Another week, another Fantasy Spotlight. Last week the spotlight was on Aaron Rodgers (246 yards and four touchdowns) as well as Dez Bryant (four catches 113 yards and a touchdown) in his first game since week three. Week nine is being dubbed as “rivalry week in the National Football League. In the week nine edition of the Fantasy Spotlight we turn our attention to five “rivalry” games and the players that will have the most fantasy impact.
Week Nine Fantasy Spotlight: Rivalry Week Edition
Detroit Lions @ Minnesota Vikings
The rivalry between the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings dates back to 1961. These two teams have met each other 109 times with the Vikings dominating with a record of 71-36-2. Last season Minnesota swept the series between the two teams. Week nine is a big game between the NFC North rivals. Despite dropping two straight, Minnesota sits atop the division at 5-2. Detroit is a game and half back with a record of 4-4. There is some unrest and uncertainty in Minnesota with the offense struggling and the departure of offensive coordinator Norv Turner early this week because of “philosophical differences”. Detroit has been in every game this season. Their four losses are by a combined 18 points.
Fantasy Impact
Matthew Stafford– The Lions quarterback is having his finest season to date. Throwing for 16 touchdowns and nearly 2200 yards, Stafford possesses a quarterback rating of 103.35. The Vikings secondary is a little banged up. Stafford should get his receivers involved early in this game.
Stefon Diggs– Minnesota’s offense has struggled since their week six bye. Sam Bradford and company need to get their number one playmaker involved this week. Diggs had 13 targets last week against the Chicago Bears. The targets should only increase this week against the Lions defense ranked 14th against fantasy wide receivers.
Philadelphia Eagles @ New York Giants
The Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants meet for the 167th time (including four postseason games) Sunday afternoon at MetLife Stadium. Despite losing the last four meetings, the Giants lead the all-time series with a record of 84-80-2. With both teams sitting two games behind the Dallas Cowboys with identical records of 4-3, the loser of this game will be in trouble. For Eli Manning and the Giants this is an all too familiar matchup, however rookie Carson Wentz gets his first taste of the I-95 rivalry. Philadelphia is coming off a tough overtime loss to the Dallas Cowboys while the Giants return to action on a two game winning streak following their week eight bye. The Giants will be looking for their first home win against the Eagles since December 2012.
Fantasy Impact
Darren Sproles– Philadelphia leaned heavily on Sproles last week in Dallas, in fact it was hinted at this week that he would take over the lead running back duties. Sproles had 103 total yards and a touchdown against Dallas last week. The Giants rank 11th against fantasy running backs but the pass catching ability of Sproles makes him a dangerous fantasy play.
Sterling Shepard– The Giants rookie gets his first taste of this NFC East rivalry. Philadelphia’s seventh ranked defense against wide receivers will focus their attention on Odell Beckham. Shepard will have his chances to make plays and will look to produce his best game since week three.
New York Jets @ Miami Dolphins
The New York Jets and Miami Dolphins will meet for the 102nd time week nine. New York leads the all-time series 53-47-1 (including one playoff game) and bring a three game series winning streak to Miami this week. Both teams bring a two game winning streak to the AFC East showdown. After facing a brutal schedule to start the season the Jets have knocked off the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns to get to 3-5 on the season. Miami, with the emergence of second year running back Jay Ajayi have beaten the Pittsburgh Steelers and Buffalo Bills in consecutive weeks. If either team has hopes of making a second half playoff push, they must win this game on Sunday. With the Jets being so tough against the run, look for Miami to attack one of the worst secondaries in the league early and often.
Fantasy Impact
Quincy Enunwa– Enunwa is an emerging star for the Jets. The young Jets receiver has seen 20 targets over the past three weeks, converting two for touchdowns on nine catches. Enunwa has shown great ability to get open in the middle of the field. Look for him to exploit the Dolphins secondary with slants and crosses all day.
Jarvis Landry– Dolphins star receiver Jarvis Landry gets an early Christmas gift this week. Landry faces the 31st ranked secondary in the NFL. The Jets will be sure to focus their attention on running back Jay Ajayi after back to back 200+ yard performances, so there should be room for Landry to make plays all day. Landry is the top wide receiver play week nine.
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Baltimore Ravens
It’s no secret that the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens do not like each other. On Sunday these two franchises meet for the 45th time (including four playoff games). The Steelers lead the all-time series 24-20, but have dropped the last three games in the series. Furthermore, Pittsburgh hasn’t won in Baltimore since December 2012. To add to that Ben Roethlisberger has not won a game in Baltimore since 2010. Charlie Batch led the team to victory in 2012. Roethlisberger is expected to make his return to the lineup this week after being sidelined against the New England Patriots week seven. Since starting the year 3-0 the Ravens have dropped four straight. To make things worse the Ravens have scored an AFC low 133 points in seven games this season. Eight of the last ten meetings between these two teams have been decided by three points or less. Although this game isn’t getting it’s usual hype, look for more of the same nasty, smashmouth football we have come to expect from these two rivals.
Fantasy Impact
Le’Veon Bell– In four games this season, Bell is averaging five yards per carry and has caught 30 passes for 245 yards. With Michael Vick under center, Bell, in his only meeting against Baltimore last season ran for 129 yards and touchdown, while catching seven passes. Look for a similar stat line this week.
Mike Wallace– When the Ravens need a big play, Mike Wallace is their guy. Wallace is averaging 14 yards per catch and has a season long grab of 70 yards. The Steelers secondary is suspect, so Joe Flacco will look to take a few deep shots on Sunday. Look for the speedster Wallace to be his main target.
Denver Broncos @ Oakland Raiders
After years of futility the Oakland Raiders are back to being relevant. That is not only great news for fans of the black and silver but also for historians of the NFL. Week nine marks the 114th meeting between these two AFC West rivals. The Raiders lead the all-time series 61-50-2 (including two playoff games). However, despite the series success, the Raiders have dropped nine of ten to the Denver Broncos. Both teams sit tied at the top of the AFC West with records of 6-2 and are for a primetime battle Sunday night. The Raiders are a young team with a ton of talent and will look to take the next step in their re-birth by knocking off the defending champs. The Broncos have other plans, their defense remains tops in the league and they will look to shut down the Raiders explosive offense. Whatever happens, it will be great to see a classic rivalry back in the spotlight during rivalry week in the NFL.
Fantasy Impact
Devontae Booker– The rookie running back is now the focal point of the Broncos run game. Booker has 137 yards rushing and two touchdowns over his last two games. The rookie running back faces an Oakland Raiders defense allowing 125 rushing yards per game and ranks 23rd against opposing running backs. Booker is a must-play as the Broncos will look to control the game and quiet the rowdy home crowd of the Raiders.
Michael Crabtree– Aqib Talib is almost certain to shadow Amari Cooper this week. Michael Crabtree could be the difference-maker for the Raiders. Crabtree is averaging 71 yards per game and has six touchdowns. The veteran wideout has 27 targets over the past two weeks. The Raiders have a limited running game, so it will be up the receivers to make plays. Crabtree has big upside this week.
