NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 9 – Quarterbacks

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

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For the first time this season, six teams will be on a bye in Week 9. The good news is that three of those teams are the Giants, Cardinals, and Jaguars, none of which have someone who plays under center that is particularly appealing in DFS, anyways. Let’s examine some quarterbacks to target and avoid as you craft your lineup. Don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.

CASH CONTEST OPTIONS

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 9 - Quarterbacks

Patrick Mahomes vs. Cleveland Browns
Stadium – FirstEnergy Stadium
FanDuel = $9,500
DraftKings = $7,100

There is no slowing down Mahomes. He led the Chiefs to another big offensive performance in Week 8, completing 24 of 34 passes for 303 yards and four touchdowns. That marked his third straight game with four touchdown passes, bringing his total up to a gaudy 26 for the season. While he has thrown at least one interception in each of his last four games, Mahomes has failed to throw for fewer than 300 yards since Week 1.

With all of the weapons that Mahomes has at his disposal, he’s a great option against pretty much any opponent. That being said, he could really thrive this week with all of the chaos that’s going on in Cleveland after the Browns fired their head coach and offensive coordinator Monday. Their defense hasn’t been good against the air attack, either, allowing the seventh-most passing yards per game (276) in the league. They have held teams to 11 passing touchdowns while recording 12 interceptions, but that shouldn’t shy you away from starting Mahomes in cash contests.

Cam Newton vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Stadium – Bank of America Stadium
FanDuel = $8,600
DraftKings = $6,600

While Mahomes racks up yards through the air, Newton has only topped 300 passing yards in a game one time this season and has two games with fewer than 200 yards. However, he’s still thrown at least two touchdown passes in each of the last six games and only has four total interceptions. He also makes up for his lack of passing yards with his legs, posting at least 40 rushing yards in five of seven games.

Even though the Panthers aren’t a pass-heavy team, they could put up some of their better totals of the season through the air in Week 9. The Bucs defense has been dreadful, allowing the second-most passing yards per game (318). They’ve also allowed the most passing touchdowns (20) while recording just one interception. Look for Newton to excel in this contest.

Jared Goff vs. New Orleans Saints
Stadium – Mercedes-Benz Superdome
FanDuel = $8,400
DraftKings = $6,000

Goff didn’t exactly have his best game last week when he completed just 19 of 35 passes (54.3 percent), which was his second-lowest completion percentage of the season. To show just how potent the Rams offense is, though, Goff still had 295 passing yards and three touchdowns. He also didn’t throw an interception for the second time in as many weeks, which helped lead the Rams to a big win over the Packers.

Things don’t get much easier for the Rams in Week 9 having to take on the Saints. The Saints have been stout against the run, which makes for an intriguing matchup against Todd Gurley. Things shouldn’t be as difficult for Goff, though, with the Saints allowing the fifth-most passing yards per game (300) and picking off just three passes all year. Coming in cheaper than both Mahomes and Newton, Goff is also an excellent option in cash contests.

GPP TOURNAMENT OPTIONS

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 9 - Quarterbacks

Russell Wilson vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Stadium – CenturyLink Field
FanDuel = $7,700
DraftKings = $5,900

Wilson had one of the strangest stat lines you are going to see last week against the Lions. He only attempted 17 passes but completed 14 of them for 248 yards and three touchdowns. The Seahawks are a run-heavy team, which has led Wilson to attempt 26 passes or fewer in five straight games. He’s made the most of his opportunities, though, throwing at least two touchdowns in four of those five contests.

Wilson’s only averaging 222.3 passing yards per game this season, but his 16 touchdown passes compared to four interceptions still make him someone to target in DFS. The Seahawks defense has played surprisingly well, for the most part, but they’ll be faced with the tough task Sunday of trying to slow down Philip Rivers and the Chargers. If they can’t, it could lead to more passing attempts for Wilson, making him someone to consider in tournament play.

Joe Flacco vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Stadium – M&T Bank Stadium
FanDuel = $7,500
DraftKings = $5,300

Week 8 was a disaster for Flacco and the Ravens. Not only did they give up 36 points to the Panthers, but Flacco threw for just 192 yards to go along with one touchdown. He was also picked off twice after having thrown two interceptions across his last five games combined. His 56.4 percent completion percentage stands as his second-lowest mark of the season.

Flacco will look to rebound this week in what will be his second meeting of the year against the Steelers. In their first matchup at Heinz Field, Flacco had what has been his best game of the season up to this point with 363 passing yards and two touchdowns. The Steelers haven’t been great against the pass, in general, allowing the ninth-most passing yards per game (265) and 17 touchdowns through the air, which is tied for the fourth-most.

Baker Mayfield vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Stadium – FirstEnergy Stadium
FanDuel = $7,400
DraftKings = $5,600

The Browns offense didn’t have a banner performance against the Steelers in Week 8, eventually losing the game 33-18. Mayfield completed 61.1 percent of his passes, but only for 180 yards. He somewhat salvaged his performance with two touchdowns, although he did throw an interception. Mayfield has now thrown for 238 yards or fewer in three straight games.

With the Browns cleaning house, it’s hard to predict what their offensive scheme will look like in Week 9. One thing for certain is that Mayfield will be under center and tasked with trying to keep up with the Chiefs high-scoring attack. It wouldn’t be surprising if they threw a lot, as a result, leaving Mayfield with some upside considering the Chiefs have allowed the fourth-most passing yards per game (305).

PLAYERS TO AVOID

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 9 - Quarterbacks

Philip Rivers vs. Seattle Seahawks
Stadium – CenturyLink Field
FanDuel = $8,000
DraftKings = $5,600

Rivers is having another excellent season, averaging 286.9 passing yards per game to go along with 17 touchdowns. Turnovers have been a problem for him at times during his career, but he’s only been picked off three times so far. He’ll be faced with a tough task Sunday with the Seahawks allowing the fourth-fewest passing yards per game (219). They also have 10 interceptions, matching the 10 touchdown passes that they have given up. His price isn’t terrible on DraftKings, but he’s risky at his price on FanDuel considering this matchup.

Alex Smith vs. Atlanta Falcons
Stadium – FedEx Field
FanDuel = $7,500
DraftKings = $5,000

The Redskins have won three straight games, but it hasn’t exactly been on the shoulders of Smith, who threw for fewer than 180 yards in each contest. He continues to do a great job of limiting turnovers, but his eight touchdown passes don’t leave him as a great fantasy option. To put his lack of touchdown upside into perspective, he had 26 touchdowns in 15 games for the Chiefs last year. Mahomes already has that many across eight games. Even though the Falcons defense has been porous, stay away from Smith.

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