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Week 8 of the 2017 NFL season is over, and so are many of your fantasy playoff dreams.
But for those fortunate fantasy owners still in contention for a spot in the playoffs, it's time to buckle down and take each week as seriously as you can. It only takes one loss to determine whether you go into the playoffs as a No. 4 seed or start your offseason early.
If your starting lineup features players like Le'Veon Bell, Kareem Hunt or any top position player in the league, don't worry too much about your matchup each week. But for those who own the likes of Aaron Rodgers, Andrew Luck (yikes) and David Johnson (double yikes), pay attention.
There are players still available on the waiver wire who can help your team out, and there are some other players in your league being neglected by their owners who could be stolen away via trade. Here, we'll take a look at five must-start and must-bench players this week, including one player who is bound to have a good game and another who is flying under the radar.
Week 9 Quarterbacks
Matt Ryan at Carolina Panthers: Start 'em
Tyrod Taylor at New York Jets: Start 'em
Dak Prescott vs. Kansas City Chiefs: Start 'em
Matthew Stafford at Green Bay Packers: Sit 'em
Marcus Mariota vs. Baltimore Ravens: Sit 'em
Star to know: Derek Carr, QB, Oakland Raiders
Derek Carr is a household name among NFL fans and looked like an emerging star in the league last season. But in 2017, he hasn't been as dominant, and a back injury hasn't helped his cause. But since returning from injury, Carr has shown signs of life, including an impressive Week 7 showing against the Kansas City Chiefs, throwing for 417 yards and three touchdowns.
While he did have a tough outing in Week 8 against the Buffalo Bills, scoring just 14.52 fantasy points, he'll be looking to rebound against the Miami Dolphins, who are coming of a disastrous performance against the Baltimore Ravens, conceding 40 points.
The Dolphins defense has surrendered the 17th-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks this season and considering that Joe Flacco, before getting knocked out of the game by a late hit from Kiko Alonso, was having his best game of the season against Miami, it's not crazy to assume Carr could have the same amount of success with a much better offense surrounding him.
With bye weeks and injuries becoming prominent issues in fantasy this week, Carr could be the answer to your quarterback prayers against the Dolphins, as he's projected to score 17.86 points in standard Yahoo leagues.
Sleeper to Exploit: Jared Goff, QB, Los Angeles Rams
After a hot start to the regular season, second-year quarterback Jared Goff has cooled off a bit, even though his Los Angeles Rams haven't.
Goff is still growing as a passer each week and had a solid performance in Week 7 against the Arizona Cardinals, scoring 19.7 fantasy points before heading into a bye week. Scheduled to play against a New York Giants defense that surrendered the seventh-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks this season, Goff could be in for a big day if he spent his bye week correctly, studying how to expose New York's secondary.
The Giants defense is giving up 258.7 passing yards per game, while Goff has attempted at least 28 passes in five games this season, showing that the Rams are willing to air it out against any team. If you're in need of a quarterback this week, look no further than L.A.'s franchise quarterback, who should easily outperform his 15.84-point projection.
Week 9 Wide Receivers
Will Fuller vs. Indianapolis Colts: Start 'em
Golden Tate at Green Bay Packers: Start 'em
Sammy Watkins at New York Giants: Start 'em
DeSean Jackson at New Orleans Saints: Sit 'em
Jarvis Landry vs. Oakland Raiders: Sit 'em
Star to Know: Robby Anderson, WR, New York Jets
Last week, I had Robby Anderson slated as a sleeper heading into Week 8, knowing that he could be a touchdown-dependent option for any owner to plug into the flex spot in case of desperate times.
But Anderson outperformed any projection I had given him in Week 8, hauling in six receptions for 104 yards and a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons.
Going up against the Buffalo Bills this week, he's getting the treatment he deserves as a must-play in Week 9, due to the fact that he's the Jets' most explosive playmaker on offense and he's either scored or hauled in at least 75 yards in four of his last six games.
Projected to score 6.5 points against the Bills, have some faith that Anderson can surpass that production by giving him a start. And on a week with six teams on bye, you might not have a choice.
Sleeper to Exploit: Sterling Shepard, WR, New York Giants
Sterling Shepard has been on the sleeper list for quite some time, ever since Odell Beckham Jr. went down for the season. But due to Shepard's own injuries, he's been unable to stay in the field, until now.
