The NFL begins Week 9 with a matchup between the Ravens and Dolphins in Miami. Both teams have losing records, but the Ravens are looking to get on a hot streak after winning in Week 8. Let's dig into each position for the single-game contests on DraftKings and FanDuel.
Quarterback
The big news for this game is that Lamar Jackson ($11,800 DK, $13,600 FD) will make his return for the Ravens after missing the last three games with a hamstring injury. Jackson stands out because the Dolphins have allowed the most rushing touchdowns to quarterbacks (four) in the league. Their defense has also given up an average of 26.9 points per game.
Tua Tagovailoa ($10,000 DK, $11,400 FD) is coming off his best performance of the season after he threw for 205 yards and four touchdowns against the Falcons last week. For all of his faults, Tagovailoa has posted at least two touchdown passes in five of his last seven games. Don't overlook him in this matchup against a Ravens defense that is tied for the sixth-most passing touchdowns allowed in the league.
Running Back
It has been a disappointing season for Derrick Henry ($11,000 DK, $12,600 FD), who has just 510 rushing yards through seven games. He does seem to be trending in the right direction, though. In Week 6, he ran for 122 yards against the Rams, and then for 71 yards and two touchdowns in Week 8 against the Bears following their Week 7 bye. Another juicy stat line could be coming against a Dolphins team that has allowed 5.01 yards per carry to running backs.
The Dolphins have their own star running back in De'Von Achane ($11,400 DK, $12,000 FD), who has three rushing touchdowns and four receiving scores this season. While he has just two games with at least 90 rushing yards, he has posted four games with at least five receptions. That's a noteworthy stat for this game because the Ravens have given up the eighth-most yards per target to running backs. The backup running backs for both the Ravens and Dolphins don't get a ton of work, but if you want to take a chance on one, Justice Hill ($3,600 DK, $3,000 FD) has hauled in at least three receptions in four of seven games.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Zay Flowers ($9,400 DK, $9,800 FD) hasn't scored a touchdown since Week 1, though part of that is because the team's offense hasn't been great with Jackson out. However, he does have at least five receptions in all but one game this season. Still, his salary isn't cheap on either site, so he's a bit of a risky play. Rashod Bateman ($6,400 DK, $5,000 FD) and DeAndre Hopkins ($4,200 DK, $4,400 FD) have combined for just 23 receptions this season, and neither should be considered as much more than a dart throw in tournament play.
Now that Tyreek Hill (knee) is out, Jaylen Waddle ($10,400 DK, $10,400 FD) has become the clear top receiving option for the Dolphins. Over the last four games, he has caught 18 of 27 targets for 319 yards and two touchdowns. After having an average depth of target of 9.3 yards last season, that mark has increased to 11.5 this year. In a game in which the Dolphins might need to throw a lot to keep up with the Ravens' offense, Waddle stands out as the top wide receiver option on either team. Behind Waddle on the Dolphins' depth chart are Malik Washington ($4,800 DK, $7,400 FD) and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine ($3,200 DK, $3,400 FD). Washington hauled in a touchdown last week and has been targeted on 21.1 percent of his routes run, so he might be best option to take a chance on between the two.
The Ravens will have both of their tight ends in Mark Andrews ($5,000 DK, $8,600 FD) and Isaiah Likely ($2,000 DK, $3,800 FD) at their disposal. Likely hasn't done much since returning from injury in Week 4, receiving two or fewer targets in each of the last four games. During that same four-game span, Andrews has caught 16 of 20 targets for 110 yards. The Dolphins are tied for the third-most receptions allowed to tight ends, so Andrews could be worth taking a chance on. The Dolphins are down to Tanner Conner ($2,800 DK, $5,400 FD) and Greg Dulcich ($600 DK, $2,000 FD) at tight end with Darren Waller (pectoral) and Julian Hill (ankle) sidelined. Neither is an appealing option for this slate.
Kicker
Riley Patterson ($5,200 DK, $6,600 FD) has made 11 of his 12 field goal attempts this season, though he only had one attempt from at least 50 yards and he missed it. He has never made more than two attempts from at least 50 in a season. Tyler Loop ($5,400 DK, $6,800 FD) is 1-for-2 on his attempts from at least 50 yards during his rookie season, while making all 11 of his kicks from inside that mark.
Defense/Special Teams
Turnovers have not been a specialty for either of these defenses: the Dolphins ($3,400 DK, $6,400 FD) only have one interception, while the Ravens ($4,000 DK, $6,200 FD) have picked off just two passes. Meanwhile, the Ravens have just nine sacks, compared to 15 for the Dolphins.
