Fantasy football Week 9 stat projections
Last week, Drew Brees threw for 311 yards and three touchdowns. He was not the top-scoring quarterback in standard-scoring leagues.
Kyle Orton racked up 238 yards and four touchdowns. He may have been the highest-scoring quarterback who went to Purdue, but he was not the highest scoring quarterback overall.
Andrew Luck cracked 400 yards and threw for three scores. There have been seasons, even recent ones, where that would have been the best quarterback performance of the year. 2014 is not one of those seasons.
• MORE FANTASY: Week 8 Waiver Wire | Fact or Fiction | Injury Roundup
Mock GM: Jackson to Eagles, more trades we wanted to see happen
Tom Brady carved up the Bears, amassing 354 yards and five touchdowns. Surely that had to be the highest-scoring fantasy game from a quarterback, right? Wrong.
The honor belonged to Ben Roethlisberger, who bested Luck and the Colts by throwing for a career-high 522 yards and six touchdowns. Week 9 of the 2014 season marked the first time that four quarterbacks – Roethlisberger and Luck, along with Aaron Rodgers and Nick Foles – threw for 400 yards in the same week. It was also the greatest explosion of fantasy points to date this year.
What brand of fireworks are in store for fantasy owners this week? Find out in the SI.com stat projections for Week 9.
• Challenge your friends in FanNation's weekly fantasy football game
New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers
QB: Drew Brees – 310 pass yards, 3 TD, 1 INT
RB: Mark Ingram – 104 rush yards, 1 TD, 2 receptions, 11 rec yards
RB: Travaris Cadet – 22 rush yards , 4 receptions, 39 rec yards
WR: Brandin Cooks – 6 receptions, 88 rec yards, 1 TD
WR: Marques Colston – 5 receptions, 73 rec yards
WR: Kenny Stills – 2 receptions, 17 rec yards
TE: Jimmy Graham – 6 receptions, 95 rec yards, 2 TD
K: Shayne Graham – 4 PAT, 2 FG
DST: Saints – 2 sacks, 1 INT, 20 points allowed
QB: Cam Newton – 257 pass yards, 2 TD, 1 INT, 22 rush yards
RB: Jonathan Stewart – 64 rush yards, 2 receptions, 10 rec yards
RB: DeAngelo Williams – 33 rush yards, 4 receptions, 25 rec yards
WR: Kelvin Benjamin – 6 receptions, 90 rec yards, 1 TD
WR: Jerricho Cotchery – 3 receptions, 42 rec yards
TE: Greg Olsen – 6 receptions, 72 rec yards, 1 TD
K: Graham Gano – 2 PAT, 2 FG
DST: Panthers – 1 INT, 34 points allowed
The Saints got back on track last week and now have a great matchup with the Panthers. Expect to see another heavy dose of Ingram against the weak Carolina run defense. This isn’t a terrible matchup for the Panthers, but they ultimately won’t be able to hang with a revived Brees and company.
• BURKE: Biggest winners and losers from Week 8 action
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Cleveland Browns
QB: Mike Glennon – 246 pass yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
RB: Bobby Rainey – 73 rush yards, 1 TD, 3 receptions, 27 rec yards
WR: Vincent Jackson – 5 receptions, 83 rec yards
WR: Mike Evans – 4 receptions, 70 rec yards, 1 TD
WR: Louis Murphy – 2 receptions, 15 rec yards
TE: Austin Seferian-Jenkins – 4 receptions, 38 rec yards
K: Patrick Murray – 2 PAT, 2 FG
DST: Buccaneers – 1 sack, 1 FR, 23 points allowed
QB: Brian Hoyer – 239 pass yards, 1 TD
RB: Ben Tate – 57 rush yards, 1 TD, 2 receptions, 11 rec yards
RB: Isaiah Crowell – 32 rush yards, 1 reception, 10 rec yards
RB: Terrance West – 24 rush yards
WR: Andrew Hawkins – 6 receptions, 98 rec yards, 1 TD
WR: Miles Austin – 3 receptions, 39 rec yards
WR: Taylor Gabriel – 5 receptions, 63 rec yards
K: Billy Cundiff – 2 PAT, 3 FG
DST: Browns – 3 sacks, 1 INT, 1 FR, 20 points allowed
The Browns’ offense has really struggled without center Alex Mack, and that’s not likely to change any time soon. Luckily for Cleveland, his injury came at about the best point possible, allowing the offense to get accustomed to new personnel against the Raiders and Buccaneers. This could be the last game before the Charles Sims era begins.
