Hello fantasy owners it is good to be back in the Slate. I hope your teams and season have not gone awry. I am back to give you the advice you love and the evaluations of players you are not sure about. All right, let’s get to the starts and sits for week 9 in the NFL.

Top 5 Starters for Week 9

1. Andy Dalton-Fantasy Start of the Week

If you have not noticed I have a thing about teams playing against Jacksonville. Even though the Jaguars defense has improved they still give up yards. The Bengals methodical approach to moving the ball down the field has worked to their advantage when playing defenses that like to rush the passer. The last time Dalton played against the Jaguars he threw for 244 yards 2 touchdowns and rushed for one on the ground. Playing Dalton is a solid option because he has shown he can be a little mobile and score touchdowns. Some analysts do not expect Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green to play Sunday. If he does suit up that will only make Dalton an even better option at quarterback.

2. Cam Newton

There are many things I can say about Cam Newton but above all is that he is a proven playmaker. With his top four receivers from a season ago now gone, he has a batch of new receivers at his disposal he still finds a way to make plays with. The New Orleans Saints defense will give Newton plenty of opportunities in the passing game and on the ground. The Saints have lost their top free agent defender in safety Jairus Byrd who was underperforming anyway. Without Bryd the Saints have the 2nd worst pass defense in the NFL. Even as the Saints dispatched the Green Bay Packers Newton has had their number these past few seasons.

3. Lamar Miller

When Knowshon Moreno went down earlier in the season everyone believed it would be Lamar Miller’s coming out party. Miller has the skills and opportunity to be a very consistent fantasy option at running back. A matchup against the San Diego Chargers shows favor especially after they gave up 133 yard and 2 touchdowns to the Broncos running game.

4. DeSean Jackson

There were many questions about Jackson’s production after he was cut by Philadelphia Eagles and transitioned to the Redskins’ offense. His injuries contributed to his slow start, but he finally looks like he can be the threat he used to be to defenses. The Minnesota Vikings do not have a standout cornerback that can match Jackson’s speed. The Vikings have not had the chance to play against a true speedster this season like Jackson even though they have their own.

5. Cordarrelle Patterson

Speaking of their own speedy wide receiver Patterson is starting to show signs of life after posting season highs in receptions and yards in his past game against the Buccaneers. His 6 receptions and 86 yards are a sign of relief. We know he is getting the necessary amount of targets and the offense is starting to revolve around him. Going against a Redskins’ defense is a good matchup for him. The Redskins have not been the best at stopping the pass and a versatile receive like Patterson can surely get open and find the end zone.

Top 5 Players to Sit for Week 9

1. Michael Vick- Fantasy Sit of the Week

I did not like Vick when he played for the Philadelphia Eagles and he had some nice weapons during his tenure. Michael Vick is a 34-year-old inaccurate quarterback with injury problems. The Jets think he can save their season. It is not going to happen especially when he is playing against the team with statically the best pass defense. The Chiefs give up an average 195.7 yards to QBs. A quarterback like Vick will be easy pickings for the Chiefs defense. His game against the Bills was not that impressive. His stat line goes as 18/36 completions 153 yards, 0 touchdowns and 1 interception.

2. Darren McFadden

All the explanation you need is the he is playing the Seattle Seahawks. The defense looked shaky the past couple of games but got their act together against the Carolina Panthers. They limited the Panthers’ run game to 31 carries for 114 yards. That is pretty impressive especially since the running back with the most carries was Jonathan Stewart with 16 and then Cam Newton with 12. The only running back that was able to do real damage to Legion of Boom was Demarco Murray. Darren McFadden is no Demarco Murray. McFadden only has 338 yards on the season and averages 4.0 yards a carry.

3. Austin Davis

Davis had a very nice game against the Philadelphia Eagles. But sadly he does not play against the Eagles every week. He plays the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday. The 49ers are the 2nd best defense at stopping the pass. The defense gives up an average of 209 yards per game. Davis did not have a great game when he saw the 49ers two weeks prior. Davis threw for 21/42 completions, 236 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception. Davis does not look like he improved in the last two weeks. The Chiefs made mince meat out of him and the Rams offense. To make matters worse Davis will be without his most productive receiver in Brian Quick. Quick has been lost for the year due to injury in the Chiefs game.

4. Jamaal Charles

Jamal Charles is a household name. I will not say he should be sat by any means. What I will tell you is he is playing the New York Jets. Aside from their offensive issues, the Jets’ defense and specifically their run defense is solid. They are 5th at stopping the run averaging 85.4 yards game against opposing offenses.

5. Demarco Murray

The same goes for Murray as it did for Charles. Do not sit him if you need him. Be aware that he is playing a top run defense that gives up an average of 77.9 to running backs. He has been the most consistent running back all season but I think he will hit a bump in the road when he faces the Arizona Cardinals.

BYE WEEK: Falcons, Bills, Bears, Lions, Packers, Titans

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