Week 9 Fantasy Advice and Player Rankings

So I originally had an entirely different beginning to this week’s article discussing the similarities of relationships and fantasy sports. However, I just finished watching the Yankees win (buy) the World Series and decided to go another way. I’ll save the relationship talk for next week – ugh, that actually doesn’t sound enticing at all (maybe I should have rephrased that).

What dawned on me while watching the final game of the World Series was the lack of exuberance after the win by the Yankees. To be clear, they did show happiness, enjoyed the moment, hugged, smiled, celebrated, but there just seemed to be something missing. It took me a second to my finger on it. When I figured it out, I turned to my buddy and said, “You know, there’s a difference between excitement and elation.”

Last year, there was clear elation on the faces of the Phillies. Back when the Red Sox finally won in 2004, there was an abundance of elation. But with the Yankees, it felt like it was exciting – yes, and yet expected. It seemed to take a piece of the luster away knowing they were the favorites and expected to win from day one. I guess that’s what happens when you spend a quarter of a billion dollars to win.

To bring this all in to relate with fantasy sports…my message is that elation is better than excitement. My first year in my favorite league, I squeaked in to the playoffs and went on to win as the last seeded team. I was elated. Last year, I had a much more formidable team, and won again, but I didn’t have the same feeling as that first year. It’s an entirely different feeling when you win when not being the favorite…and in fact, it’s the better of the two feelings.

All that said, I don’t want you to give up hope yet. Granted, if you are winless or are only 1-7, you may have to look to next year – you probably even skipped this already. Everyone else, you still have a chance. You can still go on a nice run (I started 1-5 the first year), build off of it and storm through the playoffs. It will be the greatest feeling in fantasy sports (more so than being in first all year and winning without sweating it much). This is your make or break week. This is the start to your possible run. To quote one of the best men ever in Jim Valvano, “Don’t give up. Don’t ever give up!”

Now on to the nitty-gritty (and hopefully some keys to getting your elation).

Week 8

Ace in the Hole (player(s) who guaranteed a good week)

Chris Johnson with over 200 yards and 2 TDs this week. His week 8 performance is only eclipsed by his week 2 outburst. Here’s a question though: is he an elite fantasy back? I still lean towards “no”. Look at his entire work. Outside of weeks 2 and 8, he has zero TDs, that’s right – none. The other five weeks amount to 3 average performances, and two solid ones. While as a whole, his work looks like top notch, I want more consistency out of my elite backs than this. Give me Rice or Turner over Johnson at this point (at least during Turner’s slow weeks he still scores).

River Rat (player who came out of nowhere to help or ruin you)

I could go with Ryan Moats, but raise of hands, who even had him rostered? Exactly. I’d have to go with Jonathan Stewart this week. Hopefully, some of you had him starting due to byes, and he made you one happy owner. He’s shown flashes of excellence before, but no one expected a great game with 2 TDs on the Cardinals (now exposed) run defense.

The Turn (player who showed significant improvement)

While I am still waiting to vault him up to last year’s status, Forte finally showed up, and big. In only his second game with a TD (the previous being against Detroit, who I could score against), Forte showed his ability and more confidence than in weeks past. Hopefully, he builds off this week and further develops his rapport with Cutler.

The Bluff (player who looked great, but fooled you)

Steve Stinkin’ Slaton! Wow! These are the types of situations that make us hate both fantasy sports and head coaches. Kubiak definitely sent a message to Slaton about his fumbling (pulled after his first carry), which reverberated all the way through every Slaton owner. Moats won’t be the next coming in Houston, but he’ll get a decent share until Slaton turns his fumblitis around (a la Tiki Barber).

Dishonorable mention to Mike Sims-Walker and his QB David Garrard. Jacksonville had a juicy match-up and Garrard looked awful, hurting MSW in the process.

