Quincy’s best fantasy football matchups for Week 9 of 2025. His favorite picks and predictions to start them, sit them – solid start/sit matchups he loves.
I hope you managed to get through the next week in Week 8. While we have four more teams bye in Week 9, it’s not as dire as Week 8. As such, we can once again enjoy some fun fantasy matchups. Still, with the Eagles and Buccaneers bye, we have to dig deep in an emergency.
The good news is that virtually all bad defenses are in the fold to target in Week 9. As fantasy managers, we rely on these matchups to lead our teams. We therefore have the possibility of several electric offensive outings this week.
Cincinnati, Tennessee, Miami and Dallas are our main targets this week. All four teams have become welcome parts of the schedule as we look to the future. Let’s go ahead and see who draws the best and worst matchups in Week 9.
Be sure to check out all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:
Quarterback matchups we love
Caleb Williams – Chicago Bears
Opponent: at the CIN
Opponent rank against QB: 29th
Caleb Williams’ inconsistencies this season continue to be a problem, but he had the perfect bounce-back game in Week 9 against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals have become one of our favorite teams this year. With their best defensive player, Trey Hendrickson, dealing with an injury, the Bears should light up the scoreboard this week.
Cincinnati can be beaten both through the air and on the ground. This bodes well for Williams, who should get support from his running game. Look for Williams to connect early and often with wide receiver Rome Odunze, leading to a big fantasy day for both players.
Jared Goff – Detroit Lions
Opponent: MIN
Rank of opponent against QB: 7th
Jared Goff comes off his leave to face the Minnesota Vikings at home. At this point we know the principle. Starting Goff at home in solid matchups is usually a recipe for success. The Vikings have an excellent run defense, but they can be exploited through the air.
#Lions Quarterback Jared Goff says it’s “time to go” after the bye week. He feels his team is focused and he doesn’t really need to say much to keep the guys engaged when they return after an absence. “Today was one of our best practices of the year and we followed through with it,” Goff said. pic.twitter.com/UDTHhkraL9
– Eric Woodyard (@E_Woodyard) October 28, 2025
The Vikings have a chance to make this a competitive game with starting quarterback JJ McCarthy returning from a sprained ankle. Although Goff already has a great chance to throw a few touchdowns, the Vikings forcing the Lions’ hand would open the door to even more potential fantasy points.
Quarterback matchup to temper expectations
Bo Nix – Denver Broncos
Opponent: at HOU
Rank of opponent against QB: 1st
Even though Bo Nix was in the “love” section last week, he draws a very tough game in Week 9. Nix had success against a vulnerable Cowboys defense in Week 8. Unfortunately, the other Texas team is fielding a real defense. The Texans are finally finding their way as a team this season. With Houston playing at home this week, this could be a low-scoring defensive brawl.
Nix may be able to salvage a solid fantasy outing with his legs, but isn’t counting on substantial production. The Texans’ defensive line is stifling, and the secondary is arguably better. The Broncos are taking a big step forward, but this is not the week to add Nix back into your lineup.
Running back matchups we love
Kimani Vidal – Los Angeles Chargers
Opponent: at TEN
Rank of opponent against RB: 30th
Kimani Vidal has performed admirably in the absence of starter Omarion Hampton over the past three games. He delivered two games with at least 117 yards rushing and completed 11 passes. Vidal has earned a real workhorse role as Hampton’s backup.
“I just want to prove them right.”
Kimani Vidal takes advantage of this opportunity and runs with it 🔥 #TNFonPrime pic.twitter.com/c0S6EuTF0v
– NFL on Prime Video (@NFLonPrime) October 24, 2025
Enter the Titans, who can’t seem to do anything right on defense. This team was just crushed by Jonathan Taylor and the Colts. The Chargers are finding ways to salvage their offense despite a plethora of injuries this season. As such, they should have no problem exploiting a vulnerable Titans defense. Vidal can be deployed as an RB2 this week.
Travis Etienne Jr. – Jacksonville Jaguars
Opponent: LAV
Rank of opponent against RB: 13th
Travis Etienne Jr. has been quiet lately. The Jaguars lack explosive plays and so Etienne’s production has faltered. However, the Raiders provide the perfect remedy to Etienne’s current problem. Considering that Etienne has faced three of the best defensive fronts in the league in his last three games, it’s not time to give up on him just yet.
