With Week 9 of the NFL season in full swing, we have multiple high-scoring performances from Thursday night football. With the number of injuries this week, fantasy managers might be tasked with digging deep to find the right starters this week in fantasy football. Last week the start/sit list had a season-low 55% accuracy rate and is looking to get back to the 68% average on the season. Below are my favorite start/sits for Week 9.
For live Start / Sit questions tune into our post on Sunday at 10:00 AM EST on X where we will answer questions up until kickoff
Jump to a Section
Quarterbacks to Start
Matthew Stafford LAR
The Rams finally got healthy on offense, and it led to a 4-touchdown performance from Stafford. Puka Nacua is now a game-time decision after reinjuring his knee at practice, but that should not stop you from starting Stafford this week. The Seahawks have allowed four of the last five quarterbacks they have faced to score over 19.8 points. In four career games against the Seahawks, Stafford has gone over 330 yards twice making the matchup the perfect storm for Stafford to have a big week in fantasy football.
Patrick Mahomes KC
Mahomes was able to top 18 fantasy points for the first time this season in a favorable matchup against the Raiders. This week the Chiefs face the Bucs who are the worst at limiting opposing quarterbacks in fantasy. This season they are allowing quarterbacks to average 23.4 points per game. Despite the passing game struggles, Mahomes has been better as of late suggesting positive regression down the stretch. You can’t afford to leave him on your bench this week.
Sam Darnold MIN
Darnold has one of the highest floors among fantasy quarterbacks throwing for 2 touchdowns in five of seven games this season. The Colts this season have been a favorable matchup for opposing quarterbacks allowing the 12th most fantasy points. Darnold will also be getting T.J. Hockenson back providing him another weapon in the passing game. With a high floor, there is no reason to leave Darnold on your bench this week because he has the potential for a 24+ point performance against the Colts.
Quarterbacks to Sit
Tua Tagovailoa MIA
Tua made his return against the Cardinals last week and finished with 14.7 fantasy points. Since the second half of last season, Tua has struggled in fantasy ranking as the QB23 during that stretch. More notably the Dolphins face the Bills this week, a team Tua and the Dolphins offense has struggled with in the past. Buffalo this season has been the 5th toughest matchup for opposing quarterbacks holding them to 14.4 points per game. In Tua’s career, he has more interceptions (10) than touchdowns (7) against the Bills making him someone you need to leave on your bench.
Justin Herbert LAC
Herbert and the Chargers passing game has been heating up over the last two weeks resulting in a 25.9-point performance last week. Despite the Browns ranking in the middle of the pack against quarterbacks, their play has been trending in the right direction as of late. They lead the NFL in pressure rate and Herbert is currently on track for a career-low completion percentage when under duress. Before his two-week stretch of 20-point outings, Herbert had not topped 15.2 points in a week.
Jared Goff DET
Goff has been on fire lately and recently won NFC Player of the Month for October, thanks to his 8 touchdown passes. With Goff, he has had an extreme split between outdoor and indoor games his whole career. Since joining the Lions in 2021, Goff has averaged 13 points in outdoor games compared to the 18 points he averages inside. This season the Packers are also 9th at limiting opposing quarterbacks to 15.4 points per game providing a tough matchup. It would be wise to sit Goff this week and avoid a letdown performance.
Running backs to Start
Chase Brown CIN
With Zach Moss and Tee Higgins doubtful, the Bengals will be looking for their playmakers to step up against the Raiders. Cincinnati’s backfield has been split this season, trending toward Brown’s way in the last few weeks. With the injury to Moss, it will open up more touches for Brown who has already turned in some good fantasy weeks with low volume. The Raiders have allowed the 9th most rushing yards to opposing running backs this season providing him with the perfect matchup to have a big day.
Rhamondre Stevenson NE
The matchup with the Titans is not what makes Stevenson a “Must Start” this week, it is the increase in snaps. Last week he played a season-high 81% of snaps that resulted in 23 touches and 23 fantasy points. The volume alone is appealing in what should be a low-scoring game between two teams fighting for a higher draft pick. This season the Patriots are 2-1 when Stevenson receivers 20 or more touches. Whether Drake Maye or Jacoby Brissett is at quarterback, expect Stevenson to be the go-to guy for the Patriots on Sunday.
Brian Robinson Jr. WAS
In week 2 against the Giants, Robinson has 17 carries for 133 yards providing another dominant performance over the Commanders division rival. Robinson’s career averages against the Giants are over 100 total yards and a touchdown in five games. He has slowed down after a hot start due to tougher matchups and an injury that has led to a decrease in snaps. The Giants have only held 1 starting running back under 13.1 fantasy points this season, so expect Robinson to get back on track in Week 9.