Muck ‘em (players who won’t help us anymore, throw them back)

And on that note, Garrard is officially off my starting QB list. You cannot look like that against a defense you shredded for 300+ yards and 3 scores last time. Garrard has continued to get owners’ hopes up only to dash them with games like this. He is a bye-week fill in at best (and only at home – look up the stats).

Week 9

Top Pair (player(s) who guarantee a good week)

Aaron Rodgers and Maurice Jones Drew (two of my #1’s).

If these aren’t match-ups made in heaven. Rodgers has continued to put up great numbers besides being beaten like a birthday piñata. Plus, quarterbacks have a 102.1 passer rating and 16 TDs against Tampa Bay.

MJD faces Kansas City who is giving up 131 yards a game on the ground. Add to that the fact MJD is starting to hit a real stride, and you have the makings of a big game.

I’ll trip it up this week and give you Ryan Grant as well. He’s coming off a real rough week against Minnesota. However, he’s been consistent this year, and just like Rodgers, this Tampa defense isn’t stopping anyone.

Gut Shot (player who I have a feeling will surprise you with a good week)

Steve Smith (Carolina’s)

Who would have thought I’d include Steve Smith in a surprising performance piece? Granted, he had a TD last week, so it’s not off-the-radar to say he’ll do well. At the same time though, Matt Ryan threw for almost 300 yards against New Orleans, even with his 3 INTs. Don’t get me wrong, Delhomme loves throwing interceptions more than anyone. Nevertheless, I can see Steve flashing a bit of his elusiveness and break off at least one big catch.

All In (player is going to come up big and get noticed, so buy in now)

Nate Burleson

I’ve been touting this guy all year now, and we’re reaching the point of his being overlooked no more. Not only is he top 5 in thrown-to percentage, he is in the top 20 in receiving yards with Hasselbeck missing two weeks, and his bye week already passed. Now, he is going to get some return duties back as well. Now you add in that scoring threat, and you have a quality, every-week starter.

The Flop (player who will let you down)

Except for the one long catch where CC Brown looked more confused than I do after the latest Lost episode, I was spot on with Desean Jackson. However, I won’t call for his having too many other (if any) weak performances because even in low reception games, he has the potential to bust one (even if he isn’t defended by the worst safety in the league – that’s YOU CC!!). Oh, and Celek did quite well if you happened to follow my hint last week.

This week I'm headed back to Philly and going with the entire Philadelphia backfield (and no, I don’t have a thing just for Eagles’ players). Dallas’ run defense is one of the strongest in the league while allowing just 3 rushing TDs so far. Plus, we don’t know what to make of Westbrook’s health (what else is new?), and McNabb has developed quite the passing attack with those WRs and Celek. Look elsewhere for your RB starters this week.

Rank QB -Team (Opp )

1 Peyton Manning - IND ( Hou )

2 Tom Brady - NE ( Mia )

3 Aaron Rodgers - GB ( @TB )

4 Drew Brees - NO ( Car )

5 Philip Rivers - SD ( @NYG )

6 Donovan McNabb - PHI ( Dal )

7 Tony Romo - DAL ( @Phi )

8 Matt Schaub - HOU ( @Ind )

9 Joe Flacco - BAL ( @Cin )

10 Jay Cutler - CHI ( Ari )

11 Ben Roethlisberger - PIT ( @Den )

12 Matt Hasselbeck - SEA ( Det )

13 Kurt Warner - ARI ( @Chi )

14 Carson Palmer - CIN ( Bal )

15 David Garrard - JAC ( KC )

16 Matt Ryan - ATL ( Was )

17 Eli Manning - NYG ( SD )

18 Alex Smith - SF ( Ten )

19 Matt Cassel - KC ( @Jac )

20 Kyle Orton - DEN ( Pit )

21 Vince Young - TEN ( @SF )

22 Jason Campbell - WAS ( @Atl )

23 Chad Henne - MIA ( @NE )

24 Matthew Stafford - DET ( @Sea )

25 Jake Delhomme - CAR ( @NO )

Rank RB -Team (Opp )

