Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Week 9: Smart Matchup Plays, Sleepers and More

It's already Week 9 of the NFL season. As surprising as that seems, it means the fantasy football playoffs are just on the horizon.

Some owners have already started preparing for the postseason by stashing away players with great matchups or plenty of potential. Others are simply hoping to make a run to finish in the top half of the league.

Regardless of the position each owner is in, everyone needs to start looking at which players to start and sit this weekend. As with any week, there are matchups to exploit and sleepers who deserve to make their way into a lineup.

In anticipation of Week 9 in the NFL, here's a look at great matchup plays, sleepers and players to avoid.

Top Matchup Plays

Colin Kaepernick, QB, San Francisco 49ers (vs. STL)

Much like the season for the San Francisco 49ers, Colin Kaepernick has been up and down all year.

Kaepernick has gone for over 200 yards passing in every game, but he also has four weeks with just one touchdown. Coming off the bye week after being routed by the Denver Broncos, Kaep faces a familiar foe in the St. Louis Rams.

For a gentle reminder of what happened the last time he faced the Rams, here's a look at his numbers from Week 6:

Pass Yds	TD-INT	Rush Yds	Rush TDs	Fantasy Points
343	3-0	37	0	29.42

He might not be putting up another game with nearly 30 points, but St. Louis certainly hasn't improved since that awful game. Despite winning against the Seattle Seahawks, Russell Wilson had 37.12 fantasy points through the air and on the ground.

Having a similar skill set, look for Kaepernick to put the team on his shoulders and carry it to a win. He can't be outdone by Wilson, after all, can he?

Alfred Morris, RB, Washington Redskins (at MIN)

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Owners of Alfred Morris finally have reason for optimism after a solid performance on Monday Night Football. After several disappointing weeks, he has a great fantasy matchup in Week 9.

Going up against the Minnesota Vikings, Morris presents a healthy option for owners of lead backs on a bye this week. Minnesota has allowed over 30 points to fantasy running backs three times this season, including the only multi-touchdown game for Eddie Lacy.

Morris has four touchdowns this season and has a good chance for another against the Vikings. Prior to his bye in Week 10, the Redskins running back will finally get going in Minnesota.

Sleepers to Utilize

Denard Robinson, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars (at CIN)

On behalf of nearly every fantasy article I wrote last week, I would like to issue a formal apology to Denard Robinson. The Jacksonville Jaguars running back went off for over 100 yards against a good Miami Dolphins defense and proved me wrong.

For those who started him last week, he likely propelled teams to a win from the flex spot. In fact, it was the first time a Jags back has done that in three seasons, per ESPN Stats & Info:

This isn't to say the glory days have returned for Jacksonville, but there might be a chance for another.

Robinson faces a Cincinnati Bengals defense that has been ravaged by running backs, allowing 21.86 fantasy points per game. Giving up eight touchdowns on the ground and 140.7 yards per game, look for Shoelace to exploit the Bengals on Sunday.

Owners can comfortably slide Robinson into a flex position this week. Those dealing with the loss of Matt Forte, Eddie Lacy or Joique Bell have a surprise RB2 option if necessary.

Brandin Cooks, WR, New Orleans Saints (at CAR)

Everyone's favorite sleeper at the start of the season returned to the spotlight on Sunday night. Though he likely won't be posting two touchdowns again on Thursday, Brandin Cooks looks like a star again.

Not only was Cooks a weapon against the Green Bay Packers, he was utilized in myriad ways. Jeff Borzello of ESPN noted the different ways the Saints implemented him into the offense:

Several of those types of players haven't worked out this season—Tavon Austin or Percy Harvin, for example—but Cooks has shined.

Now he has an opportunity to put up big numbers against a Carolina Panthers defense that has been a shell of itself this year. Over the last four weeks, the Panthers have allowed an average of 34.23 fantasy points to receivers.

If that doesn't jump off the page, wideouts have registered nine touchdowns against the Panthers over that period despite the team not allowing one against the Seattle Seahawks. Expect a healthy dose of Cooks again as a great flex or viable WR2 option.

Lower Your Expectations

Carson Palmer, QB, Arizona Cardinals (at DAL)

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When looking at recent history, fantasy owners will see two touchdowns in every start and get excited about Carson Palmer's value. However, the suddenly potent quarterback has his toughest matchup of the season in Week 9.

Michael Fabiano of NFL.com passed along interesting numbers about the quarterback thus far:

First of all, that means he's put up 16-plus points in every game, Fabs. Secondly, those stats have all come against porous defenses.

The career renaissance thus far for Palmer has come against the Washington Redskins, Oakland Raiders and Philadelphia Eagles recently. Washington (21.19) and Philadelphia (20.05) have given up the second- and third-most points to quarterbacks, and the Raiders are 0-7 for a reason.

Going up against the Dallas Cowboys, Palmer will have a tough time posting similar numbers. Dallas is allowing the sixth-least points to signal-callers and has been one of the best defenses in the league.

Emmanuel Sanders, WR, Denver Broncos (at NE)

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Fantasy owners got a very pleasant surprise from Emmanuel Sanders on Thursday Night Football. The WR2 or flex option in most leagues exploded against the San Diego Chargers for 126 total yards and three touchdowns.

Suffice it to say, owners should not expect numbers like that for the remainder of the season. But going against a stout New England Patriots defense on Sunday, he might not even put up numbers fit for a flex spot.

Posting four games with 100 yards or more, it's tough to bench Sanders any week. However, owners should prepare for far less production as he matches up against a Patriots secondary that has allowed just 15.86 points to receiving corps this season.

All fantasy stats courtesy of NFL.com.

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