Chargers vs Dolphins: Mike Wallace fantasy outlook in Week 9

The Miami Dolphins will host the San Diego Chargers Sunday afternoon in a Week 9 matchup with a ton of playoff implications. If the Dolphins are going to come out of this game with their third straight win, while handing San Diego their third straight loss, the offense is going to have to play better than it did last week against the Jacksonville Jaguars, especially in the first half when the Miami offense could barely stay on the field and never really moved the ball.

Key to the offense being able to move the ball, and put up points, will be wide receiver Mike Wallace, who leads the team in every major wide receiver category. Wallace this week expressed his frustration of the lack of big plays from the offense, a frustration that seemed to be understood by head coach Joe Philbin and wide receiver Ryan Tannehill. Wallace, who came to Miami as a deep threat, able to burn the top off a defense on every play, has turned into an all around receiver. That does not change how he wants to be used, a usage briefly seen last week when Tannehill found Wallace for a 50-yard pass, the longest play from scrimmage for Miami this year.

Will the Dolphins look to continue that long ball threat this week?

If they do, it could be a big boon from a fantasy football perspective. San Diego is right in the middle of the league in terms of fantasy points allowed to receivers. This could be a week for Wallace to break out, especially if Tannehill continues to target Wallace at nearly a 2-to-1 ratio compared to any other receiver. Wallace has scored a touchdown in every game this season, except Week 3 against the Kansas City Chiefs and last week against the Jaguars.

Wallace is a difficult fantasy player to predict this season. He's one game, one play, away from winning the week for a fantasy team. He could also disappear and give you just 59 yards on two receptions. This week, Miami should be looking to get the ball into his hands early and often, using his playmaking ability to help the team handle a competitor in the AFC Wildcard hunt. That should result in at least a decent handful of fantasy points, in a week where multiple teams are on a bye, and could be worth starting.

I would predict 70 yards with a touchdown for Wallace, somewhere around 10 points depending on how your league is scored. It's probably not going to be a huge day for Wallace (though that is always a possibility with his speed), but it will be a solid day and give you decent points, especially if you need a bye week replacement. Wallace should be a consideration; he may be a high risk-high reward option.

Editor's Note: FanDuel is hosting a $500,000 one-week fantasy football league this weekend. It's $10 to join and first place wins $40,000. League starts Sunday 1 PM ET and ends on Monday night. Here's the link.