Fantasy Football Week 9: Start 'Em, Sit 'Em lineup advice

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This is the Week 9 installment of The Sporting News' fantasy football starts and sits recommendations.

"The Decider" is your one-stop shop for fantasy start/sit lineup advice in 2025 -- a unique mashup of rankings and matchup breakdowns to help you make those tough decisions on whom to play and not to play:

• Several highly drafted fantasy players are essential weekly starters when healthy. These include the "regular starts."
• When considering players with favorable matchups who are on the fence, they are "stronger starts," whereas the players who are strongly recommended to start are "weaker starts."
• Our recommendations are also informed by a 12-team, half-point PPR setup, aiming to strike a balance between less populated and more populated leagues, as well as between full-PPR and standard scoring systems.

In addition to the usual league start/sit advice, "The Decider" offers daily fantasy sports selections for DraftKings and FanDuel, catering to various play styles.

Continue scrolling for advice on constructing optimal fantasy football lineups for your crucial seventh game on "the field", featuring start and sit recommendations for this week.

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Fantasy Football QBs: Week 9 Starts

Top Quarterbacks for Week 9

1. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs (vs. BUF)
2. Josh Allen, Bills (at KC)
3. Lamar Jackson, Ravens (at MIA)
4. Drake Maye, Patriots (vs. ATL)
5. Justin Herbert, Chargers (at TEN)
6. Daniel Jones, Colts (at PIT)
7. Dak Prescott, Cowboys (vs. ARI)
8. Jayden Daniels, Commanders (if he plays, vs. SEA)

Top Week 9 Quarterback Selections

9. Jordan Love, Packers (vs. CAR): Love's hot streak should continue, with ample opportunities for his big-play tight end and a more robust committee of wide receivers.

10. Matthew Stafford, Rams (vs. The Baker Mayfield clunker vs. This kind of loss for The Saints won't be repeated in their upcoming L.A. Game. Stafford's receivers are expected to be healthy following their bye week.

11. Kyler Murray, Cardinals (at DAL): He should return to pass and run well on this bad defense but if not Jacoby Brissett would be a deep streamer.

12. Joe Flacco, Bengals (vs. CHI, if active): He's delivering with his weapons and the volume should be there to duel a good visiting offense.

13. Caleb Williams, Bears (at CIN): Williams needs a get-well game playing off the run the Bengals should provide that needed break on the road.

14. Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars (at LV): Following a bye week, Lawrence is expected to be more integrated into Liam Coen's offensive scheme and perform well against a defense that's generally struggling.

15: Mac Jones or Brock Purdy, 49ers (at NYG): Jones has a decent floor against a Giants secondary that struggles in wide receiver coverage. Purdy offers the higher ceiling should he return with the Giants giving up big plays deeper.

DFS QB Week 9 top pick

• Justin Herbert, Chargers (at TEN, $6,800 on DraftKings, $8,100 on FanDuel): Here's a little bit of a higher investment for a red-hot sudden high-volume QB and he will be relentless to light up the hapless Titans on the road.

QB sit 'em picks Week 9

QB play falters Week 9

16. Jared Goff, Lions (vs. MIN): Goff can be decent at home against the Vikings but there will be limited volume and the running game can do much of the damage.

17. Jaxson Dart, Giants (vs. SF): The weapons are limited with less running game help and the 49ers' defense will rebound well from Houston.

18. Bo Nix, Broncos (at HOU): He's back on the road against a tough defense, so no go on Bo.

19. Aaron Rodgers, Steelers (vs. IND): The Colts' defense also is an asset and they can make him uncomfortable for the most part.

20. C.J. Stroud, Texans (vs. DEN): This feels like. A defensive grind, even without Patrick Surtain II in coverage.

21. Tua Tagovailoa, Dollphins (at BAL): Chasing the Falcons box score will be.

🗒️ LINEUP TIPS: Week 9 Waiver Wire | Week 9 Sleepers | Week 9 Busts

Week 9 RB starts: Fantasy Football

Week 9 must-start RBs

1. Jonathan Taylor, Colts (at PIT)
2. Christian McCaffrey, 49ers (at NYG)
3. De'Von Achane, Dolphins (vs. BAL)
4. Derrick Henry, Ravens (at MIA)
5. Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions (vs. MIN)
6. Josh Jacobs, Packers (vs. CAR)
7. Bijan Robinson, Falcons (at NE)
8. James Cook, Bills (at CAR)
9. Kyren Williams, Rams (vs. NO)
10. Javonte Williams, Cowboys (vs. ARI)
11. Kimani Vidal, Chargers (at TEN)
12. Chase Brown, Bengals (vs. CHI)
13. J.K. Dobbins, Broncos (at HOU)
14. Travis Etienne, Jaguars (vs. LV)
15. Ashton Jeanty, Raiders (vs. JAX)
16. Kenneth Walker III, Seahawks (at WAS)
17. David Montgomery, Lions (vs. MIN)

RB plays for Week 9

18. Tyrone Tracy Jr., Giants (vs. SF): He will get the key rushing and receiving work once again with Cam Skattebo down for the count.

