'Who Needs Reality?': Excellent Fantasy Football Starts for Week 9

Between the Halloween hangover and the fact that six teams are on bye, Week 9 of the 2014 NFL season isn't the most exciting. There are only 11 games on Sunday, and the majority of them are absolute duds. 

Regardless, any NFL Sunday is exciting, and that's enough pessimism for one column. While Week 9 may not be a marquee week for the league, it's most certainly a crucial week in fantasy football. Most fantasy leagues begin their playoffs in Week 14, which means there are only five weeks left to secure your team a postseason spot. 

Here are some nifty suggestions for players you can insert into your lineup with confidence in Week 9. Snuggle up on the couch with some trick-or-treating candy and feel grateful for fantasy football—it's the only thing in the world that could make Washington Redskins vs. Minnesota Vikings a game worth watching. 

Please remember that I use a standard scoring system when projecting these points:

• One point per 10 rushing or receiving yards
• One point per 25 passing yards
• Six points for each rushing or receiving touchdown
• Four points for passing touchdowns
• Minus-two points for interceptions and fumbles lost

Additionally, be sure to stay tuned to the official NFL injury report to get the official word on who is in and who is out come game day.

Finally, please remember that with this column, I intend to list players you should start who wouldn't be ultra-obvious picks. Therefore, I won't be telling you to start Peyton Manning, Matt Forte, Julio Jones, etc. 

Quarterbacks to Start

Al Behrman/Associated Press

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton is the type of fantasy starter whom you start when he has the right matchup. This week, he meets that criteria and, thereby, should have a place in your lineup. 

Dalton and the Bengals host the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 9, and not only are the Bengals consistently good at home, but the Jaguars do a decent job at stopping the run and a terrible job at defending receivers. Dalton should be able to find Mohamed Sanu, A.J. Green (if he plays) and whomever else he wants to throw to with ease.

• 252 yards, three touchdowns and one fumble lost = 21 points

Other Solid Ball-Throwers

• Colin Kaepernick, San Francisco 49ers: He went off against the St. Louis Rams just a few weeks ago. The Rams are even more of a mess now than they were then, so Kaepernick should be able to pass and run with ease once again.

• Eli Manning, New York Giants: I love quarterbacks like Manning and teams like the Giants coming off bye weeks. They'll play better with the rest and likely made some moves and adjustments during the off week. I think the Giants will come out swinging with a refreshed game plan and a burning desire to get back into the wide-open NFC East. 

Running Backs to Start  

Tim Sharp/Associated Press

The Washington Redskins haven't done many things consistently this season, but the one thing they do on a regular basis is run the ball. Last week, Washington running back Alfred Morris proved that even in the face of a tough matchup, he can be effective. His secret to success is red-zone touches, and against the Minnesota Vikings, I think he'll get a handful. 

• 18 carries, 105 yards and one touchdown = 16 points

Other Solid Ball-Carriers

• Branden Oliver, San Diego Chargers: Oliver has fallen back to earth a bit since his breakout a few weeks ago, yet I think the Miami Dolphins are the right matchup for him to return to stud status, especially on a week with a lot of byes.

• Ahmad Bradshaw, Indianapolis Colts: He's been a touchdown machine this year, and if you're team is so stacked that you're not starting him on a regular basis, you almost certainly are on this bye week.

• Justin Forsett, Baltimore Ravens: A consistent yardage back this year, I think Forsett will be able to find the end zone this week in Pittsburgh. 

• BUST ALERT: Jeremy Hill, Cincinnati Bengals: With Giovani Bernard officially being ruled out by the Bengals, the temptation to start Hill against the Jacksonville Jaguars is strong. Bernard owners may not have a choice, and Hill could certainly have a good game, yet Jacksonville has been doing a decent job this year at stopping running backs. 

Wide Receivers to Start

After disappearing in Week 6 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns wide receiver Andrew Hawkins has gone off for 200 yards and 12 receptions in the past two weeks. Taking on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 9, expect Hawkins to continue his successful ways. 

• Eight catches and 121 yards = 12 points (20 in PPR)

Other Solid Pass-Catchers

• Pierre Garcon, Washington Redskins: Garcon is a reception machine with Robert Griffin III. Not consistently, perhaps, but more often than not, you can count on Garcon to catch more than six balls.

• Michael Floyd, Arizona Cardinals: Zero points last week? Gross. But I believe in comebacks.

• Terrance Williams, Dallas Cowboys: Last week was the first home game where Williams didn't score a touchdown at home this season. I am saying that it was nothing more than an anomaly. 

Patrick Semansky/Associated Press

Tight Ends to Start

Larry Donnell of the New York Giants reemerged two weeks ago in Dallas with seven catches for 90 yards. This week, returning from the bye, I expect Donnell to be on fire, becoming quarterback Eli Manning's red-zone threat once again. 

• Six catches, 50 yards and a touchdown = 11 points (17 in PPR)

Other Solid Big Guys Who Catch Balls

• Dwayne Allen, Indianapolis Colts: He's been disappearing in recent weeks, yet I like him to come back to life this week against the New York Giants. I wouldn't expect a lot of yards or catches, but a touchdown seems likely.

• Jordan Reed, Washington Redskins: If Robert Griffin III starts, start Reed. If not, I would temper your expectations.

• Jared Cook, St. Louis Rams: Cook isn't a good every-week starter, but he's a great bye week replacement if you are a Martellus Bennett or Delanie Walker owner. 

Defense/Special Teams to Start

Last week, I recommended the Seattle Seahawks D/ST as a must-start defense. Even though it was drafted high, the Seattle unit has been up and down this season, yet it still thrived in the right matchup against the Carolina Panthers. 

This week, the Cincinnati Bengals D/ST is my must-start defense, and the criteria is almost identical. The Bengals defense was drafted high and expected to be supreme, yet it's been awful in recent weeks. It has a golden chance, however, to prove its worth and get back on track this week when it hosts the Jacksonville Jaguars. Start the unit with confidence.

Other Solid Defense/Special Teams Starts

• Washington Redskins (at Minnesota Vikings)

• Houston Texans (vs. Philadelphia Eagles)

• San Diego Chargers (at Miami Dolphins)

There we have it, folks. I hope my predictions are correct and these lineup starts come through for you. 

Additionally, please shoot me an email at the address below if you'd like to ask a more specific question or inquire about some players whom I did not discuss here. 

Lastly, and most importantly, please always trust your gut before anything when making a tough lineup decision. 

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All stats courtesy of NFL.com and FFToday.com. Feel free to email any question to [e-mail].