@CoachSchepps
Dudes
QB – Justin Herbert @ Atlanta Falcons
When analysts spoke about Justin Herbert heading into the season, he was mentioned in the likes of Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes. To this point, Herbert has played well but not well enough to deserve such praise. This week, I expect Herbert to reward fantasy managers who believed in him with his highest point total of the season against a Falcons defense that is allowing the 3rd most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks.
QB – Justin Fields Vs. Miami Dolphins
This is the week of the Justins! Since week 5, Justin Fields has been the 2nd highest scoring quarterback in most Fantasy Football scoring formats. This kid has been on fire and he’s doing it on the ground and through the air. The Dolphins defense is in the bottom half of the league in defending the pass and the run, which will bode well for Mr. Fields.
RB – Aaron Jones @ Detroit Lions
Aaron Jones went berserk week 8 against the #3 rushing defense in the league. The Packers have shown they are committed to the run and they need to come out of Detroit with a win. Combine those 2 factors with the fact that the Lions can’t stop the run and it equals a huge day for Mr. Jones.
RB – Miles Sanders @ Houston Texans
This is assuming the Eagles do not trade for a RB at the trade deadline. Miles Sanders has been playing well, averaging 14 points a game. I believe he’s heard the buzz about the Eagles potentially inquiring about running backs and I expect him to come out ready to prove the Eagles organization right for not making a move. The Texans defense is poor against the run and Sanders will cash in on that.
WR – Davante Adams @ Jacksonville Jaguars
Davante Adams was absolutely absent in his last outing and the Raiders offensive coaching staff will take a good look in the mirror after this one to figure out what the hell they did wrong. The Raiders cannot afford to allow Davante’s lack of production to become a trend and they’ll find more ways to get him open this week.
WR – Terry McLaurin Vs. Minnesota Vikings
The spooky season may have woken up Scary Terry…or it could just be the fact that the Commanders now have Taylor Heinicke at the helm. Regardless, McLaurin has back to back 15+ point weeks and he’ll be facing a Vikings defense that is allowing over 30 points a week to opposing wide receivers.
TE – Evan Engram Vs. Las Vegas Raiders
Evan Engram truthers unite! Engram is tight end 10 through 8 weeks and is coming off of his best performance of the season (4/55/1TD). This week, Evan will line up against a Raiders defense that is allowing opposing tight ends to score an average of 14 points a game.
Flex – Tyler Allgeier Vs. LA Chargers
Tyler Allgeier has been getting better by the week and we’ve seen his role expand from just carrying the ball to now receiving out of the backfield. The Chargers defense just can’t seem to stop the run and the Falcons will exploit that in this matchup.
Duds
QB – Tom Brady Vs. LA Rams
Brady has only scored above 15 fantasy points in 3 outings thus far this season. He averages out to about 16 points per game which lands him at QB 19. The Rams are giving up 14 points a week to opposing QBs and they’ll come into this match-up looking to deliver a knockout punch to Tom Brady and the reeling Buccaneers.
QB – Jared Goff Vs. Green Bay Packers
Goff is currently QB14 on average points per game which is a high caliber QB2 in super flex leagues. Goff will be facing a Packers defense that looks to have a major chip on their shoulder coming into this one. The Packers defense fought with everything they had against Buffalo and I expect the same energy against division rival Detroit Lions.
RB – Jonathan Taylor @ New England Patriots
I don’t know what’s up with JT but he has had a very rough season considering the expectations we had for him this year. Taylor is currently averaging 11 points per game which puts him at RB26 for the season. The Patriots are tough against the run and I don’t think JT will get the train back on the tracks this week.
RB – D’onta Foreman @ Cincinnati Bengals
Foreman absolutely crushed it in week 8 and he made winners out of a lot of fantasy managers last weekend. That being said, he was a back up for a reason and the Panthers were sellers at the trade deadline for a reason. I expect Foreman and the Panthers to come back down to earth this week against a Bengals defense that plays the run very well.
WR – Deandre Hopkins Vs. Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks currently have one of the best young defensive backfields in the NFL. Hopkins has lit it up since returning from suspension but I think the Seahawks have the personnel to put that fire out. Look for Hopkins to struggle in this one.
WR – Stefon Diggs @ New York Jets
This is likely my boldest prediction of the week but sometimes fortune favors the bold. Sauce vs. Stefon down in Secaucus. Diggs has pretty much been match-up proof this season but this may be his toughest match-up to date.
TE – Irv Smith Jr. @ Washington Commanders
The Commanders are giving up the least amount of points to opposing tight ends this season and Irv Smith is next in line to get shut down. Smith finished his week 8 match-up but was evaluated for an ankle injury after the game. My expectation is that he plays but I do not think he will play well.
Flex – Dameon Pierce Vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Dameon Pierce’s production has steadily declined over the last few weeks. If you take away Dameon’s touchdown in week 8, he’d have finished the game with a lousy 7 points. It appears to me that Pierce has hit the dreaded rookie wall. The Eagles statistically are the toughest rushing defense the Texans will have faced to this point. Doesn’t look promising to me.
