The Indianapolis Colts and the New Orleans Saints both won to remain undefeated week nine in the NFL. Tennessee Titans quarterback Vince Young led his team to its second straight victory this week as well. The Cincinnati Bengals also beat the Baltimore Ravens in a highly anticipated AFC North match up.
Let’s now see what’s going on in the fantasy community and check out who is hot, who is cold, and who is hurt with the Doctors Report.
The Hot:
Atlanta Falcons running back Michael Turner rushed for a season-high 166 yards and scored two touchdowns Sunday against the Redskins. Turner has had a pretty solid season and should be looked at as a number one fantasy receiver. You will definitely want to start him week 10 against the Panthers.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner threw for 261 yards and a whopping five touchdowns Sunday at the Bears. Warner is enjoying a fine season and should be looked at as a solid number one fantasy wide receiver. Start him week ten as the Cardinals play the weak Seattle Seahawks defense.
Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson is leading the league in rushing. Johnson is continually hot week in and week out. Johnson rushed for 135 yards and two scores Sunday at San Francisco. Johnson is the type of fantasy running back that could take your team to the championship. Start him every single week when healthy.
Chicago Bears tight end Greg Olsen had a season best 71 yards and three touchdowns Sunday against the Cardinals. If you have been playing fantasy football for awhile you know that tight ends can be somewhat of a crap-shoot. It looks like Olsen however can be considered a legit target in the Bears offense. Start Olsen as a number one tight end next week at the 49ers.
What a game for Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams. Williams rushed for 149 yards and scored two touchdowns Sunday at the New Orleans Saints. He is a top of the line fantasy running back and should be starting every week in fantasy.
Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler had a huge week nine despite a loss vs. Arizona Sunday. Cutler threw for 369 yards and three touchdowns and one interception in the contest. Cutler has had a pretty decent year this year; you will want to start week ten against the 49ers.
Some other hot players week nine include; Randy Moss, Mike Sims-Walker, Larry Fitzgerald, Vernon Davis, Frank Gore and Phillip Rivers.
The Cold:
What is going on with LaDanian?! Chargers running back LaDanian Tomlinson (LT) only rushed for 22 yards Sunday at the Giants. LT has been ice cold all season long. If you are a LT owner unfortunately you should look at other options before you consider starting him.
Kansas City Chiefs running back Larry Johnson is so cold that he probably needs to invest in a snuggie. Johnson was released by the Chiefs Monday mornings according to www.cbssportsline.com. Johnson has been one of the biggest busts of the 2009 season; if you are a Johnson owner who used a fifth round pick to draft him you should swallow your pride, cut him from your fantasy roster, and slowly move one with your life.
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb struggled Sunday night against Dallas. McNabb threw for 227 yards and one touchdown but he also threw two interceptions. McNabb is a decent fantasy starter and can be considered a starter week ten at San Diego.
Houston Texans running back Steve Slaton only rushed for 17 yards Sunday at the Colts. Slaton did however score a touchdown. Slaton didn’t even start this game because he is splitting carries with Ryan Moats and Chris Brown. If you are a Slaton owner you probably should not start him because he is not going to get sufficient carries in this offense.
The Doctor’s Report:
Washington Redskins running back Clinton Portis suffered a concussion Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons. Portis is doubtful for week ten vs. the Broncos, according to head coach Jim Zorn. If you are a Portis owner you might want to put a waiver claim on Ladell Betts. If Portis can’t go week ten Betts will be the Redskins starter. Betts could be considered a decent fantasy starter week ten against the Broncos if you absolutely need a starter.
Arizona Cardinals star wide receiver Anquan Boldin was inactive for week nine at Chicago. According to www.cbssportsline.com Boldin did not even know that he was going to be inactivated. Boldin should be able to play week ten vs. Seattle so you will want to get him active for that favorable matchup.
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry broke his left forearm Sunday vs. the Ravens. Henry is going to have surgery and miss the rest of the 2009 season according to www.cbssportsline.com. Obviously this is a tough break for Henry owners; it is now ok to release him in all formats.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson returned to the field from a knee injury Sunday against the Seahawks. Johnson was relatively ineffective only catching two passes for 27 yards. Johnson is one of the most explosive receivers in the game, but since he plays for the lowly Lions and since he is working with a rookie quarterback in Matt Stafford you can’t really consider Johnson an elite receiver but he is still worth starting in most formats.