It’s a tough bye week for some, but we still have some stellar options when it comes to scoring TDs. These are my best bets to find the end zone in Week 9.
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Running Back
ZACK MOSS, COLTS
I was tempted to put Jonathan Taylor here instead of Moss, but there are some distinctions between the two backs that have Moss here over Taylor, the main being that Moss is the preferred short-yardage back. It was Moss who punched in the score in Week 8, and it was Moss who has outscored Taylor four to one over the past four games. Taylor only logged one more carry (13) than Moss (12) in Week 8 too, so it’s not as if he’s running away with the carries. This week, they’ll face Carolina, a team that is our fifth-best matchup for opposing running backs. They’re both solid plays, but Moss has established himself as the TD go-to player in Indy with a 32.97% TD dependency.
ALVIN KAMARA, SAINTS
Touchdowns had been fairly hard to come by for Kamara since he returned in Week 4 until just last week, when he scored twice against the Colts. He has an even better matchup this week against Chicago, a team that we have as the fourth-best matchup for opposing running backs going into Week 9. Vegas likes the matchup too, as they have Kamara at 130 odds to score, the second-best odds they’ve given a running back this week. No team has allowed more rushing TDs (11) than Indy this season, so Kamara has a strong chance to reach the end zone.
SAQUON BARKLEY, GIANTS
Barkley is the Giants’ top playmaker, so he’ll get opportunities. Barkley had 39 touches in Week 8 and only Christian McCaffrey played more snaps than him. This week he’ll face a Raiders team that is the eighth-worst matchup for wide receivers, but comes into Week 9 as our third-best matchup for opposing running backs. Las Vegas has allowed the second-most rushing TDs in the league (eight) and the Giants should get close enough for Barkley to make it at least nine.
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Wide Receiver
CEEDEE LAMB, COWBOYS
Lamb had 170 all-purpose yards and two scores in Week 8 against a solid Rams secondary. He’s got an even better matchup this week against the Eagles, our second-best matchup for opposing wide receivers. The Cowboys will need to go through the air too, as Philly is a top five run defense. With 120 odds to find the end zone, Lamb is Dallas’ best bet at scoring this week in what could be a high-scoring matchup.
DEANDRE HOPKINS, TITANS
Hopkins was reinvigorated by rookie QB Will Levis in Week 8, scoring three TDs and putting up 128 yards. Levis will be under center again this week in a matchup against the Steelers, our fourth-best matchup for wide receivers going into Week 9.
GARRETT WILSON, JETS
The Jets are a winning team in large part because of Wilson, who is doing everything he can with so-so QB play. He’s yet to find the end zone since Week 2, but with back-to-back games of at least 90 yards and a matchup with the Chargers, our third-best matchup for wide receivers on deck, Wilson is in a prime spot to score for the third time this season. On the field for 89% of snaps, Wilson rarely leaves the field and he’ll be a first read on any end zone plays the Jets have.
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This column was provided to The Associated Press by RosterWatch, www.rosterwatch.com.
