Mariah Carey and Michael Bublé have officially defrosted and we here at 4QWI are here to ring in the holiday season with another installment of our weekly fantasy football Start/Sits!
Please note that Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, Jacksonville Jaguars and San Francisco 49ers are on BYE this week so some notable fantasy stars are out of lineups. Pay close attention to our 100% success rate picks and get a dub for week 9.
This may go without saying, but we will go ahead and leave out the effective matchup-proof picks such as Tyreek Hill, Christian McCaffrey and Patrick Mahomes. With all that said, let's get down to business.
Quarterbacks: @BreTT_Shevlin
Start: Derek Carr vs. Chicago Bears (11/5 @ 1:00 PM EST)
Quarterbacks are real scarce in these fantasy streets this week so buckle up. I swear this is not the homer in me… but Derek Carr has a tasty matchup this week against the 31st ranked pass defense in the Chicago Bears. Carr has thrown for over 300 passing yards each of the last three weeks so why not make it four? Last week Justin Herbert threw for 298 yards and 3 TD’s so Carr with much healthier weapons should be a worthwhile start in week 9
Start: Sam Howell @ New England Patriots (11/5 @ 1:00 PM EST)
Before you read any further go on your fantasy app and pickup Howell right now if you don’t have him already or if you do have him make sure he’s starting! I cannot stress how much I love Sam Howell this week. After Howell’s dominating performance last week throwing for nearly 400 yards and 4 TD’s, he faces the New England Patriots in week 9. The Patriots defense isn’t bad, but it’s also not very good either with the biggest weakness being their lack of speed. This is why I favor the matchup because the Commanders have burners in the likes of Terry Mclaurin, Jahan Dotson and Dyami Brown. The Patriots defense will have a long day trying to stop Howell and the Commanders in this one.
Sit: Matt Stafford @ Green Bay Packers (11/5 @ 1:00 PM EST)
We’re still uncertain at this time of writing if Stafford will be able to play this Sunday but if he is, sit him. Stafford missed the 2nd half of last weeks game with a thumb injury which was later diagnosed as a UCL sprain. Playing Green Bay in Lambeau field with a busted thumb doesn’t sound appealing to me. One thing to also consider is not only is there no rushing upside, Stafford also has just one game this year with more than one TD.
Sit: Lamar Jackson vs. Seattle Seahawks (11/5 @ 1:00 PM EST)
This may come as a hot take I don’t really know, but we all know how hot and cold Lamar can be. He’s always good for a couple stinkers each season and I anticipate this being one of them. The Seahawks rank 19th in pass defense, but we all know Lamar ain’t much of a passer. He generates most of his points from running and I don’t think Pete Carrol is stupid enough to let him get away with much of that. Obviously if you have some crappy backup just start Lamar, but there’s plenty of intriguing QB options this week it just depends on how bold you wanna be
Bonus Start: Jaren Hall @ Atlanta Falcons (11/5 @ 1:00 PM EST)
Ok I really don’t have much to base this off of other than the fact that I watched Jaren at BYU and although he had big shoes to fill replacing Zach Wilson, Hall and breakout rookie Puka Nakua formed quite the dynamic duo. The Vikings have weapons and this is Hall’s one chance to prove himself before Dobbs gets the call in week 10. The Atlanta Falcons defense is mid so if you’re feeling real spicy or your Quarterbacks are on bye and you don’t know who to pick up, plug in Hall and see what happens.
Running Backs: @spechty49
Start: Kareem Hunt vs. Arizona Cardinals (11/5 @ 1:00 PM EST)
With 4 Touchdowns in 3 games it seems Hunt has taken over as the leading goal line back. While his efficiency leaves much to be desired he did still pull out the most touches of the 3 Cleveland backs. Against a weaker Arizona defense I could see Hunt being a solid Touchdown reliant start.
Start: Gus Edwards vs. Seattle Seahawks (11/5 @ 1:00 PM EST)
Gus Bus has turned into a clear goal line favorite in Baltimore. A season high 19 touches last week and 4 TDs in his last 2 games combined with a decent but nothing special Seahawks defense could mean another good game for Edwards.
Start: Chubba Hubbard vs. Indianapolis Colts (11/5 @ 4:05 PM EST)
I won’t lie there are better options but it is worth something that he out touched Miles Sanders by a dramatic amount last week 17-2. Going up against a rough Colts defense he could provide some check down and volume potential being the lead back.
