Fantasy Football Week 9: Choosing Between Jordan Mason and Aaron Jones Sr. for Your Starting Lineup
As Fantasy Football Week 9 approaches, managers face a tough decision between selecting Jordan Mason or Aaron Jones Sr. for their starting lineup. Both running backs represent the Minnesota Vikings, who have been navigating a challenging offensive landscape.
Aaron Jones Sr. Overview
Aaron Jones Sr. recently returned from a four-game stint on injured reserve but showed signs of rust in his debut against the Los Angeles Chargers. He played 53% of the snaps, recording only nine opportunities for a total of 30 yards.
- Age: 30 years
- Yards per carry: 3.4
- Targets vs. Chargers: 4 (3 catches, 24 yards)
Despite his nominal starting role, the backfield remains a committee approach. Jones’ struggles to generate explosive plays have further complicated his fantasy outlook.
Jordan Mason Performance Analysis
Jordan Mason, while having a diminished role since Jones’ return, has overall performed better statistically this season. He boasts an average of 4.4 yards per carry, which is significantly higher than Jones’ efficiency.
- Worst performance this season in Week 8: 6 yards on 5 touches
- Season total: 383 rushing yards, 4 touchdowns
- First-down rate: 28.4% (11th among NFL running backs)
Despite a drop in snaps to 17 in Week 8, Mason remains a powerful downhill runner, critical for short-yardage situations.
Matchup Against the Detroit Lions
The upcoming game against the Detroit Lions poses challenges for both running backs. The Lions have a strong pass-funnel defense, allowing fewer points to running backs but more to receivers. The game script heavily favors Detroit, as they enter as 8.5-point favorites.
Given that Minnesota has lost three of its last four games, they may find themselves trailing, resulting in fewer rushing opportunities for both players. The Lions have also dominated this NFC North rivalry, winning their last five meetings against the Vikings.
Start/Sit Recommendations
When deciding between Mason and Jones, Jones may have the edge due to his pass-catching abilities. However, both players come with low ceilings this week, making them risky fantasy choices.
Targeting efficiency and potential game flow could be crucial in making a decision. Managers should carefully consider the implications of this challenging matchup as they finalize their lineups.
