Week 9 Start 'Em Sit 'Em: Fantasy Football Predictions

As the home stretch of the fantasy football season begins, lineup decisions become crucial. Sticking with the same roster week after week is a sure way to get beat. 

Which players are trending up? Which player are trending down? Which matchups are favorable this week?

Let's look at which players to start and sit this week in fantasy football. 

Start 'Em: Legarrette Blount

Blount started the season well before sustaining a knee injury. He’s finally set to return after Tampa Bay’s bye week, and the Saints are a good matchup for him.

New Orleans ranks just 24th in the NFL in rushing defense. Start LeGarrette Blount. 

Sit 'Em: Miles Austin

Austin started off the 2011 season very impressively before suffering a hamstring injury. Since he’s returned, though, his production has slipped terribly.

In his last two games he has just five receptions for 43 yards. Sit Miles Austin. 

Start 'Em: Shonn Greene

After high expectations, Greene got off to a slow start this season. Lately, though, the Jets have started giving him the ball and he’s responded.

Over the last three games, Greene’s averaged 90 yards on the ground. Expect that production to continue against an average Bills rush defense. Start Shonn Greene

Sit 'Em: Chris Johnson

Those of you who drafted Chris Johnson first in your fantasy league have probably been wondering when it’s time to finally bench him. How about when he’s no longer the most productive running back on his team?

For two weeks in a row it’s been Javon Ringer who has led the Titans in rushing. To make things worse, the Titans are going up against a Bengals team that ranks second in rush defense.

Sit Chris Johnson. 

Start 'Em: Julio Jones

Jones may not have a touchdown on the year and he may be coming off an injury, but this looks like the perfect week for him to break out.

No team has given up more passing touchdown than the Colts, and Jones was playing well before he injured his hamstring. In the two weeks before his injury, Jones had 17 receptions for 242 yards.

Start Julio Jones. 

Sit 'Em: Ryan Fitzpatrick

After a very hot start to the season, Fitzpatrick has cooled off a bit in recent weeks.

Against a good Jets pass defense, don’t expect big numbers. The Bills should lean on Fred Jackson against a Jets rush defense that’s ranked 25th in the league.

Sit Ryan Fitzpatrick. 

Start 'Em: Victor Cruz

After a week-long hiatus, Cruz returned to form against the Dolphins last week.

On the season, Cruz has 497 yards and three touchdowns. Everyone kept waiting for this guy to come back down to earth and it just hasn’t happened.

This isn’t the week to start betting against him, as the Patriots have the worst pass defense in the league.

Start Victor Cruz.

Sit 'Em: Matt Shaub

In addition to the fact that Schaub has been inconsistent this season, the matchup this week isn't very favorable. The Browns are second in pass defense and the Texans are likely to lean heavily on Arian Foster in this game.

Bench Matt Schaub.