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Whether you’re defending a playoff spot or fighting to snatch one from your league mate in the coming weeks, we all should have the same goal by the end of the season: 1st place
There are six NFL teams on a bye this week, meaning we’ll be without the services of Tom Brady, Andy Dalton and Kirk Cousins, among others.
Here are my Top 26 QBs for Week 9 vs. FantasyPros' ECR rankings:
Fantasy Football rankings - Week 9
View Available Players| # | Player (team) | Matchup | ECR™ | vs. ECR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Drew Brees (NO) | at SF | 3 | +2 |
| 2 | Aaron Rodgers (GB) | vs. IND | 1 | -1 |
| 3 | Cam Newton (CAR) | at LA | 5 | +2 |
| 4 | Matt Ryan (ATL) | at TB | 2 | -2 |
| 5 | Andrew Luck (IND) | at GB | 4 | -1 |
| 6 | Dak Prescott (DAL) | at CLE | 8 | +2 |
| 7 | Philip Rivers (SD) | vs. TEN | 6 | -1 |
| 8 | Ben Roethlisberger (PIT) | at BAL | 10 | +2 |
| 9 | Jameis Winston (TB) | vs. ATL | 7 | -2 |
| 10 | Russell Wilson (SEA) | vs. BUF | 13 | +3 |
| 11 | Marcus Mariota (TEN) | at SD | 9 | -2 |
| 12 | Derek Carr (OAK) | vs. DEN | 14 | +2 |
| 13 | Eli Manning (NYG) | vs. PHI | 12 | -1 |
| 14 | Colin Kaepernick (SF) | vs. NO | 15 | +1 |
| 15 | Matthew Stafford (DET) | at MIN | 11 | -4 |
| 16 | Nick Foles (KC) | vs. JAC | 26 | +10 |
| 17 | Ryan Tannehill (MIA) | vs. NYJ | 17 | 0 |
| 18 | Sam Bradford (MIN) | vs. DET | 19 | +1 |
| 19 | Blake Bortles (JAC) | at KC | 16 | -3 |
| 20 | Josh McCown (CLE) | vs. DAL | 21 | +1 |
| 21 | Ryan Fitzpatrick (NYJ) | at MIA | 18 | -3 |
| 22 | Tyrod Taylor (BUF) | at SEA | 20 | -2 |
| 23 | Trevor Siemian (DEN) | at OAK | 24 | +1 |
| 24 | Joe Flacco (BAL) | vs. PIT | 22 | -2 |
| 25 | Case Keenum (LA) | vs. CAR | 25 | 0 |
| 26 | Carson Wentz (PHI) | at NYG | 27 | +1 |
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Notes & Analysis:
- Drew Brees is fantasy’s third-best quarterback through eight weeks, behind only Andrew Luck and Matt Ryan -- but Brees has already had his bye week, unlike the QBs ahead of him. The Saints gunslinger is an elite QB1 in San Fran this weekend.
- Cam Newton is too talented to be ranked as anything less than a high-end QB1 unless his matchup screams otherwise. The Rams are outside of the top 20 in passing yards allowed to opposing QBs.
- Andrew Luck has an appetizing matchup at Lambeau field this Sunday but would seriously benefit if T.Y. Hilton (hamstring) can suit up. He’ll be a no-brainer start in fantasy leagues regardless of his wideout’s status.
- Dak Prescott has already made his way into the top 10 of fantasy points per game from the QB position, but he has an especially tasty game script this week against the Browns. Coming off a huge performance in Week 8, look for Dak to produce once again in Week 9.
- Ben Roethlisberger is looking probable to return this week against a beatable Ravens secondary that allows plenty of yards through the air. If Big Ben starts in real life, he should start in your fantasy league.
- Russell Wilson is probably going to explode one of these weeks, but we’ve been patient enough. With an extra day of rest, hopefully he’ll be healthier than he has been in recent weeks. He’s a risk/reward fantasy QB in Week 9 on MNF.
- Colin Kaepernick has a great fantasy matchup in terms of how this game should play out: New Orleans racking up points all day, and SF in catch-up mode on offense.
- Nick Foles is an interesting streaming option in a week with half a dozen QBs on byes. I think he has more upside than the weak-armed Alex Smith, at least.
- Blake Bortles made up for a bad real-life performance last Thursday evening by compiling stats in garbage time. It wouldn’t be a wise idae to bank on more of the same in Kansas City this week.
- If Case Keenum loses once again this week, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Jared Goff at the bottom of my QB rankings next week. No offense to Keenum, but where does Jeff Fisher think the Rams are going with a glorified backup? It’s time to toss the No. 1 overall pick into some game action and see what happens.