Fantasy Football Week 9: Top Performers from early games

Nov 3, 2013; St. Louis, MO, USA; Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson (28) breaks away from St. Louis Rams outside linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar (58) during the second half at the Edward Jones Dome. The Titans defeated the Rams 28-21. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports /

After the early NFL games, there’s already been some standout performances that have vaulted their owners into solid leads as the rest of week 9 continues to unfold. Here’s a quick rundown of the top performers from the early games in week 9:

Chris Johnson-RB-Tennessee Titans

Johnson rewarded his long-suffering owners or those that were forced to play him due to byes with a huge game against the Rams defense. Johnson ran for 150 yards and two touchdowns while adding 20 yards on three catches. Those numbers were good enough to make him the high-scorer in most standard formats after struggling for much of the season

Zac Stacy-RB-St. Louis Rams

On the other side of the game, Stacy blew up too rushing for 127 yards and two touchdowns and adding 51 yards on six catches. He’s been on our waiver wire pickup list for weeks, now, but is sure to be universally owned in the coming weeks since he’s in better matchups and more well-known across the league.

Adrian Peterson-RB-Minnesota Vikings

Nov 3, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) scores a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT /

Since it’s a big day for running backs, it’s only fitting that we got a big game from the best fantasy back in the game. All-day finished with 140 yards and a touchdown while adding 37 yards on three catches. Peterson is an every-week start, but showed why he’s still the tops in the game when given the opportunity.

Jimmy Graham-TE-New Orleans Saints

Graham also overcame some recent struggles by gashing the Jets for 116 yards on nine catches and had a pair of scores while being targeted 12 times by Drew Brees who was often on the run from the attacking Jets defense.

Chris Ivory-RB-New York Jets

After getting almost no work last week against the Bengals, Ivory took 18 carries for 139 yards yards and a touchdown against the Saints, his former team. He should be given a bigger share of the carries for Rex Ryan as he shows he’s healthy and the better of the two backs the Jets have.

Drew Brees-QB-New Orleans Saints

Brees battled through the non-stop pressure from the Jets D to throw for 382 yards and two scores which were the best numbers of the early QB’s. Brees didn’t light up the scoreboard, but he was the best QB in the 1:00 starts.

Tony Romo-QB-Dallas Cowboys

Romo also had a solid but no spectacular game against Minnesota throwing for 337 yards and two touchdowns while leading Dallas to a come from behind victory at home in a game that was much closer than expected.

Darrel Young-RB-Washington Redskins

Nov 3, 2013; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins fullback Darrel Young (36) celebrates with Redskins inside linebacker London Fletcher (59) while leaving the field after scoring the game winning touchdown in overtime against the San Diego Chargers at FedEx Field. The Redskins won 30–24 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

Coming out of nowhere and becoming a new swear word for fantasy owners everywhere, Darrel Young stole three rushing TD’s for the Redskins. He only rushed for 12 yards total, but his three TDs made him one of the best options no one owns.

Carolina Panthers D/ST

The Panthers forced four turnovers, scored a touchdown, and dropped Matt Ryan twice for a sack. The Panthers are emerging as a top defensive option and one that you can keep if you were lucky enough to grab them off the waiver wire early enough.

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