Week 9 is upon us and the bye weeks are winding down. Playoffs are right around the corner and the injuries continue to pile up.
This week, big names such as Le'veon Bell and Matt Forte went down. Big-name quarterbacks such as Aaron Rodgers and Andrew Luck are struggling. This has been one of the craziest fantasy seasons in recent history.
Here is your Start Em' or Sit Em' for Week 9 with a look back at the results of Week 8.
Week 8 Recap:
Quarterbacks
1. Carson Palmer (ARI) – 374 yards, 4 touchdowns
2. Drew Brees (NO) - 505 yards, 7 touchdowns
3. Andy Daulton (CIN) - 231 yards, 1 touchdown
Bust
Andrew Luck (IND) - 231 yards, 2 touchdown
Sleeper
Ryan Fitzpatrick (NYJ) - 46 yards,
Running Backs
1. Todd Gurley (STL) - 133 yards, 1 touchdown
2. Jonathan Stewart (CAR) - 82 yards, 1 touchdown
3. Chris Johnson (ARI) – 109 yards
Bust
Lamar Miller (MIA) - 15 yards, 1 touchdown
Sleeper
Danny Woodhead (SD) - 45 yards
Wide Receivers
1. Mike Evans (TB) - 3 catches, 48 yards
2. DeAndre Hopkins (HOU) - 8 catches, 94 yards, 1 touchdown
3. Alshon Jeffrey (CHI) - 10 catches, 116 yards, 1 touchdown
Bust
T.Y. Hilton (IND) - 1 catches, 15 yards
Sleeper
John Brown (ARI) - Didn't record a stat.
Tight Ends
1. Travis Kelce (KC) - 6 catches, 49 yards, 1 touchdown
2. Larry Donnell (NYG) - 1 catches, 22 yards
3. Kyle Rudolph (MIN) – 2 catches, 22 yards
Bust
Martellus Bennett (CHI) -3 catches, 32 yards
Sleeper
Richard Rodgers (GB) - 2 catches, 16 yards
Kickers
1. Matt Bryant (ATL) - 2/2 field goals, 8 points
2. Justin Tucker (BAL) - 5/5 field goals, 17 points
3. Mike Nugent (CIN) - 3/4 field goals, 10 points
Bust
Travis Coons (CLE) - 2 points
Sleeper
Robbie Gould (CHI) - 2/3 field goals, 8 points
Defense
1. Arizona - 20 points allowed, 1 sacks, 2 turnovers
2. Seattle - 12 points allowed, 1 sacks
3. Carolina - 26 points allowed, 2 sack, 5 turnovers
Bust
New York Giants - 52 points allowed, 2 turnovers and a touchdown
Sleeper
Houston - 6 points allowed, 7 sacks, 3 turnovers
Week 9's Start Em' or Sit Em'
Quarterbacks
1. Ben Roelithisberger (PIT) – Great quarterbacks rebound after a bad game which is expected here. Oakland's pass defense is ranked in the bottom half and are a different team on the road.
2. Jay Cutler (CHI) – Not many weeks you get to say this, however Cutler hasn't been all that bad. Without Forte, the Bears offense will lean on Cutler if they are going to make a playoff run.
3. Eli Manning (NYG) – Coming off a shootout against New Orleans, Manning is putting together possibly his best statistical season of his career. He has the Giants in the driver's seat and will need a win before a big matchup against New England in two weeks.
Bust
Aaron Rodgers (GB) – Hasn't been the best few weeks for Rodgers. This Carolina defense is legit and is playing with confidence. Rodgers has been mediocre at best since Week 2 and could be in for another long day.
Sleeper
Jameis Winston (TB) – Has put together turnover-free football the last three weeks, and while he may not throw for seven touchdowns he should account for two or three in this game.
Running Backs
1. Ronnie Hillman (DEN) – He is splitting carries with C.J. Anderson, however he looks to be getting the bulk and with his speed and potential to break a big run, he could be primed for a big day against an undersized Colts defense.
