NFL Fantasy Football: Start 'Em/Sit 'Em - Week 9

We are changing things up a bit! Along with a brand new This Week In Fantasy, we will be giving you advice for the week. As always, bring us your fantasy football dilemmas of who to start and who to sit and we are more than happy to try and guide you to victory.

We really want everyone that plays Fantasy Football to get involved! Use the thread for all your fantasy questions & comments, use the hotline (1-267-245-6066) and we will put you on the air, but most importantly… bring some snacks, kick off your shoes and enjoy.

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Quarterbacks

By Tony Casale

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Nick Foles @ HOU

Philly ranks sixth in passing offense and Nick Foles is coming off of an impressive 400 yard performance in a week eight loss to Arizona. While Houston's pass defense isn't as porous as Arizona's, it's not much better. Expect Foles to break 300 passing yards yet again in a high scoring game.

Colin Kaepernick vs STL

Colin Kaepernick's first half of the 2014 (fantasy) season has been largely forgettable. The good news is that Kap takes on the one team he dismantled earlier this month; the St. Louis Rams. I expect Kaepernick to get on track this week coming out of his bye week, we should see a big game from the fourth year QB this Sunday.

Eli Manning vs IND

It's not simply that the Colts were utterly dominated in the pass game last week, although that's definitely part of it. Manning's performing very well in October, throwing five touchdowns to zero picks. I don't expect a fired up Indy defense to allow 500 yards through the air again, but Manning is dialed in right now and represents a quality fantasy start week nine.

SIT

Ryan Fitzpatrick vs PHI

It's not that I think Fitz will be a straight up bust, I just see the Texans leaning on the run game again this week.  Fitzpatrick would be the prototypical game manager if he threw fewer picks, but alas... I understand that there are a lot of bye weeks to contend with, but there are better free agent options.

Mike Vick @ KC

If you picked Mike Vick up off of waivers, please put him back, or at least leave him on the bench. This is not the week to start him, in weekly leagues or in your redraft. Kansas City takes over the top spot in passing defense this week, giving up fewer than 200 yards per game through the air. Couple that with a terrible, ineffective Jets offense, and you have a tough day for Vick.

Austin Davis @ SF

I like Austin Davis. I like the underdog. The second year QB has done an admirable job with an offense that has questions at every skill position. The running back situation remains unclear, and with Brian Quick going down, Davis' best receiver will be off of the field for the rest of the season. Kenny Britt and Jared Cook will need to step up to keep Davis fantasy relevant this season, but against division rival San Francisco this weekend, Austin Davis needs to sit

Running Backs

By James Seltzer

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Ronnie Hillman @ NE

Hillman has been a revelation for the Broncos, as he has done what Montee Ball could not, and for his fantasy owners, as he has produced solid numbers since becoming the starter. In the last 3 games, Hillman has rushed for 283 yards (at an impressive 4.87 YPC clip) and two TD's. In Week 9, Hillaman faces a New England defense that has allowed the 5th most fantasy points to RB's this season. Furthermore, in two games without Jerod Mayo, the Pats have yielded 218 yards and 153 yards, respectively. Peyton Manning is obviously going to get his on Sunday, but don't be surprised if Hillman runs his way to some points of his own.

Ahmad Bradshaw @ NYG (Monday Night)

The Giants have allowed 416 yards to RB's through the air, which is the second highest total, on a per game average, in the league. Bradshaw's 264 receiving yards are the 4th most among RB's; not to mention the "admittedly fluky, but football is a weird game from year-to-year, so he could, maybe, possibly continue to keep catching touchdowns" 6 receiving TD's he has. Add-in the Giants' #22 ranked run D, and the fact that he is facing his former team, and we can feel good expecting a solid week from Bradshaw.

Denard Robinson @ CIN

Robinson has grabbed the Jaguars starting running back job, and RAN with it. You see what I did there? Yup...That sucked. Sorry. Back to Denard. Since said grabbing of the job two weeks ago, Robinson has run for 127 yards and 108 yards in his two starts. He has also done so, at impressive YPC rates of 6.0 and 5.8. The Bengals have the 4th worst run defense in the league, in terms of yards per game, and will be without Vontaze Burfict. I know it's scary to trust a Jacksonville running back, especially one who was a QB in college, but Robinson should be a nice play against a bad Bengals run defense. Also, and probably most important, who wouldn't want to start a guy with the nickname "Shoelace"?

