Fantasy football lineup advice: Week 9 boom or bust

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Fantasy Football - Chargers RB Melvin Gordon

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – OCTOBER 27: Melvin Gordon III #25 of the Los Angeles Chargers runs with the ball while being chased by Eddie Jackson #39 of the Chicago Bears in the fourth quarter at Soldier Field on October 27, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

Running Back

Boom: Melvin Gordon, LAC vs. GB

Fantasy owners have been frustrated with Gordon’s production so far since returning in Week 5 -and rightfully so. After being selected as my BUST last week against Chicago, he just barely got by as a 19-yard TD run saved his day. While he’s been lousy (as far as expectations), he’s endured tough matchups with DEN, PIT, and TEN before his meeting with the Bears in Week 8. Not to mention, running-mate Austin Ekeler has eaten into his workload this season, especially through the air.

While I still believe Gordon has lost a step from taking time off, the Packers are a great matchup that he can exploit. If he’s going to get his season turned around, this is a prime spot to do so. Green Bay has been stout against the pass, but have been gashed on the ground by opposing backs to a tune of 27.5 FPPG. Their eight rushing touchdowns allowed is tied for second-most in the league, as well. This is a week you can bank on Gordon to produce, perhaps in a big way.

Boom: Phillip Lindsay, DEN vs. CLE

Volume, volume, and more volume. Now that Joe Flacco is out of the picture due to a “neck injury” after criticizing his coaching staff’s play-calling decisions, the Broncos will be forced to trot out Brandon Allen (a player that’s never taken a regular-season NFL snap) at QB. Uh-oh. While this isn’t ideal for Denver’s offense as a whole, it means that an obnoxiously-heavy ground-game approach by Lindsay and Royce Freeman awaits. Freeman has gotten plenty of work this season as Lindsay’s counterpart, but it’s been Lindsay who’s frequently led the charge.

While head coach Vic Fangio does his best to keep the game out of Allen’s control, Lindsay should see a larger-than-usual workload against the Browns. Cleveland ranks as a bottom-10 fantasy defense against opposing rushers, surrendering 27 FPPG. While Lindsay may face a handful of stacked boxes, his receiving chops bode well for his outlook in a game where Allen should be throwing a fair amount of check-downs.

Bust: Sony Michel, NE @ BAL

It’s been a touchdown-or-bust type of season for second-year pro Sony Michel. While he’s got six of them up to this point, his 3.31 yards per carry still ranks third-worst among all RBs with at least 50 carries. In games where he doesn’t reach pay-dirt, he’s exponentially disappointed owners, averaging just five fantasy points in those contests. He’s always a threat to score as the goal-line back on a Patriots offense that tends to dominate field position, but Baltimore will pose his toughest test yet.

Finally, we should get a close, down-to-the-wire game this weekend in a primetime Sunday night matchup. The 5-2 Ravens have surrendered the fourth-fewest rushing yards per game, and with a lack of a receiving role, Michel’s ceiling will be capped. Look for Ravens to sell-out to stop the run as most teams have against the Georgia alum. This game has James White written all over it, suggesting Michel’s usual opportunities might not be there.

Bust: Kenyan Drake, ARI vs. SF

Drake finally got the change of scenery he desperately coveted after being traded from Miami last week to the Cardinals. Both David Johnson and Chase Edmonds are currently banged up, leaving just Drake, Zach Zenner, and Alfred Morris as the only active backs on Arizona’s roster heading into their Thursday night game. While it’s been reported Drake may be in for a feature role, it’s tough to imagine he’ll be a startable asset right from the get-go.

This becomes especially the case against the 49ers, a team that’s leaned on their elite front-seven on their way to a flawless 7-0 record thus far. Thanks to the help of Rookie of the Year candidate Nick Bosa, this unit has bullied opposing tailbacks this season, allowing the second-fewest fantasy points to the position. Drake may get a load of touches, but it’ll be a tall task for him to turn them into anything worthwhile.

Sleeper: Frank Gore, BUF vs. WSH

Age is but a number for the 15-year veteran. Gore has hardly missed a beat in his age-36 season, averaging 13.5 carries per game while leading his team in rushing by a wide margin. He should fare well against the Redskins, a team that’s been bullied on the ground in 2019. Washington has already given up over 900 rushing yards this year, one of only three teams to do so.