Fantasy Football Matchups We Love - Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Picks for Week 9 (2025)

Quincy's top fantasy football matchups for Week 9 of 2025. His favorite start 'em, sit 'em picks and predictions -- strong start/sit matchups that he loves.

Hopefully, you were able to make it through byemaggedon week in Week 8. While we have another four teams on bye in Week 9, it is not nearly as catastrophic as Week 8. As such, we can enjoy a few fun fantasy matchups once again. Still, with the likes of the Eagles and Buccaneers on bye, we need to dig deep in case of emergency.

The good news is that basically every bad defense is in the fold to target in Week 9. As fantasy managers, we rely on those matchups to carry our teams. We have a chance for several electric offensive outputs this week as a result.

Cincinnati, Tennessee, Miami, and Dallas are our main targets this week. All four teams have become welcome sights on the schedule when we look ahead. Let's dive in and see who will draw the best and worst matchups in Week 9.

• 2025 fantasy football rankings
• Running back (RB) rankings
• Wide receiver (WR) rankings
• Quarterback (QB) rankings
• Tight end (TE) rankings
• Defense (D/ST) rankings
• Kicker (K) rankings
• FLEX rankings
• Dynasty rankings

Quarterback Matchups We Love

Caleb Williams - Chicago Bears
Opponent: at CIN
Opponent Rank vs. QB: 29th

Caleb Williams' inconsistencies this season continue to be a problem, but he draws the perfect bounce-back matchup in Week 9 against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals have become one of our favorite teams to pick on this year. With their best defensive player, Trey Hendrickson, battling injury, the Bears should light up the scoreboard this week.

Cincinnati can be beaten both through the air and on the ground. That bodes well for Williams, who should have the support of his running game. Look for Williams to connect with wide receiver Rome Odunze early and often, leading to a great fantasy day for both players.

Jared Goff - Detroit Lions
Opponent: MIN
Opponent Rank vs. QB: 7th

Jared Goff is coming out of his bye to face the Minnesota Vikings at home. At this point, we know the drill. Starting Goff at home in solid matchups is usually a recipe for success. The Vikings have a great running defense, but they can be had through the air.

#Lions QB Jared Goff says it's 'go time' following the bye week. He feels his team is focused and he doesn't really have to say much to keep guys engaged while returning after the time away. "Today was one of our better practices all year and we got after it," Goff said. pic.twitter.com/UDTHhkraL9

— Eric Woodyard (@E_Woodyard) October 28, 2025

The Vikings have a chance to make this a competitive game with the return of starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy from a high-ankle sprain. Although Goff has a great chance to throw a couple of touchdowns already, the Vikings forcing the Lions' hand would set the stage for even more potential fantasy points.

Quarterback Matchup to Temper Expectations

Bo Nix - Denver Broncos
Opponent: at HOU
Opponent Rank vs. QB: 1st

Although Bo Nix was in the "love" section last week, he draws a very tough matchup in Week 9. Nix had his way against a vulnerable Cowboys defense in Week 8. Unfortunately, the other Texas team deploys a real defense. The Texans are finally finding their way as a team this season. With Houston playing at home this week, this could be a low-scoring, defensive slugfest.

Nix may be able to salvage a solid fantasy outing with his legs, but do not count on substantial production. The Texans' defensive line is suffocating, and the secondary is arguably better. The Broncos are hitting a stride, but this is not the week to throw Nix back into your lineup.

Running Back Matchups We Love

Kimani Vidal - Los Angeles Chargers
Opponent: at TEN
Opponent Rank vs. RB: 30th

Kimani Vidal has performed admirably in the absence of starter Omarion Hampton over the past three games. He has delivered two games with at least 117 rushing yards, and he has hauled in 11 passes. Vidal has earned a true workhorse role as Hampton's replacement.

"I just want to prove them right."

Kimani Vidal is taking this opportunity and running with it 🔥 #TNFonPrime pic.twitter.com/c0S6EuTF0v

— NFL on Prime Video (@NFLonPrime) October 24, 2025

Enter the Titans, who cannot seem to do anything right on defense. This team was just crushed by Jonathan Taylor and the Colts. The Chargers are finding ways to salvage their offense amidst a plethora of injuries this season. As such, they should have no problems exploiting a vulnerable Titans defense. Vidal can be deployed as an RB2 this week.

