Cam Newton seemed to turn the corner in his Week 6 dismantling of the Bengals, but has averaged just 14.7 points in two games since. Owners have to trust that the Saints, who are allowing the sixth most fantasy points to rival signal callers, can create favorable conditions for a high-scoring contest.

Coming off his first 250-yard effort since Week 3, Nick Foles represents one of football’s more unpredictable quarterbacks. Only four teams are allowing more passing yards than the Texans, however, while Foles will be getting back elite C Jason Kelce. Foles can be hard to watch, but usually piles up fantasy points in the process. … Carson Palmer is low on sex appeal, but has managed at least 250 yards and two touchdowns in all four of his starts this season. Coming off a game where it allowed 299 yards to Colt McCoy, the Cowboys’ pass defense only has so much more room to bend before it breaks. Expect Bruce Arians to stress Rod Marinelli’s unit. … Coming off one of the greatest days in NFL history, Ben Roethlisberger gets a Ravens defense that held him to his only score-less game of the season in Week 2. No team has allowed fewer passing touchdowns in 2014 (seven). For his career, Big Ben is the owner of a 21:16 TD:INT ratio across 15 starts against the Ravens. Temper your expectations.

Tony Romo (back) has played through a lot of pain in his career, but he should be considered truly questionable for Week 9. If he can suit up, he’ll be doing so against the only team allowing more than 300 passing yards per game. Even at less than 100 percent, Romo would be a legit QB1. … Alex Smith is drawing a lot of hype as a Week 9 sleeper against a Jets defense allowing the most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks, but consider: 66 percent of his nine scores have come in two games. He’s been held to one or zero total touchdowns in 5-of-7 starts. Smith may set up the pins against Gang Green, but don’t be surprised if it’s Jamaal Charles who gets to knock them down. … Andy Dalton is on Week 9 probation as we wait to see how healthy A.J. Green (toe) truly is. … The name “Michael Vick” evokes fond memories of fantasy glory — amongst other things — but that ship should be considered out to sea. Granted, it’s all been off the bench, but Vick has committed three turnovers on only 119 snaps. He’s the owner of a 3.57 YPA. Look elsewhere.

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Week 9 Running Backs

RB Notes: Arian Foster’s damage in five healthy games this season: 138 carries for 760 yards (5.50 YPC) and nine total touchdowns. Only Foster’s health can hold him back. He’s on the Week 9 injury report with a knee issue, but it’s not believed to be a serious ailment. … The Cardinals’ elite run defense won’t be the first immovable object that irresistible force Demarco Murray has faced this season. The Cards are just another brick wall for the matchup-proof Murray to run through. … The Jets’ run defense is among the best in the league, but has sprung leaks in recent weeks against Branden Oliver, Ronnie Hillman and Shane Vereen. All three are shifty backs who can catch a pass. A shifty back who can catch a pass? Jamaal Charles. Even if Charles’ YPC is hovering in the 3-4s on Sunday, the goal line will not be a stranger in a game the Chiefs promise to control. … Only the Cardinals are allowing fewer fantasy points to rival running backs than Baltimore, but matchups haven’t mattered for Le'Veon Bell in 2014. The breakout back is averaging a weekly 135.8 yards from scrimmage, and has caught 42 passes.

Week 9 represents a golden breakout opportunity for Marshawn Lynch — but so did Week 8. Amidst rumors about his future in Seattle, Lynch rushed 14 times for just 62 yards against the Panthers’ league-worst run defense, and was held out of the end zone for the third consecutive game. Lynch last went over 100 yards on the ground in Week 1. Something foul may be afoot if Beast Mode doesn’t paste a Raiders team allowing the second most fantasy points to enemy runners. … LeSean McCoy is averaging 4.67 yards over 67 carries since the return of mauling RT Lane Johnson, and is now getting back mauling C Jason Kelce. The buy-low window is about to slam shut on the league’s best pure runner. … Andre Ellington is averaging 22.3 touches per game, but just 3.62 yards per carry. He’s become the Adam Dunn of the NFL, waiting for the home run, but striking out more than is palatable. Ellington is going to start stretching singles and doubles into homers, however, and an already vulnerable Cowboys run defense adjusting to the loss of SLB Justin Durant (biceps) should be ready to serve up some meatballs on Sunday.

Quietly fantasy's No. 11 back, Lamar Miller enters Sunday’s game against the Chargers averaging 4.93 yards per carry and three catches per game. The Bolts have allowed 4.66 yards per tote over their past three games, and served up the third most receptions to running backs. Miller is a safe top-10 option in a week littered with byes. … Coming off the best game of his career, Mark Ingram enters Week 9 averaging a running back-leading 5.7 yards per carry. On the other side of the coin is the Panthers, a team silver plattering an NFL-worst 5.3 YPC. Sit/start rationales aren’t always straightforward. Ingram’s Week 9 RB1 candidacy is. … Giovani Bernard (hip) appears legitimately questionable for Week 9. If he sits, he’ll be missing out on a plus matchup with a Jaguars defense that’s allowed a league “leading” 54 receptions to running backs. … Averaging 22.5 touches for 112 yards as the Chargers’ No. 1 back, expect Branden Oliver to shake off his down Week 8.

