The biggest Week 9 fantasy start 'em, sit 'em question involves Lamar Jackson against the Patriots. Can you dare sit one of fantasy football's biggest stars, even if he's facing the best defense we've seen in in recent memory? Of course, if you don't own Jackson, you don't really care about that, which is why we have start-or-sit advice for a host of borderline players, as well as NFL DFS picks and tips for your Week 9 contests.
Before getting into the Week 9 advice, here's a reminder that a the Falcons, Saints, Rams, and Bengals are on bye this week. Also, it should be noted that the Texans-Jaguars game is in the UK.
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WEEK 9 NON-PPR RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker
Fantasy Football Week 9 Start 'Em: Quarterbacks
Regular starts
Deshaun Watson, Texans (vs. JAX in UK), Russell Wilson, Seahawks (vs. TB), Aaron Rodgers, Packers (at LAC)
Stronger starts
Matthew Stafford, Lions (at OAK). He’s red hot, and the Lions are back on as a full-fledged passing team because of running issues. It doesn't hurt that the matchup is awesome.
Dak Prescott, Cowboys (at NYG). He steps into a beautiful spot on MNF after a bye against a defense Stafford just destroyed.
Gardner Minshew, Jaguars (vs. HOU in UK). He is rolling again, and even though this isn’t a true home game, no J.J. Watt will allow him to exploit a bad pass defense with his weapons.
Derek Carr, Raiders (vs. DET). Carr came up huge as a DFS recommendation last week, and he should it keep going in a shootout with Stafford.
Josh Allen, Bills (vs. WAS). He doesn’t have a high ceiling, but he can get you the necessary points with his passing and running again in a great spot.
Kirk Cousins, Vikings (at KC). He should have Adam Thielen (hamstring) back, and we know the Chiefs’ pass defense stinks.
Jameis Winston, Buccaneers (at SEA). He will need to throw often opposite Russell Wilson, so live with the turnovers and accept the production.
DFS bargains
Philip Rivers, Chargers (vs. GB, $5,100 on DraftKings, $7,200 on FanDuel). The numbers say it might be tricky, but he should be let loose without Ken Whisenhunt and will be throwing often on the other side of Aaron Rogers with fair matchups to exploit in possible garbage time.
Matt Moore, Chiefs (vs. MIN, $4,800 on DraftKings, $6,500 on FanDuel). He was solid in their offensive system getting the ball to the right guys all over the field against the Packers, and the Vikings’ matchup is more favorable than you think in what could be another high-scoring game opposite of Cousins.
Deep streamers
Sam Darnold, Jets (at MIA)
WEEK 9 PPR RANKINGS: Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end
Fantasy Football Week 9 Sit 'Em: Quarterbacks
Weaker starts
Lamar Jackson, Ravens (vs. NE). The Patriots will have a good plan for his running, and you can’t trust his passing in a very difficult spot.
Tom Brady, Patriots (at BAL). New England’s offense is more grinding at the moment, and the Ravens’ secondary can be tough. Look elsewhere this week for a better matchup.
Carson Wentz, Eagles (vs. CHI). This feels more like a grind-it-out game, and the Eagles have proved they’re fine with running a ton once they have a lead.
Jacoby Brissett, Colts (at PIT). This also feels like a defensive-minded game, and it’s tougher than you think to throw on the Steelers.
Kyler Murray, Cardinals (vs. SF). Not against that defense.
Ryan Tannehill, Titans (at CAR). This is a tricky one on the road after he smashed at home for two weeks.
Baker Mayfield, Browns (at CLE). There will be a time soon you can deploy with him confidence, but against the Broncos’ pass defense isn’t one of them.
Deep trap
Mitchell Trubisky, Bears (at PHI), Daniel Jones, Giants (vs. DAL)
WEEK 9 DFS LINEUPS:
Y! cash | Y! GPP | DK cash | DK GPP | FD cash | FD GPP
Fantasy Football Week 9 Start 'Em: Running backs
Regular starts
Saquon Barkley, Giants (vs. DAL), Christian McCaffrey, Panthers (vs. TEN), Ezekiel Elliott, Cowboys (at NYG), Dalvin Cook, Vikings (at KC), Nick Chubb, Browns (at DEN), Le'Veon Bell, Jets (at MIA), Leonard Fournette, Jaguars (vs. HOU in UK), Derrick Henry, Titans (at CAR), Marlon Mack, Colts (at PIT), Mark Ingram, Ravens (vs. NE), Chris Carson, Seahawks (vs. TB), Josh Jacobs, Raiders (vs. DET), Aaron Jones, Packers (at LAC), James Conner, Steelers (if he plays vs. IND), Tevin Coleman, 49ers (at ARI)
Stronger starts
Austin Ekeler, Chargers (vs. GB). The Packers cannot stop elusive running backs inside or outside, and he will be busy in check-down, catchup mode.
