Fantasy players will have to decide whether last week’s high-scoring running back is a sign of things to come or a fluke. However, the most critical part of the waiver wire is finding the right players to stream for the upcoming matchup. Whether you need an injury replacement or your current starter has a bad matchup, it is critical to find the right player to stream. With that in mind, here are eight potential streaming options for Week 9.
The following players are owned in under 50 percent of ESPN leagues. All stats are base on four-point per passing touchdown and PPR scoring.
Tua Tagovailoa vs Houston Texans (36.9%)
Since returning from a rib injury, Tua has averaged two passing touchdowns, 275 passing yards, and 21 fantasy points per game, scoring at least 15 fantasy points in every contest. Over the past three weeks, Tua has been the QB4, ahead of quarterbacks like Aaron Rodgers and Kyler Murray. While he was on the sit list last week because of the matchup against the Buffalo Bills, Tua has a great matchup this week. The Texans have allowed quarterbacks to average 20.4 fantasy points per game this season. They have allowed quarterbacks to throw three touchdowns and over 260 passing yards in two straight games. Even without Will Fuller in the lineup, Tua has the weapons around him needed to finish the week as a top-12 quarterback.
Carson Wentz vs New York Jets (31.7%)
Over the past five weeks, Wentz has been the QB8, averaging 19.6 fantasy points per game. Wentz has thrown at least two touchdowns in every game while averaging 246.8 passing yards per contest during that span. He has also only turned the ball over four times in those five games. Meanwhile, the Jets have struggled to slow down quarterbacks recently. Despite an upset win over the Cincinnati Bengals last week, the Jets gave up three passing touchdowns and 20.3 fantasy points to Joe Burrow. More importantly, the Jets have given up an average of 2.3 passing touchdowns and 22.3 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks over their past three games. Between the matchup and his recent play, Wentz has top-10 upside this week.
Tyler Conklin at Baltimore Ravens (17.6%)
Last week Conklin made the streamers list and finished the week as a top-10 tight end, scoring 10.7 fantasy points. He has scored 10 or more fantasy points in two straight games, averaging four catches on six targets for 64 receiving yards and 10.4 fantasy points per game during that span. Meanwhile, the Ravens have given up an average of 19.5 fantasy points per game to tight ends this season, the most in the NFL. The Ravens have allowed tight ends to average 1.5 touchdowns and 20.3 fantasy points per game over their last two matchups. While Conklin won’t finish the week with over 20 fantasy points, he is the top tight end on the waiver wire for fantasy owners looking for a bye week replacement option.
Dan Arnold vs Buffalo Bills (3.6%)
In the four games since joining the Jacksonville Jaguars, Arnold has averaged 7.8 fantasy points per game. More importantly, he has averaged 5.3 catches on 7.7 targets for 53 receiving yards and 10 fantasy points per game over the past three contests. Last week, Arnold finished as a top-three tight end, scoring a season-high 14.8 fantasy points. Meanwhile, the Bills have held tight ends to only 9.2 fantasy points per game this season. However, tight ends have been targeted the second-fewest times per game (5.6) this season against the Bills. When they have faced a fantasy-relevant tight end, they have given up 13 fantasy points per game to the position. For fantasy owners in deeper leagues, Arnold is an excellent bye week replacement for T.J. Hockenson and others.
Dallas Cowboys D/ST at Denver Broncos (49.6%)
The Cowboys D/ST has played well recently, scoring seven or more fantasy points in four of their past five games. During that span, they have averaged nine fantasy points per game, scoring 12 or more twice. They have also forced two or more turnovers in all but one game this season. Meanwhile, the Broncos appear to be waving the white flag. They traded Von Miller yesterday and may end up moving other veterans before today’s trade deadline. Even without making another trade, the Denver offense is limited. Opposing D/STs have averaged 6.8 fantasy points per game against the Broncos this season. More importantly, they have averaged 8.2 fantasy points per game over the past five weeks. Expect the Cowboys D/ST to have a big performance against a struggling Denver offense.
Miami Dolphins D/ST vs Houston Texans (12.0%)
While they are far from an elite unit, Dolphins D/ST has forced at least one turnover in 75 percent of their games this season. They have also recorded two or more sacks in half of their games this season, including four of their past six games. More importantly, they have a good matchup this week against the Texans. Over the past six weeks, opposing D/STs have averaged 10.7 fantasy points per game against the Texans, scoring 10 or more in four of those games. The last time an opposing D/ST scored under four fantasy points against the Texans was in Week 1. If Tyrod Taylor starts for the Texans, it hurts the Dolphins D/ST value this week. However, if Davis Mills is under center, the Dolphins D/ST has top-five upside.
Jason Sanders vs Houston Texans (42.6%)
Like most of the players on the Dolphins, Sanders has regressed this season. Last year he finished as the second-highest scoring kicker, averaging 10 fantasy points per game. However, he has averaged only five fantasy points per game this season, scoring over seven fantasy points only once. Meanwhile, the Texans have allowed kickers to average 8.9 fantasy points per game this season, scoring seven or more fantasy points 75 percent of their games. Kickers have scored 16 or more fantasy points against the Texans in two of their past five matchups. While Sanders won’t score 16 fantasy points this week, he will have his second game this season with 10 or more fantasy points.
Michael Badgley vs New York Jets (8.5%)
With Rodrigo Blankenship on injured reserve, Badgley has taken over as the starting kicker for the Indianapolis Colts. Badgley has averaged 7.3 fantasy points per game in the three games with the Colts, scoring at least seven in every contest. More importantly, Badgley has made all of his kicks this season for the Colts. He has made all three of his field goals and is a perfect 11-for-11 on extra-point attempts. Meanwhile, the Jets have allowed kickers to average 11.6 fantasy points per game this season. Kickers have scored seven or more fantasy points against the Jets in every game this season, giving up 11 or more in over 70 percent of their matchups. The Colts will easily score on the Jets, leading to plenty of kicking opportunities for Badgley.
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