The Green Bay Packers (5-1) will host the Carolina Panthers (4-4) in Week 9. Here’s the latest fantasy football news and advice to help you with your lineups this week and moving forward, specifically regarding WR Matthew Golden.
Is Golden Playing in Week 9?
Golden is not on the injury report and, barring a surprise, he is expected to play.
We’ll continue to monitor the Packers’ injury report leading up to kickoff for any changes. You can also visit and bookmark our Fantasy News Tracker for the latest updates.
Should You Start or Sit Golden in Week 9?
I hate to say it.
I don’t want to say it.
You can’t make me say it.
But I have to say it because you, the people, deserve my honest thoughts.
Matthew Golden can be dropped.
This isn’t because he turned three catches into four yards last week or that he went through October without seeing an end zone target; it’s because I see a white flag being raised by this offense.
Initially, he was drafted for his big-play potential. The blinding speed was an asset that this offense was going to use to offset a traditional run game to put the opposition in a bind.
That idea made sense, but they never fully committed. And now, with Christian Watson back, where does Golden go?
He’s finished consecutive games with a sub-four-yard aDOT, and that feels forced. They are trying to get him in space, but this isn’t what he excels at, and asking him to make a change like that midseason of his rookie year smells more like desperation than seeing a pathway to success.
Oh, and Jayden Reed will return at some point, the king of short targets in Green Bay these days.
I’m sure that Golden will have a few chunk plays over the next two months. Heck, we might see one on Sunday. My larger point is that I believe we’ve reached a point of no return. At no point am I going to feel comfortable starting Golden this season (barring a bunch of injuries ahead of him), and for me, that puts you on the drop list.
I’m not suggesting you drop him for a backup kicker, but I think you understand what I’m saying. This is a profile filled with red flags and a player without a path to correcting them in the short term.
Are you looking for start/sit advice for other players in your lineup? Read our Fantasy Football Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Cheat Sheet.
Golden’s Fantasy Points Projection in Week 9
Golden is projected to score 10.7 fantasy points in PPR formats.
We project Golden to have 3 receptions for 50 yards and 0.5 touchdowns.
Check out the free PFSN Fantasy Start-Sit Optimizer for the latest projections and advice for your lineups this week.
Week 9 Weather Impact: Panthers at Packers
The forecast for kickoff is 46 degrees Fahrenheit with 11 mph winds. These are ideal conditions for fantasy production.
