As we enter Sunday’s games, fantasy football managers are having to make all kinds of decisions that will have a big outcome in their matchups.
Every position is very difficult, but the receiver is as challenging as there is. There are many things to take into account. How healthy the quarterback is and how good the pass defense they’re facing are two things that can influence your decision.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at Jayden Reed and Tyler Boyd, two receivers who are both coming off big games last week.
Should You Start Jayden Reed or Tyler Boyd for Fantasy Football in Week 9?
In the Pro Football Network Start/Sit Optimizer, PFN’s Consensus Rankings say managers should start Reed. He is projected to have 8.6 fantasy points on three catches for 43 yards. That is just ahead of Boyd by the slightest of margins, as he is projected to have 8.3 points.
Both of these guys were good last week. Reed had four catches for 83 yards, while Boyd had three catches for 40 yards but scored a touchdown. These two receivers are going up against pretty good defenses. Reed will be matched up against the Los Angeles Rams (13th, 218.5 yards), while Boyd will be going up against a Bills defense ranked 10th against the pass (204.1 yards).
The Packer’s offense is getting healthier, and that is a reason why I agree with the Start/Sit Optimizer and going with Reed.
Reed’s Fantasy Outlook This Week
With Aaron Jones back and ready to go full tilt, that should make things easier on everybody on the offense. He is such an asset in both the passing and rushing games, so defenders have to keep an extra focus on him. By doing that, it could create more man-to-man opportunities and potentially even some big plays deep.
MORE: Fantasy News Tracker
The Rams have allowed a receiver to have at least 107 yards in three of their last four games. While they rank 13th on the season, the pass defense is ranked 22nd in the last two weeks (238.0 yards). Jordan Love and the Packers offense are in desperate need of a good game, and the Rams present a good opportunity.
Look for Reed to score a touchdown this week, with five catches for 50 yards sounding like a realistic number.
Boyd’s Fantasy Outlook This Week
The Bengals offense was very disappointing to start the year, but Cincinnati is starting to play some good football. The calf injury that was bothering Joe Burrow early in the season appears to be much better, and this team looks like a Super Bowl contender.
Cincinnati will be in action against the Bills on Sunday night in what figures to be a hotly contested and emotional game. While Buffalo is currently 10th in the league against the pass, that has changed since Tre’Davious White tore his Achilles.
Just two games ago, Mac Jones was 25-of-30 for 272 yards and two touchdowns against the Bills. That was by far the best game by Jones’ season, as the Patriots haven’t done that against anybody this year.
Losing White has completely changed how the Bills play defense, as they can’t play nearly as much man. This feels like a big Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins game.
Looking to make a trade in your fantasy league? Having trouble deciding who to start and who to sit? Setting DFS lineups? Check out PFN’s Free Fantasy Football Trade Analyzer, Start/Sit Optimizer, and DFS Lineup Optimizer to help you make the right decision!