Fantasy Football Week 9 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em

In fantasy football, just like in the NFL, sometimes you have to go into a week with your lineup at significantly less than 100 percent. Having six more teams on bye in Week 9 is an example of that.

We all have been dealing with heavy injury questions and byes for weeks now, so quit the woe-is-me attitude. We are stuck in the same pile of poop.

What you can do is reference the starts, sits, analysis and position-by-position rankings contained in this six-part slideshow. It might not change your life, but it can help change your fantasy fortunes before the stretch run begins in earnest.

Quarterbacks: Start Terrelle Pryor over Likes of Tom Brady, Matt Ryan

Start 'Em

Terrelle Pryor, Oakland Raiders

If that Pryor run against the Steelers last week didn't get you excited about this guy, you are either hardly alive or a Chiefs fan. Pryor has emerged as a trustworthy fantasy option in most leagues now, particularly as a bye-week replacement. It also helps he is facing the Eagles, who have the second-worst pass defense in football and are the eighth-best team in fantasy against quarterbacks.

Alex Smith, Kansas City Chiefs

He has proved to be a solid fantasy option week to week for the undefeated Chiefs, and he draws the Bills this week, which makes him a useful fill-in if you have Peyton Manning on bye. The Bills are the second-worst team in fantasy against quarterbacks to date and bottom 10 against the pass. Smith should be good for 250 yards and a few touchdowns here.

Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers

With the emergence of rookie receiver Keenan Allen and Antonio Gates being surprisingly healthy, you probably don't need a great reason to start Rivers in a given week. Facing the Redskins—fifth-worst against the pass and fourth-worst against fantasy quarterbacks—makes the resurgent Rivers a home run of a start in all leagues.

Robert Griffin III, Washington Redskins

He has gotten progressively healthier and more productive for fantasy owners thanks mostly to the rise of rookie tight end Jordan Reed. RGIII should be considered a must-start fantasy option in the second half of the season, and the matchup against the Chargers is a favorable way to start that stretch. San Diego is the sixth-worst team in fantasy against quarterbacks and has a bottom-10 pass defense.

Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks

Wilson has run a bit hot and cold, but this figures to be another one of his hot weeks. The Bucs opened the year with a dangerous defense, but the unit has been suspect of late, allowing big weeks to Cam Newton, Matt Ryan and even Nick Foles. Wilson is too promising to sit in this matchup, particularly at home. This is going to be a Seahawks bonanza.

Sit 'Em

Tom Brady, New England Patriots

We never thought we would see this day, but Brady is coming off a bad game and is dealing with that hand issue the Patriots just won't fess up to. Also, Brady's receivers have either been in and out of the lineup or are just too raw to trust on a consistent basis. Topping everything off here, the Steelers are the No. 1 team in fantasy against quarterbacks, even amid their own struggles. Sit Brady for any of the five above and the 12 passers we rank ahead of him below.

Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons

OK, so you might not be able to afford to sit him with six teams on bye and even Brady rating as a bad play this week. But, if you have one of the 11 passers below available to you, you will want to put Ryan on the pine no matter the game-time decision on Roddy White (ankle/hamstring).

The Panthers have the No. 2-ranked defense in the NFL and have been third-best in fantasy against quarterbacks. Ryan was terrible at Arizona, and this matchup at Carolina shapes up to be a lot tougher for him and his fantasy owners.

Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers

He was a disappointment at Oakland, so we should expect him to be even worse at New England this Sunday afternoon. The Pats are No. 5 against the pass and No. 6 in fantasy against quarterbacks. Also, the injury to Brady likely means this game will be a defensive struggle, which makes for subpar fantasy passer numbers. Big Ben is a bad bye-week fill-in here.

Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens

Here is another Super Bowl-winning quarterback who should sit for the upstarts above who have never sniffed a Super Bowl. Flacco is facing a Browns defense that has a shutdown cornerback in Joe Haden and is No. 6 in the NFL against the pass. Expect the Ravens to play another ground-and-pound game against their division rival and leave Flacco on your fantasy bench in standard, one-quarterback formats.

