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Welcome to the Week 9 edition of fantasy football starts and sits from The Sporting News.

“The Decider” is your one-stop shop for fantasy start/sit lineup advice in 2025 — a unique mashup of rankings and matchup breakdowns to help you make those tough decisions on whom to play and not to play:

• There are several high-drafted fantasy players who should be in lineups every week when they’re active. Those are the “regular starts.”
• For those borderline options with favorable matchups, they are “stronger starts,” while the recommended sits are “weaker starts.”
• We’re also basing our advice on 12-team, half-point PPR to split the difference between shallow and deep leagues and full-PPR and standard formats.

Going beyond the redraft league starts and sits, “The Decider” also includes some DFS picks for different styles of daily fantasy sports games on DraftKings and FanDuel.

Keep scrolling for how to put the best fantasy football lineups on “the field” for your critical seventh game with tips on starts and sits this week.

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Fantasy Football Week 9 Start ‘Em: Quarterbacks

Must-start Week 9 QBs

1. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs (vs. BUF)
2. Josh Allen, Bills (at KC)
3. Lamar Jackson, Ravens (at MIA)
4. Drake Maye, Patriots (vs. ATL)
5. Justin Herbert, Chargers (at TEN)
6. Daniel Jones, Colts (at PIT)
7. Dak Prescott, Cowboys (vs. ARI)
8. Jayden Daniels, Commanders (if he returns, vs. SEA)

Strong Week 9 QB starts

9. Jordan Love, Packers (vs. CAR): Love should stay hot with plenty of love to his big-play tight end and stronger wide receiver by committee.

10. Matthew Stafford, Rams (vs. NO): The Baker Mayfield clunker vs. the Saints won’t happen again with this game in L.A. for Stafford to go off with his wide receivers healthy after a bye.

11. Kyler Murray, Cardinals (at DAL): He should return to pass and run well on this bad defense but if not Jacoby Brissett would be a deep streamer.

12. Joe Flacco, Bengals (vs. CHI, if active): He’s delivering with his weapons and the volume should be there to duel a good visiting offense.

13. Caleb Williams, Bears (at CIN): Williams needs a get-well game playing off the run the Bengals should provide that needed break on the road.

14. Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars (at LV): Lawrence should be more locked into Liam Coen’s offense after a bye and deliver against a weak overall defense.

15: Mac Jones or Brock Purdy, 49ers (at NYG): Jones has a decent floor against a Giants secondary that struggles in wide receiver coverage. Purdy offers the higher ceiling should he return with the Giants giving up big plays deeper.

DFS QB Week 9 pick

• Justin Herbert, Chargers (at TEN, $6,800 on DraftKings, $8,100 on FanDuel): Here’s a little bit of a higher investment for a red-hot sudden high-volume QB and he will be relentless to light up the hapless Titans on the road.

Fantasy Football Week 9 Sit ‘Em: Quarterbacks

Weaker Week 9 QB plays

16. Jared Goff, Lions (vs. MIN): Goff can be decent at home against the Vikings but there will be limited volume and the running game can do much of the damage.

17. Jaxson Dart, Giants (vs. SF): The weapons are limited with less running game help and the 49ers’ defense will rebound well from Houston.

18. Bo Nix, Broncos (at HOU): He’s back on the road against a tough defense, so no go on Bo.

19. Aaron Rodgers, Steelers (vs. IND): The Colts’ defense also is an asset and they can make him uncomfortable for the most part.

