Welcome back, readers! I am happy to return for a second year as The Sporting Tribune's fantasy football analyst. If you are new here, my mission is to help fantasy managers with any dilemmas or questions they may have through the course of the season to ultimately win their leagues. For the next 17 weeks, I will produce weekly fantasy content that will go over the waiver wire, rankings, and Start 'Em, Sit 'Em columns.
Being a fantasy manager often means having to make difficult roster decisions, but I aim to take some of the guesswork out of it with my Start 'Em and Sit 'Em column for every position. It goes without saying that I won't include obvious calls like "start Trey McBride" or "sit Tommy DeVito." Instead, I search for players that could be perceived as fringe that could propel your lineups for weekly wins.
As always, if you have any questions or don't see your players here, feel free to follow me on Twitter (X) – @JamesNewell96 and send me a message, where I typically respond in a timely manner.
Start ’Em
Trevor Lawrence @ BAL (Projected FPTS – 19.8): It’s very rare to see a quarterback score 19 fantasy points while completing just 10 passes, but it goes to show how efficient Lawrence has been this season. He has totaled 19 or more fantasy points in three consecutive outings and in five of his last seven games. He should be kept in starting lineups this week in a QB-friendly matchup against the Ravens, who’ve been shredded by Joe Burrow and Josh Allen in back-to-back contests. Baltimore’s defense will likely get gassed because of the offense’s hardships without Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley. The Ravens have also allowed the eighth-most fantasy points and passing yards to quarterbacks this season.
Matthew Stafford @ WSH (Projected FPTS – 18.8): Things haven’t been easy for Stafford and the Rams’ offense, who are trying to find ways to replace Davante Adams’ production. Stafford had a rough go last Sunday, scoring 8.3 fantasy points against the Chargers. I do imagine the reigning MVP will get back on track in Week Nine with a matchup against the Commanders on deck. Washington’s defense has allowed the third-most fantasy points per game and the eighth-most points per dropback to opposing quarterbacks. They’ve also surrendered 17 or more fantasy points to five QBs this season.
Jared Goff @ MIA (Projected FPTS – 20.0): Goff scored just nine fantasy points against a historically blitz-heavy Vikings defense in Week Eight. Now that he’s over that hurdle, he can safely return to lineups. He has a solid matchup this week against the Dolphins, who’ve given up the second-most fantasy points per dropback and the fifth-most points per game to quarterbacks this season. Since Week Two, Miami’s defense has allowed four opposing QBs to post 20 or more fantasy points. Goff, who has the second-best TD-to-INT ratio (15:1) and is averaging the sixth-most fantasy points per game, should have no issue finishing as one of the top QBs of the week.
Honorable Mentions: Patrick Mahomes vs. NYJ; Malik Willis vs. DET; Kirk Cousins @ SF; Dak Prescott @ IND; Kyler Murray @ BUF; J.J. McCarthy @ PHI; Caleb Williams vs. TB.
Sit ’Em
Jordan Love @ NE (Projected FPTS – 18.0): Love has been stellar over the past month and enters the week as the QB5 in fantasy. Despite scoring 20-plus points in three of his last four games, he has a tough matchup against the Patriots this week. New England’s defense has played better at home than on the road, allowing the fourth-fewest fantasy points per game to quarterbacks at home, compared to three finishes of 14 or more points on the road. This is a game where you should expect the Packers to establish their running game with Josh Jacobs.
Bryce Young vs. DEN (Projected FPTS – 16.0): After a red-hot start to the season, Young has simmered down over his last two starts, scoring just 15.78 fantasy points. The decline of the Panthers’ offensive line and Young nursing a knee injury are the probable explanations for his struggles. During that span, he has a 2:3 TD-to-INT ratio and has been pressured on 50 percent of his dropbacks, with a 35.4 passer rating. Young has a difficult matchup in Week Nine against the Broncos, who’ve pressured opposing quarterbacks at a 40 percent clip. Denver’s defense has also allowed the 10th-fewest fantasy points per dropback this season. Keep Young on your bench this week.
C.J. Stroud @ LAC (Projected FPTS – 17.0): Stroud’s fantasy production this season has been pleasantly surprising, reaching at least 17 fantasy points in four of his last seven games. He’s also averaged 18-plus fantasy points per game this season. However, I don’t like his matchup in Week Nine against the Chargers, who held Josh Allen to a season-low 17.46 points back in Week Three. Los Angeles’ defense has kept opposing quarterbacks under 14 fantasy points in four straight contests and has allowed the eighth-fewest fantasy points per game to the position. Avoid having Stroud in your lineup this Sunday.
Lowlights: Baker Mayfield @ CHI; Bo Nix @ CAR; Justin Herbert vs. HOU; Geno Smith @ KC; Tyler Shough vs. CLE; Michael Penix Jr. vs. CIN.