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Week 9 Bye Weeks
This is the busiest week of the year for teams on bye, with six teams not playing. We may have to dig deep to fill our lineups this week.
Indianapolis
Players to replace:
DL – Jabaal Sheard, Margus Hunt
LB – Darius Leonard, Anthony Walker
DB – Kenny Moore, Malik Hooker
Cincinnati
Players to replace:
DL – Carlos Dunlap, Geno Atkins
LB – Vontaze Burfict, Vincent Rey
DB – Shawn Williams, Jessie Bates
NY Giants
Players to replace:
DL – Olivier Vernon
LB – Alec Ogletree, B.J. Goodson
DB – Landon Collins, Janoris Jenkins
Philadelphia
Players to replace:
DL – Brandon Graham, Fletcher Cox, Michael Bennett
LB – Jordan Hicks, Nigel Bradham
DB – Malcolm Jenkins, Ronald Darby
Arizona
Players to replace:
DL – Chandler Jones, Robert Nkemdiche
LB – John Bynes, Hassan Reddick
DB – Budda Baker, Tre Boston, Antoine Bethea
Jacksonville
Players to replace:
DL – Calais Campbell, Yannick Ngakoue
LB – Myles Jack, Telvin Smith
DB – Barry Church, Tayshaun Gipson
Positive / Negative Home Stat Crews
Here is this week’s list of positive and negative matchups. We break down the top and bottom three matchups where home stat crews either hand out tackles and assists or are stingy with them. This metric is Tackles Per Opportunity or TPO and we can use these games to break ties for our lineups.
Note: the matchups are not favorable for fantasy owners this week. Think about getting some big-play defensive players in your lineups to make a difference.
Top 3 TPO Games at Home this week = Raiders @ 49ers, Bears @ Bills, Falcons @ Redskins
Bottom 3 TPO Games at Home this week = Chiefs @ Browns, Rams @ Saints, Bucs @ Panthers
Week 9 Notes
- Eagles linebacker Jordan Hicks has been playing well in 2018, one of the better stretches in his career. Last week he finished with 8 solos, and 1.5 sacks. He’s a clear LB1 and should be in your lineups every week.
- The Kansas City Chiefs have a dumpster fire of a defense but one player is clearly benefiting from the leads the explosive offense is able to generate, DE Dee Ford. Ford has 8 sacks in as many games and is able to pin his ears back and attack the QB. This week he draws the Browns and he again should have some opportunities to do what he does. He’s a strong play this week.
- In Pittsburgh, LB Vince Williams played a part-time role in Week 8. This is something to monitor this week, because he may have lost his value for fantasy owners in the second half.
- Detroit identified a weakness in their defense and pulled the trigger for DT Damon Harrison. In Week 8 Snacks showed exactly why he was so valuable to the Lions. Harrison finished with a huge game, 7 solos and a sack. Harrison only played in about 60% of the snaps but if he’s available in DT required leagues, snatch him up now.
- Seahawks DE Kenny Clark is a monster but he’s been quiet in the sack department this season. However, in Week 8 he totaled two sacks and five total tackles. He’s had a solid year so far but if he can rack up the sacks to close out the season he could be a difference maker for our lineups.
- The Bengals appeared to have made a great decision when they handed the starting S job to rookie Jessie Bates. Already having a solid season, Bates caught an interception and returned it for his first career touchdown. It was his third interception to go along with 60 total tackles. Bates is a sleeper for the defensive rookie of the year.
- Vikings DE Emerson Griffen made his seasons debut but finished with a quiet night. He could be a difference maker down the stretch but until he produces, fantasy owners can keep him on the bench unless desperate.
- Bills LB Tremaine Edmunds is in the concussion protocol this week so keep an eye out for his status on Sunday.
- We will finish up with some injury news. Bengals LB Vonteze Burfict will miss 2-4 weeks with a bum hip. Chiefs LB Anthony Hitchens is likely to miss this weeks game with a rib injury, which could open the door for a reduction in his role moving forward. The 49ers play on Thursday night and LB Reuben Foster will likely miss the game. Finally, Chargers DE Joey Bosa is not expected back this week for a big matchup with the Los Angeles Rams.
Below are the full IDP rankings for Week 9 thanks to this widget from FantasyPros: