Fantasy Football Week 9 Start or Sit: Alex Smith

By Brandon Raper @Brandon__Raper on October 30, 2014

As you prepare your fantasy football lineup for Week 9, the big bye weeks are sure to be taking a toll on your team, especially at the quarterback position. With big names like Matt Ryan, Jay Cutler, Matthew Stafford, and Aaron Rodgers riding pine, you could easily be in a tight spot for a passer. With a matchup against the New York Jets looming, could Alex Smith be your answer?

There are a lot of good things working for the Kansas City Chiefs’ signal caller right now, not the least of which is the Jets absolutely terrible secondary. In each of the last four weeks, the Jets have given up at least three scores through the air, including four last week to Kyle Orton and the Buffalo Bills. Think about that. It’s one thing when guys like Philip Rivers, Peyton Manning and Tom Brady are abusing your defense, but Orton and the Bills aren’t exactly known as aerial juggernauts.

Although Smith and the Chiefs don’t generally make their name with the passing game either, there are few matchups you like better than this, especially if you’re just looking for a one-week streaming option.

Everybody knows that the Kansas City offense feeds through Jamaal Charles, but considering the relative lack of production from the Chiefs’ receivers, Charles and TE Travis Kelce should get plenty of room to work. Dwayne Bowe appears to be on the rise again, and considering the general injury woes of the Chiefs’ receiving corps, he could be in line for a throwback to the years when he was a fantasy stud.

As you gear up for the playoff run, it’s time for you to be honest with yourself about your lineup. Alex Smith isn’t going to be a top-ten fantasy QB anytime soon, but if you’re wondering whether to plug him in for Week 9, you’re not comparing him to the upper echelon of guys who are playing this weekend. This one is all about the matchup, and that means that if you’ve got to roll the dice, you could do a whole lot worse than Smith. Start him and cross your fingers.

Brandon Raper is the lead golf writer and an NFL contributor for Rant Sports. “Like” him on Facebook, follow him on Twitter @Brandon__Raper, and join him on Google+.