Fantasy Football Start 'Em Sit 'Em Week 9
by Zak Drapeau and Matt Hylen
Sportz Nation - 11/5/2026
Quarterbacks
Start 'Em
Brock Purdy vs LV
Coming off a bye week in Week 8, Purdy will look to keep his momentum going in Week 9. He struggled for seemingly the first time all season against the Falcons last time out, but should absolutely rebound against the Raiders at home. With the Raiders allowing the 4th most fantasy points per game to QBs and tied for 2nd most TDs, Purdy could be the best QB in fantasy football by week's end.
Matthew Stafford at WAS
Week 8 was a bad week for Matthew Stafford. Throwing for only 157 yards, a touchdown, and an INT, Stafford faced a tough matchup that won’t happen again this week. In fact, it is quite the opposite; Stafford plays a Commanders defense that allows the 3rd most fantasy points to QBs. Stafford has capitalized on every favorable matchup he has had to date, so I expect this week to be no different in any stretch.
Sit 'Em
Tyler Shough vs CLE
I understand that the Saints had an extra BYE Week to prepare for the Browns but their defense is still very good against the pass and will both be looking for turnovers and to rush Tyler Shough this weekend.
Shough had an okay game in London against the Steelers before the BYE and wll yet again face off with a tough-nosed defense this week. Unless he uses his legs more and grabs 2 touchdowns, I don't see how he'll get any more than 8-12 points this week.
C.J. Stroud at LAC
Am I the only one that thinks this game is a HUGE trao game for the Texans? Yes I realize how bad the Chargers have been this season but their defense ranks 7th against QBs who they haven't allowed more than 15 points to since Week 2, including games against Josh Allen, Matt Stafford and Pat Mahomes. I know CJ Stroud has had a great season so far but on top of travelling to LA, I definitely don't think he'll be able to buck that trend.
Running Backs
Start 'Em
Jonah Coleman at CAR
Jonah Coleman has gotten a lot of hype recently by numerous fantasy football outlets and rightfully so. Coleman looks like he could develop into the dynamic running back Denver has been looking for for years. Plus, his involvement keeps growing and growing despite the health of JK Dobbins. I expect Coleman to produce as the RB1 in Denver once again against a Panthers defense that allows the 2nd most fantasy points and rushing TDs to RBs.
Quinshon Judkins at NO
Quinshon Judkins is another candidate I expect to bounce back this week. Cleveland was playing from behind during the entirely of Week 8, so it was a tough situation for Judkins to get anything going with the run game abandoned so early. This week should be a bit of a different story for Judkins, especially considering the Saints run defense is the worst in football in rushing TDs allowed and fantasy points allowed to RBs.
Sit 'Em
D'Andre Swfit vs TB
Withing Ben Johnson's system Swift has really thrived and especially so over the past month where he's become the 4th highest scoring RB so far this season. Seeing Roschon Johnson split carries with him in the first half could be a sign of contention though and so will Tampa's defense.
Ranking 2nd for the season against Fantasy RBs, Tampa has only allowed 1 RB to get over 10 Fantasy points since Week 3 and that was thanks to a late, Javonte Williams TD. The Buccs defense is seriously good and could force the Bears to get craetive and not prioritize touches for Swift like normal.
Derrick Henry vs JAX
Unfortunately for Henry Fantasy owners, the Ravens are a mess right now and that will severely hamper Henry's Fantasy potential especially if they trail in the 2nd half. Henry will also be facing a Jaguars defense that has been fantastic as of late, including shutting down Jonathan Taylor last week.
Wide Receivers
Start 'Em
Antonio Williams vs LAR
Whether you have stashed him for a while or you were lucky enough to get him off the waiver wire this week, Antonio Williams is a guy I expect to produce very solid numbers very soon. It is a tough matchup this week for Williams, but my expectation is that Rams CB Trent McDuffie will cover Stefon Diggs for a majority of the game. The Rams 2nd string and blunder CB Jalen Watson is out for the year, which should allow Williams to get favorable matchups all game long. It is a bit of a risk, but I would start Williams this week for the reason that his targets and involvement in Washington’s offense should continue to grow.
Keenan Allen vs DAL
It makes sense to steer away from any Colts player at the moment, but the targets have to go somewhere. Keenan Allen has been consistent in terms of route volume and target share this season, with his matchup against the Cowboys very intriguing. I think Allen could be utilized early and often against a Cowboys defense who ranks in the bottom 10 in points allowed to receivers.
Sit 'Em
Amon-Ra St. Brown at MIA
I fully understand that I can say with a full chest that you should bench St. Brown and likely NO ONE will do so after his season but this week above all else, would eb the week to do so. Miami surprisngly has been very good against receivers with only JaMarr Chase having a great game this season from a star receiver.
Miami has been able to game plan for the most impressive wide outs and shut them down and with their game at Hard Rock and St. Brown already nursing a rib injury, this games screams to me that he may only grab about 4 catches for 40 yards or so.
Tetairoa McMillan vs DEN
McMillan has been cooling off a lot lately as the Panthers' offensive struggles have become critical over the past month. Averaging only 5 catches for 49 yards in his past two games, McMillan will now face off against Pat Surtain and the Broncos this week. Pretty easy benching in my opionion.
Tight Ends
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T.J. Hockenson vs BUF
Despite the major offensive struggles the Vikings have experienced, T.J. Hockenson has quietly put together a solid season thus far. The volume may not be elite, but Hockenson’s targets are very consistent week in and week out which is all you need in Fantasy for a TE to be startable. With the Bills defense ranking in the middle of the pack at defending TEs, Hockenson might be in for a good day for your fantasy team.
Greg Dulcich vs DET
He may not be the biggest name, but Greg Dulcich has been another TE who has been on the rise recently. Again, not the biggest output, but consistent enough to believe he will be a big part of the Dolphins offense going forward. The Lions are the worst in fantasy football in stopping TEs, which makes me believe that Dulcich is worth a start in Week 9.
Sit 'Em
Isaiah Likely at PHI
I still don't love Likely in the McCarthy-le Giants offense and then I hear that he has been limping in practice this week. Throughout his season, Likely has either had a huge game or a mediocre game and with McCarthy at the helm and going to a division rival who ranks 3rd against Fantasy TEs, this will probably be the latter.
Travis Kelce vs NYJ
Kelce has been a reliable 6-9 point option over the last few weeks but has definitely cooled off since his great 3-week start to the season. Against a more than servicable Jets' defense this week and with the Chiefs' offense struggling, I'd look for another TE to start in his place.
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