Six teams are on a bye, so you’ll have a smaller player pool to choose from when setting Week 9 daily fantasy lineups. These are among the highest-recommended players to utilize as part of your lineup this week.
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QB: Matt Ryan @ WAS
DraftKings: $5,700 | FanDuel: $8,200
Just one quarterback has 27+ fantasy points in three games this season, and it’s surprisingly not Patrick Mahomes. It’s Matt Ryan. The former NFL MVP is having one of the best individual seasons of his career, and he’s likely to throw the ball around a lot against the Redskins, who have been shutting down opposing run games this year. Matty Ice is close to the pace to break the single-season record in passing yards, and he should put up another 300-350+ yards along with multiple scores coming off his bye week.
RB: Christian McCaffrey vs. TB
DraftKings: $7,800 | FanDuel: $7,900
The Buccaneers have given up at least seven receptions, 112 yards, and one touchdown to Alvin Kamara and Tarik Cohen in matchups against them this season, and Christian McCaffrey should have similar success as a receiver this Sunday. McCaffrey didn’t have big games versus Tampa Bay as a rookie last season, but he’s now the clear No. 1 runner in Carolina’s offense and should get plenty of opportunities to break long plays.
RB: Latavius Murray vs. DET
DraftKings: $5,100 | FanDuel: $6,700
If Dalvin Cook (hamstring) is active, it might be wise to go in another direction. However, if Cook misses another game, Murray could be set for 20+ touches in a game Mike Zimmer might want to pound the rock against a Lions defense giving up 144.6 yards per game this season. Murray has 20+ points in each of the last three games, and he should keep that going this weekend.
WR: Julio Jones @ WAS
DraftKings: $7,900 | FanDuel: $8,500
Coming off the bye against a team that probably needs to be attacked through the air to have success, Atlanta’s matchup with the Redskins feels like a game Julio Jones could get close to ten receptions and in the 150-range for yardage. Also, this has been the case for a while now, but Jones is due for a score.
WR: John Brown vs. PIT
DraftKings: $5,800 | FanDuel: $6,400
In Baltimore’s Sunday night win over the Steelers in Week 4, John Brown had 116 yards and a touchdown (on just three receptions). Pittsburgh has since tightened up their pass defense, and the pass rush is getting more pressure, which should lead to less time for Joe Flacco to stand back there and hit Brown deep down the field. But Brown should bounce back with a strong game after being held to 28 yards last week. After Brown also had 28 yards in Week 6, he bounced back with a 7/134/1 performance in Week 7.
WR: Devin Funchess vs. TB
DraftKings: $5,600 | FanDuel: $6,400
The Buccaneers have not defended opposing wide receivers well this season, and Devin Funchess has been a reliable target for Cam Newton throughout the year. Funchess hasn’t had a huge game yet in 2018, but his first 100-yard outing could be coming.
TE: Jimmy Graham @ NE (DraftKings) | Jordan Reed vs. ATL (FanDuel)
Graham: $4,700 | Reed: $5,600
You never know what will really happen, but there should be a lot of points scored between the Packers and Patriots on Sunday night. Jimmy Graham has a big size advantage over anyone the Patriots can throw at him, and Aaron Rodgers might be forced to look his way with Stephon Gilmore set to shadow Davante Adams throughout the night. For FanDuel, Jordan Reed is a solid option after coming off seven catches against the Giants last week.
FLEX: Jordan Howard @ BUF
DraftKings: $4,700 | FanDuel: $6,200
The Bills are stout on defense, but this is a game the Bears are projected to win by double digits. Jordan Howard has become a game-plan-specific runner in Matt Nagy’s offense, and he might be handed the ball 20-25 times if the game goes as scheduled for Chicago. Howard offers 100-yard, multi-touchdown upside at a great cost in Week 9 daily fantasy lineups.
D/ST: Chiefs @ CLE
DraftKings: $2,700 | FanDuel: $3,900
Saving money at a skill position spot and spending salary on Chicago’s D/ST against Buffalo might not be a bad idea. However, that’s something a lot of people are likely to do. I like the idea of going with a cheaper Chiefs defense. Kansas City’s players sound like they are on a mission, and they’ve played well with just 33 points allowed and seven sacks recorded in the last two weeks.
I am not in on Ryan this week. Redskins too good.
He’ll roast them.
I’m sticking with Murray in my lineup lets see what happens.