Fansided

FanDuel NFL 2018: Week 9 lineup

By Joe D'Aloisio

PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 21: Christian McCaffrey #22 of the Carolina Panthers runs with the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on October 21, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 21: Christian McCaffrey #22 of the Carolina Panthers runs with the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on October 21, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TX – OCTOBER 25: Houston Texans running back Lamar Miller (26) evades a tackle by Miami Dolphins linebacker Raekwon McMillan (52) during the football game between the Miami Dolphins and Houston Texans on October 25, 2018 at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Leslie Plaza Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – OCTOBER 25: Houston Texans running back Lamar Miller (26) evades a tackle by Miami Dolphins linebacker Raekwon McMillan (52) during the football game between the Miami Dolphins and Houston Texans on October 25, 2018 at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Leslie Plaza Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

FLEX: Lamar Miller, Houston Texans – $6,500

After starting the season 0-3, the Houston Texans have won five straight games and sit atop the AFC South Division. One player that has been playing a lot better during that stretch is Miller.

Entering Week 9, Miller has 504 rushing yards, 9th most in the the league. A chunk of Miller’s production has come in his last two games. In both contests, he is averaging at least 4.5 yards a carry, 100+ yards and how scored in each game.

Last week against the Miami Dolphins, Miller averaged over seven yards per carry and rushed for a season high 133 yards, fourth most in his career. He finished the afternoon with 19.6 fantasy points, which was also a season high. He has eclipsed double-digit fantasy points in four out of seven games in 2018.

Houston travels to Denver this week and Miller should have a field day. The Broncos have allowed 1,001 yards on the ground to backs, tied for second most in the league. Coincidently, they are tied with the Dolphins, a team Miller just torched.

On average, running backs are rushing for 125.12 yards per game and over five yards per carry. The Broncos are one of three teams who are allowing backs to average more than five yards per carry.

Houston will continue to giver Miller the ball, especially how he is producing as of late. Also, injuries to the wide receiver core should make the Texans rely on the ground game.

Defense: Miami Dolphins – $4,200

Similar to last week, the reason behind the defensive selection is because of the matchup, not because this unit has been great. There is no denying it, the Dolphins have struggled on defense and give up a ton of points. Opposing teams are averaging 27.4 points against them, 29th in the league.

But at the same time, Miami has kept five opponents from scoring more than 20 points, one of those being their Week 9 foe, the New York Jets. The Jets struggled moving the ball and only have 2,513 total yards, 26th in the NFL.

The Dolphins limited the Jets to only 12 points in their Week 2 victory in New York. In addition, they forced three turnovers, two interceptions and one fumble. Furthermore, Miami forced three more fumbles, but were unable to recover them.

Miami will be able to create turnovers against the Jets and they should replicate their Week 2 performance.