Posted By:Bretsky on November 2, 2013

At this point in the season, you should have an idea of whether your redraft fantasy football team will be in the mix down the stretch. And while you certainly should play to the whistle, those of you sitting with six or seven losses probably will need work some stretch run magic to have a shot at the playoffs. But that doesn’t quite mean the fantasy season is over does it?

Of course not. With the litany of daily fantasy sites cropping up, football fans can get themselves back in the game week after week. With that, we’ve launched a new resource center here at BretskyBall, dedicated to daily fantasy sports play that we’ll update throughout the remainder of the football season. Check back each week for lineup recommendations and analysis and also, be sure to fertilize the handy widget provided by Fantasy Pros that syncs with our weekly rankings to provide advice for daily fantasy players.

We’ll also keep you updated on some of the best promo offers and free rolls available across the internet so you can get the most out of your money each and every week.

Before we get into our picks for Sunday, we’ll also remind you to check out the 4th Down Fantasy Football Podcast as hosts Wayne Bretsky and Michael Pichan recap the latest news and notes from around the league and also provide their weekly DFS sleepers and value plays.

Week 9 Daily Fantasy Picks

Quarterback

Aaron Rodgers

Rodgers has been playing nearly flawless football over the last several weeks and after completing 24-for-29 passes for 285 yards and two touchdowns last week versus Minnesota, Rodgers will look to put together his third-straight multi-touchdown effort against another division rival when the Packers host the Bears on Monday night. Chicago is not the defense that we have come to know over the past several seasons and with Rodgers elevating his game t another level in the past couple of weeks, he’s well worth the investment in Week 9.

Tony Romo

Romo has had a bit of a hot-and-cold season to this point, putting together a couple of mediocre performances following his 506-yard, five-TD game against the Broncos in Week 5. He did, of course, bounce back with three touchdown strikes against Detroit last week and now is looking ahead to a matchup with a Minnessota team yielding 19.1 fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks — the fourth most in the league. Dez Bryant is making a case as the second-most dangerous wideout on the planet and as Terrance Williams continues to develop, Tony Romo makes a very nice weekly play.

Philip Rivers

Rivers, the most efficient QB in the league to this point, figure to shred the Redskins’ suspect secondary this weekend. Coming off of the bye, San Diego is well rested and ready to exploit a porous defense.

Alex Smith

Smith faces off with a Buffalo Defense that has allowed a league-worst 20 touchdown passes to opposing quarterbacks. Smith isn’t going to light up the stat sheet an, in fact, he’s yet to top 300 passing yards in a game this season. He has, however, tossed multiple touchdown passes in four of his eight games this season and has a great chance to continue that trend in Week 9.

Running Back

Adrian Peterson

The Cowboy’s defense has allowed 1,136 all-purpose yards and seven touchdowns to opposing running backs in eight games this season. That works out to 142 yards-per-game for opposing running backs. Peterson has been criminally underused in the past several weeks, totaling just 36 rushes in his last three games. Neither Christian Ponder or Josh Freeman is a particularly skilled passer, but it’s tough to throw a pick when turning around and handing the ball to you most talented player. If Minnesota expects to compete on Sunday, they will lean on their mos talented player.

Eddie Lacey

If Brandon Jacobs can run all over the Bears defense, we have little doubt that Eddie Lacey will find some open room this weekend. The Pack has made a commitment to the run of late and we expect that the volume will continue.

Ryan Mathews

Mathews went into the Chargers Week 8 bye putting together his two strongest games f the season, piling up 212 yards on 43 carries with a touchdown. Yes, he’s losing third down and even some goal line work to Danny Woodhead, but the Redskins’ defense is generous enough for both to play well.

Stevan Ridley

The Patriots offense has been seemingly going in reverse since the return of stud tight end Rob Gronkowski and, by all accounts, Week 8 was one of the ugliest games of Tom Brady‘s career. Stevan Ridley, though has been coming on since his own sluggish start to the 2013 season. The Steelers are not the suffocating defense they once were and while the team has had some success defending the pass this year, opposing running backs have had their way with the Velvet Curtain. Pittsburgh has allowed eight rushing touchdowns this season, the third highest total in the league behind the Jacksonville and Washington. Ridley will have his way with the Steelers’ D in short yardage situations and is well worth the investment this week.

