You asked for it–we brought it back. Eight weeks into Fantasy Football and The Lance is here to help you make that playoff push. Week 9 is upon us, and if your fantasy team is looking shaky, don’t stress. We have all the advice you will need to get that fantasy championship.

News and Injuries:

James Conner (Steelers) – Conner left Monday night’s game early with an AC Joint injury after a hard fall on his shoulder. This injury was very avoidable as the Steelers were running the clock out against the winless Dolphins. Conner was seen with a sling at the end of the game. 

Chase Edmonds (Cardinals)- After a great performance against the Giants, owners dashed to 1claim and start Edmonds. This seemed like the right move with David Johnson’s ankle injury, but it turns out that what could go wrong, did go wrong. Edmonds strained his hamstring and is noted to be out for multiple weeks. 

Joe Flacco (Broncos) – Almost 24 hours after calling out the team’s offensive play-calling and strategies, Flacco was ruled out of his Week 9 matchup against the Browns. The Broncos reported that he has a herniated disc in his neck, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the real reason was Flacco running his mouth. Brandon Allen has been named the starter for week 9.

Case Keenum (Redskins) – After being ruled out the entire second half of the Week 8 Thursday Night Football game, The Redskins released a statement that Keenum was indeed concussed. He is currently in the infamous concussion protocol. Rookie Dwayne Haskins will start if Keenum can not play. 

Notable Starts & Sits:

Starts- 

Aaron Rodgers (Packers)- Lately, Rodgers has jumped to the favorite for MVP and shows no signs of slowing down. In his last two games, he has totaled 735 passing yards and 9 TDs. Rodgers is playing against the Los Angeles Chargers, who have not been off to a great start, so I would highly recommend starting him. 

Deshaun Watson (Texans)-Watson has also has not shown any weaknesses so far and continues to shred defenses with his athleticism and IQ. He will be taking on the Jacksonville Jaguars, who have yet to have an impressive performance on the defensive side of the ball.

Tevin Coleman (49ers)- Lately, Coleman has been putting up numbers due to his increasing workload in the 49ers scheme. He faces the uneasy Cardinals defense. Coleman will look to have another great game against the 25th best run defense in the league. 

Sits-

Kyler Murray (Cardinals)- This Thursday, Murray will be facing the 49ers scary defense which has allowed only 8 TDs throughout the season. I don’t expect anything to change with their ability to shut down an offense, so I would definitely recommend sitting  Murray this week. 

Lamar Jackson (Ravens)- Jackson has similar reasoning behind why he should be sat out this week. He will be facing the top defense in the league, The New England Patriots. It is not even necessary for me to explain why Jackson will not people up to his usual numbers against the Pats. The Patriots will figure out a way to slow down the young prodigy. 

Melvin Gordon (Chargers)- Lastly, Gordon should not be on the list of people to start. Ever since ending his holdout, he has not been producing like he used to. Autin Ekeler has made his presence and will challenge Gordon for touches and receptions. He will be facing the tough 7-1 Packers this Sunday and will be tested by their great run defense.  

Waiver Wire Targets:  

Darren Fells (Texans)– Many may not be familiar with Fells, but his game has been improving and is starting to get targeted more by Deshaun Watson. Fells has put up some good numbers for a fantasy team in need of a TE. 

Chris Conley (Jaguars)– Although Conley has been very inconsistent, he is still a pretty good waiver wire target if you are in need of a WR. Lately, he has put up consistent numbers, but that could change again. Still, Conely is a decent receiver to fill in for guys that are hurt or on their byes. 

Ryan Finley (Bengals)– With the Bengals benching their former starter, Andy Dalton, Finley has been promoted to the starter. Although he is on his bye week, he would be a nice pick up to see if he can turn around the Bengals terrible season.