FANDUEL QUICK PICKS FOR WEEK 9 NFL DFS
By Brian Quick
Hey Fanduelers, I hope you didn’t step on any injury land mines last week as many players went down in a crazy week. I also hope you chose to play Drew Brees or Eli Manning last week. Not that I offered any such advice in my early thoughts last week. I only play those guys on their four interception weeks. Some guys (Marvin Jones) just torture me relentlessly. Things are not great over here as my wife wanted to take me out of playing Fanduel after week 8, but I talked her into letting me stay in the game and pitch week nine. What could go wrong?
PLAYER PICKS FOR WEEK 9
Quick Tip #1 – Ben Roethlisberger – QB – Steelers – $8300
Big Ben was a little off in his first game back but I love the matchup this week at home against a Raiders Defense that allows the most passing yards per game this season. The much improved Raiders offense could make this a back and forth scoring fest that you want to be part of. Last week Ben attempted 45 passes, completing 28 of those for 262 yards and a TD. Laveon Bell being done probably doesn’t impact Ben too much because D’Angelo Williams does a great job as well including catching passes. With a week under his belt to shake off the rustiness look for Roethlisberger to put up some big numbers this week.
Quick Tip #2 – DeAngelo Williams – RB – Steelers ($6500) – This is going to be a popular play this week so if you don’t like taking players in your lineup that are used in a high percentage of lineups then he’s not for you. For me, the price is just too damn good to pass up. Last week he had 9 carries and rushed for 71 yards against a pretty darn good defense. He also caught 4 passes for 39 yards all as a replacement after Bell went down. He was good when Bell was out, 29 points at home vs. the 49ers, and he will be good the rest of the way.
Quick Tip #3 Ronnie Hillman – RB – Broncos ($6400)
The Colts are excruciating to watch each week. The Broncos Defense is going to tear them apart this week. You can take either Broncos RB and probably get good value from both. I’m going to choose Hillman because he is the starter which guarantees a few more carries. Last week Hillman carried the ball 19 times for 60 yards and two TDs with one reception for a loss. He missed some time in the third quarter which allowed CJ Anderson to also put up productive stats. Monitor this situation closely during the week but if Hillman’s injured thigh is fine and he is the starter then go with him.
Quick Tip #4 – New England Patriots – D – ($4900)
I’m going to miss you Rams Defense but the Patriots value here is too good to pass up. Kirk Cousins may have more completions to Pats Cornerbacks then he will to his own receiving corps. The Patriots will score often which will put their D on the field for scoring chances. The defense that last week held the red hot Dolphins offense to 7 points and sacked the QB 5 times while picking off 2 passes. $4900 fits nicely in any lineup.
Quick Tip #5 – Antonio Brown – WR – Steelers ($8700)
I am all-in on the Steelers this week. I’ve already mentioned how the Raiders give up the most passing yards per game in the NFL. I want the QB, his favorite WR, and the value RB who catches passes. This is the last time Brown will be under $9000 and early in the year I was playing him successfully no matter what his price was. Some people have gotten used to not playing him in their lineups. This may be the last week before he explodes again and everyone is on board. Last week he put up a modest 6 catches for 47 yards and a TD. I’m looking for a return to the 9-195-1 line from early September.
THE LONGSHOTS
Below are 5 long shots that have a chance to hit this week along with a small blurb about each one and their Fanduel price. Adding any one of these guys is like adding a long shot into horse racing exacta or trifecta.
Tavon Austin – WR – $5700 – A great game last week and he’s still really cheap. I consider him a home run hitter. He’s either going to hit a couple of homers or strike out 4 times. Even his bad weeks lately have been 8 or 9 points. There’s good value here.
Davante Adams – WR – $5100 – Yes the Panthers Defense is good but Aaron Rogers is going to be very determined coming into that game after his performance on national tv last week. Josh Norman will not be covering him so he could be a sneaky play as he has fallen completely off the fantasy radar. Worth a gamble in a lineup or two.
Melvin Gordon – RB – $6100- Is a breakout game coming? The Chargers are committed to him and the Bears D is shaky allowing the 8th most rushing yards per game this season. Last week he had 18 carries for 54 yards and caught 5 passes. Monday night games are a nice time to break out.
Jameis Winston – QB -$6700 – On one of those Saints passing TDs last week it looked like the Giants had nobody on the field. The Giants passing D gave up 7 TDs last week. Let’s say they only give up 4 this week. Winston is a nice play for those who don’t like to spend on a QB.
Jeremy Langford – RB – $6400 – The Chargers have given up 100 yards to a rusher in six straight games. Matt Forte should be out affording Langford plenty of touches and a possible 100 yards rushing.
Thank you once again for taking the time to read this. Remember, this is early week advice, so make sure you read up as the week goes on and make necessary changes to your lineups before game times. Please follow me on twitter @QuickRotoTips.
