Fantasy Football Week 9: First Look at Starts, Sits and Smartest Plays

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Fantasy football is headed towards a stretch where you're either hoping for a win or you're out in front of the rest of the league and feeling good about them staring up at you.

Well, wherever you are in your fantasy league, we're here to help you out a little bit with who to sit and who to start this week.

There are your normal list of players and then there are some who aren't expected to have a big week. Maybe there will be some surprises on this list, players you should sit that you normally wouldn't.

If you have your rotation set and you're happy with the way things are going, then go with it, no need to change anything.

But if you're having problems getting the right combination of players in, that's where we come in. So let's get the fine folks who enjoy fantasy football a little help for the ninth week in the NFL.

20. Start: Philip Rivers

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This is an easy start if you own Philip Rivers in your fantasy league. He'll face the league's worst passing defense and, as we all know, the San Diego Chargers like to throw the ball. A lot.

19. Sit: Chad Henne

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On the road against a Baltimore Ravens defense that's given up just eight touchdowns through the air all season.

18. Start: Ben Roethlisberger

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This should be a no-doubter, especially against the Cleveland Browns.

17. Sit: Cedric Benson

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Cedric Benson is going up against the NFL's best rushing defense in the Pittsburgh Steelers, who are giving up just 58.9 yards per game on the ground.

15. Sit: Justin Forsett

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For leagues that have more than 12 teams in them, there's bound to be one that owns Seattle Seahawks running back Justin Forsett.

This might be a week you want to sit him, especially against a stout New York Giants' defense that is giving up just 85.4 yards per game on the ground.

16. Start: Matt Forte

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Against a Buffalo Bills defense that's giving up 188.7 yards per game on the ground, I would think Forte is in for a big day.

14. Start: Michael Vick

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Word on the street is that Michael Vick is feeling good and he could be ready for Sunday's game at home against Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts.

If that's a fact, I'd go with Vick in your lineup.

13. Sit: San Diego Chargers Defense

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Until the San Diego Chargers' defense shows me a little something, I wouldn't put them in your starting lineup. I should know, they've been sitting on my bench all season.

12. Start: Jonathan Stewart

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DeAngelo Williams did not travel with the team this past weekend due to a foot injury. The Carolina Panthers will be back at home to take on the New Orleans Saints, who are not the best team against the run.

If Williams is still unable to go, Jonathan Stewart is a good guy to go with here.

11. Sit: Jon Kitna

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Until his wide receivers can learn how to catch, regardless of how good the ball is thrown, Kitna is not your guy.

10. Start: Ryan Fitzpatrick

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Look what Fitzpatrick did to one of the better passing defenses (Baltimore Ravens). This week he has the Chicago Bears.

I like Ryan to have a big week.

9. Sit: Roy Williams

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With Tony Romo likely out for the remainder of the season, Roy Williams won't get near as many looks A he used to.

8. Start: Michael Turner

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Turner will be playing against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who have one of the worst rushing defenses in the NFL. The Atlanta Falcons can use Turner early and often to gain control

7. Sit: Ryan Mathews

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The San Diego Chargers haven't been using Ryan Mathews the way a lot of people thought they would. He found the end zone last week, but his trips there have been few and far between.

6. Start: Drew Brees

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The Atlanta Falcons have given up 260.3 yards per game through the air. We know Drew Brees likes to throw it and he'll have a good matchup against the Falcon secondary.

5. Sit: Matt Hasselbeck

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Matt Hasselbeck and the Seattle Seahawks will face a Giants defense that is among the best against the pass. In fact, they've given up the fewest total passing yards (1,245) so far.

4. Start: Peyton Manning

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Peyton Manning is always a good fantasy start. There's no reason to have him out of your lineup unless he's on a bye week.

I understand they're up against Philadelphia on the road but the Eagles are giving up 206.1 yards per game through the air.

Manning will get you fantasy points on Sunday.

3. Sit: Matt Cassel

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Matt Cassel hasn't really been a fantasy stud this season and he won't be against the Oakland Raiders, who are the fourth best team in the NFL against the pass.

2. Start: Tom Brady

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The Patriots have been untouchable since trading away Randy Moss. Those who questioned the decision now are realizing why Bill Belichick did it.

They'll be on the road against the Cleveland Browns where Tom Brady will once again have a big day.

1. Sit: Carson Palmer

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Carson Palmer has been anything but a "thumbs up" this season and facing the Pittsburgh Steelers, who won't do him any favors.