• FARRAR: Bucs send S Mark Barron to St. Louis at NFL trade deadline
Arizona Cardinals at Dallas Cowboys
QB: Carson Palmer – 278 pass yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
RB: Andre Ellington – 67 rush yards, 1 TD, 4 receptions, 41 rec yards
WR: Larry Fitzgerald – 6 receptions, 84 rec yards, 1 TD
WR: Michael Floyd – 4 receptions, 94 rec yards, 1 TD
WR: John Brown – 4 receptions, 45 rec yards
TE: John Carlson – 1 reception, 10 rec yards
K: Chandler Catanzaro – 3 PAT, 1 FG
DST: Cardinals –- 4 sacks, 2 INT, 23 points allowed
QB: Tony Romo – 303 pass yards, 1 TD, 2 INT
RB: DeMarco Murray – 95 rush yards, 1 TD, 3 receptions, 37 rec yards
WR: Dez Bryant – 6 receptions, 115 rec yards, 1 TD
WR: Terrance Williams – 4 receptions, 78 rec yards
WR: Cole Beasley – 3 receptions, 26 rec yards
TE: Jason Witten – 4 receptions, 48 rec yards
K: Dan Bailey – 2 PAT, 3 FG
DST: Cowboys – 2 sacks, 1 INT, 24 points allowed
An old NFC East clash pits the 6-1 Cardinals against the 6-2 Cowboys. Murray faces quite possibly his toughest test yet, as the Cardinals are a real threat to break his 100-yard streak. Most of the relevant fantasy players in this game should do well, but a lot depends on Romo’s health.
• BANKS: Cardinals prove they're among NFC's best in beating Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles at Houston Texans
QB: Nick Foles – 315 pass yards, 2 TD
RB: LeSean McCoy – 92 rush yards, 1 TD, 3 receptions, 22 rec yards
RB: Darren Sproles – 31 rush yards, 3 receptions, 34 rec yards
WR: Jeremy Maclin – 7 receptions, 114 rec yards, 1 TD
WR: Riley Cooper – 3 receptions, 43 rec yards
WR: Jordan Matthews – 4 receptions, 50 rec yards
TE: Zach Ertz – 4 receptions, 60 rec yards, 1 TD
K: Cody Parkey – 3 PAT, 2 FG
DST: Eagles – 2 sacks, 2 INT, 1 FR, 17 points allowed
QB: Ryan Fitzpatrick – 230 pass yards, 1 TD, 2 INT
RB: Arian Foster – 106 rush yards, 1 TD, 3 receptions, 26 rec yards
RB: Alfred Blue – 17 rush yards
WR: Andre Johnson – 6 receptions, 96 rec yards, 1 TD
WR: DeAndre Hopkins – 4 receptions, 85 rec yards
TE: Garrett Graham – 2 receptions, 16 rec yards
K: Randy Bullock – 2 PAT, 1 FG
DST: Texans – 3 sacks, 1 FR, 27 points allowed
If Philadelphia center Jason Kelce is able to make his return this week, watch out for McCoy. Either way, he’s getting Kelce and guard Evan Mathis back soon, meaning his 2014 breakout should finally be on the horizon.
• KING: J.J. Watt, Zach Mettenberger and more in the Week 8 mailbag
New York Jets at Kansas City Chiefs
QB: Michael Vick – 231 pass yards, 1 TD, 2 INT, 44 rush yards
RB: Chris Ivory – 64 rush yards, 1 TD, 2 receptions, 13 rec yards
RB: Chris Johnson – 20 rush yards, 2 receptions, 15 rec yards
WR: Eric Decker – 6 receptions, 77 rec yards, 1 TD
WR: Percy Harvin – 5 receptions, 53 rec yards, 29 rush yards
WR: Jeremy Kerley – 3 receptions, 29 rec yards
TE: Jace Amaro – 3 receptions, 24 rec yards
K: Nick Folk – 2 PAT
DST: Jets– 1 sack, 31 points allowed
QB: Alex Smith – 278 pass yards, 2 TD, 25 rush yards
RB: Jamaal Charles – 72 rush yards, 2 TD, 4 receptions, 56 rec yards
RB: Knile Davis – 24 rush yards
WR: Dwayne Bowe – 5 receptions, 63 rec yards, 1 TD
WR: A.J. Jenkins – 4 receptions, 53 rec yards
TE: Travis Kelce – 7 receptions, 94 rec yards, 1 TD
K: Cairo Santos – 4 PAT, 1 FG
DST: Chiefs– 3 sacks, 2 INT, 1 FR, 14 points allowed
Vick gets his first start of the season, and it coincidentally comes against Andy Reid and the Chiefs. Vick can’t possibly play worse than Geno Smith has for most of the season, but this looks like it will be a one-sided affair. Expect a big game from Kelce, who needs to be unleashed in the Kansas City offense.
