Start Parker Washington, Sit Zay Flowers: Fantasy Football Week 9 Outlooks Diverge
Washington’s recent dip
Washington has combined for five catches, 70 yards and no touchdowns across his last two games, a drop from his early-season fantasy standard. Baltimore has been a favorable opponent for receivers, allowing 228.3 passing yards per game and the 10th-most standard and ninth-most PPR points per game to opposing wideouts.
The last two WR1s to play Baltimore produced useful results. Buffalo’s DJ Moore had four receptions, 82 yards and a touchdown, while Cincinnati’s Ja’Marr Chase recorded five catches for 62 yards.
Game script could limit Washington
Washington’s workload could shrink if Jacksonville builds a large lead. In the Jaguars’ 42-7 win over Indianapolis last week, he had two targets, a season low, and Trevor Lawrence attempted a season-low 14 passes.
Baltimore is likely to start its QB3, Joe Fagnano, which could contribute to another lopsided game. Washington has a stronger chance to produce if the matchup stays reasonably close.
Flowers faces quarterback concerns
Flowers had his worst fantasy outing of the season in Week 8, finishing with no catches on five targets against Buffalo. Fagnano’s expected start raises further questions about Flowers’ production.
Fagnano completed 10 of 21 passes for 91 yards and an interception last week. Jacksonville has allowed 253.9 passing yards per game, the fourth-most in the NFL, and ranks sixth in PPR and ninth in standard fantasy points allowed per game to receivers.
The Week 9 recommendation
Jacksonville’s pass defense has been vulnerable, but the three most recent WR1s to face the Jaguars averaged four catches and 53.3 receiving yards, with one touchdown combined. Fagnano’s recent performance came against Buffalo, which allows 254.7 passing yards per game, the third-most in the NFL.
Despite Flowers having the more favorable matchup on paper, the quarterback situation weighs against him. The recommendation is to start Washington and sit Flowers.
Key points
- Start Parker Washington and sit Zay Flowers in Week 9.
- Washington has recorded five catches for 70 yards and no touchdowns over his past two games.
- Flowers had zero receptions on five targets against Buffalo in Week 8.
- Joe Fagnano threw for 91 yards and an interception last week.