Fantasy managers face critical lineup decisions in Week 9 with multiple quarterback changes, key injuries, and bye weeks affecting rosters. CBS Sports provides comprehensive start/sit guidance powered by SportsLine projections.
Quarterbacks
Start: Jared Goff (DET) faces a Dolphins defense allowing the third-most fantasy points to QBs, with three straight opponents scoring 26.5+ points. Patrick Mahomes (KC) averages 26.6 fantasy points with Rashee Rice active and faces a Jets defense that allowed 29.9+ points to three recent QBs. Jordan Love (GB) has scored 20+ points in 22 of 33 career games with 30+ attempts and draws a Patriots defense allowing 20.5 points per game to QBs over six weeks. Matthew Stafford (LAR) should rebound against a Commanders defense allowing the fourth-most QB points, provided his arm soreness doesn't limit him. Kirk Cousins (LV) has topped 22.5 points in six of eight games and faces a 49ers defense that allowed 25+ points to two recent rookie QBs.
Sleepers: Malik Willis (MIA) gets a Lions defense allowing the most QB points, with every opposing QB scoring 20.9+. Tyler Shough (NO) returns from bye against a Browns defense that held four straight QBs to 15.4 points or fewer. Bo Nix (DEN) has 23.3+ points in two straight and faces a Panthers defense allowing 22.5+ to three of five recent QBs.
Sit: C.J. Stroud (HOU) faces a Chargers defense allowing the seventh-fewest QB points, with only Kirk Cousins exceeding 18.5 points all season. Bryce Young (CAR) has scored 12.4 or fewer in two straight against a Broncos defense that has held four QBs to 18.5 or fewer. Geno Smith (NYJ) faces a Chiefs defense allowing the fifth-fewest QB points, with only two QBs topping 15.9 all year.
Bust Alert: Caleb Williams (CHI) has only two games over 20 points despite strong play, facing a Buccaneers defense allowing the fourth-fewest QB points.
Running Backs
Start of the Week: Jonah Coleman (DEN) leads Broncos backfield with 66% snap share after RJ Harvey's IR placement, facing a Panthers defense allowing the second-most RB points with six backs scoring 15+ PPR in four straight games.
Start: Rhamondre Stevenson (NE) has 12+ PPR in four of five games against a Packers defense allowing the seventh-most RB points. Ashton Jeanty (LV) maintains passing-game value despite snap-share concerns, facing a 49ers defense allowing the most RB receptions. Quinshon Judkins (CLE) draws a Saints defense allowing the most RB points, with 10 backs scoring 11.4+ PPR. Woody Marks (HOU) averages 10.6 PPR in three games without David Montgomery against a Chargers defense allowing 10.3+ PPR to RBs every game. Ollie Gordon II (MIA) should rebound against a Lions defense missing multiple defensive starters.
Sleepers: Rachaad White (WAS) has 11.1+ PPR in four of five games with Jeremy McNichols lost for season. Blake Corum (LAR) has 13.3+ PPR in four straight with a touchdown each game, benefiting from Commanders losing two defensive tackles. Zach Charbonnet (SEA) returns from ACL tear with strong history against Cardinals (21.7 PPR average in three games).
Sit: Tyler Allgeier (ARI) faces tougher Seahawks defense after big game against Cowboys. Mike Washington Jr. (LV) faces 49ers defense strong against rushers with DeForest Buckner added. Omarion Hampton (LAC) has 7.9 PPR or fewer in four of five games sharing touches. Alvin Kamara (NO) limited by Browns' league-leading fewest RB receptions if Travis Etienne returns. Breece Hall (NYJ) returns from injury but splits work with Braelon Allen against Chiefs defense allowing 12th-fewest RB points.
Wide Receivers
Start: Jameson Williams (DET) has 16.2+ PPR in four straight against Dolphins allowing third-fewest WR points but four receivers with 11.3+ in three games. Rashee Rice (KC) has 12.3+ PPR in three healthy games against Jets allowing 13.6+ to a receiver in five straight. Parker Washington (JAC) faces Ravens allowing eighth-most WR points with eight receivers scoring 15.2+ PPR. Jaylen Waddle (DEN) has six+ targets in three straight against Panthers allowing seven receivers 12.7+ PPR in four games. Keenan Allen (IND) has 13.7+ PPR in three of five against Cowboys allowing seventh-most WR points.
Sleepers: Caleb Douglas (MIA) and Malik Washington face Lions allowing fourth-most WR points. Makai Lemon (PHI) locked in as Eagles' No. 1 with DeVonta Smith and Dontayvion Wicks out, facing Giants allowing seven receivers 11.8+ PPR. Adonai Mitchell and Omar Cooper Jr. (NYJ) become high-end No. 3 options if Garrett Wilson (concussion) sits against Chiefs.
Sit: Michael Wilson (ARI) has broken ribs facing Seahawks allowing fewest WR points. Jalen Coker (CAR) cooled off with 11.5 PPR in two games against Broncos allowing eighth-fewest WR points. Tre Tucker (LV) boom-or-bust against 49ers focusing on Brock Bowers. Ladd McConkey (LAC) hasn't scored since Week 1 with Herbert struggling. Zay Flowers (BAL) faces quarterback uncertainty with Joe Fagnano starting.
Tight Ends
Start: Colston Loveland (CHI) has 11.5+ PPR in three straight with seven+ targets each against Buccaneers allowing two TEs 12+ PPR in three games. Harold Fannin Jr. (CLE) has 13.1+ PPR in two straight with 16 catches for 245 yards against Saints allowing sixth-most TE points. Kyle Pitts (ATL) rebounds from weather-affected game against Bengals allowing eighth-most TE points in Spain.
Sleepers: T.J. Hockenson (MIN) has 13.5+ PPR in three healthy games against Bills allowing five TEs 11+ PPR. Greg Dulcich (MIA) faces Lions allowing most TE points with a TE scoring 13.3+ in all but one game. Mike Gesicki (CIN) has touchdown in five straight with 12.7+ PPR when seeing three+ targets against Falcons allowing two TEs 16.8+ in three games.
Sit: Mark Andrews (BAL) has 5.3 PPR or fewer in four straight with Fagnano at QB against Jaguars allowing eighth-fewest TE points. Chigoziem Okonkwo (WAS) faces Rams allowing seventh-fewest TE points with just one TD all season. Juwan Johnson (NO) could lose targets to Jordyn Tyson debut against Browns. Dalton Kincaid (BUF) faces Vikings allowing fewest TE points with no TE reaching double-digit PPR all season.
Defense/Special Teams & Kickers
DST Start: Texans (at LAC) face Chargers offense with 27 straight drives without TD, 23 sacks allowed, and 10 Herbert interceptions. Sleepers: Giants (at PHI), Chiefs (vs NYJ), Bears (vs TB). Sit: Bengals (at ATL) allowed 36 points in Week 8 with 22+ points in four of five games.
Kicker Start: Matt Gay (LV) has three+ FGs in four of six games against 49ers allowing three+ attempts in five of seven. Sleepers: Nick Folk (ATL), Eddy Pineiro (SF), Dominic Zvada (NYG). Sit: Chad Ryland (ARI) despite 11-of-11 FGs faces Seahawks allowing one kicker multiple FGs in four games with three misses.
