In the ever-unpredictable world of fantasy football, touchdown opportunities can often be the key to unlocking success. After going 8 out of 10 in my touchdown predictions over a two-week stretch, I fell back down to Earth in Week 8, missing all my picks. However, it’s worth noting that a few of our selected players came tantalizingly close to crossing that coveted goal line. As we delve into this week’s flex plays, we’ll explore the prime touchdown opportunities for several players for Week 9 Fantasy Football. I’ll be seeking redemption and aiming to help fantasy managers secure crucial points for their playoff pushes.
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Week 9 Fantasy Football Flex Starters Based on TD Opportunity
Rashee Rice – WR – Kansas City Chiefs
For the first time this season, Rashee Rice led the Chiefs’ wide receiver room in snaps in Week 8. After a slow start, the Chiefs are now unleashing their rookie second-round pick, and it couldn’t have come at a better time. The rest of the Kansas City wide receiver room has been a disappointment, and they face the Dolphins in Germany this weekend.
After a letdown last week against the Broncos, the Chiefs offense will bounce back and be pressured to score against Miami. The only thing holding Rice back has been his limited role to start the year. Rice has been the only reliable red-zone threat outside of Travis Kelce this year as well. He is No. 9 in the NFL in target rate and No. 10 in fantasy points per target. Look for him to find the end zone this weekend, making him a must-start in fantasy football leagues.
Michael Thomas – WR – New Orleans Saints
Whether fantasy football managers like it or not, Michael Thomas is getting a lot of the targets we anticipated would go to Chris Olave. Thomas has been the model of consistency, recording 6 or more targets in every game. In addition, he has scored between 9.30 and 13.20 fantasy points in every outing too. While Derek Carr has been a mixed bag this season, Thomas has been a reliable flex play the entire season.
He has been a reliable red-zone threat his entire career, and that hasn’t changed this season. Thomas is No. 8 in the NFL in red-zone targets despite scoring only one touchdown. That luck could change this weekend when they face a Chicago defense that has given up the fourth most touchdowns against wide receivers. The New Orleans offense should have a big day, and Thomas should have his best fantasy performance of the 2023 season.
Brandin Cooks – WR – Dallas Cowboys
The only argument I have against Brandin Cooks this week is, what are the odds he can score three games in a row? After a slow start to the season, Cooks is coming off of back-to-back touchdown performances. The Dallas passing offense has come alive as well, with Dak Prescott looking like his old self. After failing to finish as a top 15 fantasy quarterback through the first five games, Prescott has nearly doubled his total fantasy points in the last two weeks.
Nonetheless, they will be put to the test against a very talented Philadelphia Eagles’ defense in Week 9. While the talent is there, the Eagles have struggled to meet expectations, ranking in the bottom 12 in points allowed. They have given up 12 touchdowns to the wide receiver position (31st) in 2023, too. Additionally, this matchup has the third-highest point total on the Week 9 slate, according to Las Vegas sportsbooks. Fantasy managers will still want pieces in this offense outside of CeeDee Lamb.
DJ Chark – WR – Carolina Panthers
After a very bleak start to the season, Bryce Young has strung together multiple steady performances. The offense is far from a great unit, but the pass catchers outside Adam Thielen are beginning to show life. DJ Chark is once again sliding into his role as a deep threat and is No. 10 in average depth of target in the NFL. He has a great chance of finding the end zone this week and is a great deep league flex play.
While Chark is one of the fastest players in the NFL, he also plays against a Colts defense that has been susceptible to the big play. They rank second to last in the NFL in explosive pass plays allowed thus far. This was on full display last week as the Colts gave up 153 yards and a touchdown to Rashid Shaheed. He is a very comparable player, and Chark has a similar upside in Week 9.
Demario Douglas – WR – New England Patriots
The SGPN long-shot of the week is Demario Douglas of the New England Patriots. A sixth-round pick in this most recent NFL draft, Douglas has made a name for himself in the last two weeks. He has been one of the few bright spots in what has been an abysmal season thus far for the Patriots. Douglas will now be asked to take on an even larger role with top target Kendrick Bourne now out for the season.
New England will be facing off against the Washington Commanders, who lead the league in touchdowns given up to the wide receiver position. Furthermore, Mac Jones has thrown multiple touchdown passes in two straight weeks and has had a couple of steady performances. With Bourne out, Douglas will now be the top option in the passing game, too. He is a rare high-floor/high-ceiling player in a soft matchup this week.
