Frontline Report – Week Nine
Frontline Report – Week Nine
Week Nine is here, as it is that time of the year where we realise just how fast the NFL season is once again going. And the report starts out with one of the frontrunners. I got to witness the Philadelphia Eagles kick off the game week with a Thursday Night Football win over the Houston Texans at the impressive NRG Stadium to go 8-0.
Dallas Goedert is the surprising fantasy leader so far in Week Nine, with 24 fantasy points on Sleeper after 100 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown from eight receptions. This has him third amongst tight ends on Sleeper for the 2022 campaign, closely ahead of former teammate Zach Ertz.
The Eagles impressed me when I watched them in Houston. Particularly in the first half, they would get the yardage they needed on every third down. This allowed the ever-impressive A.J. Brown to score 15.90 fantasy points on Sleeper, with 59 receiving yards and one touchdown from four receptions, marking his third straight week with double digit points. His momentum continued after a 39.60 monster point performance in Week Eight against the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he tallied up 156 receiving yards and three touchdown catches from just six receptions.
It was another disappointing fantasy performance from Devonta Smith, who could only muster up 4.20 fantasy points on Thursday Night, with 22 receiving yards from just two receptions.
In Jalen Hurts, Miles Sanders, Brown and Goedert, they all scored more points than Houston’s best fantasy scorer, Chris Moore, who scored 14.50 points.
So, there’s still the full Sunday slate and Monday Night Football to come. Who have I seen that you should consider starting or sitting in Fantasy Football? Who’s hot? and who’s not?
HOT
Alvin Kamara (Running Back)- New Orleans Saints vs Baltimore Ravens
If you have Kamara, you start him. It is surprising that he is the 13th best running back so far this season considering his hattrick of touchdowns in last Sunday’s 24-0 win at home to the Las Vegas Raiders at the Superdome. In a stadium that simply took my breath away, I got to witness one of the best individual performances that I have seen in any sporting arena.
Kamara scored 42.80 fantasy points in Week Eight as he ended the day with 96 receiving yards and 62 rushing as well as three total touchdowns from nine receptions and 18 carries.
After just thirteen total points across the opening four weeks, Kamara has had double digit performances in each of the next four weeks, with two of the four scoring over 20 fantasy points. The Saints play the Ravens on Monday Night Football and despite having the eighth best run defense in the league, they have also allowed the twelfth most points in 2022. This is a leaky defense that does not seem to know how to hold on to leads.
He is hitting form at the right time and he is a must for a RB1 slot, especially with three of the top four running backs on fantasy football this season on a bye week in Christian McCaffrey, Nick Chubb and Saquon Barkley.
Raheem Mostert (Running Back)- Miami Dolphins @ Chicago Bears
The Dolphins have won their last two games against the Pittsburgh Steelers and Detroit Lions and go against a Bears team that have won just once since Week Three.
Mostert only scored 7.70 on Sleeper in Week Eight but comes up against a Bears team that have the second worst run defense as opposed to their pass defense that is only bettered by six other teams so far in 2022. This does not mean you should consider benching Tyreek Hill or Jaylen Waddle but with this in mind, head coach Mike McDaniel may decide to adopt the run game.
Despite having the sixth worst rushing offense, McDaniel was known for his run scheme whilst an offensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers. This week, Miami traded away Chase Edmonds in the Bradley Chubb deal and Jeff Wilson is reunited with his former coach in South Beach. It may be too soon for Wilson to play, so therefore Mostert may have even more of a role, especially with Wilson’s ability as a pass catching back. The back has had double digit performances in four of Miami’s eight games so far.
Although he will want to avoid a similar fantasy performance to his in Week Six. Miami lost at home to the Minnesota Vikings at the Hard Rock Stadium, a game I was at. He showcased his lack of ability to catch the ball, with -1 receiving yards. He only mustered up 49 rushing yards from 14 carries. It has proven an inconsistent season on fantasy. But, against the aforementioned Bears run defense, he is someone to consider as your Flex option.
NOT
Tom Brady (Quarterback)- Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Los Angeles Rams
Brady and the Bucs are in trouble. They have lost five of the last six, with three straight defeats.
Despite the incredible pre-game atmosphere on Thursday Night Football against the Ravens last time out, Brady struggled on Sleeper, with just 17.10 fantasy points.
The Rams have also struggled on offense, currently sitting 3-4 and with the worst run defense in the league and the tenth worst pass defense. Ideally, you do not want many players from this game offensively, except Cooper Kupp, who continues to excel with double digit performances in each fantasy game week. To put it in context, only two of his seven games has seen him score less than 20 points on Sleeper, with his worst total of 16.40 only 0.70 worse than Brady last week.
Brady is not at his best right now and certainly not someone you should start unless you absolutely have to. Especially when they have to face the sixth best pass defense, according to ESPN.com
Any Washington Commanders Running Back (vs Minnesota Vikings)
On a cold night against the Bears at Soldier Field, the Commanders won an ugly game. The most any Commanders Running Back could score on Sleeper against the aforementioned poor Bears rushing defense was 12.00 (via Brian Robinson). The Bears seemed to be able to stop this Commanders defense.
If they could deal well with them, then how are the Commanders going to deal with the Minnesota Vikings? ESPN.com have the current NFC North leaders (6-1) as the sixth-best run defense as opposed to the Commanders who are 21st in rushing yards on offense in 2022.
If you want a Commanders player, take Terry McLaurin who has two straight double-digit scores on Sleeper. Avoid Robinson, McKissic or Robinson.
Andy – @AndyDaviesSport
