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November 4, 2022, 5:23 pm
Seahawks (+2) @ Cardinals (-130): O/U 49.5
Key storylines/What to Watch
The Week 9 matchup between the Seahawks and Cardinals is the rematch between division rivals, with the Seahawks winning 19-9 in their first outing during Week 6. Both teams are more than capable of giving up and putting up fantasy points, especially to the TEs, with these two teams being the bottom-2 teams against TEs in the league. This game is one of three in Week 9 to have a 49 or higher over/under, projecting it to be very fantasy friendly. The first matchup between these two was a disaster, but this week there is a strong likelihood of it being the exact opposite. Outside of the Cardinals running backs, there are several very fantasy relevant options on both sides of the ball, which will cause fantasy GMs to be paying very close attention to this game. The Cardinals could be getting James Conner back, who is trending in the right direction and is officially a game-time decision, but he has missed several weeks and would cause chaos in their backfield.
Top Starts
Geno Smith: Smith had his second worst fantasy performance of the season in their matchup three weeks ago, but he still remains the QB7 on the year. It was a rather surprising game, as the Cards are allowing the sixth-most fantasy points per game to QBs. The game was incredibly slow-paced, with the Seahawks doing the majority of their work on the ground. Smith was unable to record a touchdown, but also did not turn the ball over. There is a real possibility that this game is the complete opposite of their first outing, which only produced a combined 28 points, making Smith a great starting option this weekend.
Ken Walker: Ever since the Rashaad Penny injury, Walker has been dominating. Over the past three weeks, the potential NFC Rookie of the Year has been the RB5 in PPR formats. He ran over the Cardinals defense in their first matchup, rushing 21 times for 97 yards and a score, finishing the week as the eighth-best back. Walker has scored five touchdowns over his past four games and remains a tremendous must-start option in all formats.
Tyler Lockett & D.K. Metcalf: Lockett and Metcalf have been the fourth-best WR duo in the NFL this season, with Lockett sitting as the WR12 and Metcalf ranking as the WR24. Both players had very bad games in the first matchup between these division rivals, but they have a strong opportunity to bounce back. Lockett only has two games this season with less than five receptions, while Metcalf has at least six targets in all but one game. Both players are startable options in all formats, especially while six teams are on bye this week.
Kyler Murray: Fresh off his best performance of the season finishing as the QB3, Murray is looking to build on that success in a favorable matchup against the Seahawks. In Week 6, Murray finished as the QB14 against Seattle, but he did so without scoring a touchdown. Murray finished the week with the third-most rushing yards (100). DeAndre Hopkins was not suited up for that matchup and since his return, Murray has received a nice boost in production. There is a very strong chance for Murray to finish inside the top-3 once again this week and he should be started in every league.
DeAndre Hopkins: The Seahawks have the third-least fantasy friendly defense against WRs, but Hopkins is matchup proof. Murray has fed him 27 targets in his first two games back, finishing both games with at least 10 receptions and 103 yards. Hopkins is easily a top-12 WR the rest of season and is a great starting option, regardless of matchup.
Boom/Bust Dart-Throw
Zach Ertz: The Seahawks are the absolute worst defense vs. the fantasy TE, allowing 18.3 fantasy points per game. In their Week 6 matchup, Ertz caught 7-of-10 targets for 70 yards, finishing as the TE9 without scoring a touchdown. In a bye-riddled week, Ertz remains a top option for fantasy GMs and should be started considering the matchup.
Rondale Moore: After a brutal first game playing alongside Hopkins, Moore turned in a great performance in Week 8. He finished as the WR6 in PPR formats, hauling in 7-of-8 targets for 92 yards and a touchdown with 12 yards on the ground. Moore is a tricky option this week, as the Seahawks have been great against WRs this season. With the return of Hopkins and the fantasy matchup for Ertz, Moore will be third in the pecking order this weekend, but fortunately with all the teams on bye, he sneaks in as a WR2/3 option in Week 9.
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Rams (+3) @ Buccaneers (-145): O/U 42.5
Key storylines/What to Watch