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Week 9 is in the books and there wasn’t as much turmoil as there usually is in a given week.  Six teams - the Falcons, Bills, Bears, Lions, Packers and Titans will return refreshed after taking their week of rest.  This will be another hard week that sees many owners wishing they built their lineup around having one specific week off, but don’t worry, that’s what I’m here for.  Hopefully plenty of owners are still in the hunt.  I wrote an article last week to help identify players who have favorable schedules, please feel free to check it out.

Teams on their bye this week are the Texans, Colts, Vikings, Patriots, Chargers and Redskins.  There is plenty of talent there to build a lineup so there may be some owners stuck with rolling out the skeleton crew.  Ownership percentages are for ESPN and Yahoo leagues respectively.

Quarterbacks

“Hot Hands”

Ryan Tannehill, Dolphins (40.4%/57%): Tannehill has turned into an absolute stud since his bye week.  His most recent performance totalled 288 yards on 24 completions, three touchdowns and no picks.  Over the last four games, he’s thrown for less than 200 yards once and has a 8:3 touchdown to interception ratio.  He’s also rushing more and more effectively.  He has totals of 49, 48, 48, and 47 yards over his past four games respectively.  He is quietly entering into the QB1 conversation and is owned in less than half of ESPN leagues.

Mark Sanchez, Eagles (0.4%/5%): Nick Foles is out at least six weeks with a broken collarbone.  That puts him out of your lineup until about Week 15 or Week 16.  Sanchez threw for 202 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions in relief of Foles Sunday.  Despite his shortcomings as the Jets’ starter for years, he could be a decent quarterback replacing Foles for the rest of the season.  The Chip Kelly system is the main reason for that speculation and defenses will always have to stay honest against LeSean McCoy.  Sanchez could be a rollercoaster but I think he’ll have more good games than bad.

Mike Glennon, Buccaneers (3.6%/7%): There has been speculation that he may be benched in favor of a healthy Josh McCown.  But at this point, for the one-win Bucs, they should stick with the young gun.  With the playoffs out of reach, why turn to a 35 year-old quarterback instead of giving 24 year-old Glennon as much experience as possible in hopes of developing him?  He sees a relatively easy road the next few games in the Falcons and Redskins who should buoy his numbers and keep him in the QB2 conversation for anybody in 2-QB leagues.

Alex Smith, Chiefs (35.9%/46%): Although he gets the Bills defense who have 18 interceptions this week, he is known as a game manager and that is just what he is.  He’s only thrown four interceptions all year, albeit three came in Week 1 so we can’t say he hasn’t thrown multiple picks in a game.  I don’t think he throws more than one this week if he throws any and he’ll be a solid option for those with quarterbacks on bye.

“Dynasty”

Zach Mettenberger, Titans (1.2%/2%): He threw for almost 300 yards, two touchdowns and one pick in his debut start two weeks ago.  The Titans didn’t play this weekend as its their bye week and that can only mean good things for the chemistry of this offense.  If he’s given the keys to the team the rest of the season, he could put in some good games but not without some growing pains.  Right now, he’s a rookie to watch but not depended on with a tough schedule upcoming.

Bye Week Fliers: Brian Hoyer, Browns.  Kyle Orton, Bills.

Running Backs

“Hot Hands”

Adrian Peterson, Vikings: Even with so much up in the air regarding his suspension, Peterson did accept a deal on his court case and pleaded no contest (which is slightly different than just "guilty" or "not guilty").That being said, the NFL will have to make a decision to reinstate him after serving the 8 game suspension. He may be eligible to play as early as Week 11 (Vikings on a bye in Week 10). We say "MAY be able to play" because the NFL has yet to determine if they are going to continue his suspension. It's worth taking a chance on and picking him up this week.

Tre Mason, Rams (49%/37%): Who to own in the Rams backfield - Mason or Cunningham?  The answer is definitely not Zac Stacy anymore.  Mason is the first running back to own after getting another start and racking up 19 carries, especially if you are not in a PPR league.  Cunningham will continue to take snaps away from Mason because Mason doesn’t play a role in the passing game.  It is rare to find a player who will have workhorse-like carries this late in the year so he should be owned just based on the opportunity.

Benny Cunningham, Rams (8.3%/17%): Cunningham is still the Rams’ primary receiving back as he caught three balls on three targets for 38 yards.  Those 38 yards were good enough for him to be the leading receiver for the Rams this week as well.  That is not good, but it shows that Cunningham is a part in the game plan.  Since Cunningham is clearly behind Mason in carries, you would have to be in a PPR league for Cunningham to be relevant.  He’s worth being stashed for matchups where his receiving abilities will be highlighted.

Matt Asiata, Vikings (26.8%/31%): He’s on a bye this week but he has to be mentioned based on his 3-touchdown performance on Sunday afternoon.  He’s still the goal-line back for the Vikings and if you’re desperate he’s worth possible flex starts against the porous Bears and Packers in the couple weeks after his bye week.  Those matchups give Asiata a good chance of scoring.

Theo Riddick, Lions (2.1%/5%): Regardless of Reggie Bush’s injury status, the Lions have said they will keep Riddick involved.  That is not good news for Bush owners so don’t forget about Riddick after his bye in Week 9.  He’s someone to wait and see how many touches he gets and what he does with them.  If for some reason Bush can’t play or is limited against the Dolphins, Riddick gets a bump to a low-level flex play.

“Dynasty”

Terrance West, Browns (31%/23%): He out-touched Ben Tate, 16-14 on Sunday and even though Tate was trusted to run out the clock, West was the better running back.  This backfield has changed hands frequently this season so it’s a situation to monitor.  I picked West as the inevitable starter coming into the season because he had the most upside.  Tate isn’t banged up at the moment so he will continue to at least split carries with West limiting both players fantasy value but I still think West is the one to own in the future if you can stash him.

Jonas Gray, Patriots (17.6%/18%): He wasn’t exactly the Patriots runner between the tackles against the Broncos Sunday that everyone thought coming off a 17 carry game two weeks ago.  Still, he is the Patriots “big back” and his stats will depend on the game plan.  Rookie James White has been a healthy scratch and both Brandon Bolden’s and Shane Vereen’s contracts are up at the end of the year so the rest of the way could be a bit of an audition for Gray.  He’s worth stashing in dynasty or keeper leagues because of his potential for next year and could even have some good games peppered over the rest of the year.

Bye Week Fliers: Toby Gerhart, Jaguars.  Charles Sims, Buccaneers.  Jonathan Stewart, Panthers.

Wide Receivers

“Hot Hands”

Mike Evans, Buccaneers (31.8%/61%): He is most likely already owned in your Yahoo league, but if you’re in ESPN leagues, he may not be.  He doesn’t have a very consistent or accurate quarterback which will hold him back but he has the physical ability to compensate more than some other receivers.  He has easy matchups against the Falcons and Redskins to help push you towards the playoffs.  He should also be a great pick for keeper or dynasty leagues to see if the Bucs can right the ship at quarterback.

Martavis Bryant, Steelers (22.1%/43%): He now has five touchdowns since his debut just three weeks ago.  He is for real and is clearly an important player in balancing out defenses who choose to shift coverage to Antonio Brown.  He is a WR3/flex option as Ben Roethlisberger isn’t going to throw six touchdowns per game consistently.  He is usually looked to after Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell to score so he holds the upper hand over Markus Wheaton.

Harry Douglas, Falcons (1.9%/3%): This week, the Falcons have a matchup against the defense allowing the most fantasy points to wide receivers this season - the Bucs.  The Falcons had a much needed bye week last week and should come out firing on all cylinders against a team they decimated in Week 3.  Douglas had caught 2-of-2 for 14 yards and a touchdown before he left that game with an injury.  He has a high chance of scoring again against the Bucs defense so I see him as a WR3/flex this week.

Kenny Britt, Rams (8.6%/9%): While Benny Cunningham was the Rams leading “receiver”, Britt was not far behind.  He caught the lone touchdown pass of the day from Austin Davis but totaled only 32 yards on two catches.  It was a forgetful performance buoyed by the touchdown but besides Jared Cook, Britt seems to be the next go-to man for Davis.  He is not going to be very relevant unless he gets into the endzone but is mentioned because the Rams don’t have much to throw to after Brian Quick was lost for the season.  He’s only worth consideration in deeper leagues or if you are desperately thin at receiver.

“Dynasty”

Jarvis Landry, Dolphins (7.8%/8%): He continues to catch almost everything that is thrown his way and is now clearly ahead of Brian Hartline in the pecking order.  Ryan Tannehill is turning into a star before our eyes and Landry is going for the ride.  He’ll continue to be the second passing option behind Mike Wallace.  With matchups that will require Tannehill to throw against because of their run defenses, Landry should continue to see five to seven targets per game as he grows with Tannehill.  He’s worth stashing now while he is budding.

Bye Week Fliers: Jerricho Cotchery, Panthers.  Cecil Shorts III, Jaguars.  Markus Wheaton, Steelers.  Jordan Matthews, Eagles

Tight Ends

“Hot Hands”

Mychal Rivera, Raiders (2.2%/2%): For the second week in a row, Rivera put up big numbers.  He followed his seven catch, 83 yard performance with an eight catch, 38 yard and a touchdown encore.  Next week, the Raiders play the Broncos and while that doesn’t bode well for Derek Carr, his receivers don’t get negative points for the interceptions he’ll throw.  The Raiders will be playing from behind in this one so Rivera could at least get some garbage time points.

Charles Clay, Dolphins (20.2%/44%): This weekend, we had another Charles Clay sighting.  He’s been underwhelming and a dud most of the year.  He can’t be dubbed consistent yet but he has shown flashes of his 2013 self over the past few games.  He has caught 13 balls for 158 yards and two touchdowns in four games since the Dolphins bye in Week 5.   If he can continue his upward swing, he could finish the year strong and be a great late year addition for many fantasy owners.

Owen Daniels, Ravens (28.3%/30%): After a minor knee surgery a few weeks ago, Daniels appears to have not missed a beat.  He caught six balls for 53 yards while fellow tight end, Crockett Gillmore was the one who scored a touchdown.  Daniels was targeted a team-high nine times Sunday night as he was clearly part of the plan.  He’s a low-end TE1 in PPR leagues and much of his value is dependent on touchdowns.  He’s not a bad fill-in though for anyone who has a tight end on bye this week.

