Week 9 us here as we start the second half of the NFL season. We have six bye's to deal with as well as Ray Flowers breaks down the quarterback position. 

 

RANKPlayer NameTeamOpponentGSnapsCompAttYdsTDIntPA%YPCRATRuAttRuYdRuTD
1Drew BreesNOSF@7509214308236618560.5%11.1104.79111
2Aaron RodgersGBIND7488176275174217456.4%9.996.4281562
3Matt RyanATLTB@8524193279263619453.2%13.7115.821690
4Andrew LuckINDGB@8497198311228416562.6%11.596.2362091
5Cam NewtonCARLA@642211820715088649.1%12.880.7381913
6Philip RiversSDTEN8538182292228515754.3%12.693.86190
7Ben RoethlisbergerPITBAL@6381145226168516659.3%11.699.24180
8Dak PrescottDALCLE@748814422117739245.3%12.399.6271054
9Jameis WinstonTBATL7520158269177614951.7%11.281.924651
10Eli ManningNYGPHI744817527019848660.3%11.387.37-50
11Marcus MariotaTENSD@8536157248187414646.3%11.995.1322211
12Colin KaepernickSFNO313129633302148.1%11.466.2171500
13Russell WilsonSEABUF743815824118125255%11.591.525440
14Matt StaffordDETMIN@8516191282215416454.7%11.3103.4211260
15Derek CarrOAKDEN8566214323232117357.1%10.8100.918610
16Blake BortlesJACKC@7475174290190412961.1%10.980.3271451
17Ryan FitzpatrickNYJMIA@8504152271178971153.8%11.86821860
18Joe FlaccoBALPIT751118930818375660.3%9.775.412182
19Tyrod TaylorBUFSEA@848913523014809247%1187.2463193
20Ryan TannehillMIAJETS741613921317287751.2%12.487.520781
21Sam BradfordMINDET639813520314428151%10.798.210-20
22Alex SmithKCJAC741815423316388255.7%10.694.319311
23Trevor SiemianDENOAK@741813221414878451.2%11.387.114300
24Carson WentzPHINYG@746115022815269349.5%10.292.519400
25Josh McCownCLEDAL213245826014462.1%13.474.35100
26Case KeenumLACAR7451147237170881052.5%11.677.515401

* PA - Percentage of plays run that were passes.

 

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RANKPlayer NameTeamOpponentPts AllowedOpp Pass RkOpp RkDVOAOpp Pass Yds/GPaceO/U$Line$FD$DK$FA
1Drew BreesNOSF@18.820230.0730222.425.1951.5150$8600$7200$7500
2Aaron RodgersGBIND18.429310.1960287.827.5554-300$9100$7800$7800
3Matt RyanATLTB@19.719200.0260274.727.4451.5155$8600$0$7400
4Andrew LuckINDGB@20.3168-0.081247.127.2654-300$8000$6700$6900
5Cam NewtonCARLA@16.71511-0.03723926.4545145$8100$7000$6850
6Philip RiversSDTEN14.624220.0610259.528.4947-240$8300$6500$6600
7Ben RoethlisbergerPITBAL@15.3146-0.15322027.550 $7500$6600$7000
8Dak PrescottDALCLE@19.330300.1920277.829.4447310$7600$6100$6450
9Jameis WinstonTBATL26.324260.0810285.425.7651.5155$7700$0$6400
10Eli ManningNYGPHI6.111-0.251214.124.643-140$7500$5700$6250
11Marcus MariotaTENSD@20.467-0.083275.129.9147-240$7600$5900$6250
12Colin KaepernickSFNO18.128290.1710286.724.0451.5150$7200$5600$6000
13Russell WilsonSEABUF12.718170.0150241.928.5544-280$7800$6400$6650
14Matt StaffordDETMIN@15.745-0.181204.629.30 $7400$5600$6450
15Derek CarrOAKDEN14.725-0.24183.927.9544-110$7700$6300$6550
16Blake BortlesJACKC@15.279-0.0572530.625.4545.5-440$7300$5800$5900
17Ryan FitzpatrickNYJMIA@161013-0.03231.428.2544-190$7400$5700$6100
18Joe FlaccoBALPIT17.821250.0800283.426.580 $7500$5500$5850
19Tyrod TaylorBUFSEA@10.853-0.217229.727.4944-280$7200$5000$6000
20Ryan TannehillMIAJETS19.931270.1100289.128.0844-190$7300$5600$5700
21Sam BradfordMINDET24.332320.2220259.429.540 $7400$5000$5900
22Alex SmithKCJAC20.413180.0150224.627.6245.5-440$6800$5300$6250
23Trevor SiemianDENOAK@21.625280.1110285.426.6344-110$7200$5100$6100
24Carson WentzPHINYG@14.3910-0.052267.431.1243-140$6900$5100$5750
25Josh McCownCLEDAL16.61714-0.013255.926.4647310$7100$5400$5650
26Case KeenumLACAR20.127160.0080286.929.1845145$6300$5000$5000

* Pts allowed on Fanduel
** Opp Pass Rank is pass defense    
*** Opp Rank is Oppositions overall defensive rank
**** 
DVOA – Football Outsiders Defense adjusted Value Over Average
*****Pace - Seconds per play, the lower the number, the more plays run.