Darren Sporles

Sproles is staring at a very difficult matchup in Week 9 after he was barely involved in the Saints’ thrashing of the Buffalo Bills in Week 8. The usage has been a concern for owners as the slight receiving back netted a big ol’ goose egg in the stat sheet, literally gaining zero yards on four reception. He was on the field for just 16 offensive snaps without being given a single carry. In fact, he’s failed to cap 30 offensive snaps in any of his last three starts. Still, the faith remains on this end and Sproles is developing into a very nice buy low option both for Week 9 and beyond. The Saints, perhaps better than any other team, know how to form their game plan to attack an opposing tam’s weakness. Last week against Buffalo, it was that joke of a secondary that the Bills have been running out their. The Jets offer a much tougher matchup in the rushing game and perhaps that will lead Sean Peyton and Drew Brees toward a more Sproles-heavy attack. Have confidence that the work will be their for one of New Orleans’ key cogs in the passing game.

Wide Receiver

Pierre Garcon

San Diego has struggle against the pass for the majority of the season and a week after an embarrassing performance against the Broncos, you can bet that RGIII will look to flex his strength early and often this Sunday.Garcon is Griffin’s most reliable target and he’s primed for a monster week against a secondary that is allowing over 25 fantasy points per game to opposing wide receivers.

Denarious Moore

While the Eagles’ defense has been much improved over the past two weeks, the secondary remains a weakness. Traveling across the country is never an easy task, so take a shot on Moore, who has very quietly put up a top-20 season at his position to this point.

Tight End

Rob Gronkowski

Gronk was a target monster in his season debut a couple of weeks ago, but struggled along with the rest of the Patriots offense against the Jets last Sunday. This team is too good to look this bad. Expect Brady to force the issue with Gronkowski and invest in the tight end as he looks for his first score of the season.

Scott Chandler

The Chiefs — who have not allowed a touchdown to a tight end all season — certainly do not represent a sot matchup, but we’re still bullish on Scott Chandler this weekend. The tight end saw 11 targets from QB Thad Lewis this week, turning those looks into seven catches for 72 yards. Given that type of volume, Chandler should have no problem out-earning his bargain basement price tag of just 4% of your budget in the daily game. **Note: If Thad Lewis (ribs) is ruled out, all bets are off with Chandler**

Best of Luck in Week 9!

Posted By:Bretsky on November 1, 2013

Week 9 Preview: CJ*K

»Listen On the latest 4th Down Fantasy Football Podcast Wayne Bretsky and Michael Pichan get you prepped for Week 9 of the NFL Season discussing the latest news and notes while bringing you their top sleepers and value plays for daily fantasy contests. The boys hit on the Eagles offense and Houston’s backfield problems. Michael has finally seen C.J. Spiller and Dwayne Bowe fall far enough to consider a buy low and Bretsky questions Percy Harvin’s value. Bretsky and the Nomad also cover a couple of bounce-back options to consider for your stretch run.

First Down * News & Notes *

• Vick out, Foles In
• Demarco Murray set to return
• Percy Havin out
• C.J. Spiller looks good to go

Second Down * Bounce Back Players*

• Steven Jackson
• Adrian Peterson
• Chris Johnson
• Torrey Smith
• Dwayne Bowe
• Joique Bell

Third Down *Week 9 Daily Fantasy Sleepers and Values *

• QB: Drew Brees, Phillip Rivers, Alex Smith
• RB: Adrian Peterson, Ryan Mathews, Eddie Lacy, Stevan Ridley
• WR: Pierre Garcon, Keenan Allen, Terrance Williams
• TE: Jordan Reed, Scott Chandler

Fourth Down * Predictions *

• Mail Bag!

The 4th Down Fantasy Football Podcast is part of the Armed Forces Radio Network Title Music: Summon the Rawk – Kevin MacLeod (http://incompetech.com)

Posted By:Bretsky on October 31, 2013

Each and every week our rankings team brings you position-by-position rankings for standard scoring fantasy leagues. Navigate below to find where your players slot in.