Coby Fleener, Colts (18.7%/30%): He’s heading into his bye week but he put on quite the performance Monday night.  He finished with four catches for 70 yards and a touchdown on 11 targets.  Fellow tight end Dwayne Allen also caught four balls and a touchdown so this is clearly a job split in two.  Although Fleener doesn’t score all that often compared to Allen, he still has the same potential upside.  It just depends on who is featured that game.  There are worse options if you are streaming tight ends after this week.

“Dynasty”

Tim Wright, Patriots (11%/23%): He put up a complete donut on Sunday against the Broncos.  He wasn’t even targeted in the game but that is what comes with being in the Patriots offense.  You never know who is going to be involved the most behind Gronk each week but Tim Wright certainly has the tools.  He hasn’t had any major yards in any game, topping out at 85 in Week 5, but he’s caught three touchdowns which has helped his fantasy numbers.  Hopefully with the Patriots on a bye this week, they can figure out a way to get Wright more involved consistently.  Until then, he’s a boom/bust tight end.

Bye Week Fliers: Heath Miller, Steelers.  Scott Chandler, Bills.  Clay Harbor, Jaguars.

Defenses/ST

Detroit D/ST: Since they were on a bye last week, someone may have dropped them.  Make sure to pick them up as they are a top-5 defense.

Steelers D/ST: They are playing the turnover happy Jets who are still unsure of their starting quarterback this week so there’s much to like in this matchup.

Packers D/ST: The Bears are imploding but this one may come back to bite me as they return from their bye.

Ravens D/ST: This unit has created a turnover in every game but two this year.  They see the Titans this week who give up the 23rd most fantasy points to opposing defenses.

Kickers

Mason Crosby, Packers: 11/12 FG, 25/25 XP

Graham Gano, Panthers: 17/19 FG, 16/16 XP

Chandler Catanzaro, Cardinals: 16/16 FG, 18/18 XP

Shaun Suisham, Steelers: 14/15 FG, 25/25 XP

Shayne Graham, Saints: 13/14 FG, 24/25 XP

Bye teams: Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, San Diego Chargers, Washington Redskins

Thursday, Nov. 6

Cleveland Browns (5-3) @ Cincinnati Bengals (5-2-1), 8:25 p.m.

The Browns' past three opponents have a combined three wins, yet the Browns have been outscored by them 54-51. A big reason for the Browns' recent failures is that Brian Hoyer has failed to lead the offense. Ben Tate has also struggled, averaging just 2.12 yards per carry in the past four weeks. The Bengals' defense is having trouble against both the run and the pass, so this is a good week for the Browns' offense to rebound.

Throwing five picks in the past four game is a tribute to how inconsistent and unreliable Andy Dalton is. A.J. Green is back and Mohamed Sanu has stepped up, but Dalton must deliver. On the flip side, Jeremy Hill has been nothing short of impressive, who is much more than a goal-line back. The Browns have one of the league's worst run defenses, so look for Hill to have another great game.

Cincinnati Bengals Win, 31-23

Sunday, Nov. 9

Dallas Cowboys (6-3) @ Jacksonville Jaguars (1-8), 1 p.m. (London)

The Brandon Weeden-lead Cowboys struggled against the Cardinals, gaining only 266 yards and scoring just 10 offensive points. Weeden was unable to keep drives alive, completing under 60% of his passes and turning over the ball twice. Tony Romo's completed over 60% of his passes in every game of 2014, while he has thrown just three picks since Week 2. DeMarco Murray failed to pick up yardage when needed, as the star running back rushed for a season-low 79 yards. Going up against the Jaguars, who have struggled with the run all year, Murray should rebound, but Weeden is still a question at quarterback.

Last week against the Bengals, Blake Bortles played the best game of his short career, while Denard Robinson once again impressed with a nice 100-yard performance. The Cowboys have been average against both the run, so Robinson should have another good game. Bortles, on the other hand, should do great, as the Cowboys secondary has been beaten too often through the past few games.

Dallas Cowboys Win, 27-17

Tennessee Titans (2-6) @ Baltimore Ravens (5-4), 1 p.m.

The Ravens have one of the league's most stout run stopping fronts, so do not look for Bishop Sankey or Shonn Greene to find much success. Instead, the Titans will have to rely on sixth-round draft pick Zach Mettenberger, who had an up-and-down performance against the Texans. The Ravens' secondary played horribly last week, but they normally do a good job in coverage. Look for them to have a nice game against an inexperienced quarterback.

Coming off of two divisional losses, the Ravens need a win. Joe Flacco, who has long been known as one of the league's more inconsistent quarterbacks, still has yet to string together two impressive performances, while running backs Justin Forsett and Lorenzo Taliaferro can not be relied on to carry the offense. The Titans have done a good job limiting big runs, but they have struggled against the pass, so look for Flacco to rebound.

Baltimore Ravens Win, 30-20

Kansas City Chiefs (5-3) @ Buffalo Bills (5-3), 1 p.m.

The Chiefs have been a top-ten team since their bye week, and a lot of the credit has to go to the reliability of Alex Smith and Jamaal Charles. They will be going up against one of the toughest defenses, though. The Bills have allowed just 12 passing touchdowns while also picking off opposing quarterbacks 12 times, a league-high, while they are allowing just 3.6 yards per carry. The Chiefs were long given flak for the diminishment of their offensive line, and going up against what may be the best defensive line in the NFL, this offense will struggle.

Kyle Orton may have been strong in all of his 2014 outings, but it is questionable whether he can be relied on when there is no running game. With Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller both dealing with injuries, the Bills used a combination of Anthony Dixon and Bryce Brown, a duo that averaged just two yards a carry in Week 8. If Fred Jackson does return, the running game is still a question, with the Chiefs' defense being the only one that has yet to allow a rushing touchdown. Orton must prove that he can lead the offense against a quality defense.

Buffalo Bills Win, 20-16

Miami Dolphins (5-3) @ Detroit Lions (6-2), 1 p.m.

Ryan Tannehill may have put up six touchdowns to just one pick in the past three games, but the third-year quarterback is in for a rough game. The Lions have allowed just nine passing touchdowns, a league-low. Like Tannehill, Lamar Miller has been exceeding expectations, but he will be going up against a defensive front that has allowed just 3.3 yards per carry. This offense has been hot in the past few games, but look for them to take a big step back.

Even with the emergence of Golden Tate, the Lions' offense has struggled to put up points. The Lions have averaged just 20 points a game, but luckily for them, their defense has stepped up. Meanwhile, the Dolphins' defense has done the same. The Dolphins' defense, though, has been prone to allowing the big play, while their secondary is not able to hold up when the pass rush fails to disrupt the pocket.

Detroit Lions Win, 17-13

San Francisco 49ers (4-4) @ New Orleans Saints (4-4), 1 p.m.

While the Saints' secondary has improved, their pass defense as a whole is still below average. Colin Kaepernick and the 49ers' plethora of receivers should be able to rebound after a few bad performances. Frank Gore has struggled recently, and the aging running back might have another bad game, as the Saints have a solid run defense.

Drew Brees and Mark Ingram have stringed together some good performances, but the duo will struggle against a defense that has held a majority of their opponents to under 20 offensive points. Ingram will surely have a bad night, so the pressure will be on Brees, who has been prone to turnovers in 2014.

San Francisco 49ers Win, 27-24

Pittsburgh Steelers (6-3) @ New York Jets (1-8), 1 p.m.

Ben Roethlisberger has played at an MVP-level in the past few games and will be up against the league's worst secondary. Do not be surprised if Roethlisberger throws six touchdowns once again. Le'Veon Bell played well prior to his forgettable performance against the Ravens, but the star running back will have another bad game, going up against a very stout run defense.

Chris Ivory has struggled with consistency, but the second-year Jet has been a big-play threat. The Steelers, who's run defense is prone to allowing big gains, will certainly have trouble containing Ivory down in the red zone. If Ivory can take advantage of the Steelers' underperforming defensive front, then the offense will be able to function. As long as Michael Vick is not leaned on too heavily, he should be able to keep drives alive.

Pittsburgh Steelers Win, 31-21

Atlanta Falcons (2-6) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-7), 1 p.m.

The Falcons will struggle to get a running game going, as the Buccaneers' defensive front matches up favorably against the Falcons' patchwork of a line. That will lead them to rely on Matt Ryan, who must prove that he can consistently keep drives alive and move the ball down the field. The Buccaneers do not have a great secondary, but their pass rush may take a step up against the Falcons' dismal pass protection.

Even with weapons like Vincent Jackson and Mike Evans, the Buccaneers' passing attack has had a lot of trouble. Incapable passers Josh McCown and Mike Glennon have failed to lead the offense. With a below average line and running game, this offense is struggling. However, they will be up against a Falcon defense that has not been able to stop both the run and the pass. Expect this divisional match-up to be much closer than the first one.

Atlanta Falcons Win, 35-30

Denver Broncos (6-2) @ Oakland Raiders (0-8), 4:05 p.m.

The Broncos' offense is among the league's most potent, scoring 30+ points five times in 2014, and 40+ twice. On the other hand, the Raiders' defense is among the league's least talented, allowing 30+ points three times. Peyton Manning and his group of receivers should be able to consistently put points up on the board, while Ronnie Hillman should manage to have a good game too.

Derek Carr has been the best rookie quarterback so far, but the Broncos' pass defense, outside of their Week 9 match-up against the Patriots, has been one of the best in the NFL. With Darren McFadden and Maurice Jones-Drew failing to do anything in the running game, the Raiders' offense once again finds themselves in a bad situation.

Denver Broncos Win, 45-23

St. Louis Rams (3-5) @ Arizona Cardinals (7-1), 4:25 p.m.

The Rams have a nice running back in third-round pick Tre Mason, but Mason must prove that he can be relied on to consistently pick up good yardage. The Cardinals were able to contain DeMarco Murray, so that means that the pressure will be on Austin Davis. Davis has had his bright moments, but he can not be relied on to lead an offense.

Carson Palmer has been great after returning from injury, and he should be able to take advantage of a secondary that can not keep up with quality receivers. Andre Ellington had a rough stretch after a strong start, but the scatback rebounded against the Cowboys, rushing for a season-high 95 yards while also pulling in four catches for 39 yards and a touchdown. Ellington is a playmaker and the Rams' defense has allowed a league-high ten runs of 20 yards or greater.

