Week 8 was difficult for fantasy managers — key players on bye and a bevy of injuries made setting lineups a brutal task for many. My recommendations last week yielded the usual mixed bag of results, with Alvin Kamara and Dalton Kincaid being my biggest misses.
In Week 9, the teams on bye shrink to four, as opposed to the six teams that were on bye last week. Still, missing teams with multiple high-end fantasy options, such as the Philadelphia Eagles and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, will present some challenges for managers, along with the injuries (old and new). Let’s dive in…
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Quarterback
Start: Dak Prescott
Last week, the Denver Broncos were able to do to Dak Prescott what I thought they would do to Jaxson Dart in Week 7, holding the Cowboys’ signal-caller to just 6.6 fantasy points.
Dak Prescott‘s Passing Opportunity and Productivity Metrics
This week, the Dallas Cowboys host the Arizona Cardinals on Monday Night Football. The Cardinals do not present the best matchup for opposing quarterbacks, allowing the tenth-fewest fantasy points per game to the position. They earned that ranking in part, however, by playing against the likes of Spencer Rattler, Bryce Young, Mac Jones, and Cameron Ward in four of their seven games to date. While Arizona does have some good players on defense, such as Budda Baker and Josh Sweat, I’m expecting a significant bounce-back effort from Prescott and the Cowboys’ passing game this week.
Honorable Mention: Sam Darnold
Sit: Bo Nix
After performing well last week as a “Start” for yours truly, we should aim to avoid starting Bo Nix this week if possible. The Broncos’ Week 9 opponent is the Houston Texans. The Texans are the toughest matchup for opposing quarterbacks, allowing the fewest fantasy points per game to the position. The Texans’ defensive production is as impressive in reality as it is in fantasy. They lead the league in scoring defense, total defense (yards), and sacks (with ten more than the next closest team). Let’s look elsewhere for quarterback production in Week 9.
Honorable Mention: Tua Tagovailoa
Running Back
Start: Woody Marks
Last week, Woody Marks finished as RB16 in PPR scoring; the rookie has solidified himself as a prominent part of the struggling Houston offense. The continued struggles of the offensive line could lead to even more opportunities for Marks as a pass catcher.
In Week 9, the Texans face the Denver Broncos. While at most positions, the Broncos pose a less-than-desirable matchup, running backs have been able to score against them. Especially receiving backs, as the Broncos have allowed the 11th-most receiving yards to opposing running backs this year. You could do much worse in your RB2 slot this week than this rookie.
Honorable Mentions: Zonovan Knight, Tyrone Tracy Jr.
Sit: Alvin Kamara
Yes, my main RB “Start” from last week’s article was a big disappointment. With Kendre Miller going down, I thought Kamara would see an increase in opportunity, leading to production. It was quite the shock to find that he finished the game with just eight total touches on a 51% snap share. It seems the Saints do have some faith in rookie Devin Neal (check out the Week 8 Usage Report article for more on Neal).
Along with his lack of playing time and the Saints’ decision to start rookie Tyler Shough, Kamara also faces a difficult matchup this week. The Los Angeles Rams allow the second-fewest fantasy points per game to opposing running backs, leading me to seek out other options.
Honorable Mentions: Rico Dowdle, Jordan Mason
Wide Receiver
Start: Marvin Harrison Jr.
Marvin Harrison Jr.‘s Explosive Rating
The mercurial second-year wideout has again often left fantasy managers wanting more in 2025. After back-to-back single-digit fantasy outputs before his team’s Week 8 bye, Marvin Harrison Jr. will look to take advantage of the Dallas defense. The Cowboys allow the most fantasy points per game to opposing wide receivers. Look for a good outing from the former Buckeye in Week 9. He is a fine start as a WR2 and a great flex option.
Honorable Mentions: Brian Thomas Jr., Jordan Addison
Sit: Khalil Shakir
Khalil Shakir had an amazing Week 8, scoring over 20 fantasy points as the Bills routed the Carolina Panthers. In Week 9, however, the competition figures to get much stiffer, as the Bills are set to host the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday at 4:25 ET. The Chiefs allow the fewest PPR points per game to opposing wideouts. Given that Shakir is an up-and-down player as it is, it’s best to seek out other options this week at the position.
Honorable Mentions: Stefon Diggs, Xavier Worthy
Tight End
Start: Jake Ferguson
Safe to assume Jake Ferguson didn’t get the invite to National Tight Ends Day last week? After six straight weeks of putting up over 12 fantasy points (and three weeks scoring over 20), the former Badger put up the dreaded goose-egg in the Cowboys’ Week 8 debacle against the Broncos. The TE1 on the year coming into Week 8 left the game with just one target!
Jake Ferguson‘s Opportunity Metrics
Help is on the way in Week 9 as the Cowboys take on the Arizona Cardinals. The Cardinals have allowed the sixth-most PPR points to opposing tight ends this year. Look for quarterback Dak Prescott to get his tight end involved early and often on Monday Night.
Honorable Mention: Kyle Pitts
Sit: Hunter Henry
After saving his day last week with a touchdown, Henry and the Patriots are hosting the Atlanta Falcons in Week 9. This season, the Falcons have allowed the fewest fantasy points to opposing tight ends on a per-game basis. Couple the tough matchup with the fact that Henry has seen five targets just once in the last five games, and you can find me fading “my guy” Hunter Henry this week.
Honorable Mention: Evan Engram
That’s all for this week. Thank you for reading!
Feel free to hit me up on X, Instagram, or Bluesky to let me know if you agree or disagree, or to share your own lineup dilemmas!
Many Successes,
Kyle
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