Jerick McKinnon needs to get more involved in the passing game to up his weekly floor, but averaging 5.15 yards per carry, he’s a bases-clearing double waiting to be hit. … Justin Forsett missed Wednesday’s practice with a “minor” ankle injury, but is expected to suit up against the Steelers. Of bigger concern for Forsett’s RB2 status are the two touchdowns Lorenzo Taliaferro vultured in Week 8. The Ravens appear to be getting more disciplined with their committee. Forsett is still going to lead in touches, and has a high weekly floor because of his receiving prowess, but scores may be hard to come by going forward. For his part, Taliaferro is a touchdown-dependent RB3. … Ben Tate has a scintillating 31 carries for 62 yards over his past two games. He’s lucky Isaiah Crowell can’t hold onto the ball, and that Terrance West isn’t better. If you’re wondering who’s backing up Tate for Week 9, coach Mike Pettine’s comments seem to suggest the more-talented Crowell. … Darren McFadden will need a fluky touchdown against the Seahawks to carry his Week 9 fantasy weight.

Denard Robinson has rushed 40 times for 235 yards (5.87 YPC) in two games as the Jaguars’ starter. Only seven teams are allowing more fantasy points to opposing runners than the Bengals, who will be missing WLB Vontaze Burfict (knee). … When last we left Frank Gore, he was having his second worst game of the season (nine rushes for 20 yards). Rested after the 49ers’ Week 8 bye, expect Gore to be unkind to a Rams run defense coughing up 4.7 yards per carry. … Shane Vereen or Jonas Gray? The Week 9 guess is definitely Vereen, as points will not be at a premium against the Broncos. But you know the drill. Bill Belichick doesn’t care about your fantasy team. Vereen handled the ball inside the Bears’ 12-yard line five times last Sunday. He scored zero touchdowns. … Will the third start be the charm for Andre Williams? The Colts are one of just nine teams allowing fewer than 100 yards per game on the ground, but have surrendered seven rushing touchdowns. … Doug Martin (ankle) isn’t looking good for Week 9, but give Charles Sims a wait-and-see week if possible.

Week 9 Receivers

WR Notes: According to Pro Football Focus, Baltimore’s Jimmy Smith has been the league’s fourth best cover corner this season. Too bad he won’t be available to help cover Antonio Brown, as he’s sidelined with a foot injury. That means Brown — who leads in receiver fantasy points and is averaging a weekly 7.5/107/0.9 — has absolutely no one to slow him from No. 1 overall status for Week 9. … Will Tony Romo (back) play this weekend? That’s what Dez Bryant’s status comes down to. If he does, Romo/Dez have a dream matchup with a Cardinals defense allowing 303 passing yards per game. Even were Romo to sit, Bryant would remain a WR1, just one of the lower-end variety. … That last time Demaryius Thomas was held below eight catches and 100 yards in a game, Madison Bumgarner was but a humble No. 1 starter, and not yet a postseason legend. It remains to be seen how much time Thomas might spend on Darrelle Revis Island against the Patriots, but considering the work he does on quick slants and screens, Thomas should still have ample opportunity to get his numbers.

T.Y. Hilton at No. 4 might look like a misprint, but Andrew Luck’s No. 1 receiver is leading the league in yards (866), and is tied for fourth in catches (53). Drawing a weekly 9.6 targets, Hilton is sliding in alongside Brown as a matchup-proof man under six feet of height. … The only thing preventing Jeremy Maclin from joining Brown and Hilton? He’s supposedly six feet tall. Fresh off dominating the Cardinals with a 12/187/2 Week 8, Maclin is on pace for 89/1,445/14. Now he gets the Texans, who have already been dismantled by Brown and Hilton this season. Maclin is going to keep eating. … Emmanuel Sanders enters the season’s halfway point as the WR8. Eric Decker finished as the WR8 in 2013. … Mike Wallace’s Week 8 assessment of the Dolphins’ offense? In a word, “s---.” Wallace sounds like a squeaky wheel who is going to get some grease this weekend. … The Saints had some fun against Jordy Nelson in Week 8, but are still allowing the third most fantasy points to receivers. Kelvin Benjamin is a good bet for his sixth score in nine games.