2013 BretskyBall.com Rankings Team

Wayne Bretsky – Follow @BretskyBall
Justin Bell – Follow @BellJr56

Week 9 Fantasy Football Quarterback Rankings

Posted By:Bretsky on October 31, 2013

Each and every week our rankings team brings you position-by-position rankings for standard scoring fantasy leagues. Navigate below to find where your players slot in.

2013 BretskyBall.com Rankings Team

Wayne Bretsky – Follow @BretskyBall
Justin Bell – Follow @BellJr56

Week 9 Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings

Posted By:Bretsky on October 31, 2013

Each and every week our rankings team brings you position-by-position rankings for standard scoring fantasy leagues. Navigate below to find where your players slot in.

2013 BretskyBall.com Rankings Team

Wayne Bretsky – Follow @BretskyBall
Justin Bell – Follow @BellJr56

Week 9 Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Rankings

Posted By:Bretsky on October 31, 2013

Each and every week our rankings team brings you position-by-position rankings for standard scoring fantasy leagues. Navigate below to find where your players slot in.

2013 BretskyBall.com Rankings Team

Wayne Bretsky – Follow @BretskyBall
Justin Bell – Follow @BellJr56

Week 9 Fantasy Football Tight End Rankings

Posted By:Bretsky on October 31, 2013

Each and every week our rankings team brings you position-by-position rankings for standard scoring fantasy leagues. Navigate below to find where your players slot in.

2013 BretskyBall.com Rankings Team

Wayne Bretsky – Follow @BretskyBall
Justin Bell – Follow @BellJr56

Week 9 Fantasy Football Kicker Rankings

Posted By:Bretsky on October 31, 2013

Each and every week our rankings team brings you position-by-position rankings for standard scoring fantasy leagues. Navigate below to find where your players slot in.

2013 BretskyBall.com Rankings Team

Wayne Bretsky – Follow @BretskyBall
Justin Bell – Follow @BellJr56

Week 9 Fantasy Football Defense Rankings

Posted By:Bretsky on October 30, 2013

Each week down the stretch, we’ll provide an update to our position-by-position fantasy football rest of season rankings. Consider these to be a guide as if you were drafting today for the remainder of the 2013 season. Standard scoring is assumed for all of these rankings. Thanks, as always, to Fantasy Pros for providing the rankings platform and widget below. Enjoy, and best of luck down the stretch!

Fantasy Football Rest of Season Rankings

Posted By:Bretsky on October 29, 2013

Another week, another red-hot receiver lost for the season. That’s right, Brandon Gibson collected his third touchdown in his last two games, only to swiftly shred his patella tendon and is lost for the season.

Owner’s with the top waiver priority may see one obvious option at the top of the scrap heap — this is, of course, assuming that you’ve already picked up Andre Ellington as we’ve been telling you to do since September — and that is the emerging No. 2 in Cincinnati. With the Ginger Ninja Andy Dalton playing inspired football and A.J. Green drawing the attention of opposing defensive backs, Marvin Jones has been simply unstoppable. Four, count ’em, four touchdown catches came on Sunday, giving him seven for the season and six in his last three games. He’s got decent size at 6’2″ and enough speed to get the job done, but the most impressive attribute is the body control. He runs smooth routes and is able to make adjustments to the ball, as we saw on his first touchdown grab of the day.

So it’s that simple , right?

Hardly. Jones does come with a few major questions and his playing time tops the list. Though it may be hard to believe, Jones played on just 19 snaps in Week 8. That’s right, he saw 8 targets on just 19 snaps and turned that into a 36-point, four touchdown performance for those few fantasy owners who were smart enough (read: desperate enough) to call his number. Admittedly, there were a couple of factors at play and perhaps the Bengals pure dominance of the Jets and their lack of urgency to throw the ball led to such a skimpy snap count for the wideout. However, this usage pattern closely matches how Marvin has been deployed in recent weeks (26 offensive snaps in Week 6, 24 snaps in Week 8). Mohamed Sanu continues to get reps in both two and three wide-receiver sets and while Jones’ monster performance will likely earn him an uptick in playing time, the impending return of speedster Andrew Hawkins (IR, eligible to return), who recently returned to practice, will only muddy the waters.

