Every week, the Fantasy Aces will provide players, that they feel will surprise the fantasy world by having unexpected success in the upcoming week. An Ace, King, Queen and Jack - players who, in our opinion, are currently ranked outside the Top 10 but have the opportunity to produce as Top 10 players or close to it at their respective positions. The final selection will be The Wild Card – one player that has the opportunity to far exceed expectations based on a cozy match-up or prior production. Anybody can tell you to Always Start Your Studs but sometimes making the right decision for your #3 WR, flex position, questionable Quarterback or Tight End can be the difference in winning or losing. Getting off to a strong start really takes the pressure off as you move forward. Best of luck to all of you in Week 9.
Ace of Spade’s Selections
Ace: RB, Julius Jones vs Lions ~ It’s doesn’t get much more juicy than a matchup against the Lions for Jones. Another positive is that the Lions got rid of T.J. Duckett in favor of Edgerrin James and now have gotten rid of Edge as well. So the RB duties are now in the hands of Julius and Justin Forsett. I’ve never been a big fan of Julius’ but he should be getting a pretty hefty workload and against the Lions should turn in some solid fantasy stats in the area of 80-90 total yards and a TD. If Jones can’t perform against the Lions, with little competition I might add, he doesn’t deserve to be on a roster.
King: WR, Michael Crabtree vs Titans ~ Crabtree finally realized that the best decision was for him to put his pride aside, sign a contract and join the team. So far, he’s been a very solid addition and should only get better as time goes on. He’s built a nice little rapport with Alex Smith and should have his best performance to date in week 9 against the struggling, injury-depleted secondary of the Titans. Crabtree could be used as a #2 WR this week and should rack up near 100 yards receiving on a handful of grabs or so and throw in a TD as well.
Queen: QB, Alex Smith vs Titans ~ I never saw this change for the 49ers at the QB position coming. Hill was certainly struggling but I figured that the 49ers had seen all they needed or wanted to out of Alex Smith and viewed him as a backup. However, Smith was given another chance to run the offense and is making the most of this opportunity. Smith is making opposing defenses have to honor the 49ers’ passing game giving Gore room to run and has really begun to develop a nice chemistry with Vernon Davis and Michael Crabtree. In week 9, Smith is very startable and should throw for somewhere in the mid 200’s and a couple scoring strikes as well. Smith is also a capable of using his legs and should add 15 more yards or so, on the ground.
Jack: RB, Laurence Maroney @ Dolphins ~ Maroney has basically become the lead RB in New England because of injuries and is certainly the guy with the most value in that backfield. Maroney goes up against a Dolphins’ defense that can be stingy against the run but with the Patriots being able to air it out with Brady and company, there should be some running lanes opening up, especially in the 2nd half. I’m expecting Maroney to post about 80 total yards and there’s a strong possibility he takes one into the end zone as well.
The Wild Card: WR, Mike Wallace @ Broncos ~ Mike Wallace has been a great find for the Steelers this year and has taken over the #3 spot from Limas Sweed and some even thought he could be moving in on Santonio Holmes’ role. Now we know that Holmes and Ward are #1 and #2 but with how the Steelers have been throwing the ball, there’s been plenty to go around not only for TE, Heath Miller but for Mike Wallace as well. This week against the Broncos, in Denver on MNF, the Steelers will be looking to air it out again and with Champ Bailey locking down on whoever he chooses, I expect Wallace to see a fair share of targets coming his way. A handful of grabs, 70 yards and a TD aren’t too much to ask for as the Steelers look to spread it around.
Ace of Heart’s Selections
Ace: WR, Michael Crabtree vs Titans ~ Crabtree has been a solid WR in his two starts and now gets his home debut against Tennessee. Come on, I can go out there and score a TD against the Titans secondary, they’ve given up a league high 19 TDs coupled with a league high 282.4 yards per game through the first half of the season. Crabtree is fast becoming a solid #2 low end #1 receiver, he should be in the lineup this week.