Jordan Howard, Eagles (vs. CHI). Howard should be amped for an easier-than-you-think revenge game, and he might get another featured workload should Miles Sanders (shoulder) be shelved.
Phillip Lindsay and Royce Freeman, Broncos (vs. CLE). They should grind with Brandon Allen at QB and attack the Browns’ bigger defensive weakness.
Frank Gore, Bills (vs. WAS). They should be playing with a lead, and the matchup is very good.
Jamaal Williams, Packers (at LAC). The Chargers can’t stop backs from doing anything, so Williams will join Aaron Jones with a good game.
Carlos Hyde, Texans (vs. JAX in UK). He was very effective in the first revenge game against them.
James White, Patriots (at BAL). This is his type of receiving game with the running and downfield passing limited.
DFS bargains
Melvin Gordon, Chargers (vs. GB, $5,000 on DraftKings, $6,300 on FanDuel). You can run on Green Bay, and he should have a good shot at like 60-80 yards from scrimmage and a score.
Devin Singletary, Bills (vs. WAS, $4,700 on DraftKings, $6,100 on FanDuel). He was let loose a few times because of negative game script against the Eagles, but this game provides a good chance of a home-run scoring play in relief of Gore.
MORE WEEK 9 DFS: Stacks | Values | Lineup builder
Fantasy Football Week 9 Sit 'Em: Running backs
Weaker starts
Sony Michel, Patriots (at BAL). New England's running game has looked bad of late, and this matchup won’t help it break out of a slump.
Adrian Peterson, Redskins (at BUF). The Bills’ run defense rebounds against a lesser offensive front, so volume won’t help.
David Montgomery, Bears (at PHI). Their run defense is very tough, and Trubisky won’t help facilitate anything.
LeSean McCoy, Chiefs (vs. MIN). His fumble was costly last week, and you saw Damien Williams get more run late. This matchup isn't easy either.
All Dolphins (vs. NYJ). It’s still hard to trust Mark Walton as a feature back given the vulturing work of Kalen Ballage.
All Lions (at OAK). Ty Johnson? Tra Carson? Paul Perkins? J.D. McKissic? Keep asking, and don’t play any of them in a minus matchup.
All Cardinals (vs. SF). David Johnson and Chase Edmonds are set to miss the game, but you don’t want a part of a committee of Kenyan Drake and Zach Zenner in a tough spot.
All Buccaneers (at SEA). We won’t even waste time with mentioning their names.
Fantasy Football Week 9 Start 'Em: Wide receivers
Regular starts
DeAndre Hopkins, Texans (vs. JAX in UK), Odell Beckham Jr., Browns (at DEN), Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, Buccaneers (at SEA), JuJu Smith-Schuster, Steelers (vs. IND), Amari Cooper, Cowboys (at NYG), Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen, Vikings (at KC), Julian Edelman, Patriots (at BAL), Keenan Allen, Chargers (vs. LAC), Tyler Lockett, Seahawks (vs. TB), T.Y. Hilton, Colts (vs. DEN), Kenny Golladay, Lions (vs. OAK), D.J. Chark, Jaguars (vs. HOU in UK), Tyreek Hill, Chiefs (vs. MIN), Allen Robinson, Bears (at PHI), Christian Kirk, Cardinals (vs. SF), Tyrell Williams, Raiders (vs. DET), Courtland Sutton, Broncos (vs. DEN)
Stronger starts
John Brown, Bills (vs. WAS). Let’s try this one again in better weather in another plus matchup.
Marvin Jones, Lions (at OAK). Finally, both he and Golladay will have fun at the same time.
Michael Gallup, Cowboys (at NYG). The Giants tend to give up a lot of home-run scores, and he does just that.
DK Metcalf, Seahawks (vs. TB). He scored twice in a great matchup last week, and this one is no different.
Alshon Jeffery, Eagles (at CHI). He’ll use his size to come through in his revenge game, too.
D.J Moore, Panthers (vs. TEN). He can get the advantage moving around, a la Evans did last week.
Robby Anderson, Jets (at MIA). He should hit some home runs with hopefully Demaryius Thomas trying to occupy Xavien Howard. Jamison Crowder is also usable should you need him.
