The New York Jets are 4-3. They’re three games out in the division, but if the season were to end today, they’d hold one of the Wild Card spots. The Jacksonville Jaguars, meanwhile, are 2-5. And yet, by virtue of playing in the miserable AFC South, they are only a half-game out of first place. A win over the Jets Sunday, and the Jaguars could find themselves in first place.
Fantasy football advice, Week 9: Who to start/sit for Jaguars vs. Jets
The Jets are pushing for a playoff spot. Somehow, so are the Jaguars.
Jacksonville wide receiver Allen Hurns and tight end Julius Thomas are both on the week’s injury report, though both should be fine for Sunday. As for the Jets, the injury report is a long one; quarterbacks Ryan Fitzpatrick and Geno Smith, running backs Chris Ivory and Bilal Powell and wide receivers Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker are all on the report. Powell is expected to miss the game Sunday, but the others are all expected to at least be active, even Fitzpatrick, who looked doubtful coming out of the team’s Week 8 game.
The Jets will host the Jaguars Sunday. Game time is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET. Here’s a look at the fantasy considerations:
JAGUARS
Start ‘em: Around a game missed to injury, T.J. Yeldon has put up double-digit fantasy numbers in his last three outings. The Jets make for a tough matchup, but he’s producing. ... Allen Robinson will likely draw Darrelle Revis in coverage, which could bode well for Allen Hurns. I’d use either one, though.
Start ‘em?: In three games for Julius Thomas, his fantasy production has been 2-13-0. That’s not as consistent as you’d like. Still, he carries big upside.
Sit ‘em: The best defenses Blake Bortles has faced this year have been Carolina, New England and Buffalo, and all three held him well in check for fantasy. He does fine in good matchups, but struggles in the bad ones. ... Jason Myers isn’t much of a kicker. ... The Jaguars’ defense had a great game in its last outing, but it doesn’t get to face EJ Manuel every time.
JETS
Start ‘em: The last couple weeks have been down ones for Chris Ivory. The likely return of center Nick Mangold this week should help that. ... Assuming both are active, Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker are both must-start receivers. ... Nick Folk has been a fantasy monster this year. ... The Jets’ defense has slumped of late, but Jacksonville is always a nice matchup.
Sit ‘em: If Ryan Fitzpatrick were healthy, he’d be defensible as a mid-range play, but the risks around his injury are enough to push him to fantasy benches. ... Jeff Cumberland only gets mention here because I feel like I should list someone as a team’s tight end.
SUMMARY
Start in every league: T.J. Yeldon, Allen Robinson, Allen Hurns, Chris Ivory, Brandon Marshall, Eric Decker, Nick Folk, New York defense
Start if you’re desperate: Julius Thomas
Bench: Blake Bortles, Jason Myers, Jacksonville defense, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Jeff Cumberland
