Happy Friday fantasy followers and welcome back to my Start/Sit HUB! Mike Hubbard Jr here, providing insightful information that can help you win your fantasy league week in and week out. For all things fantasy football, follow me on Twitter (@FantasyHubbard) and Instagram (@fantasyhubbard). You can tweet me or message me on either social media with any questions you might have regarding the fantasy football season.
I hope at this point in the season you are in a position to win your league, make the playoffs, or on the verge of playoff contention. If not, don’t panic or get discouraged. There are 5 to 7 solid weeks of play left depending on your league’s playoff schedule/format. Each week is important as ever so stay sharp and keep pushing.
Week 9 is underway following the TNF game between the Jets and the Colts. The Colts came out swinging and didn’t look back on their way to a 45-30 victory. Mike White got injured in the 1st quarter and did not return. Jonathan Taylor went off for 172 rushing yards, 2 rushing TDs and 28 receiving yards. The Colts looked sharp in every aspect of the game while the Jets struggled. The Jets continue to be a mostly disappointing mystery. The Colts bounced back from their ugly OT loss to the Titans and will try to keep that momentum going.
Week 9 BYEs this week include the WFT, Buccaneers, Lions, and Seahawks. Always check those lineups and manage accordingly. Sunday should be another impactful slate of games. The matchups I look forward to watching the most this Sunday include the Vikings/Ravens game, the Packers/Chiefs game, and the Titans/Rams game. Plenty of fantasy players to keep an eye on in those matchups.
I’m here every Friday with start and sit suggestions that can impact your team each week. My decisions as always include obvious and not so obvious picks. I would also like to clarify that my sit suggestions are based on the assumption you have or can add a player that has a better chance at success.
Good luck this week and continue to check out my weekly articles.
Browns @ Bengals
Start – Jarvis Landry – We know the Browns are going to feed Nick Chubb in this game in hopes to establish a solid ground game and open up the pass game. Looks like Baker Mayfield will play and when he throws, Landry should be his first look. The Bengals could jump to a lead but who knows after their loss to the Jets. Either way, OBJ might have played his last game in a Browns uniform opening up Landry as the best pass catching option in Cleveland. After the obvious start of Chubb, Landry is in the best spot to produce. Barring any setbacks this week, he should be started.
Sit – D’Ernest Johnson – D’Ernest Johnson broke out in week 7 but with Nick Chubb back as the Browns RB1 in week 8 he was hardly involved, and his rushing TD was his saving grace in fantasy. This week should be the same as last. Chubb will play and get the hefty workload. The Browns have averaged under 14 total points in their past 3 games and if that continues, it’s unlikely D’Ernest scores. Johnson should remain on your bench this week.
Broncos @ Cowboys
Start – Dak Prescott – Dak didn’t play in week 8 as a precaution. He got much needed extra time off and the Cowboys still got a win. This week Dak should be good to go and ready to beat the Broncos in Dallas. Although Denver has a good defense, they have yet to beat a good team this season. Dak and Zeke should be good for solid production this week. Dak has thrown at least 3 TDs in 5 of his 6 appearances and has thrown 10 TDs with just 1 INT in his 3 home games. Prescott should be a great play this week even if he doesn’t run to prevent further injury complications.
Sit – Javonte Williams – Javonte is a stud RB, but it hasn’t translated to fantasy production lately. He has yet to surpass 64 rushing yards or 33 receiving yards in any game this season and has only scored 2 total TDs in 8 games. Dallas has shut down opposing RBs but not QBs and WRs/TEs. If the Broncos can stay competitive it will most likely be a pass heavy formula for Denver. Javonte can catch and run but so can Melvin Gordon who seems to be finding the endzone more regularly. Hurts me to say I am fading Williams this week.
Texans @ Dolphins
Start – Mike Gesicki – Both the Dolphins and Texans haven’t won a game since September 12th. One team has to win (unless they tie), and it could go either way by a close score or a blowout. I favor Miami’s pass game in this matchup and Gesicki has been consistent enough to start with confidence. Tua should play and he has 3 good pass catchers in Waddle/Parker/Gesicki. The Texans struggle more against opposing TEs than they do WRs so Gesicki is my pick to produce and maybe even find the end zone.