[pagebreak]
Jacksonville Jaguars at Cincinnati Bengals
QB: Blake Bortles – 260 pass yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
RB: Denard Robinson – 87 rush yards, 1 TD, 2 receptions, 11 rec yards
RB: Toby Gerhart – 31 rush yards
WR: Allen Robinson – 6 receptions, 79 rec yards, 1 TD
WR: Allen Hurns – 2 receptions, 35 rec yards
WR: Cecil Shorts – 4 receptions, 54 rec yards
WR: Marqise Lee – 3 receptions, 41 rec yards
TE: Clay Harbor – 3 receptions, 37 rec yards
K: Josh Scobee – 2 PAT, 1 FG
DST: Jaguars – 3 sacks, 1 INT, 28 points allowed
QB: Andy Dalton – 285 pass yards, 3 TD, 1 INT
RB: Giovani Bernard – 70 rush yards, 4 receptions, 40 rec yards, 1 TD
RB: Jeremy Hill – 42 rush yards, 1 TD
WR: A.J. Green – 5 receptions, 81 rec yards, 1 TD
WR: Mohamed Sanu – 6 receptions, 97 rec yards, 1 TD
WR: Brandon Tate – 4 receptions, 36 rec yards
TE: Jermaine Gresham – 3 receptions, 27 rec yards
K: Mike Nugent – 4 PAT
DST: Bengals– 3 sacks 1 INT, 2 FR, 17 points allowed
Denard Robinson has rushed for more than 100 yards in each of the last two games and has taken over the backfield in Jacksonville. All signs point to Green finally returning from his toe injury, which would open up the entire Cincinnati offense.
• FARRAR: Rookie Watch: Blake Bortles' struggles a concern for Jaguars
San Diego Chargers at Miami Dolphins
QB: Philip Rivers – 274 pass yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
RB: Branden Oliver – 63 rush yards, 2 receptions, 18 rec yards
WR: Keenan Allen – 7 receptions, 96 rec yards, 1 TD
WR: Malcom Floyd – 3 receptions, 58 rec yards
WR: Eddie Royal – 5 receptions, 52 rec yards
TE: Antonio Gates – 5 receptions, 47 rec yards, 1 TD
K: Nick Novak – 2 PAT, 2 FG
DST: Chargers – 1 sack, 1 INT, 27 points allowed
QB: Ryan Tannehill – 264 pass yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 44 rush yards
RB: Lamar Miller – 84 rush yards, 2 TD, 3 receptions, 28 rec yards
WR: Mike Wallace – 6 receptions, 82 rec yards, 1 TD
WR: Jarvis Landry – 5 receptions, 60 rec yards
WR: Brian Hartline – 4 receptions, 37 rec yards
TE: Charles Clay – 4 receptions, 46 rec yards
K: Caleb Sturgis – 3 PAT, 2 FG
DST: Dolphins– 4 sacks, 1 INT, 1 FR, 20 points allowed
This game features two running backs who began the year as backups but have risen to prominence. Both Oliver and Miller are in the top 15 among running backs in points scored, but it’s the latter who will have a big game on Sunday.
Washington Redskins at Minnesota Vikings
QB: Colt McCoy – 239 pass yards, 1 TD, 2 INT, 14 rush yards
RB: Alfred Morris – 92 rush yards, 1 TD, 1 reception, 7 rec yards
RB: Roy Helu – 20 rush yards, 4 receptions, 25 rec yards
WR: DeSean Jackson – 4 receptions, 83 rec yards, 1 TD
WR: Pierre Garcon – 4 receptions, 54 rec yards
WR: Andre Roberts – 3 receptions, 27 rec yards
TE: Jordan Reed – 3 receptions, 41 rec yards
TE: Niles Paul – 0 receptions
K: Kai Forbath – 2 PAT, 2 FG
DST: Redskins– 3 sacks, 1 INT, 24 points allowed
QB: Teddy Bridgewater – 279 pass yards, 2 TD, 1 INT, 12 rush yards
RB: Jerick McKinnon – 71 rush yards, 1 TD, 3 receptions, 19 rec yards
RB: Matt Asiata – 26 rush yards
WR: Cordarrelle Patterson – 5 receptions, 84 rec yards, 1 TD
WR: Greg Jennings – 5 receptions, 77 rec yards, 1 TD
WR: Jarius Wright – 4 receptions, 45 rec yards
TE: Chase Ford – 3 receptions, 23 rec yards
K: Blair Walsh – 3 PAT, 1 FG
DST: Vikings D – 2 sacks, 2 INT, 1 FR, 20 points allowed
McCoy rallied Washington to an improbable win at Dallas last week, but he could very well give way to Robert Griffin III this week. Despite McCoy’s heroics, that would be great news for everyone on the Washington offense. Meanwhile, the Bridgewater-Patterson connection bore its first fruits last week, as the duo connected six times for 86 yards.