1 Maurice Jones-Drew - JAC ( KC )

2 Chris Johnson - TEN ( @SF )

3 Ray Rice - BAL ( @Cin )

4 DeAngelo Williams - CAR ( @NO )

5 Frank Gore - SF ( Ten )

6 Michael Turner - ATL ( Was )

7 Cedric Benson - CIN ( Bal )

8 Ryan Grant - GB ( @TB )

9 Pierre Thomas - NO ( Car )

10 Ronnie Brown - MIA ( @NE )

11 Brandon Jacobs - NYG ( SD )

12 Matt Forte - CHI ( Ari )

13 Joseph Addai - IND ( Hou )

14 Marion Barber - DAL ( @Phi )

15 Kevin Smith - DET ( @Sea )

16 LaDainian Tomlinson - SD ( @NYG )

17 Rashard Mendenhall - PIT ( @Den )

18 Clinton Portis - WAS ( @Atl )

19 Julius Jones - SEA ( Det )

20 Jamaal Charles - KC ( @Jac )

21 Steve Slaton - HOU ( @Ind )

22 Jonathan Stewart - CAR ( @NO )

23 Ricky Williams - MIA ( @NE )

24 Ahmad Bradshaw - NYG ( SD )

25 Brian Westbrook - PHI ( Dal )

26 Laurence Maroney - NE ( Mia )

27 Knowshon Moreno - DEN ( Pit )

28 Tim Hightower - ARI ( @Chi )

29 LeSean McCoy - PHI ( Dal )

30 Cadillac Williams - TB ( GB )

31 Darren Sproles - SD ( @NYG )

32 Mike Bell - NO ( Car )

33 Ryan Moats - HOU ( @Ind )

34 Beanie Wells - ARI ( @Chi )

35 Felix Jones - DAL ( @Phi )

36 Reggie Bush - NO ( Car )

37 Correll Buckhalter - DEN ( Pit )

38 Willie Parker - PIT ( @Den )

39 Derrick Ward - TB ( GB )

40 Kevin Faulk - NE ( Mia )

41 Willis McGahee - BAL ( @Cin )

42 Maurice Morris - DET ( @Sea )

43 LenDale White - TEN ( @SF )

44 Tashard Choice - DAL ( @Phi )

45 Justin Forsett - SEA ( Det )

46 Chris Brown - HOU ( @Ind )

47 Kolby Smith - KC ( @Jac )

48 Mewelde Moore - PIT ( @Den )

49 BenJarvus Green-Ellis - NE ( Mia )

50 Ladell Betts - WAS ( @Atl )

Rank WR -Team (Opp )

