Fantasy Football Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em Week 9
Welcome to our Fantasy Football Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em Week 9! Whether you’re looking to maximize matchups or avoid pitfalls, this week’s list has you covered. From quarterbacks in high-stakes showdowns to running backs poised for big performances, each call here is geared to keep your fantasy team competitive.
Subsequently, our Fantasy Football Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em Week 8 will help you navigate that turbulence to pick a winning lineup this week. Additionally, FullTime Fantasy has some of the top tools of the trade and accurate rankings.
Quarterbacks
Start ‘Em
Kirk Cousins, Atlanta Falcons vs. Dallas Cowboys
Kirk Cousins has been a bit of a roller coaster for fantasy managers this season. His performance has been inconsistent with three games inside the top-10 but five outside the top-20. His Pro Football Focus passing grade isn’t quite where it used to be, but he remains among the league’s top 12 quarterbacks. For a passer like Cousins, who’s effective but doesn’t rely on his legs, the key to a top-12 fantasy finish is all about multiple touchdowns. If he can score twice, he’s likely to give you a strong finish. Facing a Dallas defense that has given up the sixth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks, Cousins has a great chance. The Cowboys have allowed six passing touchdowns over the past three games, and their secondary is banged up, with cornerbacks DaRon Bland and Trevon Diggs missing practices early in the week. The odds favor Cousins reaching pay dirt more than once, so he’s a smart start.
Matthew Stafford, LA Rams vs. Seattle Seahawks
Matthew Stafford is heating up after putting up over 32 fantasy points in Week 8 against the Vikings. With both Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp on the field, Stafford’s ceiling is notably higher. Now he gets the Seahawks, who have allowed four of their past five opposing quarterbacks to score at least 23 fantasy points. Given the matchup, Stafford looks like a solid top-10 option this week.
Sit ‘Em
Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Mayfield’s value took a hit with key receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin sidelined due to injuries. Although he compensated last week with 50 passing attempts, his Week 9 matchup against Kansas City is tough. The Chiefs haven’t allowed a single quarterback to throw three touchdowns in a game this season, making Mayfield a risky start.
Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins vs. Buffalo Bills
Tagovailoa was decent in his Week 8 return but only managed 16 fantasy points. He now faces a Buffalo defense that has kept him under 16 fantasy points in five of his last six matchups. The Bills rank sixth in limiting fantasy points to quarterbacks, making Tagovailoa a tough start this week.
Running Backs
Start ‘Em
Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans vs. New England Patriots
Pollard has been a reliable fantasy option, securing top-20 finishes in five games this season, even when Tyjae Spears has been active. The only time Pollard fell out of that range was when the Titans were down by a wide margin, yet he still managed some production in recent outings. The Patriots have been a favorable matchup for running backs, ranking fourth in ease of production allowed. Pollard did appear on the injury report with a foot issue this week, so if he sits, Spears could step into a significant role.
D’Andre Swift, Chicago Bears vs. Arizona Cardinals
Swift exploded last week with a season-high 129 yards and a touchdown, running for a solid 73% of Chicago’s offensive snaps. Now he faces the Arizona Cardinals, who have allowed the fifth-most rushing yards to running backs and are missing tackles at a league-high rate. With Swift thriving on yards after contact, this matchup seems tailor-made for him to deliver.
Sit ‘Em
Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos vs. Baltimore Ravens
has established himself as the Broncos’ lead back, but he hasn’t been productive in games where Denver trails. This week, the Broncos are heavy underdogs to the Baltimore Ravens, who allow just 3.3 yards per carry. It’s hard to envision Williams finding much success against Baltimore’s stout run defense, making him a sit candidate.
Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Chubb showed improvement in Week 8 but still hasn’t fully shaken off the rust from his injury. Facing the Chargers, who rank sixth in fewest rushing yards allowed to running backs, makes Chubb a risky play. Once he’s back to full form, he’ll be a stronger start, but patience is key here.
Wide Receivers
Start ‘Em
Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts vs. Minnesota Vikings
Downs has been one of the most consistent fantasy receivers, with nine receptions in four of his last five games and 60+ yards in those games, finding the end zone in three of them. His productivity has been steady when Gardner Minshew is under center. With a matchup against the Vikings, who have allowed the most fantasy points to wide receivers, Downs looks primed for a strong outing. Despite nursing a toe injury, Downs has played well through it, making him a start-worthy option in Week 9.
Courtland Sutton, Denver Broncos vs. Baltimore Ravens
Sutton is coming off a productive Week 8, where he caught eight passes for 100 yards on 11 targets. He’s had at least six targets in five games this season, converting them into 13.8+ PPR points in four games. Baltimore has allowed seven receivers to reach at least 12.9 PPR points over their last four games, making Sutton a solid WR2 option for Week 9.
Sit ‘Em
Keenan Allen, Chicago Bears vs. Arizona Cardinals
Allen has struggled to produce in the Bears’ offense, with only one top-10 fantasy finish. Facing a Cardinals team that’s been solid against slot receivers, Allen might have a tough time making an impact, especially given the Bears’ inconsistency in the passing game.
Zay Flowers, Baltimore Ravens vs. Denver Broncos
Flowers faces a tough matchup against Denver, especially if Patrick Surtain II shadows him. Top receivers like DK Metcalf and George Pickens have struggled against Surtain. If Diontae Johnson plays, it could further limit Flowers’ opportunities, making him a risky start in Week 9.
Tight Ends
Start ‘Em
Cade Otton, Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Otton has quickly become a fantasy favorite, especially with Tampa Bay’s top two receivers sidelined. He’s now seen back-to-back games with 10 targets, scoring 18 and 29.1 fantasy points in those contests. The Chiefs allow the most fantasy points to tight ends, making this a promising opportunity for Otton to extend his hot streak.
Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions vs. Green Bay Packers
LaPorta’s season has had ups and downs, but he’s coming off a solid game with six catches and a touchdown against a decent Titans defense. This week, he gets the Packers, who have allowed five of their past six opposing tight ends to put up 12 or more PPR points. LaPorta is a great start if you’re looking to capitalize on matchups.
Sit ‘Em
Zach Ertz, Washington Commanders vs. New York Giants
Ertz has hit double-digit PPR points in three straight games, but this week’s matchup against the Giants is tricky. New York allows the fourth-fewest fantasy points to tight ends and has improved in secondary coverage since the beginning of the season. Expect fewer snaps for Ertz in a game where Washington might rely on more run-heavy sets.
Hunter Henry, New England Patriots vs. Tennessee Titans
