The New York Giants will travel to Philadelphia for a Week 9 NFC East showdown, creating several interesting fantasy football opportunities on both sides of the ball.
With the Giants coming off their bye week and the Eagles desperate to snap their losing streak, fantasy managers will have some important lineup decisions to make. J.J. McCarthy is coming off an encouraging stretch, while injuries in New York's backfield could create an opportunity for Devin Singletary.
Must-start players in this game include Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers and tight end Isaiah Likely.
Here are five Giants-Eagles players to start or sit in fantasy football for Week 9.
Start: J.J. McCarthy, QB, Giants
McCarthy is worth starting as a QB2 option or streaming candidate this week. In his last two games
of action, he finished as the QB12 and QB23 in weekly fantasy scoring. The numbers don't tell the entire story, however, as McCarthy has displayed impressive downfield accuracy and big-play potential. Philadelphia's pass defense has been vulnerable to explosive plays, giving the young quarterback an opportunity to deliver another productive outing. He's not necessarily a must-start in one-quarterback leagues, but managers needing a quarterback in two-QB formats should give him serious consideration.
Start: Devin Singletary, RB, Giants
Singletary is a low-end RB2 or flex option, particularly if Cam Skattebo is unable to play. Skattebo missed Wednesday's practice with a hamstring injury, leaving Singletary in position for an expanded workload. Tyrone Tracy Jr. is also unavailable, making Singletary the leading candidate to handle the majority of the backfield work if Skattebo sits. Philadelphia's run defense has struggled to consistently contain opposing backs, creating a favorable opportunity. Monitor Skattebo's status before kickoff, but Singletary deserves consideration as a flex with RB2 upside.
Start: Dallas Goedert, TE, Eagles
Goedert is worth keeping in fantasy lineups despite Philadelphia's offensive struggles. The veteran tight end remains a reliable receiving option for the Eagles, particularly with questions surrounding the availability of DeVonta Smith and Dontayvion Wicks. Goedert has a chance to see additional opportunities if Philadelphia's receiving corps is shorthanded. While his recent production hasn't been particularly encouraging, the tight end position remains difficult to navigate, and his involvement in the passing game gives him a reasonable path to fantasy relevance. Consider him a starting option, especially in tight-end premium formats.
Start: Saquon Barkley, RB, Eagles
Barkley hasn't quite looked like himself this season, but he's still difficult to leave on the bench when healthy. The former Giants running back has been dealing with hamstring and back issues, limiting his workload and explosiveness. He recorded 14 touches for 54 total yards and a touchdown in Philadelphia's Week 8 loss to Washington despite playing just 32.4% of the offensive snaps. If active, Barkley is worth deploying as an RB2 based on his talent and scoring potential. Just be sure to monitor his final injury designation before locking him into your lineup.
Sit: Joe Milton, QB, Eagles
Milton has an intriguing fantasy profile thanks to his athleticism, arm strength and ability to create plays outside the pocket. However, this isn't an ideal matchup for his first start. The Giants have been particularly effective against opposing quarterbacks, allowing the second-fewest yards per attempt over their previous five games entering Week 9. Milton also has an extremely limited regular-season sample, making it difficult to project how he'll perform with a full workload. There may be some appeal in deeper two-QB leagues, but fantasy managers should take a wait-and-see approach before trusting him in their lineups.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Giants vs. Eagles: 5 players to start/sit for fantasy football in Week 9