• KING: Colt McCoy has earned a new job in Washington
St. Louis Rams at San Francisco 49ers
QB: Austin Davis – 226 pass yards, 1 TD, 2 INT
RB: Tre Mason – 47 rush yards, 1 reception, 11 rec yards
RB: Benny Cunningham – 10 rush yards, 3 receptions, 34 rec yards
RB: Zac Stacy – 25 rush yards
WR: Kenny Britt – 4 receptions, 55 rec yards
WR: Stedman Bailey – 4 receptions, 43 rec yards
WR: Tavon Austin – 3 receptions, 17 rec yards
TE: Jared Cook – 5 receptions, 58 rec yards, 1 TD
K: Greg Zuerlein – 1 PAT, 2 FG
DST: Rams – 34 points allowed
QB: Colin Kaepernick – 283 pass yards, 2 TD, 31 rush yards, 1 rush TD
RB: Frank Gore – 83 rush yards, 1 TD
RB: Carlos Hyde – 35 rush yards, 2 receptions, 13 rec yards
WR: Michael Crabtree – 5 receptions, 89 rec yards, 1 TD
WR: Anquan Boldin – 7 receptions, 94 rec yards, 1 TD
WR: Steve Johnson – 3 receptions, 44 rec yards
TE: Vernon Davis – 3 receptions, 31 rec yards
K: Phil Dawson – 4 PAT, 2 FG
DST: 49ers – 4 sacks, 2 INT, 1 FR, 13 points allowed
The first game between these two NFC West teams resulted in a 31-17 thumping by the 49ers, and it’s hard to imagine why this one will be any different. The Rams just lost Jake Long and Brian Quick, arguably their two best offensive players, for the season last week. Get all your 49ers active this week.
• BENOIT: The MMQB's Midseason All-Pro team
Denver Broncos at New England Patriots
QB: Peyton Manning – 315 pass yards, 3 TD, 1 INT
RB: Ronnie Hillman – 61 rush yards, 2 receptions, 17 rec yards
RB: Juwan Thompson – 23 rush yards
WR: Demaryius Thomas – 8 receptions, 123 rec yards, 2 TD
WR: Emmanuel Sanders – 6 receptions, 87 rec yards
WR: Wes Welker – 5 receptions, 53 rec yards
TE: Julius Thomas – 3 receptions, 32 rec yards, 1 TD
K: Brandon McManus – 3 PAT, 2 FG
DST: Broncos– 2 sacks, 1 FR, 24 points allowed
QB: Tom Brady – 280 pass yards, 3 TD
RB: Jonas Gray – 40 rush yards
RB: Shane Vereen – 23 rush yards, 5 receptions, 41 rec yards, 1 TD
WR: Brandon LaFell – 5 receptions, 81 rec yards, 1 TD
WR: Julian Edelman – 5 receptions, 49 rec yards
WR: Danny Amendola – 2 receptions, 12 rec yards
TE: Rob Gronkowski – 6 receptions, 91 rec yards, 1 TD
K: Stephen Gostkowski – 3 PAT, 1 FG
DST: Patriots – 2 sacks, 1 INT, 27 points allowed
The familiar media narratives may get annoying, but I never tire of games that feature Peyton Manning and Tom Brady. This one is unlikely to disappoint, with the Broncos and Patriots looking like two of the three best teams in the AFC, along with the Colts. With the two quarterbacks likely to match each other point for point, you’ll want all your guys in this game active.
