Week 9 is here and with it you likely have some lineup choices to make which may be more difficult than what old guy you wanted to vote for earlier this week. We have some new COVID cases popping up this week so be sure to monitor your players to make sure their games are on and look for opportunities if you are in need of a spot starter. This week the Bengals, Browns, Eagles, and Rams are on a bye. As a reminder, in this fantasy football start sit article, we will be looking at players on the fringes at QB1, RB2 and WR2 in typical PPR fantasy leagues to help you win your matchup(s) this week.
Presenting your Week 9 starts and sits.
Week 9 Fantasy Football Start/Sit
Quarterbacks | Fantasy Football Start/Sit
Start: Cam Newton at Jets
Despite a costly fumble last week that cost the Patriots a chance to at least tie the Bills late in the fourth quarter, Cam Newton put up 18.3 fantasy points, which was good for QB12 on the week. With that effort, he has been a QB1 in four out of the six games he has played this year. The problem is that when he has been bad, he has been really bad, with two QB28 duds thrown in. This week, he gets a matchup against the Jets in prime time, and it is a perfect get-right spot for the Patriots. The Jets give up 21.4 fantasy points per game (fppg) to opposing QBs and Cam should be good for at least that number, as he adds a nice floor with his legs as well.
Start: Derek Carr at Chargers
Coming off of his worst game of the season, you may be wondering if I have spent the last three days on my couch watching nonstop election coverage, kind of true, but the weather in Cleveland was terrible last week. Prior to that, Derek Carr had two QB1 performances against a couple of tough passing defenses. This week, he gets a matchup against the Chargers, who are giving up 23.2 fppg to QBs and just last week allowed Drew Lock to throw for three TDs against them. If you are in a pinch at QB, Carr in sunny LA will put up QB1 numbers.
Sit: Ryan Tannehill vs. Bears
Ryan Tannehill draws a tough matchup this week against the Bears, who are giving up only 15.5 fppg to opposing QBs. While Tannehill has thrown multiple TDs in all but one game this year, he has only gone over 300 yards passing twice and has thrown for 249 yards or less in his other five games, resulting in QB1 performances in only three of seven games this season. The Bears defense is easier to run on than pass, and the Titans would like to feed Derrick Henry. Tannehill may get multiple passing TDs, but his passing yardage will not be enough to finish as a QB1 this week.
Sit: Teddy Bridgewater at Chiefs
Last week in our Start/Sit livestream, I mentioned that Teddy Bridgewater has been up and down this season, but that he was predictable, as he has done well in good matchups and not been worthy of a start in tough matchups. He then proceeded to put up only 13 fantasy points, which was the first time an opposing QB did not put up at least 20 on the Falcons. The Chiefs qualify as a tough defense, as they give up only 16.3 fppg to opposing QBs. Leave Bridgewater on your bench this week.
Check out our Week 9 Fantasy Football Rankings, including scoring settings for PPR and half PPR leagues! Ranking are updated throughout the week.
Running Backs | Fantasy Football Start/Sit
Start: JaMycal Hasty vs. Packers
On the injury-decimated 49ers squad, it looks like JaMycal Hasty and Jerick McKinnon will be the last two standing for their dream Thursday night matchup against the Packers. Last week, Hasty handled 12 carries compared to McKinnon’s three, although McKinnon had more receptions, by a four to one margin. I would expect that Hasty will get at least 20 touches in this game against the Packers, who are giving up 29.2 fppg to opposing RBs. With that, he will return value as an RB2.
Start: Damien Harris at Jets
Damien Harris is coming off his best game as a pro last week, where he carried the ball16 times for 102 yards and a TD. This week, he faces the lowly Jets, who are giving up 20.3 fppg to opposing RBs. While there is risk that Bill Belichick may decide that this is the week for Rex Burkhead to be the featured back, it does look like Harris has solidified a role with 11 or more touches in three of the Patriots last four games. He makes for a solid RB2 start based on the matchup.
Sit: Jonathan Taylor vs. Ravens
Coming off a game where he was out-touched by Jordan Wilkins 21 to 13, Jonathan Taylor is a sit candidate. After the game, it was revealed that he had tweaked his ankle, but he was back at practice on Wednesday, so it sounds like it is not very serious. In addition to his decreased role last week, he also has to face the Ravens, who are giving up only 13.4 fppg to opposing RBs. This week, he is better left on benches and makes for a good buy-low target, with the Colts favorable remaining schedule of soft run Ds.
Sit: Ronald Jones II vs. Saints
It’s been two straight weeks now Ronald Jones II has been out-touched by Leonard Fournette, and it looks like, as predicted, he is being relegated to a lesser role. With 14 touches two weeks ago and 11 last week, he is trending in the wrong direction for fantasy owners. This week, the Bucs have a matchup against the Saints, who are allowing 14.9 fppg to opposing RBs. With his lesser role and tough matchup, he is best left on your bench this week.
Wide Receivers| Fantasy Football Start/Sit
Start: Brandin Cooks at Jaguars
Ever since Romeo Crennel replaced Bill O’Brien, the Texans have included Brandin Cooks in the game plan. It all started with an eight-catch, 161-yard and a TD game against these very Jaguars. He followed that up with back-to-back nine-target games, catching nine for 68 yards and a TD and following that up with seven catches for 60 yards before the bye week. With Deshaun Watson throwing for 300+ yards and multiple TDs over the last four games, he is making both Will Fuller and Brandin Cooks weekly starts.
Cooks will be a WR2 with upside for more this week.
Start: Antonio Brown vs. Saints
Chris Godwin is likely out this week with his injured finger, as the Buccaneers are eyeing a playoff run and they have no reason to bring him back before it is fully healed. Here is something I did not think I would say again; Antonio Brown is a start in fantasy football. The last game Brown played, and his first with Tom Brady, he caught 4-of-8 targets for 56 yards and a TD. With a matchup against the Saints, who are giving up 27.8 fppg to opposing WRs, Brown is a WR2 this week.
Sit: All Cowboy WRs vs. Steelers
With the Cowboys turning to either Garrett Gilbert or Cooper Rush this week behind their banged up offensive line against the unbeaten Steelers, this is not the week to start any Cowboys receivers. Amari Cooper and CeeDee Lamb both belong on your bench this week and, if you by chance are still holding onto Michael Gallup, he is likely not worth the roster spot at this point, except in dynasty leagues or the deepest of redraft leagues. This one will get ugly.
Sit: DeVante Parker at Cardinals
Last week, DeVante Parker was in this same spot and only had one reception for three yards, but at least it was for a TD. This week, he has another tough individual matchup with Patrick Peterson, and he has yet to show any real rapport with Tua Tagovailoa. The combination of these two factors make Parker more of a WR3 this week with a lower floor than you would like and not a terribly high ceiling either. Leave Parker on your bench this week, unless you are in a pinch.
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