Fantasy Football Matchups We Love - Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Picks for Week 9 Include Caleb Williams, Alvin Kamara, DeVonta Smith, Josh Jacobs, more

What a week it was for fantasy goodness. Quarterbacks were on fire, and thus, so were offenses around the NFL. If you were on the right side of that output, then I commend you. If you received duds on your roster, then I feel your pain.

This was a topsy-turvy week in the NFL and this column suffered as a result. As is the nature of fantasy, the unpredictable nature of the NFL is always something to contend with. Still, we push on and look ahead at some great potential matchups on the docket in Week 9.

There are a few pivotal games in Week 9 with some desperate teams in need of a win in real life. Fantasy gold could arise from those matchups, so let's dive in and check it out.

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Fantasy Football Quarterback Matchups We Love

Caleb Williams - Chicago Bears
Opponent: at ARI
Opponent Rank vs. QB: 26th

The Bears seem to have figured out how to play offense after their sluggish start to the season. As such, Williams has been a great real-life and fantasy quarterback in recent weeks, even if it took him three quarters to get there in Week 8. Until Week 8, Williams' turnovers had been down and he had consistently delivered solid passing output.

The Cardinals defense is nothing to fear. Williams is in a great position to deliver for fantasy managers as his weapons should have an easy time against this defense. Williams has entered the must-roster conversation and is closing in on weekly starter status.

Jalen Hurts - Philadelphia Eagles
Opponent: JAX
Opponent Rank vs. QB: 31st

If your quarterback is a top-25 one in the NFL and he is playing the Jaguars, then you should start him in fantasy. This defense looks like the defenses that the Jaguars rolled out in the 2010s when they were consistently picking at No. 1 in the NFL Draft.

Hurts was already going to be in your lineup but he has real No. 1 QB upside in this game. The only thing that could dampen Hurts' week is if running back Saquon Barkley eats against a horrendous Jaguars rushing defense. Still, Hurts should be elite either way.

Fantasy Football Quarterback Matchup to Temper Expectations

Jared Goff - Detroit Lions
Opponent: at GB
Opponent Rank vs. QB: 8th

Goff has hit his stride in 2024. He has been very accurate over the last month and the Lions are rolling. However, the Packers have become an excellent defense in 2024, particularly when defending the pass.

The Packers are only allowing 203.9 passing yards per game. Further compounding this pick is the fact that this game will be played in Green Bay. Goff plays notoriously worse outside of a dome and Lambeau Field is one of the toughest places to play in the NFL. Goff is not a viable streamer this week.

Fantasy Football Running Back Matchups We Love

Alvin Kamara - New Orleans Saints
Opponent: at CAR
Opponent Rank vs. RB: 32nd

With the Saints offense not firing on all cylinders without starting quarterback Derek Carr in the lineup, Kamara has not reached the heights that he did early in the season. This week presents a different opportunity.

With Carr potentially back in the lineup in Week 9, Kamara should see a nice boost to his fantasy stock. Even if we have another week of Spencer Rattler, this matchup is too juicy to ignore. Just keep playing your running backs against the Panthers this season.

Aaron Jones - Minnesota Vikings
Opponent: IND
Opponent Rank vs. RB: 20th

Jones has been a little bit inconsistent in 2024, but it is time to trust the process of this player. Jones' snap share has been astronomical over his last three fully healthy games. He was on the field for 92% of the snaps in Week 8. This is clearly his backfield and he is getting a ton of work.

Now entering a game against an average-at-best rushing defense in the Indianapolis Colts in Week 9, Jones is in a great position to feast. The Vikings need a get-right game after losing two straight. It would behoove them to ride Jones to victory. Fire him up as a high-end RB2 or low-end RB1.

Fantasy Football Running Back Matchups to Temper Expectations

Josh Jacobs - Green Bay Packers
Opponent: DET
Opponent Rank vs. RB: 2nd

Jacobs has been exactly what you want out of your RB2 in 2024. Until Week 8, he had been good but not great. Either way, he has been consistent in a high-performing offense. Jacobs' volume has been excellent and his involvement in the passing game is exactly what you want.

This projects to be a hard-fought divisional game between the Lions and Packers. Both teams have excellent defenses and divisional games can be low-scoring at times. Additionally, the Lions' excellent defensive front is going to have no problem traveling to Green Bay. Therefore, Jacobs may be a lower-end RB2 or even a flex play in Week 9.

Note that with quarterback Jordan Love's status for this game up in the air, Jacobs could see additional volume that could slightly mitigate the matchup issue.

Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Matchups We Love

Courtland Sutton - Denver Broncos
Opponent: at BAL
Opponent Rank vs. WR: 31st

Sutton has had a few nice games with rookie quarterback Bo Nix under center, but it seems like this offense is on the cusp of taking off. Nix delivered his highest passing output of the season in Week 8 against the Carolina Panthers. While the Panthers have a weak defense, the Broncos will draw the Ravens, who have been notoriously bad against the pass in 2024.

After a dud in Week 7, Sutton drew 11 targets and reached the century mark for the first time in 2024 in Week 8. This offense will be better with Sutton touching the ball, so expect him to continue receiving high volume. If the Broncos are going to have any chance in this game, it will be through the air.

DeVonta Smith - Philadelphia Eagles
Opponent: JAX
Opponent Rank vs. WR: 29th

Since his concussion suffered against the Saints in Week 3, Smith had been underwhelming in fantasy until he blew up in Week 8 against the Bengals. You should have high confidence in Smith's ability to produce for fantasy in Week 9. The Jaguars have surrendered 32.2 points per game to opposing wide receivers in fantasy in 2024.

Of course, Smith's running mate A.J. Brown will feast in this game, but Smith should have a solid baseline against a defense that cannot cover anyone. Smith should be able to deliver WR2 numbers in Week 9.

Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Matchups to Temper Expectations

Jaylen Waddle - Miami Dolphins
Opponent: at BUF
Opponent Rank vs. WR: 6th

The Buffalo Bills have been highly productive at shutting down opposing wide receivers in fantasy. They will have a tough time fully shutting down Tyreek Hill, but Jaylen Waddle is a different story.

Waddle is highly talented but he is often the odd man out in this passing offense. Even with Tua Tagovailoa back in Week 8, Waddle flopped with only four receptions for 45 yards. It may take a couple of weeks for Tagovailoa to reestablish his connection with Waddle and that may be a tall task in Week 9.

Fantasy Football Tight End Matchups We Love

Juwan Johnson - New Orleans Saints
Opponent: at CAR
Opponent Rank vs. TE: 31st

Let's double-dip on the Panthers defense this week. They have become the league's worst team at defending the tight-end spot. Granted, they are the worst at a lot of things.

Johnson has been a steady contributor for New Orleans this season. With Derek Carr potentially returning to the lineup, look for Johnson to see a solid target share. If you need a plug-and-play for seven to 10 fantasy points, then Johnson is your guy.

Fantasy Football Tight End Matchups to Temper Expectations

Mark Andrews - Baltimore Ravens
Opponent: DEN
Opponent Rank vs. TE: 14th

Andrews has been excellent the last few weeks but can he continue to score touchdowns at this rate? At some point that will come to an end, and it may be this week against an excellent Broncos defense.

Andrews has yet to clear five targets in a game this season. His yardage totals are not reaching what they used to, either. On the bright side, his snap share is rising. Still, the narrative around Andrews would be much different if he was not catching touchdowns on seemingly every other play. He is startable but temper your expectations.

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