Golden Tate, Giants (vs. DAL). He should get a ton of shorter passes thrown his way in garbage time underneath the coverage.
DFS Bargains
Mike Williams, Chargers (vs. GB, $4,600 on DraftKings, $5,700 on FanDuel). The Packers struggle with big receivers, and he got revved up in time to produce away from Jaire Alexander on Keenan Allen.
Diontae Johnson, Steelers (vs. IND, $4,500 on DraftKings, $5,000 on FanDuel). The Colts are giving up enough to No. 2 wideouts to trust him on the other side of JuJu again.
DeVante Parker, Dolphins (vs. NYJ, $4,400 on DraftKings, $5,800 on FanDuel). He should find the box for the fourth time in five games and also get the most targets from Ryan Fitzpatrick.
WEEK 9: Waiver wire | FAAB planner | Trade values | Snap counts
Fantasy Football Week 9 Sit 'Em: Wide receivers
Weaker starts
Terry McLaurin, Redskins (at BUF). Tre’Davious White can erase him, and the QB situation is shaky with Case Keenum concussed.
Curtis Samuel, Panthers (vs. TEN). The Titans are better controlling the outside against field-stretchers.
Corey Davis, Titans (at CAR). You can’t trust him with A.J. Brown, Tajae Sharpe, Adam Humphries and the tight ends suddenly making this a committee, and he should see James Bradberry.
Sammy Watkins, Chiefs (vs. MIN). You can’t go here because he will probably see Minnesota's best outside cornerback coverage.
Jarvis Landry, Browns (at DEN). You can’t extend to him against a secondary and pass defense that’s playing well.
All non-Davante Adams Packers (at LAC). The Chargers’ secondary is good, and this committee of several different players in different situations is impossible to trust.
Marquise Brown, Ravens (vs. NE). He should be erased by Stephon Gilmore downfield.
Fantasy Football Week 9 Start 'Em: Tight ends
Regular starts
Travis Kelce, Chiefs (vs. MIN), George Kittle, 49ers (at ARI), Zach Ertz, Eagles (vs. CHI), Darren Waller, Raiders (vs. DET), Hunter Henry, Chargers (vs. GB), Evan Engram, Giants (vs. DAL)
Stronger starts
Eric Ebron and Jack Doyle, Colts (at PIT). This is how you attack the Steelers away from their defensive backs. Both should be busy.
T.J. Hockenson, Lions (at OAK). The matchup is great for getting the rookie going.
Noah Fant, Broncos (vs. CLE). They need him with no Sanders and Jeff Heuerman hurting.
Jonnu Smith, Titans (at CAR). Kittle worked well against them last week, and Smith is showing off his athleticism. (This is assuming Delanie Walker misses another game.)
Darren Fells, Texans (vs. JAX in UK). He could easily score another TD with Ronnie Harrison hurting.
DFS Bargain
Cameron Brate, Buccaneers (at SEA, $3,100 on DraftKings, $5,100 on FanDuel). This is based on O.J. Howard remaining too hamstrung to play, but the matchup is excellent.
Fantasy Football Week 9 Sit 'Em: Tight ends
Weaker starts
Mark Andrews, Ravens (vs. NE). Too many tight ends and too many concerns about the Patriots’ coverage.
Vance McDonald, Steelers (vs. IND). He’s good and the matchup is, too, but Mason Rudolph has been wideout-focused.
Jimmy Graham, Packers (at LAC). The Chargers will handle him fine with their safeties and linebackers.
Dallas Goedert, Eagles (vs. CHI). He’s still hard to trust with Ertz getting more run despite what you see in the stat sheet of late.
Jason Witten, Cowboys (at NYG). Dallas can be just fine attacking the Giants on the outside.
Fantasy Football Week 9 Start 'Em: Defenses
Regular starts
Patriots (at BAL), 49ers (at ARI)
Stronger starts
Bills (vs. WAS), Seahawks (vs. TB), Eagles (vs. CHI), Broncos (vs. CLE), Cowboys (vs. NYG), Jets (at MIA)
DFS Bargains
Browns (at DEN, $3,100 on DraftKings, $4,300 on FanDuel), Panthers (vs. TEN, $2,800 on DraftKings, $4,000 on FanDuel).
Fantasy Football Week 9 Sit 'Em: Defenses
Weaker starts
Vikings (at KC), Packers (at LAC), Jaguars (vs. HOU), Texans (vs. JAX in UK), Steelers (vs. IND), Bears (at PHI), Colts (at PIT), Chargers (vs. GB)