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RANKPlayer NameTeamOpponentP>20P>40RZ Pass AttRZ Pass <15RZ Pass <10RZ Pass <5RZ Rush AttRZ Rush <15RZ Rush <10RZ Rush <5$FD$DK$FA
1Drew BreesNOSF@296484033161111$8600$7200$7500
2Aaron RodgersGBIND182564331197642$9100$7800$7800
3Matt RyanATLTB@3413483924141111$8600$0$7400
4Andrew LuckINDGB@344423125143310$8000$6700$6900
5Cam NewtonCARLA@1952210839877$8100$7000$6850
6Philip RiversSDTEN3010644426140000$8300$6500$6600
7Ben RoethlisbergerPITBAL@216231914101000$7500$6600$7000
8Dak PrescottDALCLE@203362718116773$7600$6100$6450
9Jameis WinstonTBATL182341815102220$7700$0$6400
10Eli ManningNYGPHI20526191081100$7500$5700$6250
11Marcus MariotaTENSD@274362320104210$7600$5900$6250
12Colin KaepernickSFNO2165400000$7200$5600$6000
13Russell WilsonSEABUF20423151040000$7800$6400$6650
14Matt StaffordDETMIN@254392821121111$7400$5600$6450
15Derek CarrOAKDEN295474128170000$7700$6300$6550
16Blake BortlesJACKC@25244311772222$7300$5800$5900
17Ryan FitzpatrickNYJMIA@232352716103221$7400$5700$6100
18Joe FlaccoBALPIT19529201263332$7500$5500$5850
19Tyrod TaylorBUFSEA@16325161475442$7200$5000$6000
20Ryan TannehillMIAJETS2472313645311$7300$5600$5700
21Sam BradfordMINDET1931915820000$7400$5000$5900
22Alex SmithKCJAC17332191382111$6800$5300$6250
23Trevor SiemianDENOAK@154332823143311$7200$5100$6100
24Carson WentzPHINYG@16338211163321$6900$5100$5750
25Josh McCownCLEDAL9184311000$7100$5400$5650
26Case KeenumLACAR2572818923322$6300$5000$5000
  • RZ Patt Red Zone Passing Attempts (inside the 20 yard line)
  • RZ P<15 Red Zone Passing Attempts (inside the 15 yard line)
  • RZ P<10 Red Zone Passing Attempts (inside the 10 yard line)
  • RZ P<5 Red Zone Passing Attempts (inside the 5 yard line)
  • RZ Ru Red Zone Rushing Attempts (inside the 20 yard line)
  • RZ Ru<15 Red Zone Rushing Attempts (inside the 15 yard line)
  • RZ Ru<10 Red Zone Rushing Attempts (inside the 10 yard line)
  • RZ Ru<5 Red Zone Rushing Attempts (inside the 5 yard line)
  • RZ Tar Red Zone Targets (inside the 20 yard line)
  • RZ Tar<15 Red Zone Targets (inside the 15 yard line)
  • RZ Tar<10 Red Zone Targets (inside the 10 yard line)
  • RZ Tar<5 Red Zone Targets (inside the 5 yard line)
  • RZ Rec Red Zone Receptions (inside the 20 yard line)
  • RZ Rec<15 Red Zone Receptions (inside the 15 yard line)
  • RZ Rec<10 Red Zone Receptions (inside the 10 yard line)
  • RZ Rec<5 Red Zone Receptions (inside the 5 yard line)

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ELITE OPTIONS

Drew Brees produced two scores, one rushing, and 265 passing yards last week against the big, bad Seahawks (he also completed 77.1 percent of his passes). He’s a weekly play no matter what… if you want to spend the price. In three road starts he’s thrown for six scores while averaging 279 passing yards an outing. Oh, and the Niners stink.  

Aaron Rodgers’ Packers don’t seem to have a plan out of the backfield, and they ran the ball only 14 times on 62 plays. Though he often holds the ball too long, it paid off in Week 8 as all four of his scores were on plays of over 2.6 seconds before release. Rodgers has seven scores and zero picks his last two games.

Matt Ryan threw for 288 and three scores in yet another solid effort. He carved up the Packers when there was no pressure going 26-for-31 for three scores. The Bucs are a bottom six rush D according to PFF, and that sets up well for Ryan to pick them apart. The Bucs have only picked off four passes while allowing 275 passing yards a game.

