Week 9 Start ’Em, Sit ’Em: Kickers and Team Defenses

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 Defenses

1. Browns defense vs. Cardinals
2. Saints defense vs. Bears
3. Ravens defense vs. Seahawks
4. Falcons defense vs. Vikings
5. Patriots defense vs. Commanders
6. Steelers defense vs. Titans (Thur.)
7. Chargers defense at Jets (Mon.)
8. Jets defense vs. Chargers (Mon.)
9. Eagles defense vs. Cowboys
10. Cowboys defense at Eagles

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: Defenses

Start of the Week

Saints defense vs. Bears (1 p.m. ET, CBS): The Bears have one of the league’s worst offenses, scoring an average of just 21.4 a game. What’s more, they’ve also allowed 28 sacks and are tied for sixth in terms of giveaways. This is all good news for the Saints defense, which should post top-12 fantasy totals this weekend.

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Start ’Em

Browns defense vs. Cardinals (1 p.m. ET, CBS): The Browns defense finished with just five fantasy points last week, but I’d expect an increase in production in a plus matchup with the Cardinals. They might be starting rookie quarterback Clayton Tune this week, so Cleveland should be able to compile oodles of points.

More Starts

Falcons defense vs. Vikings (1 p.m. ET, Fox)
Patriots defense vs. Commanders (1 p.m. ET, Fox)
Ravens defense vs. Seahawks (1 p.m. ET, CBS)

DFS Bargains (DraftKings)

Vikings defense vs. Falcons ($3,300)
Patriots defense at Commanders ($2,900)|
Rams defense at Packers ($2,600)

Week 9 Sit ’Em: Defenses

Sit of the Week

Chiefs defense vs. Dolphins (Frankfurt 9:30 a.m. ET, NFL Network): The Chiefs have one of the top defenses in fantasy football, but this is a tough week to start it. That’s due to a brutal matchup against the Dolphins, who rank first in points and offensive yardage compiled in the NFL. Keep Kansas City on the sidelines.

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Sit ’Em

Bills defense at Bengals (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC): The Bills defense ranks second in fantasy points at the position, but facing the Bengals in the jungle is anything but a good matchup. Just ask the 49ers, whose defense scored four points against Joe Burrow and crew last week. Look for Buffalo’s defense to struggle this week.

More Sits

Seahawks defense at Ravens (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
Jets defense vs. Chargers (Mon. 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Dolphins defense at Chiefs (Frankfurt 9:30 a.m. ET, NFL Network)

DFS Fades (DraftKings)

Buccaneers defense at Texans ($4,000)
Cowboys defense at Eagles ($3,900)
Panthers defense vs. Colts ($3,500)

Fabs’ Top 10 Kickers

1. Harrison Butker vs. Dolphins (Frankfurt)
2. Justin Tucker vs. Seahawks
3. Brandon Aubrey at Eagles
4. Blake Grupe vs. Bears
5. Tyler Bass at Bengals
6. Jake Elliott vs. Cowboys
7. Dustin Hopkins vs. Cardinals
8. Cameron Dicker vs. Jets (Mon.)
9. Evan McPherson vs. Bills
10. Jason Sanders at Chiefs (Frankfurt)

Byes: 49ers, Broncos, Jaguars, Lions

Week 9 Start ’Em: Kickers

Start of the Week

Blake Grupe vs. Bears (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Grupe has been quietly solid in the stat sheets, scoring eight or more points in four of his last five games. He’s well worth a look this weekend, as Grupe will face a Bears defense that’s surrendered 15 field-goal conversions and an average of 9.8 fantasy points to kickers this season.

Start ’Em

Cameron Dicker at Jets (Mon. 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN): Dicker the kicker is coming off a huge game, scoring 14 points in a win over the Bears. I like him to put up a good total this week, too, as he’ll face a Jets defense that’s allowed nine or more points to four kickers. It’s also tied for second in field goal attempts allowed.

More Starts

Chris Boswell vs. Titans (Thur. 8:15 p.m. ET, Prime Video)
Brandon Aubrey at Eagles (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox)
Andres Carlson vs. Rams (1 p.m. ET, Fox)

Week 9 Sit ’Em: Kickers

Sit of the Week

Matt Gay at Panthers (4:05 p.m. ET, CBS): Gay has been solid in the stat sheets, scoring at least eight fantasy points in four straight games. I’d be wary of him this week, though, as the Panthers have been tough on kickers. In fact, opposing booters have put up an average of fewer than seven points a game against them.

Sit ’Em

Greg Zuerlein vs. Chargers (Mon. 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN): Zuerlein has been on fire in recent weeks, scoring a combined 36 points in his last three games. Still, this week’s matchup against the Chargers makes him a tough sell. Their defense has allowed just 10 field-goal attempts this season, which is third least in the NFL.

More Sits

Greg Joseph at Falcons (1 p.m. ET, Fox)
Graham Gano at Raiders (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox)
Matt Prater at Browns (1 p.m. ET, CBS)