3) Daniel Jones vs. Steelers
Welcome to the Twilight Zone. It’s the only explanation that can explain how Danny Dimes has made his way all the way up to a top 3 option in fantasy. Not only has he been elite, but he also isn’t running the ball much at all. Jones flirted with fantasy relevance as a Giant back in 2022, finishing in the top 12 overall thanks to 708 yards and 7 scores on the ground. His passing stats from that season were 3205 yards, a grand total of 15 touchdowns through the air in 16 starts, for an average just north of 200 yards per game. This year, he has thrown for an average of almost 260 yards per game and already has 13 passing touchdowns in half as many games as 2022. The run game is there when he needs it, as he’s kicked in 4 rushing scores and an additional 86 yards, but he has been more of a traditional pocket passer for the most part. He has scored over 22 fantasy points in three straight weeks, and this week he gets a Steelers secondary that is ranked at the bottom of the league against the pass. If the Steelers can manage to prevent Jonathan Taylor from scoring 3 rushing touchdowns again, there might be plenty of room for Jones to have an elite day similar to Jordan Love last week.
For more fantasy football lineup advice, check out our Week 9 Waiver Wire Recommendations!
4) Lamar Jackson vs. Dolphins
I fell for it last week, and he ended up not playing, but this time, I swear this dude is going to play. John Harbaugh played games with Jackson’s practice status last week to the point where the league had to get involved. In the end, it makes sense that he was held out with a short week coming, but it still didn’t lessen the sting of having to play another fantasy week without the most exciting player in the league. When Jackson does finally take the field on Thursday night, he will get to do so against a Miami defense that played way over their head last week against the Falcons. The hope here is that Miami is able to score enough points to keep Jackson banging away at them for at least 3 quarters; otherwise, we are going to be watching a lot of Derrick Henry in the second half against the Dolphins’ #28-ranked run defense. Jackson is a must-start when he’s healthy, but we have to temper our expectations for this matchup, where the Ravens could win handily and Harbaugh may not be willing to push Lamar’s healing hamstring with many quarterback runs.
5) Jayden Daniels vs. Seahawks
Here we go again with another elite quarterback and a guessing game as to whether or not he will play. Early reports are that he has made progress with his rehab and is practicing in preparation for this weekend’s matchup against Seattle, so there is reason for optimism. If he plays, it may be without Terry McLaurin, who had to exit the Monday night game with a reaggravation of the quad injury that forced him to miss the previous four games. With or without McLaurin, Daniel should be able to put up numbers in a game script that should have the Commanders playing from behind against a Seahawks defense that is ranked #1 in the league against the run. It will be a tough day for Bill Crosskey Merritt, so Washington will need to rely on Daniels and the passing game to keep pace. When Daniels missed time earlier this season with a knee strain, it didn’t affect his running game upon his return, and I would expect similar results when he returns from this hamstring injury. Running will remain a part of his game as he continues to develop as a passer, which keeps him as an elite fantasy option every week.
