Hot Fire Fantasy Football Questions: Week 9
Our “Hot Fire Fantasy Questions” series examines Week 9 following up recent news, fantasy performances, and implications for owners moving forward. Our Hot Fire contributors from our Fantasy Footballers writing staff includes Ryan Weisse (@TheFantasyFive) and Kyle Borgognoni (@kyle_borg). Give them a follow on Twitter along with all of our Footballers accounts to get goodness like this:
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— Andy Holloway (@andyholloway) November 2, 2018
1. Who surprised you the most in Week 9?
Mike Evans was certainly the wrong kind of surprise. He parlayed 10 targets into 1 catch for 16 yards. The Panthers defense is tough but you certainly expect more from one of the NFL’s best WRs. Evans played fantastically with Fitz-Magic early in the season, so I expect this to be the exception, not the rule. –Ryan Weisse (@TheFantasyFive)
The Packers-Patriots game definitely wasn’t the bonanza we all thought it would be. When the game was tied in the 3rd quarter, I thought we were looking at things going down to the wire. Honestly, I think what I’ve come to terms with is that Aaron Rodgers has a lack of true playmakers available to him. When Aaron Jones fumbled, he was left with a plodding Jamaal Williams, an aged tight-end in Jimmy Graham, and a WR corp that doesn’t seem to create as much separation as in years past. In other words, the Pack looks capped week-to-week. It was hard for me to say that with Rodgers but I wouldn’t be scared facing off against their players apart from Davante Adams. –Kyle Borgognoni (@kyle_borg)
2. Which RB’s Week 9 breakout game is most repeatable: Tevin Coleman or Duke Johnson?
Repeatable? Give me Duke. His is the only situation that has changed and the new-ish coaching staff in Cleveland seemed to immediately recognize that they have to utilize their best weapon. Coleman will have good games here and there, but he’s unlikely to put together another combined stellar rushing/receiving game. Duke should be a PPR stud moving forward. –Ryan Weisse (@TheFantasyFive)
If the new regime is committed to getting Duke 9 targets(!), that gives him a ridiculous floor in PPR leagues. Nick Chubb is going to get lots of work but this situation can produce 2 relevant fantasy options. This was the breakout game owners (such as myself) were hoping for from Coleman when Devonta Freeman went to IR. However, 2 rec TDs is hard to repeat in this offense. The scrimmage yards are, however, a good sign that he can be used as a multi-purpose back with some fringe RB1 spike weeks. –Kyle Borgognoni (@kyle_borg)
Kirk Irwin/Getty Images
3. Now that Julio has his TD out of the way, give us your top-5 WRs ROS.
While I’m happy for Julio, one TD doesn’t change much for me.
1. Michael Thomas
2. Antonio Brown
3. DeAndre Hopkins
4. Adam Thielen
5. Davante Adams
–Ryan Weisse (@TheFantasyFive
This question depends on what you’re looking for: sheer upside, dependability, targets…. these guys have it all.
1A. DeAndre Hopkins– Getting a ridiculous 50% target share this week showed me he’s the blow-up WR I want.
1B. Antonio Brown- Wanted to put him #1 but this offense is spreading the ball around more than in the past.
2. Michael Thomas– His catch rate is otherworldly. He will have games where Brees looks elsewhere but he’s such a technician in only his 3rd year.
3. Adam Thielen– The 100-yard streak ended but with Kirk Cousins throwing so much, Thielen is as safe as they get.
4. Julio Jones– With Matt Ryan locked-in, Julio’s consistency coupled with big-play ability gives you weekly upside.
5. Odell Beckham Jr.– His targets are still there so let’s not discount him too much.
–Kyle Borgognoni (@kyle_borg)
4. Give us one under-the-radar stat line fantasy owners need to pay attention to.
Elijah McGuire is a darling of fantasy Twitter but in case you missed it, in his first game back from a foot injury, he racked up 10 touches, including 3 catches on 5 targets. There will be better games for the Jets and McGuire looks to be the future for the scat back role previously held by Bilal Powell. He is a nice add in any type of PPR format. –Ryan Weisse (@TheFantasyFive)
You might be box score watching if you were to see Broncos TE Jeff Heuerman went for 10 catches on a team-leading 11 targets for 83 yards and a TD against the Texans. He’s never seen this much volume but he’s definitely been utilized in the red zone all season long. He’s seen the 4th most RZ targets (13) among TEs and more than Antonio Brown, Odell Beckham Jr., and Brandin Cooks. Since Jake Butt went down, he’s been the clear lead guy over Matt LaCosse seeing 71% of the snaps this week. –Kyle Borgognoni (@kyle_borg)