Week 9 fantasy football rankings: Expect a bounce-back week from Josh Allen

Week 9 of the NFL season is here, and although there’s been some speed bumps, the season has continued to roll on.

In fantasy football, we’re officially nearing the stretch run. With playoffs starting in Week 14 in some leagues, the margin of error is thin for some teams. Regardless of where you are in the standings, you want the win this week. Check out my Week 9 half-point PPR fantasy football rankings below to help you secure a victory.

QB

1) Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs (vs. Carolina Panthers)

2) Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills (vs. Seattle Seahawks)

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen could be in for a massive week against the Seattle Seahawks. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Allen is QB14 in fantasy football over the past four weeks, hardly resembling the gunslinging, rocket-arm quarterback who was lighting the league on fire through the first four weeks. He’s got a great spot to get back on track in Week 9, however, as he faces the Seahawks. Seattle is currently allowing the most fantasy points per game to QBs this season. The 54.5-point over-under total for this game is the highest on the board.

3) Deshaun Watson, Houston Texans (at Jacksonville Jaguars)

4) Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals (vs. Miami Dolphins)

5) Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks (at Buffalo Bills)

6) Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers (vs. Las Vegas Raiders)

7) Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens (at Indianapolis Colts)

It seems pretty clear at this point that fantasy football managers aren’t going to get a repeat of Jackson’s 2019 performance. Through the air, Jackson is on pace to finish with fewer passing yards, passing touchdowns, and more interceptions. On the ground, he’s on pace to finish with fewer rushing yards, rushing touchdowns and rushing attempts. Some regression had to be expected following his MVP-winning campaign. That won’t help fantasy managers who used an early-round pick on the QB. He’s still the QB12 this season in fantasy points per game, so it hasn’t been a total miss. His Week 9 opponent, the Colts, are allowing the fewest fantasy points per game to opposing QBs.

8) Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers (at Dallas Cowboys)

9) Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers (at San Francisco 49ers) - played on Thursday

10) Tom Brady Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. New Orleans Saints)

11) Cam Newton, New England Patriots (at New York Jets)

Between Newton’s poor play and the Patriots’ lack of options in the passing game, New England’s offense has looked downright terrible at times. Newton’s rushing abilities have kept him somewhat fantasy relevant, however, as he has scored six rushing touchdowns in six games while surpassing 40 rushing yards in four contests. The Jets haven’t faced off against many dual-threat quarterbacks, but they did allow Josh Allen to rush 25 times for 118 yards and a touchdown in their two games against the Bills this season. Newton should be able to rack up enough yardage on the ground to have a good fantasy day.

12) Ryan Tannehill, Tennessee Titans (vs. Chicago Bears)

Tannehill’s a low-end QB1 for in my rankings this week, which actually isn’t bad considering the matchup. The Bears are allowing the fifth-fewest fantasy points to opposing QBs, but Tannehill has shown enough to still earn a spot in your starting lineup. He has the fifth-highest passer rating in the NFL this season and his 7.8 yards per attempt has him tied with players like Aaron Rodgers and Josh Allen. With both WR A.J. Brown and WR Corey Davis at his disposal, he has a solid arsenal of passing targets to rely on.

13) Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons (vs. Denver Broncos)

14) Drew Lock, Denver Broncos (at Atlanta Falcons)

In last week’s rankings blog, I explained why Lock was an intriguing streaming option at QB for the upcoming three weeks. Last week, he finished as QB7 in fantasy football and led the Broncos to a miraculous comeback over the Chargers. This week, Lock draws the Falcons, who are allowing the second-most fantasy points per game to opposing QBs this season. You can do much worse than Lock if you are looking to cover up Joe Burrow, Jared Goff, Carson Wentz or Baker Mayfield’s bye week.

15) Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions (at Minnesota Vikings)

Stafford was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list and has a chance at suiting up this Sunday. If he plays, he will do so without practicing this week. The Vikings are allowing the sixth-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks this season.

