Fantasy Football Outlook Week 9

Last week my picks were very so-so. 1 of my 3 sleepers had a big game, but all 3 of my busts did exactly that.

For sleepers, Derek Carr and Jonathon Taylor really struggled. Carr dealt with some terrible weather that basically took away the passing game for either team in that game, he finished with 12.1 points. Taylor lost a lot of his carries to Jordan Wilkins, as Wilkins nearly doubled Taylors touches. Wilkins controlled the ground game and Nyheim Hines controlled the air attack out of the backfield, leading to Taylor finishing with only 5.1 points. Brandon Aiyuk on the other hand had a big game, finishing with 8 catches for 91 yards and a touchdown for 23.1 points. He received a lot of targets and I think he's someone to hang onto later into the season, especially with Kittle now hurt.

For my bust picks, Lamar Jackson, Ronald Jones, and Adam Thielen all really struggled. Jackson threw 2 touchdowns and ran the ball well, but he was killed by turnovers. The tough Steelers defense picked him off twice and forced him to fumble three times, and he ended with 14.5 points. Ronald Jones all but lost his starting job to Leonard Fournette on Monday Night Football. After Jones fumbled in the second quarter, he was rarely seen on the field again as Fournette took over the night. Jones produced decently on his few carries, but lack of touches stopped him at 6.6 points. Thielen was a victim of Dalvin Cook on Sunday. The Vikings really only ran the ball and there was nothing for Thielen to do, as he ended up with 5.7 points.

This week I'll follow the same format, with a new sleeper and bust at each position.

QB

Sleeper: Cam Newton

The Patriots are not the team they once were, but the Jets are really bad. I think this is a game the Patriots need to get back on track if they want to stay relevant, and Newton needs this game to get back on track and save his job. The Jets are a perfect opportunity for Newton to rack up yards through the air and on the ground, as the Jets can't stop anything. I expect the Patriots will turn the game into a running game in the second half, limiting Newton's yards through the air, but it could lead to some rushing touchdowns.

Cam hasn't thrown a touchdown since week 3, and he's only thrown the ball over 200 yards once this season. He's been a running quarter back so far this year, but I think that can change for this game. Newton is going to want to prove he belongs as the starter, and the Jets won't stop him.

Bust: Kyler Murray

Coming off a bye week that was preceded by a huge win against the Seahawks, the Cardinals face the Dolphins. Contrary to previous years, the Dolphins are not a terrible football team. They have a good "bend don't break" defense that has limited teams like the Seahawks and the Rams to low scoring close games. Russell Wilson, arguably the MVP so far this season had his fewest points of the season against the Dolphins. They forced 4 turnovers against the Rams, and I think they are up to the test against the Cardinals.

Although Murray is a great quarter back, he is still young and has made some mistakes. Granted he has DeAndre Hopkins, Christian Kirk, and Larry Fitzgerald to help him out, I don't think he will have a fantastic game against the Dolphins. I expect him to scramble a lot which could get him into unnecessary pressure.

RB

Sleeper: Damien Harris

Doubling up on the Patriots players for sleepers this week, I think Harris is going to have another good game. The Patriots running back as began to take over the backfield in New England. As I said when above about Cam, I expect this game to turn into a ground game for the Patriots, which could result in a lot of touches for Harris. He's played well with the touches that he has had, and I think he'll see more playing time if he continues to play well against the Jets.

In four healthy games, Harris has had two 100 yard games, one of those with a touchdown. In both of those big games, he only played about 30% of the snaps and had about 16 touches. If this game turns into a ground game for the Patriots, I think Harris could see much more playing time, which hopefully will lead to greater production.

Bust: Ezekiel Elliot

The Cowboys have been a disaster since Dak Prescott got hurt. Since the game against the Giants where Dak was injured, the Cowboys have produced six total scoring drives in three weeks. Five of those scores were field goals, and only one was a touchdown. Even if the Cowboys had a healthy offensive line, Zeke is in no position to get touches. The Cowboys are playing from behind in every game and have no need to run the ball, especially against a Steelers defense.

Zeke has failed to reach double digit points in three consecutive weeks and has only gone above 50 yards in one of those three games. If he can be more involved in the passing game, he could see some more points via receptions, but at this points I don't trust anyone on the Cowboys offense to put up reliable fantasy numbers anymore.

WR

Sleeper: Anthony Miller

The Bears are an interesting offensive team because you never know what they're going to do. Miller has been involved early in a lot of games lately, but starts to disappear later on. Last week against the Saints it was the opposite, and he got more involved later in the game. He had a season high 11 targets and 8 receptions, and I think they will get him just as involved this week against the Titans.

Miller can be inconsistent at times, but if he is able to maintain any type of volume in the passing game he is an interesting flex option. Especially against a Titans team that will work to cover Allen Robinson a lot more than Miller.

Bust: Robby Anderson

The Panthers are not a fantastic team, and the Chiefs are really good. I think this game is a blowout, and even if Anderson gets a lot of targets I don't think he will be able to do much with them. The Chiefs have been a solid defense all year long and have done a good job taking the ball away from opposing teams.

Anderson has been once of Bridgewater's favorite targets this year, but I don't think this game has a chance for Anderson to explode in the same way. I think he struggles will production, but not in volume. Still a great receiver, just a tough matchup against the Chiefs defense.