Start 'Em
Quarterbacks
Matthew Stafford vs. SEA
Matt Stafford is coming off a great game against the Vikings last week. The 36-year-old gunslinger completed 25 of his 34 passes for 279 yards and 4 touchdowns. He did throw an interception; however, his passer rating was 124.5, which is very good. Stafford finally has his two big-time receivers, Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp, back at the same time. This elevated his fantasy relevance from a ride-the-bench quarterback to someone you need to consider starting every week. The Rams face the Seahawks this week, who rank in the middle of the pack (13th) in passing yards allowed per game (208.2). However, over the last three games, Seattle has allowed 250.0 passing yards a game, which ranks as the 5th most in the NFL in that span. Look for Stafford to take advantage of Seattle's struggling passing defense.
Caleb Williams vs. ARI
Coming off their bye-week, Caleb Williams struggled against a solid Commanders' defense last week, where he had difficulty producing any fantasy relevance. The number-one overall pick completed 10 of his 24 passes for 131 yards and no touchdowns. He also added 9 rush attempts for 47 yards. Besides last week, Williams has been great as of recently, as he threw for 226 yards and 4 TDs in week 6 and 304 yards and 2 TDs in week 5. Though Williams did struggle in week 8, he faces a much easier Arizona defense in week 9, who allow 235.6 passing yards a game to opponents (7th most in NFL). The Cardinals also rank 7th in most fantasy points allowed to quarterbacks. Williams will have a great opportunity to rebound from his poor performance last weekend, making him a safe start in week 9.
Running Backs
Chuba Hubbard vs. NO
Hubbard has been a reliable running back option for fantasy managers all season long. Last week, Hubbard had 15 carries for 56 yards, while also adding on 2 receptions for 15 yards. In what can be considered one of the worst offenses in the NFL, Hubbard has been able to break through and provide managers with a great fantasy option. He is 5th in the NFL in rushing yards (593) and is in the top 20 in yards per rush (5.0). Facing off against the Saints, who allow 143.6 rushing yards a game to opponents (5th most in NFL) and the 7th most fantasy points a game to running backs, Hubbard should have his way in week 9. Though rookie running back Johnathon Brooks has come off the IR and is rumored to make his NFL debut this week, Hubbard should still hold onto the RB1 role until Brooks gets going.
Tony Pollard vs. NE
Tony Pollard produced another good fantasy performance for his managers. Last week, he carried the ball 20 times and ran for 94 yards, while also catching 3 of 4 targets for 23 yards. Totaling over 100 yards for the 3rd time this season, Pollard has emerged as a reliable fantasy option that is almost matchup-proof. Pollard has been the most effective player in Tennessee's offense, ranking 16th in rushing yards (494) and averaging 4.3 yards per carry. Additionally, Pollard draws a good matchup against the Patriots, who have given up 971 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns to running backs. Pollard's volume within the offense (18 touches in all but one game this season) and his favorable matchup make him a must-start in week 9.
Wide Receivers
Tank Dell vs. NYJ
Tank Dell had a solid week last time out. He caught all 4 of his targets for 35 yards, but saved his fantasy week by scoring a touchdown. Dell has been extremely disappointing overall this season; however, things could be looking up in terms of his fantasy value. Dell will serve as Houston's #1 receiver this Thursday night, as Nico Collins isn't expected back until next week, while Stefon Diggs is out for the season with a torn ACL. This could increase Dell's volume tremendously, especially against a struggling Jets defense. Though Dell will draw a lot of attention, the young wide receiver has been used in many unique ways, which means the playbook could open up for him. Start Dell this week with confidence, despite New York's good cornerback room.
Jakobi Meyers vs. CIN
Jakobi Meyers looked good last week against the Chiefs. He caught 6 of his 7 targets for 52 yards and a touchdown. With Davante Adams off the team, Meyers has now acquired the WR1 role in Vegas. Coming off an injury where he missed the last three weeks, Meyers was able to put together a strong fantasy performance, despite the lack of QB play within the offense. Meyers has a favorable matchup against the Bengals, who rank in the top 15 for most passing yards allowed to opponents (219.4). Meyers' volume potential on an every-week basis makes him too enticing of a player not to start this week.
Tight Ends
Kyle Pitts vs. DAL
Fantasy managers can finally breathe a sigh of relief; Kyle Pitts has been on an absolute tear in the past couple of weeks, with Week 8 being the most recent example. Pitts caught 4 of his 5 targets for 91 yards and 2 touchdowns. Pitts seems to have found his role within the Falcons' offense, as he has been targeted at least five times in the last six games. Ranking 4th among TEs in receiving yards and touchdowns, Pitts has established himself as a reliable option for fantasy managers at the TE position. Pitts also has a favorable matchup this week against the Cowboys, who allow the 7th most fantasy points per game to tight ends so far this season. Pitts is a must-start this week, and moving forward.
