Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em is the ultimate look at the best and worst matchups based on a PPR scoring system in fantasy football. This column will not cover the elite players in the NFL like Patrick Mahomes, Christian McCaffrey or Justin Jefferson. Instead, I'll look at the players you have questions about who could exceed or fail to meet expectations at each position. For all of your final fantasy lineup decisions, be sure to check out my weekly player rankings which will be updated daily throughout the 2023 NFL season.
Fabs’ Top 10 Wide Receivers
1. Tyreek Hill vs. Chiefs (Frankfurt)
2. Ja’Marr Chase vs. Bills
3. A.J. Brown vs. Cowboys
4. Stefon Diggs vs. Bengals
5. CeeDee Lamb at Eagles
6. Cooper Kupp at Packers
7. Keenan Allen vs. Jets
8. Adam Thielen vs. Colts
9. Garrett Wilson vs. Chargers (Mon.)
10. Jaylen Waddle at Chiefs (Frankfurt)
Week 9 Start ’Em, Sit ’Em: QUARTERBACKS | RUNNING BACKS | WIDE RECEIVERS | TIGHT ENDS | KICKERS & TEAM DEFENSES
Byes: 49ers, Broncos, Jaguars, Lions
Week 9 Start ’Em: Wide Receivers
Start of the Week
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Garrett Wilson vs. Chargers (Mon. 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN): Wilson has been on a nice hot streak, scoring 17 or more points in each of his last two games. He’s also put up 15 or more in three of his last four, and a matchup against the Chargers is a positive. Their defense has allowed the second-most points to perimeter receivers, and Wilson runs most of his routes out wide. He has top-15 potential this week.
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Start ’Em
Diontae Johnson vs. Titans (Thur. 8:15 p.m. ET, Prime Video): Johnson has been productive in his last two games, scoring a combined 29.4 PPR points on 20 targets. He should remain in fantasy lineups this week, as he’ll face a Titans pass defense that’s allowed the 10th-most points per game to perimeter receivers. Both Johnson and George Pickens should be in most fantasy lineups this week.
Terry McLaurin at Patriots (1 p.m. ET, Fox): McLaurin has caught fire in recent weeks, scoring 14-plus fantasy points in three straight games and in four of his last five overall. He’s also been targeted 32 times in the last three weeks, and I’d keep him active against the Patriots. This defense isn’t what it used to be against wide receivers, allowing 10-plus points 11 times including five with 17-plus points.
Nico Collins vs. Buccaneers (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Collins has been tough to trust in recent weeks, scoring seven or fewer points in two of his last three games. I like him to rebound this week, though, as he’ll face a Buccaneers defense that’s given up 189.1 receiving yards and the eighth-most fantasy points to wide receivers. I would also consider starting Tank Dell if you’re in a deeper fantasy league.
Zay Flowers vs. Seahawks (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Flowers is coming off his worst stat line of the season, scoring just 6.9 fantasy points in a win over the Cardinals. He did see seven targets, however, and he’s seen 32 targets in his last four games. I’d keep him active against the Seahawks, who have allowed the ninth-most points to wide receivers and the second-most points to receivers lined up in the slot.
More Starts
DeAndre Hopkins at Steelers (Thur. 8:15 p.m. ET, Prime Video)
Puka Nacua at Packers (1 p.m. ET, Fox)
Jakobi Meyers vs. Giants (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox)
DFS Bargains (DraftKings)
Tank Dell vs. Buccaneers ($5,300)
Brandin Cooks at Eagles ($4,400)
Demario Douglas vs. Commanders ($4,000)
Week 9 Sit ’Em: Wide Receivers
Sit of the Week
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DJ Moore at Saints (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Moore has seen his stats decrease in the last three weeks, scoring a combined 32.9 points after scoring 49 points in a single game in Week 5. He’ll be a risk until Justin Fields returns to action, and a matchup against the Saints makes him a risk this week. Their defense has allowed the third fewest points per game to perimeter receivers, so Moore could struggle again.
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Sit ’Em
Jordan Addison at Falcons (1 p.m. ET, Fox): The Falcons just got smoked for three touchdowns by DeAndre Hopkins, so this isn’t about the matchup for Addison as much as it’s about his quarterback. With Kirk Cousins out of action, the Vikings will go to rookie Jaren Hall to make his first NFL start. That alone makes Addison a risk. The rookie will remain in a lot of lineups, but buyer beware.
Marquise Brown at Browns (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Brown has been putting up good totals for fantasy managers, scoring 15-plus points in five of his last seven games. So, while it’ll be tough to sit him with four teams on a bye, rookie Clayton Tune might be starting and the matchup is brutal. No team in the league has given up fewer fantasy points to road perimeter receivers than Cleveland in 2023.
Christian Watson vs. Rams (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Watson has been tough to trust in fantasy circles, scoring just 12 combined points in his last two games. He’s also scored just once in four games, as the Packers passing game has sputtered in recent weeks. He’s a risky flex against the Rams, who have allowed just four touchdowns and the 10th-fewest points per game to opposing wideouts.
Josh Downs at Panthers (4:05 p.m. ET, CBS): Downs is a tough player to sit based on his recent success, as he’s scored 13-plus points in all but one of this last six games. He does have a tough matchup this week, though, as the rookie faces a Panthers defense that’s allowed the third-fewest points per game to slot receivers. Overall, the position has scored the fifth-fewest points against them in 2023.
