Fantasy Football 2018: 10 RB sleepers to target for Week 9

21st October 2018, Wembley Stadium, London, England; NFL in London, game two, Tennessee Titans versus Los Angeles Chargers; Quarterback Marcus Mariota of the Tennessee Titans hands off the ball to running back Dion Lewis (photo by Shaun Brooks/Action Plus via Getty Images) /

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CINCINNATI, OH – OCTOBER 28: Peyton Barber #25 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers slips out of a tackle by Preston Brown #52 of the Cincinnati Bengals during the fourth quarter at Paul Brown Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Cincinnati defeated Tampa Bay 37-34. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Peyton Barber, Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers

Like the Minnesota Vikings, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a big rivalry matchup in Week 9, as they will be taking on a red-hot Carolina Panthers team that has received a massive boost on defense from underrated safety Eric Reid. The Buccaneers high-flying passing attack will hope to test Reid and the Panthers secondary, and they may need another strong outing from running back Peyton Barber to make that happen.

Barber first emerged in Week 6, notching 106 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons. After a poor performance against the Cleveland Browns the following week, Barber bounced back in Week 8 with a season-high 19 attempts and 85 yards, adding a touchdown on the ground, in a near-upset of the Cincinnati Bengals.

Ryan Fitzpatrick has proven to be more effective than Jameis Winston at quarterback, which means Barber could reap the benefits. Ronald Jones’s injury has left the Bucs starting running back gig open to Barber, who has clearly outproduced the frustratingly inefficient Jones in 2018.

While the Panthers defense has allowed the sixth-fewest yards on the ground this season, Barber will be facing a defense that allows 4.4 yards per carry. He’s also looked good on the ground lately, and the carries should keep coming for the third-year pro.

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