For the first time since Week 5 when Cedric Benson and Ryan Williams got hurt, we went a week without a starting running back being lost for a significant amount of time. That's the good news.
The bad news is we might be looking at a quarterback change in Philadelphia with Michael Vick getting benched. While coach Andy Reid has yet to make an announcement on his quarterback heading into Week 9 at New Orleans, we would prefer Vick keep his job over Nick Foles, especially with the matchup against the Saints.
But Vick could be a scapegoat for the Eagles' woes this season, and Fantasy owners need to be prepared. We'll give you some options to replace Vick and also deal with Tom Brady being on a bye.
At running back, it's time to make sure you have the handcuff to your stud No. 1 option if there's a direct No. 2 in place. Every Maurice Jones-Drew and DeMarco Murray owner has learned a lesson that even though the backup is not as skilled as the starter, it's still comforting to know you have a replacement option in case of injury.
And at receiver, Titus Young will likely be the most added player this week -- and rightfully so. He had a career performance for the Lions against the Seahawks and helped turn Matthew Stafford's season around.
Editor's note: Must add is for players worth adding in all leagues. Maybe add is for players worth adding in 14-team leagues or larger. Desperation add is for players worth adding only if you're, well, desperate. The ownership percentage listed is how many leagues that player was owned in the previous week for CBSSports.com.
Must add: Josh Freeman,
Buccaneers (74 percent)
Maybe add: Brandon Weeden, Browns (44 percent), Russell Wilson, Seahawks (29 percent), Jake Locker, Titans (22 percent), Nick Foles,
Eagles (6 percent)
Desperation add: Matt Moore, Dolphins (1 percent)
The breakdown: Hopefully
this is the last time we have to mention Freeman here, because he's been
the second-best quarterback the past three games behind Aaron Rodgers (98 Fantasy points) at 92 points. You might not have
the need to start Freeman every week, but you definitely want him on
your roster. And every Vick owner should make a move to get Freeman now.
... Foles could step into the starting role for the Eagles and play like
a star. After all, Vick has four games with at least 19 Fantasy points
this season and former Philadelphia backups like Kevin Kolb, A.J. Feeley and Vince Young have had success before. In
deeper leagues, every Vick owner should add Foles, but in standard
formats you might want to wait to hear what Reid says heading into
practice Wednesday. ... Despite Weeden's poor performance against the
Chargers in the rain in Week 8, we would still consider him a
replacement option for Brady this week against the Ravens, who have
allowed multiple passing touchdowns against Tony Romo and Matt Schaub in their
past two games. ... Wilson could also be useful as a bye-week
replacement against the Vikings, who have struggled recently against Robert Griffin III and Freeman in two of the past three games. ... As
we've been saying the past couple of weeks, if you want to speculate on
a quarterback down the road then gamble on Locker, who still has plenty
of upside once his left shoulder is healthy. He is expected to resume
his starting job soon. ... Moore would only be useful in two-quarterback
leagues if Ryan Tannehill (quad) is out
for an extended period of time.
Must add: Jonathan Dwyer,
Steelers (71 percent), Daniel Thomas,
Dolphins (32 percent)
Maybe add: DeAngelo Williams, Panthers (72 percent), Kendall Hunter, 49ers (54 percent), Peyton Hillis,
Chiefs (45 percent), Jacquizz Rodgers,
Falcons (43 percent), Toby Gerhart,
Vikings (34 percent), Joique Bell,
Lions (30 percent), Mike Goodson,
Raiders (27 percent), Robert Turbin,
Seahawks (22 percent), Ronnie Hillman,
Broncos (19 percent), Shane Vereen,
Patriots (17 percent), Ronnie Brown,
Chargers (15 percent), Jamie Harper,
Titans (15 percent), Bernard Pierce,
Ravens (8 percent), Bryce Brown, Eagles
(3 percent)
Desperation add: Beanie Wells, Cardinals (24 percent), Kevin Smith, Lions (22 percent)
The breakdown: There's talk
that Dwyer could remain the starter in Pittsburgh even when Rashard Mendenhall (Achilles) is healthy, which would be a surprise.
But Dwyer does have 34 carries for 232 yards the past two games and
could start at the Giants in Week 9. ... Thomas has scored in three of
his past four games and even though he's missed time with two different
concussions, he still has double digits in carries in three games this
season. He could be a flex option in deeper leagues because he continues
to take touchdowns away from Reggie Bush
while also averaging 43 total yards a game. ... If Williams is traded
from the Panthers (Arizona and Green Bay would make sense) then he could
have value. If you want to speculate and he's available then add him
now. ... In PPR leagues, Brown is a must add. He has 15 catches in his
past three games with at least six Fantasy points in two of those
outings. ... Vereen has two touchdowns in his past four games and 15
carries for 71 yards in his past two outings. He has taken over for the
injured Brandon Bolden (knee) and could
excel if Stevan Ridley goes down. ...
