Here is a no huddle approach, toward addressing your best starts, and most advisable sits for all 26 teams that will be in action this week. That excludes the Broncos, Lions, Giants, Cardinals, 49ers and Jaguars, who will each have their byes. Game time is approaching, so we’ll immediately launch into Week 9.
Bengals at Dolphins
Cincinnati
Start: Marvin Jones
In the past three contests, he has scorched opposing defenders for 15 receptions, 250 yards and an incredible six TDs. Do not overreact to reports regarding his snap count, as his performances could lead to a more extensive role. Regardless, there is sizable justification to start him against Miami.
Other Starts: Andy Dalton, A.J. Green, Giovani Bernard, BenJarvus Green-Ellis
Sit: Tyler Eifert
His wildly inconsistent production from week to week includes three games with less than 25 yards, and six with 47 or less. That paltry output could negatively impact your chances of winning, and the same principle applies to Gresham.
Other Sits: Jermaine Gresham
Miami
Start: Charles Clay
He continues to produce consistently with the opportunities that he is provided, and those should increase with Gibson’s departure from the lineup.
Other Starts: Lamar Miller, Brian Hartline
Sit: Mike Wallace
He has just 30 receptions despite being targeted a team high 64 times. While it may be tempting to start him since he is garnering so many opportunities, his inability to capitalize on them makes him a risky choice.
Other Sits: Ryan Tannehill, Daniel Thomas
Chiefs at Bills
Buffalo
Start: Fred Jackson
Even though his 3.2 YPC in the past four contests has been underwhelming, he has scored four TDs during that span. And he is by far the best fantasy option among Bills this week.
Other Starts: Steve Jackson
Sit: Scott Chandler
He has averaged less than five targets per contest prior to receiving 11 last Sunday. The opportunities will decline, as will his production.
Other Sits: Thad Lewis, Tashard Choice
Kansas City
Start: Jamaal Charles
Even though mammoth shortcomings at QB are not keeping the team from winning, it should prohibit you from starting any Chief beyond Charles.
Other Starts: None
Sit: Dexter McCluster
Unless you believe that McCluster will receive double digit targets once again, it is advisable not to chase his Week 8 output.
Other Sits: Dwayne Bowe, Donnie Avery, Anthony Fasano
Vikings at Cowboys
Minnesota
Start: Adrian Peterson
If you own AP, there is no way that you'd bench him. But his name appears here because there are no other members of the NFL's 29th ranked offense that should be in your lineups.
Other Starts: None
Sit: Greg Jennings
He couldn't even generate 10 yards against his former team, and is no longer worthy of a roster spot.
Other Sits: Christian Ponder, Jerome Simpson, Corradelle Patterson, Kyle Rudolph
Dallas
Start: Terrance Williams
The rookie has become a reliable option for Tony Romo in recent weeks, amassing 313 yards, and scoring in four consecutive contests. In the process, he has also pilfered the starting slot that had belonged to Miles Austin.
Other Starts: Tony Romo, DeMarco Murray, Dez Bryant, Jason Witten
Sit: Joseph Randle
Even if Murray does not return, or is employed sparingly, Randle’s 1.9 YPC average in Week 8 makes him untrustworthy.
Other Sits: Lance Dunbar, Phillip Tanner
Titans at Rams
Tennessee
Start: Kendall Wright
Wright has received at least eight targets in his last four games, and leads the Titans with 58 this season. He has also amassed 5+ receptions in six consecutive contests, while averaging 70 yards per game during that span. Keep him active as he will continue to stockpile passes from Jake Locker.
Other Starts: Jake Locker. Chris Johnson, Nate Washington
Sit: Kenny Britt
He has just three targets in the Titan’s past two contests combined, and has been surpassed by Wright, Washington and Walker as an option for Locker.
Other Sits: Shonn Greene, Delanie Walker
St. Louis
Start: Zac Stacy
After scorching Seattle for a surprising 134 yards last Monday, he has become entrenched as this offense’s most viable option. Just monitor his status to ensure that Stacy’s ankle injury won’t preclude him from performing against Tennessee. If it does, Daryl Richardson becomes a flex option for distressed owners.
Other Starts: None
Sit: Austin Pettis
None of the Ram receivers appear to have developed chemistry with Clemons. But with just four targets in each of the past two contests, Pettis has been most significantly impacted by the loss of Bradford.
Other Sits: Kellen Clemons, Daryl Richardson, Chris Givens, Tavon Austin, Jared Cook
Saints at Jets
New Orleans
Start: Pierre Thomas
Despite a tough matchup against the NFL’s top ranked run defense, he should collect enough passes from Brees to warrant starting him as a flex.
