Start ’em, Sit ’em Week 9 Fantasy Football – All Positions

Welcome to week 9 of the NFL season. Can you believe after this week we’ll be more than halfway through the season? Crazy.

As for last week, it was a mixed bag. My biggest miss, and one I’m still reeling over, was Giants RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. balling out against the Steelers on Monday night. I figured facing a top 10 defense and being part of an anemic offense would leave to very few fantasy numbers…I was dead wrong. But overall, we still hit on sitting Geno Smith and were right in starting Joe Mixon, Cade Otton, and Chiefs defense. And I’d say it was a draw with Russell Wilson and George Pickens. If Pickens didn’t have a TD called back, he would’ve been a premium start.

Anyways, we move on to week 9 which is already off to a crazy start with the injury to Stefon Diggs, the trade of Dionte Johnson, and the benching of Anthony Richardson. And honestly, I found this week a little difficult. There were several players I was on the edge about. But let’s see how we do. Keep scrolling for a few start ’em/sit ’em options and as always let me know what you think…

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***Disclaimer*** I give this statement every week but it’s important to remember there are players you’re basically starting or sitting each week. I tend to try and pick some of the more 50/50 players and write about them. You’ll see that trend as you go.

Quarterbacks

Start ’em – Sam Darnold

Sam Darnold – I considered writing about Pat Mahomes but settled on Darnold. Why? Because I think the Vikings are due a bounce back after two straight loses, and the Colts defense is mediocre at best. Darnold had been a pretty good streaming option until week 5. But the last two weeks he’s averaged 17 fantasy points and committed just 1 turnover. If you’re in need and stuck with a bunch of iffy QB options, consider Darnold. I think he’s good for two touchdowns and around 300 yards against a bottom third pass defense in the NFL.

Sit ’em – Tua Tagovailoa

Tua Tagovailoa – Last week we saw the return of Tua to the Dolphins lineup with mixed results. He threw for 234 yards, 1 TD, and didn’t turn the ball over. Not bad at all. So why sit him this week? First, Tua stunk against the Bills in week 2 throwing for just 145 yards, 1 TD, and 3 INT. And secondly, according to SI.com, Tua has failed to score over 16 fantasy points in 7 of the last 8 meetings against the Bills. I have Tua in two leagues and he’ll be riding the bench in both.

Running Backs

Start’ em – Aaron Jones

Aaron Jones – The Colts run defense has struggled mightily this season…30th in the NFL at rush yards allowed per game and 31st in total rush yards allowed. It seems every running back they face ends up with 100 plus yards and a TD. So, why would that change on Sunday night? Unfortunately for Colts fans it probably won’t. Another reason to start Jones would be the amount of work he’s getting in the Vikings offense. In week 8 he was on the field for 92% of his team’s snaps and over the last two weeks he’s totaled 38 touches and a TD. Jones could put him RB1 numbers this week.

Sit ’em – Javonte Williams

Javonte Williams – Williams has had some good weeks for the Broncos this season. In fact, two weeks ago he had 2 TD and totaled 26.1 fantasy points. But I just don’t love the matchup facing the Ravens in Baltimore. And I get it, Baltimore’s defense isn’t as nasty as we’re used to seeing, but they’ve still been pretty stout against the run. They’ve allowed just 3.2 yards per rush this season and no running back has hit the 60-yard rushing mark against them through week eight. You’ll be almost completely TD reliant for Williams to be worth an RB start this week.

Wide Receiver 

Start ’em – Josh Downs

Josh Downs – I’m a huge Josh Downs fan and that only gets stronger with Joe Flacco taking over at QB in Indy. If my numbers are right, 23 of Downs’ 32 catches are with Flacco and 29 of his 47 targets. And even with Richardson, Downs had a big day last week going for 4 catches, 109 yards, and a 69-yard TD. I’m also guessing that with Flacco at the helm they’ll rely heavily on short to intermediate passes which is perfect for Downs. I think he’s a WR2 this weekend in Minnesota.

Sit ’em – Jaylen Waddle

Jaylen Waddle – Normally I wouldn’t even consider writing about Waddle. Why would I? He’s hit double digit fantasy points just once and that was week 1. Even with Tua back last week he caught just 4 passes for 45 yards. If you want to look the matchup in Buffalo…according to ESPN, Waddle has been held to single digit points in 4 of 6 matchups against the Bills. Too many other consistent and higher ceiling options.

Tight End

Start ’em – Jake Ferguson

Jake Ferguson – This “start” is more about the matchup than the offense Ferguson is in. I mean let’s face it, he hasn’t scored in double-digits since week 5. My gamble here if you’re in need of a TE is that this will be a high scoring game, plus the Falcons got destroyed by Tampa TE Cade Otton last week.

Sit ’em – Hunter Henry

Hunter Henry – There’s a chance you’re thin at TE and may have to continue riding the Henry train this season. If so, he’s been solid, but I wonder if he’ll get to double digit points this Sunday in Tennessee. The Titans have been stout against TE’s allowing less than 10 points per week. But the clincher for me is the probability Jacoby Brissett will be back at starting QB.

Defense

Start ’em – Tennessee Titans

Titans – Let’s stick with the same game between Tennessee and New England. The Pats have allowed the second most sacks in the league and Brissett will probably get the start. I know it’s a gamble after the Titans got gashed the last two games, but if you’re in need…

Sit ’em – Green Bay Packers

Packers – While Green Bay has been good at home I just can’t ride with them here against the high-powered Lions. Detroit is averaging nearly 400 yards and 33 points per game! One thing to watch will be the health of Jared Goff. He’s spent time on the injury report this week. But if he’s good to go then I’m sitting the Green Bay defense.