Scott Engel of RotoExperts.com has more than 20 years of experience in the Fantasy industry and is an inaugural member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association's Hall of Fame. This is his seventh season providing Fantasy Football coverage and advice on Seahawks.com.
This is a week where your Fantasy savvy and stability will truly be tested. For the first time this season (and not the last) there are six teams on byes. Get through these kinds of situations successfully, and you will truly have earned your playoff berth down the line. You may be anxious or fretting about not setting an ideal lineup, but many of your league mates, including your opponent, may be in the same situation. So set your lineup as usual and remember you can't control anything after that. Make the most informed decisions possible, and your chances to win this week should be close to any other.
Running Backs
Isaiah Crowell, Jets: He is the biggest roller coaster ride in Fantasy Football at his position, but he should be good for thrills this week. The Dolphins allow 24.76 Fantasy Points Per Game to opposing running backs on NFL.com, fourth most in the league. New York needs to run the ball effectively to take pressure off rookie QB Sam Darnold, who has an injury-depleted receiving crew right now.
Lamar Miller, Texans: The resurgent Miller will be looking to clear the 100-yard mark for the fourth consecutive week when he takes on the Broncos. This will be a prime matchup for him to succeed, as Denver has allowed 1007 rushing yards to running backs, most in the AFC. For at least one more game, you should be able to rely on Miller for your Fantasy needs.
Jordan Howard, Bears: Since the fourth game of the season, the Chicago offense has been a potent unit, and Howard is their best finisher as a runner close to the goal line. The Buffalo defense will spend way too much time on the field against the Bears, who should be able to impose their will on both sides of the ball. Buffalo has allowed seven rushing TDs, tied for the third most in the league.
Devontae Booker, Broncos: This is a PPR play if you are very thin at the position. Phillip Lindsay is clearly the Broncos leading RB, but Booker can play a serviceable complementary role, especially with Royce Freeman battling an ankle issue. Booker totaled 101 yards from scrimmage last week, is a pass-catching threat, and the Texans have allowed an NFL-high five receiving TDs to RBs.
Wide Receivers
David Moore, Seahawks: It was against the Chargers in the preseason that Moore flashed a major sign of things to come, with a 52-yard reception in the second exhibition game. After four TD receptions in his past three regular season games, the second-year downfield playmaker is firmly on the radar of most knowledgeable Fantasy participants. After a 97-yard outing against Detroit, Moore is a very alluring lineup selection this week against the Chargers' 18th ranked pass defense in yards allowed per game, especially with six teams on byes.
D.J. Moore, Panthers: The rookie had his best yardage output of the season (90) in Week Eight and he has a tasty matchup in Week Nine. The Tampa Bay pass defense has allowed 31.07 FFPG to opposing wide receivers, third most on NFL.com. Moore can make tough catches on key downs and has good yardage-after-the-catch skills, adding a unique skill set to the evolving Carolina passing game.
DeVante Parker, Dolphins: He has yet to earn the trust of Fantasy players, but Parker delivered a career-best performance in Week Nine, catching six passes for 134 yards. You should ride with the possible momentum of a very positive outing, and it could carry into a friendly matchup in a rivalry game vs. the Jets. New York has allowed 1,535 receiving yards to opposing WRs, the second highest total in the AFC.
Josh Gordon, Patriots: He has quickly developed into the niche deep threat in the New England passing game, and that is often a significant role in the Patriots offense. Plus, as a bigger target, Gordon also is a threat in passing situations near the goal line. The Packers have allowed 12 TDs to opposing wide receivers, the second highest total in the NFL.
Tight Ends
Chris Herndon, Jets: This is an option if you need to dig deep at TE this week. The rookie Herndon has scored in three consecutive games, and the Dolphins have allowed five TD passes to the position, second most in the league.
David Njoku, Browns: He was silent last week, but with some new coaches and a good matchup, you should maintain faith in Njoku this week. The Chiefs have allowed 596 receiving yards to Tight Ends, the second-highest total in the league.