1 Reggie Wayne - IND ( Hou )

2 Randy Moss - NE ( Mia )

3 Vincent Jackson - SD ( @NYG )

4 Larry Fitzgerald - ARI ( @Chi )

5 Andre Johnson - HOU ( @Ind )

6 Marques Colston - NO ( Car )

7 Wes Welker - NE ( Mia )

8 DeSean Jackson - PHI ( Dal )

9 Chad Ochocinco - CIN ( Bal )

10 Greg Jennings - GB ( @TB )

11 Roddy White - ATL ( Was )

12 Miles Austin - DAL ( @Phi )

13 Dwayne Bowe - KC ( @Jac )

14 Donald Driver - GB ( @TB )

15 Hines Ward - PIT ( @Den )

16 Brandon Marshall - DEN ( Pit )

17 Mike Sims-Walker - JAC ( KC )

18 Steve Smith -CAR ( @NO )

19 Nate Burleson - SEA ( Det )

20 Steve Smith - NYG ( SD )

21 T.J. Houshmandzadeh - SEA ( Det )

22 Derrick Mason - BAL ( @Cin )

23 Devin Hester - CHI ( Ari )

24 Calvin Johnson - DET ( @Sea )

25 Michael Crabtree - SF ( Ten )

26 Santonio Holmes - PIT ( @Den )

27 Santana Moss - WAS ( @Atl )

28 Austin Collie - IND ( Hou )

29 Hakeem Nicks - NYG ( SD )

30 Steve Breaston - ARI ( @Chi )

31 Jeremy Maclin - PHI ( Dal )

32 Kevin Walter - HOU ( @Ind )

33 Antonio Bryant - TB ( GB )

34 Pierre Garcon - IND ( Hou )

35 Johnny Knox - CHI ( Ari )

36 Torry Holt - JAC ( KC )

37 Anquan Boldin - ARI ( @Chi )

38 Mike Wallace - PIT ( @Den )

39 Mario Manningham - NYG ( SD )

40 Earl Bennett - CHI ( Ari )

41 Nate Washington - TEN ( @SF )

42 Roy Williams - DAL ( @Phi )

43 Devery Henderson - NO ( Car )

44 Malcom Floyd - SD ( @NYG )

45 Mark Clayton - BAL ( @Cin )

Rank TE -Team (Opp )

1 Dallas Clark - IND ( Hou )

2 Antonio Gates - SD ( @NYG )

3 Vernon Davis - SF ( Ten )

4 Jason Witten - DAL ( @Phi )

5 Brent Celek - PHI ( Dal )

6 Tony Gonzalez - ATL ( Was )

7 Jeremy Shockey - NO ( Car )

8 Heath Miller - PIT ( @Den )

9 John Carlson - SEA ( Det )

10 Kellen Winslow - TB ( GB )

11 Fred Davis - WAS ( @Atl )

12 Greg Olsen - CHI ( Ari )

13 Todd Heap - BAL ( @Cin )

14 Kevin Boss - NYG ( SD )

15 Benjamin Watson - NE ( Mia )

16 Marcedes Lewis - JAC ( KC )

17 Bo Scaife - TEN ( @SF )

18 Tony Scheffler - DEN ( Pit )

19 Donald Lee - GB ( @TB )

20 Sean Ryan - KC ( @Jac )

Rank Kicker -Team (Opp )

1 Lawrence Tynes - NYG ( SD )

2 Stephen Gostkowski - NE ( Mia )

3 Nate Kaeding - SD ( @NYG )

4 Mason Crosby - GB ( @TB )

5 David Akers - PHI ( Dal )

6 John Carney - NO ( Car )

7 Matt Prater - DEN ( Pit )

8 Matt Stover - IND ( Hou )

9 Nick Folk - DAL ( @Phi )

10 Robbie Gould - CHI ( Ari )

11 Rob Bironas - TEN ( @SF )

12 Josh Scobee - JAC ( KC )

13 Olindo Mare - SEA ( Det )

14 Dan Carpenter - MIA ( @NE )

15 Kris Brown - HOU ( @Ind )

16 Shayne Graham - CIN ( Bal )

17 Jason Elam - ATL ( Was )

18 Jeff Reed - PIT ( @Den )

19 Steven Hauschka - BAL ( @Cin )

20 Joe Nedney - SF ( Ten )

Rank Def (Opp )

1 Green Bay Packers ( @TB )

2 New Orleans Saints ( Car )

3 Pittsburgh Steelers ( @Den )

4 New England Patriots ( Mia )

5 Atlanta Falcons ( Was )

6 Seattle Seahawks ( Det )

7 San Francisco 49ers ( Ten )

8 Baltimore Ravens ( @Cin )

9 Denver Broncos ( Pit )

10 Chicago Bears ( Ari )

11 Philadelphia Eagles ( Dal )

12 Indianapolis Colts ( Hou )

13 Arizona Cardinals ( @Chi )

14 Cincinnati Bengals ( Bal )

15 Dallas Cowboys ( @Phi )

16 Jacksonville Jaguars ( KC )

17 New York Giants ( SD )

18 San Diego Chargers ( @NYG )

19 Washington Redskins ( @Atl )

20 Tennessee Titans ( @SF )