CBS Sports fantasy analyst Dave Richard delivers his Week 9 start/sit guidance for NFL fantasy football, breaking down each matchup with a focus on defensive coverages, pass-rush pressure, backfield workloads, and target distribution. With multiple starting quarterbacks injured and several teams on bye, fringe players have become mainstream options, making lineup decisions more difficult.
Jacksonville Jaguars at Baltimore Ravens
Start: Trevor Lawrence, Bhayshul Tuten, Derrick Henry (No. 2 RB), Parker Washington, Zay Flowers (No. 2 WR), Jaguars DST. Flex: Brenton Strange (PPR). Sit: Joe Fagnano, Chris Rodriguez, Mark Andrews, Jakobi Meyers, Justice Hill, Brian Thomas Jr., Rashod Bateman, Ravens DST.
Cincinnati Bengals at Atlanta Falcons
Must-start: Joe Burrow, Bijan Robinson, Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Drake London. Start: Chase Brown, Kyle Pitts. Sit: Michael Penix Jr., Mike Gesicki, Samaje Perine, Jahan Dotson, Bengals DST, Falcons DST.
Denver Broncos at Carolina Panthers
Must-start: Chuba Hubbard. Start: Jonah Coleman, Tetairoa McMillan (low-end No. 2 WR), Broncos DST. Flex: Jalen Coker, Jaylen Waddle. Sit: Bo Nix, Bryce Young, Courtland Sutton, Darren Waller, JK Dobbins, Panthers DST.
Dallas Cowboys at Indianapolis Colts
Must-start: Javonte Williams, CeeDee Lamb. Start: Dak Prescott, Jonathan Taylor, George Pickens, Tyler Warren (low-end). Flex: Keenan Allen (PPR), Ryan Flournoy. Sit: Daniel Jones, Josh Downs, Seth McGowan, DJ Giddens, Cowboys DST, Colts DST.
New York Jets at Kansas City Chiefs
Must-start: Kenneth Walker III. Start: Patrick Mahomes, Rashee Rice, Travis Kelce. Flex: Adonai Mitchell, Breece Hall, Braelon Allen, Omar Cooper Jr. (low-end PPR). Sit: Geno Smith, Xavier Worthy, Mason Taylor, Emmett Johnson, Chiefs DST, Jets DST.
Detroit Lions at Miami Dolphins
Must-start: Jahmyr Gibbs, Amon-Ra St. Brown. Start: Jared Goff, Jameson Williams, Ollie Gordon, Sam LaPorta, Lions DST. Flex: Malik Washington (PPR). Sit: Malik Willis, Caleb Douglas, Greg Dulcich, Dolphins DST.
Cleveland Browns at New Orleans Saints
Must-start: Chris Olave. Start: Harold Fannin Jr., Saints DST, Browns DST (borderline). Flex: Quinshon Judkins, Alvin Kamara (PPR), Devaughn Vele (PPR). Sit: Tyler Shough, Shedeur Sanders, Dylan Sampson, Denzel Boston, KC Concepcion, Kendre Miller, Juwan Johnson.
New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles
Must-start: Malik Nabers. Start: Devin Singletary (No. 2 RB), Isaiah Likely, Saquon Barkley, Giants DST. Sit: J.J. McCarthy, Joe Milton III, Dallas Goedert, Makai Lemon, Malachi Fields, Eagles DST.
Los Angeles Rams at Washington Commanders
Must-start: Puka Nacua, Kyren Williams. Start: Jayden Daniels, Matthew Stafford (low-end No. 1 QBs), Stefon Diggs (low-end No. 2 WR), Blake Corum (low-end No. 2 RB), Rachaad White (low-end No. 2 PPR RB), Rams DST. Flex: Antonio Williams. Sit: Chig Okonkwo, Tyler Higbee, Austin Ekeler, Konata Mumpfield, Commanders DST.
Houston Texans at Los Angeles Chargers
Start: C.J. Stroud, Nico Collins, Texans DST. Flex: Ladd McConkey, Woody Marks (borderline). Sit: Justin Herbert, Marvin Harrison Jr., Xavier Hutchinson, Omarion Hampton, Quentin Johnston, Oronde Gadsden II, Dalton Schultz, Kimani Vidal, Keaton Mitchell, Tank Dell, Chargers DST.
Arizona Cardinals at Seattle Seahawks
Must-start: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Trey McBride. Start: Seahawks DST. Flex: Michael Wilson, Tyler Allgeier (borderline), Zach Charbonnet (low-end), Jadarian Price (low-end non-PPR). Sit: Drew Lock, Gardner Minshew, Cooper Kupp, A.J. Barner, Cardinals DST.
Green Bay Packers at New England Patriots
Must-start: Josh Jacobs. Start: Drake Maye, Jordan Love, Christian Watson, Matthew Golden, Rhamondre Stevenson, Tucker Kraft. Sit: Demario Douglas, Eli Raridon, Efton Chism III, Kyle Williams, Savion Williams, Corey Kiner, Packers DST, Patriots DST.
Las Vegas Raiders at San Francisco 49ers
Must-start: Brock Purdy, Christian McCaffrey, Brock Bowers. Start: George Kittle, 49ers DST. Flex: Ashton Jeanty, Tre Tucker (boom/bust). Sit: Kirk Cousins, Michael Mayer, Mike Washington Jr., Kaelon Black, Jalen Nailor, Raiders DST.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Chicago Bears
Must-start: Bucky Irving, D'Andre Swift. Start: Caleb Williams (borderline), Luther Burden III, Colston Loveland, Emeka Egbuka, Bears DST. Flex: Rome Odunze (low-end). Sit: Baker Mayfield, Chris Godwin, Kenneth Gainwell, Cade Otton, Ted Hurst, Tez Johnson, Buccaneers DST.
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings
Must-start: Josh Allen, James Cook. Start: Justin Jefferson, D.J. Moore, T.J. Hockenson, Vikings DST (low-end). Flex: Jordan Addison (low-end). Sit: Carson Wentz, Dalton Kincaid, Khalil Shakir, Jordan Mason, Aaron Jones, Keon Coleman, Ty Johnson, Bills DST.
