Dudes
QB – Justin Fields Vs. Detroit Lions
Justin Fields is receiving the honor of being put on the dudes list back to back weeks, and rightfully so! Justin Fields is a Fantasy Football point scoring machine right now and he has the Chicago Bears looking like a legitimate team, far from how they’ve looked over the past few seasons. I’m starting this cat everywhere.
QB – Tua Tagovailoa Vs. Cleveland Browns
I don’t really like to put obvious selections in these slots because I feel like the obvious answers aren’t why you’re here. That being said, it’s about time we gave Tua his flowers, he’s absolutely balling with Reek and Waddle. The Browns are decent against the pass but it’s gonna take a lot more than a water hose to put out the raging fire this Dolphins passing attack has become.
RB – Aaron Jones Vs. Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys defense has allowed an average of 100 yards per game to opposing running backs. The Packers defense is strong against the pass, so it is likely this game becomes a low scoring affair dictated by the rushing attacks and the rushing defenses. Aaron Jones will get his fair share of touches and he’ll come out of this one with very strong numbers.
RB – Tony Pollard @ Green Bay Packers
As I stated above, I believe this game will be one in which we see a lot of rushing. Ezekiel Elliott will be back from an injury that held him out 2 weeks ago but the Cowboys will likely limit him and play the hot hand…which is Mr. Pollard. When given the full workload in the Cowboys last contest, Pollard finished 14/131/3TDs. The Packers are giving up the 3rd most yards per game to opposing running backs, look for Pollard to have another big game.
WR – Jaylen Waddle Vs. Cleveland Browns
This is another selection that feels like I’m cheating but I’m making it anyway. I stood on the table for Jaylen Waddle all offseason and he is absolutely crushing it. Through 9 weeks, he is WR5 and that is with the current WR1, Tyreek Hill, playing alongside him. I start Waddle weekly with full confidence he will get me about 15 PPR points. You should too.
WR – George Pickens @ New Orleans Saints
Stamp this game as the George Pickens breakout game. With Claypool out of the picture in Pittsburgh, George Pickens slides right into WR2 (where I believed he belonged, at the least, all season). The Saints are giving up 9th most points to opposing WRs this season and it’s a great matchup for George to show the world that he’s arrived.
TE – Cole Kmet Vs. Detroit Lions
Cole Kmet went up against the 26th ranked defense against TEs this past week and put up 21 fantasy points. This week, Kmet and the Bears will face a Lions defense that is ranked 27th against TEs. Sounds like more points to me!
Flex – Cordarelle Patterson @ Carolina Panthers
For those who’ve been reading/listening to my Dudes and Duds over the last 2 years, you’ve come to realize that Cordarelle Patterson is my ultimate flex Dude! This flex spot was not the same while he was injured and it feels good to be able to slot him back where he belongs! The Panthers are allowing over 25 PPG to opposing RBs, so this is a great matchup.
Duds
QB – Aaron Rodgers @ Dallas Cowboys
I need to exercise this demon…I still have nightmares about the Green Bay Packers and Aaron Rodgers absolutely ripping the hearts out of Cowboys Nation. This Cowboys defense is real and Aaron Rodgers is falling apart in front of our eyes.
QB – Kirk Cousins @ Buffalo Bills
Kirk Cousins has been a solid quarterback for those who managed to grab him in the(likely) later parts of this off-season’s fantasy drafts, with the exception of a few prime-time game hiccups. This isn’t a prime-time game but I believe the Buffalo Bills will make it feel like one. The Bills are in need of a bounce back win and they’re going to come out hungry.
RB – Austin Ekeler @ San Fransisco 49ers
I don’t think the 49ers defense will feel threatened at all by the Chargers passing attack which should allow them to focus on eliminating Austin Ekeler. The 49ers have done just that, eliminate opposing running backs all season long. Ekeler is next in line and I’m avoiding him wherever I can.
RB – Kenneth Walker @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Walker has been absolutely stellar and has rewarded those who’ve rostered him with solid performance after solid performance. Kenneth’s worst outing since taking the starting role resulted in 12 fantasy points and it was against the Giants 6th ranked rushing defense. This week, he’ll face a Buccaneers defense that statistically (and visually) is better than that Giants defense. I think Walker comes out of this one with less than 10 Fantasy points.
WR – Mike Evans/Chris Godwin Vs. Seattle Seahawks
Godwin and Evans are both coming off of pretty poor performances. Godwin has yet to really get it going this year so my confidence in him is already at an all time low. Evans struggles against corners who match-up well with him physically and the Seattle Seahawks secondary is loaded with guys like that.
WR – Ceedee Lamb @ Green Bay Packers
Jaire Alexander is a bad man and he thrives when going up against the league’s best receivers. Ceedee Lamb is the true number 1 in Dallas and Alexander will be able to put all of his attention on Lamb. I expect Lamb to come out of this one with somewhere around 5 receptions for about 55 yards. That’s over 10 points but it still lands him in the Dud column for me.
TE – Taysom Hill @ Pittsburgh Steelers
Hill has come back down to earth after his massive outing against the Seahawks and has been TE19 week 6-8, averaging 7 points an outing. I expect Hill to eventually have another one of those games where he rewards those who started him in a massive way but it will not be against this Steelers defense.
Flex – Terry McLaurin @ Philadelphia Eagles
Terry has been a decent start since Heinicke took over in Washington but this week I strongly dislike his match-up. James Bradberry and Darius Slay are 2 guys that are very familiar with McLaurin and I like their chances of shutting Terry down this week.
