Top Five Fantasy Matchups for Week Nine: Injured quarterbacks leave the door open for many teams

Need more insights on fantasy football? Check out the fantasy football section to see rankings, projections, statistics, and more articles like this one to help you get all the information you need this season. Don’t forget to check out the NFL section to read on matchup previews, injuries, and more. Week nine holds a lot of potential for fantasy players. Check out who has the best chance of a fantastic week in fantasy this week below.

Minnesota Vikings Offense vs. Detroit Lions

After Matthew Stafford was placed on the COVID-19 list and ruled out for next week’s games, it was worth mentioning the players on the Vikings that could see great games. Even with the Lions’ solid secondary, Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen lead the cast in the passing game for the Vikings. Thielen has the 13th most fantasy points amongst receivers and averages 17.8 fantasy points per game. Jefferson averages 15.3 fantasy points as the 22nd leading scorer in fantasy for wide receivers. However, the Lions are one of the worst against the run, ranking second in most fantasy points allowed to opponents this season. Dalvin Cook has emerged as one of the top fantasy running backs, dropping four total touchdowns last week against the Packers. He is another Viking bound for a great fantasy week against the Lions next week. Thielen should be considered a WR1, Jefferson a WR2, and Cook should compete for a first overall spot again this week for fantasy football.

Houston Texans Offense vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

Similar to the Vikings vs. Lions game, another starting quarterback will not be playing next week, Gardner Minshew. The Jaguars already give up the third most points to quarterbacks, the sixth most fantasy points to running backs, and the 13th most to wide receivers. Now without Minshew, the Houston defense should be able to scheme easier around containing James Robinson in the backfield and containing rookie Jake Luton at quarterback. This bodes well for Deshaun Watson, who still ranks 7th in fantasy points even though his perceived value has dropped due to his team performance. Moreover, Will Fuller and Brandin Cooks should be set for points against this defense as they average 15.7 and 12.7 fantasy points per game this season. Even Randall Cobb could be considered a waiver wire option, averaging 11.3 fantasy points this season. Finally, David Johnson has a great look against this terrible run defense and he averages 13.3 points per game. Deshaun Watson should have a top ten fantasy week next week, Fuller looks to be a WR2, Cooks a WR3, and David Johnson a solid RB2 starter.

Pittsburgh Steelers Offense vs. Dallas Cowboys

The Pittsburgh Steelers are set up nicely against a dismantled Dallas Cowboys team next week. The Cowboys have decided to role with practice squad quarterbacks Cooper Rush and Garrett Gilbert to start on Sunday against the Steelers. The Steelers have one of the best overall defenses in the NFL and have allowed only 20.3 points per game and just over 300 total yards to their opponents per game. With their ability to stop the Cowboys’ offense, that hasn’t scored a touchdown in two weeks now, they should produce on offense. Ben Roethlisberger is ranked outside of the top 20 in fantasy point standings, but he could be considered a fill-in starter with this matchup. James Conner has been having a phenomenal year averaging 15.8 fantasy points just outside the top ten standings. The Cowboys have allowed the eigth most fantasy points to running backs this season, giving him a great opportunity. Plus, Juju Smith-Schuster, Chase Claypool, and Diontae Johnson are fitting for fantasy starts Sunday against this defense that has allowed the fourth most fantasy points to wide receivers this season. All of these skill players should be in the starting lineups for fantasy football next week.

Arizona Cardinals Run Game vs. Miami Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins have allowed the seventh most fantasy points to running backs this season, and the ninth least amount of points to quarterbacks. However, the Cardinals have the best rushing quarterback in the league this season with Kyler Murray. Murray is averaging 6.7 yards per carry, leading the league in that category. He is also ranked 14th in total rushing yards this season and fourth in rushing touchdowns with a whopping seven on the year. Look for him to have a great fantasy week as he mixes it up between running the ball and throwing it Sunday. Furthermore, Kenyan Drake should have a game if he is good to play. He is currently dealing with an ankle injury that has kept him a non-participant in practice this week, but Kliff Kingsbury is not ready to rule him out. In his place, Chase Edmonds is a great RB2 filler for next week against the Dolphins’ defense. Two weeks ago, he put up 21.5 fantasy points off of 58 rushing yards, seven catches, and 87 receiving yards. His ability to catch the ball already makes him extremely valuable, however, adding that with touches in the backfield increases that by a lot in value. He will be an RB2 starter next week if Drake isn’t good to go.

Los Angeles Chargers and Las Vegas Raiders Passing Games

The Los Angeles Chargers will take on division rival Las Vegas Raiders Sunday at home. The Los Angeles Chargers have quite the number of fantasy players with Justin Herbert, Keenan Allen, Hunter Henry, and even Mike Williams. Herbert has been astounding in fantasy this season, averaging the fifth highest amount of fantasy points this season with 25.33. The Raiders have given up the ninth most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season, so Herbert should take advantage of that. Keenan Allen averages a healthy 17.7 fantasy points this season, but will probably take on Xavien Howard in this game, who has four interceptions and eight passes defended this season, each in the top ten of those categories. However, he should be able to perform well in this game as one of the premier route runners in the NFL. He and Herbert should be the first spot starters in fantasy, along with Mike Williams as a WR3, and Henry as a TE1.

The Las Vegas Raiders may lose out on getting Josh Jacobs in the backfield this week because of illness and injury. Derek Carr should have near top ten fantasy finish in week nine against the Chargers. He has been averaging 18.41 fantasy points this season, but could be considered a great backup for missing starters this week. The Chargers have given up the fourth most points to quarterbacks this year, making Carr an excellent start. The Chargers have also given up the ninth most fantasy points to tight ends, which is exciting for the second best fantasy tight end this season, Darren Waller. Even though Agholor was scoreless last week, he hauled in three games over 14+ points in the last three weeks. He should be considered an exellect flex play next week averaging 9.7 fantasy points per game.