Fantasy football managers face pivotal lineup decisions in Week 9 as bye weeks and quarterback injuries shake up rosters. Analyst Dave Richard breaks down each matchup, highlighting trustworthy starters and potential disappointments based on defensive schemes, pass-rush pressure, backfield workloads, and target distribution.
Jaguars at Ravens (Thursday)
Start: Trevor Lawrence, Bhayshul Tuten, Derrick Henry (RB2), Parker Washington, Zay Flowers (WR2), Jaguars DST. Flex: Brenton Strange (PPR, high-end TE2). Sit: Joe Fagnano, Chris Rodriguez, Mark Andrews, Jakobi Meyers, Justice Hill, Brian Thomas Jr., Rashod Bateman, Ravens DST.
Bengals at Falcons (Sunday)
Must-Start: Joe Burrow, Bijan Robinson, Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Drake London. Start: Chase Brown, Kyle Pitts. Sit: Michael Penix Jr., Mike Gesicki, Samaje Perine, Jahan Dotson, Bengals DST, Falcons DST.
Broncos at Panthers (Sunday)
Must-Start: Chuba Hubbard. Start: Jonah Coleman, Tetairoa McMillan (low-end WR2), Broncos DST. Flex: Jalen Coker, Jaylen Waddle. Sit: Bo Nix, Bryce Young, Courtland Sutton, Pat Bryant, Darren Waller, JK Dobbins, Panthers DST.
Cowboys at Colts (Sunday)
Must-Start: Javonte Williams, CeeDee Lamb. Start: Dak Prescott, Jonathan Taylor, George Pickens, Tyler Warren (low-end). Flex: Keenan Allen (PPR), Ryan Flournoy. Sit: Daniel Jones, Josh Downs, Seth McGowan, DJ Giddens, Cowboys DST, Colts DST.
Jets at Chiefs (Sunday)
Must-Start: Kenneth Walker III. Start: Patrick Mahomes, Rashee Rice, Travis Kelce. Flex: Adonai Mitchell, Breece Hall, Braelon Allen, Omar Cooper Jr. (low-end PPR). Sit: Geno Smith, Xavier Worthy, Mason Taylor, Emmett Johnson, Chiefs DST, Jets DST.
Lions at Dolphins (Sunday)
Must-Start: Jahmyr Gibbs, Amon-Ra St. Brown. Start: Jared Goff, Jameson Williams, Ollie Gordon, Sam LaPorta, Lions DST (one-week). Flex: Malik Washington (PPR). Sit: Malik Willis, Caleb Douglas, Greg Dulcich, Dolphins DST.
Browns at Saints (Sunday)
Must-Start: Chris Olave. Start: Harold Fannin Jr., Alvin Kamara (low-end RB2), Saints DST, Browns DST (borderline). Flex: Quinshon Judkins. Sit: Tyler Shough, Shedeur Sanders, Jordyn Tyson, Dylan Sampson, Devaughn Vele, Denzel Boston, KC Concepcion, Juwan Johnson, Audric Estime, Kendre Miller.
Giants at Eagles (Sunday)
Must-Start: Malik Nabers. Start: Devin Singletary (RB2), Isaiah Likely, Saquon Barkley, Giants DST. Sit: J.J. McCarthy, Joe Milton III, Dallas Goedert, Makai Lemon, Malachi Fields, Eagles DST.
Rams at Commanders (Sunday)
Must-Start: Puka Nacua, Kyren Williams. Start: Jayden Daniels, Matthew Stafford (low-end QB1), Stefon Diggs (low-end WR2), Blake Corum (low-end RB2), Rachaad White (low-end PPR RB2), Rams DST. Flex: Antonio Williams. Sit: Chig Okonkwo, Tyler Higbee, Austin Ekeler, Konata Mumpfield, Commanders DST.
Texans at Chargers (Sunday)
Start: C.J. Stroud, Nico Collins, Texans DST. Flex: Ladd McConkey, Woody Marks (borderline RB2/3 PPR). Sit: Justin Herbert, Marvin Harrison Jr., Xavier Hutchinson, Omarion Hampton, Quentin Johnston, Oronde Gadsden II, Dalton Schultz, Kimani Vidal, Keaton Mitchell, Tank Dell, Chargers DST.
Cardinals at Seahawks (Sunday)
Must-Start: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Trey McBride. Start: Seahawks DST. Flex: Michael Wilson, Tyler Allgeier (borderline RB2/3 PPR), Zach Charbonnet (low-end), Jadarian Price (low-end non-PPR). Sit: Drew Lock, Gardner Minshew, Cooper Kupp, A.J. Barner, Cardinals DST.
Packers at Patriots (Sunday)
Must-Start: Josh Jacobs. Start: Drake Maye, Jordan Love, Christian Watson, Matthew Golden, Rhamondre Stevenson, Tucker Kraft. Sit: Demario Douglas, Eli Raridon, Mack Hollins, Efton Chism III, Kyle Williams, Savion Williams, Corey Kiner, Packers DST, Patriots DST.
Raiders at 49ers (Sunday)
Must-Start: Brock Purdy, Christian McCaffrey, Brock Bowers. Start: George Kittle, 49ers DST. Flex: Ashton Jeanty, Tre Tucker (boom/bust). Sit: Kirk Cousins, Demarcus Robinson, Michael Mayer, Mike Washington Jr., Kaelon Black, Jalen Nailor, Raiders DST.
Buccaneers at Bears (Sunday Night)
Must-Start: Bucky Irving, D'Andre Swift. Start: Caleb Williams (borderline), Luther Burden III, Colston Loveland, Emeka Egbuka, Bears DST (on bye Week 10). Flex: Rome Odunze (low-end). Sit: Baker Mayfield, Chris Godwin, Kenneth Gainwell, Cade Otton, Ted Hurst, Tez Johnson, Buccaneers DST.
Bills at Vikings (Monday Night)
Must-Start: Josh Allen, James Cook. Start: Justin Jefferson, D.J. Moore, T.J. Hockenson, Vikings DST (low-end). Flex: Jordan Addison (low-end). Sit: Carson Wentz, Dalton Kincaid, Khalil Shakir, Jordan Mason, Aaron Jones, Keon Coleman, Ty Johnson, Bills DST.