Rodgers might start getting more involved for the Falcons if Michael Turner continues to struggle. Rodgers had eight carries for 60
yards and five catches for 20 yards at the Eagles in Week 8 while Turner
had 24 carries for 58 yards. ... If you like your roster then gamble on
adding Wells, who could return from his toe injury in Week 12. ... Smith
also might have value if Mikel Leshoure
continues to struggle. It's a situation to monitor, especially with Bell
continuing to steal work as well. ... Hillman did well against the
Saints with 14 carries for 86 yards, but he's just the handcuff to Willis McGahee. ... As for the rest of the running backs listed, these
are your handcuff options in San Francisco, Kansas City, Minnesota,
Oakland, Seattle, Tennessee, Baltimore and Philadelphia. If your
starting quarterback has passed his bye then drop your No. 2 quarterback
and handcuff your stud running back. It makes more sense going forward.
Must add: Danny Amendola, Rams
(77 percent), Santana Moss, Redskins (63
percent), Titus Young, Lions (51
percent), Cecil Shorts, Jaguars (15
percent)
Maybe add: Sidney Rice,
Seahawks (70 percent), Kendall Wright,
Titans (61 percent), Darrius Heyward-Bey,
Raiders (58 percent), Brandon LaFell,
Panthers (41 percent), Chris Givens,
Rams (21 percent), Ryan Broyles, Lions
(16 percent)
Desperation add: Golden Tate, Seahawks (15 percent), Dexter McCluster, Chiefs (6 percent), Donald Driver, Packers (3 percent), Drew Davis,
Falcons (0 percent)
The breakdown: We had Young as breakout
candidate prior to the season but until Nate Burleson (leg) went down he was a bust. In Week 8 against the
Seahawks, Young exploded for nine catches for 100 yards and two
touchdowns on nine targets. He should continue to be heavily involved
and be owned in all leagues. Broyles is also worth owning in deeper
leagues, as he has two touchdowns in his past two games. ... Amendola is
expected to return in Week 10 following the Rams' bye week. If he's
still out there in your league then plan on adding him now to make sure
you get him. If he remains out with his shoulder injury then look for
Givens to continue to shine, but Givens is worth stashing anyway as the
second-best receiving threat for the Rams. ... Moss continues to be the
go-to receiver for Griffin with Pierre Garcon
(foot) out, and he has four touchdowns in his past three games. ...
Shorts has become the best receiver for the Jaguars. He has 12 catches
for 195 yards and a touchdown in his past two games on 22 targets. ...
Rice, Wright, Heyward-Bey and LaFell should be owned in most leagues
because they are excellent No. 3 receivers and bye-week replacements.
LaFell could have a solid performance in Week 9 against the Redskins.
And Wright has been the most consistent Titans receiver this year. ...
If you're looking for a one-week Hail Mary then take a chance on Tate.
The No. 2 receiver against the Vikings has a touchdown in each of the
past two games.
Must add: Jermaine Gresham,
Bengals (74 percent), Dustin Keller,
Jets (59 percent)
Maybe add: Logan Paulsen, Redskins (10 percent), Dwayne Allen, Colts (5 percent)
Desperation add: Kellen Davis, Bears (3 percent), Zach Miller,
Seahawks (2 percent), Tony Moeaki,
Chiefs (2 percent)
The breakdown: Gresham has been hit or miss
this season, but he has a favorable matchup this week against the
Broncos. Denver has allowed six touchdowns to opposing tight ends and
four to reach double digits in Fantasy points. Gresham is a great
bye-week replacement for Vernon Davis, Rob Gronkowski or Aaron Hernandez.
... Keller is off this week, but in two games since coming back from a
hamstring injury he has 14 catches for 170 yards and a touchdown on 18
targets. If you can carry two tight ends he appears to be worth it. ...
The Redskins are leaning on Paulsen with Fred Davis (Achilles) out, and he has eight catches for 119 yards on
12 targets the past two games. ... Allen continues to be the No. 1 tight
end for the Colts despite Coby Fleener
on the roster. Allen had his best receiving game in Week 8 at Tennessee
with four catches for 56 yards and could be helpful in deeper formats.
... If you're stuck, Kellen Davis could
be worth a flier. He scored in Week 8 against Carolina and faces the
Titans this week. Tennessee has allowed the most Fantasy points to
opposing tight ends this year.
Stay in touch with the most passionate Fantasy staff in the business by following us via Twitter @CBSFantasyFB . You can also follow Jamey at @JameyEisenberg and on Facebook .