Fantasy football 2018, Week 9: Top 10 best matchups to attack

Fantasy Football 2018: 10 matchups to attack in Week 9

CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 21: New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) congratulates New England Patriots wide receiver Josh Gordon (10) on his catch and run for extra yardage during the fourth quarter. The New England Patriots visit the Chicago Bears in a regular season NFL football game at Soldier Field in Chicago, IL on Oct. 21, 2018. (Photo by Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /

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NEW ORLEANS, LA – SEPTEMBER 09: Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end O.J. Howard (80) catches a pass against New Orleans Saints during the first half on September 09, 2018 at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, LA. (Photo by Stephen Lew/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

8. Tight end: O.J. Howard vs. Carolina Panthers

This Tampa Bay team has been through a lot this season. Swapping starting quarterbacks once again for a Week 9 tilt against the rival Carolina Panthers. Fitzmagic will be on full display and so will O.J. Howard. No matter who has been under center this season for the Buccaneers, Howard has impressed and has been highly productive.

Howard has proven he is a tight end that needs to be played most weeks. His 419 receiving yards and three touchdowns rank sixth and fourth, respectively. The Carolina Panthers middle of the road 18th-ranked pass defense should be a good matchup this week. Rivalry games are always fun as stated earlier. Expect the unexpected in these games. We will find out if there is any Fitzmagic left in the tank this Sunday.

The Carolina defense has allowed 351 yards per game to opposing offenses this season, good enough for 13th-ranked. Howard is a difference maker on the field and has shown just how consistent and reliable he can be this season. In fantasy football we like these high volume players we can rely on. Howard averages 60 receiving yards and 3.5 receptions per game.

In Week 9, Howard caught four balls for 68 receiving yards and a touchdown. Expect more of the same going forward as Howard currently averages five targets per game. What’s even more encouraging with Howard this season is his ability to produce big numbers on four or five receptions per game. That’s really encouraging for fantasy football.

When Ryan Fitzpatrick was filling in for a suspended Jameis Winston earlier this season, in three games played Howard was targeted by Fitzpatrick 14 times and he caught 11 of them for 222 receiving yards and a touchdown.

Prediction: 85 receiving yards, 1 touchdown

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