Now is the time to place your foot firmly on the gas pedal and begin to accelerate down the stretch of the final 5 weeks of the regular season. If you have multiple teams like I do, (I have 8…too many) it is time to separate the contenders from the pretenders. Pick your best 2 teams and forget the rest. Make those last-minute trades before the deadline that can give you a stronger starting lineup. If you are scraping to make the playoffs, depth hardly matters anymore as you need to go all in on your starters. This week I made a couple huge buys that will either make or break my fringe team. I went all in on CMC in a keeper league by trading away Zeke Elliott, Kenny Golladay and Chase Edmonds (on friday night before the Kenny G injury) . My team has depth at WR but lacks a star RB with Zeke having a down year. My team now sits 1 game outside of the playoffs and faces the top 2 teams in the league, which are challenges that I could not conquer without a 30-point stud RB. In dynasty, if you are out of the hunt it is time to get rid of those aging veterans. Emmanuel Sanders, Marvin Jones, Leonard Fournette; if you have them you may as well move them to a team looking for an extra 5-point edge in one of their questionable flex positions. A third-round pick in dynasty is better than a vet who could see his position disappear in 2021. Hang in their fantasy fans, we are almost to the most wonderful time of the year…the playoffs.
Key Waiver Pickups
Zach Moss – RB, BUF (36.2% Rostered)
The rookie had a very compelling performance and finished with 14 carries for 81 yards and 2 TDs. What is even more encouraging is he seems to be stealing most red zone carries while Singletary has struggled in that area. Moss’s stock should only increase with more experience.
Mike Williams – WR, LAC (42.7% Rostered)
Williams has had a very volatile season but finished week 8 with a solid 20-point performance. As his chemistry is seeming to blossom with Justin Herbert, he also seems to finally be healthy. Williams is certainly worth a roster spot this late in the season.
Kendrick Bourne – WR, SF (5.6% Rostered)
With Deebo Samuel injured again, Bourne is an awesome deep stash receiver who has taken advantage of every opportunity. Although Jimmy G. could potentially miss the rest of the season, Bourne’s 10 target game is very encouraging during Deebo’s absence.
Eric Ebron – TE, PIT (50% Rostered)
Ebron and Big Ben seem to finally be clicking and he should continue to pick up valuable red zone targets. If you are a George Kittle owner or have someone who has been consistently been underperforming, pick up Ebron for the back half of your schedule.
Fax or Fiction
Tua is a Bust
Fax, but I am talking strictly fantasy. If you drafted Tua as a late round sleeper or possibly picked him up as soon as the news broke, he likely won’t offer much meaningful fantasy value this year. If you are really QB needy at the moment you can easily scoop up a guy like Stafford, Lock, Carr or Jones…all guys who will be playing a much more aggressive fantasy role for the remainder of the year. Tua will likely have some bigger games down the stretch, but the role his is still getting comfortable with won’t be a dependable fantasy opportunity.
AJ Green is now droppable
Fax. Another weak performance by Green, as it now seems like he is drifting further and further away from his former role as the pro bowl receiver he once was. With Higgins and Boyd emerging as awesome options, Green can safely be dropped.
Robert Woods has reached “Set it and Forget” Territory
Fiction. Woods has had some explosive performances with 4 games with over 17 points, but the Rams offense (and Goff) have been one of the most inconsistent groups in the league. Woods should stay in your flex or WR2 spot when he has advantageous matchups, if possible.
Start ‘Em
Quarterbacks
Josh Allen vs SEA
Deshaun Watson @ JAX
Matt Ryan @ DEN
Running Backs
Christian McCaffrey @KC
Chase Edmonds vs MIA
David Johnson @ JAX
Receivers
Michael Thomas @ TB
Allen Robinson II @ TEN
Marvin Jones @ MIN
Sit ‘Em
Quarterbacks
Lamar Jackson @ IND
Drew Brees @ TB
Ryan Tannehill vs CHI
Running Backs
Antonio Gibson vs NYG
Ronald Jones II vs NO
Todd Gurley II vs DEN
Receivers
DJ Moore @ KC
AJ Brown vs CHI
Amari Cooper vs PIT
Injury News
Christian McCaffrey – RB, CAR (Ankle)
It is looking more and more likely that McCaffrey will be back this weekend against the Chiefs after missing the last 6 games. If McCaffrey is starting Sunday, he should be in your lineups and reason to think twice about starting Robby Anderson or DJ Moore.
Chris Carson – RB, SEA (Foot)
Carson is still considered Day to Day and ultimately did not play Sunday after testing out his foot in pregame. Don’t expect the Seahawks to be rushing Carson back anytime soon.
Kenyan Drake – RB, ARI (Ankle)
Drake’s ankle appears to not be as bad as some of the initial reports and could be back as soon as week 10 or 11. Chase Edmonds should get his chance to shine in the meantime.
Joe Mixon – RB, CIN (Foot)
With a week 9 bye, it is looking very likely that we will see Mixon back in action week 10 in Pittsburgh.
Aaron Jones – RB, GB (Calf)
Jones seems to be taking his time with a calf injury and could miss a few more games. Jones is slated to practice this week, but it is still a longshot of playing Thursday night against San Francisco.
Michael Thomas – WR, NO (Hamstring)
It is looking very likely that we will see the return of Michael Thomas this week. If you have Thomas he immediately plugs back into “Must Start” territory.
Miles Sanders – RB, PHI (Knee)
Sanders still hasn’t practiced since he injured his knee and it appears that it is taking a longer time to recover than initially estimated. Boston Scott seems to be dong well in his role and should keep Sanders sidelined as long as he needs to fully recover.
Chris Godwin – WR, TB (Finger)
The rumors claim that Godwin has a 50/50 percent chance of playing week 9 against the Saints. The Bucs would love to have Godwin back in what could be the biggest game of the season for them.
Kenny Golladay – WR, DET (Hip)
Golladay is expected to miss at least one week with a hip injury. If you are desperate for a replacement, Marvin Jones should receive extra volume against a weak Minnesota secondary.
Sam Darnold – QB, NYJ (Shoulder)
Not that he has much fantasy relevance, but it is worth noting that Darnold will be getting an MRI and second opinion on his shoulder. The Jets quarterback has shown significant struggles in his third year.
How’d We Do Last Week?
Start ‘Em
Quarterbacks
Josh Allen vs NE 12
Carson Wentz vs DAL 7
Ryan Tannehill @ CIN 17
Running Backs
Mike Davis vs ATL 8
Boston Scott vs DAL 9
Darrell Henderson Jr @ MIA 6
Receivers
Rob Gronkowski @ NYG 14
Robby Anderson vs CAR 9
AJ Brown @ CIN 12
Sit ‘Em:
Quarterbacks
Drew Brees @ CHI 19
Baker Mayfield vs LV 6
Ben Roethlisberger @ BAL 15
Running Backs
Jerick McKinnon @ SEA 14
Justin Jackson @ DEN 16
Carlos Hyde vs SF DNP
Receivers
Darius Slayton vs TB 10
Mike Evans @ NYG 16
Chase Claypool @ BAL 13
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