The fantasy postseason is rapidly approaching, which means at this point of the year, every game and every point matters.
Week 9 will be a tough one for many fantasy owners, as six teams have byes this week.
But have no fear, Sweet & Sour is back to help you with your tough lineup decisions.
Players who look poised for a big week will fall under the "Sweet" category, while guys who might be in for a tough matchup will fall in the "Sour" section. In addition, I'll add a couple of sleeper picks at each position for those in need of a streaming option.
MORE: NFL Midseason Awards
Let me preface this article by saying I won't be telling you the obvious. You don't need me to tell you to start Todd Gurley or Antonio Brown each week. And a player falling in the "Sour" section doesn't necessarily mean you should bench him; it means you should lower your expectations for that player given the circumstances that week (matchup, injuries, etc.). While I want these recommendations to help you make lineup decisions, at the end of the day, you have to go with your gut.
Let's get to it.
QUARTERBACKS
Sweet
Cam Newton, Carolina PanthersNewton has been fantastic over the last few weeks, picking up at least 23 fantasy points in each of his last three games. On the season, the talented QB has a 13-to-4 touchdown-to-interception ratio, in addition to four rushing touchdowns. Newton scored 28 fantasy points against the Ravens in Week 8, and should have little trouble beating that mark this week against the struggling Buccaneers defense. Tampa Bay allows the most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks, putting Newton in the conversation for the top overall fantasy QB in Week 9.
Ryan Fitzpatrick, Tampa Bay Buccaneers"Fitzmagic" is officially back! The journeyman quarterback should hit the ground running in Week 9 against the Panthers, as Tampa Bay will likely be playing from behind for most of this game. Facing the Carolina defense will be no walk in the park for Fitzpatrick. But considering the crazy amount the Bucs throws the ball, combined with the number of talented pass-catching options in that offense, Fitzpatrick shapes up as a low-end QB1 in his first week back under center.
Sour
Matthew Stafford, Detroit LionsStafford now has three consecutive games with fewer than 18 fantasy points, and against the Vikings in Week 9, the veteran may be unable to buck that trend. Detroit traded Golden Tate to the Eagles, taking away Stafford's favorite target. The Vikings are coming off a game in which they limited Drew Brees to under seven fantasy points. Game script could lead to Stafford attempting 40 passes, which would certainly help his fantasy value, but barring that, this is looking like a long day for the Lions QB.
Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh SteelersIt's hard to argue against the notion that Roethlisberger is a much better quarterback at Heinz Field than on the road. Of course, there are exceptions to this rule, as Big Ben has had a few solid road outings this year. However, Roethlisberger is going to have a tough, tough time in Baltimore this weekend. The Ravens are top five in fewest points allowed to opposing quarterbacks this season and even held Roethlisberger to under 15 fantasy points in Pittsburgh in Week 4. Stay away from Roethlisberger if you can this week.
Sleepers
Alex Smith, Washington RedskinsSmith is yet to top 20 fantasy points in a game this season, but that could change in Week 9 against a Falcons defense allowing the second-most fantasy points to opposing QBs.
Derek Carr, Oakland RaidersFollowing his strong outing against the Colts in Week 8, Carr has another tasty matchup against the 49ers defense Thursday night.
RUNNING BACKS
Sweet
Nick Chubb, Cleveland BrownsYou've got to love the volume Chubb has gotten the last two weeks since the Browns shipped Carlos Hyde to Jacksonville and named the rookie their starting running back. Chubb has carried the ball 18 times in each of the Browns' last two games, averaging just over 4.0 yards per carry. Cleveland will have its hands full with the Chiefs in Week 9, but Chubb could be looking at a breakout game. Kansas City is giving up the most fantasy points to running backs this season and just allowed both Phillip Lindsay and Devontae Booker of the Broncos to both rack up over 14 fantasy points. As long as game script doesn't keep him off the field, Chubb has a chance to erupt in Week 9.
Aaron Jones, Green Bay PackersAfter weeks of my clamoring for the Packers to let him run loose, Mike McCarthy finally decided to feed Jones the rock in Week 8. The young back rewarded his head coach by taking 12 carries for 86 yards and a touchdown, his highest yardage total of the season. If the Packers want to beat the Patriots on Sunday night, they will have to keep Tom Brady off the field for as long as possible, meaning they must establish the run game. This could be another big outing for Jones in what should be a high-scoring affair between Brady and Aaron Rodgers.
Sour
Tevin Coleman, Atlanta FalconsWhile he has yet to have a breakout performance, Coleman has been one of the most reliable backs in the league, scoring double-digit fantasy points in all but one game this season. Coleman may struggle to reach that mark this week against the Redskins, who have been outstanding against the run over the last few weeks. Washington has held Saquon Barkley, Ezekiel Elliott and Christian McCaffrey to under 3.0 yards per carry over the last three weeks. Coleman is nowhere near the level of those three. Lower your expectations for the Atlanta back in Week 9.
