Start ’em, sit ’em for NFL Week 9

Sit and start is relative and league dependent, so consider some of these suggestions more “fliers” and “fades” (note that some are targeted for DFS).

Good luck with your Week 9 lineups.

Houston Texans @ Miami Dolphins

Start: Tyrod Taylor, Tua Tagovailoa

Miami’s secondary is healthier and playing better than their season-long stats may suggest, but they still allowed Josh Allen to be fantasy’s QB1 last week (albeit holding him to 5.9 YPA). Taylor is a bit of a risk having not played since Week 1, but if you need QB help, he’s an option in this matchup. He’s gotten 9.5 YPA with four total touchdowns and no turnovers (just one sack) over six quarters this season; he was playing extremely well before going down. Taylor starting over Davis Mills is also huge news for Brandin Cooks’ fantasy value, making him a top-20 WR this week.

Tagovailoa had been playing well before last week’s tough matchup in Buffalo, and this week he gets a Texans defense allowing the sixth-most fantasy points to QBs and the most yards per play on the road this season. The Dolphins don’t run the ball much, and Jaylen Waddle and Mike Gesicki should be available Sunday. Assuming Tagovailoa’s finger injury is fine, he’ll be a top-12 fantasy QB this week.

Denver Broncos @ Dallas Cowboys

Start: Albert Okwuegbunam, Dalton Schultz

With Noah Fant unlikely to play, Albert O becomes a legitimate top-12 fantasy tight end this week. Okwuegbunam recorded both his 40-time and Speed Score in the 99th percentile, and Denver should have to throw more than usual as double-digit underdogs.

Dallas ranks last versus tight ends in DVOA by a wide margin this season.

Story continues

Schultz has a real argument as fantasy’s No. 1 tight end this week with CeeDee Lamb, Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup all dealing with injuries and Blake Jarwin likely out. Dak Prescott returns, and he’s gotten 9.1 YPA with a 10:1 TD:INT ratio over three home games this season. Facing a Denver defense decimated by…