Week 9 Quarterbacks Rankings - Eric Mack

Rank	Quarterbacks	Team	Opponent	ECR	vs. ECR
1	Drew Brees	NO	at NYJ	1	0
2	Aaron Rodgers	GB	vs. Chi	2	0
3	Cam Newton	Car	vs. Atl	3	0
4	Tony Romo	Dal	vs. Min	4	0
5	Philip Rivers	SD	at Was	5	0
6	Andrew Luck	Ind	at Hou	8	+2
7	Russell Wilson	Sea	vs. TB	7	0
8	Andy Dalton	Cin	at Mia	10	+2
9	Robert Griffin	Was	vs. SD	6	-3
10	Alex Smith	KC	at Buf	13	+3
11	Terrelle Pryor	Oak	vs. Phi	9	-2
12	Matt Ryan	Atl	at Car	12	0
13	Tom Brady	NE	vs. Pit	14	+1
14	Jake Locker	Ten	at StL	11	-3
15	Nick Foles	Phi	at Oak	15	0
16	Josh McCown	Chi	at GB	16	0
17	Joe Flacco	Bal	at Cle	19	+2
18	Ben Roethlisberger	Pit	at NE	17	-1
19	Geno Smith	NYJ	vs. NO	21	+2
20	Ryan Tannehill	Mia	vs. Cin	18	-2
21	Jason Campbell	Cle	vs. Bal	20	-1
22	Case Keenum	Hou	vs. Ind	22	0
23	Christian Ponder	Min	at Dal	23	0
24	Kellen Clemens	StL	vs. Ten	28	+4
25	Mike Glennon	TB	at Sea	24	-1
26	Jeff Tuel	Buf	vs. KC	29	+3
27	Matt Flynn	Buf	vs. KC	30	+3
28	Thaddeus Lewis	Buf	vs. KC	27	-1

Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR) from over 100 experts provided by FantasyPros

Running Backs: Time to Put Faith in Fantasy Pariahs DeMarco Murray, Ryan Mathews

Start 'Em

DeMarco Murray, Dallas Cowboys

He is returning from his MCL sprain just in time to face the Vikings defense, which has allowed the second-most points to running backs to date. Sure, there is some remaining injury risk, but you can bet the Cowboys will monitor him, and all it will take for Murray to perform like a worthy fantasy starter is one touchdown. He will get that against the Vikings, who have 10 of them to backs.

Ryan Mathews, San Diego Chargers

He has to deal with a timeshare with Danny Woodhead, but what back in fantasy doesn't have someone stealing the points? Mathews went into his bye with back-to-back 100-yard games, and he draws a Redskins defense this week that is fourth-worst against the run and third-worst against fantasy backs. Mathews is a borderline must-start in all leagues here.

Eddie Lacy, Green Bay Packers

This one is a bit obvious, but there was talk late this week James Starks would get more work coming off his 57 yards and a touchdown last week. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Tyler Dunne reports the Packers want to get more work for Starks to lessen the load on Lacy down the stretch.

It makes sense. But sitting Lacy in fantasy won't. The Bears have proved to be soft up front and are fifth-worst in fantasy against backs. Lacy is a must-start option, while Starks is a nice sleeper for Monday night magic.

Chris Johnson, Tennessee Titans

Another year, another disappointing start for Johnson owners. The good news is second-half rebounds have too. The schedule shapes up favorably for CJ2K down the stretch, and it starts this week with the Rams, who have allowed the sixth-most points to fantasy backs. Johnson will also get the benefit of a more lively Jake Locker back under center, pushing the offense into scoring position.

Zac Stacy, St. Louis Rams

That was an impressive performance against the Seahawks run defense Monday night, and you shouldn't let his ankle issue keep you from starting him this week. The Rams offense is built around the rookie Stacy now, and the Titans are seventh-worst in fantasy against backs to date. Expect 80 yards and a touchdown even if he needs to give more carries to the slew of Rams backup runners.

Stevan Ridley, New England Patriots

It took eight weeks, but the Pats have finally figured out where their bread is buttered. With Tom Brady banged up and struggling with his lack of continuity at wide receiver, Ridley came on last week and owned the day. The Steelers are up next, and they have struggled mightily against the run (eighth-worst in fantasy). Expect the busiest day of the year for Ridley and the Pats running game this week.

