QB:
Jalen Hurts, Eagles
Even though it doesn’t feel like the Eagles are passing as much as they have in the past couple of seasons, this is still one of my favorite matchups on the board. The Jaguars are pretty tough against the run, but their secondary is leaky, and they play a lot of man coverage, which should allow the Eagles receivers to dominate. Hurts is especially dangerous if he gets close to the goal line, as the “tush push” is always in play. The Eagles still run that play better than any team in the league, and they don’t appear like they are going to abandon it any time soon.
Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs
We all know that the Buccaneers are very tough against the run, which should force the Chiefs to throw more. The Tampa 2 cover defense will allow Mahomes to find those pockets in the zone where he can look for Hopkins and Kelce to make chunk yardage downfield. There’s a good chance that Mahomes might finally break 300 yards passing this week with a couple of touchdowns.
Bo Nix, Broncos
Part of me feels like this is going back to the well after his good game against Carolina, but it also feels like Sean Payton is slowly opening his playbook and allowing Nix to take more downfield shots. Baltimore has been bad against the pass, allowing tons of yardage to opposing quarterbacks. What makes Nix even more tempting as a fantasy play is his ability to run. I think he could have both a rushing touchdown and a passing touchdown this week.
Joe Flacco, Colts
I don’t blame Colts head coach Shane Steichen for replacing Anthony Richardson. Richardson was completing no more than 10 passes a game, and it was really putting his receivers at a tremendous disadvantage. When you play the Vikings you’ve got to be able to see the blitz coming and find those open receivers, and that’s something we know that Flacco can do. Look for him to have 250+ passing yards and multiple touchdowns.
Justin Herbert, Chargers
Although we think of the Chargers as a run-first team, it does feel like Herbert has been allowed to throw the ball more in recent weeks. Cleveland has a very good pass rush, but their linebackers are not great in coverage, and outside of Denzel Ward, their cornerbacks are terrible. They also play a ton of man coverage, and that should allow Herbert to pick his spots and make some big plays downfield.
RB:
Alvin Kamara, Saints
One of the easiest plays in fantasy football this season has been to take advantage of offenses against the Carolina Panthers. Even Sean Payton pointed out to reporters that the Panthers are just not a good football team. The Saints have been reeling with Derek Carr injured, and the easiest way for a team to get back on track is to run the football. To that end, look for Kamara to have about 15 to 20 fantasy points.
Kyren Williams, Rams
On Thursday, Puka Nacua reinjured his knee, which was a huge blow to a Rams offense that desperately missed him and Cooper Kupp for the past few games. The one guarantee in this offense has been Williams, who has been exceptional. He commands 20-plus touches and is the best red zone threat the team has. Seattle has been gouged by opposing running backs over the last few games, and it should be expected that Williams will do the same this week.
De’Von Achane, Dolphins
Coming into this season, fantasy managers were hoping that Tua would use Achane more out of the backfield, and he certainly has. Not only are we seeing Achane get about 12 to 15 rushes, but we’re also seeing him get anywhere from 4-8 receptions per game. This type of usage makes him a top-ten overall fantasy running back, and even though this is a tough matchup, he should be able to pile on the fantasy points.
James Conner, Cardinals
The Cardinals run a zone rushing scheme, and the Bears tend to over-pursue as they try to get to the quarterback. If Arizona runs a few delayed handoffs to Conner, he should be able to find some gaping holes for long runs. What makes him also very dangerous is that he is pretty good out of the backfield and should have 3-5 receptions as well.
Chase Brown, Bengals
The Raiders run defense has been letting up close to 5 yards per carry, as well as a ton of explosive plays. The running back who’s the poster child for explosive plays is Brown, who can rip off a big play when he gets around the edge. I think he has a great chance to get a 30- or 40-yard touchdown run in this contest.
WR:
A.J. Brown, Eagles
When looking at the best receiver plays of the week you always must look at the defensive coverages being played versus the success rate of the receivers against that particular coverage. No receiver dominates man coverage like AJ Brown does, and that’s the coverage that Jacksonville prefers to play. Lock Brown in for 100+ yards and a touchdown.
Malik Nabers, Giants
When opposing teams play man coverage against the Giants, Nabers gets close to 40% of the looks. There’s also much doubt that Tyrone Tracy will be back after suffering a concussion, which leaves Nabers as the most explosive Giants player on the field. If Daniel Jones has time to throw, Nabers should have a huge game.
Terry McLaurin
Jayden Daniels is playing at a very high confidence level right now, and he is taking more big shots downfield than he did in the early weeks of the season. The Giants CBs, especially Deonte Banks, have struggled in coverage, and I expect that to happen again in Week 9 as TMC gets 100+ receiving yards and a TD.
Josh Downs, Colts
The Vikings blitz a ton, and if Joe Flacco can step up and avoid the pass rush, he should be able to find Josh Downs, who has a huge matchup advantage over the Vikings mediocre secondary. Downs has been one of the most underrated receivers in the AFC this season and is expected to improve even more with Flacco at quarterback.
Ladd McConkey, Chargers
McConkey dominated man coverage in college, and he’s been dominating it thus far as a rookie. Just last week, he torched the Saints for over 100 yards and two touchdowns. The Browns play a ton of man coverage which means that Herbert should be looking for McConkey all game. Let’s give young Ladd 80+ receiving yards with a reasonably good chance of a touchdown.
TE:
Brock Bowers, Raiders
Bowers has been the most consistent fantasy tight end all season long. Could you imagine how good he could be with a real quarterback as opposed to Gardner Minshew? I think the Raiders and Bengals game could be higher-scoring than most people anticipate. Bowers is likely to go 8 for 80, but if he scores (and TD regression is coming), his day goes from good to great. I am predicting great in Week 9.
Cade Otton, Bucs
With Mike Evans and Chris Godwin injured, Otton has become Baker Mayfield’s number one target. Not only is he a sensational blocker, but he has also been a very reliable receiver, especially in the red zone. The Chiefs have been one of the worst teams in the league against opposing tight ends, so look for Otton to have 80 yards and a touchdown.
T.J. Hockenson, Vikings
Week 9 should be the return of Hockenson to the Vikings lineup. While I don’t think that he’ll play a full load of snaps, he should be in there in critical downs, especially in the red zone. Look for him to use his huge size advantage to his benefit and score against an Indianapolis defense that has struggled all year long versus opposing tight ends.
Jake Ferguson, Cowboys
The Dallas/Atlanta game is expected to be one of the highest-scoring games on the slate, and I want a piece of this game if possible. Dak Prescott has struggled tremendously for much of the 2024 season, but Dallas always plays well when Ferguson plays well. With the Falcons paying close attention to CeeDee Lamb, look for Ferguson to have 12-15 fantasy points this week.
Taysom Hill, Saints
With Derek Carr likely back, the Saints offense should be playing at a higher level than in recent weeks. Hill is a tough player to predict as he is a jack of all trades, master of none. However, he is always a threat to run one in, and backup RBs have killed the Panthers defense all season long. Isn’t Hill really the RB2 for New Orleans? I think he is, and I am playing him.
