RADIO
Dave's fantasy football start 'em, sit 'em picks for Week 9 of 2025. His fantasy football outlooks for Bam Knight, Chuba Hubbard, DK Metcalf, Romeo Doubs, Josh Downs, Chase Brown, Kayshon Boutte, Tre Tucker, Travis Kelce, Kyle Pitts, Dalton Kincaid, Dalton Schultz.
Who Should I Start? Who Should I Sit? Some common Week 9 fantasy football lineup decisions are regarding players like Tyler Shough, Chase Brown, Chuba Hubbard, Josh Downs, Troy Franklin, Kyle Pitts Sr., and Travis Kelce. But not to worry, we are here to help make these decisions and build winning lineups in Week 9. Set your optimal fantasy football lineups for Week 9 of the 2025 NFL season. Our free Who Should I Start? tool will help make your fantasy football lineup decisions. Compare up to four NFL players, and we tell you who to start ... all free! Get your winning lineups set, and make the right decisions.
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Sunday Fantasy Football Lineup Decisions
Congratulations if your team survived the Week 8 bye-mageddon and picked up a victory. If you came out of Week 8 with a loss, hopefully that did not drastically impact your season.
We’ve got another four teams on bye this week. The Philadelphia Eagles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cleveland Browns, and New York Jets all get the week off. Managers with players on these teams will need to find replacement options. So, let's not waste any more time and see who gamers should start and who they should sit.
Make sure you’re following RotoBaller on X and download the RotoBaller app for all your fantasy football needs. Let’s discuss our start ‘em and sit ‘em picks for Week 9.
QB Starts - Week 9 Fantasy Football
Jacoby Brissett - QB, Arizona Cardinals at Dallas Cowboys
With Kyler Murray (foot) still dealing with his injury, Jacoby Brissett is slated to make another start. He has a great opportunity to post a quality outing for fantasy managers in Week 9.
The Dallas Cowboys have allowed the most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks this year, per Fantasy Football Today. Dallas has also allowed the most rushing yards to quarterbacks in the league, so this could be a spot where Brissett carries some upside on the ground.
Start him as a QB2 in superflex and two-quarterback leagues.
Geno Smith - QB, Las Vegas Raiders vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Smith’s first season in Las Vegas hasn’t gone well, and his 10 interceptions are the second-most in the league. However, this is a spot where he can have a solid game for fantasy football purposes.
Jacksonville allows the sixth-most passing yards per game in the league and has allowed the third-most fantasy points per game to opposing signal-callers. Consider Smith a solid QB2 play in superflex and two-quarterback leagues.
Sam Darnold - QB, Seattle Seahawks at Washington Commanders
Darnold continues to play well in his first season with the Seahawks. He has an easy matchup this weekend, as Seattle takes on a Washington Commanders team that ranks 22nd in FTN Fantasy’s defensive passing DVOA and 30th in PFF’s pass coverage grade.
Gamers should feel comfortable starting Darnold as a streamer in single quarterback leagues, and he is an auto-start in two quarterback formats.
QB Sits - Week 9 Fantasy Football
Bo Nix - QB, Denver Broncos at Houston Texans
Nix has been very inconsistent so far in 2025. He now faces a Texans defense that allows the fourth-fewest passing yards per game and allows the fewest fantasy points per game to opposing signal-callers.
If you’ve been riding the Nix train the last few weeks, now is the perfect time to get off, as this is a game where he could really struggle. Leave him on your bench and consider other options.
Tyler Shough - QB, New Orleans Saints at Los Angeles Rams
Shough will make his first career start this weekend against the Rams. We’ll see how much of an upgrade he is compared to Spencer Rattler.
That aside, this is not a great week to take a flyer on Shough in superflex leagues. The Rams rank third in defensive passing DVOA and have allowed the third-fewest passing touchdowns in the league.
Combine that with the fact that Shough is making his first career start and offers no real upside as a rusher, and he becomes an easy fade.
