Week 9 in the NFL is very intriguing for your fantasy football team. If you're considered a 95%-99% lock to make the playoffs, don't get too complacent. For instance, Josh Allen faces the Brian Flores-led defense of the Minnesota Vikings
in Week 9, and while Allen is a set-it-and-forget-it QB1 all day, every day, you should take a hard look at the position this week. That's where we come into play.Start - Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers
Brock Purdy and the 49ers face the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 9. Purdy is averaging a very respectable 21.4 PPG this season, while averaging just under 250 yards passing per game. He has finished every game this season with at least 17 points. Anyone would take that all day. Even while dealing with a plethora
of injuries at wide receiver, he gets it done and finds a way. Same ol' same ol' against the Raiders, who give up the seventh-most points to opposing QBs.
Start - Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams
Stafford and company will face the Washington Commanders in Week 9. The Commanders are surrendering almost 23 points per game to opposing QBs this season. The upside is there, especially since he didn't play particularly well against the Chargers last Sunday. Washington presents a more generous outcome for those who ride with Stafford.
Start - Sam Darnold, Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks face the Arizona Cardinals in Week 9 and will be hungry to get things moving in the right direction. The Seahawks are only 4-4, and while Darnold hasn't been great, he hasn't necessarily been bad either. The Cardinals give up a bunch of points, and the Seahawks can match that in Week 9. Arizona has also given up 18 touchdown passes to opposing QBs this season. Plus, Seattle has a dude named Jaxon Smith-Njigba. The safest bet this week is to play him.
Sit - Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills
This is just odd. I know, I know, but if there were one week to sit Allen, it would be against the Vikings' defense, who will keep him rattled all day. It's very unconventional for us, but we have to do it if you have a better option. The Vikings have only allowed 7.8 points per game to opposing QBs. In what could be a detrimental nightmare scenario, *sigh*, sit him.
Sit - Tyler Shough, New Orleans Saints
The Saints play the Cleveland Browns this week, and the Browns have allowed only 7 passing touchdowns. Cleveland can get to the quarterback, force him outside the pocket, and make him make mistakes. Shough is still very young, and this will test him as he works through the growing pains we have seen this season.
Sit - C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans
On paper, against the Los Angeles Chargers, this looks like an easy win for Stroud and the Texans, but I am big on streaks coming to an end, meaning the Chargers winning a so-called "trap game," and Justin Herbert putting together a complete game this season. It could happen against the Texans, who also haven't found a run game that was supposed to be crucial for Stroud this season. We'll see if Stroud suits up for Houston in 2027, but this game is another audition for him to get things churning in the right direction.
This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Week 9: QB Edition
