Week 9: Start 'Em
Last week was a low scoring week in the NFL, leaving many fantasy owners frustrated and angry due to the poor performances of their players. Week 9 is the second and last time this season there will be 6 teams on bye, so it's safe to assume that fantasy owners will be looking for some help deciding who to start in their lineup this week. If you're one of the many fantasy owners needing some help, feel free to take a look below at some players you might want to start this week. Good luck this week and may the force be with you.
QB Jon Kitna, DAL
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After not starting a game for two years, Jon Kitna dusted himself off and started last week for the Cowboys; if not for a few passes that were tipped off the hands of his receivers that turned into interceptions, Kitna looked all right, passing for 379 yards and 1 touchdown. Kitna is no superstar, but he does have a live arm and some great receivers to pass to. The Cowboys are not very good right now and can't seem to run the ball, so expect them to be playing most games from behind and passing more often than running. You can expect Kitna to be passing the ball at least 35-40 times a game, and with the likes of Miles Austin, Dez Bryant, Jason Witten and others there is no reason to believe he can't put up solid fantasy numbers. If you are looking for a QB to start this week, then Kitna is your man.
RB Julius Jones, ---
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When the season began, I don't think anyone would have guessed that Julius Jones would be the main back in the New Orleans Saints' back field, but that's just where he is. First Jones failed to get it going in Seattle and then with Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas out with injury, the Saints brought in Jones to help out and compete for some time with Chris Ivory and Ladell Betts. Over the past few weeks Jones has played second fiddle to Ivory, but when Ivory went down early with a concussion Jones took over. Now he didn't put up big numbers when he replaced Ivory (16 yards rushing and 3 receptions for 20 yards), but that was more due to the fact that he was facing the tough Steelers defense. Ivory might be missing the week with the concussion and Bush and Thomas will not be returning till after the bye. If you are looking for a RB this week, Julius Jones might be the guy.
RB Darren Sproles, ---
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This is one only for people in point per reception leagues. Over the first six weeks of the season Sproles was pretty much nonexistent in terms of fantasy, with the Chargers giving the bulk of the work to rookie Ryan Matthews and Mike Tolbert. Unfortunately Matthews and Tolbert haven't been able to produce consistently in the running game and that has been one of the many reasons the Chargers have been losing and coming from behind, thus leaving the door open for Darren Sproles. Two weeks ago Sproles caught 9 passes for 70 yards, and last week he rushed the ball for a season high 41 yards to go along with 4 receptions for 36 yards and 1 TD. If you're in a PPR league and in need of help at RB, Sproles is worth a look this week.
WR Bernard Berrian, ---
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Last year Berrian got off to a slow start as he was recovering from injuries, but this season the Vikings were more hopeful that he could get off to a good start and be the downfield threat the Vikings needed to open up the field. When that didn't happen, the Vikings went out and traded a 3rd round pick for Randy Moss. Well, it looks like that experiment didn't work out as after four weeks the Vikings released Moss. With Moss gone and Percy Harvin banged up (and likely to see more double teams), look for Berrian to get more looks the rest of the season. The Vikings have a good match up this week vs. the Cardinals, so if you're in a tough spot and you need a WR this week, give Berrian a shot.
WR Patrick Crayton, ---
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Patrick Crayton couldn't find a spot in Dallas behind all those WR's and for the first few weeks of the season he was stuck behind the WR's in San Diego, but since Malcolm Floyd went down with a hamstring and Antonio Gates has been dealing with a toe issue, Crayton has become a bigger part of the passing game. Since Floyd and Gates were injured three weeks ago, Crayton has put up 17 receptions for 245 yards. This week the Chargers face the Houston Texans, one of the worst teams in the NFL at defending WR's, giving up an average of close to 14 receptions for 185 yards and 1.5 TD's. San Diego's running game hasn't been much help in the offense lately so they will be relying on the pass and Crayton should be in line for a big game. Give him a shot in your line up.
