Fantasy Football Week Nine: Start ’em, Sit ’em

As the trend has been all season, Week Eight saw emotional wins as well as heartbreaking losses. Christian McCaffrey shined in his first full game as a 49er, becoming the third running back in NFL history to throw, catch, and run for a touchdown in a game as San Francisco remains undefeated against the Rams with Jimmy Garappolo under center.

The Bengals, however, were spooked out of Cleveland halloween night after getting whomped by the Browns 32-13.

With what was a wild trade deadline passed, playoff implications are in full swing now that we’ve entered Week Nine. Here’s who should be starting and sitting as we inch closer to the postseason.

Ian’s Record: 40-22

Start ’em

Joe Burrow (QB, Bengals) vs. Panthers

Aside from Monday night’s plunder in Cleveland, Burrow has been a must start fantasy QB since week 1. He’s recorded a multi-touchdown game in all but two weeks, and has recorded 781 passing yards and six touchdown passes against the other NFC South teams the Bengals have played thus far.

I’m expecting that trend to continue when the Bengals host the Panthers this week. Carolina has struggled against QBs in recent weeks, and they definitely shouldn’t be able to contain arguably the best WR trio in the league.

AJ Dillion (RB, Packers) vs. Lions

After seeing an average of just over 14 attempts per game through the first four weeks, Dillon and the Packers’ run game saw a regression as the battle continues for Aaron Rodgers to find some continuity with his new receivers. That changed last week however, as against the Bills Dillon and Aaron Jones combined saw 30 touches.

Now that the Packers remember they can effectively pound the run game, expect that to return against the Lions this week. Detroit’s averaged an atrocious 25.6 fantasy points per game to running backs this season. Expect a week 1 performance from Dillon.

JuJu Smith-Schuster (WR, Chiefs) vs. Titans

JuJu saw an underwhelming start to his first season in Kansas City, but in the two weeks preceding the Chiefs’ bye week he quickly turned into their most reliable receiver. He torched the Bills in week 6, catching all five targets for 113 and a score, then went to San Francisco and caught seven more for 124 and another score.

Coming off the bye week, their matchup is heavily in Smith-Schuster’s favor. The Titans have allowed the sixth highest amount of fantasy points to wide receivers this year, and JuJu is red-hot. I’m predicting another endzone visit, if not more.

Evan Engram (TE, Jaguars) vs. Raiders

Engram has been seeing a more consistent target share recently, getting at least six in the last four weeks. His first trip to the endzone came last week against a Broncos defense that not only has been stellar in just about every category, but hadn’t allowed a touchdown to a tight end since week 1.

This matchup bodes extremely well for Engram to continue his hot streak, as the Raiders have been much more forgiving to the tight end position. Josh McDaniels’ defense hasn’t quite been able to figure out how to cover tight ends since they allowed Travis Kelce to score four times in week 5, so I’m expecting another productive day for Engram.

Sit ’em

Tom Brady (QB, Buccaneers) vs. Rams

This one comes from me personally. Tom Brady is currently on MY bench.

What we’re currently witnessing is the true passing of the torch from the likes of Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson, Matt Ryan, etc., to the young guns like Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, Tua Tagovailoa, Lamar Jackson, etc. Brady hasn’t recorded 20 fantasy points since week 4, which is also the one time he’s done it this season.

Don’t expect a resurgence this week as the Bucs host the Rams. LA has given up the second lowest amount of fantasy points to QBs in the last four weeks, and with how beat up the Bucs wide receivers still are it should be relatively easy for them to get locked down.

Devin Singletary (RB, Bills) vs. Jets

Like I said a few weeks ago, Singletary hasn’t been getting the volume necessary to be a fantasy relevant running back. That changed however, as he saw 17 touches in week 6 and 14 in week 8. The catch with him now is that he has not only James Cook stealing touches, but also Nyheim Hines.

The Jets have been solid against the run as well, allowing the twelfth fewest fantasy points through eight weeks. Look to use Singletary as an add-on for a trade you’re trying to make.

Michael Pittman Jr./Alex Pierce (WRs, Colts) vs. Patriots

If Matt Ryan were starting, these guys would not be here. But Matt Ryan is not starting, so here we are.

Sam Ehlinger, drafted by the Colts in 2021, will make his second NFL start in Foxborough this week as Ryan deals with a shoulder injury. He wasn’t bad at all in his first career start against the Commanders, completing 17 passes for 201 yards.

The downside for Pittman Jr. and Pierce this week is having such an inexperienced QB going against Bill Belichick on his home turf. Look for Frank Reich and the Colts to play offense conservatively and lean more on Jonathan Taylor’s shoulder.

T.J. Hockenson (TE, Vikings) vs. Commanders

Hockenson had one really big game against Seattle this year and not much else. He had eight receptions in that game and hasn’t capped four since. The trade deadline saw him shipped to Minnesota however, where I’m sure he’s hoping to get back on track.

I don’t think that will happen this week, as the Commanders have given up the fewest…yup, fewest, amount of fantasy points to tight ends this year. The Vikings next few games aren’t very favorable for Hockenson (Commanders, Bills, Cowboys), so look to hang him up for a while.

BYES: CLEVELAND BROWNS, DALLAS COWBOYS, DENVER BRONCOS, NEW YORK GIANTS, PITTSBURGH STEELERS, SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS