Fantasy Football, Week 9: Best lineup with start/sit advice

Lineups

Quarterbacks

Start: Deshaun Watson, Houston Texans

Stats: 2,176 passing yards, 15 touchdowns, 230 rushing yards 1 touchdown 

Deshaun Watson has gotten better each and every week since returning from a season-ending injury a year ago. In Week 8 on Thursday Night Football, Watson put on a clinic against the Miami Dolphins and tied a career-high in passing touchdowns with five. In Week 9 he gets the Denver Broncos 22nd-ranked defense.

Sit: Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers 

Stats: 2,290 passing yards, 14 touchdowns, 44 rushing yards, 1 touchdown 

Big Ben hurt is index finger in the home win against the Cleveland Browns. Although he was able to carry on and help his team win, Roethlisberger in Week 9 has a date with his arch rivals the Baltimore Ravens in Baltimore. Sit Big Ben and stream a better option if you can. Not to mention Roethlisberger has seven interceptions in eight games played this season.

Running backs

Start: Kareem Hunt, Kansas City Chiefs 

Stats: 592 rushing yards, 5 touchdowns, 262 receiving yards, 5 touchdowns 

Kareem Hunt along with his teammates have lit up the scoreboard this season. In Week 8, Hunt put on another show against Denver. Rushing for 50 yards, while adding 36 receiving yards and a score. Hunt will continue his rapid scoring rate against a Cleveland team that not only rank 28th in the league on defense but just fired their head coach and offensive coordinator.

Sit: Phillip Lindsay, Denver Broncos 

Stats: 531 rushing yards, 3 touchdowns, 136 receiving yards, 1 touchdown 

Phillip Lindsay has been a feel-good story all season long. His 112 total yards and a touchdown in Week 9 helped his team stay within striking distance of the league’s hottest offense in the Kansas City Chiefs. Week 9 Lindsay will go up against the Houston Texans’ ninth-ranked defense. Also Royce Freeman might return from a high ankle sprain.

Wide receivers

Start: DeAndre Hopkins, Houston Texans 

Stats: 789 receiving yards, 6 touchdowns 

Nuk is being Nuk this season with his young, high-profile quarterback in Deshaun Watson. Hopkins is third-ranked in the league among wide receivers in yards and touchdowns. Week 9 is even better when he will go up against the Denver Broncos middle-of-the-pack pass defense.

Sit: Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons 

Stats: 812 receiving yards, 0 touchdowns 

Julio Jones has been a touchdown mystery the past two seasons. Just when you think he will turn it around and start a scoring spree he let’s you down once again. As a fantasy owner this week you have to consider, even in great matchups Jones hasn’t been able to find paydirt. He ranks in the top five among wide receivers across the board. Except touchdowns. Week 9 he will go against the Washington Redskins’ fifth-ranked defense.

Tight ends

Start: Greg Olsen, Carolina Panthers 

Stats: 142 receiving yards, 2 touchdowns (4 games)

Greg Olsen the past two weeks has looked like himself again. Catching back to back touchdowns for the first time all season. In only four games played, two completely healthy, Olsen has averaged 35 receiving yards and three receptions per game, along with his two scores. Week 9 he gets a date with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and their 31st-ranked pass defense.

Sit: Trey Burton, Chicago Bears 

Stats: 343 receiving yards, 4 touchdowns 

Trey Burton in Week 8 caught only three balls for 18 yards against the New York Jets 24th-ranked defense. Week 9 although the Chicago Bears should win, Burton doesn’t have such a favorable matchup. As he will face the Buffalo Bills’ third-ranked defense against the pass. Find a better option and play it safe.