Starts and Sits: Week 9

By Bob Miller and Joe Goodwin

Week 9 Bye Week Teams:

Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, New York Giants, San Francisco 49ers, Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns

Los Angeles Chargers at Atlanta Falcons (1:00pm)

Start: Justin Herbert, Josh Palmer, Gerald Everett, Austin Ekeler, Marcus Mariota, Cordarrelle Patterson, Tyler Allgeier, Kyle Pitts, Drake London

Sit: Mike Williams (injury), Keenan Allen (injury), Caleb Huntley

I have one of those suspicions that this will turn out to be a high scoring game.  No Mike Williams.  No Keenan Allen.  And yet, I believe this game will still demonstrate how deep this Chargers offense can be when Justin Herbert is at the helm. Herbert has “do-it-all” weapon on Austin Ekeler and it would appear Josh Palmer and Gerald Everett will inherit the largest portion of passing targets.  The Falcons just keep moving along.  It doesn’t always look pretty, but they do put up some fantasy numbers.  Even though Caleb Huntley has been nibbling at Tyler Allgeier’s touches, it's evident that Tyler is the lead back and he should be started.  The passing game can be inconsistent, but I support the starts of Drake London and Kyle Pitts due to my feeling of a high scoring game and the sub-par play of the Chargers secondary in recent games.

UPDATE: Cordarrelle Patterson has been activated from the IR and will play Sunday vs Los Angeles.

Miami Dolphins at Chicago Bears (1:00pm)

Start: Tua Tagovailoa, Raheem Mostert, Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Mike Gesicki, Justin Fields, Khalil Herbert, David Montgomery

Sit: Jeff Wilson, Darnell Mooney, Chase Claypool

This matchup is a contrast in every way. The Dolphins are going to throw the ball around as Tua Tagovailoa leads the league in QB rating, and Tyreek Hill leads the league in receiving yards. Jaylen Waddle is a weekly WR1 as well. I view Raheem Mostert as a low-end RB2, and Mike Gesicki as a low-end TE1. Darnell Mooney is a WR3 for me this week. Play him if you need him. I really like what I'm seeing out of Justin Fields lately. In fact, since Week 5, Fields has been the overall QB2 in fantasy. He will be another strong start this week.

Carolina Panthers at Cincinnati Bengals (1:00pm)

Start: PJ Walker, D’Onta Foreman, DJ Moore, Joe Burrow, Joe Mixon, Tee Higgins, Tyler Boyd, Hayden Hurst

Sit: Chubba Hubbard, Terrace Marshall

You're almost starting everyone in this game. PJ Walker is a QB2 with upside this week. Fire him up if you need a bye week QB or a QB2 in Superflex. D’Onta Foreman is Carolina’s best RB, as he showed last week by putting up over 30 fantasy points. Don't expect the same production as last week, however he should be a solid start again this week. DJ Moore looks like he’s back to being a WR1 in fantasy. Since Week 7, he’s finished as the WR9 and WR5 in fantasy. He’s commanded a 36.8% target share and 52.7% air yard share, averaging 110.5 receiving yards. All of your Bengals players will be solid starts this week. That includes Hayden Hurst, which is a low end TE1. 

Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions (1:00pm)

Start: Aaron Rodgers, Aaron Jones, AJ Dillon, Allen Lazard, Romeo Doubs, Robert Tonyan, Jared Goff, D’Andre Swift, Jamaal Williams, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Brock Wright

Sit: Sammy Watkins, Christian Watson, Josh Reynolds, Kalif Raymond, James Mitchell

This is a game that could be packed full of fantasy goodness, or at least I hope. Aaron Rodgers should be a solid start due to Detroit's terrible defense. Good news for Allen Lazard owners as he looks to be on track to play this weekend. Aaron Jones is an RB1, and AJ Dillon is a low-end RB2. With D'Andre Swift not being at 100%, Jamaal Williams will provide us with some decent fantasy production. Now that TJ Hockenson is a Minnesota Viking, new starting tight end Brock Wright could provide TE2 numbers in this game.

Indianapolis Colts at New England Patriots (1:00pm)

Start: Deon Jackson, Michael Pittman Jr, Parris Campbell, Alec Pierce, Rhomandre Stevenson, Damien Harris, Jakobi Meyers

Sit: Sam Ehlinger, Jonathan Taylor (ruled out), Zach Moss, Phillip Lindsay, Kylen Granson, Mac Jones, Tyquan Thornton, Nelson Agholor, Hunter Henry

This looks like it could be an ugly boring game. I really don't like either quarterback in this game, however if you're desperate with the bye week, I completely understand. With Jonathan Taylor being ruled out, Deon Jackson should be a nice start this week. Michael Pittman is a weekly start of course, but Parris Campbell is getting enough targets that it makes him useful for fantasy purposes. Alec Peirce is boom-or-bust, and is in a bad matchup. Play him at your own risk. Damien Harris is a flex that could finish as an RB2 if he finds the end zone in this game.

Buffalo Bills at New York Jets (1:00pm)

Start: Josh Allen, Devin Singletary, Stefon Diggs, Gabriel Davis, Dawson Knox, Michael Carter, Garrett Wilson, Tyler Conklin

Sit: Nyheim Hines, Isaiah McKenzie, Zach Wilson, James Robinson, Elijah Moore, Braxton Berrios

This game could get out of hand early, so start your Buffalo Bills. Nyheim Hines hasn't had enough time to learn the Playbook, so I wouldn't play him this week. Both starting tight ends can be played this week due to bye weeks, even though I don't like their matchups. Michael Carter is a sneaky PPR play this week. The Jets should be playing from behind all game. With Zach Wilson being pressured all game, I see Carter being peppered with check-downs.

