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Fantasy Corner week nine: Who to start and who to sit

Tyler O’Keefe

Connector Contributor

It’s week nine in the National Football League (NFL), but more importantly, it’s make or break for some of our fantasy teams.

Some of us are three and five, four and four, five and three, six and two, and all have something in common; we need a win. Certain teams need wins more than others, but it’s always nice to get a win in fantasy regardless of your team’s record.

Your boss, coworker, friend, sibling, girlfriend, or someone you don’t even know might be your opponent this week. This might make you want to win even more depending on the opponent you face this week. Fantasy football can be won and lost in the same minute. One minute you’re winning, and the next your down.

It is a game of stats that has nothing to do with the outcome of the actual NFL games scores. Players who stay hot will be the ones who take you to the promise land in your leagues. It is important to have consistency on your team, because without it in the playoffs, a bad week will knock you right out. You want players who week in and week out are highly involved in their teams offense.

Enough simple advice about fantasy football, let’s get to who you want to start and sit for this week. Le’veon Bell, Adrien Peterson, Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers are all players on your team that, regardless the matchup, you are starting in your lineup with no hesitation. This column is based on suggestions for players that will exceed expectations, or struggle than previous games based off the matchup for this particular week.

With the likes of Russell Wilson and Carson Palmer on a bye this week, quarterback help is definitely something everyone could use. Eli Manning has been up and down all year long, but this week will be one of his up weeks. Manning has a sweet matchup on the road against Tampa Bay. Tampa ranks in the top five for most points allowed against opposing fantasy quarterbacks this year.

Expect a big game from Manning. Start him this week with confidence.

Monday night football this week is the San Diego Chargers at home versus the Chicago Bears. Both quarterbacks have very good matchups in this game, but the one you should start is Phillip Rivers. The guy is on pace to break the passing yards records if the way he is playing continues. Start Rivers in week nine.

A deep sleeper option is Ryan Fitzpatrick if you own Wilson or Palmer and are struggling for a quarterback. Sit Blake Bortles and Teddy Bridgewater this week. Both have bad matchups, and will not have productive fantasy games.

For running backs, Giovanni Bernard and Jeremy Hill have been driving owners somewhat crazy this season.  It seems like one or the other will be better each week, but no one knows which. To make things easy for you start both! The Browns are terrible against the run, and this Thursday night game has fantasy implications for the Bengal’s all over it.

Doug Martin is a sleeper option this week. Get him in your lineup with Forsett, Chris Johnson and Marshawn Lynch on bye. Sit Eddie Lacy this week along with TJ Yeldon. Both have terrible matchups this week.

For the wide receiver position this week, start Rueben Randle, Eric Decker and Kendall Wright. All guys who will be great fill ins for Larry Fitzgerald, John Brown, Steve Smith, Megatron and Deandre Hopkins. Sit Allen Robinson, Donte Moncrief and Mike Wallace.

Start Delaney Walker and Martellus Bennett at tight end. Sit Jason Witten and Kyle Rudolph this week.

Good luck this week. Go out and get that win.                              

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