2. LeSean McCoy (BUF) – Fresh off the bye week, McCoy is healthy and gets to feast on a Miami defense ranked 26th against the run, giving up 124 yards per game.
3. Mark Ingram (NO) – Draws a Tennessee defense ranked Top-5 against the pass which means throwing the ball won't be as easy this week. Tennessee has also allowed a 100-yard rusher two out of the last three weeks.
Bust
D'Angelo Williams (PIT) – Most people will look at what Williams was able to accomplish in the two games Bell missed earlier this year. Oakland is ranked second on the ground and will be a tough matchup.
Sleeper
Jeremy Langford (CHI) – While he is no Matt Forte, Langford should be able to step in and carry the load without skipping a beat. San Diego gives up over five yards per carry, which makes him well worth the risk.
Wide Receivers
1. Antonio Brown (PIT) – No one was happier to have Big Ben return last week as Antonio Brown was and it showed finding the endzone. With Le'Veon Bell out, Brown will have to step up bigger than his was before.
2. Eric Decker (NYJ) – Doesn't matter who is throwing him the ball, he finds the end zone, scoring in five of the last six games.
3. Emmanuel Sanders (DEN) – Manning went to his old routes finding Demarius Thomas last week. Going back to Indy, he will get Sanders more involved this week.
Bust
Randall Cobb (GB) – Seems like the pressure of being a number one receiver may be catching up on this guy. Hasn't scored in four weeks, now goes against a stingy Carolina defense only giving up seven passing touchdowns all year.
Sleeper
Brandon LaFell (NE) – LaFell came back from injury a few weeks ago and it showed dropping several balls on a Thursday night game. Weeks later he is back into the swing of things and will see more targets against an average Washington defense.
Tight Ends
1. Jordan Reed (WSH) – This guy is a mismatch for anyone and gets double-digit targets each week. Expect the same this week.
2. Gary Barnidge (CLE) – A journeyman for the first six years of his career is having a breakout season and is becoming a must play each week.
3. Delante Walker (TEN) – Walker leads the team in catches and yards and will need to be a threat this week.
Bust
Julius Thomas (JAX) – Talk about a disappointment. He was injured to start the year only to come back and get hurt again. Now Thomas draws a Jets defense that can't be happy after last week's performance.
Sleeper
Benjamin Watson (NO) – Jimmy Graham who? Watson has inserted himself into an offense that was hurting for production from the tight end position.
Kickers
1. Blair Walsh (MIN) – Has 12 points in three straight games. Should get plenty of opportunities in what should be a defensive battle.
2. Nick Folk (NYJ) – With question marks at quarterback this week, Folk should be able to get a few attempts against Jacksonville.
3. Josh Lambo (SD) – Rivers moves the offense up and down the field well. Lambo has been tremendous since his arrival.
Bust
Stephen Gostkowski (NE)- The way New England puts up points, this could be all touchdowns and extra points.
Sleeper
Dan Bailey (DAL) – You would think with Romo out, this would hurt Bailey. However, he is still automatic and perfect. Should be good for two or three field goals on Sunday Night.
Defense
1. Cincinnati – Love to pressure the quarterback and let's not forget who Manziel's first career start was against.
2. New York Jets - Had a clunker last week on the road verses Oakland, now gets to go home against the Jags.
3. Philadelphia – Finally healthy, they face off against a quarterback in Matt Cassel that is afraid to throw the ball deep. Fresh off of the bye week, Philadelphia should be able to get after Cassel.
Bust
Atlanta – Just because Blaine Gabbert is starting doesn't mean anything. Atlanta struggles to get turnovers and sacks.
Sleeper
New England – Overshadowed by the high powered offense is the defense. Last year it was the defense making plays at the right time. While this year those big names may be gone, they are still getting the job done.
Michael Scott is a contributing writer for Eagledelphia.