Jones is a strong pickup this week, but is a slam dunk with that No. 1 waiver claim? Hardly. Terrence Williams in Dallas (who remains available in 26% of standard Yahoo leagues) is a more attractive player, as is the aforementioned Ellington (54% owned) as well as Rams’ running back Zac Stacy (owned in 63% of leagues). Bottom line, Jones will be near the top of most pickup lists, and if you believe that Andy Dalton has finally turned that corner, by all mean, invest heavily. But we have our doubts that Jones returns top-30 value at his position the rest of the way.

So who else would we be adding? Lets take a look.

Working the Waiver Wire

These widely available players are arranged in the order that we’d pick them if drafting today for the rest of the 2013 season, obviously team needs play a role, but we’ll leave that to you.

Andre Ellington (RB – ARI)

We warned you. This kid is going to be special. And while he may be eased into the “feature back” role, his play on the field simply demands 12+ touches a week.

Shane Vereen (RB – NE)

He’s eligible to return in Week 10 and as long as that wrist is healthy, we expect Vereen to step right back into that joker role. Making a complete mess of the Pats’ backfield.

Terrell Pryor (WR – OAK)

Pryor needed just one play to make his fantasy day in Week 8 and though he was unable to do much after a 93-yard touchdown scamper on the first play from scrimmage, Pryor is headed into a matchup with an improving-but-still-suspect Eagles defense. The legs make him a top-12 QB the rest of the way.

Darrius Heyward-Bey (WR – IND)

Freakish size and speed with a pair of bricks at the ends of his arms. We’ll have to see how the targets shake out, but DHB is in position to be an impact player down the stretch. And we’ll note, DHB falls ahead of Marvin Jones on this list.

Mike James (RB – TB)

In a brutal matchup against the Carolina Panthers last Thursday, James was relatively impressive, rushing for 39 yards on 10 totes and added 25 yards in the passing game. It doesn’t get any easier in Week 9 with a road game in Seattle, but if Doug Martin remains sidelined for the stretch run, James will have some value.

Marvin Jones (WR – CIN)

We’ll buy, but keep it within reason.

Kenny Stills (WR – NO)

Like Robert Meachem, Devery Henderson and Joseph Morgan before him, Stills is carving out a role as Drew Brees’ deep threat. What does that mean? A couple of fabulous fantasy performances as well as some maddening inconsistency.

Kris Durham (WR – DET)

It may take all 11 defenders to hold Calvin Johnson under 100 yards and who is left open on the other side?

Dexter McCluster (WR – KC)

McCluster saw double-digit targets for the first time all season in Week 8 (previous high was 5) and turned that into 7 catches, 67 yards and a score. KC needs another dimension on offense and while McCluster has underwhelmed in the past, 11 receptions for 137 yards and a touchdown over his last two games speak to a growing role.

Lance Moore (WR – NO)

Perhaps the wrist injury that bothered him earlier in the year is finally healthy, perhaps he was simply lost in the shuffle in New Orleans. Regardless, Moore has always been a sneaky good fantasy play working with Drew Brees, and oh look, he got into the end zone in Week 8.

Andre Brown (RB – NYG)

Expected to be ready to rock following the G-men’s Week 9 bye, he’ll have to wrestle his playing time way from a suprisingly effective Peyton Hillis.

Peyton Hillis (RB – NYG)

Ran well for a second straight week and the conditioning will surely improve with a bye week ahead. Andre Brown’s return, however, keeps Hillis from the top of the list. Still, we don’t expect him to be simply kicked to the curb after providing some much needed reliability as a compliment in the passing game.

Joseph Randle (RB – DAL)

Demarco Murray continues to struggle with injuries off the field while the Dallas running game struggles on the field. This is the Tony Romo show.

Daniel Thomas (RB – MIA)

Thomas’ put up his second score in as many weeks, but the backfield breakdown couldn’t be less encouraging. Lamar Miller out-carried Thomas 18 to 9 in Week 8 after Thomas put together what was arguably his finest game as a pro.

Montee Ball (RB – DEN)

We finally saw the short-yardage score that we’d been waiting for, but he remains second in line… at best.

C.J. Anderson (RB – DEN)

The rookie looked good in his debut when given opportunities and if Moreno were to go down, Anderson could very well find himself the lead back in the most explosive offense in football.