Arizona Cardinals Win, 31-20

New York Giants (3-5) @ Seattle Seahawks (5-3), 4:25 p.m.

None of the Giants' games have been within one possession, with 10 being the smallest margin of victory or defeat. That goes to show how inconsistent the Giants have been, both on offense and on defense. The Seahawks' run defense is still among the league's best, but their pass defense has been one of the most disappointing. With first-round pick Odell Beckham and receiving back Ahmad Bradshaw, Eli Manning has the weapons to move the ball. And Manning has done a nice job avoiding costly mistakes that plagued him in 2013 and earlier this year, but he must play with a little more aggression and throw the ball down the field.

Russell Wilson has thrown for over 210 yards just twice, averaging just 6.9 yards per attempt. Wilson has not thrown many picks, but the offense needs a spark. Marshawn Lynch has not rushed for over 100 yards since Week 1, while three of the team's top targets are gone. The Giants' defense has been average against the run, but they have done a good job forcing turnovers in the passing game. Without Prince Amukamara, though, this unit may struggle.

Seattle Seahawks Win, 26-20

Chicago Bears (3-5) @ Green Bay Packers (5-3), 8:30 p.m.

After a slow start to the year, Matt Forte is on a hot streak. Look for him to build off of his strong performance against the Patriots, as the Packers' run defense is among the worst in the NFL. Jay Cutler, though, will struggle, as the Packers have a nice secondary that is capable of containing the Bears' twin towers.

The Bears' secondary has been too hit and miss this year, which Aaron Rodgers will be able to take advantage of. Rodgers and his receivers have not been able to consistently produce, but that is due to the lack of receiver depth and pass protection. The Bears do not have a capable pass rusher, so the Packers' offense should flourish.

Green Bay Packers Win, 28-20

Monday, Nov. 10

Carolina Panthers (3-5-1) @ Philadelphia Eagles (6-2), 8:30 p.m.

Cam Newton has struggled this year, but not as much as the Eagles' defense. Look for Newton to rebound against them. The Eagles have allowed 17 passing touchdowns, while just recording just four picks on the year. They have not played all too well against the run either, allowing 117 yards per game.

The Panthers had one of the best front sevens last year, but in 2014, they have struggled to stop the run and provide pressure on passing downs. LeSean McCoy is starting to play well again, and look for him to have another nice game and take pressure off of backup Mark Sanchez.

Carolina Panthers Win, 30-27

I used the following websites for information:

https://linkonym.appspot.com/?http://http://www.footballnation.com/content/2014-nfl-week-9-predictions-49ers-rebound-new-orleans/31957/www.cbssports.com/nfl/injuries

https://linkonym.appspot.com/?http://http://www.footballnation.com/content/2014-nfl-week-9-predictions-49ers-rebound-new-orleans/31957/www.nfl.com/stats/player

https://linkonym.appspot.com/?http://http://www.footballnation.com/content/2014-nfl-week-9-predictions-49ers-rebound-new-orleans/31957/www.nfl.com/draft/2014/tracker

https://linkonym.appspot.com/?http://http://www.footballnation.com/content/2014-nfl-week-9-predictions-49ers-rebound-new-orleans/31957/www.ourlads.com/nfldepthcharts/depthcharts.aspx

https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2014/05/12/2014-depth-charts/

Week 9 is in the books and there wasn’t as much turmoil as there usually is in a given week.  Six teams - the Falcons, Bills, Bears, Lions, Packers and Titans will return refreshed after taking their week of rest.  This will be another hard week that sees many owners wishing they built their lineup around having one specific week off, but don’t worry, that’s what I’m here for.  Hopefully plenty of owners are still in the hunt.  I wrote an article last week to help identify players who have favorable schedules, please feel free to check it out.

Teams on their bye this week are the Texans, Colts, Vikings, Patriots, Chargers and Redskins.  There is plenty of talent there to build a lineup so there may be some owners stuck with rolling out the skeleton crew.  Ownership percentages are for ESPN and Yahoo leagues respectively.

Quarterbacks

“Hot Hands”

Ryan Tannehill, Dolphins (40.4%/57%): Tannehill has turned into an absolute stud since his bye week.  His most recent performance totalled 288 yards on 24 completions, three touchdowns and no picks.  Over the last four games, he’s thrown for less than 200 yards once and has a 8:3 touchdown to interception ratio.  He’s also rushing more and more effectively.  He has totals of 49, 48, 48, and 47 yards over his past four games respectively.  He is quietly entering into the QB1 conversation and is owned in less than half of ESPN leagues.

Mark Sanchez, Eagles (0.4%/5%): Nick Foles is out at least six weeks with a broken collarbone.  That puts him out of your lineup until about Week 15 or Week 16.  Sanchez threw for 202 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions in relief of Foles Sunday.  Despite his shortcomings as the Jets’ starter for years, he could be a decent quarterback replacing Foles for the rest of the season.  The Chip Kelly system is the main reason for that speculation and defenses will always have to stay honest against LeSean McCoy.  Sanchez could be a rollercoaster but I think he’ll have more good games than bad.

Mike Glennon, Buccaneers (3.6%/7%): There has been speculation that he may be benched in favor of a healthy Josh McCown.  But at this point, for the one-win Bucs, they should stick with the young gun.  With the playoffs out of reach, why turn to a 35 year-old quarterback instead of giving 24 year-old Glennon as much experience as possible in hopes of developing him?  He sees a relatively easy road the next few games in the Falcons and Redskins who should buoy his numbers and keep him in the QB2 conversation for anybody in 2-QB leagues.

Alex Smith, Chiefs (35.9%/46%): Although he gets the Bills defense who have 18 interceptions this week, he is known as a game manager and that is just what he is.  He’s only thrown four interceptions all year, albeit three came in Week 1 so we can’t say he hasn’t thrown multiple picks in a game.  I don’t think he throws more than one this week if he throws any and he’ll be a solid option for those with quarterbacks on bye.

“Dynasty”

Zach Mettenberger, Titans (1.2%/2%): He threw for almost 300 yards, two touchdowns and one pick in his debut start two weeks ago.  The Titans didn’t play this weekend as its their bye week and that can only mean good things for the chemistry of this offense.  If he’s given the keys to the team the rest of the season, he could put in some good games but not without some growing pains.  Right now, he’s a rookie to watch but not depended on with a tough schedule upcoming.

Bye Week Fliers: Brian Hoyer, Browns.  Kyle Orton, Bills.

Running Backs

“Hot Hands”

Adrian Peterson, Vikings: Even with so much up in the air regarding his suspension, Peterson did accept a deal on his court case and pleaded no contest (which is slightly different than just "guilty" or "not guilty").That being said, the NFL will have to make a decision to reinstate him after serving the 8 game suspension. He may be eligible to play as early as Week 11 (Vikings on a bye in Week 10). We say "MAY be able to play" because the NFL has yet to determine if they are going to continue his suspension. It's worth taking a chance on and picking him up this week.

Tre Mason, Rams (49%/37%): Who to own in the Rams backfield - Mason or Cunningham?  The answer is definitely not Zac Stacy anymore.  Mason is the first running back to own after getting another start and racking up 19 carries, especially if you are not in a PPR league.  Cunningham will continue to take snaps away from Mason because Mason doesn’t play a role in the passing game.  It is rare to find a player who will have workhorse-like carries this late in the year so he should be owned just based on the opportunity.

Benny Cunningham, Rams (8.3%/17%): Cunningham is still the Rams’ primary receiving back as he caught three balls on three targets for 38 yards.  Those 38 yards were good enough for him to be the leading receiver for the Rams this week as well.  That is not good, but it shows that Cunningham is a part in the game plan.  Since Cunningham is clearly behind Mason in carries, you would have to be in a PPR league for Cunningham to be relevant.  He’s worth being stashed for matchups where his receiving abilities will be highlighted.

Matt Asiata, Vikings (26.8%/31%): He’s on a bye this week but he has to be mentioned based on his 3-touchdown performance on Sunday afternoon.  He’s still the goal-line back for the Vikings and if you’re desperate he’s worth possible flex starts against the porous Bears and Packers in the couple weeks after his bye week.  Those matchups give Asiata a good chance of scoring.

Theo Riddick, Lions (2.1%/5%): Regardless of Reggie Bush’s injury status, the Lions have said they will keep Riddick involved.  That is not good news for Bush owners so don’t forget about Riddick after his bye in Week 9.  He’s someone to wait and see how many touches he gets and what he does with them.  If for some reason Bush can’t play or is limited against the Dolphins, Riddick gets a bump to a low-level flex play.

“Dynasty”

Terrance West, Browns (31%/23%): He out-touched Ben Tate, 16-14 on Sunday and even though Tate was trusted to run out the clock, West was the better running back.  This backfield has changed hands frequently this season so it’s a situation to monitor.  I picked West as the inevitable starter coming into the season because he had the most upside.  Tate isn’t banged up at the moment so he will continue to at least split carries with West limiting both players fantasy value but I still think West is the one to own in the future if you can stash him.

Jonas Gray, Patriots (17.6%/18%): He wasn’t exactly the Patriots runner between the tackles against the Broncos Sunday that everyone thought coming off a 17 carry game two weeks ago.  Still, he is the Patriots “big back” and his stats will depend on the game plan.  Rookie James White has been a healthy scratch and both Brandon Bolden’s and Shane Vereen’s contracts are up at the end of the year so the rest of the way could be a bit of an audition for Gray.  He’s worth stashing in dynasty or keeper leagues because of his potential for next year and could even have some good games peppered over the rest of the year.

Bye Week Fliers: Toby Gerhart, Jaguars.  Charles Sims, Buccaneers.  Jonathan Stewart, Panthers.

Wide Receivers

“Hot Hands”

Mike Evans, Buccaneers (31.8%/61%): He is most likely already owned in your Yahoo league, but if you’re in ESPN leagues, he may not be.  He doesn’t have a very consistent or accurate quarterback which will hold him back but he has the physical ability to compensate more than some other receivers.  He has easy matchups against the Falcons and Redskins to help push you towards the playoffs.  He should also be a great pick for keeper or dynasty leagues to see if the Bucs can right the ship at quarterback.

