Fantasy Football: Jeremy Hill, Philip Rivers Among Week 9 Studs, Duds

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The unpredictable NFL has struck yet again.

With more than half the season in the books, you thought you had it figured out. DeMarco Murray was a lock for 100 yards and a touchdown every game, Philip Rivers was good for 20 fantasy points a week and Jerick McKinnon was the back of the future in Minnesota.

Then Week 9 rolls around, and Ryan Tannehill and Jeremy Hill are two of the top scorers in fantasy.

It was one of those weeks on the fantasy front, as the points seemed to come from unexpected places. While Murray was held to under 100 yards rushing for the first time this season, Hill and Matt Asiata were racking up the points despite less-than-ideal matchups. Tannehill, meanwhile, delivered some fireworks while Rivers was a complete disaster on the other side of the ball.

It was an eventful week in the ever-changing world of fantasy football. Let’s take a look at some of the best and the worst in Week 9.

STUDS
Ryan Tannehill, Quarterback, Miami Dolphins: Is Ryan Tannehill really a legitimate fantasy quarterback? He certainly played like one Sunday, throwing for 288 yards and three touchdowns for his best output of the season. Not bad for a guy whose job was in jeopardy earlier this season.

Jeremy Hill, Running Back, Cincinnati Bengals: Hill took a good matchup and turned it into an awesome performance, rumbling for 154 yards and two touchdowns in Giovani Bernard’s absence to lead all running backs in fantasy scoring. Keep an eye on Hill going forward, even when Gio comes back.

Julian Edelman, Wide Receiver, New England Patriots: So much for that lack of production. Edelman escaped from fantasy purgatory to drop 89 receiving yards and a touchdown on the Broncos and added a highlight-reel punt return TD to earn his best fantasy performance of the 2014.

Mike Evans, Wide Receiver, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Evans would like you to know that Sammy Watkins isn’t the only rookie wideout with serious skills. Catching seven balls for 154 yards and two touchdowns should help. Expect a lot more of this from Evans in the future.

Miami Dolphins defense: It takes a lot to get a defense on here, but 52 points in two weeks should do it. A week after racking up 29 fantasy points against the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Dolphins posted 22 points in a 37-0 blanking of the San Diego Chargers. If you’re in need of a defense, look no further.

DUDS
Philip Rivers, Quarterback, San Diego Chargers: The victim of Miami’s defensive onslaught? This guy. Rivers threw for a season-low 138 yards and three interceptions and lost a fumble before leaving in the third quarter with a hand injury. Rivers could use the bye week to forget about this one.

Jerick McKinnon, Running Back, Minnesota Vikings: McKinnon owners aren’t too happy with Matt Asiata right now. The Vikings’ backup bruiser poached three touchdowns from McKinnon on Sunday, leaving the talented back with just 54 rushing yards and zero scores.

Branden Oliver, Running Back, Chargers: We might have seen the last of Darren Sproles 2.0. Oliver mustered just 26 total yards and no touchdowns Sunday, and starter Ryan Mathews is expected to return following the team’s Week 10 bye. Hey, it was good while it lasted.

Ben Tate, Running Back, Cleveland Browns: Tate is one of the most frustrating players in fantasy. His rushing totals have decreased every week since he returned from injury in Week 5, culminating with his three-yards-on-10-carries clunker Sunday. We might be seeing a lot more of Terrance West going forward.

Andre Johnson, Wide Receiver, Houston Texans: The Texans’ top receiver going against the Philadelphia Eagles’ leaky pass defense. Seems like a no-brainer, right? It does, until Johnson catches just two balls for 12 yards in a 31-21 loss. Guess that’s why they play the games.

Have a fantasy/NFL question for Darren? Send it to him via Twitter at @darren_hartwell

Thumbnail photo via Aaron Doster/USA TODAY Sports Images