Travis Etienne Jr. - Jacksonville Jaguars
Opponent: at LAV
Opponent Rank vs. RB: 13th

Travis Etienne Jr. has been quiet of late. The Jaguars are lacking in explosive plays, and Etienne's production has faltered as a result. However, the Raiders provide the perfect remedy to Etienne's current issue. Considering that Etienne has faced three of the best defensive fronts in the league over his last three games, it is not time to give up on him quite yet.

Las Vegas has not been able to stop a nosebleed on the ground. They also allow a lot of points, giving Etienne a solid chance for multiple scoring opportunities. With the Jaguars coming out of their bye, look for some of their offensive woes to turn around. Etienne should be able to deliver RB2 value this weekend.

Running Back Matchup to Temper Expectations

Alvin Kamara - New Orleans Saints
Opponent: at LAR
Opponent Rank vs. RB: 1st

Alvin Kamara's production has certainly fallen off a cliff over the past few weeks. With the Saints' current uncertainty at quarterback, Kamara's rest-of-season props seem dire. The Rams boast one of the best defensive fronts in the league. In fact, they are one of the best defenses in the league period. This could be a long day for the Saints' offense as a whole.

Kamara's fantasy value has been anchored by great success in the receiving game in recent years. Unfortunately, his target numbers continue to fall in a Saints offense that has taken a step back over the last few weeks. At this point, you may want to start looking at other options.

Wide Receiver Matchups We Love

Zay Flowers - Baltimore Ravens
Opponent: at MIA
Opponent Rank vs. WR: 4th

Zay Flowers has PPR-ed his way to a solid fantasy season thus far, but Week 9 presents an opportunity for Flowers to truly take off. At long last, the Ravens should get quarterback Lamar Jackson back from his hamstring injury this week. With the cupcake Dolphins defense on the docket, Flowers should have his way.

Week 9‼️ pic.twitter.com/xbocGafHEm

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) October 28, 2025

Flowers' scoring opportunities should be plentiful in Week 9. Additionally, the Dolphins do not have anyone in their secondary who can keep up with Flowers' twitchy moves in the open field. Start Flowers with confidence this week.

Marvin Harrison Jr. - Arizona Cardinals
Opponent: at DAL
Opponent Rank vs. WR: 32nd

The formula with Marvin Harrison Jr. this season seems to be simple: start him in good matchups. In 2025, Harrison has delivered at least 13.8 PPR fantasy points in each of his good matchups in which he finished the game. In bad matchups, Harrison has not exceeded 7.4 fantasy points.

With the Cowboys on the docket in Week 9, Harrison draws the ultimate good matchup. The Cowboys are allowing consistent 300-yard passing days to opposing teams. Harrison could feasibly deliver WR2 value this week.

Wide Receiver Matchup to Temper Expectations

Courtland Sutton - Denver Broncos
Opponent: at HOU
Opponent Rank vs. WR: 1st

Courtland Sutton has been a quality, yet inconsistent WR2 this season. Those inconsistencies are likely to manifest themselves once again against one of the truly elite defenses in the league in Week 9.

With Sutton's quarterback already on the watchlist for a poor fantasy performance, we cannot ignore the uphill climb that Sutton himself will face this week. The Texans boast a stable of quality cornerbacks, including Derek Stingley Jr. and Kamari Lassiter. Hopefully, Sutton can crack double-digit fantasy points this week, but do not count on it.

Tight End Matchup We Love

Zach Ertz - Washington Commanders
Opponent: SEA
Opponent Rank vs. TE: 22nd

Zach Ertz has not followed up his resurgent 2024 season with an equally good 2025. However, he has played much of this season with backup quarterback Marcus Mariota. The Commanders' offense has not been very cohesive thus far this season, either. As such, Ertz has suffered.

With the Commanders' offense looking like it could be relatively healthy this week for the first time in several weeks, perhaps this team can find its footing. The Seahawks have been one of the worst defenses at stopping opposing tight ends in fantasy. With several other weapons and a mobile quarterback for Mike Macdonald's defense to worry about, Ertz could slip through the cracks in Week 9.

Tight End Matchup to Temper Expectations

Hunter Henry - New England Patriots
Opponent: ATL
Opponent Rank vs. TE: 1st

Hunter Henry has not been fantasy relevant for several weeks. Week 9 does not bode well for a shift in that regard. The Falcons have a knack for stopping opposing tight ends. This defense has weaknesses elsewhere that New England would do well to exploit.

As usual, Henry is a solid red zone threat. However, if you are looking for a surer option at the position this week, it is best to look elsewhere.

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