Fantasy Football Week 9: Ryan Fitzpatrick, DeMarco Murray and More Risky Starts

Every now and then even a locked in fantasy stud is bound to come up against a tough matchup, thus making it somewhat of a sketchy option to start them.

That's really what fantasy football is about at its core: individual matchups.

Truth be told, I'd rather take one or two role players with good matchups than a superstar going against a stud defense.

The odds are in the favor of the matchup, each and every time.

There are a few fantasy stars that have some pretty risky matchups in Week 9.

Stay away from these starts:

Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB Buffalo Bills

It's hard to go against Fitzpatrick and the Bills this week, and they've definitely shown enough to prove to fantasy owners that they are legit in 2011. That being said, I'm not a huge fan of this matchup with the Jets.

I feel the Bills are going to win it, but they will lean heavily on Fred Jackson and the run game, especially considering the Jets' pass defense is their strength.

Chris Johnson, RB Tennessee Titans

I never would have expected writing that you shouldn't start Chris Johnson, but at this point of the season he isn't worth trusting. The Bengals have a very underrated defense, and truthfully I don't think Johnson cares anymore.

I'm not sure if he's injured, upset or was just playing for a contract. Either way, he's not worth starting.

Anquan Boldin, WR Baltimore Ravens

Boldin is simply a bad start at this point. The Ravens offense has been stagnant, and now they have to match up with a Steelers defense that is playing out of its mind.

Boldin can make some plays, but I wouldn't trust him to bring you tons of fantasy points.

DeMarco Murray, RB Dallas Cowboys

Murray is indeed a legitimate running back, and I expect him to be a great Cowboy now and into the future. He's due for an off game though because of this matchup. 

The Seahawks are second in the league with 3.1 yards per carry against, but their pass defense is terrible. That all adds up to a pedestrian day on the ground in my eyes.