Expect Calvin Ridley to have a big game this week. Photo via Atlanta Falcons/Facebook
Week 9 is here and I’m back to give out more sleeper plays. My standard for a good fantasy game is around 100 total yards and/or a TD, and this is for PPR scoring. A game with a lot of catches helps too, obviously. Of course, the bar is a little lower for TEs.
I went 8-4 last week, and you can check out that article here. Week 8 was pretty damn good, so I’m happy with those results. With the bye weeks upon us, I will continue to look for players that can help you, and are also widely available.
QB
Kirk Cousins (MIN): Cousins faces a Lions defense that is allowing over 25FPTS/G to QBs over the past month. They’ve also given up 10 passing TDs in that span.
Ryan Fitzpatrick (TB): This one is not as much about the matchup. I think Cam Newton has a big game, and Fitzpatrick will have to throw to keep up with the Panthers.
RB
Isaiah Crowell (NYJ): It’s hard to trust anybody on the Jets offense, but his matchup is spectacular. The Dolphins give up on average over 32FPTS/G to RBs over their last 5 games. He could have a big day.
Nick Chubb (CLE): He has a great opportunity facing the Chiefs run defense that is allowing almost 30FPTS/G to RBs in their last 5 games. He does come with some downside if this game gets out of hand and the Browns stop running the ball.
Adrian Peterson (WAS): He’s dealing with a shoulder injury, so keep an eye on that. If he’s able to go, you have to roll with him again in this favorable matchup against the Falcons. They’re giving up almost 30FPTS/G to the position over their last 4 games.
WR
Calvin Ridley (ATL): I’m back in the saddle backing Ridley. Josh Norman will have his hands full with Julio Jones, and Ridley should have a nice game. The Redskins are allowing an incredible 47 FPTS/G to WRs in the last 4.
D.J. Moore (CAR): This is all about the matchup and I think Cam goes off here. Moore is starting to get going as of late, and I think this game could be a shootout.
DeVante Parker (MIA): Halloween may be over, but counting on Parker to come through is VERY scary. He looked great last week against Houston, and the matchup is terrific. The Jets allow over 46FPTS/G to WRs over the past month. If there was ever a time to play Parker, this has to be it.
Sammy Watkins (KC): Watkins has been playing really well lately, and I think Tyreek Hill gets the tough matchup against Browns CB Denzel Ward. Plus, Cleveland is giving up over 40FPTS/G to WRs over their last 4 games.
Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp (LAR): I think both these guys have a big game. Just make sure Kupp is active. He’s expected to come back from his knee injury and play this week. Cooks should have to deal with Saints star CB Marshon Lattimore, so I think these two go off.
TE
O.J. Howard (TB): The Panthers allow the most points to TEs over their last 4 games, so he’s worth starting for sure.
Greg Olsen (CAR): Olsen has a Top 10 matchup against the Bucs, so I’d fire him up.
That’s all I have for this week. For more fantasy info, make sure you check out my show Moneyline on ESPN 97.5 every Sunday from 10-noon. Jerry Bo and I will get you ready for kickoff and answer any questions you may have. Also, follow us on Twitter.
Good luck in Week 9!
Most Popular
SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome
Listen Live
With the Astros now officially ten games under .500 for the season, manager Joe Espada is taking a lot of heat from the fanbase for the team's struggles.
While we don't agree with the sentiment, we even hear fans clamoring for the return of Dusty Baker and Martin Maldonado, thinking the Astros wouldn't be in this mess if they were still here.
Which is ridiculous. First of all, Maldonado has been awful for the White Sox, hitting .048 (even worse than Jose Abreu's .065). And for those of you that think his work with the pitching staff justifies his pathetic offense. Let me say this: Where was Maldy's game calling genius for Hunter Brown, Cristian Javier, and Framber Valdez last year? All of them regressed significantly.
And as far as Baker is concerned, we have no idea how much a difference he would make, we can only speculate. Baker would also be dealing with a pitching staff ravaged with injuries. And let's not forget, Baker was the guy that refused to move Jose Abreu down in the batting order, even though he would finish the regular season with the ninth-worst OPS in baseball.
The reality of the situation is managers can only do so much in baseball. Which leads us to something else that needs to be considered. Is Espada being handcuffed by the front office? Espada and GM Dana Brown both said recently that Jon Singleton was going to get more at-bats while they give Abreu time off to try to figure things out. Yet, there Abreu was in the lineup again in the opening game of the Cubs series.
It makes us wonder how much power does Espada truly have? The Astros have some other options at first base. Yainer Diaz may only have eight games played at the position, but how much worse could he be than Abreu defensively? Abreu already has four errors, and Diaz is obviously a way better hitter. Victor Caratini isn't considered a plus offensive player, but his .276 batting average makes him look like Babe Ruth compared to Abreu. Let him catch more often and play Diaz at first. Starting Diaz at first more often could also lengthen his career long-term.
Maybe that's too wild of a move. Okay, fine. How about playing Mauricio Dubon at first base? I understand he doesn't have much experience at that position, but what's the downside of trying him there? If he can play shortstop, he can play first base. He's driving in runs at a higher rate (11 RBIs) than everyone on the team outside of Kyle Tucker and Yordan Alvarez. And he's producing like that as part-time player right now.
The other criticism we see of Espada is his use of Jon Singleton to pinch hit late in games. Let's be real, though, who else does Espada have on the roster to go to? Batting Abreu late in games in which you're trailing should be considered malpractice. Espada can only use who he has to work with. This all really stems from the Astros poor farm system.
They don't have anyone else to turn to. The draft picks the club lost from the sign-stealing scandal are really hurting them right now. First and second rounders from 2020 and 2021 should be helping you in 2024 at the big league level.
Maybe they go to Astros prospect Joey Loperfido soon, but after a hot start he has only two hits in his last six games.
Finally, we have to talk about what seems like a committee making baseball decisions. Lost in a committee is accountability. Who gets the blame for making poor decisions?
As time continues to pass it looks like moving on from former GM James Click was a massive mistake. He's the guy that didn't sign Abreu, but did trade Myles Straw (recently DFA'd) for Yainer Diaz and Phil Maton. He also built an elite bullpen without breaking the bank, and helped the club win a World Series in 2022.
The reality of the situation is Dusty Baker and James Click are not walking back through that door. And all good runs come to an end at some point. Is this what we're witnessing?
Don't miss the video above as we hit on all the points discussed and much more!
Catch Stone Cold 'Stros (an Astros podcast) with Charlie Pallilo, Brandon Strange, and Josh Jordan. We drop two episodes every week on SportsMapHouston's YouTube channel. You can also listen on Apple Podcast, Spotifyor wherever you get your podcasts.