Sit – David Johnson – David Johnsons workload was supposed to increase when Mark ingram was traded but it oddly did the opposite, kind of like the Eagles Kenneth Gainwell situation. Rex Burkhead and Scottie Phillips had more volume and Phillip Lindsay is also another RB involved. Too many names and too little opportunities on a bad team. Hard pass.
Falcons @ Saints
Start – Taysom Hill – Alvin Kamara is the obvious must start in this game but I’m going to take the path less traveled by and shoot my shot for Taysom Hill. Pending the decision at QB, if he starts, I like him in fantasy moving forward. Kamara will get his on ground, but Hill is a threat as a QB, WR, and RB. He could rack up points quickly despite the game flow, a little like Jalen Hurts. He can scramble for yards, dump off safe passes to Kamara, and has a few pass catchers he can target down field. No Michael Thomas this year hurts but I will roll the dice on Hill until proven wrong.
Sit – Matt Ryan – Matty Ice is coming off possibly his worst game of the season and has a Saints defense to play against this week in New Orleans who just beat Brady and the Bucs. Ryan will need to air it out in this game, but it won’t be easy, especially with the news of Calvin Ridley taking time off. I like the Saints this week in a low scoring game or a blowout win. I don’t believe the Falcons will put up big numbers. I’m sitting Ryan.
Raiders @ Giants
Start – Hunter Renfrow – Other than the Derrick Henry injury, this week’s major news came when Henry Ruggs got into a car accident. The circumstances and fallout resulted in his release and potentially the end of his NFL career. The Raiders have been more run oriented since the Jon Gruden era ended, but Carr is still top 5 in passing yards even with a BYE week. Darren Waller and Hunter Renfrow should be his go to targets. Bryan Edwards should get an uptick in looks as well but I prefer Renfrow. Hunter could get double digit targets for the first time this year and he’s due for a TD.
Sit – Darius Slayton – Slayton is healthy but runs into a Raiders defense this weekend that has been good against opposing WRs. Sterling Shepard is hurt, but the Giants still have a bunch of pass catchers in their arsenal. Golladay and Toney are banged up but even if they can’t play, Daniel Jones has Evan Ingram, Dante Pettis, John Ross, and other pass catchers. Too many options to favor Slayton who had no catches last week against a terrible KC defense. The Giants offense looked pretty bad on Monday making it hard to rely on anyone. I’m steering clear of Slayton.
Patriots @ Panthers
Start – Damien Harris – Damien Harris is on fire. In the last 4 weeks he is averaging over 84 rushing yards, has double digit carries in each game, and also has scored 5 TDs. The Panthers defense has good statistics this season but it’s mostly due to their fantastic first 3 games, but since then they have given up an average of over 25 points per game. The Patriots defense should shut down the Panthers, especially if McCaffrey is out, making this a low scoring game with a lot of Harris carries. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
Sit – Robby Anderson – Robby Anderson has a front row seat on the struggle bus. He has had plenty of targets but dismal production. He had just 1 target in week 8 and didn’t catch it. This week McCaffrey has a chance to play which would decrease his role even more. Regardless of starting QB or RB, Anderson is an easy sit.
Bills @ Jaguars
Start – Zach Moss – The Bills are a great team on both sides of the ball. Their defense should put them in position to win this game. Moss should get carries in a blowout and receptions in a closer game. He is above Singletary in volume and should be a good play. This is another week where you can start all healthy Buffalo players with confidence.
Sit – Jaguars RBs – The Bills defense is elite, especially against the run. James Robinson is fighting an injury so we most likely won’t know who will start at RB until game time. If Robinson plays, he should be the more obvious potential starter over Carlos Hyde, but the matchup is too risky. Bills shut down opposing offenses and The Jags will need to throw a lot to stay competitive. I’m avoiding Hyde at all costs, and only playing Robinson if I don’t have a better option.
Vikings @ Ravens
Start – Adam Thielen – Thielen has had back-to-back great games posting a total of 17 receptions for 204 yards and 2 TDs on 22 targets. He is the hot receiver right now for the Vikings. Cook should get his workload and Kirk Cousins will need to pass in order to stay competitive or build a safe lead that the Ravens will hopefully not be able to comeback. Kirk should keep feeding Thielen targets.