LeSean McCoy, Buffalo BillsMcCoy gained just 13 yards on 12 carries against the Patriots in Week 8 but was able to save his fantasy day by catching six passes for 82 yards. McCoy is unlikely to match those receiving numbers this week against a very tough Bears defense. Chicago is allowing opposing running backs to score the second-fewest fantasy points this season, with James White, Frank Gore and David Johnson being the only three backs to reach double-digit fantasy points. With Nathan Peterman starting under center, this game is looking like a Bears blowout, which is bad news for McCoy.
Sleepers
Doug Martin, Oakland RaidersMartin averaged 5.5 yards per carry on 13 attempts last week and could receive an even bigger workload in Week 9 with Oakland taking on the 49ers on Thursday night.
Dion Lewis, Tennessee TitansWhile the Cowboys have done a great job at limiting opposing running backs to under 3.5 yards per carry, Lewis should have a field day catching passes out of the backfield Monday night.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Sweet
Julian Edelman, New England Patriots
John Brown, Baltimore RavensBrown is enjoying himself in his first season with the Ravens. The 28-year-old has caught 31 passes for 586 yards and four touchdowns and trails only Julio Jones in total air yards this year. Joe Flacco seems to love targeting Brown deep down field, which has led to some long touchdowns for the speedy receiver. Unfortunately, this also makes Brown somewhat of a boom-or-bust play, which can be difficult to rely on. However, going up against the Steelers' defense, I expect Flacco and Brown to connect on a few of those deep throws, making him a solid WR2 this week.
Sour
Doug Baldwin, Seattle SeahawksBaldwin teased us with a six-catch, 91-yard outing in Week 6, but following the team's bye, the veteran put up an absolute dud against Detroit in Week 8. The 30-year-old caught just two passes for 26 yards in a game when Russell Wilson threw for 248 yards and three touchdowns. Baldwin has been far too unreliable to trust on a weekly basis. Until Wilson proves he is willing to feed the ball to his most talented receiver, Baldwin is far from a must-start. I'd expect WR3 production from him against the Chargers in Week 9.
Allen Robinson, Chicago BearsTalk about disappointing performances! Chicago signed Robinson in the offseason to be the team's No. 1 receiver. We are now seven games into the season, and A-Rob has reeled in just 25 of 43 targets for 285 yards and two touchdowns. A groin injury kept him sidelined in Week 8, and even if he makes it back onto the field for Chicago's Week 9 matchup against the Bills, I'm keeping him on my bench. Robinson is looking at a tough matchup against Tre'Davious White, making him an easy fade this week.
Sleepers
Courtland Sutton, Denver BroncosWith Demaryius Thomas now in Houston, Sutton will see a significant increase in playing time opposite Emmanuel Sanders. The matchup isn't great, but Sutton will make his presence felt in the starting lineup.
D.J. Moore, Carolina PanthersI love everyone in the Panthers' offense against Tampa Bay this week, but after his strong performance in Week 8, I think Moore solidifies his spot in the starting lineup with another great outing.
TIGHT ENDS
Sweet
David Njoku, Cleveland BrownsDon't let his Week 8 fantasy goose egg scare you from throwing him in your lineup again. Njoku has a fantastic matchup against a Chiefs defense allowing the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends. The second-year tight end, along with the entire Browns offense, should benefit from the coaching change in Cleveland. Njoku gets his season back on track in Week 9.
O.J. Howard, Tampa Bay BuccaneersHoward has been superb since returning to the Bucs' lineup, finishing with at least four catches and 62 yards in each of his last three games. The second-year tight end thrived with Fitzpatrick under center, totaling 222 yards and a score over the first three weeks of the season. Oh yeah, the Panthers also allow the most points to opposing tight ends. Howard is a bona fide TE1 in Week 9.
Sour
Trey Burton, Chicago BearsGiven the lack of depth at the tight end position this season, you likely will have to start Burton despite the tough matchup. Tight ends have averaged under four receptions per game against the Bills defense, who just limited Rob Gronkowski to 43 yards Monday night. Burton is coming off a rough game himself (three catches for 18 yards), and is unlikely to bounce back in this one. Start him if you must, but don't expect much from Burton this week.
Geoff Swaim, Dallas CowboysSwaim has had a few solid games this season, and considering the state of the tight end position, that's more than a lot of other players can say. However, Swaim should be avoided at all costs in Week 9 against the Titans. Tennessee is surrendering the fewest points to opposing tight ends this season. Don't get cute. Avoid Swaim.
Sleepers
Chris Herndon, New York JetsHerndon has caught touchdowns in three consecutive games, and if Quincy Enunwa and Robby Anderson sit this one out, the rookie tight end has a decent chance of making it four straight games with a score.
Ed Dickson, Seattle SeahawksDickson finally made his 2018 debut in Week 8, finishing with two catches for 54 yards and a touchdown. He'll need more volume to be a consistent play, but hopefully Wilson targets him in the red zone again in this one.
Matt Citak is a Web producer for WFAN Sports Radio. Follow him on Twitter @MatthewCitak.
