Fantasy Football: Week 9 Start or Sit

Start:

Carson Palmer (vs. TB) – Tom Brady owners who need a replacement quarterback during the star’s bye week should seek out Carson Palmer. Against a feeble Tampa secondary that has yielded 309.6 passing yards per game, Oakland’s veteran quarterback is primed for a big day through the air.

Trent Richardson (vs. BAL) – Football fans tend to see Baltimore and draw up memories of an air-tight defense due to past success. This season, however, the Ravens are ranked 30th in the NFL with 142.9 rushing yards allowed per game. Trent Richardson recovered from an injury last week and regained his status as a much-start running back. Don’t be fooled by a seemingly tough matchup that should actually guide the rookie to monster production.

Andre Roberts (@ GB) – If presented with a time machine, after of course stopping Selena Gomez from pursuing a music career, I’d bet everyone in sight that a wide receiver other than Larry Fitzgerald would be the Cardinals’ top fantasy option at the halfway point. Roberts has tallied 454 yards and five touchdowns while catching at least five passes in five of the first eight games. Arizona, who possesses no rushing attack and will likely trail the Packers for most of Sunday’s contest, will be compelled to throw early and often.

Sit:

Eli Manning (vs. PIT) – Before handing Eli Manning the MVP award for pulling off some improbable comebacks, let’s take the look at the level of competition he torched. Manning posted major numbers against Tampa Bay and Cleveland but posted pedestrian stat lines against tougher defenses in Dallas and San Francisco. Look for a better option as Manning faces the NFL’s top passing defense.

Jonathan Stewart (@ WAS) – The Panthers declared the end to their running back by committee approach and will start Jonathan Stewart on Sunday against the Redskins. DeAngelo Williams, who Carolina could trade before the deadline, has slumped mightily this season, but Stewart has not produced much better. In five games, Stewart is averaging 3.5 yards per carry and has yet to score a rushing touchdown. Since the Redskins rank among the league’s best against the run but struggle to stop the pass, expect Carolina to rely heavily on an aerial attack

Kenny Britt (vs. CHI) – Kenny Britt is injury prone and often gets into trouble, but he usually produces fantastic numbers when he actually plays. Through six games, Britt has only caught 20 passes and a 62-yard performance served as his grand output for the year. With Kendall Wright and Nate Washington earning more targets, don’t bother gambling on Britt to break out against Chicago’s stout defense.


agould1@ramapo.edu