Hunter Henry vs. TEN
Hunter Henry is coming off a solid performance against the Jets last week. He caught 5 of his 6 targets for 45 yards. Though it was not anything flashy, Henry was still a reliable option throughout all of last week for the Patriots. Henry has also been riding a bit of a hot streak the past three weeks (8 catches for 92 yards in week 7 and 3 catches for 41 yards and a TD in week 6). Even with quarterback Drake Maye's status being unknown (concussion), Henry has proven to be a safety blanket for both Maye and Jacoby Brissett. The Patriots go up against the Titans this week, who have been good against the pass this season. However, they have allowed 11 receptions, 113 yards, and 2 TDs over the past two weeks to TEs. Look for Henry to be a major threat for the Pats and his fantasy managers in week 9.
Sit 'Em
Quarterbacks
Jordan Love vs DET
After a stellar couple of games following an injury, Love's health is once again in question after leaving the game against the Jaguars, during which he only had a 39 QBR to begin with. With one of the biggest matches of the year upcoming at home against Detroit, if Love plays, his mobility won't be where it normally is. Love has scored more than 16 points in every full game he's played this season but also leads the league in interceptions. Love is high-risk, high-reward for fantasy owners this season, but with his injury this week, he belongs on the bench.
Baker Mayfield vs KC
Mayfield had a decent first game without Godwin and Evans last week, scoring 23 points. If we were to list Mayfield's performance for the entire season, he would be far from a "Sit 'Em", but this matchup is terrible for him with KC's defense ranking 32nd in points allowed to QBs. Not to mention, in Mayfield's last three games, he has a 10-7 TD:INT ratio and is averaging 44 throws per game. Mayfield is becoming one of the Top-10 QBs in the game, but right now the Buccaneers are asking Mayfield to do way too much lately. Against the Chiefs' defense, it could make for a long day for Mayfield and his fantasy owners.
Running Backs
Joe Mixon vs NYJ
The Texans will be without Nico Collins for another week and now without Stefon Diggs for the rest of the season. With Joe Mixon and Tank Dell ready to share the brunt of the workload, it should be obvious that the Jets will gameplan to stop Mixon. After 3 straight 20-point performances for Mixon, he will face the best defense he's seen all year even if the Jets have seemed lost since firing Saleh. Mixon may be the best statistical RB this season but he is due for a bad game, especially when everyone knows he will get the ball 25 times or more.
DeVon Achane vs BUF
With Tua Tagovailoa back, it was good to see the playmakers in Miami go back to their high point-scoring ways, including Achane who scored 20.7 points on 16 touches. However, Achane has made a living this season off large-chunk plays, including 47 of his 97 rushing yards last week on one run. Going against a Buffalo defense that ranks...
27th in yards per carry allowed this season and have allowed less than 65 rushing yards per game in their last two will be a big challenge. Achane's receiving ability will help him but overall this week, Achane should be considered a FLEX option at best.
Wide Receivers
Davante Adams vs HOU
Averaging 4.2 points per game since joining the Jets, Davante Adams has struggled out of the gate since reuniting with his old QB. Considering that Garrett Wilson's usage and Fantasy points have only gone up since the Adams acquisition, you can assume this trend will continue. Not to mention, the Texans rank towards the top of the league with 8 interceptions on the year. Adams will have a similar outlook to Mark Andrews and Travis Kelce at the beginning of the season, where we will need to see him deliver before we feel comfortable putting him back into our Fantasy lineups.
Zay Flowers vs DEN
The Ravens are getting to be one of those teams that have too many mouths to feed. The addition of Diontae Johnson to their receiving corps and the emergence of Rashod Bateman this season could spell trouble for Flowers, not to mention Mark Andrews finally becoming relevant in the Ravens' offense over the last three weeks. Furthermore, a matchup against the very talented Broncos' defense this week could result in a down week for many Ravens players, including Flowers, as they rank 29th in Fantasy points allowed to WRs. If Diontae Johnson can fill the role the Ravens hope he will, Flowers may become the 4th or even 5th option in this offense.
Tight Ends
Isaiah Likely vs DEN
Well, Isaiah Likely's crazy start to the season has officially come to an end, but boy was it fun. After a 22-point breakout season opener for Likely, he has only put up Fantasy points of 6 or higher once. Likely is definitely a threat to have a great game again this season, but after everything I said about Flowers going down in the pecking order of this team, Likely will go down even further. There's not too much else to say here, except after this week (if Likely continues to not do much), Likely will be taken off contention for this list as he now has very little potential to be a starter.
Trey McBride vs CHI
Finally, Trey McBride will be benched this week in fantasy teams for several reasons. First of all, the Bears' defense has been elite all year and ranks 22nd against TEs in fantasy points. Now, with McBride's performance last week looming, some may say he shouldn't be on this list, but McBride had only gotten 22 receptions in his previous 4 games and has been dropped down the pecking order as well in favor of MHJ, Michael Wilson, and now James Conner. Will McBride turn last week's showing into a better second half of the season? Very possible, but this week against the Bears is definitely not the week to bet on it.
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-Matt Hylen
-Z.D.
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