16) Derek Carr, Las Vegas Raiders (at Los Angeles Chargers)

17) Teddy Bridgewater, Carolina Panthers (at Kansas City Chiefs)

18) Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints (at Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

19) Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings (vs. Detroit Lions)

20) Daniel Jones, New York Giants (at Washington Football Team)

21) Kyle Allen, Washington Football Team (vs. New York Giants)

22) Nick Foles, Chicago Bears (at Tennessee Titans)

23) Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins (at Arizona Cardinals)

24) Philip Rivers, Indianapolis Colts (vs. Baltimore Ravens)

25) Nick Mullens, San Francisco 49ers (vs. Green Bay Packers)

26) Jake Luton, Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. Houston Texans)

QB Gardner Minshew (thumb) will not play this week, making Luton the team’s starter.

27) Garrett Gilbert, Dallas Cowboys (vs. Pittsburgh Steelers)

28) Sam Darnold, New York Jets (vs. New England Patriots)

RB

1) Dalvin Cook, Minnesota Vikings (vs. Detroit Lions)

2) Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints (at Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

3) Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans (vs. Chicago Bears)

4) Christian McCaffrey, Carolina Panthers (at Kansas City Chiefs)

5) James Conner, Pittsburgh Steelers (at Dallas Cowboys)

6) Chase Edmonds, Arizona Cardinals (vs. Miami Dolphins)

Edmonds will draw the start at running back this week. He has managed to be fantasy relevant this season despite seeing limited touches. Over the past four weeks, Edmonds is RB19 in fantasy football while playing just three games and receiving fewer than 15 touches in each. His opponent, the Dolphins, are allowing the seventh-most fantasy points per game to opposing RBs this season. No Drake in Week 9 places Edmonds into the RB1 discussion.

7) Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas Raiders (at Los Angeles Chargers)

8) James Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. Houston Texans)

9) Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Kansas City Chiefs (vs. Carolina Panthers)

10) David Johnson, Houston Texans (at Jacksonville Jaguars)

11) Antonio Gibson, Washington Football Team (vs. New York Giants)

12) D’Andre Swift, Detroit Lions (at Minnesota Vikings)

13) Todd Gurley, Atlanta Falcons (vs. Denver Broncos)

14) Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys (vs. Pittsburgh Steelers)

Elliott doesn’t crack the top-12 in my rankings for the first time all season, because there isn’t much to suggest he should. With QB Dak Prescott out and the offensive line severely depleted, teams are starting to bring more pressure to stop the run. In Week 8, 52.63% of Elliott’s snaps came with eight or more defenders in the box, the second-most of any RB. Pinned up against a gnarly Steelers front that’s allowing the fourth-fewest fantasy points to RB this season, things could get ugly for the Cowboys’ bellcow back in Week 9.

15) David Montgomery, Chicago Bears (at Tennessee Titans)

16) J.K. Dobbins, Baltimore Ravens (at Indianapolis Colts)

Dobbins was the Ravens’ lead back in Week 8, playing on 66% of the team’s offensive snaps. Teammate RB Gus Edwards did have a short exit in Week 8 with an injury, leading Dobbins to handle a greater percentage of the snaps. The rookie looked great regardless, rushing 15 times for 113 yards while adding one catch for eight yards. If RB Mark Ingram doesn’t play (ankle), Dobbins is a solid play despite the tough matchup against the Colts, who are allowing the second-fewest fantasy points per game to RB this season.

17) Damien Harris, New England Patriots (at New York Jets)

18) JaMycal Hasty, San Francisco 49ers (vs. Green Bay Packers) played on Thursday

19) Justin Jackson, Los Angeles Chargers (vs. Las Vegas Raiders)

20) Zack Moss, Buffalo Bills (vs. Seattle Seahawks)

The big-time boss, Moss had an extremely encouraging performance against the Patriots in Week 8, rushing 14 times for 81 yards and two scores. The biggest takeaway from the game was that Moss received six red zone rushes opposed to RB Devin Singletary’s one. It seems pretty obvious that Moss is going to be the preferred option for the team in the red zone and near the goal line, which bodes well for his fantasy prospects moving forward. Additionally, Moss has been an efficient ball carrier, topping four yards per carry in three of his five appearances this season.

