NFL Week 9 $20,000 Monday Lineup Tips
It has been a huge week off the field in the NFL with teams changing their QB and the closing of the trade window. Jay Ajayi is now an Eagle, Jimmy Garropolo is now a 49er and Kelvin Benjamin is now a Bill. Only Ajayi appears likely to figure this week, but it would probably be wise to let him settle in before picking him in your lineups. The matches of the week are the Seahawks hosting the Redskins as well as the Cowboys playing the Chiefs. There is a huge $20,000 to be won, kick-off is at 5.00am AEDT, so make sure your lineup are in by then.
Here are some value players for the NFL $20,000+ Monday competition
Quarterback
Matt Ryan ($9,350)
How can Matt Ryan, last season’s MVP being sitting at a salary below $10,000? Ryan and his Falcons haven’t reached the same heights as they did last season, but they have shown glimpses of the high powered offense that carried them to a Super Bowl. Ryan has been unlucky with weather conditions in his last two matches (fog and torrential rain) so this week it looks time to load up when he will be playing in sunny Carolina. Ryan should be able to pick his way through Carolina’s defense and should post up a nice score.
Running Back
Todd Gurley ($16,800)
Gurley has been huge this season, and is probably the main reason why the Rams have looked so good. Gurley has been a factor in both the running and passing game, taking the pressure off emerging QB Jared Goff. Gurley should be able to shred the Giants defense and have another monster day.
Running Back
Carlos Hyde ($11,750)
The 49ers are in a bit of a holding pattern this week as they wait for their newly acquired QB to learn the offense. This means that they are going to lean heavily on their running game, which Hyde is the main weapon. The 49ers come up against the cardinals which is a winnable match for them, so look for Hyde to have a big day out.
Wide Receiver
Marvin Jones ($11,950)
Jones was excellent last week against the Steelers, catching 6 balls for 128 yards. However, where he and the Lions fell down was not being able to convert their opportunities into points. The Lions will needs to be able to convert their opportunities this week as another loss will all but rule them out of playoff contention. They play their arch rival, the Packers at Lambeau Field, but luckily for them, they don’t have to face Aaron Rodgers.
Wide Receiver
Eric Decker ($9,600)
Decker finally looks like he is clicking in the Titans offense, catching 7 balls for 88 yards. It has been a bit of a slow start for the former Bronco and Jet, but it looks as though his best is in front of him. The Titans take on the Ravens who are coming off a dominant defensive display against the Dolphins. They have been a little bit inconsistent this year, so it would not surprise is Decker gets off the chain and has a big day.
Tight End
A.J. Derby ($7,950)
The Broncos have swung the axe and benched starting QB Trevor Siemian, for former starting QB (via Houston and Cleveland) Brock Osweiler. Osweiler has only had a short time with the first team, which means that they will likely only be using limited plays. These generally involve throws to running backs and Tight Ends which are usually lower risk, which is where Derby comes in. Derby is a great athlete who makes the most of his opportunities. He looks a great value play this week.
Flex
Christian McCaffrey ($12,200)
With Carolina trading away their top wide receiver, it looks as though McCaffrey will be heavily targeted this weekend. McCaffrey was drafted as a running back, but has been used almost exclusively as a wide receiver. He should get plenty of touches in a high scoring match against the Falcons, which makes him a lock this week.
Flex
Chris Thompson ($12,700)
Thompson continues to rack up the catches out of the backfield as he added another eight last week against the Cowboys. He is another running back who is mainly used as a receiver, which is great of his fantasy production. Thompson gets a matchup against the Seahawks this week, who have been below their normal defensive selves this season. They are not very strong in the linebacker position, which bodes well for Thompson.
Defense
Philadelphia Eagles ($7,250)
The eagles are absolutely flying. They are sitting pretty with the best record in the league and they come up against the Broncos, whose offense has really struggled. They face off against Brock Osweiler this week who has taken over from benched QB Trevor Siemian. Osweiler has proven over a number of years that he is not good enough for this level, so the Eagles should dominate. Look out for a huge score.
The Lineup
QB: Matt Ryan ($9,350)
RB: Todd Gurley ($16,800)
RB: Carlos Hyde ($11,750)
WR: Marvin Jones ($11,950)
WR: Eric Decker ($9,600)
TE: A.J. Derby ($7,950)
FX: Christian McCaffrey ($12,200)
FX: Chris Thompson ($12,700)
DEF: Philadelphia Eagles ($7,250)
Cash Remaining: $450
NFL SCORING SYSTEM:
OFFENSE
Pass TD = 4 pts
1 Pass Yard = 0.04 pts
Interception = -1 pts
1 Rush Yard = 0.1 pts
Rush TD = 6 pts
1 Receiving Yard = 0.1pts
Reception TD = 6 pts
Reception = 1pt
Return TD = 6 pts
2 pt Conversion = 2pts
Lost Fumble = -2pts
DEFENSE
Sack = 1 pt
Interception = 2 pts
Fumble Recovery = 2 pts
Touchdown = 6 pts
Safety = 2 pts
Blocked Kick = 2 pts
Kickoff/PR Touchdown = 6 pts
Points allowed – 0 = 10 pts
Points allowed – 1-6 = 7 pts
Points allowed – 7-13 = 4 pts
Points allowed – 14-20 = 1 pt
Points allowed – 21-27 = 0 pts
Points allowed – 28-34 = -1 pt
Points allowed – 35+ = -4 pts
Catch all the Super Bowl action live on ESPN Channel 508 from 10am AEDT on Monday with the Patriots and the Falcons.