Andrew Luck was pressured on more than 20 drop backs for the fifth time this season in Week 8 as the o-line continues to struggle (they were brutalized by the Chiefs last week). Luck faces the Packers who are the 3rd ranked rush defense according to PFF in a less than ideal matchup. Still, Luck has at least two scores in 4/5 games and he’s Andrew Luck.  

SOLID PLAYS

Cam Newton dealt with four dropped passes in Week 8, but he didn’t complete a pass over 20-yards in the air and he had a 45.8 percent QB Rating when under pressure. Newton has one or zero passing scores in ¾ games, though he’s only been picked once in three outings. The Rams are ranked 4th in pass rush and Newton is coming off an effort where the Cardinals were able to get some pressure on Newton last week.

Philip Rivers had a tough matchup last week and tossed three picks. He also threw for 267 yards and two scores in a passable fantasy effort against the Broncos. Rivers was constantly harassed last week and might be again this week given that he faces the Titans who rank 8th in pass rush according to PFF. In three home games Rivers has tossed seven scores against just a single pick.

Dak Prescott was able to pull it out last week but he looked poor at times in doing it. He threw an interception, could have easily had another two picks, and also fumbled (it was recovered). He also missed Dez Bryant on two passes that could have gone for scores. He still has five scores the last two games as a passer with one as a runner. The Browns have been battered for 19 passing scores, tied for the most in football.

Marcus Mariota only tried one pass over 20-yards in the air in Week 8. Luckily it was a touchdown. He only threw four incomplete passes, two were throwaways, playing mistake free football. He’s tossed at least two scores in 4-straight, and only been picked off once. The Chargers come in 11th in pass rush and 6th in pass coverage according to PFF.

Russell Wilson can’t be started with any level of confidence. He isn’t stretching the field at all and has gone 3-straight without a touchdown pass. He also isn’t running as his body ain’t right. If not for a 43 yard wheel route last week to C.J. Prosise he would have thrown for 210 yards. He threw for just 225 in Week 7 by the way.

Matthew Stafford hit only five of 13 passes against the Texans in Week 8 that were in the air for 10-yards. He will face an angry Vikes club that was embarrassed on MNF by the Bears. Stafford hasn’t been picked in four games and is on pace for 32 passing scores and eight picks.

RISKY PLAYS

Derek Carr lit up the Bucs for more than 500-yards and four scores last week (check out this Big-3 video). Only 48 percent of those passing yards came from him, the rest was produced on yards after the catch by his pass grabbers. Denver has allowed a league low 184 passing yards a game and have permitted just six passing scores this season. They also have 26 sacks, the most in the league. Carr has only been sacked nine times in eight games.

Blake Bortles went for 337 and three. Boom, there it is. #GarbageTimeChamp Bortles is bringing back to town QB consultant Adam Dedeaux to help fix what ails him. Bortles numbers last week were, needless to say, misleading. When under pressure he hit on just 6-of-14 passes for 66 yards and continues to lack consistency. Faces the Chiefs who are middle of the pack against passers though they have just five interceptions in six games if you remove the Fitzmagic debacle.

Ryan Fitzpatrick hit just 11-of-25 passes last when he wasn’t blitzed last week, and that’s terrible. He was also brutal to start the game before showing second half improvement. His last two complete outings he has but one passing score. He faces a Dolphins team that has only picked off three passes this season and Fitzpatrick has tossed just one pick in four games.

Tyrod Taylor has injured players all around him, and he’s not been able to elevate the play of those that are left. He hit on just 1-of-7 deep shots last week (over 20-yards) and just hit 2-of-7 on throws between 10 and 19 yards. Taylor has one passing score in two games, but he has run for two to keep his value up. He goes on the road to Seattle, a brutal matchup. Seattle has allowed only five passing scores all season and permit a mere 230 passing yards a game.

QUARTERBACKS TO AVOID

Trevor Semien continues to be unimpressive. He only threw for an average of 5.0 yards per attempt last week when not blitzed on 25 passes. He was called out by his HC Gary Kubiak after that effort. The Raiders have only 11 sacks but do allow 285 passing yards an outing. Still, cannot trust TS here.

Carson Wentz had an adjusted completion percentage of 90.5 percent in Week 8. He also has just three picks all season long. However, he’s failed to throw for 205 yards in 3-straight games during which time he’s tossed two total scores. The Giants cover well, a concern for Eagles pass catchers (PFF has the Giants 5th) which will hopefully offset some of their pass rush woes.

Jameis Winston completed one of six passes he threw for more than 20-yards last week. He continues to struggles with chemistry with Mike Evans. Can’t blame the o-line as the five guys who man the unit all enjoyed positive ratings according to PFF. The Falcons get blasted through the air allowing 285 passing yards and 2.4 passing scores a game.