19. Kareem Hunt, Chiefs (vs. BUF): He's the best choice of the three backs because of his strong red zone work in a favorable rushing matchup.

20. Bam Knight, Cardinals (at DAL): There's no more Michael Carter so he benefits from the great matchup up front.

21. Zach Charbonnet, Seahawks (at WAS): He's worth getting in there given how much the Commanders have struggled vs. Backs in the red zone.

22. Tyjae Spears, Titans (vs. LAC): Spears is getting increased work in the full evaluation mode and he should be able to burn the Chargers for production late.

23. Jaylen Warren, Steelers (vs. IND): It's not the most inspiring spot but he's still the best option as a leading during another tough bye.

DFS RB picks Week 9

• Chase Brown, Bengals (vs. CHI, $5,900 on DraftKings, $7,200 on FanDuel): Also stick with Brown back in Cincinnati with Flacco setting up more rushing and receiving pop and a shot at multiple TDs.

Fantasy Football Week 9 RBs to bench

RB Week 9 risks

24. Tony Pollard, Titans (vs. LAC): Pollard is falling out of favor too fast because of the non-competitive nature of his team.

25. Alvin Kamara, Saints (at LAR): Kamara, Devin Neal or anyone else in his backfield has become unplayable with the offensive woes.

26. Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Commanders (vs. SEA): The Seahawks are OK vs. The run but struggle more with pass-catching backs, which "Bill' really isn't.

27. Rico Dowdle and 30. Chuba Hubbard, Panthers (at GB): The Packers are more vulnerable vs. The run than the pass but still this split and the game script say now.

28. Jordan Mason and 33. Aaron Jones, Vikings (at DET): This is uninspiring with the offense sputtering and the Lions reman stout vs. The run.

29. Nick Chubb, Texans (vs. DEN): You can't feel good about either him or Woddy Marks doing much in this matchup.

30. RJ Harvey, Broncos (at HOU): Don't chase his plays from the Cowboys game with Dobbins still keeping very busy and productive in his lead role.

👮 PROTECT YOUR BACKFIELD: RB handcuff rankings and depth charts

Fantasy Week 9 WR Starts

Week 9 WRs: Who to start

1. Ja'Marr Chase, Bengals (vs. CHI)
2. Puka Nacua, Rams (vs. NO)
3. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seahawks (at WAS)
4. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions (vs. MIN)
5. CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys (vs. ARI)
6. Justin Jefferson, Vikings (at DET)
7. Rashee Rice, Chiefs (at BUF)
8. DK Metcalf, Steelers (vs. IND)
9. Rome Odunze, Bears (at CIN)
10. Michael Pittman Jr., Colts (at PIT)
11. George Pickens, Cowboys (vs. ARI)
12. Davante Adams, Rams (vs. NO)
13. Nico Collins, Texans (if he plays, vs. DEN)
14. Ladd McConkey, Chargers (at TEN)
15. Zay Flowers, Ravens (vs. MIA)
16. Marvin Harrison Jr., Cardinals (at DAL)
17. Drake London, Falcons (if he returns, at NE)
18. Tee Higgins, Bengals (vs. CHI)
19. Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins (vs. BAL)
20. Courtland Sutton, Broncos (at HOU)
21. Brian Thomas Jr., Jaguars (at LV)
22. Travis Hunter, Jaguars (at LV)
23. Tetairoa McMillan, Panthers (at GB)
24. Deebo Samuel, Commanders (vs. SEA)

WR Week 9 strong

25. D.J. Moore, Bears (at CIN): Moore got warmed up as their No. 2 last season and will build on that in Cincinnati.

26. Keenan Allen, Chargers (at TEN): It's getting more difficult with increased weapons but he comes through with targets and a good shot to score.

27. Jordan Addison, Vikings (vs. DET): There's no more Wentz chemistry on which to lean but he's too involved to ignore playing off Jefferson.

28. Xavier Worthy, Chiefs (vs. BUF): Take on shot him with Rice again as he can give the Bills trouble with his downfield speed.

29. Stefon Diggs, Patriots (vs. ATL): He should be their preferred target to get teh ball out quickly into his routes for Maye.

30. Chris Olave, Saints (at LAR): He will keep getting the key volume even with a QB change to Tyler Shough.

31. Jauan Jennings and 33. Kendrick Bourne, 49ers (at NYG): The Giants' cornerbacks can be burned badly downfield so they can be helpful on intermediate to deep route options.

32. Alec Pierce, Colts (at PIT): The Steelers have had notable breakdowns against deep balls in the secondary.

33. Tre Tucker, Raiders (vs. JAX): They need to look more at him on the outside for big plays on the verge of trading another wide receiver.