SIT

Giovani Bernard vs. JAX

Giovani suffered a hip injury in Week 8. Though it doesn't appear to be serious, it is something to worry about for Week 9. Jeremy Hill is a more than capable replacement. Add-in a home matchup with the lowly Jags, and maybe the Bengals are a little more likely to put a lighter load on Giovani. Why push him if you don't have to? Also, Jacksonville has been surprisingly decent against the run lately, excluding a down performance against a great Dolphins rushing attack. Lastly, Bernard simply has not been great this season. Outside of a 137 yard performance, fueled by a 89-yard TD run, Bernard has averaged just 51.5 yards per game over his other six outings. Well, at least he's a beast in the receiving game right? Actually, no. Since Week 2, Giovani has had the following weekly receiving yard totals: 7, 10, 20, -1, 2. So...yeah.

Chris Ivory @ KC

Ivory is coming off his best two weeks of the season, at least in terms of fantasy points. However, there is so much uncertainty in New York, with the QB change, that it is hard to trust anyone or anything associated with that offense. On top of that, Week 9 offers a matchup with a Chiefs defense that has allowed the 3rd least amount of fantasy points to running backs this season, and has yet let a running back reach the End Zone. In Arrowhead, against this defense, with a terrible, awful, shameful, offense around him; sitting Ivory is probably the smart play this weekend.

Justin Forsett @ PIT (Sunday Night)

Forsett has been one of the great waiver wire finds of the season, as he has done a nice job for Baltimore. But, Forsett is dealing with an ankle injury, and though it will not keep him out of Week 9's tilt with the Steelers, it certainly has the potential to hamper his play. Also, it's clear that Lorenzo Taliaferro will have a role in the Ravens offense, especially in short yardage situations, which doesn't help Forsett's value. Add-in a decent Steelers' run defense, and it makes Week 9 a good spot to sit Forsett.

Wide Receivers

By John Barchard

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Michael Crabtree vs STL

I am never in love with starting Crabtree, but this week I am. For what every reason he does well when he's up against the Rams. It's not what Fitz does to the Eagles, but it's always a solid start with the potential to be a big week. I would feel a lot more comfortable going in with him than Keenan Allen or Andrew Hawkins. (See also: Steve Smith)

Julian Edelman vs DEN

Just like we said on the show, I am pretty sure I am not sitting anyone that in this matchup unless your last name is Welker (which because I said that will have 187 yard with 2 TDs). Edelman had a few drops last week but I don't think they are going to stop looking his way with Gronk and LaFell getting a little extra attention. I think he bounces back from last week and has a strong game against the Broncos

Rueben Randle vs IND

I continue to beat this drum and Rueben hasn't exactly rewarded anyone with a huge performance. But with amount of targets (and new increasing ones since Cruz's injury) He will get you those 11-12 WR3/Flex points that you desperately need this week. With Giants coming off of the bye and playing at home this week, I really like this play. (See also: Terrance Williams, Doug Baldwin)

SIT

Andre Johnson vs PHI

I know what you're thinking... The Eagles secondary is almost a dumpster fire. I am not going to argue that but to go off of what Tony was saying I don't trust Mr. O'Brien to go away from his bread & butter run game. If anything I think the Eagles can slow that down and force Fitzpatrick to throw more which is always a bad thing. I would feel a lot safer starting DeAndre Hopkins over Andre Johnson this week.

Dwayne Bowe vs. NYJ

You might be tempted because it's the Jets and Bowe is waaaaaay overdue for a touchdown. But despite the horrid Jets secondary I don't expect anything else but his usual 4-5 catches for 60 yards.. which is great if you are having bye week issues, but not great for winning your week.

Allen Robinson @ CIN

Despite his uptick the last two weeks, this matchup is too tough. Jacksonville's offense has been playing a lot better and so has Robinson. But the Bengals are so much more comfortable playing at home and their secondary is a lot better than their run defense. The only Robinson that you should start this week is on the ground with Denard.