20. C.J. Stroud, Texans (vs. DEN): This feels like. a defensive grind, even without Patrick Surtain II in coverage.

21. Tua Tagovailoa, Dollphins (at BAL): Chasing the Falcons box score will be.

🗒️ LINEUP TIPS: Week 9 Waiver Wire | Week 9 Sleepers | Week 9 Busts

Fantasy Football Week 9 Start ‘Em: Running backs

Must-start Week 9 RBs

1. Jonathan Taylor, Colts (at PIT)
2. Christian McCaffrey, 49ers (at NYG)
3. De’Von Achane, Dolphins (vs. BAL)
4. Derrick Henry, Ravens (at MIA)
5. Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions (vs. MIN)
6. Josh Jacobs, Packers (vs. CAR)
7. Bijan Robinson, Falcons (at NE)
8. James Cook, Bills (at CAR)
9. D’Andre Swift, Bears (at CIN)
10. Kyren Williams, Rams (vs. NO)
11. Javonte Williams, Cowboys (vs. ARI)
12. Kimani Vidal, Chargers (at TEN)
13. Chase Brown, Bengals (vs. CHI)
14. J.K. Dobbins, Broncos (at HOU)
15. Travis Etienne, Jaguars (vs. LV)
16. Ashton Jeanty, Raiders (vs. JAX)
17. Kenneth Walker III, Seahawks (at WAS)
18. David Montgomery, Lions (vs. MIN)

Strong RB Week 9 plays

19. Tyrone Tracy Jr., Giants (vs. SF): He will get the key rushing and receiving work once again with Cam Skattebo down for the count.

20. Kareem Hunt, Chiefs (vs. BUF): He’s the best choice of the three backs because of his strong red zone work in a favorable rushing matchup.

21. Bam Knight, Cardinals (at DAL): There’s no more Michael Carter so he benefits from the great matchup up front.

22. Zach Charbonnet, Seahawks (at WAS): He’s worth getting in there given how much the Commanders have struggled vs. backs in the red zone.

23. Tyjae Spears, Titans (vs. LAC): Spears is getting increased work in the full evaluation mode and he should be able to burn the Chargers for production late.

24. Jaylen Warren, Steelers (vs. IND): It’s not the most inspiring spot but he’s still the best option as a leading during another tough bye.

25. Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots (vs. ATL, if he plays): You need to just hope for the best despite fading production in any non-easy matchup.

DFS RB Week 9 Picks

• D’Andre Swift, Bears (at CIN, $6,100 on DraftKings, $6,900 on FanDuel): Swift steps into the juicy spot that led to Breece Hall going off big time from scrimmage all-around on the road.
• Chase Brown, Bengals (vs. CHI, $5,900 on DraftKings, $7,200 on FanDuel): Also stick with Brown back in Cincinnati with Flacco setting up more rushing and receiving pop and a shot at multiple TDs.

Fantasy Football Week 9 Sit ‘Em: Running backs

Weaker RB Week 9 plays

26. Tony Pollard, Titans (vs. LAC): Pollard is falling out of favor too fast because of the non-competitive nature of his team.

27. Alvin Kamara, Saints (at LAR): Kamara, Devin Neal or anyone else in his backfield has become unplayable with the offensive woes.

28. Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Commanders (vs. SEA): The Seahawks are OK vs. the run but struggle more with pass-catching backs, which “Bill’ really isn’t.

29. Rico Dowdle and 30. Chuba Hubbard, Panthers (at GB): The Packers are more vulnerable vs. the run than the pass but still this split and the game script say now.

31. Isiah Pacheco, Chiefs (vs. BUF, if he plays): You can’t go here or Brashard Smith when Hunt is getting the high-leverage touches.

32. Jordan Mason and 33. Aaron Jones, Vikings (at DET): This is uninspiring with the offense sputtering and the Lions reman stout vs. the run.

34. Nick Chubb, Texans (vs. DEN): You can’t feel good about either him or Woddy Marks doing much in this matchup.

35. RJ Harvey, Broncos (at HOU): Don’t chase his plays from the Cowboys game with Dobbins still keeping very busy and productive in his lead role.

