Sit/Start Week 9 Reviewing All Fantasy Relevant Players In Every Single Game

 Game Info

Kickoff: Sunday, November 8th at 1:00 PM ET

Location: FedExField, Landover, MD

Betting Odds: WAS -3, 41.5 total via Oddsshark

Network: FOX

New York Giants

Quarterback

Daniel Jones (Sit)

With just one fantasy top-12 weekly performance on the season, 2020 has been a disappointment for Daniel Jones. Jones is currently the QB24 on weekly points per game and he faces a strong Washington pass rush. After a couple of shaky performances, the Football Team has shut down the last two opponents including holding Jones to just 112 passing yards in Week 6. Jones has some weapons in the passing game but an unimaginative offense and bad offensive line play limit his upside this week. He belongs on your bench.

Running Backs

Devonta Freeman (Sit, Ankle), Wayne Gallman Jr. (Sit), Alfred Morris (Sit), Dion Lewis (Sit)

Devonta Freeman missed last week’s game, after serving as the primary ball carrier in Weeks 3 through 6 before turning his ankle. Before his injury Freeman was a volume-based back, that could be used in a pinch. Without him, this backfield is a mess and impossible to forecast. Freeman missed practice Wednesday, which doesn’t bode well for the short week. The Giants are likely to hold him back one week and give him extra time to rest the ankle, which leaves the three-headed committee of Wayne Gallman, Alfred Morris, and Dion Lewis. The trio splits snaps nearly in thirds, with Gallman and Morris splitting the carries and Lewis running a few routes but looking quite invisible. If Freeman manages to play, he is worth a what the heck flex play but if he misses this game, this backfield can be avoided.

Wide Receivers/Tight End

Sterling Shepard (Start, WR3), Darius Slayton (Start, Flex), Golden Tate (Sit), Evan Engram (Start, TE2)

These teams matched up in Week 6 and Washington completely shut down this receiving corps, allowing just 61 yards and a short touchdown.  The Football Team has been strong all season against opposing receivers, thanks in part to a strong defensive line that pressures the quarterback. The Giants could very well struggle again but it is more likely that after studying game film, they have found some ways to exploit perceived weaknesses in this defense. It is difficult for a defense to repeat a dominating performance in the division. That is good enough to trust Sterling Shepard as a WR3 and Darius Slayton as a boom/bust flex play. However tight end Evan Engram and receiver Golden Tate both can be left on your bench this week. Engram is a decent TE2 for managers in need but he has been frustrating and inconsistent. Tate was disciplined this week, and while he appears to be back at practice, Tate is likely frustrated with a limited role on a bad team. No thanks.

Washington Football Team

Quarterback

Kyle Allen (Start, QB2)

Kyle Allen has thrown multiple touchdowns in each of his last two outings, hovering around the 20 point mark and even enjoying one top-12 finish. Last season he managed a QB1 finish in four of his 13 starts or 31%. Coming out of the bye week Washington may have added packages that take advantage of Allen’s skillset, albeit limited. Allen is a sneaky start this week, against a Giants defense that has allowed multiple touchdowns passes three straight weeks. He is a nice 2QB league play but can also be a streaming option for those managers in need.

Running Back

Antonio Gibson (Start, RB2), J.D. McKissic (Sit)

Hope is that coming out of the bye the Washington Football Team did some soul searching and came to the realization that they must give Antonio Gibson the lead back role. SO far Gibson and J.D. McKissic have essentially split snaps nearly down the middle, with Gibson serving as the primary ball carrier and McKissic as the passing down back. Gibson has been explosive as a runner but his work as a receiver has been almost non-existent. Still, he is earning 15 opportunities per game and is firmly in the RB2 conversation with an enormous upside in the second half of the season. Gibson needs to be in your lineups this week and it could be the start of a late-season breakout. McKissic should see a decreased role if this happens and belongs on your bench in any case.

Wide Receivers/Tight End

Terry McLaurin (Start, WR2), Logan Thomas (Start, High-end TE2)

The Washington Football team truly has just two fantasy options at pass catcher, stud wideout Terry McLaurin and QBList darling Logan Thomas. Scary Terry is commanding nearly 30% of Washington’s targets, a massive number that ranks inside the top five in the league. What’s more, his efficiency has increased with Allen under center. McLaurin should continue to increase in production and value as the year rolls on but this week he faces a tough Giants secondary that has held primary receivers in check, allowing just 72 yards and limiting touchdowns. Expect James Bradberry to be locked in coverage all day with McLaurin but managers should still feel good about WR2 numbers based on expected volume alone. At tight end, Thomas has seen his target volume decrease since the switch to Allen but his efficiency of targets has shot up, and he’s scored in two straight games. With the position being the same mess for managers it always seems to be, Thomas is a solid TE2 play with upside this week.

-Marc Salazar (@dingwog on Twitter)