Best NFL Plays of the Week: Saquon Barkley is the Week 9 Slate Breaker
Plays of the Week
Quarterback
Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys
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Philadelphia’s run defense may be tough but their pass defense is not nearly as scary as they are letting up 212 completions to opposing QBs. Moreover, they have let up 2,127 passing yards which is the fifth most in the league and 16 passing TDs. Given that Tony Pollard has been struggling, look for Dak to air it out on Sunday. The sportsbooks have Dak’s prop bet at 248.5 passing yards which on this slate of games is one of the highest outputs. I think he could be good for 250+ passing yards and 2 TDs.
Derek Carr, New Orleans Saints
I have some trepidation recommending Carr mainly because I am tired of seeing Taysom Hill on the field at critical moments. However, this matchup against the Bears might be too good to pass up. The Bears have let up 17 passing TDs and 2,159 passing yards which is fourth in the NFL. Most importantly they have let up 7.34 YPT (yards per target) which bodes well for Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed. Carr is -121 to throw over 1.5 passing TDs which tells you that Vegas is thinking Carr will have a good game too.
Running Back
Saquon Barkley, New York Giants
The Raiders have been awful against opposing running backs. The last three RB1s have gone for 15.5 fantasy points or higher so imagine what Barkley is going to do with Darren Waller out. Brian Daboll was not shy in Week 8 giving Barkley 37 touches; if he gets 27 or more, he could be the highest-scoring RB on the slate.
Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints
New Orleans needs to start separating themselves from Atlanta and this week at home against Chicago is the perfect way to start doing that. The Bears have let up 48 catches to opposing RBs which is right up Kamara’s alley. Am I worried about Taysom Hill? Yes. Am I worried about a potential blowout? Yes. But I think the chance of Kamara having a huge week outweighs those potential negatives.
Wide Receiver
Nico Collins, Houston Texans
Collins was a major disappointment in Week 8 but I would say the same about the entire Houston Texans team. They are back home in a winnable matchup against a team that likes to play a ton of zone coverage. Even better is that Tampa lets up close to 9.0 YPT which should lead to some bigger plays for Collins.
Zay Flowers, Baltimore Ravens
You remember Flowers, right? He was the receiver that you thought was going to explode against the Cardinals but instead ruined your fantasy chances and caused you to lose in Week 8. Have no fear, Flowers is here in Week 9! Seattle plays the most zone coverage in the league and Flowers thrives against zone defense. This is a week where I see Lamar having to do way more than last week and I like the Ravens playing at home. I’ll be locking Flowers into all my lineups.
Tight End
Dalton Kincaid, Buffalo Bills
With Dawson Knox on IR, Kincaid has immediately moved from mediocre rookie to potential star. The Bengals have been extremely generous to opposing tight ends letting up four TDs and 8.65 YPT. With Cincy needing to cover Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis, Kincaid should be able to roam over the middle and operate.
Tyler Conklin, New York Jets
This feels like a gross play but those can sometimes be the most visionary. The Chargers have let up 44 catches to tight ends, an 80% catch rate, and 8.51 YPT. Those numbers are so bad that even Zach Wilson should be able to take advantage of them!
