What can you do to brighten up someone’s day? Give them a call to check in and say hello. Your parents, your kids, or your friends. Often, we start to lose touch with people as we grow up. You move on from high school, maybe in college or straight into the workforce, and you lose touch with people you were close to in the past.
If you are reading this, reach out to the family member you haven’t heard from. Do it to say hi and see how they are doing. Reach out to that past co-worker or schoolmate you liked but lost touch with. Again, say hi.
Check in with people you care about, and make sure they are ok. Do it, say hello, and listen to whatever it is that they may want to say.
You will make their day by showing that you cared enough to say hello. This invariably means a lot to people. Do it today! Well, wait until after you finish reading this, then do it.
Let’s move into some Week 9 football.
If you are new here, this column can be used to help you handle some sit/start questions you might have, but its primary purpose is to take you through the main DFS slate weekly with players that will make you money and players that will break your heart.
Here is a brief definition of each of my terms for anyone that might be new:
💰 Money Maker – This player will perform better than expectations
💔 Heart Breaker – This player will perform lower than expectations
💰 Money Makers
Quarterbacks
Trevor Lawrence
Trevor Lawrence has been a little up and down, but the down has been against teams that defend the pass well. In Week 9, he plays against the Raiders, who give up the most points to opposing teams’ quarterbacks. Quarterbacks have scored a combined 18 touchdowns in 7 weeks of play against the Raiders. I have had Jaguars players as heartbreakers for weeks and weeks. Now starts the 5-week stretch I was telling you to add their pass catchers for.
$5,200 on DraftKings
$6,800 on Fanduel
Geno Smith
Yo Geno! What’s up, buddy? People waited a long time for you to produce. So put on gold chains and strut down the street in your best sweat suit, brother, because you are a thing. In Week 6, Geno was just average against this same Cardinals defense. The Cardinals give up the 6th most points to opposing teams’ quarterbacks. Quarterbacks have scored 17 total touchdowns against this defense. Geno has multiple touchdowns in each of the past two weeks. He should continue that trend against the Cardinals in week 9. The over-under for this one is 50 points highest on the main slate. Let’s root for that over.
$5,800 on DraftKings
$7,500 on Fanduel
Justin Herbert
I pick on the Falcons a lot. That’s because they give up the third most points to opposing teams’ quarterbacks. Every week this season, a quarterback scored a touchdown against this defense. They give up an average of 2 a week to quarterbacks. Herbert is coming out of a bye week, and Keenan Allen is potentially coming back. Can you smell what the Chargers are cooking?
$7,200 on DraftKings
$7,800 on Fanduel
Other quarterbacks for Week 9
Taylor Heinicke
$5,400 on DraftKings
$7,200 on Fanduel
Aaron Rodgers
$5,900 on DraftKings
$7,000 on Fanduel
Kyler Murray
$7,400 on DraftKings
$8,200 on Fanduel
Running Backs
Tyler Allgeier
You may have just read how I like to pick on the Falcons. I also like to pick on the Chargers with running backs. The Chargers give up the second most points to running backs in fantasy. In 7 games this season, they have given up seven double-digit fantasy points. Running backs averaged 156 total yards and a touchdown against the Chargers. Allgeier, meanwhile, has three straight weeks of double-digit scores. He leads the Falcons backfield in snaps with a 60% share. The Falcons like to run; they run more than any other team in the NFL. This is such an easy pick. Play him, stop thinking about it, and do it.
$5,400 on DraftKings
$6,400 on Fanduel
Aaron Jones
Running backs have scored touchdowns every single week against the Lions’ defense. It wasn’t Mostert last week, but it still happened. Aaron Jones is the only player I trust on the Packers. Jones rushed for 143 yards against the Bills’ vaunted defense last week. Do you know how he has some boom games with like three touchdowns? This one has the potential for that. Jones is great the Lions’ defense is not. I LOVE me some A-A-Ron Jones this week.
$7,400 on DraftKings
$7,800 on Fanduel
Travis Etienne
I didn’t think it was possible to recover so well so quickly from Lisfranc surgery. Well, here we are. Etienne is easily a top-10 running back the rest of the way, and in Week 9, he gets a Raiders defense that gives up the 6th most fantasy points to running backs. The best part of this matchup is Etienne can get it done on the ground and through the air. The Raiders give up seven receptions and 61 yards a game through the air to running backs. Last week Alvin Kamara destroyed them with receptions. I like Etienne to run, I like him to catch, and I like him to score in Week 9.
