Week 8 was a mixed bag of fantasy goodness. It started hot, with quarterback Brock Purdy finishing as the QB4 due to passing and rushing scores. The running back tandem of James Conner and James Cook provided happiness. Conner saved a dreary stat day with a score but still finished as the RB17. Cook exploded last week with 111 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns to finish as the RB1.

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On the other hand, we saw Javonte Williams produce almost nothing in what seems like a favorable matchup against the Carolina Panthers. My wide receivers got injured last week, with Stefon Diggs suffering a season-ending knee injury. Rookie wideout Brian Thomas Jr. was forced out of last week’s game due to a rib injury, but not before he put up 60 receiving yards and a score.

At least Mark Andrews was able to score for the third consecutive week. However, selecting the Green Bay Packers was not a wise choice.

Here is to shining up my crystal ball a little shinier and not having more players get injured as we look at the smash starts for Week 9.

Fantasy Football Smash Starts for Week 9

Quarterback

Matthew Stafford (QB – LAR) at Seattle

Now that Matthew Stafford has his friends back in Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, there is no stopping him. Stafford and the Rams’ offense looked great last week, with Stafford throwing for 279 yards and four touchdowns.

This week, the Rams will take on a middling Seattle defense, which Stafford and friends should provide fantasy gold against and keep them in the playoff picture in the competitive NFC West.

Running Back

Chuba Hubbard (RB – CAR) vs. New Orleans

The Panthers recently updated us that rookie running back Jonathon Brooks is unlikely to see his first NFL action this week. Fantasy managers will have another week of Chuba Hubbard, who remains a steady and consistent fantasy starter this season.

Hubbard has handled most of the Panthers’ backfield carriers. Luckily for Hubbard managers, he faces off against a New Orleans Saints defense that has allowed 5.2 yards per carry for the season and is in the bottom five across multiple rush defense stats. Take advantage of this cake matchup and ensure Hubbard is in all your lineups this week.

D’Andre Swift (RB – CHI) at Arizona

The Bears’ passing game is still going through growing pains as rookie quarterback Caleb Williams continues to adapt to NFL defenses. However, the one constant in the Bears offense as of late is running back D’Andre Swift. He has managed at least 18 touches and scored in four consecutive games.

The Cardinals’ run defense can not stop anyone in what seems like an annual event. They have allowed 141 rushing yards per game and 10 scores this season. This week, they have to face the red-hot Swift. Swift will punish the Cardinals’ defense with a few splash plays and a couple of scores.

Wide Receiver

Josh Downs (WR – IND) at Minnesota

No one is happier to see Joe Flacco return under center for the Indianapolis Colts than Josh Downs. Every weapon in the Colts offense struggled with Anthony Richardson at quarterback. The news out of Indianapolis this week is that Richardson has been benched for the remainder of the season and Flacco is taking over.

Downs was producing WR2 numbers with Flacco. Downs has had 28 catches on 39 targets for 326 yards and three touchdowns across four games. The Colts offense has to be licking their chops with their Week 9 matchup against a Minnesota Vikings defense allowing the most fantasy points to wide receivers per game. Flacco has limitations, but we should not see them often in this cake matchup, with his eyes focused on Downs for a massive fantasy day.

Darnell Mooney (WR – ATL) vs. Dallas

Darnell Mooney continues to display his connection with quarterback Kirk Cousins. Mooney has averaged double-digit fantasy points across his past five games. In Week 9, Cousins and Mooney take on a Dallas Cowboys defense that has given up 229.3 passing yards per game across their past three games.

Mooney and fellow wideout Drake London have plus matchups against a Cowboys defense that continues to struggle with injuries. Mooney will attempt to stay hot after he caught four of his six targets for 86 yards and scored last week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Don’t be surprised to see Mooney improve upon those stats in this matchup.

DJ Moore (WR – CHI) at Arizona

Caleb Williams and the Bears’ offense struggled last week in what was supposed to be a plus-matchup against the Washington Commanders’ defense. However, the Bears’ offense has found the cure for their ills with their Week 9 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals’ defense, which allows an average of 28.0 fantasy points to the wide receiver position.

The Cardinals produce zero pass rush. Like most quarterbacks who have time to throw, we should witness plenty of splash plays from Williams. Willaims will find Moore to take advantage of a poor secondary to the tune of explosive plays and a few scores.

Tight End

T.J. Hockenson (TE – MIN) vs. Indianapolis

T.J. Hockenson returns after a horrific knee injury and grueling rehab to make his 2024 debut this week. Hockenson will be playing in front of his home crowd in Minnesota and on primetime with their matchup against the Indianapolis Colts flexed to the Sunday Night Football game.

With Vikings fans chanting “SKOL,” fantasy managers will be happy to see the tight end help open up the Vikings’ offense. Hockenson has recorded at least five catches in 19 of the 25 regular-season games he played for the Vikings. Make that 20 games and add a touchdown to make the former Iowa Hawkeye a smash play this week when making fantasy start sit decisions.

Defense

Tennessee Titans D/ST vs. New England Patriots

With Drake Maye yet to be cleared from concussion protocol, the Patriots will be forced to start Jacoby Brissett. A Brissett-led offense is very generous to opposing defenses. The Patriots have allowed the third-most sacks this season. Opposing defenses average more than nine points per game against the Patriots’ offense. An opportunity to smash an upside streaming defense is too tempting here.

Dennis Sosic is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Dennis, check out his archive and follow him @CALL_ME_SOS.