21) Leonard Fournette, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. New Orleans Saints)

22) Melvin Gordon III, Denver Broncos (at Atlanta Falcons)

23) Le’Veon Bell, Kansas City Chiefs (vs. Carolina Panthers)

24) Devin Singletary, Buffalo Bills (vs. Seattle Seahawks)

25) Ronald Jones, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. New Orleans Saints)

26) Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts (vs. Baltimore Ravens)

What is happening to Taylor? In a great matchup against the Lions in Week 8, the second-round pick stumbled his way to 22 rushing yards on 11 carries while adding just two receptions for nine yards. It was noted that he picked up an ankle injury in the contest, but it’s likely not too severe considering he practiced on Wednesday. There are legitimate concerns surrounding Taylor’s ability after Week 9, given how well RB Jordan Wilkins looked in the game. Nothing will come easy for Taylor in Week 9, as the Ravens are surrendering the third-fewest fantasy points per game to RB this season.

27) Gus Edwards, Baltimore Ravens (at Indianapolis Colts)

28) La’Mical Perine, New York Jets (vs. New England Patriots)

The usage wasn’t spectacular for Perine in Week 8, as he handled just 10 touches, but there are still some encouraging developments for the rookie. Over the past two weeks, he’s handled 60% of the Jets’ offensive snaps while teammate RB Frank Gore has seen just 33%, making Perine the No.1. The game-script against the Chiefs never had a chance of benefiting Perine, but this week’s game against New England, in theory, should be closer. The Patriots have actually been a plus-matchup for opposing running backs, allowing the ninth-most fantasy points per game to the position in 2020.

29) DeeJay Dallas, Seattle Seahawks (at Buffalo Bills)

30) Dexter Williams, Green Bay Packers (at San Francisco 49ers) - played on Thursday

WR

1) Davante Adams, Green Bay Packers (at San Francisco 49ers) played on Thursday

2) Tyreek Hill, Kansas City Chiefs (vs. Carolina Panthers)

3) Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons (vs. Denver Broncos)

4) DeAndre Hopkins, Arizona Cardinals (vs. Miami Dolphins)

5) Stefon Diggs, Buffalo Bills (vs. Seattle Seahawks)

6) Allen Robinson, Chicago Bears (at Tennessee Titans)

7) Michael Thomas, New Orleans Saints (at Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

Thomas is going to play in Week 9, per Dianna Russini of ESPN. The matchup against the Buccaneers is difficult, as Tampa Bay is allowing the ninth-fewest fantasy points per game to wide receivers, but Thomas is a target machine when healthy. He’s a surefire WR1.

8) Tyler Lockett, Seattle Seahawks (at Buffalo Bills)

After a quiet outing against the 49ers where Lockett corralled four of his five targets for 33 receiving yards, I think he outperforms teammate WR D.K. Metcalf in Week 9. The reason is due to the fact that Metcalf will likely draw Bills CB Tre’Davious White in coverage this week. White hasn’t allowed any receiver top top 70 receiving yards this season. That means Lockett will likely draw the easier assignment, CB Levi Wallace. Wallace (ankle) hasn’t played since exiting early in Week 4 and will likely have his hands full trying to guard the speedy and shifty Lockett.

9) Keenan Allen, Los Angeles Chargers (vs. Las Vegas Raiders)

10) Adam Thielen, Minnesota Vikings (vs. Detroit Lions)

11) D.K. Metcalf, Seattle Seahawks (at Buffalo Bills)

12) Will Fuller V, Houston Texans (at Jacksonville Jaguars)

13) Terry McLaurin, Washington Football Team (vs. New York Giants)

14) A.J. Brown, Tennessee Titans (vs. Chicago Bears)

15) Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings (vs. Detroit Lions)

16) D.J. Moore, Carolina Panthers (at Kansas City Chiefs)

At the start of the season, it seemed like teammate WR Robby Anderson was emerging as the Panthers’ No. 1 WR, but over the last few weeks, I think it’s safe to say that Moore is the most dynamic member of this receiver group. Over the last three weeks, Moore has more targets (22-21), receiving yards (241-199), and touchdowns (2-0) than Anderson. The Chiefs have been stingy against wide receivers this season, allowing the fourth-fewest points per game to the position. In a game with the second-highest over-under total this week, and one where the Panthers will likely be playing catch up, Moore should be able to turn in a solid performance.

17) Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. New Orleans Saints)

18) Marquise Brown, Baltimore Ravens (at Indianapolis Colts)

Hollywood voiced his displeasure about seeing only two targets in Week 8 following the team’s loss to the Steelers. The old expression “squeaky wheel gets the oil” will likely apply to Brown in Week 9, as I expect him to be heavily featured in the team’s offensive attack. There’s a lot of advanced stats that point towards a second-half breakout for Brown. He currently has the fourth-highest share of a team’s total air yards and has one of the easiest strength of schedules for the remainder of the season. Stay patient, the numbers will come.

19) Diontae Johnson, Pittsburgh Steelers (at Dallas Cowboys)

20) Robby Anderson, Carolina Panthers (at Kansas City Chiefs)

21) Chase Claypool, Pittsburgh Steelers (at Dallas Cowboys)

22) JuJu Smith-Schuster, Pittsburgh Steelers (at Dallas Cowboys)

23) Brandin Cooks, Houston Texans (at Jacksonville Jaguars)

24) Jerry Jeudy, Denver Broncos (at Atlanta Falcons)

25) Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. New Orleans Saints)

26) D.J. Chark, Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. Houston Texans)

27) Amari Cooper, Dallas Cowboys (vs. Pittsburgh Steelers)

Every member of the Cowboys has suffered in the absence of QB Dak Prescott, but those who spent an early pick on Cooper are especially feeling the loss. Cooper didn't register his first catch until the fourth quarter of last week’s game. It seems like Dallas will be starting QB Cooper Rush over QB Ben DiNucci, but it remains to be seen if that’s an upgrade or not. In three games without Prescott, Cooper has compiled 164 receiving yards and one touchdown on 15 receptions.

28) Marvin Jones Jr., Detroit Lions (at Minnesota Vikings)

29) Antonio Brown, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. New Orleans Saints)

Brown is back in the NFL after serving an eight-game suspension and signing a contract with the Buccaneers. Bucs head coach Bruce Arians wouldn’t specifically state what Brown’s involvement in this game would be, although I expect him to be very involved. At the end of the day, this is a divisional game against the Saints, who already have one win over the Bucs this season. The stakes are very high for Tampa Bay, and I’d be shocked to see them hold back someone who has been one of the best receivers in the NFL.

30) Mike Williams, Los Angeles Chargers (vs. Las Vegas Raiders)

TE

1) Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs (vs. Carolina Panthers)

2) Darren Waller, Las Vegas Raiders (at Los Angeles Chargers)

3) T.J. Hockenson, Detroit Lions (at Minnesota Vikings)

WR Kenny Golladay will not be in the lineup this weekend, and whether it is QB Matt Stafford or QB Chase Daniel under centre, I expect Hockenson to see an uptick in target volume. His 10 targets in last week’s game against the Colts were a season-high, and he’s becoming one of the more trustworthy options at the position. He hasn’t finished with less than seven points in any game this year, which is great considering the volatility the position provides. The Vikings have allowed the fourth-most receiving yards to tight end this season.

4) Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens (at Indianapolis Colts)

5) Rob Gronkowski, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. New Orleans Saints)

6) Noah Fant, Denver Broncos (at Atlanta Falcons)

Tight end has been a disaster of a position for fantasy football this season. It’s encouraging to see that Fant is tied for the second-most targets amongst tight ends (16) since returning from injury. The matchup in Week 9 is a major plus as he gets to face a Falcons defense that is allowing the most fantasy points per game to tight ends this season.

