Week 9 Start ‘Em & Sit ‘Em is here to highlight a few players at each position that we would like to sit or start (where possible). Welcome to another week of quality players being on a bye. With four teams on a bye, managers are going to need all the help they can get.
This series will avoid the “obvious” answers. So, just because I don’t tell you to start the RB1 in the week doesn’t mean you should sit him. It means I just felt it was a no-brainer and didn’t need to be discussed. Also, consider these suggestions in the context of your lineup. When I say to sit a player, there are obviously going to be situations where you have no choice but to play them. Bye weeks and injuries can cause us to start players with whom we are uncomfortable. Examine your squad’s situation before blindly following this column.
Week 9 Quarterback Starts Of The Week:
Daniel Jones, IND vs. TEN
The Steel Curtain defense of the Pittsburgh Steelers, which we’ve been accustomed to seeing over the years, is not as strong as it once was. The Pittsburgh Steelers are giving up the most passing yards per game. The Pittsburgh Steelers defense is not one to be worried about, and you need to forget about the past. The Steelers defense can confidently be started against, especially when you have a quarterback who has been balling out lately like Daniel Jones. The Colts could very well move to 8-1, and Daniel Jones is going to lead them there.
Joe Flacco, CIN vs. CHI
In his 4 weeks this year with Cleveland, Joe Flacco was averaging 8 fantasy points per game. This is awful for a quarterback. In the last 3 weeks with the Cincinnati Bengals, Joe Flacco has been averaging 23 fantasy points per game. The turnaround he’s been able to have with the Bengals has been incredible and has him as QB7 during this 3-week stretch. Unless you have Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, or Lamar Jackson, I’m trying to make my waiver claim for Joe Flacco to run with until Joe Burrow is back. Joe Flacco is slinging the ball and is going to put up numbers, regardless of who they play, and it does not matter whether they win or lose either.
Week 9 Quarterback Sits Of The Week:
Bo Nix & CJ Stroud, DEN @ HOU
The Denver Broncos visit the Houston Texans in what should be one of the lowest-scoring matchups of the week. I don’t care how well CJ Stroud & Bo Nix played last week and how many points their offenses put up, I’m not touching either of them this week. Last week, the Broncos faced the Cowboys’ defense who gave up the most points per game to opposing quarterbacks, and the 49ers, who have been battered up in recent weeks. The Texans & Broncos are 1st & 3rd respectively in allowing the fewest points per game to opposing quarterbacks. Last week was more of a fluke week for Stroud, but for Nix, his long-term value is here to stay; just avoid him this week.
Week 9 Running Backs Starts Of The Week
D’Andre Swift, CHI @ CIN
It doesn’t matter how many points their offense puts up; the Cincinnati Bengals’ defense is so bad, they can even help Justin Fields keep his job. The Bengals’ defense just gave up 250+ rushing yards to the New York Jets, who were 0-7 before this week. The Chicago Bears have a better offense, and D’Andre Swift is going to capitalize on that. He’s going to have his 3rd 100+ yard rush game of the season and potentially a touchdown. He’s one of my favorite starts of the week, and in deeper formats, I’m even reaching for Kyle Monangai to have a productive day.
Kimani Vidal, LAC @ TEN
Los Angeles Chargers running back Kimani Vidal is someone who I’ve had a tough time understanding his role in the offense. Two weeks ago, when Omarion Hampton first missed, all signs pointed to Hassan Haskins getting the lead role. That was not the case as Vidal outperformed Haskins for a 120+ yard performance. The week after, Vidal was disappointing with only 2.2 yards per carry for 20 yards against the Colts. Last week, Vidal surprised me again by going off for 117 yards against an above-average Minnesota Vikings defense. This week, I’m riding the Vidal train and love his matchup against the Tennessee Titans. The Titans are one of the worst teams in the league and gave up a 3-touchdown game to Jonathan Taylor. Vidal won’t have as strong a performance as JT did, but he should repeat his performance from last week, with a 100+ yard day and a touchdown. He’s in my top-10 backs of the week.