Martavis Bryant, Steelers (22.1%/43%): He now has five touchdowns since his debut just three weeks ago.  He is for real and is clearly an important player in balancing out defenses who choose to shift coverage to Antonio Brown.  He is a WR3/flex option as Ben Roethlisberger isn’t going to throw six touchdowns per game consistently.  He is usually looked to after Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell to score so he holds the upper hand over Markus Wheaton.

Harry Douglas, Falcons (1.9%/3%): This week, the Falcons have a matchup against the defense allowing the most fantasy points to wide receivers this season - the Bucs.  The Falcons had a much needed bye week last week and should come out firing on all cylinders against a team they decimated in Week 3.  Douglas had caught 2-of-2 for 14 yards and a touchdown before he left that game with an injury.  He has a high chance of scoring again against the Bucs defense so I see him as a WR3/flex this week.

Kenny Britt, Rams (8.6%/9%): While Benny Cunningham was the Rams leading “receiver”, Britt was not far behind.  He caught the lone touchdown pass of the day from Austin Davis but totaled only 32 yards on two catches.  It was a forgetful performance buoyed by the touchdown but besides Jared Cook, Britt seems to be the next go-to man for Davis.  He is not going to be very relevant unless he gets into the endzone but is mentioned because the Rams don’t have much to throw to after Brian Quick was lost for the season.  He’s only worth consideration in deeper leagues or if you are desperately thin at receiver.

“Dynasty”

Jarvis Landry, Dolphins (7.8%/8%): He continues to catch almost everything that is thrown his way and is now clearly ahead of Brian Hartline in the pecking order.  Ryan Tannehill is turning into a star before our eyes and Landry is going for the ride.  He’ll continue to be the second passing option behind Mike Wallace.  With matchups that will require Tannehill to throw against because of their run defenses, Landry should continue to see five to seven targets per game as he grows with Tannehill.  He’s worth stashing now while he is budding.

Bye Week Fliers: Jerricho Cotchery, Panthers.  Cecil Shorts III, Jaguars.  Markus Wheaton, Steelers.  Jordan Matthews, Eagles

Tight Ends

“Hot Hands”

Mychal Rivera, Raiders (2.2%/2%): For the second week in a row, Rivera put up big numbers.  He followed his seven catch, 83 yard performance with an eight catch, 38 yard and a touchdown encore.  Next week, the Raiders play the Broncos and while that doesn’t bode well for Derek Carr, his receivers don’t get negative points for the interceptions he’ll throw.  The Raiders will be playing from behind in this one so Rivera could at least get some garbage time points.

Charles Clay, Dolphins (20.2%/44%): This weekend, we had another Charles Clay sighting.  He’s been underwhelming and a dud most of the year.  He can’t be dubbed consistent yet but he has shown flashes of his 2013 self over the past few games.  He has caught 13 balls for 158 yards and two touchdowns in four games since the Dolphins bye in Week 5.   If he can continue his upward swing, he could finish the year strong and be a great late year addition for many fantasy owners.

Owen Daniels, Ravens (28.3%/30%): After a minor knee surgery a few weeks ago, Daniels appears to have not missed a beat.  He caught six balls for 53 yards while fellow tight end, Crockett Gillmore was the one who scored a touchdown.  Daniels was targeted a team-high nine times Sunday night as he was clearly part of the plan.  He’s a low-end TE1 in PPR leagues and much of his value is dependent on touchdowns.  He’s not a bad fill-in though for anyone who has a tight end on bye this week.

Coby Fleener, Colts (18.7%/30%): He’s heading into his bye week but he put on quite the performance Monday night.  He finished with four catches for 70 yards and a touchdown on 11 targets.  Fellow tight end Dwayne Allen also caught four balls and a touchdown so this is clearly a job split in two.  Although Fleener doesn’t score all that often compared to Allen, he still has the same potential upside.  It just depends on who is featured that game.  There are worse options if you are streaming tight ends after this week.

“Dynasty”

Tim Wright, Patriots (11%/23%): He put up a complete donut on Sunday against the Broncos.  He wasn’t even targeted in the game but that is what comes with being in the Patriots offense.  You never know who is going to be involved the most behind Gronk each week but Tim Wright certainly has the tools.  He hasn’t had any major yards in any game, topping out at 85 in Week 5, but he’s caught three touchdowns which has helped his fantasy numbers.  Hopefully with the Patriots on a bye this week, they can figure out a way to get Wright more involved consistently.  Until then, he’s a boom/bust tight end.

Bye Week Fliers: Heath Miller, Steelers.  Scott Chandler, Bills.  Clay Harbor, Jaguars.

Defenses/ST

Detroit D/ST: Since they were on a bye last week, someone may have dropped them.  Make sure to pick them up as they are a top-5 defense.

Steelers D/ST: They are playing the turnover happy Jets who are still unsure of their starting quarterback this week so there’s much to like in this matchup.

Packers D/ST: The Bears are imploding but this one may come back to bite me as they return from their bye.

Ravens D/ST: This unit has created a turnover in every game but two this year.  They see the Titans this week who give up the 23rd most fantasy points to opposing defenses.

Kickers

Mason Crosby, Packers: 11/12 FG, 25/25 XP

Graham Gano, Panthers: 17/19 FG, 16/16 XP

Chandler Catanzaro, Cardinals: 16/16 FG, 18/18 XP

Shaun Suisham, Steelers: 14/15 FG, 25/25 XP

Shayne Graham, Saints: 13/14 FG, 24/25 XP

Bye teams: Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, San Diego Chargers, Washington Redskins

Thursday, Nov. 6

Cleveland Browns (5-3) @ Cincinnati Bengals (5-2-1), 8:25 p.m.

The Browns' past three opponents have a combined three wins, yet the Browns have been outscored by them 54-51. A big reason for the Browns' recent failures is that Brian Hoyer has failed to lead the offense. Ben Tate has also struggled, averaging just 2.12 yards per carry in the past four weeks. The Bengals' defense is having trouble against both the run and the pass, so this is a good week for the Browns' offense to rebound.

Throwing five picks in the past four game is a tribute to how inconsistent and unreliable Andy Dalton is. A.J. Green is back and Mohamed Sanu has stepped up, but Dalton must deliver. On the flip side, Jeremy Hill has been nothing short of impressive, who is much more than a goal-line back. The Browns have one of the league's worst run defenses, so look for Hill to have another great game.

Cincinnati Bengals Win, 31-23

Sunday, Nov. 9

Dallas Cowboys (6-3) @ Jacksonville Jaguars (1-8), 1 p.m. (London)

The Brandon Weeden-lead Cowboys struggled against the Cardinals, gaining only 266 yards and scoring just 10 offensive points. Weeden was unable to keep drives alive, completing under 60% of his passes and turning over the ball twice. Tony Romo's completed over 60% of his passes in every game of 2014, while he has thrown just three picks since Week 2. DeMarco Murray failed to pick up yardage when needed, as the star running back rushed for a season-low 79 yards. Going up against the Jaguars, who have struggled with the run all year, Murray should rebound, but Weeden is still a question at quarterback.

Last week against the Bengals, Blake Bortles played the best game of his short career, while Denard Robinson once again impressed with a nice 100-yard performance. The Cowboys have been average against both the run, so Robinson should have another good game. Bortles, on the other hand, should do great, as the Cowboys secondary has been beaten too often through the past few games.

Dallas Cowboys Win, 27-17

Tennessee Titans (2-6) @ Baltimore Ravens (5-4), 1 p.m.

The Ravens have one of the league's most stout run stopping fronts, so do not look for Bishop Sankey or Shonn Greene to find much success. Instead, the Titans will have to rely on sixth-round draft pick Zach Mettenberger, who had an up-and-down performance against the Texans. The Ravens' secondary played horribly last week, but they normally do a good job in coverage. Look for them to have a nice game against an inexperienced quarterback.

Coming off of two divisional losses, the Ravens need a win. Joe Flacco, who has long been known as one of the league's more inconsistent quarterbacks, still has yet to string together two impressive performances, while running backs Justin Forsett and Lorenzo Taliaferro can not be relied on to carry the offense. The Titans have done a good job limiting big runs, but they have struggled against the pass, so look for Flacco to rebound.

Baltimore Ravens Win, 30-20

Kansas City Chiefs (5-3) @ Buffalo Bills (5-3), 1 p.m.

The Chiefs have been a top-ten team since their bye week, and a lot of the credit has to go to the reliability of Alex Smith and Jamaal Charles. They will be going up against one of the toughest defenses, though. The Bills have allowed just 12 passing touchdowns while also picking off opposing quarterbacks 12 times, a league-high, while they are allowing just 3.6 yards per carry. The Chiefs were long given flak for the diminishment of their offensive line, and going up against what may be the best defensive line in the NFL, this offense will struggle.

Kyle Orton may have been strong in all of his 2014 outings, but it is questionable whether he can be relied on when there is no running game. With Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller both dealing with injuries, the Bills used a combination of Anthony Dixon and Bryce Brown, a duo that averaged just two yards a carry in Week 8. If Fred Jackson does return, the running game is still a question, with the Chiefs' defense being the only one that has yet to allow a rushing touchdown. Orton must prove that he can lead the offense against a quality defense.

Buffalo Bills Win, 20-16

Miami Dolphins (5-3) @ Detroit Lions (6-2), 1 p.m.

Ryan Tannehill may have put up six touchdowns to just one pick in the past three games, but the third-year quarterback is in for a rough game. The Lions have allowed just nine passing touchdowns, a league-low. Like Tannehill, Lamar Miller has been exceeding expectations, but he will be going up against a defensive front that has allowed just 3.3 yards per carry. This offense has been hot in the past few games, but look for them to take a big step back.

Even with the emergence of Golden Tate, the Lions' offense has struggled to put up points. The Lions have averaged just 20 points a game, but luckily for them, their defense has stepped up. Meanwhile, the Dolphins' defense has done the same. The Dolphins' defense, though, has been prone to allowing the big play, while their secondary is not able to hold up when the pass rush fails to disrupt the pocket.

Detroit Lions Win, 17-13

San Francisco 49ers (4-4) @ New Orleans Saints (4-4), 1 p.m.

While the Saints' secondary has improved, their pass defense as a whole is still below average. Colin Kaepernick and the 49ers' plethora of receivers should be able to rebound after a few bad performances. Frank Gore has struggled recently, and the aging running back might have another bad game, as the Saints have a solid run defense.

