FFToolbox - Panthers RB DeAngelo Williams to start Thursday versus Saints plus 6 more

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Panthers RB DeAngelo Williams to start Thursday versus Saints
Redskins QB Robert Griffin III (ankle) nearing return
Cowboys QB Tony Romo has back contusion, likely questionable for Week 9
Week 9: Who To Start Rankings Posted
Week 9: FAAB-Blind Bidding Waivers Report
Week 9 Secret Stars + FREE Entry into Week 9 Contest
Tommy G's FanDuel for Dummies (Part 1 of 4)

Panthers RB DeAngelo Williams to start Thursday versus Saints

Posted: 28 Oct 2014 09:55 PM PDT

Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera said Tuesday that running back DeAngelo Williams, who is coming off of an ankle injury, will start when the team hosts divisional rival New Orleans on Thursday night. The 31-year-old Williams has played in only two games this season, with his last action coming in Week 4 versus Baltimore. He has run for 106 yards on 25 carries overall. FANTASY ANALYSIS: While Jonathan Stewart seems like the better of the two backs, Williams is someone to consider as a flex play this week. It appears, at the very least, that Williams will get a fair amount of carries. The matchup is nothing to be scared of as the Saints allow the 10th-most fantasy points per game to running backs. Williams will be the fresher of the two Panthers' backs during this short week, and there are six teams on bye, meaning many fantasy owners will be missing their lead RBs. The Panthers' backfield has been a fantasy headache for what seems like a decade, yet this is one week when throwing one of the two out there could pay off.

Redskins QB Robert Griffin III (ankle) nearing return

Posted: 28 Oct 2014 09:42 PM PDT

Washington Redskins head coach Jay Gruden said Tuesday that Robert Griffin III is nearing a return to action. quot;I think Robert is very, very, very close and we just have to decide if he's ready," Gruden said. "Physically I think he'll be ready to go. Doctors are feeling pretty good about it, they still want to feel around this week until we make the final determination. I just want to make sure he feels good in the pocket." Griffin dislocated his ankle in the team's Week 2 game versus Jacksonville. There was some level of confidence in backup Kirk Cousins. That, however, has subsided. In relief, Cousins threw almost as many interceptions (nine) as touchdowns (10). Washington lost each of the four games he played in full. Cousins was benched in favor of Colt McCoy at halftime of the team's Week 7 game. McCoy got the start in Week 8 and played admirably. In spite of that, it appears the team will gladly turn back to Griffin as soon as he's physically ready to go. FANTASY ANALYSIS: This is good news for everyone in Washington as RGIII is easily the most talented QB on the Redskins' roster. His health has been an issue and was the source of many fantasy stories and headaches last season. If Griffin returns for Week 9, he'll have his work cut out for him. The 'Skins Week 9 opponent, Minnesota, gives up the second-fewest fantasy points in the league to quarterbacks. The biggest beneficiaries from this news are WRs Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson, along with TE Jordan Reed. Griffin being under center bumps up their value significantly. While we wouldn't recommend starting Griffin this week, his skill players should be used as they normally would, with a little added confidence.

Cowboys QB Tony Romo has back contusion, likely questionable for Week 9

Posted: 28 Oct 2014 09:24 PM PDT

Ian Fitzsimmons of ESPN Radio in Dallas reports that Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, who suffered a back injury in the team's Week 8 loss to the Washington Redskins, is likely to be quot;questionable, at best" when the Cowboys face off with the Arizona Cardinals in Week 9. He has been diagnosed with a muscle contusion in his back, but the team has not revealed the results of his Tuesday MRI. Romo left Monday's game in the third quarter but returned late in the fourth. Brandon Weeden filled in for Romo while he received treatment, leading the Cowboys on two scoring drives. Along with the Detroit Lions, the Cowboys and Cardinals are currently tied with the most wins in the NFC at six. The winner of this game will have an inside track on home-field advantage in the playoffs. FANTASY ANALYSIS: We hate this for Romo. He's truly one of the toughest players in the NFL, and one of the most fun to watch play. He's currently on pace for almost 4,000 yards and 30 touchdowns. The historic season that RB DeMarco Murray is having, along with the continued development of the Romo to Dez Bryant connection has the Cowboys' offense playing at an extremely high level. As long as Romo is able to play, that should continue. The injury to Romo was just a reminder that all it takes is one bad hit to change all that. X-rays taken Monday night were negative, and it appears Romo may tough it out in Week 9. It should be a decent matchup for Romo as the Cardinals allow the 10th-most fantasy points to quarterbacks. We just recommend that if you have Romo, you need to have a solid backup plan in place. His health is something of a concern and that must figure into your roster management.

Week 9: Who To Start Rankings Posted

Posted: 28 Oct 2014 08:48 PM PDT

We project the point totals for both offensive and defensive players for this week.

Week 9: FAAB-Blind Bidding Waivers Report

Posted: 28 Oct 2014 05:10 PM PDT

A full recap of how to best use your FAAB dollars in order add Fantasy Football players off the waiver wire. This week's picks include Michael Vick, Travaris Cadet, Jonas Gray, Charles Sims, and John Brown.