Week 9 Running Back Sits Of The Week
Rico Dowdle & Chuba Hubbard, CAR vs. GB
The running back committee in Carolina is worrisome. After Rico Dowdle absolutely exploded for 400+ yards in 2 games combined, the Panthers continued to rock with him getting carries even when Chuba Hubbard came back. Over the last two weeks, they’ve gone back & forth between the two, but finally named Rico Dowdle the starter, making Chuba Hubbard fantasy irrelevant. For Dowdle, he should be relevant later on, but against the Green Bay Packers, I’m not going to be starting him or Chuba.
Week 9 Wide Receiver Starts Of The Week
Jaylen Waddle, MIA vs. BAL
After posting a 1-reception stinker of a game in week 7 against the Cleveland Browns, Jaylen Waddle bounced back big against the Atlanta Falcons. He posted 5 receptions for 99 yards and a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons, who previously gave up the fewest yards per game, going into last week. That matchup gave me the confidence to keep Waddle in my starting lineups and would only be concerned if it were against a defense like the Houston Texans or the Denver Broncos. This week, against the Ravens defense, it’s going to be another productive matchup for Waddle.
Travis Hunter, JAC @ LV
It took until week 7, but it finally happened: Travis Hunter’s breakout game. His best performance up until then was only 3 receptions for 64 yards, a couple of weeks prior, netting him 9.4 fantasy points in PPR leagues. In week 7, he had a whopping 8 receptions for 101 yards and a touchdown. This had him at 24.1 fantasy points on the day. He led the team in targets, and coming off the bye, he should be the #1 option again. Brian Thomas Jr is questionable to play, and even if he does, it’ll be limited. Hunter is the leader against a Raiders team that gives up the 4th most points to opposing wide receivers.
Week 9 Wide Receiver Sits Of The Week
Chris Olave, NO @ LAR
The New Orleans Saints are bad, but Chris Olave continues to be a target machine. With rookie Tyler Shough getting his first start against the Los Angeles Rams on the road, this is going to be ugly. I’m trying to avoid Olave if possible, until we see more of Shough, and hopefully, he’s an upgrade over Spencer Rattler.
Xavier Worthy, KC @ BUF
With the return of Rashee Rice to the Kansas City Chiefs offense, this all but ended any hopes of Xavier Worthy being a WR1 again. In the 3 full games he played without Rice, his best finish was as WR18 in week 4 against the struggling Baltimore Ravens. In the last 2 weeks, he’s finished outside of the top-40 wide receivers. Worthy proved to the Chiefs that he’s not a WR1, in the instance that if they ever lose Rice again, they will need help. With Rice back, I’m only starting Worthy if I have nobody else to go.
Week 9 Tight End Starts Of The Week:
Kyle Pitts, ATL @ NE
Atlanta Falcons Tight End Kyle Pitts has quietly been having his best season since his rookie year. Through 8 weeks, Kyle Pitts is TE9 on the year in PPR leagues and is on pace to have a career high in receptions. The last two weeks, Kyle Pitts has been TE6 and has led all tight ends during this span with 16 receptions. In PPR formats, he’s been getting the volume. Even if Drake London is back this week, I don’t expect this to eat into Pitts’ production. He should have another top-10 finish against the New England Patriots.
Colston Loveland, CHI @ CIN
It doesn’t matter who the Cincinnati Bengals face; their defense can’t stop any position, but more specifically, the tight end slot. The Bengals have given up a league-leading 594 yards and 10 touchdowns to the position. The next closest team from a touchdown standpoint has only given up 6. For rookie Colston Loveland, this might be the game where he ends up scoring his first career touchdown. If it were any game to bet on for it, this would be the one. He’s coming off his best performance of the season, and his target share has increased over the last month. I’m playing him if I need a streamer or have someone like Hunter Henry in a tough matchup.
Week 9 Tight End Sits Of The Week
Hunter Henry, NE vs. ATL
The Atlanta Falcons’ defense is a no-fly zone for all tight ends. On the season, they’ve only given up 105 yards total to the position. For the already struggling Hunter Henry, this is not the game that he’ll pick things back up.
TJ Hockenson, MIN @ DET
With JJ McCarthy set to be back this week, this actually hurts the value of tight end TJ Hockenson. When McCarthy was healthy, Hockenson managed 4 receptions total. He has been a bit of a bust on the year already, but now he needs to be faded even further.
For your final lineup decisions, check out the FSAN Rankings Page or check out our Sit & Start live show every Sunday before kickoff on Spilled Coffee.