Drew Brees and Mark Ingram have stringed together some good performances, but the duo will struggle against a defense that has held a majority of their opponents to under 20 offensive points. Ingram will surely have a bad night, so the pressure will be on Brees, who has been prone to turnovers in 2014.

San Francisco 49ers Win, 27-24

Pittsburgh Steelers (6-3) @ New York Jets (1-8), 1 p.m.

Ben Roethlisberger has played at an MVP-level in the past few games and will be up against the league's worst secondary. Do not be surprised if Roethlisberger throws six touchdowns once again. Le'Veon Bell played well prior to his forgettable performance against the Ravens, but the star running back will have another bad game, going up against a very stout run defense.

Chris Ivory has struggled with consistency, but the second-year Jet has been a big-play threat. The Steelers, who's run defense is prone to allowing big gains, will certainly have trouble containing Ivory down in the red zone. If Ivory can take advantage of the Steelers' underperforming defensive front, then the offense will be able to function. As long as Michael Vick is not leaned on too heavily, he should be able to keep drives alive.

Pittsburgh Steelers Win, 31-21

Atlanta Falcons (2-6) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-7), 1 p.m.

The Falcons will struggle to get a running game going, as the Buccaneers' defensive front matches up favorably against the Falcons' patchwork of a line. That will lead them to rely on Matt Ryan, who must prove that he can consistently keep drives alive and move the ball down the field. The Buccaneers do not have a great secondary, but their pass rush may take a step up against the Falcons' dismal pass protection.

Even with weapons like Vincent Jackson and Mike Evans, the Buccaneers' passing attack has had a lot of trouble. Incapable passers Josh McCown and Mike Glennon have failed to lead the offense. With a below average line and running game, this offense is struggling. However, they will be up against a Falcon defense that has not been able to stop both the run and the pass. Expect this divisional match-up to be much closer than the first one.

Atlanta Falcons Win, 35-30

Denver Broncos (6-2) @ Oakland Raiders (0-8), 4:05 p.m.

The Broncos' offense is among the league's most potent, scoring 30+ points five times in 2014, and 40+ twice. On the other hand, the Raiders' defense is among the league's least talented, allowing 30+ points three times. Peyton Manning and his group of receivers should be able to consistently put points up on the board, while Ronnie Hillman should manage to have a good game too.

Derek Carr has been the best rookie quarterback so far, but the Broncos' pass defense, outside of their Week 9 match-up against the Patriots, has been one of the best in the NFL. With Darren McFadden and Maurice Jones-Drew failing to do anything in the running game, the Raiders' offense once again finds themselves in a bad situation.

Denver Broncos Win, 45-23

St. Louis Rams (3-5) @ Arizona Cardinals (7-1), 4:25 p.m.

The Rams have a nice running back in third-round pick Tre Mason, but Mason must prove that he can be relied on to consistently pick up good yardage. The Cardinals were able to contain DeMarco Murray, so that means that the pressure will be on Austin Davis. Davis has had his bright moments, but he can not be relied on to lead an offense.

Carson Palmer has been great after returning from injury, and he should be able to take advantage of a secondary that can not keep up with quality receivers. Andre Ellington had a rough stretch after a strong start, but the scatback rebounded against the Cowboys, rushing for a season-high 95 yards while also pulling in four catches for 39 yards and a touchdown. Ellington is a playmaker and the Rams' defense has allowed a league-high ten runs of 20 yards or greater.

Arizona Cardinals Win, 31-20

New York Giants (3-5) @ Seattle Seahawks (5-3), 4:25 p.m.

None of the Giants' games have been within one possession, with 10 being the smallest margin of victory or defeat. That goes to show how inconsistent the Giants have been, both on offense and on defense. The Seahawks' run defense is still among the league's best, but their pass defense has been one of the most disappointing. With first-round pick Odell Beckham and receiving back Ahmad Bradshaw, Eli Manning has the weapons to move the ball. And Manning has done a nice job avoiding costly mistakes that plagued him in 2013 and earlier this year, but he must play with a little more aggression and throw the ball down the field.

Russell Wilson has thrown for over 210 yards just twice, averaging just 6.9 yards per attempt. Wilson has not thrown many picks, but the offense needs a spark. Marshawn Lynch has not rushed for over 100 yards since Week 1, while three of the team's top targets are gone. The Giants' defense has been average against the run, but they have done a good job forcing turnovers in the passing game. Without Prince Amukamara, though, this unit may struggle.

Seattle Seahawks Win, 26-20

Chicago Bears (3-5) @ Green Bay Packers (5-3), 8:30 p.m.

After a slow start to the year, Matt Forte is on a hot streak. Look for him to build off of his strong performance against the Patriots, as the Packers' run defense is among the worst in the NFL. Jay Cutler, though, will struggle, as the Packers have a nice secondary that is capable of containing the Bears' twin towers.

The Bears' secondary has been too hit and miss this year, which Aaron Rodgers will be able to take advantage of. Rodgers and his receivers have not been able to consistently produce, but that is due to the lack of receiver depth and pass protection. The Bears do not have a capable pass rusher, so the Packers' offense should flourish.

Green Bay Packers Win, 28-20

Monday, Nov. 10

Carolina Panthers (3-5-1) @ Philadelphia Eagles (6-2), 8:30 p.m.

Cam Newton has struggled this year, but not as much as the Eagles' defense. Look for Newton to rebound against them. The Eagles have allowed 17 passing touchdowns, while just recording just four picks on the year. They have not played all too well against the run either, allowing 117 yards per game.

The Panthers had one of the best front sevens last year, but in 2014, they have struggled to stop the run and provide pressure on passing downs. LeSean McCoy is starting to play well again, and look for him to have another nice game and take pressure off of backup Mark Sanchez.

Carolina Panthers Win, 30-27

I used the following websites for information:

https://linkonym.appspot.com/?http://http://www.footballnation.com/content/2014-nfl-week-9-predictions-49ers-rebound-new-orleans/31957/www.cbssports.com/nfl/injuries

https://linkonym.appspot.com/?http://http://www.footballnation.com/content/2014-nfl-week-9-predictions-49ers-rebound-new-orleans/31957/www.nfl.com/stats/player

https://linkonym.appspot.com/?http://http://www.footballnation.com/content/2014-nfl-week-9-predictions-49ers-rebound-new-orleans/31957/www.nfl.com/draft/2014/tracker

https://linkonym.appspot.com/?http://http://www.footballnation.com/content/2014-nfl-week-9-predictions-49ers-rebound-new-orleans/31957/www.ourlads.com/nfldepthcharts/depthcharts.aspx

https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2014/05/12/2014-depth-charts/

Quarterback Champs:

Ben Roethlisberger- 25/37, 340 yards, 6 TDs- 35.7 fantasy points

Yeah that’s 12 touchdowns in two games. Don’t touch him. You might burn yourself. However, he’s not a bad sell high candidate, especially for Foles owners. #ValueCity

Tom Brady- 33/53, 333, 4 TDs, INT  – 27.6 fantasy points

And it continues… the Patriots are now establishing themselves as a force in the AFC, and now are showing people why they may actually be the best team in the conference. Top 5 QB moving forward…

Peyton Manning- 34/57, 438 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs- 21.7 fantasy points

A valiant effort in the loss, but he was second best quarterback on the field in Foxborough.

 Quarterback Chumps:

Philip Rivers- 12/23, 138 yards, 3 INTs- NEGATIVE 2.3 fantasy points

Just a horrific day for Rivers as the Dolphins D gobbled him up all day and further established themselves as one of the best defenses in the league.

Running Back Champs:

Jeremy Hill- 24 Rush, 154 yards, 2 TDs; 1 Rec, 9 yards– 28.3 fantasy points

You can legitimately make the argument the argument that Hill is a better play than Bernard because with Bernard out, Hill isn’t battling anyone for carries. He should be a stud as long as Gio is out…

Marshawn Lynch-21 Rush, 67 yards, 2 TDs; 5 Rec, 76 yards- 26.3 fantasy points

Beast mode didn’t go over 100 yards rushing, but was the Seahawks best offensive weapon Sunday, as they took care of the Raiders…I would feel very comfortable acquiring Lynch in any league format, as the Seahawks realize that his success directly correlates with wins.

Matt Asiata- 10 Rush, 26 yards, 3 TDs; 4 Rec, 31 yards – 25.7 fantasy points

He isn’t dominating the touches, but he’s seeing all the goal line work. You still can’t start the guy with confidence, but hey, at least there is a trend here. He has six touchdowns on the season. He had three in week four. He had three this week. This means he will have three touchdowns in week 14 against the Jets, right?

Running Back Chumps:

Chris Ivory- 8 Rush, 22 yards– 2.2 fantasy points

This is a bit disconcerting, but even moreso that CJ2k had over 100 total yards on the day. GET ME OFF THIS MERRY-GO-ROUND!

Brandon Oliver - 13 Rush, 19 yards, 1 Rec, 7 yards- 2.6 fantasy points

Heading into the bye it’s going to be interesting how they decide to divide the carries between him and Matthews, assuming he will be ready to suit up week 11. Monitor closely.

Wide Receiver Champs:

Jeremy Maclin-5 Rec, 158 yards, 2 TDs-27.8 fantasy points

The second week in a row at the top. His stock has NEVER been hotter… However, let’s see if it takes a hit with Mark Sanchez at the helm.

Mike Evans- 7 Rec, 124 yards, 2 TDs – 24.4 fantasy points

Mike Evans is getting more and more involved in the offense, and Glennon loves him in the red zone. It’s hard to see who will have more fantasy value moving forward between him and V-Jax. We advise that you avoid the situation altogether…

Allen Hurns- 7 Rec, 112 yards, 2 TDs – 23.2 fantasy points

Oh, hey Mr. Hurns? Haven’t seen you show up since week one…you can stay on waivers until you show some consistency in that high powered Jags offense (sarcastic tone)!

Wide Receiver Chumps:

Cordarrelle Patterson- 1 Rec, 9 yards- 0.9 fantasy points

Drop city, drop drop city. He will be the biggest athletic freak on waivers, but that’s where he belongs in any league under 14 teams. #Isthisreallife

Pierre Garcon- 3 Rec, 15 yards-1.5 fantasy points

He’s one of the guys making you pull your hair out all season long… 

Kelvin Benjamin- 2 Rec, 18 yards-1.8 fantasy points

A super disappointing day for our boy, Kelvin, as the Panthers just couldn’t get anything done offensively…

Tight End Champs:

Rob Gronkowski- 9 Rec, 105 yards, TD- 16.5 fantasy points

18 catches, 254 yards and four touchdowns over the past two weeks. The beast is officially back. Gronk spike football HARD!!!! 

