Fantasy football managers preparing for Week 9 of the 2026 NFL season have new start/sit guidance for defenses and kickers. The weekly column, published November 5 by James Newell of The Sporting Tribune, analyzes matchups and trends to help owners decide which units to start and which to bench.
The advice comes after a November 2 game at Lumen Field where the Chicago Bears faced the Seattle Seahawks. Bears defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (99) was photographed reacting after a defensive play in the fourth quarter, highlighting the impact of individual defenders on fantasy scoring.
Fantasy owners should consider streaming defenses facing favorable offenses and targeting kickers in high-scoring games or dome environments. The full Week 9 rankings and analysis are available through Yahoo Sports' fantasy platform.
