Below is our Start and Bench Advice for Week 9 of the 2008 Fantasy Football season. Our "Who To Start & Who To Bench" advice is loaded with fantasy football player projections, fantasy analysis and straight up bold predictions.
Also, be sure to check out all of our updated Week 9 Player Projections, which are updated right up until kickoff. For previous Start Bench Advice, click here.
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Cincy is 28th in the league against the run, surrendering 146.9 rushing yards per game. They have also given up 11 rushing touchdowns on the year. This is a great match-up for that Jaguars rushing attack. The problem is, will Maurice Jones-Drew get the touches, or will that Jaguars coaching staff continue to not feed their beast? Willis McGahee’s Cleveland match-up is intriguing, as the Browns rank 24th against the run, but McGahee (knee) is a slight injury risk. Given both have their questions, it is kind of a toss up on this one… I roll with MJD and hope that coaching staff realizes that they win games when MJD gets some serious work. I expect over 120 total yards and a score out of MJD in Week 9. McGahee might have a score as well, but I don’t see him racking up more than 80-90 total yards. |
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It’s really hard to continue giving Maurice Jones-Drew the benefit of the doubt every week and tout reasons to start him. He’s certainly a kid oozing with talent, but without the carries he can’t produce – that’s the bottom line. That said, he’s not a terrible start this week against the hapless Bengals but I can’t give him the nod over Willis McGahee. McGahee had another 20+ carry game last week and scored a TD – he is one of the few “fresh” running backs going into the second half of this season. I figure he’s good for 80 yards and a score this week, and if you play in PPR he’ll get a few passes thrown his way too. |
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The Vikings are 2nd against the run and the Dolphins are 15th, so the match-up screams in favor of Michael Pittman. Keep in mind that Pittman is banged up right now, but he is expected to play as of today (Wednesday). Keep checking our Breaking News Wire all week long if you’ve got Pittman in your line-up. I expect Pittman to have at least 90+ rushing yards and a score in Week 9. Steve Slaton may sneak into the end zone, but I doubt he has more than 70 yards on the ground, as that is what that Vikings defense gives up on a weekly basis. |
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Neither of these guys has a great matchup, but I’ll take my chances with Michael Pittman on the road in Miami. His last game was a 20-for-88 performance vs. NE in a game they were well out of very early. It’s tough to trust Shanny, but I think he’ll get the majority of touches for Denver on the ground and though I’m not expecting huge numbers, he’ll get enough to outperform Steve Slaton. |
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I know I’m going to get blasted for keeping the faith, but I start Braylon Edwards, even against that tough Ravens defense. I love Donnie Avery right now, but I can’t put Edwards on the bench. I’d find a way to start Avery and Edwards, though.. that’s my real answer here. I see Edwards having 80 yards and at least one score in this one. I have faith in Derek Anderson and I think the QB will surprise against this tough defensive unit. Avery could have similar numbers, but Edwards is the home run, so Edwards is my choice. |
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Donnie Avery has been getting better with every passing week, culminating in last week’s breakout performance (6/163/1) vs. the Patriots. The Rams seem to be a new team under interim coach Jim Haslett and Avery is emerging as their #1 WR. This week he faces another team which can be exploited against the pass – the Cardinals. They allow 220+ yards through the air each week and a have given up 14 TD passes in 7 games, which is a league worst. Plug in Avery and reap the rewards of another big day. |
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Matt Schaub is on fire and Aaron Rodgers is still not 100% and is facing a very tough Titans defense. While Rodgers could still toss a few bombs in Week 9 despite the rough match-up, I anticipate him throwing a few picks as well. Start Schaub and expect at least 270+ and 2-3 scores. |
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This is a tough call. Two quarterbacks playing at the top of their game, facing two of the top eight defenses – and on the road no less. Neither of these teams gives up more than 300 yards per game, but the Titans only give up half the amount of points per game – 12 to the Vikings 24. That’s the key for me here, so I give Matt Schaub the nod over Aaron Rodgers. I’m not expecting real good yardage from either, but I think Schaub will be able to find the end zone a couple of times and that’s the difference for me. |
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The Broncos are 30th against the run and the Lions are 31st, so these match-ups are both gold. Because of Ronnie Brown’s home run history this season, I would find it tough benching him in this situation. Matt Forte is also hard to bench, and I’d love to know what RB is starting in Forte’s place if Brown gets the nod here. Both should be starting in this situation unless you have a Frank Gore, Brian Westbrook, Michael Turner or LaDainian Tomlinson type slotted next to Ronnie this weekend. Brown should be good for 100 rushing yards and at least one creative score. |
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Denver and Detroit are literally sieves when it comes to attempting to stop opposing running backs, and it is really hard to say either is worse than the other. The choice between Ronnie Brown and Matt Forte will come down to touches and who gets more of them. As it stands now, Forte is averaging 21 carries per game to Brown’s 14, so I putting my money on Forte to out produce Brown this week even though I think both of these guys will have very nice days. |
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Ben Roethlisberger apparently still has some shoulder issues, so start Kurt Warner in Week 9 and expect 300 and 2-3 scores. Roethy could have a similar outing if he feels healthy on game day, but don’t risk playing an injured Roethy when you have a productive Warner ready to sling. |
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I’d like to be able to debate this one, but there isn’t much in Ben Roethlisberger’s favor here. Bottom line, I really like Kurt Warner’s matchup this week and I think the Rams/Cardinals game could turn into a shootout. You want players in shootout games, especially quarterbacks, so get Warner in your lineup and enjoy the 300 yard, 3 TD performance. |
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I like Roddy White a lot right now… who doesn’t, right? This receiver is a top 10WR and I think fantasy worlds will finally give him that top 10WR respect that he deserves. That said, Marshawn Lynch is a top 8RB moving forward and I never sit a top 10RB for a WR, that’s just how I roll. The Jets are 4th against the run, but Lynch is a special kind of power runner and he will find the end zone at least once and rack-up over 100 total yards. White is also a great start, but if forced to pick one, Lynch is my boy! On a side note, get ready for a HUGE game out of Michael Turner this week. I’m expecting 100-125 rushing yards with 1-2 scores. |
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It’s normal to give extra consideration to the running back when deciding a flex position, but I’m going to go against the grain here and take Roddy White in this spot. The guy has been absolutely phenomenal lately, averaging 8-for-120 in his last 3 starts and hauling in 4 TDs in that span. Some might cite the fact he’ll face the league’s best corner in Oakland’s Nnamdi Asomugha as a reason to sit him, but I think the Falcons will find a way to get him the ball and he’ll finish with another 100 yard game and a score. |
LOL… love how you got your Michael Turner plug in Smitty!
Yea, I’ll force that stuff in there if I have to!