Sit 'Em

Roy Helu, Washington Redskins

Everyone jumped on Helu after his three-touchdown performance, and then he went and posted a mere 25 yards on six touches last time out. Helu is a function of game circumstances, and he needs a fast-paced game and the Redskins' hurry-up offense on the field. Don't count on that happening against the Chargers, who also happen to boast the No. 1 team in fantasy against backs.

Darren Sproles, Pierre Thomas, Mark Ingram, Khiry Robinson

This is a mess best avoided right now. Sproles was blanked last week with four catches for zero yards, while Ingram (toe) has practiced fully this week and is no longer on the official NFL injury report. That should affect Thomas at least, and likely Robinson too. Topping all this off, the Jets boast the No. 1 rush defense in the NFL and are top five against fantasy backs.

Fred Jackson, Buffalo Bills

C.J. Spiller (ankle) is probable against the Chiefs, so we should fully expect the Bills to finally unleash him on the NFL and in fantasy. The problem is, the Chiefs are top 10 against the run and No. 2 in fantasy against backs. You shouldn't sit Spiller—you drafted him in Round 1 to carry you—but you should shy away from Jackson now in this tough matchup.

Willis McGahee and Chris Ogbonnaya, Cleveland Browns

The Browns just are not running the ball with any kind of success, and it could be a function of the banged-up, past-his-prime McGahee just not being good enough. Ogbonnaya has stolen touches in recent weeks too. Neither back is intriguing against a Ravens defense that has allowed just one touchdown to backs and is No. 4 in fantasy against the position.

Mike James and Brian Leonard, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Don't expect another surprise rushing game against the Seahawks defense, especially not in a non-division game when it is teeing off on its opponent in Seattle. This shapes up to be a bad, bad week to be trusting the Bucs, especially these two spare-part running backs. 

Week 9 Running Backs Rankings - Eric Mack

Rank	Running Backs	Team	Opponent	ECR	vs. ECR
1	Adrian Peterson	Min	at Dal	2	+1
2	Jamaal Charles	KC	at Buf	1	-1
3	LeSean McCoy	Phi	at Oak	3	0
4	Matt Forte	Chi	at GB	6	+2
5	Eddie Lacy	GB	vs. Chi	4	-1
6	Marshawn Lynch	Sea	vs. TB	5	-1
7	Ray Rice	Bal	at Cle	8	+1
8	Chris Johnson	Ten	at StL	13	+5
9	DeMarco Murray	Dal	vs. Min	9	0
10	Arian Foster	Hou	vs. Ind	10	0
11	Stevan Ridley	NE	vs. Pit	14	+3
12	Alfred Morris	Was	vs. SD	7	-5
13	Darren McFadden	Oak	vs. Phi	11	-2
14	Trent Richardson	Ind	at Hou	19	+5
15	Le'Veon Bell	Pit	at NE	12	-3
16	C.J. Spiller	Buf	vs. KC	31	+15
17	Ryan Mathews	SD	at Was	17	0
18	Giovani Bernard	Cin	at Mia	20	+2
19	Steven Jackson	Atl	at Car	21	+2
20	Zac Stacy	StL	vs. Ten	15	-5
21	Fred Jackson	Buf	vs. KC	16	-5
22	DeAngelo Williams	Car	vs. Atl	23	+1
23	Lamar Miller	Mia	vs. Cin	24	+1
24	Chris Ivory	NYJ	vs. NO	29	+5
25	Darren Sproles	NO	at NYJ	22	-3
26	BenJarvus Green-Ellis	Cin	at Mia	27	+1
27	Danny Woodhead	SD	at Was	18	-9
28	James Starks	GB	vs. Chi	40	+12
29	Pierre Thomas	NO	at NYJ	25	-4
30	Ben Tate	Hou	vs. Ind	35	+5
31	Jacquizz Rodgers	Atl	at Car	37	+6
32	Mike James	TB	at Sea	26	-6
33	Chris Ogbonnaya	Cle	vs. Bal	43	+10
34	Brandon Bolden	NE	vs. Pit	30	-4
35	Donald Brown	Ind	at Hou	32	-3
36	Roy Helu	Was	vs. SD	33	-3
37	Bilal Powell	NYJ	vs. NO	28	-9
38	Daryl Richardson	StL	vs. Ten	41	+3
39	Willis McGahee	Cle	vs. Bal	36	-3
40	Daniel Thomas	Mia	vs. Cin	38	-2
41	Bryce Brown	Phi	at Oak	49	+8
42	Bernard Pierce	Bal	at Cle	42	0
43	Mike Tolbert	Car	vs. Atl	34	-9
44	Jonathan Stewart	Car	vs. Atl	47	+3
45	Knile Davis	KC	at Buf	56	+11
46	LeGarrette Blount	NE	vs. Pit	46	0
47	Michael Bush	Chi	at GB	65	+18
48	Joseph Randle	Dal	vs. Min	45	-3
49	Jason Snelling	Atl	at Car	57	+8
50	Brian Leonard	TB	at Sea	44	-6
51	Shonn Greene	Ten	at StL	39	-12
52	Tashard Choice	Buf	vs. KC	48	-4
53	Johnathan Franklin	GB	vs. Chi	69	+16
54	Robert Turbin	Sea	vs. TB	52	-2
55	Khiry Robinson	NO	at NYJ	55	0
56	Fozzy Whittaker	Cle	vs. Bal	51	-5
57	Jackie Battle	Ten	at StL	68	+11
58	Lance Dunbar	Dal	vs. Min	50	-8
59	Rashad Jennings	Oak	vs. Phi	64	+5
60	Ronnie Brown	SD	at Was	61	+1
61	Toby Gerhart	Min	at Dal	59	-2
62	Felix Jones	Pit	at NE	63	+1

Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR) from over 100 experts provided by FantasyPros

Wide Receivers: Dexter McCluster Is Among the Options to Trust This Week

Start 'Em

Dexter McCluster, Kansas City Chiefs

Some receiver from the Chiefs was going to be the first mention here, and we decided it couldn't be Dwayne Bowe, or even the fast-starting Donnie Avery. See, the Bills are the worst team in fantasy against wide receivers, so there will be some numbers to go around here.

We should expect them to go to the scat back-turned-receiver McCluster. He led the Chiefs in receiving the past two games, so make him a sleeper start this week against the suspect Bills secondary.

Denarius Moore, Oakland Raiders

Terrelle Pryor looks like he is a solid NFL quarterback to the point where you can now trust Moore at receiver on a regular basis. Against the Eagles—the second-worst team in fantasy against receivers—he should be a must-start. The Eagles have allowed an NFL-high 139 receptions to wide receivers to date. The next-closest teams are some 28 receptions behind.

Keenan Allen, San Diego Chargers

Allen draws the Redskins matchup, the third-best one for a fantasy wideout, and has been drawing huge praise from the Chargers. Despite some questions about his 2012 knee issue and poor running time at the NFL combine, Allen has become Philip Rivers' go-to receiver.

Future Hall of Fame tight end Antonio Gates is thoroughly impressed, telling Michael Gehlken of the Union-Tribune San Diego:

"

I knew he was good, but I've never seen this. I didn't think it would evolve this fast. He is making plays in the game, and I'm like, 'Wow.' ... You don't really expect it. They talk about his speed and this and that. The boy can play football, and he can get open. All that stuff about speed, if you can play and get open, that's what wins games for you. That's what makes plays for you. You can get a dog to run and jump. You know what I mean? That's what this league has underestimated.

"

Brandon LaFell, Carolina Panthers

After a big Week 6 against the Vikings, LaFell has posted back-to-back stinkers. The numbers should be better against the young Falcons cornerbacks, though. Atlanta is the fourth-worst team in fantasy against wide receivers, and LaFell should get the benefit of the attention Steve Smith and Greg Olsen draw in coverage. Start all three of Cam Newton's primary weapons. The Panthers and Newton are hot.

Pierre Garcon, Washington Redskins

We did not see a healthy season coming from Garcon this year, nor did we expect him to lose his status as Robert Griffin III's go-man guy. But that is exactly what has happened with the breakthrough of rookie tight end Jordan Reed. We will give Garcon a huge vote of confidence here against a Chargers secondary that has given up the fifth-most points to wideouts.

Sit 'Em

Darrius Heyward-Bey, Indianapolis Colts

Everyone jumped on this name when he caught a touchdown against Denver in Week 7 and Reggie Wayne (knee) went down for the season. We agree DHB is a nice sleeper, but he is a bad play against a Texans secondary that boasts the No. 1 pass defense and has been the stingiest to fantasy receivers. You cannot sit T.Y. Hilton, but you should avoid DHB and LaVon Brazill in this matchup.

