As injuries (David Johnson, Kerryon Johnson) and Bye Weeks (Michael Thomas, Joe Mixon) rack up, Fantasy Football players are starting to get savvy when it comes to lineup. The Recorder Sports Staff is here to tell you who should or shouldn’t be in your lineup this week.

Trevi Alickolli, Assistant Sports Editor

SURE THING:

• QB Matthew Stafford (DET @ OAK)

As the team is currently standing, they do not have a legitimate running back after the Kerryon Johnson season-ending injury which means that they will have to rely more on their passing game and Stafford. The Lion’s receivers have had a good stretch in recent weeks and Stafford more than 24 points in the last two weeks. Expect his performance to stay at a high level against a shaky Oakland defense that allowed 27 points to Deshaun Watson last week.

SLEEPER:

• RB Phillip Lindsey (DEN vs CLE)

The Denver Broncos have been a struggling football team through eight weeks and they recently just ruled out their starting quarterback, Joe Flacco, for week nine due to a neck injury. That should mean a bigger workload for the running backs but especially Lindsey as he is a threat to both run and catch the ball out of the backfield. He’s scored in double digits in six of the eight possible weeks this season and should continue to produce against a struggling Cleveland defense.

BUST:

• RB Kenyan Drake (ARI vs SF)

Drake just recently got traded to Arizona and is reportedly in line for a big workload against the San Francisco 49ers with David Johnson and Chase Edmonds banged up but he will be facing a top-ranked defense on Thursday Night while still being brand new to the offense. The workload may not equal the production for Drake and fantasy owners should be cautious playing Drake even in a flex spot.

Daniel Fappiano, Editor-in-Chief

SURE THING: QB Josh Allen (BUF vs WSH)

• Josh Allen has been a surprising fantasy asset this season, currently ranked as the 12th ranked quarterback in ESPN Standard leagues. Facing a Redskins team that was lucky to get a win against the Dolphins, Allen should bounce back and have a top-five week at QB.

SLEEPER:

• RB David Montgomery (CHI @ PHI)

Montgomery finally had his breakout last week, running 27 times for 135 yards and a score. The Bears seem more dedicated to running the ball and should be more willing to hand Montgomery the ball. The Eagles do have a tough run defense, but with quarterback Mitch Trubisky still struggling, Montgomery should be the focal point of the offense once more.

BUST: RB Chris Carson (SEA vs TB)

• While the Buccaneers have been abysmal this season, their run defense has shined. Heading into Week Nine, Tampa Bay has allowed just 480 yards on the ground, the least in the NFL. On a team that likes to establish the run, Carson could be running into a brick wall all game.

Ryan Jones, Sports Editor

SURE THING:

• QB Dak Prescott (DAL v.s NYG)

The NFL’s leader in QBR through eight weeks will feast against the Giants this weekend. New York has allowed 386 yards per game, ranking fourth worst in the league. This number has gone down some recently, but with so offensive weapons like Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup and Ezekiel Elliot, it’s too easy for Dakota Rayne Prescott.

SLEEPER:

• RB Jamal Williams (GB v.s LAC)

While Aaron Jones has dazzled as the lead back in Green Bay, Williams has been heavily utilized in goal line scenarios this year, as showcased by his two scores against Kansas City last week. Against a shaky Chargers’ defense, expect Williams and the Packers to be firing on all cylinders.

BUST:

• QB Tom Brady (NE v.s BAL)

Oof. I’m gonna regret this one, won’t I? Brady’s put together yet another historical year passing while leading the Pats to a perfect record so far. In their last three games, the Ravens have been in the top 10 in yards allowed, touting a star-studded secondary headlined by Earl Thomas and Marcus Peters. The Ravens will play spoilers to the Patriots’ would-be Cinderella story season.