Las Vegas failed to stop a nosebleed on the ground. They also give up a lot of points, giving Etienne a solid chance for multiple scoring opportunities. As the Jaguars come out of their bye, expect some of their offensive woes to turn around. Etienne should be able to provide RB2 value this weekend.
Running Back Matchup to temper expectations
Alvin Kamara – New Orleans Saints
Opponent: at LAR
Rank of opponent against RB: 1st
Alvin Kamara’s production has certainly hit the mark in recent weeks. With the Saints’ current uncertainty at quarterback, Kamara’s props for the rest of the season look dire. The Rams have one of the best defensive fronts in the league. In fact, they are one of the best defenses of the season. This could be a long day for the Saints offense as a whole.
Kamara’s fantasy value has been anchored by great success in the receiving game in recent years. Unfortunately, his target numbers continue to decline in a Saints offense that has taken a step back in recent weeks. At this point, you may want to start looking at other options.
The wide receiver matchups we like
Zay Flowers – Baltimore Crows
Opponent: at MIA
Opponent rank against WR: 4th
Zay Flowers has fought his way to a solid fantasy season thus far, but Week 9 presents Flowers with an opportunity to truly take off. Finally, the Ravens are expected to get quarterback Lamar Jackson back from his hamstring injury this week. With the Dolphins’ Cupcakes defense on the cards, Flowers should get what he wants.
Week 9‼️ pic.twitter.com/xbocGafHEm
– Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) October 28, 2025
Flowers’ scoring opportunities should be plentiful in Week 9. Additionally, the Dolphins don’t have anyone in their secondary capable of keeping up with Flowers’ twitchy movements on the field. Start flowers with confidence this week.
Marvin Harrison Jr. – Arizona Cardinals
Opponent: DAL
Opponent rank against WR: 32nd
The formula with Marvin Harrison Jr. this season seems simple: throw him in good matchups. In 2025, Harrison delivered at least 13.8 PPR fantasy points in each of his good matchups in which he finished the game. In bad matchups, Harrison hasn’t topped 7.4 fantasy points.
With the Cowboys on the schedule in Week 9, Harrison draws the ultimate good matchup. The Cowboys are allowing consistent 300-yard passing days to opposing teams. Harrison could potentially offer some WR2 value this week.
Broad receiver adaptation to temperament expectations
Courtland Sutton – Denver Broncos
Opponent: at HOU
Rank of opponent against WR: 1st
Courtland Sutton has been a quality, but inconsistent WR2 this season. These inconsistencies are likely to show up once again against one of the league’s truly elite defenses in Week 9.
With Sutton’s quarterback already on the watch list for a poor fantasy performance, we can’t ignore the climb Sutton himself will face this week. The Texans have a stable of quality cornerbacks, including Derek Stingley Jr. and Kamari Lassiter. Hopefully Sutton can score double-digit fantasy points this week, but don’t count on it.
Close match we love
Zach Ertz – Washington Commanders
Opponent: MER
Rank of opponent against TE: 22nd
Zach Ertz didn’t follow up his resurgent 2024 season with an equally good 2025. However, he played much of this season with backup quarterback Marcus Mariota. The Commanders’ offense hasn’t been very consistent so far this season either. As such, Ertz suffered.
With the Commanders offense appearing to be relatively healthy this week for the first time in several weeks, this team may be able to find its footing. The Seahawks have been one of the worst defenses at stopping opposing tight ends in fantasy. With several other weapons and a mobile quarterback for Mike Macdonald’s defense to worry about, Ertz could fall through the cracks in Week 9.
Close final match to moderate expectations
Hunter Henry – New England Patriots
Opponent: ATL
Rank of opponent against TE: 1st
Hunter Henry has been out of fantasy importance for several weeks. Week 9 does not bode well for a change in this regard. The Falcons have a knack for shutting down opposing tight ends. This defense has weaknesses elsewhere that New England would do well to exploit.
As usual, Henry is a solid red zone threat. However, if you’re looking for a safer option at this position this week, it’s best to look elsewhere.
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