We’re now getting closer to those final weeks of the season, about to start Week 9 of the 2021 season, and continuing our Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em series. Did anyone else start their league with just a few IR spots and now regret that? Especially in dynasty leagues, this has been a brutal season with players missing time. We again have a few teams on bye this week:
- Detroit Lions
- Seattle Seahawks
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Washington Football Team
As always, if you are struggling with a decision you can checkout our rankings for each Week. Or, if you want a more personal touch, reach out on social media. You can find us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Or jump into our Discord server.
Start 'Em
Start’Em
Joe Burrow v CLE
Burrow is showing exactly why he was taken at the top of the draft. I thought the offensive line would be ok this year, with the patched free agents that they signed getting them through for this year. The receiving talent on offense is crazy, against a Cleveland defense that has given up a bunch to the position, Burrow is a clear start.
Ryan Tannehill @LAR
Tannehill is not an obvious start this week, going on the raod to face the Rams defense. A defense that just added Von Miller as a secondary pass-rusher. The Titans are now without Derrick Henry, who was the focal part of their offense. While the team are still likely to try to move the ball on the ground, they are going to have to air it out.
Tua Tagovailoa v HOU
I’m going to back the Miami QB this week to show that he isn’t the issue with this team. There were trade rumours flying round that Deshaun Watson was going to come to the Dolphins, but that didn’t happen in the end. Tua is going to be motivated to show why they shouldn’t circulate again, against the team that currently (on paper) has Watson on their team.
For the brave/ desperate- Jordan Love v GB
Love has been a popular add this week, with the announcement that Aaron Rodgers has tested positive for COVID. Against a poor Kansas City defense, Love could be a start if you are desperate. But I’d only do it if Davante Adams and the receivers that missed last week are back.
Sit’Em
Matt Ryan @NO
The Falcons offense has plenty of passing volume in any given week. The issue this week is that he is travelling to face the Saints defense, who are one of the best defenses in the league. If you can avoid, you should. Especially as the offense will need to adjust to life without Calvin Ridley.
Sam Darnold v NE
Darnold has been limited this week, and has struggled to be consistent this season. The bigger issue is that the blueprint on how to beat Darnold exists in the building from his time with the New York Jets. The Patriots have also restricted offenses through the air, with an average of 16 points to the position this season.
Justin Fields @PIT
Fields had a good time out last week. But don’t be fooled that wasn’t at all because of his ability with his arm. Instead it was the 103 yard and TD he got on the ground. With turnovers still a big issue, as well as sacks, don’t start him against the Steelers unit.
Start ‘Em
Boston Scott v LAC
Scott was impressive last week, and has another chance to do the same this week. The way the Chargers defend allows the ball to move on the ground, which should mean Scott will have plenty of carries. I still think that Gainwell is going to have value in the coming weeks, with tougher matchups, but this is a spot for Scott.
Devontae Booker v LV
Just when people thought they might be able to put Saquon Barkley back in their lineups, he gets COVID. That does mean another week for Booker though. The Raiders might be looking to pull together as a team, but they have struggled against the position this season.
Josh Jacobs @NYG
Staying in the same game, we have the return of Josh Jacobs. The Giants defense has struggled to stop production on the ground, and the Raiders offence has leant on Jacobs when he is available.
Myles Gaskin v HOU
Remember that Week 6 matchup, where Gaskin was going to smash the Jaguars on the ground? Well, that didn’t happen. But, the Dolphins have certainly given him the ball in the offense. The Texans are a defense to target, let’s hope he has a good performance this time!
Sit ‘Em
James Robinson/ Carlos Hyde v BUF
I don’t know who is going to be the starter for the Jaguars this week, and it really doesn’t matter. The Buffalo defense have it in them to stop the ground game dead. The doubts around Robinson make this worse, as we could see a split of carries with none of the players getting the volume they’d need to be good for fantasy.
Jeremy McNichols/ Adrian Peterson @LAR
McNichols or Peterson? I don’t know, and unless I’m DESPERATE. I don’t know how it’s going to shake out. The Rams defense is an effective enough unit. If I was forced to choose, I’d go with McNichols who is game-ready.
Javonte Williams @DAL
Williams is the future for the Bronoos, but he isn’t the present. The team split carries and targets between Williams and Melvin Gordon, but recently, that’s changed to being led towards Gordon. The Dallas defense is great against RBs this season, with a strong defensive front. That limit on production limits Williams appeal, even as a flex play.
Start ‘Em
Chase Claypool v CHI
I shouldn’t need to tell you to start Diontae Johnson, as he is the leading receiver for the Steelers. But,you might have reservations over Claypool. You shouldn’t. The Bears have struggled stopping anything through the air.