DFS WR Week 9 plays

• Justin Jefferson, Vikings (at DET, $7,800 on DraftKings, $8,700 on FanDuel): xJJ isn't usually this cheap because of the trend down for QB issues, but the Lions' secondary has been struggling outside and J.J. McCarthy will feed him better the Wentz.
• Brian Thomas Jr, Jaguars (at LV, $6,200 on DraftKings, $6,900 on FanDuel): Look for a breakout game with both Thomas and Hunter delivering downfield for Coen and Lawrence.
• DK Metcalf, Steelers (vs. IND, $5,500 on DraftKings, $7,600 on FanDuel): Metcalf is a tough cover with his size, strength and speed for the Colts' cornerbacks downfield.

Week 9 WRs to bench

Week 9 WRs less strong

35. Quentin Johnston, Chargers (at TEN): He's cooling off with more love the other wide receivers and a rookie tight end and he also has battled injury of late.

36. Jameson Williams, Lions (vs. MIN): It's just not. Happening and there's no doubt for the Goff to force things downfield with his team rolling.

37. Kayshon Boutte, Patriots (vs. ATL): Maye will keep getting it done but with less of deep shots.

38. Josh Downs, Colts (at PIT): He won't have the same impact as Pittman and Pierce.

39. Romeo Doubs, Packers (vs. CAR): You can't trust him or Matthew Golden with Chrstian Watson back and cutting into production.

40. Rashid Shaheed, Saints (at LAR): He has more of a deep chance with Shough but the matchup is rough.

41. Wan'Dale Robinson, Giants (vs. SF): You can't go here with the entire offense about to sputter with Dart.

42. Khalil Shakir, Bills (at KC): He went off on the Panthers but it's hard to trust any one receiver in a tough secondary matchup.

43. Jakobi Meyers, Raiders (vs. JAX): He's not about to start being effective ahead of likely being traded in relation to Tucker.

↕️ WEEK 9 Fantasy Rankings: QB | ​​RB | WR | TE | D/ST | PK | ​​Half-PPR Cheat Sheet

Fantasy Week 9 TE starts

Week 9 must-start TEs

1. Tucker Kraft, Packers (vs. CAR)
2. Trey McBride, Cardinals (at DAL)
3. Tyler Warren, Colts (at PIT)
4. George Kittle, 49ers (at NYG)
5. Brock Bowers, Raiders (if he returns, vs. JAX)
6. Jake Ferguson, Cowboys (vs. ARI)
7. Oronde Gadsden II, Chargers (at TEN)
8. Sam LaPorta, Lions (vs. MIN)

Week 9 TE plays

9. Zach Ertz, Commanders (vs. SEA): He will need to be busy and gets helped by attention on wide receivers regardless of the QB.

10. Mark Andrews, Ravens (vs. MIA): With Jackson back in action, eh should come through a red zone score and more.

11. Kyle Pitts Sr., Falcons (at NE): Pitts is getting the big-time targets and can deliver downfield against a key coverage weakness.

12. Dalton Kincaid, Bills (at KC): This matchup is tougher but he's too important in the offense to sit in a high-scoring game.

13. Travis Kelce, Chiefs (vs. BUF): This matchup is tougher but he's too important in the offense to sit in a high-scoring game.

14. Colston Loveland, Bears (at CIN): The Bengals are so bad against the right end that the rookie can get going in a bigger role.

DFS picks week 9

• Tyler Warren, Colts (at PIT $5,500 on DraftKings, $4,900 on FanDuel): Warren should have his biggest game in a few weeks as the Steelers just got ripped to shreds by Kraft to continue a worrisome coverage trend.

Fantasy Week 9 tight end sits

TE slump Week 9 begins

15. Pat Freiermuth, Steelers (vs. IND): He's been more involved with limited wideout pop but you can't go here with Jonnu Smith sharing.

16. T.J. Hockenson, Vikings (at DET): He's further disappearing with a QB change.

17. Hunter Henry, Patriots (vs. ATL): You can't trust him despite the return to the end zone last week.

18. Evan Engram, Broncos (at HOU): There's not much upside to playing him with the spreading around

19. Dalton Schultz, Texans (vs. DEN): Avoid the tight ends in the same game.

20. Theo Johnson, Giants (vs. SF): There's not much uninspiring vs. Their still strong intermediate coverage.

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Fantasy Football Week 9: Top D/ST starts

1. Los Angeles Rams (vs. NO)
2. Green Bay Packers (vs. CAR)
3. Jacksonville Jaguars (at LV)
4. Los Angeles Chargers (at TEN)
5. Detroit Lions (vs. MIN)
6. Denver Broncos (at HOU)
7. San Francisco 49ers (at NYG)
8. Houston Texans (vs. DEN)
9. Seattle Seahawks (at WAS)
10. New England Patriots (vs. ATL)
11. Baltimore Ravens (at MIA)
12. Chicago Bears (at CIN)
13. Indianapolis Colts (at PIT)
14. Kansas City Chiefs (vs. BUF)

DFS D/ST Week 9

• Jacksonville Jaguars (at LV, $3,300 on DraftKings, $4,100 on FanDuel): The Jaguars have been good at forcing takeaways in Anthony Campanile's scheme and the Raiders have been very giving. Look for their pressure and playmaking to pay off in the desert.

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