Tom Brady's fantasy owners are at a loss for words this season. Is the 36-year-old quarterback finally losing a step? Can he not adjust to having a new receiving corps?
Fantasy football start/sit advice, Week 9: Tom Brady
The Patriots’ veteran signal caller isn’t racking-up the numbers that his fantasy owners are accustomed to. We break down the fantasy implications.
Maddie Meyer
Throughout the season, his onlookers have scrounged for answers. Maybe his numbers would improve with Rob Gronkowski’s presence. Maybe Danny Amendola could pad Brady’s numbers with splash plays after the catch once he returns to form.
Eight weeks into the season, Brady and the New England Patriots have had just one game with Amendola and Gronkowski in action. And thus far, the results have not improved his numbers. In fact, Brady completed just 13-of-22 passes for a season-low total of 116 yards, while throwing one touchdown and one interception upon their returns.
Fantasy Spin: For Week 9, things don't get easier for Brady and company, who will face the league's second-ranked pass defense in the Pittsburgh Steelers. Granted, the Steelers have not been tested by a quarterback of Brady's caliber, as they have managed to shut down the likes of Terrelle Pryor, Geno Smith, Jake Locker and Joe Flacco.
Things can’t really get worse for Brady’s fantasy numbers, but they can certainly stay the same. However, in a week that has six teams on bye, owners would be bold to bench Brady during a home game after getting a week under his belt to get acclimated with his two primary receiving weapons. Brady can be penned in as a low-end QB1 this week, but enough upside presents itself for him to be start-worthy. Patience is the name of the game for Brady’s owners once again, but mostly because they likely don’t have a choice but to be.
• Week 9 fantasy football rankings: QB | RB | WR | TE | D/ST
• Week 9 fantasy football waiver wire: QB | RB | WR | TE | D/ST