Quarterback
Dak Prescott, Cowboys: The Cowboys play much better at home, where they host the Titans this week. Tennessee has 15 sacks, the fourth lowest total in the league, and Prescott has shown recent signs of re-emerging as a serious dual threat passer and runner. The addition of Amari Cooper and the presence of Ezekiel Elliott balances his supporting cast, and he will make key throws to get his new premier WR involved in his Dallas debut.
Seahawks Fantasy Focus
The Chargers have the 10th-ranked run defense in the NFL, and have allowed three rushing TDs, the third-best number in the league. But the Seahawks ground game will be up to the task, as their 134.7 rushing yards per game now ranks fifth in the league. Chris Carson remains a must-start Fantasy RB2 in Week Nine. Los Angeles ranks 21st in the league in sacks (18) and with time to throw behind a rapidly improved offensive line, Russell Wilson has the potential for another outing where he is highly efficient as a downfield passer and TD producer. Right now, Wilson is very impressive in terms of not needing high volume to deliver quality Fantasy production. Across the Fantasy industry this week, he widely considered a Top 12 starter at QB. Tyler Lockett has become an every-week play as a WR3, and should especially be locked into lineups with six teams on a bye. After two catches for 54 yards and a TD in his Seahawks debut last week, Ed Dickson deserves starting consideration if you need a bye week plug-in.
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The Seahawks face the Chargers at SoFi Stadium for Week 7 of the 2022 season. Take a look back at photos from the past games between the two teams.
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Jim Zorn (10) prepares to hand off against the San Diego Chargers on December 13, 1980 at San Diego Stadium in San Diego, California. (AP Photo / Al Messerschmidt)
Seattle Seahawks linebacker Terry Beeson (58) blocks a field goal during an NFL game against the San Diego Chargers in Seattle, Wash., Sept. 2, 1979. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)
Seattle Seahawks tight end Brian Peets (88) tries to break away from San Diego Chargers cornerback Willie Buchanon (28) during an NFL game in Seattle, Wash., Sept. 2, 1979. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)
Seattle Seahawks running back Curt Warner (28) runs upfield during an NFL game against the San Diego Chargers at Jack Murphy Stadium on September 15, 1985. The Seahawks defeated the Chargers 49-35. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
Seattle Seahawks Hall of Fame wide receiver Steve Largent (80) beats San Diego Chargers defensive back Daniel Hunter (27) for a 23-yard scoring reception during an NFL game in San Diego, Calif., Dec. 14, 1986. The Seahawks defeated the Chargers 34-24. (AP Photo/Damian Strohmeyer)
Seattle Seahawks receiver Steve Largent (80) is double-teamed by San Diego Charger defenders Martin Bayless (44) and Danny Walters (23) during first quarter action in the Kingdome in Seattle, Nov. 22, 1987. Largent gained 29 yards on the pass play. (AP Photo/Barry Sweet)
Seattle Seahawks Hall of Fame wide receiver Steve Largent (80) tries to elude San Diego Chargers defensive back Daniel Hunter (27) during an NFL game in San Diego, Calif., Dec. 14, 1986. The Seahawks defeated the Chargers 34-24. (AP Photo/Damian Strohmeyer)
Seattle Seahawks linebacker Bob Spitulski (58) is seen in action during an NFL game against the San Diego Chargers Oct. 30, 1994, in San Diego, Calif. (Allen Kee via AP)
Seattle Seahawks nose tackle Cortez Kennedy (96) leaves the field after play with San Diego Chargers linebacker Junior Seau (55) in San Diego in 1994. (AP Photo / Al Messerschmidt)
San Diego Chargers running back Rodney Culver (22) is tackled as he attempts to rush upfield with the ball during an NFL game against the Seattle Seahawks Sept. 10, 1995, in San Diego, Calif. (Allen Kee via AP)
Seattle Seahawks running back Steve Broussard runs for yardage against the San Diego Chargers during an NFL football game on November 9, 1997 in San Diego, California. The Seahawks won 37-31. (AP Photo/G. Newman Lowrance)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback John Friesz throws a pass against the San Diego Chargers during an NFL football game on October 25, 1998 in San Diego. The Seahawks won 27-20. (AP Photo/G. Newman Lowrance)
Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Cortez Kennedy (96) is seen in action during an NFL game against the San Diego Chargers Sept. 10, 1995, in San Diego, Calif. (Allen Kee via AP)
Seattle Seahawks running back Steve Broussard (31) is seen in action during an NFL game against the San Diego Chargers Oct. 25, 1998, in San Diego. (Allen Kee via AP)
Seattle Seahawks' Derrick Mayes (87) gets a big hug by teammate Sean Dawkins (81) after catching a 14-yard pass from Jon Kitna against the San Diego Chargers for a score in the third quarter in Seattle, Sunday, Dec. 12, 1999. San Diego won the game 19-16. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks receiver Darrell Jackson runs with a reception during a NFL football game against the San Diego Chargers in San Diego on December 30, 2001. Seattle won, 25-22. (AP Photo/G. Newman Lowrance)
29 DEC 2002: Seattle Seahawks Shaun Alexander during a game against the San Diego Chargers on Sunday December 29, 2002, in San Diego , CA. (Photo by Matt A. Brown/Icon Sportswire) (Icon Sportswire via AP Images)
San Diego Chargers receiver Malcom Floyd battles Seattle Seahawks defender Ken Hamlin for a pass in the end zone during first quarter of an NFL preseason football game Saturday, Aug. 26, 2006, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)
Seattle Seahawks' Shaun Alexander (37) runs as San Diego Chargers' Terrence Kiel moves in on a first quarter run in a football game Sunday, Dec. 24, 2006, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks' Shaun Alexander, left, and San Diego Chargers' LaDainian Tomlinson talk after the 20-17 win for the Chargers in a football game in Seattle, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2006. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander runs in untouched past San Diego Chargers' Marlon McCree on a 9-yard touchdown run in the first quarter of a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 26, 2006, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)
A fourth round pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, rookie tight end Scott Chandler #87 of the San Diego Chargers blocks strong safety Michael Boulware #28 of the Seattle Seahawks during the NFL preseason game on August 12, 2007 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. The Seahawks defeated the Chargers 24-16. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
San Diego Chargers wide receiver Charly Martin (13) goes out for a pass during an NFL preseason football game Seattle Seahawks while covered by cornerback Marquis Floyd (29), Saturday, August 15, 2009 in San Diego. The Seahawks won the game 20-14. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
Seattle Seahawks running back Julius Jones (22) breaks away from the tackle of San Diego Chargers' Matt Wilhelm, right, during the first quarter of an NFL preseason football game Monday, Aug. 25, 2008, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
SAN DIEGO - AUGUST 25: Cornerback Marcus Trufant #23 of the Seattle Seahawks breaks up a pass intended for leaping wide receiver Chris Chambers #89 of the San Diego Chargers during the game at Qualcomm Stadium on August 25, 2008 in San Diego, California. The Chargers defeated the Seahawks 18-17. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
Seattle Seahawks running back Robert Turbin (32) leaps over San Diego Chargers cornerback Richard Crawford (35) during the second half of a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
Los Angeles Chargers tight end Antonio Gates (85) hauls in a touchdown pass as Seattle Seahawks defensive back Shaquill Griffin (26) defends during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Aug. 13, 2017, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Seattle Seahawks center Ethan Pocic #79 during an NFL preseason football game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, Aug. 13, 2017 in Carson, Calif. (Ric Tapia via AP)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Cyril Grayson (13) catches the ball as Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Randall Evans (41) defends during the second half of an NFL preseason football game Sunday, Aug. 13, 2017, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