Sit: Alexander Mattison @ Atlanta Falcons (11/5 @ 1:00 PM EST)
With Kirk out you would think that Mattison is a sure start but personally I disagree. Cam Akers cut into the workload a bit and even stole a Touchdown last week. Not to mention that Atlanta has only given up one single rushing TD this season and allow only 3.8 yards per carry. I would avoid both Vikings backs.
Sit: Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren vs. Tennessee Titans (TNF, 11/2 @ 8:15 PM EST)
I’m writing this for myself. I have Najee Harris and just traded Warren. Neither back will see enough to warrant any starts or any looks. Both of them steal from each others opportunity. Both options would have to score a TD which I do not see happening. They couldn’t do it all year and now they play an above average Titans run defense. Tennessee allows 3.8 YPC and only 4 Rush TDs all season. Most of you don’t need to hear it but if you’re like me and have injured or BYE week backs … this is your reminder.
Sit: Dameon Pierce vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (11/5 @ 1:00 PM EST)
It’s been a rough season for a usually explosive back. Even when he sees his 15+ touches which has happened 3 times this season he posts mediocre numbers. On top of all this, Singletary took 10 touches away last week. Nico Collins and Tank Dell? Start. Pierce and Singletary? Much like Najee and Warren are on bench status
Wide Receivers: @Endydoe
Start: DeAndre Hopkins @ Pittsburgh Steelers (TNF, 11/2 @ 8:15 PM EST)
Ride the hot hand! After a 3TD performance last week against the Falcons, it appears that Will Levis may have unlocked the Hopkins of old. Generally speaking we advise to not throw someone into your lineup just to cheer them on during Thursday Night Football but make an exception with Hopkins this week. Along with huge momentum entering TNF, Hopkins takes aim at a Steelers defense allowing the 9th most passing yards per game along with allowing the fourth most fantasy points per game to Receivers this week. Sauce Hopkins in as a middle WR2.
Start: Diontae Johnson vs. Tennesse Titans (TNF, 11/2 @ 8:15 PM EST)
Johnson's two weeks back have been successful and proved that he can be at worst a Flex option entering this week 9 matchup against the Titans. Boasting 20 targets in two games, including 14 last week, Johnson looks to be a solid option against a Titans defense allowing the 9th most fantasy points to Wide Receivers per game and the 13th most passing yards per game. Another TNF recommendation for this week, Johnson is worth a flex spot this week regardless of who is throwing him the ball.
Start: Rashee Rice vs. Miami Dolphins (Germany, 11/5 @ 9:30 PM EST) Fine, one non-TNF recommendation for this week, and that comes in the form of Rashee Rice. In just the second NFL game to ever be contested in Germany, the Chiefs go up against the Dolphins in one of the most exciting matchups of the entire NFL season so far. Rice is on a hot streak and is proving to be one of the most consistent, yet unexpected waiver adds of the season. Despite averaging just about five targets per game, Rice has hauled in a solid 77% of them while averaging 63 yards per game over the past three weeks. For the Dolphins' part, they are currently allowing the 11th most fantasy points to WRs on the season. Although the return of Jalen Ramsey should be factored in, this is looking to be a high scoring affair on the international stage, and Rice should be in your lineups as a Flex with WR2 upside.
Sit: Jakobi Meyers vs. New York Giants (11/5 @ 4:25 PM EST)
HEAR ME OUT. With the huge news out of Las Vegas with what appears to be an organizational restructure including the firing of Mike McDaniel, along with the benching of good ol' Jimmy G, the Raiders' extremely talented offense has suffered due to the play of Garoppolo and the swiss cheese-like Offensive Line the Raiders have currently. Rookie Aidan O'Connell gets the start this week in hopes to reignite the offense. This week they play a Giants defense that is in the upper half and has played strong offenses like the Bills and Commanders tough in recent weeks. I for one expect fantasy production of Raiders stars like Meyers to improve with some changes, but for this week I advocate to let Meyers sit once to see how it plays out.
Sit: Hollywood Brown @ Cleveland Browns (11/5 @ 1:00 PM EST)
Brown has been solid in fantasy this season but with the Cardinals in a state of flux with Joshua Dobbs being dealt to the Vikings, they are now going to be throwing out rookie Clayton Tune against the best pass defense in the NFL by a country mile. There's not much else to say, he's likely a desperation play this week until we see something between he and Tune.
