Fantasy Football Week 9 Starts, Sits: Settling Toughest Lineup Decisions
The Week 9 bye is roughing up some fantasy football lineups, but owners still have to start someone. And with fantasy football playoffs coming up before you know it, we want to make sure you’re putting your best team on the field.
Here?s our start/sit advice for Week 9.
STARTS
Theo Riddick, RB, Detroit Lions
On paper, starting anyone against the Minnesota Vikings seems like a bad bet. But that means Lions quarterback Matt Stafford probably will be limited to short, quick plays, and that’s where Riddick comes in. The running back also has been the Lions’ workhorse, so he’ll get plenty of touches, which is more than enough to justify a start.
Kyle Rudolph, TE, Minnesota Vikings
Detroit has given up the most fantasy points to tight ends of any team, and Rudolph is due after failing to score in three consecutive weeks. Expect him to get plenty of looks Sunday.
Quincy Enunwa, WR, New York Jets
Enunwa has been a good replacement for Eric Decker this season, and he has a favorable matchup against Miami on Sunday. The Dolphins have allowed the 10th-most fantasy points to wide receivers and likely will double cover Brandon Marshall, leaving Enunwa with some extra targets.
Jarvis Landry, WR, Miami Dolphins
The Jets have given up the most passing yards in the NFL this season, and Landry is an unbelievably athletic receiver. He hasn’t put up the flashiest fantasy numbers this year, but Landry is the No. 1 wideout in Miami, and that should show Sunday.
Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas Cowboys
Prescott is almost guaranteed to have a monster game, as the Cowboys are facing the 0-8 Cleveland Browns. The rookie threw for 287 yards with two touchdowns against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 8, so we can only imagine what he’ll do in Cleveland.
SITS
Derek Carr, QB, Oakland Raiders
Carr is coming off a career game in which he threw for 513 yards with four touchdowns in an overtime win, but don’t expect him to do that against the Denver Broncos’ No. 1 pass defense. Add the fact that it’s a division matchup, and you have a good reason to sit Carr.
Zach Ertz, TE, Philadelphia Eagles
Ertz is having a rough season, and it won’t get any better against a tough New York Giants defense. In fact, Ertz owners probably could drop him at this point if they have better options.
Mark Ingram, RB, New Orleans Saints
Ingram looks good on paper against a San Francisco 49ers defense that’s given up the most fantasy points to running backs, but the Saints’ faith in Ingram seems to be dimishing. He was benched in Week 8 after fumbling on just his third carry, and New Orleans coach Sean Payton said his other back, Tim Hightower, will get more work from here on out.
Russell Wilson, QB, Seattle Seahawks
Wilson is getting dangerously close to being droppable. The Seahawks quarterback has put up lackluster numbers all season, and it won’t get any better against a Buffalo Bills defense that’s allowed the eighth-fewest fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks.
Duke Johnson, RB, Cleveland Browns
Johnson is usually just a flex option to begin with, and the Cowboys’ defense has allowed the second-fewest points to opposing running backs. His pass-catching abilities likely won’t come into play, either, as the ‘Boys haven’t allowed a running back to post more than 47 receiving yards all season.
Thumbnail photo via Raj Mehta/USA TODAY Sports Images
