On Thursday night, Jeremy Hill crushed fantasy football players everywhere by squandering the perfect opportunity.The Cleveland Browns entered Week 9 ranked last in rushing defense, and the Cincinnati Bengals pounced with 152 yards on the ground. Yet Jeremy Hill, the expected beneficiary, finished with an underwhelming 52 yards.Days after receiving one carry against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Giovani Bernard recorded 72 rushing yards on 13 handoffs. Fantasy managers can study the trends and matchups to identify the best options, but NFL coaches will often spit on those plans.The following players are not sure bets, as those don't exist. They are, however, smart Week 9 plays.Tyrod Taylor, QB, Buffalo BillsIt's once again Tyrod Taylor time in Buffalo. After missing two games with a sprained MCL, the Bills quarterback will return Sunday. Head coach Rex Ryan declared the news, per the team's Twitter account:When Taylor saw the Miami Dolphins in Week 3, he went 21-of-29 for 277 passing yards and three touchdowns. Expected to provide fantasy value entirely with his legs, he has completed 70.1 percent of his passes for 8.0 yards per pass attempt. He hasn't skimped on the running, either, gaining 187 rushing yards with two touchdowns.According to ESPN.com's Mike Rodak, Ryan expects Taylor to return at full strength with the benefit of a well-placed bye:There's no other added risk. So he's healthy. This is as healthy as he's been all season. So I'm excited to see him. I'm excited to see a guy who can run a 4.4 [second 40-yard dash] back there at quarterback. I'm excited to see his arm talent and the weapons that we can surround him with.Through five games, Taylor has averaged 19.6 fantasy points per game under ESPN.com standard scoring. After his Sunday night dud against the Denver Broncos, Aaron Rodgers is averaging 18.7 points per bout. Even after missing two games, the Bills quarterback slots in at No. 11in FantasyPros' consensus quarterback rankingsfor Week 9.Miami ranks No. 19 in passing defense and No. 20 in yards allowed per pass attempt. Even if he doesn't decimate the Dolphins again, Taylor is a viable alternative for managers who need a bye-week replacement or an Andrew Luck alternative.Projections: 19-of-28, 210 passing yards, two passing TDs, 45 rushing yardsEddie Lacy, RB, Green Bay PackersEddie Lacy owners are setting the bar lower and lower. After watching the Green Bay Packers phase him out in favor of James Starks in Week 6, they were happy to see Lacy receive a dozen touches against Denver. Even if the accompanying 47 yards weren't efficient, he scored a touchdown against a brutal opponent that the rest of Green Bay's offense could not overcome.That's a win for anyone who reluctantly started him. Then again, it's not great coming from a first-round investmentnot that his initial price matters anymore. He's no longer capable of leading a fantasy squad, but can Lacy finish strong and hold his own as a serviceable starter'Against another tricky defense in the Carolina Panthers, the Packers must establish the run. While Carolina ranks No. 7 against the pass, allowing an NFL-low 5.6 yards per pass attempt, it slots in at No. 20 against the run, surrendering 4.2 yards per carry.Starks threatened to seize Lacy's territory, but the threat diminished after he gained nine rushing yards on five carries against the Broncos. Lacy isn't running away with the job by registering 3.8 yards per rush and two touchdowns, but the 25-year-old remains in a strong position to assume an active role Sunday.Treat him as a No. 2 running back who is poised to receive more red-zone work.Projections: 15 carries, 60 rushing yards, 10 receiving yards, one TDMike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay BuccaneersMike Evans' maddening sophomore season continues. After scorching Washington for eight catches, 164 yards and a touchdown, he compiled three receptions for 48 yards against the Atlanta Falcons.While the Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver has tallied two 100-yard outings, he has failed to hit 50 yards in any of the other four. He's averaging a pedestrian four catches per game, failing to reel in more than half of his 8.8 targets.The opportunity is there for the 6'5" wideout, but rookie quarterbackJameis Winston's inaccuracy is hurting Evans' cause. Luckily for the young duo, the two have a prime opportunity to establish a rapport Sunday.After Drew Brees gutted them for 505 yards and seven touchdowns, the New York Giants rank last in passing defense, allowing 315.3 yards per game through the air. Having registered a league-low nine sacks, their lack of a pass rush will give Winston ample time to settle into the pocket and hit his 6'5" target with accurate throws.Inconsistencies aside, Evans landed at No. 8 inFantasyPros' wideout rankings. New York worked wonders for Brandin Cooks and Willie Snead, who each left Week 8 with two touchdowns. Winston keeps looking Evans' way, so the No. 1 receiver will get plenty of chances to burn Big Blue deep.Projections: 11 targets, sevenreceptions,125 yards, one TDOdds, updated as of Friday afternoon, courtesy ofOdds Shark.
Click here to read full news..
