Hey #4EYEDfans,
This week I’m giving you just a few brief picks due to the lateness of this posting. For MORE START/SIT information check out our 4-EYED PREGAME SHOW on at 11am EST on Sundays & our 4-EYED START/SIT Show on Wednesday at 8pm EST.!
LET’S GET DOWN TO BUSINESS!
Here is a list of teams that are on a bye this week:
- Eagles
- Rams
- Browns
- Bengals
Here are your 4-EYED STARTS & SITS For Week 9!
Quarterback
Drew Lock vs. Atlanta Falcons: START
It took him awhile to get going last week against the Chargers, but Drew Lock ended the game with a game-winning drive to cap off a 20.8 fantasy point performance (QB7). He definitely turned it on in the 4th quarter in Week 8 and looks to keep that momentum going into Week 9 facing a Falcons team that has allowed, on average, 26.4 FanDuel fantasy points to quarterbacks on the season which is 2nd most.
Great matchup + Great opportunity + Great Dancing = Obvious Fantasy Success!
Running Back
Todd Gurley vs. Denver Broncos: SIT
For those of you watching the Falcons/Panthers game in Week 8 you should have noticed Todd Gurley laying on the turf in anguish after every tackle against him. Something is clearly not right and whether that’s his arthritic knee or some undisclosed injury you should have reasons for concern with Gurley going forward this season, and this week in particular. The Broncos rank 2nd in the league in run defense, and Falcons rank 24th in run blocking. So let me get this straight, a worn down, non-explosive running back with a poor run blocking offensive line is supposed to be fantasy relevant against THIS defense?!
No, thanks!
Wide Receiver
Cole Beasley vs. Seattle Seahawks: START
6 out of 8 games with double-digit PPR fantasy points, Cole Beasley and this Bills passing game face a Seahawks secondary allowing 47 fppg to wide receivers on the season. With Jamal Adams potentially coming back to help this Seahawks pass rush from the secondary, look for Josh Allen to get the ball out quickly to his short-to-intermediate receiving target and look for Beasley to provide you with a VERY safe floor.
Tight End
Evan Engram vs. Washington Football Team: START
In back-to-back weeks against division rivals, Evan Engram has averaged 9.5 targets. With poor linebacking play for Washington and no Landon Collins patrolling the middle of the field, look for Engram’s productivity to soar in our nation’s capital this week!
IDP CONTENT
As we do every week, when discussing IDP players we reference their fantasy point production using the FantasyPros IDP scoring rubric:
Linebackers
K.J. Wright vs. Buffalo Bills: SIT
With Jamal Adams returning at strong safety for the Seahawks, look for both Bobby Wagner and K.J. Wright to take a dip in solo tackle production which ultimately caps Wright’s upside. Known for having even production in terms of solo/assisted tackle ratio, the lack of potential solo tackles bumps him down to a non-starting option this week!
Defensive Backs
Travon Diggs vs. Pittsburgh Steelers: START
Did you see how Philadelphia targeted Travon Diggs early and often last week? The reason? He’s not that good. Fortunately, for Diggs, Carson Wentz threw up a few interceptions which helped Diggs’ upside from a fantasy perspective. This week, against Pittsburgh, look for Diggs to be targeted early and often with these receiving options of the Steelers, and for his solo tackles numbers to go through the roof!
Defensive Linemen/Edge Rushers
Brian Burns vs. Kansas City Chiefs: SIT
Le’veon Bell and Clyde Edwards-Helaire can elude any defensive lineman, Patrick Mahomes can get rid of the ball fast, and this Chiefs offensive line ranks 6th in the NFL in pass blocking. All that translates into the Chiefs neutralizing the pass rush of this Chiefs defense. Downplay Brian Burns this week!
Thanks for reading, #4EYEDfans!
Good luck in Week 9!
*References provided by:
- FantasyData
- ProFootballFocus
- ProFootballReference
- Player Profiler
- FantasyPros
- Football Outsiders
- StatHead.com