Running backs to Sit
Javonte Williams DEN
In the perfect matchup against the Panthers, Williams posted a dud in fantasy football finishing with 9.2 PPR points. Williams has been inconsistent this season and this week it becomes even harder to trust him against the Ravens. This season the Ravens are 5th against running backs in fantasy football and are only allowing 69.9 rushing yards per game. In a tough matchup, it is best to leave him on your bench this week.
Travis Etienne and Tank Bigsby JAX
Etienne’s status is trending in the right direction ahead of Sunday’s matchup but will be a gametime decision this week. In his absence, Tank Bigsby has produced with the increase in volume as expected. Whoever the lead back is for Jacksonville this week is in for a tough matchup as the Eagles are only allowing 91.3 total yards to opposing running backs this season. Jacksonville also traded away LT Cam Robinson, potentially hurting the ground game. I would stay away from both Etienne and Bigsby this week.
Rachaad White and Bucky Irving TB
Both Rachaad White and Bucky Irving were effective in their first game without Mike Evans and Chris Godwin last week. The duo totaled 27 touches for 151 yards and a touchdown against the Falcons last week. Despite their impressive performances, they have their toughest matchup of the season against the Chiefs. The Chiefs this season are currently 1st at limiting opposing running backs in fantasy football and have not allowed over 100 total rushing yards since Week 1. Avoid both Buccaneers running backs this week.
Wide Receivers to Start
Josh Downs IND
Downs and the other Colts pass catchers are in for a big week after the switch at quarterback to Joe Flacco. When Flacco has been at quarterback, Downs ranks among the top 15 receivers while increasing his target share to 33.3% with a 79.9% catch rate. This season the Vikings are allowing the most points to opposing receivers providing the perfect matchup. Downs should be started in every format this week.
Courtland Sutton DEN
Four of Sutton’s last six games are over 13.8 points while the other two performances combined for 5.2 points. His inconsistencies this season have been easier to predict this season than other receivers and should be in for a big week against the Ravens. This season the Ravens are allowing the most fantasy points to perimeter receivers including 7 touchdowns. With a potential two-score game, expect Sutton to receive more volume in garbage time as well. Big things are coming for Sutton in Week 9.
Cedric Tillman CLE
Tillman has been one of the hottest names in the fantasy football community over the last two weeks. During that stretch he has 15 catches for 180 yards and 2 touchdowns on 21 targets seamlessly filling in for Amari Cooper. Among Browns receivers he has ranked 2nd in targets and air yards since the trade. The Chargers provide a tough matchup, but Tillman should be in for a good day. He leads all Browns receivers in targets and yards against zone coverage which the Chargers play 80% of the time.
Wide Receivers to Sit
Amari Cooper BUF
Cooper will be a game-time decision with a wrist injury this week but was able to practice later in the week suggesting he will play in Week 9. With Cooper being healthy, he is still adjusting to the Bills offense which resulted in 2 targets last week while playing the 3rd most snaps among their receivers. The Dolphins have been stingy to opposing receivers, ranking 2nd in the NFL at limiting their production. With Cooper’s role still growing in the offense and limited practice time, it would be best not to take the risk of playing him this week.
Zay Flowers BAL
Flowers has been one of the toughest players to read in fantasy football this season with three of his last five games resulting in over 100 receiving yards while the other two resulting in no more than 11 yards. Flowers and the other Ravens pass catchers will always fluctuate their point totals due to the volume on the ground for Baltimore. This week they face Denver who has been the toughest matchup for opposing wide receivers and has one of the best corners in the NFL in Pat Surtain III. Only 1 receiver this season has topped 14.2 points against the Broncos this year and I am not expecting it to be Flowers in Week 9.
Jaylen Waddle MIA
Waddle has failed to score over 8.6 fantasy points since Week 2. Although he was dealing with inept quarterback play during the majority of that stretch, the return of Tua Tagovailoa did not help much. Last week Waddle finished with 4 catches for 45 yards on 6 targets against the Cardinals. This week against the Bills it will be tougher for Waddle to reach double digits as he only has reached double digits twice in six career games against the Bills. Waddle is a FLEX option at best in Week 9.
Tight Ends to Start
Mike Gesicki CIN
As mentioned earlier, the Bengals will likely be without Tee Higgins against the Raiders this week. Gesicki has been a different player with and without Higgins this season. Without Higgins in the lineup, he is averaging over 10 fantasy points per game and with Higgins in the lineup, his highest point total was 5. I expect the trend to continue in Week 9 and Gesicki turns in another 10-point outing as the 2nd option in the Bengals passing game.
Jake Ferguson DAL
In the last two weeks, Ferguson has combined for 12.4 points while other tight ends have had big days leaving his owners with a sour taste in their mouths. This week against the Falcons will be a bounce-back week for him and the Cowboys offense in a likely shootout. The Falcons just gave up 29.1 points to Cade Otton resulting in a big day and have allowed multiple tight ends to go over 12 points this season. Keep Ferguson in your lineups this week and he will reward you with double-digit points.
