Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em Week 9
Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em Week 9
We are officially mid-way through the 2023 NFL season. Unfortunately, injuries just keep piling up this season for fantasy football team owners. It’s been an uphill battle all season trying to manage injuries on fantasy team rosters. Players who were injured in week 8 include but are not limited to Kirk Cousins, Matthew Stafford, Kenny Pickett, Drake London, and Darren Waller. Aside from injuries, we saw the Cincinnati Bengals defeat the San Francisco 49ers and the Denver Broncos defeat the Kansas City Chiefs in upset victories. One of the highlights of the day was Tennessee Titans rookie quarterback Will Levis throw four touchdowns in his debut. Fun fact, both the Tennessee Titans (Houston Oilers) and the Seattle Seahawks (1990’s retro) won their respective matchups in their throwback uniforms.
Cowboys @ Eagles | 4:25 pm EST Sunday
ESPN Starting Percentage: 36.2%
Prescott helped lead the Cowboys to a 43-20 win over the Los Angeles Rams, scoring 28.06 fantasy points for team owners. In week 9, the Cowboys are back on the road against their NFC East rival Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles have one of the fiercest defenses in the league, but their secondary looked “soft” playing against the Washington Commanders. The Eagles defense allowed Commanders quarterback Sam Howell to score 30.98 fantasy points which was the best performance in the quarterback position for the week. This game should be a high scoring close game as both teams possess explosive offenses. I expect Prescott to continue his excellent play in a must win game and should be considered a low-end QB1 in week 9.
Bills @ Bengals | 8:20 pm EST Sunday
ESPN Starting Percentage: 51.4%
Burrow and the Bengals looked fresh coming off a bye with their 30-17 win over the San Francisco 49ers. There was a fire in Burrow’s eyes that I had not seen before as I was watching him on the television screen. He played highly efficient against one of the best passing defenses in the league, scoring 27.62 fantasy points for team owners. I don’t believe there will be any issue for Burrow and the Bengals against the Buffalo Bills defense that has been playing well below average allowing opposing quarterbacks to score double digit points the past few weeks. Burrow looked like a man on a mission this past Sunday and thus he should be considered a low-end QB1 in week 9 against one of their conference rivals.
Seahawks @ Ravens | 1:00 pm EST Sunday
ESPN Starting Percentage: 36.2%
Mr. Gus Edwards from my hometown Staten Island, NY represented well for us New Yorkers. In the Baltimore Ravens week 9 win over the Arizona Cardinals 31-24, Edwards scored 29.4 fantasy points in PPR leagues for team owners. Edwards is a solid lock as a starting fantasy football running back in week 9 as the Ravens rushing offense has finally gotten into a grove. The Seattle Seahawks rushing defense has allowed running backs to score double-digit points the past few weeks including Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs who scored 27.6 PPR points in week 7. I expect Edwards to make it three straight weeks scoring over 20 fantasy points in PPR leagues and should be considered a low-end to mid-end RB1 in week 9.
Colts @ Panthers | 4:05 pm EST Sunday
ESPN Starting Percentage: 79.1%
It was a rough week for the veteran running back as he was only able to accumulate 10.7 fantasy points in PPR leagues for team owners this past Sunday. In the Indianapolis Colts loss to the New Orleans Saints 38-27, Taylor and fellow running back Zack Moss split carries again 12-11 in favor of Taylor. Unfortunately, Taylor owners witnessed Moss score a rushing touchdown whereas Taylor did not. Hopefully, in a fantastic matchup against the Carolina Panthers, Taylor can put together a full performance, rushing for over 100 yards and scoring a touchdown. Even with Moss and Taylor splitting carries, there is no reason to doubt that he will put-up double-digit fantasy numbers. Taylor should be considered a high-end RB2 to low-end RB1 in week 9.
Bears @ Saints | 1:00 pm EST Sunday
ESPN Starting Percentage: 75.5%
Olave was quiet in the New Orleans Saints win over the Indianapolis Colts 38-27, scoring 9.6 fantasy points in PPR leagues. However, he led the team in receptions with five. Fortunately, Olave has a much better matchup against the Chicago Bears defense. Olave has low-end WR1 upside in week 9 against the Bears defense that allows double-digit fantasy points to opposing wide receivers.
Cowboys @ Eagles | 4:25 pm EST Sunday
ESPN Starting Percentage: 69.9%
Smith helped the Philadelphia Eagles overcome the Washington Commanders 38-31, scoring 22.9 fantasy points in PPR leagues. In an expected high scoring game, Smith should perform well against their division rival in the Dallas Cowboys defense. Quarterback Jalen Hurts will rely on both A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith to help the Philadelphia Eagles to a much-needed win to secure the lead in the division for the foreseeable future. Smith should be considered a high-end WR2 in week 9.
Bills @ Bengals | 8:20 pm EST Sunday
ESPN Starting Percentage: 29.4%
Kincaid finally had a breakout game scoring 17.5 fantasy points in PPR leagues as the Buffalo Bills defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 21-18 last Thursday night. Kincaid should remain a starting tight end for fantasy owners this week as the Cincinnati Bengals defense gives up the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends.
Rams @ Packers | 1:00 pm EST Sunday
ESPN Starting Percentage: 24.9%
Love is not impressing me whatsoever as the Green Bay Packers offense continues to make the same mistakes repeatedly. I do not believe Love and the Packers offense will put a significant dent in the Rams defense in their upcoming matchup. My recommendation is to sit Love in week 9.
Cowboys @ Eagles | 4:25 pm EST Sunday
ESPN Starting Percentage: 87.4%
Surprisingly, Pollard has not met expectations this season as his performance has been less than stellar. My belief is that Pollard is not fully healthy coming from his significant leg injury that he suffered in last year’s playoffs. The Philadelphia Eagles run defense is the best rushing defense in the league allowing the fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs. I expect the Dallas Cowboys offense to air it out in week 9, meaning that I believe sitting Pollard would be for the best.
Vikings @ Falcons | 1:00 pm EST Sunday
ESPN Starting Percentage: 62.1%
Unfortunately, Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins suffered a torn right achilles and is out for the remainder of the season. As the Minnesota Vikings turn to backup quarterback rookie Jaren Hall out of BYU, the offense will have “growing pains” and it could be a problem for Addison in his fantasy production. My recommendation is to sit Addison until we have more film on Jaren Hall.
Cardinals @ Browns | 1:00 pm EST Sunday
ESPN Starting Percentage: 2.4%
McBride played lights out in week 8 scoring 25.5 fantasy points in PPR leagues in the Arizona Cardinals loss to the Baltimore Ravens 31-24. Unfortunately, McBride faces the Cleveland Browns defense that allows the fourth-fewest fantasy points to the tight end position. My recommendation is to sit McBride in week 9.
Lawrence is a fan of the Green Bay Packers. He is currently a graduate student at William Paterson University pursuing a master’s degree in Financial Planning. His hobbies include all things fantasy football, weightlifting, collecting Yu-Gi-Oh trading cards, and playing Madden. He specializes in dynasty fantasy football having won two championships in the past five years. He is also a college football fan who loves to watch his Buckeyes play on Saturdays while drinking pumpkin-flavored coffee. He is always looking to evolve his game as a fantasy football player and one of his goals is to help other players do the same.
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