Thursday night football started off Week 9 of the NFL season with a bang. Although the game was pretty hard to watch and consisted of two terrible teams, we got evidence of two important things: (1) it is worse in Oakland than we thought and Nick Mullens is the man - a backups backup coming in and tearing it up at QB. With that said, lets jump into Sunday's action and try to lock down some solid picks at the QB position.
Last week we highlighted Patrick Mahomes, Ben Roethlisberger, and Aaron Rodgers. Mahomes, like most weeks, did great and Big Ben came out and had a respectable outing. Aaron Rodgers wasn't that great with the Packers scoring a couple TDs on the ground but he could have quickly turned the outing around if Montgomery simply didn't fumble the football. All in all the week wasn't bad for the QB position and I have a great feeling heading into Week 9.
Each week we take a step back to review the upcoming weeks matchups and crunch the numbers to develop a series of position specific articles related to top daily fantasy sports plays. Whether you are playing on FanDuel, DrafKings, or even configuring your season long NFL lineups, these articles should serve as a reference tool and helpful guide to choosing the best players. I've shortened these articles to give you only the necessities and bottom-line reasoning as to my top choices. This is a no bullshi*t article and by that I mean the players and plays I suggest are those that I will be using in my personal lineups. Nothing is excluded. We intend to win. The goal is to make great lineups, win money, and share our success stories. If you are new to my blog or daily fantasy sports in general, I encourage you to check out my DFS Introduction post which provides some general context on what DFS is and how to play. Spoiler alert, if you like playing fantasy sports and winning money, DFS is the platform for you. Also, if you haven’t already, feel free to follow my referral links and sign up for Fanduel and Draftkings. Each provides its own set of bonuses for new users.
With that being said, here are my top plays at the quarterback position for Week 9. Enjoy, upvote, and comment on your weekly outlook.
$6,600 / vs. TB / CAR – 6
I’ve mentioned it in past articles, but for DFS purposes, I love playing duel-threat QBs. In my mind, they offer high floors and upside that simply can’t be found in other QBs with their ability to add points on the ground and through the air. Cam Newton certainly fits that bill and for a cherry on top, he is in an elite matchup at home this weekend vs. Tampa Bay. He has averaged over 8 rushing attempts per game this year in addition to 34 passing attempts, exactly what we want in a duel-threat QB. Newton has quietly put together a great statistical season for the Panthers, throwing for 1646 (243 per game) yards and 13 TDs to go along with 304 (43 per game) rushing yards and 4 TDs. That translates to over 25 DK points per game, which I believe accurately represents Newton’s floor this weekend. I mention that as his floor simply because the matchup vs. the Buccaneers is prime for Newton and any QB really. The Buccaneers’ secondary is simply awful this year, ranking last in the NFL in almost every meaningful category. Tampa Bay’s defense is surrendering over 332 passing yards per game this year and over 2 passing TDs. QBs this season are averaging over 27 DK points per game against the Buccaneers, several points above Newton’s yearly average. Cam could easily throw for 300 yards this game, multiple TDs, and add his usual 40+ yards of rushing. I’m setting his floor at around 25-27 this weekend but with his ability to add in points with his legs, we could be looking at a ceiling around 35-37. He is by far my favorite QB entering Week 9.
$6,100 / vs. LAR / NO + 1
Drew Brees, at home, high total, priced at $6,100, and an underdog? Sign me up. It’s a situation of an elite QB priced down due to matchup. Yes, the LA Rams have a legit defense that only got better at the trade deadline. But the Saints offense is just as legit and Drew Brees is a master when playing at home in the dome. At home this season, Brees has posted DK totals of 30 (Week 5), 17 (Week 2), and 34 (Week 1) for an average of over 27 points per game at home. All of his 300 + yard games are either at home of in an opposing dome (ATL). There is more risk than usual with Brees due to the matchup with the Rams (3rd toughest defense for opposing QBs) which in turn lowers his floor but I think the elite at home Drew Brees upside still remains. The Saints are a 1 point underdog in a 60 point game. This is a test of the NFC’s best teams. The Saints defense is pretty bad this year, so they will likely have to score in bunches to keep up with the Rams. Drew Brees could easily throw for 350 and 3 TDs to keep up with the Rams offense. You better be ready because Brees certainly will be.
$5,500 / at CAR / TB + 6
I mean, its Fitzmagic. What more do I have to say? The guy balled out to start the year with Jameis Winston serving his suspension but then lost the job after a rough outing in Week 4. What makes him great is the dude just doesn’t care and slings the rock. He is somewhat of a poor mans Brett Farve just not as good long term. It doesn’t matter what defense he is facing, he shows no fear. Now, of course, this has led him to more trouble than success in the past (serious INT issues, never able to hold on to a starting job) but when he is on, boy he is on. Fitzpatrick threw for an NFL record of over 1,200 yards in the first 3 games of this season in addition to 11 TDs. As I mentioned with Cam Newton, Tampa Bay’s defense is awful this year and should be torn apart by the Panthers. The Buccaneers also don’t have a solid rushing attack. Therefore, in order for them to remain competitive, they are going to need some of the Fitzmagic. I have no doubt he is going to be recklessly slinging it this weekend and if you can stomach the risk of potentially getting benched at halftime, he could very well throw for 400+ yards and a slurry of TDs. The Panthers defense is middle of the pack in terms of points giving to QBs (261 yards per game / 19 DK points per game) but none of that matters because this play is simply based on the man and the beard. At just $5,500, I am willing to get some exposure to him seeing what he did earlier this season.
Alex Smith - $5,000 - Redskins
Those are my top picks for Week 9 at the QB position. As always, good luck out there and lets win some money!