• KING: Midseason Report: What's made the first half memorable
Oakland Raiders at Seattle Seahawks
QB: Derek Carr – 178 pass yards, 1 TD, 3 INT
RB: Darren McFadden – 47 rush yards, 2 receptions, 13 rec yards
RB: Maurice Jones-Drew – 12 rush yards
WR: Andre Holmes – 5 receptions, 67 rec yards, 1 TD
WR: James Jones – 4 receptions, 40 rec yards
WR: Kenbrell Thompkins – 3 receptions, 37 rec yards
TE: Mychal Rivera – 2 receptions, 19 rec yards
K: Sebastian Janikowski – 1 PAT
DST: Raiders D – 1 sack, 27 points allowed
QB: Russell Wilson – 220 pass yards, 1 TD, 45 rush yards
RB: Marshawn Lynch – 119 rush yards, 2 TD, 2 receptions, 18 rec yards
WR: Doug Baldwin – 5 receptions, 78 rec yards, 1 TD
WR: Jermaine Kearse – 3 receptions, 30 rec yards
WR: Paul Richardson – 4 receptions, 43 rec yards
TE: Cooper Helfert – 2 receptions, 24 rec yards
TE: Luke Willson – 2 receptions, 19 rec yards
K: Steven Hauschka – 3 PAT, 2 FG
DST: Seahawks – 4 sacks, 3 INT, 1 FR, 7 points allowed
Playing at Seattle may not be the best look for the Raiders' offense. The Seahawks still seem to be trying to figure out exactly what kind of offensive team they are, but they know for certain that they have a running back who can abuse the Raiders. They should feed Lynch early and often on Sunday.
• BISHOP: The Seahawks offense faces an identity crisis at midseason
Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers
QB: Joe Flacco – 260 pass yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
RB: Justin Forsett – 72 rush yards, 1 TD, 4 receptions, 31 rec yards
RB: Lorenzo Taliaferro – 25 rush yards
WR: Steve Smith – 6 receptions, 102 rec yards, 1 TD
WR: Torrey Smith – 4 receptions, 71 rec yards
TE: Owen Daniels – 5 receptions, 46 rec yards, 1 TD
K: Justin Tucker – 3 PAT, 1 FG
DST: Ravens– 3 sacks, 1 INT, 30 points allowed
QB: Ben Roethlisberger – 287 pass yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
RB: Le’Veon Bell – 81 rush yards, 1 TD, 4 receptions, 53 rec yards, 1 TD
RB: LeGarrette Blount – 23 rush yards
WR: Antonio Brown – 7 receptions, 95 rec yards, 1 TD
WR: Markus Wheaton – 4 receptions, 48 rec yards
WR: Martavis Bryant – 4 receptions, 70 rec yards
TE: Heath Miller – 3 receptions, 21 rec yards
K: Shaun Suisham – 3 PAT, 2 FG
DST: Steelers– 2 sacks, 2 INT, 1 FR, 24 points allowed
The race to win the AFC North is tight, but the Steelers have to feel good about their chances, given that they have the two most dangerous players in the division in Brown and Bell. Those two will be the difference on Sunday night.
• DEITSCH: Through scandals, everyone's still watching the NFL
Indianapolis Colts at New York Giants
QB: Andrew Luck – 326 pass yards, 3 TD, 1 INT, 22 rush yards
RB: Ahmad Bradshaw – 72 rush yards, 1 TD, 4 receptions, 31 rec yards, 1 TD
RB: Trent Richardson – 41 rush yards, 2 receptions, 16 rec yards
WR: T.Y. Hilton – 6 receptions, 119 rec yards, 1 TD
WR: Reggie Wayne – 5 receptions, 74 rec yards, 1 TD
WR: Donte Moncrief – 4 receptions, 56 rec yards
WR: Hakeem Nicks – 0 receptions
TE: Dwayne Allen – 3 receptions, 24 rec yards
TE: Coby Fleener – 1 reception, 6 rec yards
K: Adam Vinatieri – 4 PAT, 1 FG
DST: Colts D – 3 sacks, 2 INT, 21 points allowed
QB: Eli Manning – 273 pass yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
RB: Andre Williams – 60 rush yards, 1 TD, 2 receptions, 14 rec yards
RB: Rueben Randle – 6 receptions, 78 rec yards, 1 TD
WR: Odell Beckham – 4 receptions, 63 rec yards
WR: Preston Parker – 4 receptions, 37 rec yards
TE: Larry Donnell – 5 receptions, 66 rec yards, 1 TD
K: Josh Brown – 3 PAT
DST: Giants D – 2 sacks, 1 INT, 31 points allowed
Luck has thrown for at least 300 yards in seven of eight games this year, and has surpasses 340 yards six times. I wouldn’t bet on the Giants slowing down him and this passing offense. They also don’t have enough firepower to hang, though Randle and Donnell are strong plays, especially with six teams on bye.