Andre Johnson has caught fewer than five passes just once all season. He’s averaging 69 yards per week. He might finally get his second touchdown against the Eagles, who have been bombed for 15 aerial scores. … Is Steve Smith Sr. slowing down? It’s a distinct possibility. But what do you do with a player who is fantasy’s No. 12 receiver and leading the league in missed tackles (15)? You leave them out there as a borderline WR1 against the Steelers’ pathetic secondary. … The one thing missing from DeAndre Hopkins’ game in the season’s first six weeks was volume. That changed in Weeks 7-8, where he turned 20 combined targets into 20 catches for 203 yards. There will be yards for the taking against the Eagles’ malleable secondary. … DeSean Jackson has four 100-yard efforts across his past six games. The really amazing part? Robert Griffin III started none of those contests. With RGIII trending toward starting Sunday’s contest against Vikings, D-Jax might finally have a quarterback capable of consistently getting him the ball down field.

Rueben Randle at No. 15 is double-take worthy, but consider: 1. Six teams are on bye this weekend. 2. Victor Cruz is out for the season. 3. Randle is averaging 5.6 catches over his past five games. 4. Randle hasn’t been targeted fewer than nine times since Week 2. Randle always toes the line between asset and disappointment, but he’s been much more consistent than his reputation would suggest. … Keenan Allen’s woes have been well documented, but he’s turned 23 targets into 15/131/1 over his past two games. … Coming off easily the best effort of his rookie season, Brandin Cooks gets a Panthers defense allowing the fifth most fantasy points to enemy receivers. He’s averaging 1.1 more points per game than Marques Colston, and managing 7.4 weekly targets. A big second half should be at hand for the No. 20 overall pick of May’s draft. … Don’t look now, but Larry Fitzgerald has been fantasy’s No. 12 receiver over the past three weeks. He could be a real asset in a Reggie Wayne-esque WR3 elder statesman role.

Consider A.J. Green (toe) a game-time decision until further notice. If he suits up, he starts. It’s that simple. … Just fantasy’s No. 46 receiver over the past three weeks, Terrance Williams remains too touchdown dependent. Williams has managed a meager 15.9 total points in the three games in which he has not scored. … There’s a good chance that Doug Baldwin settles in as a WR3, but he gets another bite at the WR2 apple in this bye-marred week. … Banged up all season, few players were in more need of a bye than Michael Crabtree. Don’t be surprised if he has his first 100-yard game against the Rams’ struggling secondary. … Throw out Allen Robinson’s NFL debut, and he’s averaging five catches for 64 yards. … Torrey Smith has been touchdown dependent, but they are there for the taking against Pittsburgh. … If you’re feeling the bye-week crunch, Martavis Bryant is not a bad touchdown hail mary against a Ravens defense missing Jimmy Smith. … Week 8 was a great one for Donte Moncrief, but it’s too early to take him seriously as a WR3.

Week 9 Tight Ends

TE Notes: Just like that, Rob Gronkowski leads in overall tight-end fantasy points. Only Julius Thomas is averaging more per game (12.4 to 12.2). This week, the duo faces off in the latest, greatest Game Of The Century™. Both players have nine touchdowns, and are strong bets to make it 10 in Week 9. … Jimmy Graham played 43-of-69 snaps against the Packers, posting a 5/59/1 line. Not quite “back,” but certainly in the same area code. Graham isn’t worth betting against, especially with the tight-end position as thin as it’s been in ages. … You tell Antonio Gates to stop scoring touchdowns. He has six of them in his past four games. The Dolphins do a lot of things well on defense, but are league average at containing tight ends. Don’t be surprised if Gates throws himself a party in South Beach.

Is Greg Olsen ever not the No. 5 overall tight end? He’s a remarkably consistent player, albeit one with a tough Week 9 matchup in the Saints, who are allowing the third fewest fantasy points to rival tight ends. Be that as it may, Olsen is a top-five option, no matter the opponent. … Dwayne Allen needs touchdowns to be productive. It’s no secret. Don’t be surprised if the Giants, allowing the ninth most fantasy points to tight ends, oblige him for Week 9. … Jordan Reed is averaging 6.6 catches for 62 yards in three games since returning from his hamstring injury. The only problem is, he’s about to be on his third quarterback. Keep trotting Reed out there, but at some point there will probably be a dud. … Who leads all tight ends in yards after the catch? It’s still Travis Kelce, despite his frustrating usage. Kelce has weekly top-five upside.

Larry Donnell is Just A Guy, but is still No. 9 in average tight end fantasy points. The Colts are the sixth-worst team against tight ends, allowing five touchdowns in eight games. Donnell is a nice, cheap option in daily leagues. … Zach Ertz is a pass catcher who needs to improve his blocking. … Jason Witten has become a blocker who needs to catch more passes. … Vernon Davis is a total wild card coming off the 49ers’ Week 8 bye. He has 14 catches across five injury-plagued games, and last scored in Week 1. He committed a brutal drop in San Francisco’s Week 8 loss to the Broncos. He hasn’t been the TE1 he should be, but there’s still time to change that if he can stay on the field. … Tim Wright had an impressive Week 8, but remains a daily-league dart throw. … Ever want a bottom-dollar touchdown threat as you chase the brass ring in daily-league tournaments? They don’t come cheaper than Lance Kendricks.

Week 9 Kickers

Week 9 Defense/Special Teams