Tavon Austin, Chris Givens, Austin Pettis and Brian Quick

You have to continue to hate the Rams receivers in fantasy with Kellen Clemens as the quarterback. The Rams are a ground-and-pound team now, and the Titans matchup this week is another unfavorable one. First, Clemens had to face the Seahawks secondary, and now come the Titans, who are quietly No. 7 against the pass and No. 2 against fantasy wideouts.

Danny Amendola, Julian Edelman, Kenbrell Thompkins and Aaron Dobson

Tom Brady's swollen hand is well-publicized even if the Pats have tried to hide it. Brady is coming off a bad week throwing the ball despite a full set of receivers now, and the Steelers have the second-best pass defense in football. They are also No. 5 against receivers. Sit all of your Pats options until Brady proves healthy and productive again.

Stevie Johnson, Buffalo Bills

With Thad Lewis (ribs) doubtful on the NFL Injury Report, the Bills might have to start undrafted rookie Jeff Tuel against arguably the best defense in football, Kansas City. The Chiefs are No. 4 against the pass and have allowed less than a touchdown per game to opposing wideouts. Johnson is a bad play under these conditions in Buffalo.

Week 9 Wide Receivers Rankings - Eric Mack

Rank	Wide Receivers	Team	Opponent	ECR	vs. ECR
1	Dez Bryant	Dal	vs. Min	1	0
2	A.J. Green	Cin	at Mia	3	+1
3	Brandon Marshall	Chi	at GB	4	+1
4	Jordy Nelson	GB	vs. Chi	2	-2
5	DeSean Jackson	Phi	at Oak	5	0
6	Andre Johnson	Hou	vs. Ind	11	+5
7	Josh Gordon	Cle	vs. Bal	7	0
8	Pierre Garcon	Was	vs. SD	6	-2
9	Terrance Williams	Dal	vs. Min	14	+5
10	Antonio Brown	Pit	at NE	8	-2
11	T.Y. Hilton	Ind	at Hou	15	+4
12	Steve Smith	Car	vs. Atl	12	0
13	Torrey Smith	Bal	at Cle	17	+4
14	Denarius Moore	Oak	vs. Phi	16	+2
15	Mike Wallace	Mia	vs. Cin	20	+5
16	Jarrett Boykin	GB	vs. Chi	18	+2
17	Harry Douglas	Atl	at Car	13	-4
18	Marvin Jones	Cin	at Mia	28	+10
19	Vincent Jackson	TB	at Sea	10	-9
20	Alshon Jeffery	Chi	at GB	19	-1
21	James Jones	GB	vs. Chi	30	+9
22	Keenan Allen	SD	at Was	9	-13
23	Roddy White	Atl	at Car	54	+31
24	Danny Amendola	NE	vs. Pit	25	+1
25	Golden Tate	Sea	vs. TB	24	-1
26	Marques Colston	NO	at NYJ	22	-4
27	Kenny Stills	NO	at NYJ	37	+10
28	Dexter McCluster	KC	at Buf	52	+24
29	Kendall Wright	Ten	at StL	21	-8
30	Steve Johnson	Buf	vs. KC	23	-7
31	Greg Jennings	Min	at Dal	34	+3
32	Donnie Avery	KC	at Buf	55	+23
33	Lance Moore	NO	at NYJ	36	+3
34	DeAndre Hopkins	Hou	vs. Ind	40	+6
35	Nate Washington	Ten	at StL	27	-8
36	Brandon LaFell	Car	vs. Atl	35	-1
37	Dwayne Bowe	KC	at Buf	29	-8
38	Darrius Heyward-Bey	Ind	at Hou	31	-7
39	Doug Baldwin	Sea	vs. TB	50	+11
40	Brian Hartline	Mia	vs. Cin	26	-14
41	Emmanuel Sanders	Pit	at NE	32	-9
42	Kenbrell Thompkins	NE	vs. Pit	61	+19
43	Eddie Royal	SD	at Was	45	+2
44	Jeremy Kerley	NYJ	vs. NO	33	-11
45	Vincent Brown	SD	at Was	38	-7
46	Stephen Hill	NYJ	vs. NO	43	-3
47	Drew Davis	Atl	at Car	48	+1
48	Mohamed Sanu	Cin	at Mia	72	+24
49	Jason Avant	Phi	at Oak	58	+9
50	Riley Cooper	Phi	at Oak	53	+3
51	Jermaine Kearse	Sea	vs. TB	65	+14
52	Aaron Dobson	NE	vs. Pit	42	-10
53	Julian Edelman	NE	vs. Pit	51	-2
54	Tiquan Underwood	TB	at Sea	71	+17
55	Jacoby Jones	Bal	at Cle	60	+5
56	Jerome Simpson	Min	at Dal	49	-7
57	Davone Bess	Cle	vs. Bal	74	+17
58	Robert Woods	Buf	vs. KC	57	-1
59	Rod Streater	Oak	vs. Phi	41	-18
60	Chris Givens	StL	vs. Ten	56	-4
61	Leonard Hankerson	Was	vs. SD	59	-2
62	Austin Pettis	StL	vs. Ten	64	+2
63	Marlon Brown	Bal	at Cle	46	-17
64	Lavon Brazill	Ind	at Hou	69	+5
65	David Nelson	NYJ	vs. NO	44	-21
66	Santana Moss	Was	vs. SD	73	+7
67	Jerricho Cotchery	Pit	at NE	70	+3
68	Cole Beasley	Dal	vs. Min	62	-6
69	Tavon Austin	StL	vs. Ten	66	-3
70	Earl Bennett	Chi	at GB	87	+17
71	Ted Ginn	Car	vs. Atl	39	-32
72	Kenny Britt	Ten	at StL	88	+16
73	Damian Williams	Ten	at StL	95	+22
74	Greg Little	Cle	vs. Bal	75	+1
75	Cordarrelle Patterson	Min	at Dal	68	-7

Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR) from over 100 experts provided by FantasyPros

Tight Ends: Start Kyle Rudolph and Sit Scott Chandler Because of the Matchups

Hannah Foslien/Getty Images

Kyle Rudolph has been inconsistent, but some continuity at quarterback with Christian Ponder can help.

Start 'Em

Kyle Rudolph, Minnesota Vikings

He has been a fantasy enigma, but he gets some continuity with the Vikings' decision to start Christian Ponder again. Also, Dallas has the worst pass defense in the NFL and is fifth-worst in fantasy against tight ends. Rudolph is a solid fill-in if you have a Julius Thomas on bye this week.

Martellus Bennett, Chicago Bears

You can be a little worried about Josh McCown starting for the Bears, but a limited quarterback's best friend tends to be the play-action pass to the tight end. Bennett should get plenty of targets, catches and yards against a Packers defense that has given up the second-most points to fantasy tight ends to date.

Coby Fleener, Indianapolis Colts

This one is a function of circumstance instead of matchup. The Texans have the top-ranked pass defense in the NFL and have given up the fewest yards to tight ends, but Fleener will take on a larger role in the offense with Reggie Wayne (knee) out for the season.

Fleener has been great at times, and he should be a big part of the Colts' play-action game against the Texans. In fact, you should trust Fleener as your starter in all leagues regardless of the matchups here on out.

Sit 'Em

Scott Chandler, Buffalo Bills

Not only do the Bills have an uncertain quarterback situation with Thad Lewis (ribs) doubtful and undrafted free-agent Jeff Tuel potentially starting, but the Chiefs have been the best team in fantasy against tight ends thus far this season. They have not given up a touchdown to the position, and a random touchdown is the only reason you would consider owning Chandler in a given week. Cut and ignore him here.

Tim Wright, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

He has had some great mojo with fellow rookie Mike Glennon as the starting quarterback, but a road game at Seattle and the No. 3 pass defense in the NFL is a terrible time to hope for a fantasy-worthy week out of the undrafted rookie tight end Wright.

Delanie Walker, Tennessee Titans

Seeing Walker as the fourth-most added tight end in CBS Sports leagues is rather surprising. Walker just doesn't get a big enough piece of the pie for the Titans, and the matchup this week against the Rams is a bad one. The Rams are the fourth-toughest team in fantasy against the position. Walker is a terrible play. Drop him if you picked him up hoping for a one-yard touchdown.

