Week 9 Fantasy Football Start 'Em Sit 'Em

Sportz Nation Staff
Oct 30, 2025
7 min read

by Matt Hylen Zak Drapeau 10/30/25 Sportz Nation

Start 'Em (Matt Hylen)

Quarterbacks

Kyler Murray at DAL

Kyler Murray has been sidelined since Week 5 with a foot injury, but all signs point towards a return in Week 9. Murray has been serviceable thus far for fantasy managers in 2025, but I think this weekend could be a big one for him. This will be Murray's first game playing against a bottom-ten-ranked defense, which should make things a lot easier for him. In fact, Murray plays the worst defense in the NFL in the Dallas Cowboys, making him a start candidate in itself.

Sam Darnold at WAS

Darnold has been great in real life, yet has not been able to find consistency in fantasy football. With that said, Darnold's lesser performances have been more because of the game plan rather than his individual play. He has been pretty matchup-proof this season, which will bode well against a defense in the Commanders that allows the 3rd most fantasy points to QBs.

Caleb Williams at CIN

Caleb Williams has not been great in fantasy this season, but I think that changes this week. Williams' best games this season have come against the Cowboys and Commanders, who rank as two of the worst defenses in football. Williams gets another crack at a horrible defense as he faces the Bengals, who allowed 39 points to the Jets last week and the 4th most fantasy points to QBs.

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Running Backs

Kimani Vidal at TEN

Kimani Vidal might not be a household name, but he has been great in the absence of Najee Harris and Omarion Hampton. Vidal is coming off a fantastic 23 carry, 117-yard, 1 TD game against a good Minnesota run defense. Vidal gets a goldmine of a matchup against the Titans this week, who allow the 2nd most fantasy points on average to RBs

Kareem Hunt at BUF

With Isiah Pacheco trending towards sitting out Week 9 with a knee injury, Kareem Hunt will likely assume the RB1 duties in Kansas City. Hunt's red zone usage last week (2 TDs) was enough to warrant a start, but on top of that, he faces a Buffalo defense with no Ed Oliver and ranked 6th on most fantasy points allowed on average to RBs.

Chase Brown vs CHI

For those who, like me, took a chance and drafted Chase Brown early in your drafts, the rewards might finally start coming. Brown has woken up significantly since the arrival of Joe Flacco, putting together back-to-back great fantasy performances. Coming off a 15-touch, 105 total yard, 2 total TD performance against the Jets, Brown will be looking to repeat against a 10th-ranked Bears defense in points allowed on average to RBs.

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Wide Receivers

Jaylen Waddle vs BAL

Coming off one of his best games of the season in Week 8, Waddle will look to produce WR1 numbers again in Week 9. Waddle has had no problem with targets this year, averaging 6.3 a game, causing me to believe he will be involved early and often in Miami's offense. Waddle has a very intriguing matchup against the Ravens, who allow the 2nd most fantasy points on average to WRs.

Brian Thomas Jr. at LV

It has not been the year managers were hoping for, but Brian Thomas Jr. should deliver this week. Thomas Jr. has had no issue regarding his involvement in the offense, but rather the drops he has compiled. If he can clean that up this week, he should have no problem producing against a Raiders defense that allows the 3rd most fantasy points on average to WRs.

Michael Pittman Jr. at PIT

Michael Pittman Jr. is more and more becoming a staple for Daniel Jones and the historically good Colts offense. He is finally starting to look like his 2023 self again, which is extremely promising for fantasy managers. Pittman Jr. is a very solid start against a bottom-six Steelers pass defense.

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Tight Ends

Credit to Brian Murphy for the Washington Times.

Zach Ertz vs SEA

As a top-10 ranked TE on the year in terms of total fantasy points, Ertz has put together a strong first half regardless of who is passing him the ball. With 4 TDs on the season thus far, look for Ertz to likely find the end zone again against a Seahawks defense that ranks 8th in most points allowed on average to TEs.