Sam LaPorta DET
Without Jameson Williams, I expected LaPorta’s target share to increase and saw a season-high 6 targets. Without Williams again, I think it is safe to trust LaPorta despite a tough matchup against the Packers. The Packers will be stacking the box to stop David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs providing LaPorta with 1 on 1 coverage. If he produces again this week it will be a good opportunity to sell high before Williams returns from his suspension.
Tight Ends to Sit
Cole Kmet CHI
Kmet has been the biggest boom-or-bust option at tight end this season with 2 performances over 24 points and no other performances over 9 points. More concerningly with Kmet is that his Snap share and routes run decreased after the bye week while increasing for the other tight ends. The Cardinals have been stingy against tight ends this season only allowing 1 touchdown catch. It is smart to leave Kmet on your bench this week.
Zach Ertz WAS
Ertz has three straight weeks over 10 fantasy points and is coming off his best game of the season with 14.7 points. The veteran tight end has been a reliable target in the Commanders passing game averaging over 5 targets per game. The Giants provide a tough matchup this week only allowing two tight ends to score over 6.9 points. Although Ertz was one of those tight ends, it is smart to leave him on your bench in Week 9.
Tucker Kraft GB
Kraft has been one of the best pickups off of waivers this season scoring 12 or more points in four of his last five games. I’m bullish about Kraft’s outlook in Week 9 despite his success this season. Jordan Love is likely going to give it a go despite the injury, potentially hurting the Packers passing attack. The Lions this season have been one of the best against tight ends by not allowing one to surpass 10.7 points in a game. Although some teams can’t afford to bench Kraft, I would start Gesicki and other streamer options over him this week.
Kickers to Start
Blake Grupe NO
Grupe comes into the week as the 11th ranked kicker on the season and needs to be started in Week 9. The Panthers this season are allowing opposing kickers to average 10.8 points per game against them. On top of a good matchup, the Saints get Derek Carr back at quarterback which will improve the offense.
Tyler Bass BUF
Bass has had a rocky year and a half now in fantasy which has made him only rostered in 25% of league despite being on one of the best offenses in the league. This week against the Dolphins, he is worth streaming as they are allowing 10.4 points per game to opposing kickers.
Cairo Santos CHI
Santos has not kicked over 2 field goals in a game since Week 3 against the Colts resulting in him being the 27th ranked kicker in fantasy football. This has resulted in Santos scoring only 10 points twice this season but should add his 3rd 10-point outing against the Cardinals in Week 9.
Kickers to Sit
Jake Bates DET
Bates has been on fire since the bye week averaging over 13 points a game in his last three games. This week against the Packers, I would advise against starting Bates. The Packers are the 6th hardest matchup for opposing kickers, allowing only 6.8 points per game to the position.
Dustin Hopkins CLE
Hopkins and other Browns players were revived in fantasy football after Jameis Winston’s first start of the season. Hopkins finished with 12 points last week but should be in for a down week against the Chargers. The Chargers this season are only allowing 5.4 points per game to kickers which is the 2nd best in the NFL.
DEF to Start
Cincinnati Bengals DEF
After a two week stretch of scoring 22 fantasy points, the Bengals took a step back against the Eagles scoring -4 fantasy points last week. The Bengals defense will get back on track this week against the 2nd friendliest matchup for opposing defenses in the Raiders. On the season the Raiders are allowing an average of 11.4 points per game to opposing defenses.
New Orleans Saints DEF
The Saints will be facing the Panthers with Bryce Young at quarterback and no Diontae Johnson at receiver. Despite their struggles as of late, the matchup is too good to ignore. The Saints are allowing defenses to score an average of 8.4 points per game and expect the Saints to exceed that number in Week 9.
Washington Commanders DEF
The Commanders defense the last few weeks has been much better than they were to start the season. Last week we saw them hold Caleb Williams under 100 yards heading into the 4th quarter and held the Bears to 15 points. This week they face the Giants who have only scored over 20 points twice this season. Expect big things from the Commanders defense this week.
DEF to Sit
Detroit Lions DEF
The Lions are currently ranked 9th among defenses this season and have two 10-point performances after Aidan Hutchinson’s injury. Despite their hot start to the season, they face the Packers who are allowing an average of 4.9 points per game to opposing defenses. Avoid starting Detroit in this one.
Denver Broncos DEF
The Broncos have their toughest matchup of the season this week against the Ravens who are currently the toughest matchup for opposing defenses in fantasy football this season. Despite the Broncos top defensive ranking, the Ravens allow opposing defenses to score 1.6 points per game. Sit the Broncos defense in Week 9.
[…] has become our favorite streamer of the week, making his way onto the start and sit list despite being owned in less than 25% of […]
[…] 5 catches for 100 yards and 2 touchdowns on 6 targets. I mentioned earlier this week the splits Gesicki has with/without Higgins this season and he is averaging north of 12 points per game without him. With the uncertainty […]