Start Em Sit Em Week 9: Players at Each Position You Should Sit

One minute you have a capable starter on your fantasy squad, the next you find him either struggling or pitted against an imposing defense.

Such is the way of fantasy football, which can test a man's limits and his perseverance through tough times.

But part of the key to emerging as champion of your league is making hard decisions every week, and sometimes that includes sitting a productive player given the circumstances.

Here's a look at players at each position I would sit in Week 9 this fantasy football campaign.

Note: Points and ranks based on ESPN standard leagues.

QB: Andy Dalton, Cincinnati Bengals

Andy Dalton is ranked 14th among quarterbacks in fantasy points this season (108) and he posted just six points against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 7 before the bye.

Now Dalton faces a Denver Broncos unit allowing just 6.4 yards per pass attempt (sixth in the NFL) that caused problems for Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints last week. 

Dalton has also thrown at least one interception in every game so far, totaling 10 picks for the season.

RB: C.J. Spiller, Buffalo Bills

C.J. Spiller may have scored the 10th-most fantasy points among running backs (90), but he faces a Houston Texans defense that has allowed just 3.9 yards per carry and zero rushing touchdowns this season.

That includes holding Baltimore Ravens star Ray Rice to 54 total yards and no touchdowns in Week 8.

WR: Steve Johnson, Buffalo Bills

I hate to pick on Bills players, but the Texans have allowed 6.2 yards per pass attempt this season (third in the NFL).

Yes, the Texans have also allowed eight touchdowns to receivers, but five of those came against the Green Bay Packers. That means they've allowed three touchdowns to wideouts in their other six games, which is pretty darn impressive.

TE: Kyle Rudolph, Minnesota Vikings

After a strong start in the first six games of the season, second-year pro Kyle Rudolph has gone ice cold, totaling one whole point against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Arizona Cardinals in his past two games.

He may have the seventh-most fantasy points among tight ends this season, but he's currently on the downslope right now.

He also faces a Seattle Seahawks squad that has allowed just 6.4 yards per pass attempt (fourth in the NFL) and nine passing touchdowns through eight games.