Note: The Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns, Minnesota Vikings, New York Jets, Oakland Raiders and St. Louis Rams are on a bye.

For new readers, you’re not riding waves here, rather I had to get creative since numerous fantasy-related Web sites already staked claim to the obvious Stock Watch or Barometer Report. Below is my look at Week 9’s risers and fallers.

Meanwhile, you can blame the title on my fond memories from living in Hawaii. Let’s go surfing.

Rising Swell: Prime conditions developing or exist for ridable waves.

QB Matt Hasselbeck, SEA
The Seahawks have been quiet the last two games, but Sunday’s contest against the Detroit Lions offers a fantastic spot to kick-start the offense. Don’t let Detroit’s performance against the St. Louis Rams last week fool you; this is still a very bad defense and offer up 19.8 points to opposing signal callers through eight weeks of action.

QB Alex Smith, SF
Despite shutting down the Jacksonville Jaguars last week, the Tennessee Titans still allow the most points (21) to opposing QBs, making Sunday a good spot for Smith at home. Sure, the 49ers will run first, but there’s production to be had when Smith takes shots down the field.

RB Jamaal Charles, KC
If you’re hurt with six NFL teams on a bye, dial up Charles, who starts Sunday against a Jacksonville Jaguars defense coming off a shredding by RB Chris Johnson. Granted, Charles isn’t in the same class as Johnson, but Charles will see a good chunk of carries with Larry Johnson suspended and he’s active in the passing game, a plus for point-per-reception (PPR) leagues.

RB Jonathan Stewart, CAR
The New Orleans Saints have been gouged on the ground the last two weeks and losing defensive tackle Sedrick Eillis, coincidentally two weeks ago against the Miami Dolphins, opened the door for RBs Ronnie Brown, Ricky Williams and Michael Turner to explode. Stewart’s running mate, DeAngelo Williams, is a must-start, but don’t shy away from Stewart.

RB Ryan Moats, HOU
It’s a mess in the Houston backfield and Steve Slaton has nobody to blame but his inability to secure the football. Slaton’s fifth lost fumble last week led to his benching and Moats’ 126 yards and three scores against the Buffalo Bills. Regardless who is starting against the Indianapolis Colts, Moats earned a right to see action and makes a decent flex option if you’re digging deep.

WR Mike Sims-Walker, JAC
With the exception of Week 6’s game against the Washington Redskins, the Kansas City Chiefs have surrendered huge games to opposing No. 1 receivers (DeSean Jackson, Miles Austin, Steve Smith (NYG) and Vincent Jackson). Sims-Walker disappointed last week with just two catches for 9 yards, but he’ll rebound nicely in this spot.

WR Kevin Walter, HOU
He’s been targeted just 13 times the last three games, but the loss of tight end Owen Daniels (knee) should see Walter re-emerge in the offense. Sunday’s shootout against the Indianapolis Colts is a fantastic opportunity for you to get him in lineups.

WR Steve Breaston, ARZ
An obvious must-start if Anquan Boldin (ankle) can’t go Sunday against the Chicago Bears. Even with Boldin in the lineup the last three games, Breaston remained active with 21 targets over that span, hauling in 12 catches. The looks will increase dramatically.

WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh, SEA
He’s become a forgotten man, but there will be a Houshmandzadeh sighting on Sunday against the Detroit Lions. Get him and Nate Burleson in starting lineups with full confidence.

WR Hakeem Nicks, NYG
Nicks saw his four-game scoring streak snapped last week, but he will see more action this week against the San Diego Chargers if Mario Manningham (shoulder) and Domenik Hixon (hip) can’t go. There are also shootout implications in this game, giving Nicks a good chance to find the end zone again.

TE Vernon Davis, SF
Davis has something going with QB Alex Smith, as they’ve connected for four TDs in the last two games. Ride the hot hand against one of the league’s worst secondaries, the Tennessee Titans.

Choppy: Condition where waves are inconsistent, broken or generally irregular.

QB Matt Ryan, ATL
The good news is Ryan has five TDs the last three games; the bad news is he’s thrown seven INTs in that span. Ryan has been erratic and Sunday’s game against the Washington Redskins, who rank third against the pass, is a bad spot. Start Ryan’s skill players, but steer clear of the second-year signal caller in leagues penalizing points for turnovers.

RB Laurence Maroney, NE
Starting RBs have clear value, especially with six NFL teams on a bye, but Maroney against the Miami Dolphins, who rank sixth overall against the run, is a spot to avoid.

RB LaDainian Tomlinson, SD
He scored twice last week against the hapless Oakland Raiders and Sunday’s game against the New York Giants (19th against the run) appears favorable. However, Tomlinson hasn’t been consistent this season and look for the Giants to turn up the defensive heat playing at home.

RB Chris Johnson, TEN
Johnson went bonkers in Week 8 with 228 yards rushing and two scores, but the San Francisco 49ers (second overall in the league vs. the run) are not the pitiful Jacksonville Jaguars. Considering Vince Young is now under center, expect the 49ers to stack the box because they’ll have zero respect for Young’s ability to beat them through the air. Johnson has a much tougher test in Week 9 and don’t be surprised if he comes up small.

Flat: Unridable surfing conditions - stay home unless you want to watch the tide.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers offense
In case you forgot, Tampa Bay turns to its third signal caller of the season when rookie Josh Freeman gets his first NFL start. WR Antonio Bryant and TE Kellen Winslow have been invisible the last two games and there will be issues Sunday against the Green Bay Packers. Take a wait-and-see approach with the passing game and the only player you consider is RB Carnell Williams.

QB Eli Manning, NYG
Manning hasn’t hit the 250-yard mark in three straight games and has three TDs against six INTs in the same span. While Sunday’s game against the San Diego Chargers smells like a potential shootout, hopefully you have better options that are hot and producing.

QB Vince Young, TEN
Young’s Week 8 stat line read 15-of-18 passes completed for 125 yards and a TD. That’s 8.3 yards per completion and that equals zero upside.

RB Brian Westbrook, PHI
Westbrook (concussion) is reportedly on track to return this week, but he’s forever an injury waiting to happen on any given play. If you can move him based on his name, do it now.

WR Calvin Johnson, DET
The 2009 campaign is quickly becoming a waste for the talented Johnson, who’s missed the last two games with a knee injury. His status for Sunday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks remains unclear.


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Article posted Nov. 3, 2009