Week 9 Tight Ends Rankings - Eric Mack

Rank	Tight Ends	Team	Opponent	ECR	vs. ECR
1	Jimmy Graham	NO	at NYJ	2	+1
2	Rob Gronkowski	NE	vs. Pit	1	-1
3	Antonio Gates	SD	at Was	3	0
4	Jason Witten	Dal	vs. Min	6	+2
5	Jordan Reed	Was	vs. SD	4	-1
6	Jordan Cameron	Cle	vs. Bal	5	-1
7	Tony Gonzalez	Atl	at Car	7	0
8	Martellus Bennett	Chi	at GB	9	+1
9	Coby Fleener	Ind	at Hou	13	+4
10	Greg Olsen	Car	vs. Atl	8	-2
11	Kyle Rudolph	Min	at Dal	10	-1
12	Heath Miller	Pit	at NE	12	0
13	Jermaine Gresham	Cin	at Mia	20	+7
14	Charles Clay	Mia	vs. Cin	11	-3
15	Tyler Eifert	Cin	at Mia	17	+2
16	Jared Cook	StL	vs. Ten	18	+2
17	Garrett Graham	Hou	vs. Ind	14	-3
18	Andrew Quarless	GB	vs. Chi	26	+8
19	Scott Chandler	Buf	vs. KC	19	0
20	Tim Wright	TB	at Sea	15	-5
21	Anthony Fasano	KC	at Buf	27	+6
22	Delanie Walker	Ten	at StL	16	-6
23	Ben Watson	NO	at NYJ	29	+6
24	Brent Celek	Phi	at Oak	24	0
25	Lance Kendricks	StL	vs. Ten	30	+5
26	Zach Miller	Sea	vs. TB	22	-4
27	Dallas Clark	Bal	at Cle	21	-6
28	Sean McGrath	KC	at Buf	37	+9
29	Zach Ertz	Phi	at Oak	31	+2

Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR) from over 100 experts provided by FantasyPros 

Defense/Special Teams: Houston Texans No Longer a Bad Matchup or a Good Play

Start 'Em

Indianapolis Colts

The Colts shouldn't rate high defensively in terms of talent, but they have had their moments for fantasy owners this season. You can consider them a streaming option against the Texans, who have been the worst team in fantasy against opposing defense/special teams this season. Sure, the bad numbers were mostly a function of Matt Schaub's pick-six streak, but who's to say Case Keenum won't fall into that same funk?

New Orleans Saints

You have to love what Rob Ryan has done for the once-maligned Saints defense just as much as you have to love the matchup against the Jets. They have been the third-worst team in fantasy against opposing defensive units to date, and the Saints figure to blow this one out and make it a huge day of turnovers and sacks as Geno Smith struggles in garbage time.

Dallas Cowboys

We don't quite understand how this once-sketchy defensive unit—which is still last against the pass, mind you—has scored the second-most points among defenses in standard fantasy leagues to date. The good news is, the Vikings struggle to throw the ball, and their shaky quarterback situation makes them a team to feast on for fantasy owners who stream defenses.

Sit 'Em

Houston Texans

Ignore the fact they currently have the No. 1-ranked defense in the NFL. They have been suspect in fantasy terms. They are the fifth-worst fantasy defensive unit right now, and the Colts just happen to be the second-toughest matchup for an opposing defense. The Texans should be cut, not starting in any fantasy lineups this week.

New York Jets

You can like a Rex Ryan team in most weeks but not against Drew Brees. Even if you think this Ryan-Ryan matchup will become a defensive chess match, the Jets are a bottom-10 fantasy defense facing a top-10 team against the position. Don't trust the Jets here.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Darrelle Revis was supposed to turn this defense around, and he did help at first, but the Bucs' offensive woes have made it just too tough for the Bucs to play fantasy-worthy defense. Also, you cannot trust any unit traveling up to Seattle to face the Seahawks and the 12th Man. The Bucs are sunk and can be cut in fantasy. 