Mychal Rivera- 8 Rec, 38 yards, 2 TDs- 15.8 fantasy points

Don’t let this fluke excite you. 

Jimmy Graham- 7 Rec, 83 yards, TD- 14.3 fantasy points

Another day at the office for Jimmy, as he slowly gets closer to full health.

Tight End Chumps:

Clay Harbor- ZERO catches, ZERO yards- ZERO fantasy points

I’m just gonna call him “Goose” Harbor. Sounds like a beer… 

Zach Ertz-1 Rec, 4 yards- 0.4 fantasy points

Zach, it really Ertz when you can’t produce bro…#ErtzDonut

Star Rookie Watch:

Brandin Cooks- 3 Rec, 38 yards - 3.8 Fantasy Points

Oh boy… don’t expect him for more than a flex play at best…

Sammy Watkins- *BYE

 Kelvin Benjamin-[see chumps section]

**Note: Fantasy points denote standard, non-PPR scoring.

Follow me on Twitter: @FBNationGrizzle

Week 9 is in the books and there wasn’t as much turmoil as there usually is in a given week.  Six teams - the Falcons, Bills, Bears, Lions, Packers and Titans will return refreshed after taking their week of rest.  This will be another hard week that sees many owners wishing they built their lineup around having one specific week off, but don’t worry, that’s what I’m here for.  Hopefully plenty of owners are still in the hunt.  I wrote an article last week to help identify players who have favorable schedules, please feel free to check it out.

Teams on their bye this week are the Texans, Colts, Vikings, Patriots, Chargers and Redskins.  There is plenty of talent there to build a lineup so there may be some owners stuck with rolling out the skeleton crew.  Ownership percentages are for ESPN and Yahoo leagues respectively.

Quarterbacks

“Hot Hands”

Ryan Tannehill, Dolphins (40.4%/57%): Tannehill has turned into an absolute stud since his bye week.  His most recent performance totalled 288 yards on 24 completions, three touchdowns and no picks.  Over the last four games, he’s thrown for less than 200 yards once and has a 8:3 touchdown to interception ratio.  He’s also rushing more and more effectively.  He has totals of 49, 48, 48, and 47 yards over his past four games respectively.  He is quietly entering into the QB1 conversation and is owned in less than half of ESPN leagues.

Mark Sanchez, Eagles (0.4%/5%): Nick Foles is out at least six weeks with a broken collarbone.  That puts him out of your lineup until about Week 15 or Week 16.  Sanchez threw for 202 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions in relief of Foles Sunday.  Despite his shortcomings as the Jets’ starter for years, he could be a decent quarterback replacing Foles for the rest of the season.  The Chip Kelly system is the main reason for that speculation and defenses will always have to stay honest against LeSean McCoy.  Sanchez could be a rollercoaster but I think he’ll have more good games than bad.

Mike Glennon, Buccaneers (3.6%/7%): There has been speculation that he may be benched in favor of a healthy Josh McCown.  But at this point, for the one-win Bucs, they should stick with the young gun.  With the playoffs out of reach, why turn to a 35 year-old quarterback instead of giving 24 year-old Glennon as much experience as possible in hopes of developing him?  He sees a relatively easy road the next few games in the Falcons and Redskins who should buoy his numbers and keep him in the QB2 conversation for anybody in 2-QB leagues.

Alex Smith, Chiefs (35.9%/46%): Although he gets the Bills defense who have 18 interceptions this week, he is known as a game manager and that is just what he is.  He’s only thrown four interceptions all year, albeit three came in Week 1 so we can’t say he hasn’t thrown multiple picks in a game.  I don’t think he throws more than one this week if he throws any and he’ll be a solid option for those with quarterbacks on bye.

“Dynasty”

Zach Mettenberger, Titans (1.2%/2%): He threw for almost 300 yards, two touchdowns and one pick in his debut start two weeks ago.  The Titans didn’t play this weekend as its their bye week and that can only mean good things for the chemistry of this offense.  If he’s given the keys to the team the rest of the season, he could put in some good games but not without some growing pains.  Right now, he’s a rookie to watch but not depended on with a tough schedule upcoming.

Bye Week Fliers: Brian Hoyer, Browns.  Kyle Orton, Bills.

Running Backs

“Hot Hands”

Adrian Peterson, Vikings: Even with so much up in the air regarding his suspension, Peterson did accept a deal on his court case and pleaded no contest (which is slightly different than just "guilty" or "not guilty").That being said, the NFL will have to make a decision to reinstate him after serving the 8 game suspension. He may be eligible to play as early as Week 11 (Vikings on a bye in Week 10). We say "MAY be able to play" because the NFL has yet to determine if they are going to continue his suspension. It's worth taking a chance on and picking him up this week.

Tre Mason, Rams (49%/37%): Who to own in the Rams backfield - Mason or Cunningham?  The answer is definitely not Zac Stacy anymore.  Mason is the first running back to own after getting another start and racking up 19 carries, especially if you are not in a PPR league.  Cunningham will continue to take snaps away from Mason because Mason doesn’t play a role in the passing game.  It is rare to find a player who will have workhorse-like carries this late in the year so he should be owned just based on the opportunity.

Benny Cunningham, Rams (8.3%/17%): Cunningham is still the Rams’ primary receiving back as he caught three balls on three targets for 38 yards.  Those 38 yards were good enough for him to be the leading receiver for the Rams this week as well.  That is not good, but it shows that Cunningham is a part in the game plan.  Since Cunningham is clearly behind Mason in carries, you would have to be in a PPR league for Cunningham to be relevant.  He’s worth being stashed for matchups where his receiving abilities will be highlighted.

Matt Asiata, Vikings (26.8%/31%): He’s on a bye this week but he has to be mentioned based on his 3-touchdown performance on Sunday afternoon.  He’s still the goal-line back for the Vikings and if you’re desperate he’s worth possible flex starts against the porous Bears and Packers in the couple weeks after his bye week.  Those matchups give Asiata a good chance of scoring.

Theo Riddick, Lions (2.1%/5%): Regardless of Reggie Bush’s injury status, the Lions have said they will keep Riddick involved.  That is not good news for Bush owners so don’t forget about Riddick after his bye in Week 9.  He’s someone to wait and see how many touches he gets and what he does with them.  If for some reason Bush can’t play or is limited against the Dolphins, Riddick gets a bump to a low-level flex play.

“Dynasty”

Terrance West, Browns (31%/23%): He out-touched Ben Tate, 16-14 on Sunday and even though Tate was trusted to run out the clock, West was the better running back.  This backfield has changed hands frequently this season so it’s a situation to monitor.  I picked West as the inevitable starter coming into the season because he had the most upside.  Tate isn’t banged up at the moment so he will continue to at least split carries with West limiting both players fantasy value but I still think West is the one to own in the future if you can stash him.

Jonas Gray, Patriots (17.6%/18%): He wasn’t exactly the Patriots runner between the tackles against the Broncos Sunday that everyone thought coming off a 17 carry game two weeks ago.  Still, he is the Patriots “big back” and his stats will depend on the game plan.  Rookie James White has been a healthy scratch and both Brandon Bolden’s and Shane Vereen’s contracts are up at the end of the year so the rest of the way could be a bit of an audition for Gray.  He’s worth stashing in dynasty or keeper leagues because of his potential for next year and could even have some good games peppered over the rest of the year.

Bye Week Fliers: Toby Gerhart, Jaguars.  Charles Sims, Buccaneers.  Jonathan Stewart, Panthers.

Wide Receivers

“Hot Hands”

Mike Evans, Buccaneers (31.8%/61%): He is most likely already owned in your Yahoo league, but if you’re in ESPN leagues, he may not be.  He doesn’t have a very consistent or accurate quarterback which will hold him back but he has the physical ability to compensate more than some other receivers.  He has easy matchups against the Falcons and Redskins to help push you towards the playoffs.  He should also be a great pick for keeper or dynasty leagues to see if the Bucs can right the ship at quarterback.

Martavis Bryant, Steelers (22.1%/43%): He now has five touchdowns since his debut just three weeks ago.  He is for real and is clearly an important player in balancing out defenses who choose to shift coverage to Antonio Brown.  He is a WR3/flex option as Ben Roethlisberger isn’t going to throw six touchdowns per game consistently.  He is usually looked to after Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell to score so he holds the upper hand over Markus Wheaton.

Harry Douglas, Falcons (1.9%/3%): This week, the Falcons have a matchup against the defense allowing the most fantasy points to wide receivers this season - the Bucs.  The Falcons had a much needed bye week last week and should come out firing on all cylinders against a team they decimated in Week 3.  Douglas had caught 2-of-2 for 14 yards and a touchdown before he left that game with an injury.  He has a high chance of scoring again against the Bucs defense so I see him as a WR3/flex this week.

Kenny Britt, Rams (8.6%/9%): While Benny Cunningham was the Rams leading “receiver”, Britt was not far behind.  He caught the lone touchdown pass of the day from Austin Davis but totaled only 32 yards on two catches.  It was a forgetful performance buoyed by the touchdown but besides Jared Cook, Britt seems to be the next go-to man for Davis.  He is not going to be very relevant unless he gets into the endzone but is mentioned because the Rams don’t have much to throw to after Brian Quick was lost for the season.  He’s only worth consideration in deeper leagues or if you are desperately thin at receiver.

“Dynasty”

Jarvis Landry, Dolphins (7.8%/8%): He continues to catch almost everything that is thrown his way and is now clearly ahead of Brian Hartline in the pecking order.  Ryan Tannehill is turning into a star before our eyes and Landry is going for the ride.  He’ll continue to be the second passing option behind Mike Wallace.  With matchups that will require Tannehill to throw against because of their run defenses, Landry should continue to see five to seven targets per game as he grows with Tannehill.  He’s worth stashing now while he is budding.

