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It was an overall successful Week 8, but I’m still scratching my head over Bengals tight end C.J. Uzomah finishing with zero catches. The tight end was getting more involved in the offense and faced a Buccaneers defense that can’t stop anyone, yet he ended up with a goose egg. The misses always sting the most, but time to move on to Week 9.
Quarterbacks
Cash Game Option:
Carolina Panthers Cam Newton ($12,300) – We have picked on the Buccaneers defense all season with great success and we’re not stopping now. The Bucs continue to rank dead last in defensive DVOA in total defense and in pass defense and now face a Panthers offense that has scored at least 31 points in three of their last five games. Newton will never be a quarterback that will throw for over 300 yards consistently as he has only reached that mark once this season. However, his ability to run will always give him a high floor. Newton has finished with at least 4o rushing yards in every game but two this season and continues to be the goal line back for the Panthers. The floor is high and the ceiling is extremely high for Newton and he can be used in all formats in Week 9.
Tournament Option:
Seattle Seahawks Russell Wilson ($11,000) – Despite throwing at least three touchdown passes in three consecutive games, Wilson is priced as the 14th quarterback in Week 9. Wilson can be used in cash games, but I’m worried about the pass attempts as Wilson hasn’t eclipsed 23 pass attempts in the last three games. It’s hard to continue to throw that many touchdown passes on so little pass attempts. Wilson also isn’t rushing as much either. However, there’s no denying the upside with all those touchdown passes and at his price, it allows to load up on other studs in large field tournaments.
Tight Ends
Cash Game Option:
Carolina Panthers Greg Olsen ($8,700) – Like most weeks, the tight end position is ugly, but we need to roster one. I think Olsen is a safe option and again, we’re picking on a bad Bucs defense. Olsen’s price isn’t too expensive either which is a plus. If you can make the salary work, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is an elite option, but he is over $4,ooo more than Olsen. The Panthers tight end has scored in back-to-back games and appears completely healthy after missing three consecutive games with a foot injury. Redskins tight end Jordan Reed is in a good spot as well against a bad Falcons defense, but he has yet to make a true fantasy impact this season. Reed is also more expensive than Olsen.
Tournament Option:
New York Jets Chris Herndon ($5,900) – It’s a wasteland out there when it comes to the tight end position, so if we are going to punt, we need touchdown upside. Herndon has the potential to provide that as he has scored a touchdown in three consecutive games. The Jets will take on the Dolphins this week and as Rotoworld’s Evan Silva pointed out, Miami has allowed five touchdowns to tight ends in their last three games. This is the kind of upside we are looking for when punting at a position.
Defenses
Chicago Bears ($7,300) – Lineup construction may make it tough to fit the Bears defense in your lineup, but there’s no denying that they provide a high floor and extremely high ceiling against the Bills. Buffalo will turn to Nathan Peterman once again due to Derek Anderson dealing with a concussion. Peterman has attempted 81 passes in his career and nine of those have been intercepted which is not a good ratio. The Bears have the number one ranked defense in defensive DVOA and have forced 11 interceptions which is second most in the league. The Bills only have an implied team total of 13.75 points so it could be a long day for the offense. The Bears are expensive, but they will be worth it.