Week Nine Trends and Topics

Defensive genius? Not so much any more...

• Since the week 6 do or die matchup against the Vikings the Cowboys defense has all but died giving up totals of 41, 35, and 45 to the Giants, Jaguars, and Packers. Opposing QB's have scored 12 touchdowns in this 3 week span, and things look no better against pass happy Eli Manning at New York and Matthew Stafford at home. 
• Speaking of defenses, the Patriots D has given up 5 rushing touchdowns over the past two weeks while only allowing one score through the air. 
• After what we saw yesterday in Oakland; week 17's Oakland vs. KC game at Arrowhead could very well be for the division title. However, don't rule out San Diego who has rolled off 3 straight wins. By the way, don't look now but by week 12 Rivers will have Vincent Jackson to throw to again. 
• Every one's hot pick up was LeGarrette Blount, however, the lesser known Javarris James ran for 2 touchdowns Sunday against the Eagles while Blount only touched the ball 13 times for 46 yards. 
• Everyone remembers Carolina drafting Jimmy Clausen to be their QB of the future, but in the later rounds they took Cincinnati standout Tony Pike. While he only went 6/12 for 47 yards; his getting into the game to replace Clausen may signal that Carolina may not be sold on the QB from Notre Dame just yet. 
• The Charlie Whitehurst era is not off to a smooth start in Seattle with a 12 completion, 113 yards, and 1 touchdown performance against the Giants Sunday giving up their first home loss. 
• Finally, Patriots WR Wes Welker had just as many kicking points as 5 kickers yesterday as he nailed an extra point in relief for the injured Steven Gostkowski. 

Week Nine Pickups

Picking up LeGarrette Blount is way too easy of a call this week

The short and quick recommendation would be to pickup after LeGarrette Blount after breaking out a 120 yard, 2 touchdowns on 22 carries performance, but where's the tough fantasy analysis in that? After all, every one else in your league most likely put in a waiver claim after him. Thus, you need to go elsewhere.

Remember, we're in week nine, thus your waiver options are going to be limited unless something catastrophic happens. I.e.: a line of injuries promotes a guy from the practice squad to starting lineup.

RB, Keiland Williams, Washington Redskins: a line of injuries may be just what he needs to get the amount of carries/ catches to become fantasy relevant. With Clinton Portis out and still recovering, and Ryan Torain possibly out with a hamstring promotes Keiland Williams as the starting RB. Though you can't use him this weekend because he's on bye; you should keep an eye out for him as injury reports come out of D.C.

RB, BenJarvus Green-Ellis: what else must this guy do to be owned in more then 50% of leagues? 5 straight weeks with a touchdown capped off by 2 touchdown, 122 yards on 17 carries performance should be more then enough umphh to get him off the wire and into your starting lineup.

RB, Javarris James, Indianapolis Colts: when every other RB is hurt on your team it opens up the way for you to start. The week 10 status of Addai, Brown, and Hart for next weekend all look suspicious. RB plays a very essential part of the Colts offense, and James should be used in some manner Sunday against Philadelphia simply because they have no other options!

WR, Randy Moss, FA: this is just a hunch, but sometimes ffball owners have been known to over react to news and may have dropped Moss once they heard he was waived. Though his value may be low; he would be an amazingly great pickup if you could find.

WR, Nate Washington, Tennessee Titans: before the injury of Britt Sunday Washington was fantasy crap, however, he is now their #1 deep threat and showed that with a season high tying 4 catches for 117 yards and a touchdown. He's off this week, but worth watching if Britt isn't ready to go in week 10.

WR, Steve Breaston, AZ Cardinals: if he can stay healthy he helps increase the value of Larry Fitzgerald, and has a nice tendency to rack up yardage. In his 2 truly healthy games, limited by a knee issue, he has 15 receptions for 279 yards. If, and its a big if, Derek Anderson plays Sunday against Minnesota Breaston has nice value in yardage, and ppr leagues. Don't worry about touchdowns though; when you rack up 130+ yards when your knee cooperates with the rest of your body touchdowns should follow.

TE, Jacob Tamme, Indianapolis Colts: stick a TE in this offense, and Manning will find a way to throw the ball his way. 6 receptions for 64 yards and a touchdown figures to make him a nice fill in when other TE's are under performing or hurt.

K, Dan Carpenter, Miami Dolphins: Kickers are worth taking a look at; especially when they end up being the highest scorer on their team. In 4 of his last 5 games he has made at least 3 field goals and an extra point. In the last 2 weeks he has made 5 field goals in each game, and figures to be a key part of the offense against a rested Baltimore defense.