What are the odds that during a week where six teams, including Peyton Manning‘s Broncos, were on BYES that we’d have such uber-fantasy production across the league from the most unassuming names? Hell, Jerricho Cotchery posted nearly 28 fantasy points. I’ll highlight some, but not all of the stud performances of the week. Leave your favorites in the comments section below or hit me up on Twitter @FOXSportsFowler for the People’s Fantasy Stud of Week 9.
Fantasy Flashback Performances of the Week
Chris Johnson – 29 fantasy points vs. Rams
Late last week, Titans head coach Mike Munchak said he was thinking Shonn Greene would get around 15 carries per game moving forward. The decision would leave Chris Johnson with about 20 per game. Well, Greene finished with nine carries and Johnson took advantage of the extra three. Johnson finished with 23 carries for 150 yards with two touchdowns. It’s only his third game with 150-or-more rushing yards since his 2000-yard season in 2009. Rams were 27th in fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs heading into Week 9.
C.J. Spiller – 15.5 fantasy points vs. Chiefs
The Chiefs were allowing 12.8 fantasy points per game to opposing running backs heading into Week 9. Spiller has been limited with a bad wheel for most of the season – although he did miss last week to rest. Naturally, he posted his best game of the season in Week 9 with 12 carries for a season-high 116 yards and two receptions for 39 yards.
Fantasy Football Week 9 Studs
Nick Foles – 59.6 fantasy points vs. Raiders
A few weeks ago, I heavily promoted Foles to start against the Cowboys. At the time, Dallas was allowing the most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks and a crap-ton of passing yards. Foles finished with 80 passing yards, no touchdowns, no interceptions, and picked up a concussion. In Week 9, Foles flipped the script with 406 passing yards (14.50 yards per attempt) with seven touchdowns and no interceptions. Sound familiar? Peyton Manning passed for 462 yards with seven touchdowns. Now, Foles was removed from the game halfway through the fourth quarter, so he didn’t get a true chance to pass for an eighth touchdown against the Raiders. His 59.6 fantasy points fell 0.7 fantasy points shy of Manning’s season high of 60.3. Riley Cooper (Stud) was the top benefactor with 139 yards and three touchdowns for 33.7 fantasy points in standard scoring leagues.
Zac Stacy – 29.8 fantasy points vs. Titans
With Daryl Richardson out Week 9, Stacy had the backfield basically to himself (Benny Cunningham’s early fumble didn’t hurt). A week after posting 134 rushing yards against the Seahawks, Stacy drops 127 on the Rams plus 51 receiving yards and two touchdowns. His 29.8 fantasy points are the most by a running back since Week 2 (Marshawn Lynch – 31.5 FP).
Aaron Dobson – 25 fantasy points vs. Steelers
After a month of subpar fantasy production from Tom Brady, the Patriots‘ quarterback erupted for over 400 yards with four touchdowns. One of his favorite targets for the second straight week was Aaron Dobson. The rookie wide receiver has trumped Kenbrell Thompkins in the pecking order behind Danny Amendola and Rob Gronkowski. Dobson finished with five receptions on nine targets for 130 yards and two touchdowns.
Mike James – 22.7 fantasy points vs. Seahawks
For the second consecutive week, the Seahawks’ rush defense has allowed a rookie running back to rack up over 130 rushing yards. Mike James finished with 158 on the ground with a jump pass touchdown. Doug Martin wouldn’t admit it, but Wally Pipp could be entering his subconscious.
Andre Johnson and T.Y. Hilton – combine for 71 fantasy points
The two receivers wrapped up a wacky day of fantasy offensive production with 16 receptions (25 targets) for 350 yards with six touchdowns. Johnson finally has a quarterback throwing to the right team and Hilton is definitely ahead of DHB in the Colts‘ pecking order.
Eddie Lacy – 21 fantasy points vs. Bears
With several first-round fantasy running backs failing to produce for owners, Lacy has been fun to watch the last month. The svelt back for the Packers has averaged nearly 17 fantasy points per game. Against the Bears, 150 yards with a touchdown proves once again Chicago’s rush defense can be exploited on a weekly basis.
Fantasy Football Week 9 Duds
Matt Ryan – 9 fantasy points vs. Panthers
Early last week, I received numerous emails and tweets concerned over Matt Ryan’s four-interception performance against the Cardinals. At the time, I wasn’t worried. After tossing three more interceptions against the Panthers, Ryan’s owners should be concerned. The lack of a true rushing attack and woeful offensive line play puts Ryan in harm’s way the rest of the season.
Ray Rice – 15.9 fantasy points (standard) … in his last three games combined
I think that sums it up. His offensive line is killing him.
Darren McFadden – 1.5 fantasy points and hamstring injury – again
Coming off a monster fantasy game against the Steelers where he racked up 73 yards with two touchdowns, Run DMC reaggrevated that hamstring injury that has plagued him (and owners) for years. I wouldn’t expect him back anytime soon.
This Week In Mike Shanahan
Darrel Young – 19.2 fantasy points vs. Chargers
Alfred Morris finished with 18.1 fantasy points. Mike Shanahan strikes again as Young scores from inside the five yard line three times against the Chargers.
Fantasy Football Week 9 Studs, Duds
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