Michael Penix Jr. - QB, Atlanta Falcons at New England Patriots
Penix returns this weekend after missing Week 8 with a knee injury. The sophomore signal-caller has a tough road matchup against the resurgent New England Patriots.
New England’s defense has been vulnerable through the air. However, Penix has been so inconsistent that it is hard to say with any confidence that he can take advantage of this matchup.
You may not be able to get away from Penix in superflex leagues. Just realize he is a boom/bust QB2 option. Gamers in single-quarterback leagues, though, should consider other streaming options for this week.
RB Starts - Week 9 Fantasy Football
Bam Knight - RB, Arizona Cardinals at Dallas Cowboys
It looks like the Cardinals are content to roll with Knight as their RB1 for the time being. It comes at a good time, as the Cowboys have one of the worst run defenses in the NFL. Dallas ranks 27th in defensive rushing DVOA and allows 146 rushing yards per game.
Arizona should not have any issues moving the ball on the ground here. That makes Knight a solid RB2 or flex play in all formats.
Chase Brown - RB, Cincinnati Bengals. Vs. Chicago Bears
Brown has finally started showing signs of life after a slow start. After rushing for just 202 yards over Cincinnati’s first six games, Brown has run for 181 rushing yards over the last two weeks. He has also finished as a top 20 back in PPR leagues the last two games, highlighted by an RB5 finish in Week 8.
No stopping Chase Brown on this catch and run
NYJvsCIN on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/UZQUy7X2wI
— NFL (@NFL) October 26, 2025
Now Brown gets a date against a Bears defense that ranks 21st in defensive rushing DVOA and allows the sixth-most rushing yards per game in the league.
Gamers should leave Brown in their lineups again this weekend. This is a good spot for him to continue his hot streak and post another top-24 finish in PPR leagues.
Kimani Vidal - RB, Los Angeles Chargers at Tennessee Titans
Vidal has performed very well filling in for Omarion Hampton. He gets another fantastic matchup in Week 9 as the Titans allow 142.6 rushing yards per game, which is the seventh-most in the league. Tennessee also ranks 28th in defensive rushing DVOA.
Joe Alt is not even listed on the injury report for Los Angeles this week, so this looks like another smash spot for Vidal. Start him in all formats.
RB Sits - Week 9 Fantasy Football
Chuba Hubbard - RB, Carolina Panthers at Green Bay Packers
Hubbard continues to split carries with Rico Dowdle but has been largely ineffective since returning to Carolina’s lineup. Now he takes on a Packers defense that ranks eighth in PFF’s rushing defense grade and allows 78.9 rushing yards per game, which is the third-fewest in the league.
We also shouldn’t completely rule out the Carolina coaching staff turning the backfield over to Dowdle given how effective he was in Hubbard’s absence. This all makes Hubbard a fade in Week 9, and gamers should leave him on their bench.
Jaylen Warren - RB, Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Indianapolis Colts
The Colts' defense has played well so far in 2025. Indianapolis has also allowed the seventh-fewest PPR points per game to opposing backs.
This does not project as a game where the Steelers can rely on their rushing attack, as Indianapolis’s defense has been more vulnerable through the air than on the ground. That could mean Pittsburgh will rely on quarterback Aaron Rodgers to get the job done here.
Warren gets a boost in PPR formats, but he remains a low-end option for this week. Gamers should consider benching him in favor of other running backs.
J.K. Dobbins - RB, Denver Broncos at Houston Texans
Dobbins continues to lead the way in Denver’s backfield and has been very effective in the process. This could be a spot where he struggles, though, as Houston allows the fifth-fewest rushing yards per game and has allowed the seventh-fewest explosive rushing yards in the league per Fantasy Points Data Suite.
Expect the Texans to sell out to shut down the Broncos' ground game. That would mean Dobbins will have a hard time finding any rushing room. If you have other options at the position, leave Dobbins out of lineups this weekend.
