Fantasy Football Week 9: Start’em / Sit’em

Sit’em:

QB:

Alex Smith @BUF (35%, 18): Why are 35% of users starting a guy that can’t / won’t throw passes over 10 yards? The ceiling on Smith is so low that he’s never going to get a start on any of my rosters. His record as a starter is impressive, but I bet the record of fantasy teams that start Alex Smith is well under .500

Matt Ryan CAR (71%, 17): Carolina’s defense is playing great right now and this is the first tough D Atlanta has faced since losing Julio Jones. I think Ryan will come close to his projected value, but I want at least 20 points from my QB and I don’t think Ryan will get there this week. I would rather start Jake Locker or Terrelle Pryor this week.

RB:

Chris Johnson @STL (65%, 12): Titans coaches announced this week that they are planning on giving Shonn Greene 15-20 carries per week. This is bad news for Johnson as it will definitely cut into his carries . His carries have been decreasing the last 3 weeks anyway and both of Johnson’s touchdowns this year are on receptions. If you want to count on a receiving TD this week go ahead, but I like RBs who get close to 20 carries a game.

Trent Richardson @HOU (65%, 13): Is this guy any good? He’s averaging 3.1 YPC this year and under 4 YPC for his career, so it certainly doesn’t look like it. T-Rich does have a good opportunity for success on a strong Colts team, but eventually his lack of production will land him on the Colts bench. He should already be on your fantasy bench. Why did I just trade for this guy?!?

Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

Zac Stacy TEN (37%, 13): Stacy proved me wrong last week with 134 yards rushing against the Seahawks fierce run defense. Who saw that coming? Unfortunately, Stacy did leave the game with an ankle injury but it doesn’t sound like it’s bad enough to keep him out in week 9. It IS an ankle injury though, which is pretty detrimental to a RB. Tennessee’s run defense isn’t great, but unless I hear Stacy is close to 100% healthy, he’s not leaving my bench.

WR:

Marcus Colston @NYJ (72%, 11): That starting percentage is WAY too high. Colston hasn’t cracked 20 receiving yards in three weeks! I have no idea what happened to this guy, but it looks like he is moving slow motion and I expect Brees’ targets to shift to the more dynamic Kenny Stills the next few weeks. Less than 20 receiving yards 3 weeks in a row! I wouldn’t feel comfortable with Colston in my lineup against anybody.

Danny Amendola PIT (50%, 9): He is becoming a regular on this list as half of the fantasy universe is still starting him even though he only has 70 yards in his last three games combined. Tom Brady is a mess right now, Gronk is back and clearly his #1 target, and the Pats young WRs (Dobson & Thompkins) are still getting looks. It doesn’t help that Amendola still isn’t 100% (is he ever?). Way too risky of a play for my taste.

Torrey Smith @CLE (67%,11): Joe Haden alert. Torrey Smith actually had a decent game against Haden and the Browns in week 2 (7-85), but only 4-40 of that came against Haden. With no other receiving threats in the lineup I think Smith will see Haden across from him most of the day and his fantasy numbers will take a hit. He hasn’t exactly been on a tear with 73 yards total and no TDs over his last two games.

TE:

Greg Olsen ATL (70%, 9): Olsen found the end zone last week which masked that he only had 21 yards receiving and was held under 50 yards for the 3rd week in a row. I don’t like to rely on TDs from my TEs and prefer a guy who is getting at least 5-6 targets a game. Olsen hasn’t seen 5 targets in a game since week 5. There are probably TEs on your waiver wire (Bennett, Eifert, Fleener) with more potential this week.

Jared Cook TEN (32%, 7): Why? Can one of the 32% please answer that in the comments? Cook hasn’t had a good fantasy game since week 1. It’s week 9. Stop it.

Bust:

No player being started in over 90% that I don’t like this week.

Twitter: @MikeFlannery_