Bye Week Fliers: Jerricho Cotchery, Panthers.  Cecil Shorts III, Jaguars.  Markus Wheaton, Steelers.  Jordan Matthews, Eagles

Tight Ends

“Hot Hands”

Mychal Rivera, Raiders (2.2%/2%): For the second week in a row, Rivera put up big numbers.  He followed his seven catch, 83 yard performance with an eight catch, 38 yard and a touchdown encore.  Next week, the Raiders play the Broncos and while that doesn’t bode well for Derek Carr, his receivers don’t get negative points for the interceptions he’ll throw.  The Raiders will be playing from behind in this one so Rivera could at least get some garbage time points.

Charles Clay, Dolphins (20.2%/44%): This weekend, we had another Charles Clay sighting.  He’s been underwhelming and a dud most of the year.  He can’t be dubbed consistent yet but he has shown flashes of his 2013 self over the past few games.  He has caught 13 balls for 158 yards and two touchdowns in four games since the Dolphins bye in Week 5.   If he can continue his upward swing, he could finish the year strong and be a great late year addition for many fantasy owners.

Owen Daniels, Ravens (28.3%/30%): After a minor knee surgery a few weeks ago, Daniels appears to have not missed a beat.  He caught six balls for 53 yards while fellow tight end, Crockett Gillmore was the one who scored a touchdown.  Daniels was targeted a team-high nine times Sunday night as he was clearly part of the plan.  He’s a low-end TE1 in PPR leagues and much of his value is dependent on touchdowns.  He’s not a bad fill-in though for anyone who has a tight end on bye this week.

Coby Fleener, Colts (18.7%/30%): He’s heading into his bye week but he put on quite the performance Monday night.  He finished with four catches for 70 yards and a touchdown on 11 targets.  Fellow tight end Dwayne Allen also caught four balls and a touchdown so this is clearly a job split in two.  Although Fleener doesn’t score all that often compared to Allen, he still has the same potential upside.  It just depends on who is featured that game.  There are worse options if you are streaming tight ends after this week.

“Dynasty”

Tim Wright, Patriots (11%/23%): He put up a complete donut on Sunday against the Broncos.  He wasn’t even targeted in the game but that is what comes with being in the Patriots offense.  You never know who is going to be involved the most behind Gronk each week but Tim Wright certainly has the tools.  He hasn’t had any major yards in any game, topping out at 85 in Week 5, but he’s caught three touchdowns which has helped his fantasy numbers.  Hopefully with the Patriots on a bye this week, they can figure out a way to get Wright more involved consistently.  Until then, he’s a boom/bust tight end.

Bye Week Fliers: Heath Miller, Steelers.  Scott Chandler, Bills.  Clay Harbor, Jaguars.

Defenses/ST

Detroit D/ST: Since they were on a bye last week, someone may have dropped them.  Make sure to pick them up as they are a top-5 defense.

Steelers D/ST: They are playing the turnover happy Jets who are still unsure of their starting quarterback this week so there’s much to like in this matchup.

Packers D/ST: The Bears are imploding but this one may come back to bite me as they return from their bye.

Ravens D/ST: This unit has created a turnover in every game but two this year.  They see the Titans this week who give up the 23rd most fantasy points to opposing defenses.

Kickers

Mason Crosby, Packers: 11/12 FG, 25/25 XP

Graham Gano, Panthers: 17/19 FG, 16/16 XP

Chandler Catanzaro, Cardinals: 16/16 FG, 18/18 XP

Shaun Suisham, Steelers: 14/15 FG, 25/25 XP

Shayne Graham, Saints: 13/14 FG, 24/25 XP

Quarterback Champs:

Ben Roethlisberger- 25/37, 340 yards, 6 TDs- 35.7 fantasy points

Yeah that’s 12 touchdowns in two games. Don’t touch him. You might burn yourself. However, he’s not a bad sell high candidate, especially for Foles owners. #ValueCity

Tom Brady- 33/53, 333, 4 TDs, INT  – 27.6 fantasy points

And it continues… the Patriots are now establishing themselves as a force in the AFC, and now are showing people why they may actually be the best team in the conference. Top 5 QB moving forward…

Peyton Manning- 34/57, 438 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs- 21.7 fantasy points

A valiant effort in the loss, but he was second best quarterback on the field in Foxborough.

 Quarterback Chumps:

Philip Rivers- 12/23, 138 yards, 3 INTs- NEGATIVE 2.3 fantasy points

Just a horrific day for Rivers as the Dolphins D gobbled him up all day and further established themselves as one of the best defenses in the league.

Running Back Champs:

Jeremy Hill- 24 Rush, 154 yards, 2 TDs; 1 Rec, 9 yards– 28.3 fantasy points

You can legitimately make the argument the argument that Hill is a better play than Bernard because with Bernard out, Hill isn’t battling anyone for carries. He should be a stud as long as Gio is out…

Marshawn Lynch-21 Rush, 67 yards, 2 TDs; 5 Rec, 76 yards- 26.3 fantasy points

Beast mode didn’t go over 100 yards rushing, but was the Seahawks best offensive weapon Sunday, as they took care of the Raiders…I would feel very comfortable acquiring Lynch in any league format, as the Seahawks realize that his success directly correlates with wins.

Matt Asiata- 10 Rush, 26 yards, 3 TDs; 4 Rec, 31 yards – 25.7 fantasy points

He isn’t dominating the touches, but he’s seeing all the goal line work. You still can’t start the guy with confidence, but hey, at least there is a trend here. He has six touchdowns on the season. He had three in week four. He had three this week. This means he will have three touchdowns in week 14 against the Jets, right?

Running Back Chumps:

Chris Ivory- 8 Rush, 22 yards– 2.2 fantasy points

This is a bit disconcerting, but even moreso that CJ2k had over 100 total yards on the day. GET ME OFF THIS MERRY-GO-ROUND!

Brandon Oliver - 13 Rush, 19 yards, 1 Rec, 7 yards- 2.6 fantasy points

Heading into the bye it’s going to be interesting how they decide to divide the carries between him and Matthews, assuming he will be ready to suit up week 11. Monitor closely.

Wide Receiver Champs:

Jeremy Maclin-5 Rec, 158 yards, 2 TDs-27.8 fantasy points

The second week in a row at the top. His stock has NEVER been hotter… However, let’s see if it takes a hit with Mark Sanchez at the helm.

Mike Evans- 7 Rec, 124 yards, 2 TDs – 24.4 fantasy points

Mike Evans is getting more and more involved in the offense, and Glennon loves him in the red zone. It’s hard to see who will have more fantasy value moving forward between him and V-Jax. We advise that you avoid the situation altogether…

Allen Hurns- 7 Rec, 112 yards, 2 TDs – 23.2 fantasy points

Oh, hey Mr. Hurns? Haven’t seen you show up since week one…you can stay on waivers until you show some consistency in that high powered Jags offense (sarcastic tone)!

Wide Receiver Chumps:

Cordarrelle Patterson- 1 Rec, 9 yards- 0.9 fantasy points

Drop city, drop drop city. He will be the biggest athletic freak on waivers, but that’s where he belongs in any league under 14 teams. #Isthisreallife

Pierre Garcon- 3 Rec, 15 yards-1.5 fantasy points

He’s one of the guys making you pull your hair out all season long… 

Kelvin Benjamin- 2 Rec, 18 yards-1.8 fantasy points

A super disappointing day for our boy, Kelvin, as the Panthers just couldn’t get anything done offensively…

Tight End Champs:

Rob Gronkowski- 9 Rec, 105 yards, TD- 16.5 fantasy points

18 catches, 254 yards and four touchdowns over the past two weeks. The beast is officially back. Gronk spike football HARD!!!! 

Mychal Rivera- 8 Rec, 38 yards, 2 TDs- 15.8 fantasy points

Don’t let this fluke excite you. 

Jimmy Graham- 7 Rec, 83 yards, TD- 14.3 fantasy points

Another day at the office for Jimmy, as he slowly gets closer to full health.

Tight End Chumps:

Clay Harbor- ZERO catches, ZERO yards- ZERO fantasy points

I’m just gonna call him “Goose” Harbor. Sounds like a beer… 

Zach Ertz-1 Rec, 4 yards- 0.4 fantasy points

Zach, it really Ertz when you can’t produce bro…#ErtzDonut

Star Rookie Watch:

Brandin Cooks- 3 Rec, 38 yards - 3.8 Fantasy Points

Oh boy… don’t expect him for more than a flex play at best…

Sammy Watkins- *BYE

 Kelvin Benjamin-[see chumps section]

**Note: Fantasy points denote standard, non-PPR scoring.

Follow me on Twitter: @FBNationGrizzle

Week 9 is in the books and there wasn’t as much turmoil as there usually is in a given week.  Six teams - the Falcons, Bills, Bears, Lions, Packers and Titans will return refreshed after taking their week of rest.  This will be another hard week that sees many owners wishing they built their lineup around having one specific week off, but don’t worry, that’s what I’m here for.  Hopefully plenty of owners are still in the hunt.  I wrote an article last week to help identify players who have favorable schedules, please feel free to check it out.

Teams on their bye this week are the Texans, Colts, Vikings, Patriots, Chargers and Redskins.  There is plenty of talent there to build a lineup so there may be some owners stuck with rolling out the skeleton crew.  Ownership percentages are for ESPN and Yahoo leagues respectively.

Quarterbacks

“Hot Hands”

Ryan Tannehill, Dolphins (40.4%/57%): Tannehill has turned into an absolute stud since his bye week.  His most recent performance totalled 288 yards on 24 completions, three touchdowns and no picks.  Over the last four games, he’s thrown for less than 200 yards once and has a 8:3 touchdown to interception ratio.  He’s also rushing more and more effectively.  He has totals of 49, 48, 48, and 47 yards over his past four games respectively.  He is quietly entering into the QB1 conversation and is owned in less than half of ESPN leagues.

Mark Sanchez, Eagles (0.4%/5%): Nick Foles is out at least six weeks with a broken collarbone.  That puts him out of your lineup until about Week 15 or Week 16.  Sanchez threw for 202 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions in relief of Foles Sunday.  Despite his shortcomings as the Jets’ starter for years, he could be a decent quarterback replacing Foles for the rest of the season.  The Chip Kelly system is the main reason for that speculation and defenses will always have to stay honest against LeSean McCoy.  Sanchez could be a rollercoaster but I think he’ll have more good games than bad.