Tight Ends

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Travis Kelce vs NYJ

By James Seltzer

Kelce has not been great the last few weeks, as the Chiefs have struggled to get him involved in the offense. However, the talent is clearly there. Week 9 should offer the perfect opportunity to get Kelce going, as Kansas City faces an atrocious Jets pass defense, that has allowed a league-high 9 TD's to tight ends this season. Start Kelce with confidence in Week 9, because even Andy Reid can't screw up a plum matchup like this...at least, I don't think he can. Who am I kidding? He totally can. I just don't think he will this time around.

Antonio Gates @ MIA

By Tony Casale

Despite facing the number three pass defense in Miami, Antonio Gates has simply been too hot to sit this week. Gates has been Philip Rivers go to in end zone as of late, securing six touchdowns over the past four games. Even if he isn't grabbing a ton of passes each week, as long as he keeps scoring he'll land on the start list

SIT

Heath Miller @ BAL

By James Seltzer

Miller is coming off his best game of the season - 112 yards, TD - but that game was clearly an anomaly of sorts...or else Big Ben is the best fantasy QB of all time. In Miller's three prior games, he averaged 26 yards receiving per game, and did not get into the End Zone. In addition, the Ravens have allowed the 4th least amount of fantasy PPG to tight ends. Don't be fooled by Miller's huge Week 8; sit him in Week 9.

Vernon Davis vs STL

By Tony Casale

While Vernon Davis returned from injury a couple weeks ago, it seems that no one told Colin Kaepernick. Since week one, Davis hasn't nabbed more than three passes in a single game, neither has he found the end zone. Davis suffered a tough back injury early in the season and still doesn't look 100 percent.

DEFENSE

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Cincinnati vs. JAX

By James Seltzer

Cincinnati's defense has under performed in 2014, but they are still talented on that side of the ball. More so, they have a tremendous matchup with a Jags' offense that has provided the most points for fantasy defenses this season. Jacksonville leads the league in sacks allowed, turnovers, interceptions, and has yielded five defensive touchdowns. Cincinnati's D should be able to put up some points for you in Week 9.

Minnesota Vikings vs WAS

By Tony Casale

The Vikings have quietly put together a really solid team defensive campaign. As an example of why you don't take a defense early in your draft; Minnesota has DOUBLED the fantasy points of Seattle this season, and they're available in over 50 percent of leagues. You just never know. This week Minnesota faces RG3 and the Washington Redskins. Minnesota has amassed 25 sacks this season and looks to chase Griffin all over the field in his first game back from injury.

SIT

Miami vs. SD

By James Seltzer

Miami's defense has actually played well this season, but face a tough test in Week 9. San Diego has only turned the ball over five times this season, and has also done a nice job of limiting sacks. In fact, the Chargers allow the league's second-least amount of points per game to fantasy defenses. Lastly, San Diego had a few extra days off after playing on Thursday Night, so they will rested and ready for the Dolphins.

New England Patriots vs DEN

By Tony Casale

So, your fantasy defense is playing the Broncos. Ugh. I understand if you're reluctant to sit the Pats defense, they've scored in double digits in three of the last four games. I'll make you a deal. You can keep New England on your team if you bench them for just this week, ok maybe next week against Indy too, but that's it I swear. In the meantime grab someone else. Perhaps Minnesota (see above) or KC or Cincy.

This week, we get into...

What did we do right and what did we do wrong last week?

The Big Matchups

Cowboys vs. Cardinals

Saints @ Panthers

Patriots vs. Broncos

Steelers vs. Ravens

Trade Deadline

Buy Low, Sell High on..

Sell high - Brandon LaFell ?

Sell high - Mike Wallace ?

Sell high - Steve Smith ?

Sell high - DeMarco Murray ?

Others: Golden Tate, Hillman, Ingram?

Buy Low - Calvin Johnson ?

Buy Low - Montee Ball ?

Buy Low - Jay Cutler ?

Now what are you doing with Josh Gordon?

Mailbag!

@DanS_SotS : Should I trade Travis Kelce and Josh Gordon for Denard Robinson?  I'm on the outside looking in of playoffs and Eddie Lacy has a bye.

@MarioZMD - Pick up Martavis Bryant or Moncrief for standard league this week?

And we say Happy Trails to someone on our fantasy roster...