Sit – KJ Osborn – KJ Osborn has great potential in the NFL but his fantasy appeal seems to be TD dependent. Jefferson and Thielen are Cousins main targets, with the usual looks to Cook, and add on Conklin who has a great matchup against the Ravens, and you get KJ bottom of the totem pole. He is boom or bust this season with more busts than booms. He is also coming off a 2 reception for 10 yards game. Only play him if you’re desperate for a lineup filler.
Chargers @ Eagles
Start – Dallas Goedert – Goedert is TE1 in Philly without Zach Ertz there to vulture targets and TDs. Since Ertz was traded to Arizona, Dallas has had 9 receptions for 142 receiving yards on 12 targets. In week 8 he was targeted 7 times in a game the Eagles ran the ball a lot which is a great sign for Goedert. Hurts seems to really like Dallas and trust him on any down. I like Goedert over Devonta Smith and Hurts might have that same preference.
Sit – Mike Williams – Believe it or not, the Eagles defense is top 5 in fantasy when it comes to shutting down opposing WRs. They let RBs go wild though, making Ekeler a great play this week. Mike Williams has 2 consecutive games with just 2 receptions. 27 receiving yards and 19 receiving yards were his totals in those 2 games. The Chargers are coming off back-to-back losses with a BYE in-between and should run all over the Eagles in Philly to get back on track in the win column. We will have to see how aggressive Herbert is in the pass game coming off those losses, but I still feel this is a big Ekeler and possibly Allen game. Sit him if you are lucky enough to have a better WR available.
Packers @ Chiefs
Start – Darrel Williams – Darrel Williams had a decent game against the Giants on MNF despite it being low scoring and close. He ran the ball 13 times for 49 rushing yards and caught all 6 of his targets for 61 receiving yards. He lost touches to Derrick Gore which was a shock to many who even vultured a rushing TD. I expect the Chiefs to continue their struggle this week but could pull out a win with no Aaron Rodgers. Either way I like Williams this week to get more touches than Gore and maybe have a good day catching passes depending on the game flow.
Sit – Randal Cobb/Allen Lazard/Marquez Valdes-Scantling – This decision is solely based off the fact that Aaron Rodgers is not playing this week. Davante Adams can put up big numbers with any QB, but I don’t know how Jordan love will look. Can he pull a Mike White and put up 400 passing yards and 3 TDs? I’ll say probably not which makes all other WRs very risky. I’m manifesting a huge Aaron Jones week.
Cardinals @ 49ers
Start – Elijah Mitchell – Elijah Mitchell has been making his case to stay RB1 for the 49ers moving forward. He has back-to-back 18 rushing attempt games resulting in 244 total rushing yards and 2 rushing TDs. He doesn’t have the best matchup with the Cardinals defense, but Mitchell is running effectively, and the 49ers might not need to score a lot to stay competitive, especially if Kyler Murray can’t play or gets further injured. Keep an eye on Mitchells health, but if he plays on the field he should be played in your lineup.
Sit – Mohamed Sanu – Sanu is the only player in this matchup that I feel strongly about sitting. All offensive Cardinals starters have good shots at production. Jimmy G is a risky play but is still safer than Sanu. Deebo will get his, Aiyuk is coming off a somewhat promising game, and Kittle is coming off IR. Sanu isn’t high enough on the 49er’s priority list right now. An obvious easy sit this week. Aiyuk and Jimmy G are not recommended so proceed with caution.
Titans @ Rams
Start – AJ Brown – AJ Brown is in the midst of a 3-game tear. He has 29 targets, 25 receptions, 379 receiving yards, and 2 TDs in those 3 games. Derrick Henry is out for possibly the entire season and the Titans will need AJ to play like this every week to keep the chains moving. Julio Jones has been banged up which only makes Brown more appealing in fantasy. I expect another big day from Brown even with Jalen Ramsey playing on him.
Sit – Sony Michel – Sony is behind Henderson for good reason. Henderson is playing very well resulting in Michel not getting enough volume unless the game is out of hand. The Titans lost Henry but should still be competitive. Michel has 1 TD this season and isn’t incorporated enough into the pass game. Michel should be on the bench if he is owned.