Oronde Gadsden at TEN

Orande Gadsden has broken onto the scene in a massive way. If you were lucky enough to pick him up off the waiver wire, Gadsden has been a top-tier TE the past three weeks. In what could be a blowout, look for Gadsden to be heavily involved against the Titans, who allow the 4th most points per game to opposing teams.

Mark Andrews at MIA

With Lamar Jackson likely back this week, I have a feeling Mark Andrews is going to be much more involved in the Ravens' offense. He may be way past his prime, but Andrews has shown flashes of his former self on multiple occasions this year. Andrews matches up against a Dolphins defense that allows double-digit points per game on average to TEs.

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Sit 'Em (Zak Drapeau)

Quarterbacks

Daniel Jones at PIT

Daniel Jones has scored 20+ fantasy points 3 weeks in a row, but up next on the Colts' schedule is one of their toughest challenges yet in Pittsburgh. Although the Steelers haven't had the defense we're accustomed to this season, their pass rush and secondary could spell a long day for the Colts' passing game as they continue to rely more and more on the run.

Bo Nix at HOU

Nix has been the best fantasy QB in the past two weeks, but he will be facing the #1 defense in the league. Houston's matchup last week against Mac Jones was the first time they allowed more than 10 fantasy points to a QB since Week 2, and even though Nix has been good, a modest 15-point game is all fantasy owners should hope for and definitely could do better than.

Jayden Daniels vs SEA

First of all, we have to see if Daniels is healthy enough to even play, and then we have to worry about his matchup with the Seahawks. Daniels' running threat could open him up for having a decent day, but the Commanders' offense showed last week that they are far from perfect, especially when facing a caliber defense like the Chiefs and now Seahawks.

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Running Backs

James Cook vs KC

Cook has been... well, cooking this season, but so has the Chiefs' defense. They haven't let a Fantasy RB reach 10+ points since Justice Hill in Week 4 and haven't let a team reach 100 rushing yards all season besides the Eagles and Ravens. Cook may have a good season going, especially after his 33-point outburst last week, but he is a FLEX-at-best start this week.

Photo by Stephen R. Sylvanie/ Imagn Images

Ashton Jeanty vs JAX

I want to make this clear: Jeanty is not a bust... yet. His offense is just garbage around him and makes him an almost impossible start unless you are really struggling with RB depth. Jacksonville's defense isn't anything special against the run, but they are good enough to keep him in check.

Alvin Kamara at LAR

Kamara has had a slow season, which isn't surprising on this Saints team, and will now be facing the Rams' defense, which ranks #1 against Fantasy RBs. Only reaching 10+ points once in the past 6 weeks, Kamara's real downfall has been his TDs, or lack thereof, with only one on the season and that coming in Week 1.

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Wide Receivers

Drake London at NE

London has been having a pretty decent season for himself, but with recent developments in Atlanta's quarterback room, starting their offense becomes tricky. Especially this week with a matchup against Christian Gonzalez, London's fantasy value is not very high.

George Pickens vs. ARI

Pickens had a step down but an altogether decent week with CeeDee Lamb back, but it's clear that his fantasy value continues to drop. This week, the 'Boys take on the Cardinals, who have done well against the pass all season.

Courtland Sutton at HOU

At least one or two players will make their way to the sit list who face the Texans every week, and Sutton is that guy this week. Without a TD in four straight games, Sutton will likely continue that streak this time around.

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Tight Ends

Sam LaPorta vs MIN

Even if the Vikings have to start John Wolford at QB this week, these Vikings-Lions games are always a bloodbath that usually features great defense. With Sam LaPorta having a diminished role in this offense as of late too, I don't see how starting him would be worth it unless you have no other TEs on your team.

Travis Kelce at BUF

Travis Kelce may have gotten caught up in National Tight End Day that swept the league last week but will run into a brick wall this week. Buffalo's linebackers and safeties are so good, and they have done well to limit Kelce in the past. I see no reason why this game would be any different.

Hunter Henry vs ATL

In the same light as Courtland Sutton, Henry's value this week against a stingy Atlanta defense just isn't worth it. The Patriots do well to move the ball around, and if Henry doesn't have the stray 20+ point performance, he'll likely have about 5 instead.

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