👮 PROTECT YOUR BACKFIELD: RB handcuff rankings and depth charts

Fantasy Football Week 9 Start ‘Em: Wide receivers

Must-start Week 9 WRs

1. Ja’Marr Chase, Bengals (vs. CHI)
2. Puka Nacua, Rams (vs. NO)
3. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seahawks (at WAS)
4. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions (vs. MIN)
5. CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys (vs. ARI)
6. Justin Jefferson, Vikings (at DET)
7. Rashee Rice, Chiefs (at BUF)
8. DK Metcalf, Steelers (vs. IND)
9. Rome Odunze, Bears (at CIN)
10. Michael Pittman Jr., Colts (at PIT)
11. George Pickens, Cowboys (vs. ARI)
12. Davante Adams, Rams (vs. NO)
13. Nico Collins, Texans (if he plays, vs. DEN)
14. Ladd McConkey, Chargers (at TEN)
15. Zay Flowers, Ravens (vs. MIA)
16. Marvin Harrison Jr., Cardinals (at DAL)
17. Drake London, Falcons (if he returns, at NE)
18. Tee Higgins, Bengals (vs. CHI)
19. Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins (vs. BAL)
20. Courtland Sutton, Broncos (at HOU)
21. Brian Thomas Jr., Jaguars (at LV)
22. Travis Hunter, Jaguars (at LV)
23. Tetairoa McMillan, Panthers (at GB)
24. Terry McLaurin, Commanders (vs. SEA)
25. Deebo Samuel, Commanders (vs. SEA)

Strong WR Week 9 starts

26. D.J. Moore, Bears (at CIN): Moore got warmed up as their No. 2 last season and will build on that in Cincinnati.

27. Keenan Allen, Chargers (at TEN): It’s getting more difficult with increased weapons but he comes through with targets and a good shot to score.

28. Jordan Addison, Vikings (vs. DET): There’s no more Wentz chemistry on which to lean but he’s too involved to ignore playing off Jefferson.

29. Xavier Worthy, Chiefs (vs. BUF): Take on shot him with Rice again as he can give the Bills trouble with his downfield speed.

30. Stefon Diggs, Patriots (vs. ATL): He should be their preferred target to get teh ball out quickly into his routes for Maye.

31. Chris Olave, Saints (at LAR): He will keep getting the key volume even with a QB change to Tyler Shough.

32. Jauan Jennings and 33. Kendrick Bourne, 49ers (at NYG): The Giants’ cornerbacks can be burned badly downfield so they can be helpful on intermediate to deep route options.

33. Alec Pierce, Colts (at PIT): The Steelers have had notable breakdowns against deep balls in the secondary.

34. Tre Tucker, Raiders (vs. JAX): They need to look more at him on the outside for big plays on the verge of trading another wide receiver.e

DFS WR Week 9 picks

• Justin Jefferson, Vikings (at DET, $7,800 on DraftKings, $8,700 on FanDuel): xJJ isn’t usually this cheap because of the trend down for QB issues, but the Lions’ secondary has been struggling outside and J.J. McCarthy will feed him better the Wentz.
• Brian Thomas Jr, Jaguars (at LV, $6,200 on DraftKings, $6,900 on FanDuel): Look for a breakout game with both Thomas and Hunter delivering downfield for Coen and Lawrence.
• DK Metcalf, Steelers (vs. IND, $5,500 on DraftKings, $7,600 on FanDuel): Metcalf is a tough cover with his size, strength and speed for the Colts’ cornerbacks downfield.

Fantasy Football Week 9 Sit ‘Em: Wide receivers

Weaker Week 9 WR plays

35. Quentin Johnston, Chargers (at TEN): He’s cooling off with more love the other wide receivers and a rookie tight end and he also has battled injury of late.

36. Jameson Williams, Lions (vs. MIN): It’s just not. happening and there’s no doubt for the Goff to force things downfield with his team rolling.

37. Kayshon Boutte, Patriots (vs. ATL): Maye will keep getting it done but with less of deep shots.

38. Josh Downs, Colts (at PIT): He won’t have the same impact as Pittman and Pierce.

39. Romeo Doubs, Packers (vs. CAR): You can’t trust him or Matthew Golden with Chrstian Watson back and cutting into production.