Tight Ends: @Endydoe
Logan Thomas @ New England Patriots (11/5 @ 1:00 PM EST)
Quick entries here for Tight Ends. Thomas comes into this week with 10 catches for 95 yards and a touchdown in his last two games and is going against an ailing New England defense. The patriots have allowed the ninth most fantasy points to the position this week. Why not, throw Thomas in there this week.
Start: Dalton Kincaid @ Cincinnati Bengals (SNF, 11/5 @ 8:20 PM EST)
Kincaid has been HOT the past two weeks and has seen his rostered status skyrocket (+33.0% in ESPN leagues). Kincaid is coming into this huge Sunday Night Football matchup with a 13/140/1 line in his past two games and now faces the Bengals who are allowing the most fantasy points to Tight Ends in the NFL. Start Kincaid and enjoy the game.
Sit: Jake Ferguson @ Philadelphia Eagles (11/5 @ 4:25 PM EST)
Ferguson has been more of a TD-dependent option this season, and faces a difficult Eagles defense where he is likely going to fade out with just two to three catches. Leave him on your bench.
D/STs: @jvr1210
Start: Seattle Seahawks @ Baltimore Ravens (11/5 @ 1:00 PM EST)
With the Seahawks are averaging 4 sacks per game since Week 2, they will be lining up against Lamar Jackson and the Ravens. Lamar comes into this game as the 8th most sacked QB in the league this year, as he has been sacked 20 times.
The Ravens offense sits at 11th in the league in yards per game and 8th in the league in points per game so this may be a bit of a dark horse match-up but I expect the 9th ranked Seahawks defense to come through and rack up some sacks along the way.
Start: Atlanta Falcons vs. Minnesota Vikings (11/5 @ 1:00 PM EST)
The Falcons defense is pretty average, however with Kirk Cousins out for the year and Justin Jefferson continuing to be out the Falcons will go up against Jaren Hall without the Vikings' top weapon. Jaren Hall looked less than desirable when he came in to relieve Cousins, turning the ball over.
The Falcons come into this one as the 19th ranked fantasy defense, but do rank 6th overall in the league with 296.6 yards allowed per game. Look for the Falcons to have a dominant performance here.
Sit: New York Jets vs. Los Angeles Chargers (MNF, 11/6 @ 8:15 PM EST)
After getting off to a rough start the Jets have bounced back recently. Coming into this week the Jets rank as the 8th best fantasy defense option. However, the Jets have been inconsistent against good offenses with poor fantasy performances against the Chiefs and Dallas. With a match-up against the 3rd ranked Chargers offense, I'd avoid starting the Jets.
Sit: Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Houston Texans (11/5 @ 1:00 PM EST)
The Buccaneers defense has been surprisingly good so far this year in terms of points and yards allowed, however they have struggled to put fantasy points on the board lately with 3 turnovers and 6 sacks in their last 3 games for an average of 2 fantasy points per game. With a tough match-up against the young stud C.J. Stroud and his 6th ranked fantasy offense I'd sit the Buccaneers.
Kickers: @jvr1210
Start: Nick Folk @ Pittsburgh Steelers (TNF, 11/2 @ 8:15 PM EST)
Nick Folk has been perfect this year, with no field goals missed. Folk comes in as the 9th ranked kicker rostered in just 15.5% of ESPN fantasy leagues. With Will Levis looking like a stud who has rejuvenated the Titans offense expect Folk to have a decent chance at multiple field goal opportunities and extra point chances.
Start: Matt Gay @ Carolina Panthers (11/5 @ 4:05 PM EST)
Matt Gay comes in as the 6th ranked kicker who is rostered in 62% of ESPN fantasy leagues. If this guy is available grab him. He has been effective this year going 14 for 16 with 21 XPM. With Minshew still leading the way for the Colts against a below average Panthers defense, the Colts scoring opportunities may come more through field goals rather than TDs making Gay a must start.
Sit: Graham Gano @ Las Vegas Raiders (11/5 @ 4:25 PM EST)
The Giants entire team is a mess and that doesn't exclude Graham Gano. Although you may see an enticing match-up against the Raiders, Gano has been bad this year. Through this week, Gano is 11 for 17 and has only made 8 XP. If your one of the 42% of ESPN fantasy owners still holding on to Gano, it's time to let him go.