Game Info
Kickoff: Monday, November 9th at 8:15 PM ET
Location: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
Betting Odds: NE -7, 42.5 total via Oddsshark
Network: ESPN
New England Patriots
Quarterback
Cam Newton (Sit)
Truth be told, the only reason I would consider starting Cam Newton this week is that he is facing the Jets. They have given up the ninth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season. That said though, he – and the Patriots in general – have been bad. Newton hasn’t had a passing touchdown since Week 3 and has a 2:7 pass TD to INT ratio overall. Avoid him if you can.
Running Backs
James White (Sit), Rex Burkhead (Sit), Damien Harris (Start, FLEX)
Given Newton’s capability to take off and run, the production from James White has diminished greatly since his return to action. He’s been an afterthought as the offense has shifted to run-first, and thus remains on your bench, or even the waiver wire. Rex Burkhead is also not a viable starting option; not that he ever truly was. Damien Harris enters Week 9 coming off a 16 carry, 102 yards, and one touchdown performance in last week’s loss to Buffalo. His lack of involvement in the pass-game hinders his full potential, but he’s set to face a Jets defense that has given up the eighth most fantasy points to running backs this season.
Wide Receivers/Tight End
Jakobi Meyers (Sit), Damiere Byrd (Sit), N’Keal Harry (Sit), Isaiah Ford (Sit), Ryan Izzo (Sit)
See a theme here? Not that you were willing to start Julian Edelman lately, but now that he’s on the IR, there is not one pass-catcher in New England that I would suggest starting this week (and beyond). Is Jakobi Meyers the defacto WR1? Damiere Byrd is not an option, and N’Keal Harry should return from a concussion, but this Patriots offense is a mess. Isaiah Ford was acquired in a trade on Tuesday with the Dolphins, and could eventually be a deep-league option in PPR formats, but I wouldn’t count on it this week.
Tight end Ryan Izzo is certainly not a starting option either.
New York Jets
Quarterback
Sam Darnold (Sit)
Another week, another sit designation for Sam Darnold. There isn’t much to ponder other than wondering if these are the last few games we’ll see Darnold in a Jets uniform. His shoulder is still hurting, and he’s going to try and play through it for the rest of the season. Unfortunately, the situation has panned out this badly considering Darnold was sought out to be a fantasy sleeper this summer, but here we are.
Running Backs
Frank Gore (Sit), La’Mical Perine (Sit)
Because Adam Gase is who he is, it’s no surprise, yet frustrating, that Frank Gore is still getting meaningful touches. This backfield should belong to rookie La’Mical Perine, and that just hasn’t been the case. You aren’t going to ever start Gore, and until there is a clear indication that Perine is the featured option, you can’t comfortably start him either.
Wide Receivers
Denzel Mims (Sit), Braxton Berrios (Sit), Breshad Perriman (Sit), Chris Herndon (Sit)
Like the Patriots, you can’t trust any Jets receiver to show up and show out. Denzel Mims, like Perine, should be the clear-cut WR1 since debuting, and he’s failed to see a high number of targets. Against the Chiefs last week, a game the Jets were trailing from the opening drive, he saw only three targets. Braxton Berrios just isn’t the Jamison Crowder replacement that we’re led to believe he could be. Breshad Perriman remains in the concussion protocol, and even if he plays, you can’t count on him to produce.
Chris Herndon has been a huge disappointment this season, to say the least. His opportunity share is limited, and when he gets targets, he fails to produce. It’s been a forgettable season for him, and there are plenty of fantasy players who bit the bullet on him on draft night and never reaped the decision.
–Matthew Cava (@cavaM_ Twitter & Reddit)
It is spelled Pittsburgh.
Where’s WR Tim Patrick for the Broncos?