Fantasy football projections, Week 9: Titans-Chargers featuring DeMarco Murray, Philip Rivers, Hunter Henry, more

The Week 9 matchup between the Tennessee Titans and the San Diego Chargers features teams on the come up going head-to-head. We’ve got the fantasy projections courtesy of numberFire.

The Tennessee Titans had their Week 8 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars won by halftime. Unfortunately running back DeMarco Murray had to leave the game partway through which cost him and his owners some fantasy points. Luckily he did return later in the game. He finished with 21 carries for 123 yards and yet another rushing touchdown. Murray has now rushed into the end zone in five of the last six games. Add to that he’s also producing in the passing game and it’s obvious his mediocre season with the Philadelphia Eagles was just an anomaly. Murray should be all over the Chargers in Week 9, a team that gives up the fourth-most fantasy points to running backs this season.

If quarterback Marcus Mariota can find a way to help Murray by getting the passing game going, the Titans may keep Sunday’s matchup closer than most people think. Mariota completed 18 passes for 270 yards and two touchdowns in the win over the Jaguars. He’s now thrown 10 touchdown passes compared to just one interception over the last four games. It seems he’s found himself a groove. With Murray producing every week, Mariota has more room to breathe. Hopefully he can continue to capitalize on his opportunities in San Diego.

Quarterback Philip Rivers has to be excited at the thought of facing the Titans’ pass defense in Week 9. The Titans are giving up 260 yards per game which puts them in the bottom half of the league. Rivers is coming off his worst performance of the season against the Denver Broncos in Week 8. While he did throw for 287 yards and a pair of touchdowns, Rivers also through a season-high three interceptions in the contest. Now would be as good a time as any to bounce back for his fantasy owners. They can only hope that Rivers can find a way to take better care of the football in Week 9.

Maybe if he uses tight end Hunter Henry as a safety valve more often things will improve. Henry burst onto the scene early in the season while filling in for future Hall of Famer Antonio Gates. Unfortunately, he’s cooled off dramatically in the last two weeks. In those two games he’s been targeted just seven times, catching a grand total of three passes for 30 yards. Before the slump hit, Henry had at least 61 receiving yards in four straight games including three touchdown catches. He had trouble practicing during the week. There’s a good chance he misses the game and even if he doesn’t, surpassing his projected totals is going to be a tall task for Henry.