Other Starts: Drew Brees, Darren Sproles, Jimmy Graham
Sit: Marques Colston
He has failed to even reach 20 yards in any of the past three contests, and has managed just five catches during that span.
Other Sits: Khiry Robinson, Kenny Stills, Lance Moore, Robert Meachem
New York
Start: Bilal Powell
It is difficult to advise starting any Jets against New Orleans, and he should only be employed as a desperation flex. The Jets should lean on their ground game to minimize Geno Smith’s exposure to an opportunistic Saint defense that ranks ninth versus the pass, and has been successful in generating sacks and turnovers. The issue is how RB touches will be distributed, which adds risk to starting Powel.
Other Starts: None
Sit: Jeremy Kerley
As with the RBs, it is difficult to forecast which WR will garner the most targets from Smith. This week, it is best to avoid all Jet receiving options.
Other Sits: Chris Ivory, Stephen Hill, David Nelson, Jeff Cumberland
Chargers at Redskins
San Diego
Start: Keenan Allen
Now that his bye week is complete, lock him into our starting lineups. In his last four contests, he has 33 targets, 23 receptions, 369 yards and two TDs.
Other Starts: Philip Rivers, Ryan Mathews, Danny Woodhead, Antonio Gates
Sit: Eddie Royal
Most fantasy owners came to their senses about Royal after his fast yet fluky start. But it appears that some have overacted to his Week 7 TD. Even against Washington’s vulnerable pass defense, you can do better.
Other Sits: Ronnie Brown, Vincent Brown
Washington
Start: Jordan Reed
With 224 receiving yards in the last two contests and 332 in the past four, the rookie has emerged as a matchup proof, must start.
Other Starts: Robert Griffin III, Alfred Morris, Roy Helu, Pierre Garcon
Sit: Leonard Hankerson
No matter how desperate you may feel due to bye weeks and injuries, look elsewhere for help. Last week’s TD was his first since opening day.
Other Sits: Santana Moss
Falcons at Panthers
Atlanta
Start: Harry Douglas
The fact that he joins Tony Gonzalez as the most likely Falcon to deliver fantasy points is beyond amazing. But after amassing 18 receptions for 270 yards in the past two weeks, that is certainly the case.
Other Starts: Matt Ryan, Tony Gonzalez
Sit: Steven Jackson
His disappointing Week 8 return included just six yards on 11 carries. Now he must attempt to negotiate the NFL’s second best run defense, and it won’t go well for him.
Other Sits: Jacquizz Rodgers
Carolina
Start: Cam Newton
Normal supposedly locked in starters Steve Smith and Greg Olsen have delivered an unsettling level of disappointment in recent weeks. But Newton has been on a roll. In his last three games, he has thrown for 667 yards and six TDs, while running for 106 yards and two additional scores.
Other Starts: Steve Smith, Greg Olsen
Sit: Brandon LaFell
Hopefully his combined 58 yards in the past two contests has reminded all owners that he will never be a viable starter.
Other Sits: DeAngelo Williams, Mike Tolbert, Jonathan Stewart
Eagles at Raiders
Philadelphia
Start: LeSean McCoy
You can’t afford to sit your first round draft pick even though Chip Kelly’s offense has failed to generate a TD since Week 6. The return of Nick Foles should help, but don’t expect a monster game against the NFL’s sixth best run defense.
Other Starts: DeSean Jackson
Sit: Riley Cooper
His best production occurred when Foles was previously in the lineup. But he is simply too inconsistent to be trusted.
Other Sits: Nick Foles, Jason Avant, Brent Celek
Oakland
Start: Terrelle Pryor
The duel threat signal caller will assemble a satisfactory number of fantasy points against Philly's 31st ranked defense.
Other Starts: Darren McFadden, Denarius Moore
Sit: Rod Streater
He led the team in targets against Pittsburgh. But that won't occur on Sunday as Pryor will feed Moore repeatedly.
Other Sits: None
Buccaneers at Seahawks
Tampa Bay
Start: Vincent Jackson
This will be a tough matchup. But VJax is by far the only trustworthy Buc. Just do not expect him to reach the 110 yards that he has averaged in his last three contests.
Other Starts: Timothy Wright
Sit: Mike Glennon
Amid the forgettable performance by the Buccaneers both on the field and on the sidelines in Week 8, Glennon displayed enough to merit using him as QB2 in deeper leagues. But absolutely not this week.
Other Sits: Mike James, Tiquan Underwood
Seattle
Start: Golden Tate
He won’t replicate the two-TD performance of Week 8. But he is clearly the Seahawks’ premier receiving option until Percy Harvin becomes active.
