Fantasy Football: Starts And Sits Week 9 2021
Week 8 threw a wrench into a number of lineups with Bye week blues, injuries to big name players, and tons of under-performers. Nonetheless, it's a new week for new opportunities and I have the perfect start/sit formula for your lineups in Week 9.
START
Quarterbacks
Derek Carr @ NYG
Derek Carr plays against a Giants secondary that has allowed 15 passing touchdowns so far this season. He dropped three spots (to fifth) in passing yards on his Bye week, but he’ll have a legit shot to return to the top after this week.
Dak Prescott vs DEN
The Broncos traded Von Miller to the Rams, leaving a huge hole in their defense. The Cowboys have the league’s top offense. Prescott will rack up fantasy points like a Trick-Or-Treater on Sunday in his return from injury.
Tua Tagovailoa vs HOU
Tua walks into Week 9 with a Texas-sized chip on his shoulder. The Texans defense lies at the bottom of the league in touchdowns and fantasy points allowed to opposing QBs. His six touchdowns in three games proves he deserves a starting spot this week.
Running Backs
Boston Scott vs LAC
Scott proved to be the RB1 for the Eagles on Sunday with Miles Sanders out with injury. He led the team in carries and scored twice. The Chargers allow the second-most rushing yards in the league, giving Scott another favorable matchup.
Jonathan Taylor vs NYJ (THURSDAY NIGHT)
The Jets cannot stop the run this season, allowing the second most fantasy points to opposing RBs. Lock Taylor in for another busy weekend filled with fantasy points.
Nick Chubb vs CIN
Chubb has seen more targets in the passing game since Kareem Hunt landed on IR. He lines up against a Bengals defense who gave up over 500 yards of offense last week. Nick Chubb is back ladies and gentlemen.
Wide Receivers
Michael Pittman vs NYJ (THURSDAY)
Pittman ranks as WR11 after finishing as a Top-5 WR in consecutive weeks. He takes another jump this week against a weak Jets defense.
Deebo Samuel vs ARI
Deebo Samuel has averaged ten targets, 6.5 catches and 130.5 yards over the past two games for the 49ers. Those are WR1 stats to prove why he’s the lock of the week.
DeVante Parker vs HOU
Tua needs a target. Parker proved to be a reliable one as he caught eight passes for 86 yards against the Bills last week, who have the league’s best passing defense. Parker is a must start as he plays against the Texans this week.
Tight Ends
Tyler Conklin @ BAL
Conklin has cooled off since his hot start to the season, but he squares off against the Ravens on Sunday who have allowed the most touchdowns to TEs in 2021.
Tyler Higbee vs TEN
Matthew Stafford relies on Higbee in the red zone, with a TE leading NINE red zone targets. It’s going to be a long day for the Titans defense and Higbee will benefit from this matchup.
Zach Ertz @ SF
Ertz has shined in the desert, averaging five targets per game since being traded. He sees the targets that a manager desperate for a boom-play hopes to see and is slowly becoming a much more reliable fantasy TE option.
SIT
Quarterbacks
Patrick Mahomes vs GB
Mahomes has failed to throw multiple touchdowns or finish with over 15 fantasy points since Week 6. The Giants almost stole a win from the Chiefs on Monday night and until Mahomes can make better decisions, someone like Mac Jones makes for a better start this week.
Jordan Love @ KC
Love makes his NFL debut against the Chiefs that allow the most passing yards and touchdowns to opposing QBs. However, there are a lot of better options still on the waiver wire that make for safer plays than a QB who has not played a meaningful down of NFL football yet.
Ryan Tannehill @ LAR
Tannehill heads into a matchup against one of the best defenses in football without the King, Derrick Henry. His increase in passing attempts will not translate into fantasy points. Tua Tagovailoa is available in over 55% of leagues.
Running Backs
Corrdarrelle Patterson vs NO
Patterson plays against the Saints this week who have allowed the least amount of rushing yards to RBs this season. They upset the Bucs a week ago, giving me the impression they aren’t done shutting down divisional opponents.
Javonte Williams @ DAL
Williams fits well into his RB2 role behind Melvin Gordon in Denver, but his matchup against the Cowboys this week may be a reason to sit the rookie. Gordon will see most of the workload in this game and Williams will be a big let down in Week 9.
Elijah Mitchel vs ARI
Even with J.J. Watt out for the season, the Cardinals defensive line is still like a brick wall. Jimmy Garoppolo will have to rely on his arm instead of his backfield in this divisional matchup.
Wide Receivers
Devonta Smith vs LAC
The Chargers have allowed the fewest receptions, yards, and fantasy points per game to opposing WRs this season. Jalen Hurts should look to move the ball with his legs this week once again, making Smith a poor play in Week 9.
Jaguars WRs vs BUF
No one can score on the Bills. They have allowed two touchdowns to WRs this season. It is not a smart idea to play a receiver who has to deal with them on Sundays.
Kenny Golladay vs LVR
The Raiders are one of four teams to allow under 100 yards to opposing WRs this season. Golladay may be ready for Sunday’s game, but save yourself the headache and bench him and the rest of his peers in this game.
Tight Ends
Dalton Schultz vs DEN
The Cowboys have tons of mouths to feed in their offense and Schultz will only be a low-end TE2 with Dak Prescott set to return from injury this week.
Tyler Kroft vs IND (THURSDAY NIGHT)
It took a few weeks to recover after Mark Andrews threw a wrench in the script, but The Maniac Sit of the Week makes a return this week. Tyler Kroft draws the matchup against Darius Leonard on Thursday night. The Colts have played well the past few weeks thanks to Leonard and the defense, so Kroft can be easily subbed out this week.
C.J. Uzomah vs CLE
Uzomah gave managers hope for a consistent week to week starter, but disappointed against the Jets. He can be benched this week until he proves otherwise.