$6,300 on DraftKings
$7,600 on Fanduel
Other Running backs for Week 9
Raheem Mostert
$6,100 on DraftKings
$6,500 on Fanduel
Josh Jacobs
$7,300 on DraftKings
$8,800 on Fanduel
James Conner
$5,800 on DraftKings
$6,600 on Fanduel
Wide Receivers
Joshua Palmer
Mike Williams is out, and it looks like Keenan Allen will be out. Joshua Palmer will be the wide receiver in a great match-up. Fourteen wide receivers have had double-digit scoring days against the Falcons this season. The Falcons give up 16 receptions, 215 yards, and a touchdown weekly to wide receivers. You couldn’t ask for a better spot to return from a concussion. I also like DeAndre Carter in this matchup. The Chargers passing game gets right in Week 9.
$5,100 on DraftKings
$6,200 on Fanduel
Romeo Doubs
Doubs saw seven targets in Week 8. He turned that into four receptions for 62 yards and a touchdown. That was against the Bills, who are good at defense. In Week 9, he plays against the Lions, who are not good at defense. The Lions’ defense gives up the 6th most points to opposing teams’ wide receivers. I like Doubs a lot this week in GPP and Cash plays. The game has a 49.5 point over/under, so Vegas expects a shootout. The Lions give up double-digit fantasy scores like I breathe air.
$5,300 on DraftKings
$6,100 on Fanduel
Terry McLaurin
The Vikings give up the 7th most points in fantasy to wide receivers. McLaurin was essentially not-so-scary Terry with Wentz under center. But last week, old friend Taylor Heinicke was back. Heinicke remembered precisely how to put the ball in McLaurin’s hands. Terry was scary again, just in time for Halloween. He saw eight targets, which he turned into six receptions for 113 yards. That was a 26% target share, his highest of the season. We like Heinicke in for McLaurin’s fantasy value a lot. The matchup is correct, and the quarterback is right for fantasy goodness this week for McLaurin. It will be a post-Halloween treat for all of you.
$5,900 on DraftKings
$7,200 on Fanduel
Other Wide Receivers for Week 9
Tyler Lockett
$6,100 on DraftKings
$7,600 on Fanduel
Justin Jefferson
$8,600 on DraftKings
$9,000 on Fanduel
Tee Higgins
$7,300 on DraftKings
$8,000 on Fanduel
Tight Ends
Zach Ertz
Ertz has double-digit fantasy scores in 5 out of 8 games this season. He is a top 5 fantasy play weekly. I am starting my lineup with him this week. Why do you ask? The Raiders are playing the Seahawks in Week 9. The Seahawks are the friendliest team to tight ends in fantasy. In Week 7, Ertz had seven receptions for 70 yards against this same Seahawks team. With his 19% target share and 68% catch rate at home in what looks like potentially the highest-scoring game on the main slate, I like him a lot.
$5,100 on DraftKings
$6,600 on Fanduel
Evan Engram
The Jaguars play the Raiders. The Raiders give up the third most points to opposing teams’ tight ends. Engram has a 16% target share in the Jaguars’ passing game. He also catches what is thrown his way with his 73% catch rate. The matchup is excellent; the player is involved. If you are streaming or not playing Ertz in DFS, Engram is a superb option.
$3,300 on DraftKings
$5,200 on Fanduel
Other Tight Ends for Week 9
Tyler Higbee
$3,700 on DraftKings
$6,100 on Fanduel
Robert Tonyan
$3,800 on DraftKings
$5,000 on Fanduel
Gerald Everett
$4,800 on DraftKings
$5,800 on Fanduel
💔Heart Breakers
Quarter Backs
Jared Goff
The Lions are playing the Packers in Week 9. The Packers have not given up a 20-point fantasy day to quarterbacks yet this season. No one has passed for over 300 yards against them as well. The passing volume may be there for Goff, he throws the ball a lot, but the production should be down. The Lions’ passing offense came into this season like the old saying about March. It comes in like a Lion but goes out like a lamb.