Other Starts: Russell Wilson, Marshawn Lynch
Sit: Zach Miller
Talent is not the issue, but opportunity is as he has only exceeded four targets once all season.
Other Sits: Doug Baldwin, Jermaine Kearse
Ravens at Browns
Baltimore
Start: Ray Rice
Given the underwhelming nature of Baltimore’s passing attack, Rice is the only Raven that can be recommended against Cleveland’s seventh ranked defense.
Other Starts: None
Sit: Marlon Brown
He has failed to score since Week 4, plus Jacoby Jones received more snaps and targets in Baltimore’s last contest.
Other Sits: Joe Flacco, Bernard Pierce, Jacoby Jones, Dallas Clark
Cleveland
Start: Josh Gordon
He attained a season high 10 targets in Jason Campbell’s first start, and accumulated his best yardage total of the year. That should eliminate any lingering concerns about his disappointing output in Week 7.
Other Starts: Jordan Cameron
Sit: Willis McGahee
Here’s hoping that you have progressed beyond using the nine-year veteran, who is averaging just 2.9 YPC, and is immersed in a burgeoning time share.
Other Sits: Jason Campbell, Chris Ogbonnaya, Fozzy Whitaker
Steelers at Patriots
Pittsburgh
Start: Le’Veon Bell
As predicted here, Bell struggled to find space against Oakland’s sixth ranked rush defense. But there will be no such issue this week, as the Patriots’ 31st ranked run defenders are allowing 131 YPG.
Other Starts: Antonio Brown, Heath Miller
Sit: Emmanuel Sanders
His 88-yard, one TD performance in Week 8 occurred in great part because the Steelers’ ground game was getting stuffed, and Sanders received 11 targets after averaging 6 in the previous four games. But Pittsburgh should encounter far better success with their rushing attack this week, and Sanders will not be needed as frequently.
Other Sits: None
New England
Start: Tom Brady
Yes, we are at this point. 14 QBs have generated more yardage, and 16 have produced more TDs. He is averaging just 228 YPG, and if you subtract his lone 300-yard performance in Week 4, his average drops to just 215 YPG. If you have a viable alternative such as Jake Locker, Terrelle Pryor of Andy Dalton,
Other Starts: Aaron Dobson, Rob Gronkowski
Sit: Stevan Ridley
You will see him listed as a starter elsewhere, but the bizarre manner in which Bill Belichick continues to use Ridley should be a concern. He is losing a sizable number of touches to Bolden and Blount, and depending upon Ridley to continually salvage his games with TDs is unsafe.
Other Sits: Danny Amendola, Brandon Bolden, LeGarrette Blount
Colts at Texans
Indianapolis
Start: T.Y. Hilton
DHB and Coby Fleener will also be expected to step up, but Hilton now ascends into the role of WR1. And Luck will locate him.
Other Starts: Andrew Luck, Darrius Heyward-Bey, Coby Fleener
Sit: Trent Richardson
If you are hoping for reason to remain optimistic about T-Rich, then you have come to the wrong place. He has provided only massive disappointment all season, including his five games as a Colt. The fact that Donald Brown has outperformed him says it all.
Other Sits: Donald Brown, LaVon Brazill
Houston
Start: Andre Johnson
He will remain both heavily targeted and very productive with Keenum in the lineup.
Other Starts: DeAndre Hopkins
Sit: Arian Foster/Ben Tate
It is difficult to believe that Foster’s hamstring and Tate’s broken ribs won’t have a major impact on their ability to perform. The Sunday Night kickoff makes it risky to depend upon either back unless you have another rusher who will perform in either upcoming contest.
Other Sits: Matt Schaub, Case Keenum, Garrett Graham
Bears at Packers
Chicago
Start: Alshon Jeffery
He should maintain his status as a reliable option, even with Josh McCown in the lineup.
Other Starts: Matt Forte, Brandon Marshall, Martellus Bennett
Sit: Josh McCown
Marc Trestman could easily concoct an offensive approach that makes McCown serviceable in deeper leagues. But you should see evidence of it before using him.
Others Sits: Michael Bush
Green Bay
Start: Jarrett Boykin
Boykin has averaged 96 YPG in the past two week. And even if James Jones returns to the lineup, Boykin will remain highly productive.
Other Starts: Aaron Rodgers, Eddie Lacy, Jordy Nelson, James Jones
Sit: James Starks
If you use Starks, you are counting on him receiving a sufficient number of carries. But that is unwise. Eddie Lacy is averaging 19 attempts, and just collected 29 in Week 8.
Others Sits: Andrew Quarless
