Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Week 9: Last-Minute Fantasy Football Advice for Sunday

Week 9 is leaving fantasy owners scrambling to fill roster spots with six teams facing bye weeks, turning some of your iffy bench players into sure-fire starters for the weekend.

But by now, perhaps your roster has the much-needed depth necessary to make a playoff run. After all, injuries and poor play have already taken their toll and created plenty of waiver pickups to bolster the bench. 

Either way, that depth will be tested to its limits with bye weeks creating void after void in the starting lineup.

Alas, properly knowing who to start and who to sit can make a world of difference when the pickings are slim. Week 9 looks to be no different, even though you may have to dig a little deeper to do so.

Let's look at players from each major position to start and sit in Week 9.

Note: All fantasy ownership information according to ESPN fantasy leagues. 

Quarterbacks

Start 'Em: Alex Smith, Chiefs

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The New York Jets passing defense is a wreck, allowing big game after big game from opposing quarterbacks. In Week 8 it was Kyle Orton, and it only took 10 completions for him to throw four touchdowns—yes, you read that right.

Alex Smith doesn't enter the Chiefs' home game against the Jets on fire by any means, but he has played two turnover-free games after five turnovers in his first five appearances. 

Smith's stats are almost always watered down due to a dominant run game, but that shouldn't be the case Sunday. For all the Jets' ineptitude, they rank sixth in the league in rushing yards against and have only allowed three rushing touchdowns. 

That will put the onus on Smith to get it done through the air, which he should have no problem doing against a secondary that has given up 22 touchdowns on the year—five more than any other team.

Sit 'Em: Joe Flacco, Ravens

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Joe Flacco looked superhuman just a few weeks ago with five touchdowns against the Bucs, but his stats have been in a free fall ever since.

That Week 6 breakout had fantasy owners positioning themselves for big performances from Flacco thereon out, but that hasn't been the case. He has just two touchdowns to four interceptions in his last two games, including two picks and 195 yards passing in a loss at Cincinnati.

The Ravens go on the road at a divisional foe for the second straight week, facing Pittsburgh. The Steelers haven't been dominant in the secondary by any means, but they have held Flacco to one touchdown or less in five of their last six games in Pittsburgh. 

Running Backs

Start 'Em: Bobby Rainey, Buccaneers

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All the rage around the Bucs backfield is surrounding Charles Sims at the moment, but his status remains uncertain along with oft-injured back Doug Martin, who is also likely to sit, according to ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas. 

That leaves the backfield open for Bobby Rainey to once again make fantasy owners who bet high on him smile.

He's only owned in 26.6 percent of leagues and started in 12.5 percent of them, and much of that is due to an inability to produce after an early season emergence. He has just 15 carries for 67 yards in his last two games.

But going up against the Browns, he should have a bounce-back day. Cleveland gives up 4.8 yards per rush, tied for the worst in the NFL. The inevitable openings will allow for the speedy Rainey to rack up the yardage.

Sit 'Em: Jerick McKinnon, Vikings

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Jerick McKinnon is the guy in the Vikings backfield, but it's still wise to assess the matchups before plugging him into the starting role.

In Week 9, it's a recipe for disaster. Minnesota host the Washington Redskins, who have allowed just one rushing touchdown all season on the road.

McKinnon has made himself useful lately with at least 16 carries in his last two games, turning that into 186 rushing yards combined. But he has failed to score a single touchdown all season, with his touches largely coming in the middle of the field.

If you aren't up for a frustrating 50-yard game and no scores, it's best to leave McKinnon on the bench and play a more favorable matchup.

Wide Receivers

Start 'Em: Andrew Hawkins, Browns

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The Browns haven't been putting up impressive offensive numbers by any means as of late, but that hasn't reflected on the output of one Andrew Hawkins.

With Josh Gordon out indefinitely and tight end Jordan Cameron nursing injuries, Hawkins figured to be the No. 1 option in Cleveland and he's been just that with 36 catches for 470 yards—both leading the team. He's also been quietly productive as of late, amassing a combined 12 catches for 200 yards and a score in his last two outings.

The matchup is noticeably favorable for Week 9 with a meeting against Tampa Bay, which has given up more than 2,000 yards through the air and 16 touchdowns to just four forced interceptions. 

Sit 'Em: Vincent Jackson, Buccaneers

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Vincent Jackson is still around in Tampa Bay after the Bucs didn't deal the trade option during the season, but they might as well have, given his recent production. 

Jackson looked set to break out earlier in the season with touchdowns in two straight games followed by a 144-yard outburst against the Saints in Week 5, but it's been ugly since. He had just 66 yards in Week 6 before returning from the bye to catch one pass for 13 yards last weekend against Minnesota.

Things will only get tougher for Jackson in Week 9, as he goes up against a Browns defense that has allowed just 10 touchdowns on the year—third-best in the NFL. They've only given up three touchdowns in their last three home games.

Even if the Bucs find the end zone through the air, it wouldn't be surprising to see it be rookie Mike Evans, who had four catches for 78 yards in Week 8.

Team and player stats courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference.com unless otherwise noted.