The playoffs are still some weeks away in most fantasy football leagues, but we’ve long since passed the point in which you can easily write off a loss or two. Every result matters from this point forward, so you can’t afford to get lazy with your roster management.
Six teams have a bye this week: the Seattle Seahawks, Detroit Lions, Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens, Houston Texans and Kansas City Chiefs. A number of fantasy studs are included among that sextet, so finding somewhat overlooked alternatives will be key.
Here’s a look at the rankings for each position, and a few players who could surprise with big performances this week.
Quarterbacks
The last time Kirk Cousins stepped on the field, he put up more points than any other quarterback in NFL.com fantasy leagues. His 124.7 quarterback rating was the highest of his career in a single start.
When you throw for 317 yards and three touchdowns, you can react however you like, per CSN Redskins:
We largely know what kind of quarterback Cousins is at this point. Head coach Jay Gruden doesn’t trust him to make a lot of throws farther down the field, so he’s averaging just under 6.5 yards per attempt, 31st in the league among qualified QBs.
With the New England Patriots on tap for the Washington Redskins this week, Cousins’ tendency to attempt shorter throws may actually be in his favor. According to Football Outsiders, the Patriots were the 23rd-best team in the league when defending short passes through Week 7.
Don’t be surprised if Cousins puts another 300-yard game together, or at least something approaching the 300-yard mark. He may need 50 passes to get there, but that’s of little concern to fantasy owners.
Running Backs
If there was ever a game for DeMarco Murray to put the Philadelphia Eagles on his back en route to victory, this is it.
Murray has been a disappointment for the Eagles so far this year, rushing for 307 yards and three touchdowns through the team’s first seven games. At this same point in 2014, he was nearly approaching the 1,000-yard mark (913) and had found the end zone seven times.
It would probably be inaccurate to call the Eagles’ Week 9 matchup a revenge game for Murray since the divorce between he and the Dallas Cowboys doesn’t appear to have been that acrimonious.
“It was nothing personal from my side and their side, I believe,” he said on ESPN Radio’s Mike and Mike back in July (via FoxSports.com’s Mark Lane). “And I think they made the best decision for their team and I made the best decision for myself and my family.”
Still, Murray might have a little extra motivation to put on a good showing against his old team.
Plus, Dallas is allowing 4.1 yards per carry and 103 yards a game on the ground, so it’s not as if the Cowboys have been dominant against the run this year.
The 2014 version of Murray is never coming back, but his 112-yard night against the New York Giants in Week 6 demonstrated he can be a Pro Bowl-caliber runner.
Wide Receivers
Anquan Boldin was already Colin Kaepernick‘s favorite target before Monday night, and Kaepernick may look to the veteran wideout even more with Vernon Davis gone going forward. The 49ers announced Monday night they had sent Davis to the Denver Broncos.
Davis has largely been a nonfactor for the Niners this year, but San Francisco now has one less weapon in the passing game. And Garrett Celek isn’t going to get all of the looks that would’ve otherwise gone to Davis.
In fact, Boldin may be the biggest beneficiary since he is the team’s most consistent pass-catcher.
The 35-year-old missed Sunday’s game with a hamstring injury, so you’ll want to monitor his health throughout the week. Assuming he’s good to go against the Atlanta Falcons, he could put up WR2-type numbers.
The Falcons’ top two corners—Robert Alford and Desmond Trufant—are dealing with injuries of their own at the moment, and the absence of one or both could hinder Atlanta’s secondary Sunday.
The limitations of Kaepernick and Blaine Gabbert inherently hurt the fantasy potential of any 49ers wide receiver or tight end. Still, as long as he plays, Boldin is worth starting this week, especially in point-per-reception leagues.
Tight Ends
Speaking of injuries, the San Diego Chargers suffered a major blow to their offense Sunday. Keenan Allen injured his kidney and will be out for “some time,” according to head coach Mike McCoy, per Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune.
This comes after Ladarius Green exited Sunday’s game with a foot injury as well.
While Chargers fans are bemoaning their bad luck, fantasy owners with Antonio Gates on their rosters must see opportunity.
Gates remains one of the best tight ends in the league when he’s 100 percent, which isn’t a given at this stage in his career. The 35-year-old has played in just three games, but he has caught 22 passes for 243 yards and two touchdowns—a more than healthy return.
With two of his best targets out—assuming Green’s injury is bad enough to keep him out for Week 9—Philip Rivers will rely heavily on Gates. Expect the former Kent State Golden Flash to roll back the years Sunday.
Defense/Special Teams
While Boldin might put together a strong day, he could be the only 49ers offensive player who does anything of note against the Falcons.
Things have gotten so bad in the Bay Area that Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury News is actively making the case for Gabbert to start at quarterback:
Kawakami is getting his wish, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
As if things weren’t bad enough, the 49ers announced Monday night that they signed Shaun Draughn in order to add depth to a decimated backfield. One of Draughn or Kendall Gaskins will start at running back for San Francisco, a reality that must send shivers down fans’ spines.
If Atlanta can force a turnover or two, its defense should post big numbers this week.
Kickers
According to ESPN.com, the Chargers have allowed an average of 8.4 points to opposing kickers this year. Between that and the Chicago Bears’ offensive issues, Robbie Gould could have a healthy Week 9.
He won’t single-handedly swing the result for your team, but a few more points than you expected him to deliver would be a welcome development.
Note: Stats are courtesy of ESPN.com unless otherwise mentioned.
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