Miami Dolphins fantasy football start and sit: week 9
The Dolphins are favored this weekend against the Jets, and it’s also a favorable game to target for fantasy football purposes.
There are not many games remaining in which the Miami Dolphins will be the favorites heading in. They will be this Sunday, however, when they host their division rival New York Jets. Excluding their game against the Lions, Miami usually plays better at home, and the oddsmakers recognize that as 3-point favorites.
Both teams are dealing with a ton of injuries, but for Miami, it hasn’t seemed to impact their offense much from where they were originally. In some ways, they’ve looked better, although Brock Osweiler did have his worst game last week since becoming the starter. He has a good shot at bouncing back, however, as this matchup is a favorable one, and a good one for fantasy football owners. We’ll take a look at which players you can insert in your lineups, and who is better left off the bench.
Osweiler has already been named the starter for this week, and if you’ve kept tabs on the status of Ryan Tannehill, you’d start to believe that Osweiler will be the starter for the rest of the season. As I mentioned, Osweiler had his worst game as a Dolphin last week, completing just 56.8% of his passes at an average 6.51 yards per attempt. He did not throw a touchdown pass after throwing 5 total in the previous two games. In fact, it was Danny Amendola who threw the lone touchdown pass for the Dolphins.
It’s a good bounce back opportunity though for Osweiler with the Jets at home. Ryan Tannehill had a very good game against the Jets back in week 2, at least in the first half, when he threw for a pair of touchdown passes. I could see Osweiler having a similar kind of game, but he can’t be trusted in lineups. He may be worth a look in daily lineups, but I think there are more favorable matchups with proven quarterbacks that should be targeted first.
Sit
Running Backs
The volume of Kenyan Drake continues to be a concern, but he has received double digit touches for the past four games, and has three touchdowns in the past two games. He also had a touchdown against the Jets back in week 2. New York ranks 21st in the league with 114.9 rushing yards allowed per game. This should be a very intriguing matchup for Drake, and even more so in PPR leagues.
Frank Gore continues to see double digit carries as well, but provides very little in fantasy output. He should only be owned in deeper leagues. Otherwise, Gore shouldn’t be on anyone’s fantasy radar.
Kenyan Drake – Start
Frank Gore – Sit
Wide Receivers
Last week, I projected that Danny Amendola would be the benefactor over Jakeem Grant with the absences of Albert Wilson and Kenny Stills. While that did pan out, it did not happen in the way that I had anticipated. Amendola’s five receptions for 43 yards were a bit underwhelming, but his 28-yard touchdown pass to Kenyan Drake on a trick play saved his fantasy day.
The primary benefactor was DeVante Parker, who for at least one game, looked worthy of a first round selection. Kenny Stills remains questionable, but it looks like he’ll be kept out for at least one more week. If he is, both Amendola and Parker could be inserted in as decent WR3’s. I think I like them each better in daily lineups, but there are a lot of teams on byes this week, so if your options are limited then it’s a good play.
Danny Amendola – Start
DeVante Parker – Start
Jakeem Grant – Sit
Tight Ends
Mike Gesicki caught a career-high four receptions against the Texans, but could only muster 14 yards from them. He still has not recorded his first touchdown, and the few times Miami reaches the red zone, it seems they rarely look his way. Nick O’Leary was not targeted at all in the last game, and these two are easily avoidable this week, and probably for the rest of the season.
Mike Gesicki – Sit
Nick O’Leary – Sit
Defense
Miami’s defense was embarrassed last week. The Texans seemed to score at will, particularly in the second half, on their way to 42 total points. Matt Burke has managed to maintain his job for the time being, but the clock has to be ticking for the defensive coordinator.
In any case, the Dolphins defense has been a popular add this week across fantasy leagues. The explanation has to be that the Jets offense has struggled this season, and because there are six teams on a bye. Miami just lost Vincent Taylor, however, and I simply can’t trust this defense based on what I’ve seen these past few weeks.
Sit