7) Hunter Henry, Los Angeles Chargers (vs. Las Vegas Raiders)

8) Robert Tonyan, Green Bay Packers (at San Francisco 49ers) played on Thursday

9) Hayden Hurst, Atlanta Falcons (vs. Denver Broncos)

10) Jonnu Smith, Tennessee Titans (vs. Chicago Bears)

11) Mike Gesicki, Miami Dolphins (at Arizona Cardinals)

The Dolphins made a pair of minor trades at the NFL trade deadline this week, but trading WR Isaiah Ford away is actually a major plus for Gesicki’s fantasy value. Ford ran mostly out of the slot for Miami, which is also where Gesicki runs most of his routes from. Entering Week 8, 176 of the 228 plays Gesicki has seen the field for have him set up in the slot. There’s a good chance that with Ford gone, Gesicki will see even more alignment from that spot.

12) Jared Cook, New Orleans Saints (at Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

13) Jimmy Graham, Chicago Bears (at Tennessee Titans)

14) Evan Engram, New York Giants (at Washington Football Team)

15) Logan Thomas, Washington Football Team (vs. New York Giants)

16) Jordan Reed, San Francisco 49ers (vs. Green Bay Packers) played on Thursday

It was reported that TE Jordan Reed will be activated off of IR and play in Thursday night’s game. With the 49ers down to WR Trent Taylor and WR Richie James as their starters due to COVID-19 protocols, Reed will likely be heavily involved.

17) Irv Smith Jr., Minnesota Vikings (vs. Detroit Lions)

18) Eric Ebron, Pittsburgh Steelers (at Dallas Cowboys)

19) Trey Burton, Indianapolis Colts (vs. Baltimore Ravens)

20) Jordan Akins, Houston Texans (at Jacksonville Jaguars)

DEF

1. Pittsburgh Steelers (at Dallas Cowboys)

2. New England Patriots (at New York Jets)

3. Houston Texans (at Jacksonville Jaguars)

4. Baltimore Ravens (at Indianapolis Colts)

5. Green Bay Packers (at San Francisco 49ers) played on Thursday

6. Washington Football Team (vs. New York Giants)

7. Tennessee Titans (vs. Chicago Bears)

8. Arizona Cardinals (vs. Miami Dolphins)

9. New York Giants (at Washington Football Team)

10. Kansas City Chiefs (vs. Carolina Panthers)

11. Indianapolis Colts (vs. Baltimore Ravens)

12. Chicago Bears (at Tennessee Titans)

13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. New Orleans Saints)

14. Minnesota Vikings (vs. Detroit Lions)

15. Los Angeles Chargers (vs. Las Vegas Raiders)

16. Denver Broncos (at Atlanta Falcons)

17. New Orleans Saints (at Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

18. New York Jets (vs. New England Patriots)

19. Detroit Lions (at Minnesota Vikings)

20. Atlanta Falcons (vs. Denver Broncos)

K

1. Justin Tucker, Baltimore Ravens (at Indianapolis Colts)

2. Harrison Butker, Kansas City Chiefs (vs. Carolina Panthers)

3. Younghoe Koo, Atlanta Falcons (vs. Denver Broncos)

4. Matt Prater, Detroit Lions (at Minnesota Vikings)

5. Chris Boswell, Pittsburgh Steelers (at Dallas Cowboys)

6. Rodrigo Blankenship, Indianapolis Colts (vs. Baltimore Ravens)

7. Wil Lutz, New Orleans Saints (at Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

8. Zane Gonzalez, Arizona Cardinals (vs. Miami Dolphins)

9. Daniel Carlson, Las Vegas Raiders (at Los Angeles Chargers)

10. Ryan Succop, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. New Orleans Saints)

11. Brandon McManus, Denver Broncos (at Atlanta Falcons)

12. Mason Crosby, Green Bay Packers (at San Francisco 49ers) played on Thursday

13. Jason Myers, Seattle Seahawks (at Buffalo Bills)

14. Ka’Imi Fairbairn, Houston Texans (at Jacksonville Jaguars)

15. Tyler Bass, Buffalo Bills (vs. Seattle Seahawks)

16. Michael Badgley, Los Angeles Chargers (vs. Las Vegas Raiders)

17. Joey Slye, Carolina Panthers (at Kansas City Chiefs)

18. Nick Folk, New England Patriots (at New York Jets)

19. Stephen Gostkowski, Tennessee Titans (vs. Chicago Bears)

20. Jason Sanders, Miami Dolphins (at Arizona Cardinals)

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