Zach Wilson
The Jets are playing the Bills. If you need a bye-week fill-in for Week 9, this guy is not it. The Bills have given up one game of over 20 fantasy points this season, and that was to Patrick Mahomes. Meanwhile, Zach Wilson has one game over 20 fantasy points this season. Don’t do this, even if you think somehow the Jets will have to throw to stay in the game. The matchup is terrible. The Bills give up the 4th fewest points to quarterbacks in fantasy.
PJ Walker
Walker was a Money Maker last week and is a Heart Breaker this week. Thus, it makes a fantasy season. The Bengals give up the 6th fewest fantasy points to opposing teams’ quarterbacks. The Panthers are playing the Bengals. The matchup is terrible; the quarterback is great, such an easy heartbreaker.
Running Backs
Darrell Henderson
I had him as a heartbreaker last week. He did not disappoint unless you played him, then you were disappointed. Well, this week, the Buccaneers are up, giving up the 6th fewest points to opposing teams running backs. The Rams appear destined to want to play anyone but Henderson at running back, even though he has had success in the past. The Rams’ offensive line is horrible. This is an easy run-to-toilet call. Don’t forget to brush your teeth after vomiting.
Jonathan Taylor
Last week I listened to an analyst on a podcast talk about how you can run against the Patriots. Sorry, but you were wrong, don’t believe me; ask Michael Carter and his 26 yards in Week 8. The Patriots give up the second-fewest points to opposing teams running backs. No running back has scored more than 15 points against this defense.
NOTE: Running Quarterbacks can run on this Patriots’ defense. That is where those rushing yards come from, not running backs.
Michael Carter
He had a whopping 26 yards last week against the Patriots. Yes, I do like mentioning it. The Bills are up next with the 4th toughest defense against running backs. What says you? This week Michael Carter gets maybe 50 yards in total. If you thought he was a great play once Breece Hall, I am sorry to tell you the matchups have been VERY tough these first two weeks with Carter alone in the backfield.
Wide Receivers
Jakobi Meyers
Meyers has been a point-per-receptions player’s dream so far this season. So much I am still playing him myself in season-long. I am not playing him in DFS. The Colts give up the second-fewest points to opposing teams’ wide receivers. We have found the one thing we know the Colts are good at this season; I’ll leave it at that.
DeAndre Hopkins
Thank God Hopkins is back. He is great. You are playing him in season-long. HE is probably saving or making lots of people’s seasons. Hopkins didn’t play against the Seahawks in week 7. The Seahawks are the third toughest team against wide receivers in fantasy. He can succeed against this defense, but I am not counting on that in DFS.
Tyreek Hill
Justin Jefferson lit the Bears up for 154 yards in 5. Besides, no wide receiver has over 100 yards against the Bears defense. The Dolphins play the Bears in Week 9. I love Hill and Waddle, but I am not playing these Dolphins in DFS in Week 9. I have both Dolphins wideouts going in multiple leagues for a season-long team, and just saying to temper your expectations with this one.
Tight Ends
TJ Hockenson
The Commanders give up the least amount of points to opposing teams’ tight ends in fantasy. The Vikings play the Commanders in week 9. Hockenson is new to the Vikings as he was acquired in a trade deadline deal from the Lions. As tempted as you might be to play him, the new team is a bad matchup. Just avoid it in Week 9. You’ll thank me later.
Cade Otton
We hoped for big things with Otton playing with Brady. Unfortunately, the Rams aren’t perfect this season. But then again, the Buccaneers are very good as well. The Rams also give up the third-fewest points to tight ends. Otton needs a touchdown to be viable. It’s unlikely; in season-long, waive him for a better option; in DFS, even if you toss the tight end position away, you have better options.
Brock Wright
Every once in a while, I like something so obvious that anyone could tell you about it. Especially at the end of this article so I can see if you have read this far. Good for you if you thought this guy would replace Hockenson in Lion’s offense. He might. But the Packers are tough on tight ends. This guy is new to start. I hope I didn’t have to tell you not to play him; I just wanted something super easy at the end.
Good luck this week!
Thanks for checking out Money Maker and Heart Breakers. For more great content from The Undroppables, follow us on Twitter and @MikeReedyFF for more great content.
