Fantasy Football's Week Nine Start/Sit

By Chad Samuels

Week Eight is done and the push for the fantasy playoffs has begun. Even with a .500 record, a string of wins here and there will get you in the playoffs. What the Giants showed last year was that as long as you make the playoffs, you can win a championship.

As always, you are the final arbitrator of whom you start and whom you sit. As you make your decision, check this out; it might give you the epiphany you need to win this week.

I attempt to select players that are not the obvious choices. Do you really need someone to tell you to start league-leading rusher Clinton Portis or to sit Dan Orlovsky?

On to Fantasy Football's Week Nine Start & Sit now:

I cannot advertise him as a start this week, but I will alert you of someone that, if this week breaks the right way, could be a worthy start. He is risky and worth starting only as a flex.

New England is hurting at RB, and Bill Belichick knows how to play games with the injury report. I am sure we will not know the status of Sammy Morris until Sunday.

LaMont Jordan is hurting and...

may play or not this week. If they do not play the starter, it will be undrafted rookie BenJarvis Ellis-Green to get the nod.

Ellis-Green only had 19 yards last week but did score a touchdown, and versus Indianapolis, if he plays, he will be in line to put up solid numbers and potentially explode.

Start of the Week

This one might be a little obvious, but I am going to highlight him for you to trade for or hold onto him this week and not trade him for the offer. He is primed for a great week this week.

Michael Turner has been solid all year but has had huge games and some pedestrian ones. In three good games, he rushed for over 100 yards, and in each one he has scored a touchdown.

In the others, he failed to score a TD and rush for 100 yards. Turner is hit or miss. You did not draft him in round one, so as a RB2, you should be starting him for the potential weekly, unless you are sure he will have a down week.

Oakland is a defense that is weak against the run. Over the last three weeks, it has given up an average of 149 yards per game plus one rushing TD per game, and in two of the three contests, they have given up a receiving touchdowns as well.

Jerious Norwood could bite a little bit into his production, but I still like Turner to have a huge game. If you can acquire him for a reasonable price, I would do so.

QBs to start

Tennessee has a really good secondary. At first glance, you would be hesitant to start players against them. Especially a QB with the INT hawks roaming free. Never fear; after a week off Aaron Rodgers will be prepared and will play efficiently. He will continue to find Greg Jennings and put up good fantasy points this week, despite the Titans defense.

One of the reasons Turner will play well this week is the play of rookie QB Matt Ryan. Over the past three weeks, Oakland has given up 18.3 fantasy points per game to QBs. Ryan will play solidly and meet the 18-point requirement or come very near to it.

With Brees, Delhomme, and Rivers on bye, Palmer and Romo hurt, and Derek Anderson and Peyton Manning underperforming, Ryan is a very viable option this week.

Above, I promised you I would not tell you to sit Dan Orlovsky. While that is true, I will not hesitate to tell you to pick him up this week if you are in need of a starter. Chicago has a very good defense. However, their secondary can be picked upon for yardage.

Orlovsky will have to throw the ball to win and Detroit has played a little better of late. This includes improved play from Orlovsky. Dan did not turn the ball over last week and is someone to consider only if you are hurting at QB.

Start him and you should get close or exceed the 18-point threshold. Nevertheless, it does come with some risk as Chicago is averaging more than a pick per game.

RBs to start

We will start the week with the Chief watch. At this point, I don’t need to point out that KC is horrible vs. the run. This week, Tampa Bay gets that distinction. Things could be muddied a bit with Cadillac Williams practicing, Warrick Dunn backing up, and Earnest Graham the starter.

Forget the totaled luxury vehicle, though some backup running backs have fared well. Dunn concerns me as a start this week. Earnest Graham is the only back I like to exceed the 12 points for a start.

Ronnie Brown and the wildcat formation have stormed the league. I like Brown's prospects, and I think he will exceed my prerequisite. I do think Denver will rebound a bit defensively. So expect a good day from Brown, but not a great one.

Maurice Jones-Drew has been on again, off again this year. Jacksonville’s O-line has not helped. Still, Cincinnati is winless for a reason, and that is a mix of team injuries on offense and defense, plus a lack of unity. The injuries on defense, especially Keith Rivers, will lead the way for Jones-Drew to have a rebound week.

WRs to start

I loved him last week, he rewarded me well, and I am going to ride Donnie Avery again this week. Avery is a large portion of the Rams' passing offense, and Arizona (Surprise!) is one of the worst passing defenses. Avery will not disappoint; start him.

I own Braylon Edwards in one dynasty league I am in, and weekly I wrestle with, “Do I start him with a inconsistent QB, or find someone else from my bench?”

This week, Baltimore has the earmarks of “bench him.” I think otherwise, though. I think Braylon has the potential to be productive this week.

The return of Donte Stallworth has helped, and with Kellen Winslow returning to the lineup, pressure will be less on him as in previous weeks. Baltimore has given up some touchdowns to wideouts. I am starting Braylon this week because I think the odds are with him.

Devin Hester makes the Lions watch. He has been questionable lately but with last week off, he should be healthy enough to make some plays. The Lions' defense loves to...

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