A week after their first loss of the season, the Green Bay Packers head southeast for Week 9 to try to give the Carolina Panthers their own first loss. The Panthers, meanwhile, look to stay undefeated when the two teams face off.
Fantasy football advice, Week 9: Who to start/sit for Packers vs. Panthers
Green Bay tries to rebound from is first loss, while Carolina tries to avoid experiencing its own.
The Packers come into Sunday mostly healthy, at least from a fantasy perspective; the only fantasy contributor on the injury is wide receiver Ty Montgomery, dealing with an ankle issue, and even if he plays he’s not really on the fantasy radar. For the Panthers, the team should have its full complement of fantasy contributors ready to go Sunday.
The Panthers play host to the Packers Sunday, with kickoff scheduled for 1 p.m. ET. Let’s take a look at the fantasy names to consider:
PACKERS
Start ‘em: Through three weeks of the season, Aaron Rodgers was averaging 25.7 fantasy points a game. Since, he’s averaging 13.5, a steep falloff. Still, it’s Aaron Rodgers. He gets a really long leash. ... Eddie Lacy hasn’t reached double-digit fantasy points since Week 1. Still, he’s going to get the lion’s share of the carries, and that’s enough to keep him in starting territory. ... Randall Cobb’s fortunes have been tied to Rodgers’, meaning he’s struggles over the last month-plus. Still, elite talent wins out in the rankings, and he should be a starter.
Start ‘em?: With the Green Bay offense struggling, the secondary options like James Jones and Davante Adams see their fortunes dip as well. Both are mid-range flex options. ... If the Green Bay offense doesn’t get things figured out, Mason Crosby might not get to kick for many points. ... The Packers’ offense had a great stretch earlier in the season, but now has back-to-back games with negative fantasy points. It’s still a decent play, but risky.
Sit ‘em: After his huge Week 6, James Starks went back to backup duties in Week 8. He’s a handcuff. ... Richard Rodgers has a couple of touchdowns on the season, but outside of that hasn’t done much.
PANTHERS
Start ‘em: You’d like more upside than Cam Newton has offered of late, but he always has that upside in him. He’s a low-end QB1. ... Jonathan Stewart has been a monster of late, with 43 fantasy points the last three weeks. He’s in all lineups. ... The best receiver on Carolina is Greg Olsen at tight end, and it isn’t particularly close. ... Graham Gano has been good almost all year. He’s a fantasy starter.
Start ‘em?: If you believe in the Green Bay offense, the Panthers’ defense might not be a must-start. It’s close either way.
Sit ‘em: The Carolina receivers have been frustrating all year; even with the occasional good game. Between drops and bad routes and lesser ability, you don’t want Philly Brown, Ted Ginn Jr., Devin Funchess or Jerricho Cotchery.
SUMMARY
Start in every league: Aaron Rodgers, Eddie Lacy, Randall Cobb, Cam Newton, Jonathan Stewart, Greg Olsen, Graham Gano
Start if you’re desperate: James Jones, Davante Adams, Mason Crosby, Green Bay defense, Carolina defense
Bench: James Starks, Richard Rodgers, Philly Brown, Ted Ginn Jr., Devin Funchess, Jerricho Cotchery