40. Rashid Shaheed, Saints (at LAR): He has more of a deep chance with Shough but the matchup is rough.

41. Wan’Dale Robinson, Giants (vs. SF): You can’t go here with the entire offense about to sputter with Dart.

42. Khalil Shakir, Bills (at KC): He went off on the Panthers but it’s hard to trust any one receiver in a tough secondary matchup.

43. Jakobi Meyers, Raiders (vs. JAX): He’s not about to start being effective ahead of likely being traded in relation to Tucker.

↕️ WEEK 9 Fantasy Rankings: QB | ​​RB | WR | TE | D/ST | PK | ​​Half-PPR Cheat Sheet

Fantasy Football Week 9 Start ‘Em: Tight ends

Must-start Week 9 TEs

1. Tucker Kraft, Packers (vs. CAR)
2. Trey McBride, Cardinals (at DAL)
3. Tyler Warren, Colts (at PIT)
4. George Kittle, 49ers (at NYG)
5. Brock Bowers, Raiders (if he returns, vs. JAX)
6. Jake Ferguson, Cowboys (vs. ARI)
7. Oronde Gadsden II, Chargers (at TEN)
8. Sam LaPorta, Lions (vs. MIN)

Stronger Week 9 TE starts

9. Zach Ertz, Commanders (vs. SEA): He will need to be busy and gets helped by attention on wide receivers regardless of the QB.

10. Mark Andrews, Ravens (vs. MIA): With Jackson back in action, eh should come through a red zone score and more.

11. Kyle Pitts Sr., Falcons (at NE): Pitts is getting the big-time targets and can deliver downfield against a key coverage weakness.

12. Dalton Kincaid, Bills (at KC): This matchup is tougher but he’s too important in the offense to sit in a high-scoring game.

13. Travis Kelce, Chiefs (vs. BUF): This matchup is tougher but he’s too important in the offense to sit in a high-scoring game.

14. Colston Loveland, Bears (at CIN): The Bengals are so bad against the right end that the rookie can get going in a bigger role.

DFS TE Week 9 pick

• Tyler Warren, Colts (at PIT $5,500 on DraftKings, $4,900 on FanDuel): Warren should have his biggest game in a few weeks as the Steelers just got ripped to shreds by Kraft to continue a worrisome coverage trend.

Fantasy Football Week 9 Sit ‘Em: Tight ends

Weaker TE Week 9 starts

15. Pat Freiermuth, Steelers (vs. IND): He’s been more involved with limited wideout pop but you can’t go here with Jonnu Smith sharing.

16. T.J. Hockenson, Vikings (at DET): He’s further disappearing with a QB change.

17. Hunter Henry, Patriots (vs. ATL): You can’t trust him despite the return to the end zone last week.

18. Evan Engram, Broncos (at HOU): There’s not much upside to playing him with the spreading around

19. Dalton Schultz, Texans (vs. DEN): Avoid the tight ends in the same game.

20. Theo Johnson, Giants (vs. SF): There’s not much uninspiring vs. their still strong intermediate coverage.

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Fantasy Football Week 9: Defense/special teams best starts

1. Los Angeles Rams (vs. NO)
2. Green Bay Packers (vs. CAR)
3. Jacksonville Jaguars (at LV)
4. Los Angeles Chargers (at TEN)
5. Detroit Lions (vs. MIN)
6. Denver Broncos (at HOU)
7. San Francisco 49ers (at NYG)
8. Houston Texans (vs. DEN)
9. Seattle Seahawks (at WAS)
10. New England Patriots (vs. ATL)
11. Baltimore Ravens (at MIA)
12. Chicago Bears (at CIN)
13. Indianapolis Colts (at PIT)
14. Kansas City Chiefs (vs. BUF)

DFS Week 9 D/ST pick

• Jacksonville Jaguars (at LV, $3,300 on DraftKings, $4,100 on FanDuel): The Jaguars have been good at forcing takeaways in Anthony Campanile’s scheme and the Raiders have been very giving. Look for their pressure and playmaking to pay off in the desert.

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