Week 9 Defenses and Special Teams Rankings - Eric Mack

Rank	Defenses and Special Teams	Team	Opponent	ECR	vs. ECR
1	Seattle Seahawks	Sea	vs. TB	2	+1
2	Kansas City Chiefs	KC	at Buf	1	-1
3	New England Patriots	NE	vs. Pit	5	+2
4	Cincinnati Bengals	Cin	at Mia	3	-1
5	Carolina Panthers	Car	vs. Atl	6	+1
6	Baltimore Ravens	Bal	at Cle	7	+1
7	New Orleans Saints	NO	at NYJ	4	-3
8	Indianapolis Colts	Ind	at Hou	8	0
9	Dallas Cowboys	Dal	vs. Min	9	0
10	San Diego Chargers	SD	at Was	23	+13
11	Green Bay Packers	GB	vs. Chi	11	0
12	St. Louis Rams	StL	vs. Ten	14	+2
13	Chicago Bears	Chi	at GB	24	+11
14	Tennessee Titans	Ten	at StL	10	-4
15	Philadelphia Eagles	Phi	at Oak	15	0
16	Cleveland Browns	Cle	vs. Bal	12	-4
17	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	TB	at Sea	20	+3
18	New York Jets	NYJ	vs. NO	19	+1
19	Miami Dolphins	Mia	vs. Cin	17	-2
20	Houston Texans	Hou	vs. Ind	16	-4

Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR) from over 100 experts provided by FantasyPros

Kickers: Follow the Productive Quarterbacks When Choosing at This Position

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Mason Crosby has the benefits of a productive Aaron Rodgers-led offense and the matchup vs. the Bears.

Start 'Em

Mason Crosby, Green Bay Packers

He is not only third in standard fantasy scoring among kickers, but the Bears have allowed the fourth-most points to kickers in fantasy. Crosby is now a must-start, not just a bye-week replacement.

Dan Bailey, Dallas Cowboys

He has had some uneven weeks through the middle of the season, but the Vikings defense has been one of the most suspect in the NFL, and the Vikings have given up the seventh-most points to kickers in fantasy to date. Keep Bailey active.

Steven Hauschka, Seattle Seahawks

He wasn't the top of anyone's kicker lists in the preseason—he wasn't even drafted in a lot of leagues—but he has been the fifth-most productive in fantasy this year, and he faces a Bucs team that has been bottom-10 against kickers.

Sit 'Em

Nick Folk, New York Jets

You can expect the matchup of the Ryan twins to be a defensive struggle, but don't go banking on the Jets kicker against the Saints. They have allowed a league-low nine field-goal attempts and the fewest points in fantasy to kickers.

Robbie Gould, Chicago Bears

You should feel uneasy about the Bears offense with Josh McCown starting, especially against a Packers team that is tied with the Saints for the fewest made field goals against (seven). The Packers are the fourth-toughest matchup for a kicker this season. Look elsewhere for Monday night magic.

Blair Walsh, Minnesota Vikings

Adrian Peterson just hasn't been able to do the same damage he did a year ago despite equally unimpressive quarterback play. It has affected Walsh for fantasy owners, pushing him out of the top 20 among kickers in standard leagues. Cut this guy until Peterson or the Vikings show anything offensively.

Week 9 Kickers Rankings - Eric Mack

Rank	Kickers	Team	Opponent	ECR	vs. ECR
1	Stephen Gostkowski	NE	vs. Pit	1	0
2	Ryan Succop	KC	at Buf	10	+8
3	Dan Bailey	Dal	vs. Min	2	-1
4	Garrett Hartley	NO	at NYJ	3	-1
5	Mason Crosby	GB	vs. Chi	4	-1
6	Alex Henery	Phi	at Oak	9	+3
7	Steven Hauschka	Sea	vs. TB	7	0
8	Justin Tucker	Bal	at Cle	12	+4
9	Matt Bryant	Atl	at Car	11	+2
10	Caleb Sturgis	Mia	vs. Cin	22	+12
11	Adam Vinatieri	Ind	at Hou	6	-5
12	Nick Novak	SD	at Was	5	-7
13	Mike Nugent	Cin	at Mia	18	+5
14	Greg Zuerlein	StL	vs. Ten	20	+6
15	Blair Walsh	Min	at Dal	15	0
16	Robbie Gould	Chi	at GB	17	+1
17	Kai Forbath	Was	vs. SD	8	-9
18	Graham Gano	Car	vs. Atl	13	-5
19	Sebastian Janikowski	Oak	vs. Phi	16	-3
20	Nick Folk	NYJ	vs. NO	21	+1

Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR) from over 100 experts provided by FantasyPros