NFL Fantasy Football Week Nine Start/Sit: In Alex Smith We Trust?

Last week's Start/Sit column offered you an average 8-7 record but also suggested you start Brett Favre, who threw four touchdown passes, and LaDainian Tomlinson, who finally had a big game and scored two touchdowns.

As for the other solid players, as well as the guys who didn't live up to our predicted potential, head over to Week Eight's "Don't Kill the Messenger " to get some analysis .

Teams on Bye: Bills, Jets, Rams, Vikings, Browns, Raiders

Read on for Week Nine's Start/Sit advice:

Start

Matt Hasselbeck, QB, Seattle Seahawks

Hasselbeck wasn't terrible against the Cowboys last week, but he wasn't sensational either. Detroit Lions pass defense to the rescue! As long as he suits up and his broken ribs don't hold him back, he should post a fine stat line against a very weak secondary.

Prediction: 17-24, 240 yds, 3 TD, 0 INT

Alex Smith, QB, San Francisco 49ers

Smith was a solid sleeper this week, and with a tasty matchup with the Titans' weak pass defense, Week Nine is the week where he shines.

Prediction: 20-28, 274 yds, 3 TD, 1 INT

Ryan Grant, RB, Green Bay Packers

Grant has had one elite game all season, and it came against extremely weak competition. Good thing Tampa Bay's defense fits the bill.

Prediction: 15 att, 99 yds, 1 TD, 3 rec, 24 yds, 0 TD

Nate Burleson, WR, Seattle Seahawks

Seattle has had it rough lately, but a matchup with the lowly Lions can't hurt their chances at offensive success. Burleson's six catches for 89 yards against Dallas last week leave room for optimism against the Lions' weak secondary.

Prediction: 8 rec, 107 yds, 1 TD

Chad Ochocinco, WR, Cincinnati Bengals

The Ravens corrected their pass defense woes against the Broncos, but the odds aren't in favor of doing it two weeks in a row, let alone against an elite receiver like Ochocinco.

Prediction: 7 rec, 88 yds, 1 TD

Sit

Eli Manning, QB, New York Giants

Manning has three touchdowns and six interceptions in his last three games, as the Giants are 0-3 in that span. You just can't trust him right now.

Prediction: 21-35, 284 yds, 1 TD, 2 INT

For the remainder of the "Sit" picks, as well as this week's "Sleepers," head on over to www.theredzonereport.com, or just click here .