Fantasy Football 2018: Start or sit for Week 9

Start

Latavius Murray vs. Detroit- With Dalvin Cook out of the picture, Latavius Murray has filled the running back void in Minnesota phenomenally for fantasy owners, averaging 21 fantasy points the past three contests for the Vikings. On deck for Minnesota is a Lions run defense that ranks dead last in the league in run defense, allowing a whopping 144.6 yards per game on the ground while being one of three teams to allow more than five yards per carry.

Despite being officially dubbed as questionable, Cook is expected to make his return to the gridiron this week. However according to Rotoworld, Cook will only see “about 8-12 plays” vs. Detroit. The plan appears to be to slowly work Cook back in to the rotation, giving us one more solid week of Latavius Murray production. Expect Murray to again find himself flirting with 20 fantasy point territory despite Cook’s expected return.

Adrian Peterson vs. Atlanta- Adrian Peterson again finds himself on the start side of the list, facing a Falcons defense that has given up the second-most fantasy points to running backs per ESPN. The last three weeks, Peterson has averaged 22.3 carries with 115 yards rushing. With Chris Thompson being ruled out for Week 9, Peterson is expected to see an increase in touches.

AP has certainly found a second wind for his career in Washington, and the Redskins plan to keep riding Peterson’s success. Even if Thompson was healthy, game-flow and a heavy rushing usage put Peterson in place to succeed on Sunday against what is a leaky Falcons defense. With more carries his way and perhaps even some action on passing downs, there’s a lot to like about Peterson in Week 9.

Sit

Kerryon Johnson at Minnesota- Kerryon Johnson has become one of the best late-round picks/waiver wire pick-ups of the year, as Detroit appears to have finally found a solidified three down running back. Since week two, Johnson has eclipsed double-digit scoring every week. Johnson’s fantasy appeal arrives in his abilities as both a runner and pass-catcher, yet that all might change with the re-emergence of Theo Riddick.

Riddick, who is primarily used in passing scenarios, is likely to take away a large share of targets moving forward. Factor this with Minnesota’s defense yielding a lowly 3.7 yards per carry, and all of a sudden Johnson doesn’t carry much appeal fantasy wise. Fantasy football is about limiting the unknown possibilities, and Detroit’s game-plan with Riddick intensifies precisely that on the road against a tough Vikings defensive front.

LeSean McCoy vs. Chicago- The curious case of LeSean McCoy’s fantasy season in 2018 continues to gather more intrigue after a 15-point outing against New England. The 30-year old back now has produced double-digit outings in his last three of four games, producing a glimmer of hope that not all is lost for McCoy in 2018.

Yet, I just can’t buy McCoy to continue producing in a terrible offense, especially when facing a Bears defense that allows a shade over 83 rushing yards per game. With Buffalo playing catch-up in most games, the Bills are quick to ditch their rushing attack while relying on (gulp) either Derek Anderson or Nathan Peterman to run the show at quarterback. McCoy simply hasn’t proven to the fantasy community he’s reliable to shoulder the workload of Buffalo’s offense against Khalil Mack and the rest of Chicago’s dominant front seven.