WR Starts - Week 9 Fantasy Football
D.K. Metcalf - WR, Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Indianapolis Colts
This is a spot where we could see a potential spike game from Metcalf. The Colts have allowed the most receptions, third-most receiving yards, seventh-most touchdowns, and second-most PPR points per game to opposing wide receivers.
Metcalf also draws a plus matchup in RotoBaller’s Week 9 WR/CB matchup chart. This is setting up as a great time to put Metcalf into lineups, and he could pop for a monster game.
Tre Tucker - WR, Las Vegas Raiders vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville allows the sixth-most passing yards per game and eighth-most PPR points per game to opposing wide receivers. The Jaguars have also allowed wide receivers to score 10 touchdowns against them this year.
Tucker has cooled off in recent weeks, but he remains heavily involved in the Raiders' offense. He’s got a great matchup and could break 100 receiving yards and find the endzone for the first time since Week 3. Start him as a WR3 or flex play.
Josh Downs - WR, Indianapolis Colts at Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh’s defense is dealing with a slew of injuries and recently placed safety DeShon Elliot on injured reserve. That could mean good things for Downs, who has scored a touchdown in two straight games.
His usage remains less than ideal, but Pittsburgh has allowed the most PPR points per game and the fourth-most receptions to wide receivers this year. Indianapolis should have zero issues moving the ball through the air on this defense, and that makes it a good time to start Downs as a WR3.
WR Sits - Week 9 Fantasy Football
Troy Franklin - WR, Denver Broncos at Houston Texans
Franklin had a fantastic performance in Week 8. He posted a 6-89-2 line on eight targets and finished the week as the overall PPR WR1.
Ducks fly together. 🦆@BoNix10 x @troyylul pic.twitter.com/IJ3BgvkBZm
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) October 26, 2025
Things will be tougher this weekend as the Texans rank first in defensive passing DVOA and have allowed the fourth-fewest PPR points per game to opposing wide receivers.
It was good to see Franklin post his best performance since Week 2 last weekend, but don’t expect a repeat here. Leave him on your bench in favor of other options.
Romeo Doubs - WR, Green Bay Packers vs. Carolina Panthers
The return of Christian Watson seemed to hurt Doubs' fantasy value. He still saw six targets but only caught three passes for 44 receiving yards and was held out of the endzone for the third straight game. Tight end Tucker Kraft emerging as an elite playmaker also hasn’t helped matters.
Now, Doubs has to face a Panthers defense that's allowed the fourth-fewest PPR points to opposing wide receivers this year. There is just too much target competition in Green Bay to consistently rely on Doubs. Unless one of their other pass-catchers goes down with an injury, it’s better to leave Doubs on the bench.
Kayshon Boutte - WR, New England Patriots vs. Atlanta Falcons
Boutte has been on an absolute tear lately. However, this could be a spot where we see him slow down.
The Falcons are not a great football team, but it’s defense has been very good at slowing down opposing passing games. Atlanta ranks second in defensive passing DVOA and has allowed the second-fewest PPR points to opposing wide receivers.
While Boutte has strung together three nice games in a row, most of his production has come on splash plays. That is not sustainable, and this looks like a potential comedown spot for the third-year wideout. Leave him on the bench this week.
TE Starts - Week 9 Fantasy Football
Kyle Pitts Sr. - TE, Atlanta Falcons at New England Patriots
Pitts is currently the PPR TE9 on the year and is enjoying his best season since his rookie year in 2021. He has a plus matchup on paper this weekend as the Patriots allow the sixth-most PPR points per game to opposing tight ends.
Gamers should fire up Pitts this weekend and can view him as a solid streaming option.
Pat Freiermuth - TE, Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Indianapolis Colts
Freiermuth has become an unfortunate victim of Arthur Smith’s ridiculous tight end rotation. However, this could be a spot where he posts a big game similar to what we saw in Week 7.
The Colts only rank 31st in DVOA against tight ends and allow an average of 73 receiving yards per game to the position.
