Start’ Em, Sit Em’ Week 9 & TNF Preview

QUARTERBACKS:

START: Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers

Matchup: vs. Buccaneers

Week 8 Stats: 219 Passing YDS, 2 Passing TD, 52 Rushing YDS, 1 Rushing TD, 28 PTS

Cam Newton has been electric this season. The emergence of rookie wideout D.J. Moore and the development of former Michigan standout Devin Funchess, paired with the continued rise of last year’s star rookie Christian McCaffrey, has given Newton the best arsenal he has ever had at his disposal. Look for him to dissect the Tampa Bay defense, which has given up the fourth most QB FPTS since Week 5.

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SIT: Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers

Matchup: @ Ravens

Week 8 Stats: 257 Passing YDS, 2 Passing TD, INT, 16.9 PTS

Big Ben faces his toughest divisional opponent this Sunday in a hotly contested matchup at M&T Bank Stadium against the Ravens. Baltimore is coming off of a heartbreaking defeat to New Orleans and a blowout loss to Carolina. Look for this one to be a slug fest and a rather low scoring affair.

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RUNNING BACKS:

START: Adrian Peterson, Washington Redskins

Matchup: vs. Falcons

Week 8 Stats: 149 Rushing YDS, 1 Rushing TD, 1 Reception, 7 Receiving YDS, 1 Receiving TD, 26.6 PTS

Adrian Peterson has been the heart and soul of the Redskins offense this season and is a major factor in their continued success. He put up his best stat line of 2018 last week against the Giants, and he faces a depleted Falcons defense this weekend that has given up the second most FPTS per game to opposing running backs.

Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images

SIT: Tevin Coleman, Atlanta Falcons

Matchup: vs. Redskins

Tevin Coleman faces his toughest matchup so far this season against a stout Washington front seven that has held Christian McCaffrey, Ezekiel Elliott, Alvin Kamara and Saquon Barkley to under 40 rushing yards each in the last four games. Keep him on your bench.

Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

WIDE RECEIVERS:

START: Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams

Matchup: @ Saints

After missing the past two contests with a sprained MCL, Sean McVay announced that his second year wideout is expected to suit up for the afternoon clash against the Saints. Keep an eye on the injury reports to make sure Kupp is active.

Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images

SIT: Amari Cooper, Dallas Cowboys

Matchup: vs. Titans

After sitting out two straight weeks due to byes after being traded to Jerry World, Amari Cooper will get his first shot as Dak Prescott’s main man on the outside. Cooper is also coming off of a concussion from Week 6, so this is not the ideal week to slot him into your lineup, even with the large amount of teams on byes this week. He is a high boom or bust option, and I have a gut feeling is it going to be the latter.

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TIGHT ENDS:

START: David Njoku, Cleveland Browns

Matchup: vs. Chiefs

After topping 50 yards in four straight games, Njoku was held without a single target in Week 8 against the Steelers. He was limited last week in practice and that may have contributed to his lesser role. With Hue Jackson no longer in Cleveland, look for Baker Mayfield to excel, which should translate into success for his favorite target.

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SIT: Jordan Reed, Washington Redskins

Matchup: vs. Falcons

Week 8 Stats: 7 Receptions, 38 YDS, 10.8 PTS

As much as I love Jordan Reed, you cannot trust him in fantasy football at this current time. The only reliable option in the nation’s capital is the previously mentioned, Adrian Peterson. Reed’s targets are way too inconsistent, and it is almost as if they do not want to prioritize his usage with his vast injury history. Keep him out of your lineups until further notice.

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Thursday Night Football Preview: Oakland Raiders (1-6) vs. San Francisco 49ers (1-7)

Raiders

• Derek Carr: Start
• Jalen Richard: Flex
• Doug Martin: Sit
• Jordy Nelson: Start
• Martavis Bryant: Sit
• Jared Cook: Start
• Raiders D/ST: Sit

49ers

• C.J. Beathard: Sit
• Matt Breida: Flex
• Marquise Goodwin: Sit
• Dante Pettis: Sit
• George Kittle: Start
• 49ers D/ST: Sit