Minnesota Vikings at Washington Commanders (1:00pm)

Start: Kirk Cousins, Dalvin Cook, Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen, TJ Hockenson, Taylor Heinicke, Antonio Gibson, Brian Robinson, Terry McLaurin, Curtis Samuel

Sit: Alexander Mattison, KJ Osborn, JD McKissic, Logan Thomas

This is another game that should be packed with plenty of fantasy goodness. Honestly, there's not a lot to say about this one. You're going to be starting most of the players in this one. I think that the Minnesota Vikings defense is a very good streaming option this week as well. Taylor Heinicke is available on a lot of Waiver Wires and could provide some decent fantasy production for those in need due to the bye week.

Las Vegas Raiders at Jacksonville Jaguars (1:00pm)

Start: Derek Carr, Josh Jacobs, Devante Adams, Trevor Lawrence, Travis Etienne, Christian Kirk, Evan Engram

Sit: Hunter Renfro, Mack Hollins, Darren Waller, Foster Moreau, Zay Jones, Marvin Jones

Both starting quarterbacks in this one are QB2s at best.  Josh Jacobs is an obvious must-start. Devante Adams struggled through illness last week and then put together a terrible stat line Sunday. He opened this week limited with an illness. He has now been removed from the Week 9 injury report and will play against the Jaguars. With Darren Waller being truly questionable for this game, I'm not going anywhere near him. Even if you were to play, he's way too risky. Hunter Renfrow is not seeing many targets this season and is borderline droppable at this point.

Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals (4:05pm)

Start: Geno Smith, Kenneth Walker, DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, Kyler Murray, James Conner, Eno Benjamin, DeAndre Hopkins, Rondale Moore, Zach Ertz

Sit: Marquise Goodwin, Noah Fant, Robbie Anderson, AJ Green

The backfield in Arizona is a situation to keep an eye on. If James Conner is ready to roll, then he should be in your starting lineup. That means Eno Benjamin should take a seat on your bench. If Connor is ruled out of this game, then Benjamin should be inserted into your starting lineup. DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett have been limited in practice this week, so keep an eye on this situation as well. Kenneth Walker is a must-start. In fact, since taking over as the starter, he has been the RB5 in fantasy. Zach Ertz has taken a bit of a hit in production now that DeAndre Hopkins has returned, however he is still a TE1 in fantasy.

Los Angeles Rams at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4:25pm)

Start: Matthew Stafford, Cooper Kupp, Tyler Higbee, Tom Brady, Leonard Fournette, Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Cameron Brate

Sit: Darrell Henderson, Cam Akers, Ronnie Rivers, Allen Robinson, Van Jefferson, Rachaad White, Russell Gage, Julio Jones

Matthew Stafford has been quite terrible this season. He's finished above QB17 only once this season. He is tied with Jacoby Brissett for 22nd in passing touchdowns with seven. The backfield in Los Angeles isn't much better either. In fact, things are so bad right now they are considering playing Cam Akers, someone they were desperately trying to get rid of at the trade deadline. Cooper Kupp is a must-start every week obviously. Tyler Higbee, due to his enormous target share, is a weekly TE1. Along with Matthew Stafford, I would consider Tom Brady a QB2 this week as well. Mike Evans and Chris Godwin will get theirs, so no worries. Cameron Brate could help you at tight end if you need a bye-week fill-in.

Tennessee Titans at Kansas City Chiefs (8:20pm)

Start: Derrick Henry, Patrick Mahomes, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Mecole Hardman, Marques Valdez-Scantling, Travis Kelce

Sit: Ryan Tannehill, Malik Willis, Robert Woods, Treylon Burks, Austin Hooper

This is another game that can get ugly, and get ugly quick. There is absolutely no one on the Tennessee Titans I trust other than Derrick Henry. Ryan Tannehill is a true game-time decision due to an ankle injury. If Tannehill does in fact suit up, you could play Robert Woods. However, if Malik Willis starts this game, there is no pass-catcher for the Titans that should be in your lineup on Sunday. JuJu Smith-Schuster has turned into the most reliable pass-catcher on the Kansas City Chiefs outside of Travis Kelce. I also like what they're doing with Mecole Hardeman lately by utilizing his speed. Marquez Valdes-Scantling has a decent ceiling this week, and could be used.

Baltimore Ravens at New Orleans Saints (Monday Night Football)

Start: Lamar Jackson, Kenyan Drake, Devin Duvernay, DeSean Jackson, Mark Andrews, Isaiah Likely, Andy Dalton, Alvin Kamara, Chris Olave, Jarvis Landy, Juwan Johnson

Sit: Gus Edwards, Justice Hill, James Proche, Demarcus Robinson, Marquez Callaway, Tre’Quan Smith

Gus Edwards is questionable with a hamstring issue. Even if he suits up for this game, I don't see him playing very much outside of an emergency. This makes Kenyan Drake a decent start for week 9. Justice Hill should get some touches, but not enough to make him fantasy relevant. Hill will be touchdown or bust. Baltimore will find ways to get Devin Duvernay involved in this game, so fire him up. With his big-play ability, DeSean Jackson could break one off for a long touchdown. Mark Andrews is truly questionable for this game. I strongly advise picking up Isaiah Likely as a handcuff just in case. Jarvis Landry returned to practice this week and looks to be on track to play. Juwan Johnson is a sneaky little Tight End play this week. Baltimore has not been good at defending against opposing Tight Ends. If you are in a pinch due to bye weeks, pick up Johnson, and plug him in.