Brandin Cooks @MIA
Holy target share. Cooks has had 70 targets, which is more than the next three players on the roster. The Dolphins secondary is one of the worst in league in every metric. He is must-start. Even if he doesn’t get into the endzone,
Rashod Bateman v MIN
Bateman is a player that I have hopes for in the second half of the season. After missing the start of the season through injury, he has become one of the leading targets in the offense. The Vikings defense has struggled against receivers this season, giving Bateman a great opportunity this week.
Sit ’em
DeVonta Smith v LAC
Smith is the leading receiver for the Eagles, which is great. The issue this week is that the matchup with the Chargers is a tough on. The Chargers have a good secondary, and are likely to limit Smith, with their TEs likely to soak up the volume.
Marvin Jones v BUF
In a season of lows for the Jaguars, Jones has been a highlight, taking to the Jaguars offense quickly. This week he is likely to be limited to garbage time production. The Bills defense is able to stop players at each level, and that includes Jones’ role as lead receiver for the time.
Saints receivers v ATL
On paper, you want to target the Falcons defense, but I’m not sure I want to do it this week. The uncertainty around the QB situation is too much for me. DO we have Taysom Hill returning (likely) in which case we are likely to see more rushing attempts than anything else.
Start ‘Em
Dallas Goedert v LAC
Goedert has an opportunity for a big game this week. He is an important part of the offense, with plenty of targets. The receivers are likely to see limited opportunities against the secondary of the Chargers. Against TEs though, they have struggled.
Mike Gesicki v HOU
Gesicki has been great for the Dolphins this season. Truly, I’ve had doubts over him for fantasy, but this matchup is too good to pass up. The Texans defense is one that you can target at TE, and in matchups he is expected to perform he has managed.
Tyler Conklin @BAL
Conklin has had value in some games this season, with some games where he has disappointed too. The Ravens are a team you can target for TEs, who are the worst team in the league at the position. Let’s hope it isn’t one where the team opt to hyper target one of their receivers.
Sit ’em
Pat Freiermuth v CHI
Freiermuth had a fine display against the Browns last week, after a solid game the week before against Seattle. But, I don’t think the third time will be a charm. The Bears offense have only allowed 25 receptions to the position this season, and only a single TD. With Dionate Johnson and Chase Claypool likely to dominate which doesn’t leave alot to share.
Dalton Schultz v DEN
I had Scultz lower down my rankings than many expected last week. And I was right, but for the wrong reasons. This week, I’m going to say he is a straight sit. Denver’s defense is tough for TEs, and yet to concede a TD to the position.
Start ‘Em
Carolina Panthers v NE
The Panthers defense is a solid unit, and have 21 sacks on the season. The Patriots offense isn’t a barn-stroming unit able to put up many points, and with the sacks and turnovers they can give up, the Panthers are a fine play this week.
Green Bay Packers @KC
Is it now getting to the point where we target the Chiefs? I mean the offense isn’t firing like it used to, and has been turning over the ball. The Packers have been able to generate pressure all season, there’s no reason they can’t do it here too.
Sit ‘Em
Denver Broncos @DAL
Denver are a good defense, but they’ve now moved on a big part of the team in Von Miller. They are also up against a Dallas offense that should be ready to welcome back Dak Prescott.
Kansas City Chiefs v GB
A young QB making his first start in the NFL? That means an auto start for the defense right? Not in this case. There’s no way I can recommend starting the Chiefs. The Chiefs DST has struggled to generate pressure on the QB, and the Packers offense should be able to largely operate without their QB elevating them.
Start ‘Em
Jason Sanders v HOU
Sanders has regressed from the performances he managed last season, and has missed 3 FGs in the past 3 weeks. The thing is there should be plenty of opportunities for kicks this week, either PATs or FGs. The Texans give up points all over the field.
Mason Crosby @KC
I fancy Crosby to have a good week. The Packers offense is too strong to not be able to get down the field, even without Aaron Rodgers. But, the question will be if the team will be able to punch it in without their star. That should mean a few more attempts for Crosby.
Sit ‘Em
Randy Bullock @TEN
Bullock won the Titans the game last week with a field goal in overtime, but that doesn’t mean you can feel good about starting him this week. The Titans offense is much changed this week, and the Rams defense, with it’s new addition could become a big headache.
Chase McLaughlin @CIN
The Browns offense has been frustrating to watch. Just when it looks like they’ve found a grove, something happens. That has meant that McLaughlin hasn’t had too attempts on goal this season. Against the Bengals, even in a divisional game, there are better choices.
Well that’s it for our Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em for Week 9 of the 2021 season. Remember, you can check out rankings for each Week. Reach out on social media, you can find us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Or jump into our Discord server.
Image Credit: Ken Blaze – USA TODAY Sports