If you need a streamer for Week 9, Freiermuth is a fine choice. He remains at risk of losing playing time thanks to fantasy football’s best friend, Arthur Smith, but this matchup is too good to ignore.
Zach Ertz - TE, Washington Commanders vs. Seattle Seahawks
Ertz continues to function as Washington’s TE1, and after Terry McLaurin re-aggravated his quad injury, he could see an expanded role moving forward.
Even though Seattle boasts a strong defense, they have been vulnerable against tight ends. Seattle ranks 22nd in DVOA against the position and allows the eighth-most PPR points per game to opposing tight ends. Consider Ertz a low-end TE1 or high-end TE2 for Week 9.
TE Sits - Week 9 Fantasy Football
Travis Kelce - TE, Kansas City Chiefs at Buffalo Bills
Kelce is coming off his best game of the year in Week 8, but we may want to temper expectations for this weekend. Buffalo’s defense has been very good against opposing tight ends. They only allow 23 receiving yards per game to the position and allow an average of 5.7 PPR points per game to tight ends, too.
Throw in the fact that Kelce still faces stiff target competition in the form of young wide receivers Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy, and this looks like the right time to fade the veteran tight end.
Dalton Kincaid - TE, Buffalo Bills vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City’s defense ranks fourth in DVOA against tight ends and allows the fourth-fewest PPR points per game to the position, too.
Kincaid has had some nice games this year, but he still doesn’t play enough snaps to be a reliable option. Combine that with a poor matchup here, and he becomes an easy sit.
Dalton Schultz - TE, Houston Texans vs. Denver Broncos
Even with starting wide receivers Nico Collins and Christian Kirk both missing last week’s game, Schultz took a backseat on offense and only caught two passes for 24 receiving yards. Now he faces a Denver Broncos team that ranks seventh in DVOA against tight ends.
There are streaming options out there with better matchups, and gamers should leave Schultz on their bench this week.
Who Should I Start Tool
Not sure who to start? Check out the Who Should I Start tool:
Week 9 Player Decisions. Today's focus is on specific players -- Tyler Shough, Chase Brown, Chuba Hubbard, Josh Downs, Troy Franklin, Kyle Pitts Sr., and Travis Kelce. These are some of the most common searches for fantasy football lineups in Week 9.
Using The Tool. This is a simple tool but very powerful. The first step is to enter the player names that you want to compare. In the first box, search for the first player's name. In the second box, search for the second player's name. Compare up to four NFL players at once, and then click the Who To Start? button to see who the recommended starts are based on weekly fantasy football matchups.
Improvements For Who Should I Start? You may have noticed our Who Should I Start? tool has gotten an overhaul. We've added lots of great features for you to give you as much information as possible to win your fantasy football matchups each week. You'll see NFL player tiles with headshots and bye weeks, enhanced search results with data to compare, and a slick new interface. We hope you enjoy!
How It Works. Each week, our RotoBaller staff puts together their weekly fantasy football rankings and projections based on their research. That information is the core data that is powering the decision-making in this tool. When you search for player names, you will only see those players who are ranked. If someone is out for the week, they will not appear in the search results.
Scoring Formats. Fantasy football managers play in various types of leagues, and this tool allows you to choose whether it's PPR scoring, Half-PPR scoring, or Standard (Non-PPR) scoring. The second thing you want to do is to select the scoring format. There are three small radio buttons (small circles), so click on the scoring format you prefer. The results may vary based on the scoring format you select.
Popular Week 9 Searches. Curious to see some tough lineup decisions for Week 9 (2025)? Below you will find a list of some popular Who Should I Start? searches that RotoBaller readers are looking at this week. Click any of the links to see the result and recommendation.
Popular Week 9 Searches - Start/Sit Player Comparisons
Below are some popular Week 9 searches and comparisons from our 'Who To Start' tool for Tyler Shough, Chase Brown, Chuba Hubbard, Josh Downs, Troy Franklin, Kyle Pitts Sr., Travis Kelce compared to others:
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