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Week 9 fantasy football: Studs, duds and sleepers

Tim Heaney
USA TODAY Fantasy Sports
Ronnie Hillman has two 100-yard efforts in his last three games.

We're halfway done with the traditional fantasy football season. When considering a player's matchup, remember to compare how the opponent's recent performance compares to season-long data to gain a complete perspective.

STUDS

RB Ronnie Hillman, Denver Broncos: In his last three games, he has two 100-yard rushing efforts and one with two scores. (Sorry, Montee Ball.) The New England Patriots' interior run defense is one of the worst in the league, and Hillman should rattle off a fourth straight RB1-type day.

RB LeSean McCoy, Philadelphia Eagles: The Eagles offensive line has improved in the last two games. The Houston Texans ranked as a top-10 matchup for running backs in the three weeks before facing a lame Tennessee Titans offense. Coach Chip Kelly will restore offensive balance by feeding McCoy.

WR Kelvin Benjamin, Carolina Panthers: Though Carolina struggled last week, Benjamin made the Seattle Seahawks secondary look ordinary a few times on his way to 94 receiving yards. The New Orleans Saints have been devilishly easy to attack via the air, having allowed five touchdowns to wideouts in the last four weeks.

WR Cordarrelle Patterson, Minnesota Vikings: Though he was in a walking boot afterward, he's fine following his 12-target, 6-catch, 86-yard Week 8. He's in line for another fantastic statistical opportunity against the Washington Redskins' horrendous secondary.

San Francisco 49ers defense: Season-ending injuries to left tackle Jake Long (knee) and WR Brian Quick (shoulder) take some juice out of the Rams' offense. More importantly, San Francisco likely will welcome back linebackers Patrick Willis (toe) and Aldon Smith (suspension). This should be a vintage performance against a suddenly short-handed QB Austin Davis under center.

DUDS

RB Le'Veon Bell, Pittsburgh Steelers: With Baltimore Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith (foot) out for a few weeks, expect QB Ben Roethlisberger to make another barrage through the air. The Ravens, in fact, haven't allowed a 100-yard rusher all year. Sure, maybe Bell will skate by with PPR points as he did in Week 2 (59 rushing yards, 5 receptions, 48 yards), but Baltimore's ability to snuff out this position doesn't make him a comfortable RB1 here.

QB Eli Manning, New York Giants: The Indianapolis Colts were pummeled by Ben Roethlisberger last week, largely because cornerback Vontae Davis (knee) left the game in the first quarter. The Giants' pass protection hasn't been up to Pittsburgh's level, and this won't be an automatic repeat of last week, especially if Davis can go. Plus, the Giants' system is not as explosive through the air as Pittsburgh's.

RB Chris Ivory, New York Jets: Though Michael Vick's presence helped open things up for Ivory's two-touchdown performance in Week 8, the Kansas City Chiefs haven't yet allowed a running back to score this year. They've given up the third fewest standard and second fewest PPR points per game to the position this year.

RB Tre Mason, St. Louis Rams: The Rams already decided that Mason isn't the singular back as they reinstated Zac Stacy in Week 8 and still keep Benny Cunningham around. It doesn't matter this week, really — given how their offensive line is battered, the Rams don't stand much of a chance at staging a successful ground attack against a San Francisco 49ers defense that's likely regaining Patrick Willis (toe) at linebacker. Pass-catching backs have had the most success against the Niners, and Mason's lack of time on passing downs hinders his odds of coming through.

SLEEPERS

WR Andrew Hawkins, Cleveland Browns: He has notched at least nine targets or five receptions in six of his seven games this year, but still hardly receives any fantasy love. Hawkins has great odds of repeating his 7-88-1 Week 8 against one of the worst fantasy defenses against wideouts.

TE Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs: Even if Alex Smith (shoulder) yields to — ugh — Chase Daniel, Kelce still should be heavily involved. The New York Jets have been broken by opposing tight ends: They've allowed two touchdowns to the position in three of the last four weeks. Though his involvement has been spotty, the athletic Kelce can make things happen after the catch. Making sure the ball is in his hands quickly will pay off.

RB Bobby Rainey, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Even if Doug Martin (ankle) is healthy, Rainey has been the better fit for this offense. The Cleveland Browns have been bodied by running backs for most of the year. Rainey, especially in point-per-reception games, looks primed to stand out.

QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, Houston Texans: Philadelphia has allowed at least 329 passing yards in three of its last five games and have been a top-five statistical matchup for opposing quarterbacks over the last five weeks. With so many stud quarterbacks on vacation, this is a chance worth taking, even though Fitz hasn't topped 289 aerial yards in a game this year.

RB Robert Turbin, Seattle Seahawks: Marshawn Lynch has been flat. Maybe Seattle instead turns to Turbin, who caught three passes in each of his last two games. He's not one for doing much on the ground, but in a bye-heavy week, he's a flex option.

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