King: WR, Santana Moss @ Falcons ~ Santana had a monster week against Detroit but hasn’t done anything too noteworthy since. He’s got the Falcons in the Dome this week who happen to be surrendering an average of 256 yards through the air and a total of 10 receiving TDs. With Cooley out the Skins will need to put the majority of their passing game on Moss, he should be good for 8 catches for 70 yards and a TD this week.
Queen: WR, Robert Meachem vs Panthers ~ Meachem hasn’t done too much so far to date mostly because the Saints have so many threats, but that’s why he’ll succeed this week. Carolina has the #1 ranked pass defense in the NFL but they’ll have their hands full with Colston, Shockey, and the RBs out of the backfield. Meachem has just 2 TDs on the season but I think he’ll add another this week. Plug him into your lineup if you need the bye week fill-in.
Jack: QB, Matt Hasselbeck vs Lions ~ Hasselbeck looked good last against Dallas throwing for 250 and 2 TDs without any interceptions. This week he draws the Lions and similar to the Titans the Lions have given up 18 passing TDs and 250+. You couldn’t ask for a better matchup and Burleson and Housh will get a ton of looks this week with Julius Jones keeping the defense (or lack thereof) honest.
The Wild Card: WR, Chris Chambers @ Jacksonville ~ Chambers has been garbage for quite some time now, the Chargers realized that this week and waived him, however the Chiefs scooped him up (they must be looking @ the 2007 stat sheet). In any case, Bowe is the #1 and gets #1 attention, Chambers might add a little spark to this offense and might get a second chance with Kansas City.
Ace of Club’s Selections
Ace: WR, Lance Moore vs Panthers ~ We watched the Cardinals throw all day on the Panthers last week, only to lose the game anyways. The Cards have Warner- the Saints have Brees. Advantage goes to Brees and the Saints. Cards have Wells and Hightower (to balance the offense) – the Saints have Thomas, Bell and Bush. Advantage goes to the Saints. The Cards have Fitz, Boldin and Breaston – the Saints have Colston, Meachem and Moore. Slight advantage goes to the Cards. In essence, the Saints are very similar to the Cards, but the Saints are playing better right now. Saints at home, against a 3 and 4 team; play Moore with confidence.
King: WR, Malcolm Floyd @ Giants ~ Well the Chargers saw that Chambers didn’t have much left in the tank and dropped him this week, therefore, opting to go with Malcolm Floyd. Floyd has been playing well last few weeks, though he was only given a few opportunities last week against the Raiders, but he made the best of it. He gained 64 yards on 2 catches last week and he appears to be getting better as the seasons progresses. Look for Floyd to come on strong these next few weeks. Besides all of this, the Giants are struggling on defense with the injuries they’ve suffered in the secondary and have been ripe for the picking (apart).
Queen: RB, Ryan Moats @ Colts ~ Please do not believe the HC of the Texans. Kubiak is a liar! If you believe that he will sit or limit Moats to carries this weekend, regardless of the opponent – he needs to be fired on the spot. How can he share carries between a guy who fumbles every other down (Slaton) and a guy who gained 126 yards and 3 touchdowns (not to mention 2 catches for 25 yards) in his place. Mark my words: “Moats will get a bulk of the carries from here on out!” If he does not, Kubiak should be tied to a goal-post and hit by every guy on the team.
Jack: TE, Fred Davis @ Falcons ~ The Falcons are ranked very low on playing opposing TE’s this season. With that being said, no one else to throw the ball to, or not being able to throw the ball that far- Campbell’s only other option will be Davis. With Cooley out for a bit – Davis will step up into his spot and should get his fair shots this weekend.
The Wild Card, WR, Bobby Wade @ Jaguars ~ The Jaguars are not as good as some think. The Jags can be thrown on, and the Chiefs will do just that this weekend. Coming off a bye, all rested up- the Chiefs will come out firing on Sunday. Look for Wade to have a big day…. As all eyes will probably be on Bowe, and that guy Chambers I mentioned before.
