Week 9 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em, Play or Bench Tips for Fantasy Football Managers

We're rapidly approaching the midway point in the 2025 NFL season. Week 9 will kick off on Thursday night with an AFC showdown between the Baltimore Ravens and Miami Dolphins. Another 13 games will follow, as only four teams are on bye this week.

While the bye-week pool isn't as large as it was in Week 8, injuries will leave many fantasy managers banking on second-tier stars. In those scenarios, betting on matchups and banking on volume will be key.

With this in mind, let's run through some favorable and unfavorable plays for point-per-reception (PPR) leagues.

Start: Chase Brown, RB, Cincinnati Bengals

AP Photo/Kareem Elgazzar

The Cincinnati Bengals blew it against the New York Jets last Sunday, and now quarterback Joe Flacco is dealing with an AC joint sprain that leaves his Week 9 status unknown. Whether the Bengals have Flacco or Jake Browning behind center, though, running back Chase Brown should be a solid start this week.

Now, it's worth noting that Bengals coach Zac Taylor doesn't always go with the sensible game plan. However, Cincinnati would be wise to lean on Brown early and often against the Chicago Bears' 27th-ranked run defense.

Brown has reached 100 scrimmage yards in each of his past two games and found the end zone twice against the Jets. He should have a similar outing this week, unless the Bengals outright abandon the run.

The Bears defense has allowed 5.3 yards per carry this season, and Chicago has surrendered the ninth-most fantasy points to opposing running backs.

Sit: Chuba Hubbard, RB, Carolina Panthers

AP Photo/Adam Hunger

Chuba Hubbard managers have a problem, and his name is Rico Dowdle. While Hubbard has been back in the lineup over the last two games, Dowdle performed well enough in his absence that Carolina is now using a split backfield.

Hubbera got more carries than Dowdle in Week 8 (12), but he received fewer than 50 percent of the total carries. While he did find the end zone against the Buffalo Bills, he logged fewer than 60 scrimmage yards in each of the past two weeks.

The fact that quarterback Bryce Young, who missed Week 8, is dealing with an ankle sprain does nothing to help Hubbard's value. If the Panthers are forced to go with Andy Dalton again, the Green Bay Packers will most likely clamp down on the run.

And the Packers have already allowed the third-fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs this season.

Start: DK Metcalf, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers

AP Photo/Matt Durisko

Though it showed some promise earlier in the season, the Pittsburgh Steelers defense isn't good. That's going to be a problem against a white-hot Indianapolis Colts offense this week.

Obviously, managers shouldn't start the Steelers defense in fantasy if they can avoid doing so. However, the back-and-forth offensive battle we're likely to see bodes well for DK Metcalf managers. He and quarterback Aaron Rodgers have developed some real chemistry in recent weeks, and Metcalf's floor has risen as a result.

Metcalf has logged at least three receptions and 50 yards in four straight games, and he's found the end zone in five of his last six.

The Colts defense, meanwhile, has surrendered the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers this season.

Sit: Courtland Sutton, WR, Denver Broncos

AP Photo/Jack Dempsey

Denver Broncos receiver Courtland Sutton has been a fairly reliable flex option this season. With young players like Troy Franklin and Pat Bryant emerging, however, Sutton can't be counted on for a high-volume role.

Last week, Sutton caught four of six targets for 67 yards. However, Franklin caught six of eight targets, while Bryant caught two of four. Franklin and Bryant both scored touchdowns, too, while Sutton hasn't seen the end zone since Week 4.

This week's matchup isn't great for Sutton managers either. The Broncos will visit the Houston Texans, who have the league's top-ranked defense in both yards and points allowed.

Sutton will probably see a lot of star corner Derek Stingley Jr. this week. As a team, the Texans have surrendered the fourth-fewest fantasy points to opposing receivers in 2025.

*Fantasy scoring information from FantasyPros.