Mike Glennon, Buccaneers (3.6%/7%): There has been speculation that he may be benched in favor of a healthy Josh McCown.  But at this point, for the one-win Bucs, they should stick with the young gun.  With the playoffs out of reach, why turn to a 35 year-old quarterback instead of giving 24 year-old Glennon as much experience as possible in hopes of developing him?  He sees a relatively easy road the next few games in the Falcons and Redskins who should buoy his numbers and keep him in the QB2 conversation for anybody in 2-QB leagues.

Alex Smith, Chiefs (35.9%/46%): Although he gets the Bills defense who have 18 interceptions this week, he is known as a game manager and that is just what he is.  He’s only thrown four interceptions all year, albeit three came in Week 1 so we can’t say he hasn’t thrown multiple picks in a game.  I don’t think he throws more than one this week if he throws any and he’ll be a solid option for those with quarterbacks on bye.

“Dynasty”

Zach Mettenberger, Titans (1.2%/2%): He threw for almost 300 yards, two touchdowns and one pick in his debut start two weeks ago.  The Titans didn’t play this weekend as its their bye week and that can only mean good things for the chemistry of this offense.  If he’s given the keys to the team the rest of the season, he could put in some good games but not without some growing pains.  Right now, he’s a rookie to watch but not depended on with a tough schedule upcoming.

Bye Week Fliers: Brian Hoyer, Browns.  Kyle Orton, Bills.

Running Backs

“Hot Hands”

Adrian Peterson, Vikings: Even with so much up in the air regarding his suspension, Peterson did accept a deal on his court case and pleaded no contest (which is slightly different than just "guilty" or "not guilty").That being said, the NFL will have to make a decision to reinstate him after serving the 8 game suspension. He may be eligible to play as early as Week 11 (Vikings on a bye in Week 10). We say "MAY be able to play" because the NFL has yet to determine if they are going to continue his suspension. It's worth taking a chance on and picking him up this week.

Tre Mason, Rams (49%/37%): Who to own in the Rams backfield - Mason or Cunningham?  The answer is definitely not Zac Stacy anymore.  Mason is the first running back to own after getting another start and racking up 19 carries, especially if you are not in a PPR league.  Cunningham will continue to take snaps away from Mason because Mason doesn’t play a role in the passing game.  It is rare to find a player who will have workhorse-like carries this late in the year so he should be owned just based on the opportunity.

Benny Cunningham, Rams (8.3%/17%): Cunningham is still the Rams’ primary receiving back as he caught three balls on three targets for 38 yards.  Those 38 yards were good enough for him to be the leading receiver for the Rams this week as well.  That is not good, but it shows that Cunningham is a part in the game plan.  Since Cunningham is clearly behind Mason in carries, you would have to be in a PPR league for Cunningham to be relevant.  He’s worth being stashed for matchups where his receiving abilities will be highlighted.

Matt Asiata, Vikings (26.8%/31%): He’s on a bye this week but he has to be mentioned based on his 3-touchdown performance on Sunday afternoon.  He’s still the goal-line back for the Vikings and if you’re desperate he’s worth possible flex starts against the porous Bears and Packers in the couple weeks after his bye week.  Those matchups give Asiata a good chance of scoring.

Theo Riddick, Lions (2.1%/5%): Regardless of Reggie Bush’s injury status, the Lions have said they will keep Riddick involved.  That is not good news for Bush owners so don’t forget about Riddick after his bye in Week 9.  He’s someone to wait and see how many touches he gets and what he does with them.  If for some reason Bush can’t play or is limited against the Dolphins, Riddick gets a bump to a low-level flex play.

“Dynasty”

Terrance West, Browns (31%/23%): He out-touched Ben Tate, 16-14 on Sunday and even though Tate was trusted to run out the clock, West was the better running back.  This backfield has changed hands frequently this season so it’s a situation to monitor.  I picked West as the inevitable starter coming into the season because he had the most upside.  Tate isn’t banged up at the moment so he will continue to at least split carries with West limiting both players fantasy value but I still think West is the one to own in the future if you can stash him.

Jonas Gray, Patriots (17.6%/18%): He wasn’t exactly the Patriots runner between the tackles against the Broncos Sunday that everyone thought coming off a 17 carry game two weeks ago.  Still, he is the Patriots “big back” and his stats will depend on the game plan.  Rookie James White has been a healthy scratch and both Brandon Bolden’s and Shane Vereen’s contracts are up at the end of the year so the rest of the way could be a bit of an audition for Gray.  He’s worth stashing in dynasty or keeper leagues because of his potential for next year and could even have some good games peppered over the rest of the year.

Bye Week Fliers: Toby Gerhart, Jaguars.  Charles Sims, Buccaneers.  Jonathan Stewart, Panthers.

Wide Receivers

“Hot Hands”

Mike Evans, Buccaneers (31.8%/61%): He is most likely already owned in your Yahoo league, but if you’re in ESPN leagues, he may not be.  He doesn’t have a very consistent or accurate quarterback which will hold him back but he has the physical ability to compensate more than some other receivers.  He has easy matchups against the Falcons and Redskins to help push you towards the playoffs.  He should also be a great pick for keeper or dynasty leagues to see if the Bucs can right the ship at quarterback.

Martavis Bryant, Steelers (22.1%/43%): He now has five touchdowns since his debut just three weeks ago.  He is for real and is clearly an important player in balancing out defenses who choose to shift coverage to Antonio Brown.  He is a WR3/flex option as Ben Roethlisberger isn’t going to throw six touchdowns per game consistently.  He is usually looked to after Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell to score so he holds the upper hand over Markus Wheaton.

Harry Douglas, Falcons (1.9%/3%): This week, the Falcons have a matchup against the defense allowing the most fantasy points to wide receivers this season - the Bucs.  The Falcons had a much needed bye week last week and should come out firing on all cylinders against a team they decimated in Week 3.  Douglas had caught 2-of-2 for 14 yards and a touchdown before he left that game with an injury.  He has a high chance of scoring again against the Bucs defense so I see him as a WR3/flex this week.

Kenny Britt, Rams (8.6%/9%): While Benny Cunningham was the Rams leading “receiver”, Britt was not far behind.  He caught the lone touchdown pass of the day from Austin Davis but totaled only 32 yards on two catches.  It was a forgetful performance buoyed by the touchdown but besides Jared Cook, Britt seems to be the next go-to man for Davis.  He is not going to be very relevant unless he gets into the endzone but is mentioned because the Rams don’t have much to throw to after Brian Quick was lost for the season.  He’s only worth consideration in deeper leagues or if you are desperately thin at receiver.

“Dynasty”

Jarvis Landry, Dolphins (7.8%/8%): He continues to catch almost everything that is thrown his way and is now clearly ahead of Brian Hartline in the pecking order.  Ryan Tannehill is turning into a star before our eyes and Landry is going for the ride.  He’ll continue to be the second passing option behind Mike Wallace.  With matchups that will require Tannehill to throw against because of their run defenses, Landry should continue to see five to seven targets per game as he grows with Tannehill.  He’s worth stashing now while he is budding.

Bye Week Fliers: Jerricho Cotchery, Panthers.  Cecil Shorts III, Jaguars.  Markus Wheaton, Steelers.  Jordan Matthews, Eagles

Tight Ends

“Hot Hands”

Mychal Rivera, Raiders (2.2%/2%): For the second week in a row, Rivera put up big numbers.  He followed his seven catch, 83 yard performance with an eight catch, 38 yard and a touchdown encore.  Next week, the Raiders play the Broncos and while that doesn’t bode well for Derek Carr, his receivers don’t get negative points for the interceptions he’ll throw.  The Raiders will be playing from behind in this one so Rivera could at least get some garbage time points.

Charles Clay, Dolphins (20.2%/44%): This weekend, we had another Charles Clay sighting.  He’s been underwhelming and a dud most of the year.  He can’t be dubbed consistent yet but he has shown flashes of his 2013 self over the past few games.  He has caught 13 balls for 158 yards and two touchdowns in four games since the Dolphins bye in Week 5.   If he can continue his upward swing, he could finish the year strong and be a great late year addition for many fantasy owners.

Owen Daniels, Ravens (28.3%/30%): After a minor knee surgery a few weeks ago, Daniels appears to have not missed a beat.  He caught six balls for 53 yards while fellow tight end, Crockett Gillmore was the one who scored a touchdown.  Daniels was targeted a team-high nine times Sunday night as he was clearly part of the plan.  He’s a low-end TE1 in PPR leagues and much of his value is dependent on touchdowns.  He’s not a bad fill-in though for anyone who has a tight end on bye this week.

Coby Fleener, Colts (18.7%/30%): He’s heading into his bye week but he put on quite the performance Monday night.  He finished with four catches for 70 yards and a touchdown on 11 targets.  Fellow tight end Dwayne Allen also caught four balls and a touchdown so this is clearly a job split in two.  Although Fleener doesn’t score all that often compared to Allen, he still has the same potential upside.  It just depends on who is featured that game.  There are worse options if you are streaming tight ends after this week.

“Dynasty”

Tim Wright, Patriots (11%/23%): He put up a complete donut on Sunday against the Broncos.  He wasn’t even targeted in the game but that is what comes with being in the Patriots offense.  You never know who is going to be involved the most behind Gronk each week but Tim Wright certainly has the tools.  He hasn’t had any major yards in any game, topping out at 85 in Week 5, but he’s caught three touchdowns which has helped his fantasy numbers.  Hopefully with the Patriots on a bye this week, they can figure out a way to get Wright more involved consistently.  Until then, he’s a boom/bust tight end.

Bye Week Fliers: Heath Miller, Steelers.  Scott Chandler, Bills.  Clay Harbor, Jaguars.

Defenses/ST

Detroit D/ST: Since they were on a bye last week, someone may have dropped them.  Make sure to pick them up as they are a top-5 defense.

Steelers D/ST: They are playing the turnover happy Jets who are still unsure of their starting quarterback this week so there’s much to like in this matchup.

Packers D/ST: The Bears are imploding but this one may come back to bite me as they return from their bye.

Ravens D/ST: This unit has created a turnover in every game but two this year.  They see the Titans this week who give up the 23rd most fantasy points to opposing defenses.

Kickers

Mason Crosby, Packers: 11/12 FG, 25/25 XP

Graham Gano, Panthers: 17/19 FG, 16/16 XP

Chandler Catanzaro, Cardinals: 16/16 FG, 18/18 XP

Shaun Suisham, Steelers: 14/15 FG, 25/25 XP

Shayne Graham, Saints: 13/14 FG, 24/25 XP