Week 9 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Fantasy Defenses/Kickers

Quarterbacks | Running Backs | Wide Receivers | Tight Ends | Defenses/Kickers

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.

DEFENSES

Start ’Em

Chicago Bears Defense vs. TB (Projected FPTS – 7.8): The Bears’ defense will be a massive headache for opposing offenses now with the addition of Jeffery Simmons. The unit scored 10 fantasy points on Monday against the Seahawks on the road, and it has scored at least eight points in five of its last seven games. In Week Nine, they take on the Buccaneers, who have a below-average offense that is only effective in the running game. Chicago has one of the best run defenses in the league.

Jacksonville Jaguars Defense @ BAL (Projected FPTS – 10.0): The Jaguars’ defense finished with 20 fantasy points last week in its blowout win over the Colts. It is the third time this season they’ve scored 13 or more fantasy points in a game. They face another lame duck in the Ravens, who will start third-string quarterback Joe Fagnano on the road. Buffalo’s defense managed 15 fantasy points against Fagnano.

Houston Texans Defense @ LAC (Projected FPTS – 9.5): The Texans’ defense has been a massive disappointment for most of the season. However, it has a “get-right game” on deck against the Chargers. Los Angeles has scored the fewest points this season, and Justin Herbert has been sacked the third-most times. The Bolts have also committed the most giveaways this season, with 17. Houston has to capitalize on this opportunity if it wants to be taken seriously.

Honorable Mentions: Seattle Seahawks Defense vs. ARI; Kansas City Chiefs Defense vs. NYJ; New Orleans Saints Defense vs. CLE; Detroit Lions Defense @ MIA; New York Giants Defense @ PHI.

Sit ’Em

New England Patriots Defense vs. GB (Projected FPTS – 6.6): The Patriots’ defense is predictable when it comes to total outcomes. When they have favorable matchups, they do their job, but when they have a tougher matchup, they die out. In Week Nine, they face a tougher-than-average opponent in the Packers, who are firing on all cylinders on offense with Jordan Love, Christian Watson, Matthew Golden, Tucker Kraft and now Josh Jacobs. The Packers’ offensive line has also allowed the seventh-lowest sack rate in the league.

Baltimore Ravens Defense vs. JAX (Projected FPTS – 5.5): If you still have the Ravens’ defense on your roster, you need to drop them immediately. Not only have they failed you recently, with a combined negative four fantasy points over the last two weeks, but they also take on the top-five scoring offense in the Jaguars. Jacksonville has allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points per game to opposing defenses and doesn’t turn the ball over. Expect a lot of short fields for the Jaguars’ offense too, with Joe Fagnano under center for the Ravens.

San Francisco 49ers Defense vs. LV (Projected FPTS – 6.8): The Niners’ defense is one of the most overrated units in fantasy this season. It could see some improvement in its pass rush with DeForest Buckner making his return to the Bay. But besides a 20-fantasy-point performance against Sam Darnold and the Seahawks, they’ve averaged 2.8 points per game since Week Three. San Francisco takes on an improved Raiders offense in Week Nine, which has allowed the sixth-fewest fantasy points per game to opposing defenses.

Lowlights: Minnesota Vikings Defense vs. BUF; Los Angeles Chargers Defense vs. HOU; Atlanta Falcons Defense vs. CIN; Tampa Bay Buccaneers Defense @ CHI; Green Bay Packers Defense @ NE.

KICKERS

Start ‘Em

Chase McLaughlin @ CHI – Projected FPTS: 8.1 

Tyler Bass @ MIN – Projected FPTS: 8.2

Matt Gay @ SF – Projected FPTS: 8.1

Chad Ryland @ SEA – Projected FPTS: 6.7

Cam Little @ BAL – Projected FPTS: 9.3

Ka’imi Fairbairn @ LAC – Projected FPTS: 9.3

Spencer Shrader vs. DAL – Projected FPTS: 8.3

Evan McPherson vs. ATL – Projected FPTS: 9.0 

Sit ‘Em

Eddy Pineiro vs. LV – Projected FPTS: 8.1

Jake Elliott vs. NYG – Projected FPTS: 5.8

Harrison Butker vs. NYJ – Projected FPTS: 7.6

Dominic Zvada @ PHI – Projected FPTS: 7.3

Zane Gonzalez vs. DET – Projected FPTS: 6.4

Jake Moody vs. JAX – Projected FPTS: 5.7

Brandon McManus @ WSH – Projected FPTS: 7.4 

Andy Borregales vs. GB – Projected FPTS: 6.8