Looking to finally suit up for the Giants in Week 9 against the Rams, Shepard could be smart play either as a No. 2 receiver/FLEX given the sheer volume of targets he could have coming his way. If you're in a point-per-reception league, he's a must-start.
Even in standard leagues, Shepard could be a smart play as the Giants will be forced to throw the ball against a Rams offense that enjoys putting points on the board.
Coming off a bye in Week 8, Shepard should hopefully be healed and ready to make an impact for an offense that is on life support.
Week 9 Running Backs
Alex Collins at Tennessee Titans: Start 'em
Alvin Kamara vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Start 'em
Orleans Darkwa vs. Los Angeles Rams: Sit 'em
Joe Mixon at Jacksonville Jaguars: Sit 'em
Frank Gore at Houston Texans: Sit 'em
Star to Know: Marlon Mack, RB, Indianapolis Colts
For all the drama surrounding the status of Andrew Luck, rookie running back Marlon Mack is not getting the recognition he deserves.
Sure, a lot of his yards and touches have come in garbage time for the Colts this season, but this is fantasy football and we don't care how a player gets his points, as long as he gets them. Playing No. 2 to Frank Gore isn't an ideal situation for Mack and his owners, but anyone who knows football can tell who the more explosive back has been in Indianapolis.
Don't get me wrong: Gore is still a great back and he showed why in Week 8 with an impressive 16-carry, 82-yard performance. But Mack, who scored a touchdown in Week 8 on a reception, offers the home run threat the Colts need in their offense.
Projected to score 6.18 points against the Texans, look for Mack to breeze past that mark as the Colts play catch up in this game, forcing them to abandon the run and plug Mack in for Gore in passing situations.
Sleeper To Exploit: Wayne Gallman, RB, New York Giants
Gallman has already been a central figure in recent weeks for the Giants, but it appears to be his job to lose as the lead back for New York moving forward.
Orleans Darkwa had a great game against the Denver Broncos in Week 6 but was filtered out in Week 7 by Gallman heading into a bye week.
Darkwa appears to be the running back on the outs this week as the Giants get ready for the Rams, and Gallman is a much better pass-catcher.
If you're stuck between picking one of them, go with Gallman, who is projected to score 8.42 fantasy points this weekend.
Week 9 Tight Ends
Evan Engram vs. Los Angeles Rams: Start 'em
Jack Doyle at Houston Texans: Start 'em
Jason Witten at Kansas City Chiefs: Sit 'em
Ed Dickson vs. Atlanta Falcons: Sit 'em
Austin Hooper at Carolina Panthers: Sit 'em
Star to Know: Jared Cook, TE, Oakland Raiders
Yes, Jared Cook is still a viable fantasy option at tight end. And yes, you should really consider playing him this week.
The Raiders are getting set to take on the Miami Dolphins in Week 9. In addition to the reasons why you should consider playing quarterback Derek Carr this week, as listed above, the same can be said for Cook, who is coming off his two best performances in a Raider uniform.
After a 1-7-yard Week 7 performance, Cook came down to Earth in Week 8, hauling in 57 yards on four receptions. While he's only found the end zone once this season, he could be a smart play this week against a Dolphins defense that surrenders the 12th-most points to tight ends in fantasy.
Projected to score 6.46 points this week, Cook has the potential to be a No. 1 caliber tight end in Week 9 if Carr continues to look his way. Who knows? He might even find the end zone this time around.
Sleeper to Exploit: Vernon Davis, TE, Washington Redskins
Hey, a Vernon Davis sighting!
The former All-Pro tight end may not be a No. 1 option anymore, but he does have a high ceiling in Week 9 as the Washington Redskins play at the Seattle Seahawks.
On the season, Davis has gone over 58-yard mark on four occasions. If that isn't promising enough, all four of those performances have come in the past five weeks. With tight end Jordan Reed injured with a hamstring injury that could leave him limited against the Seahawks, Davis could see an increased workload.
The argument could be made that Davis would be a solid sleeper option in fantasy against Seattle due to the lack of sure-fire tight ends this season, but the doubt surrounding Reed's status only strengthens his spot on the list. He should have no problem racking up more than his projected 5.75 points this week.
All stats and projections are courtesy of Yahoo Sports.
Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com
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