DFS: Pigskin Panel - The 3 Biggest Questions of Week 9
Each week, theScore's DFS experts tackle the biggest questions of the week. Here are three of the most significant issues of Week 9:
Who benefits most in Week 9 from last week's injuries?
James Bisson: Chargers WR Stevie Johnson. He'll step into the role vacated by Keenan Allen, who will miss the remainder of the season after suffering a lacerated Kidney. Johnson should rack up the targets in Allen's absence, while Malcom Floyd becomes Philip Rivers' deep threat of choice. In DFS circles, Johnson represents huge value against the visiting Bears.
David Chernish: Bears WR Alshon Jeffery. Before Matt Forte left Sunday's game with a knee injury, the dual-threat RB was averaging just over 24 touches per game. Expect the Bears to air it out more in Forte's absence, rather than give Jeremy Langford all of Forte's workload. Jeffrey is more than capable of hauling in 10+ passes a game, and is a strong play.
Esten McLaren: Langford has an ideal Week 9 matchup against the Chargers for his first career start in the NFL. The fourth-round pick out of Michigan State already has two TDs on just 27 attempts this season. San Diego has allowed more rushing yards than all but two teams this year, and their five yards allowed per attempt is tied for the worst rate in the league.
Josh Wegman: Steelers RB DeAngelo Williams. When Le'Veon Bell was suspended for the first two games of the season, Williams filled in adequately - tallying 204 yards and three touchdowns on 41 carries. Now with a healthy Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown and Martavis Byant, Williams should rack up the touchdowns in an explosive offense.
Which high-scoring game should DFS players target?
James Bisson: Expect to see plenty of fireworks between the New York Giants and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Giants can score at will (see: Week 8), but can't defend to save their lives (see: Week 8). Meanwhile, Bucs quarterback Jameis Winston hasn't thrown an interception in three games, while Doug Martin looks like his old self. DFS players should load up.
David Chernish: The Bears and Chargers will have an absolute shootout this week. Mind you, it may not match the 101-point debacle the Giants and Saints engaged in last week, but this game will feature two elite fantasy wide recievers as well as QBs that aren't afraid to sling the ball down the field. This game presents great tournament value plays in DFS.
Esten McLaren: Redskins-Patriots will provide daily fantasy owners with plenty of points from a variety of sources in Week 9. The Patriots have opened as 14-point favorites at home. QB Tom Brady will utilize WR Julian Edelman, TE Rob Gronkowski and RB Dion Lewis to put this one away early, while RB Legarrette Blount should get plenty of work in the second half.
Josh Wegman: Oakland at Pittsburgh. This matchup features two defenses who can't stop the pass (The Steelers rank 26th in the league, while the Raiders are 31st) and two great air attacks. Roethlisberger should bounce back and Derek Carr is the real deal. Brown, Bryant, Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree are all safe plays.
Which player returning from a bye is a must-roster?
James Bisson: Expect Buffalo Bills RB LeSean McCoy to come out hot against the division-rival Miami Dolphins. McCoy is coming off a much-needed week of rest, and will be looking to atone for his 11-carry, 16-yard effort in Miami back in Week 3. The Bills will need to lean heavily on their feature back, and he should provide major value as a result.
David Chernish: Eagles RB DeMarco Murray was finally settling into the offense before the bye - and with an extra week of preparation, he'll be ready to bulldoze his former team. Murray has averaged 4.4 yards per carry on 59 attempts over the past three weeks, and should see as many touches as he can handle. He's a great play despite the Cowboys' solid run defense.
Esten McLaren: Murray just had a full week to prepare and rest for a matchup against the Cowboys. Dallas has fared adequately against the run in terms of yardage this season, but has allowed more rushing TDs than all but six teams. Murray was coming off his top-two fantasy weeks of the season before being shut down by Carolina in Week 7.
Josh Wegman: Shady should be fully recovered from his nagging hamstring after the bye week. The Bills are at home against Miami's 25th-ranked run defense, and get a major boost this week with quarterback Tyrod Taylor back at the helm. The Bills are 2-1 with both McCoy and Taylor in the lineup, with their only loss coming against the undefeated Patriots.