DFS: Week 9 NFL Combo Plays

The Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens, Detroit Lions, Houston Texans, Kansas City Chiefs, Seattle Seahawks, Cleveland Browns, and Cincinnati Bengals are all removed from the main DFS slate in Week 9.

Daily fantasy owners can shift focus to the Buffalo Bills, Jacksonville Jaguars, Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Redskins, who all return from byes of their own in Week 8. The New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins also return to the main slate, after playing in Week 8's Thursday Night game.

Here are the safest combo plays to deploy in Week 9:

Tom Brady and Julian Edelman, Patriots (vs. Redskins)

Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski, Patriots (vs. Redskins)

Eli Manning and Odell Beckham Jr., Giants (at Buccaneers)

With the Browns playing Thursday night, and with quarterback Josh McCown (ribs) ruled out, the DFS world is robbed of the famed McCown - Gary Barndige combo play. Week 8's rash of injuries also included San Diego Chargers WR Keenan Allen. Someone else will have an opportunity with the league's leading passer in QB Philip Rivers.

Here are the riskier combo plays to target in Week 9's GPPs:

Ben Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown, Steelers (vs. Raiders)

Roethlisberger's return to the Steelers' lineup did not go according to plan in Week 8. Not only did the Steelers lose RB Le'Veon Bell (knee) for the remainder of the season, but they lost a pivotal game to a division rival. It was a lousy performance for Big Ben, as he went 28-for-45 for 262 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions against the Bengals.

The return of Roethlisberger also brought about the resurfacing of Antonio Brown. The star wideout - who scored a touchdown in each of the first two games of the season - didn't catch a single TD pass in four-plus weeks with QBs Mike Vick and Landry Jones under center. He finished Week 8 with six receptions on 11 targets for 47 yards and his third touchdown of the season.

The Raiders have allowed 13 passing touchdowns this season. According to FootballOutsiders.com, they've also allowed an average of 11.4 targets and 80.6 yards to No. 1 receivers.

Las Vegas has Pittsburgh projected to score in the neighborhood of 26 points as a home favorite. Roethlisberger and Brown will need to perform if the Steelers are to have their needed bounce-back game.

Matt Ryan and Julio Jones, Falcons (at 49ers)

Despite the Falcons being dealt their second loss of the season by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 8, Ryan had his best statistical performance of 2015. Jones had his best game since Week 3, as he caught 12 of 13 targets for 162 yards and a touchdown.

With the 49ers rolling out the following starters at the skilled positions Sunday, there is some fear Ryan and Jones could have their work limited:

QB	RB	WR1	WR2	TE
Blaine Gabbert	Kendall Gaskins	Torrey Smith	Quinton Patton	Vance McDonald

This game has RB Devonta Freeman written all over it. His abilities as a runner could put this away on his own. The Falcons' turnover issues of late have allowed (bad) teams to stay within striking distance on the scoreboard, and even Gabbert isn't a safe foe for the Falcons' pass defense at this point.

Ryan and Jones will have plenty of upside against the weak 49ers' secondary. Just beware of the game flow.

Tyrod Taylor and Sammy Watkins, Bills (vs. Dolphins)

Watkins left practice Friday, and he's officially considered questionable going into Sunday. Be sure to monitor his status.

Watkins caught one of two targets for 39 yards before leaving the Week 3 game against the Dolphins with an ankle injury. Taylor was able to go 21-for-29 for 277 yards and three touchdowns (zero interceptions) without his No. 1 receiver for most of the game. Both players have missed time of late due to injuries, and Watkins hasn't been quite right since that Week 3 game.

The two are expected to be fully available for Week 9. The timing couldn't get much better as the Dolphins have allowed an average of 8.2 targets and 81.6 yards to No. 1 receivers this season. They've also allowed 15 passing touchdowns through seven games - the fourth-worst total in the league.