Fantasy Football Start or Sit - Week 9 2008

It's week nine and there's just one week of byes left. Then you can let your team unfurl its fury in full for the first time since week three. Until then, we're here to get you through the tough spots and free agent pickups to make sure you field a competitive team each week. Check our game-by-game analysis with Saturday injury updates to get the lowdown on the sneaky plays and smart benchings.

The fantasy season is beginning to wind down, and we have to admit that we're getting a little misty-eyed just thinking about it. It's all about making the playoffs now. Do whatever you have to do to get in. Once you're there, it's anyone's trophy. If you're scraping by starting players like Terrell Owens hoping he'll come around, it's time to move him and get someone that can help you now. There will be just four weeks left in most fantasy seasons after Monday. That's not much time to make a move and sneak in. If you're already a lock for the playoffs, it's time to start building your playoff squad. Start looking at things like backup kickers and tight ends. You didn't need to carry them on your roster throughout the season, but most leagues lock rosters before the playoffs, and what if either of those positions faces an injury? You'll have no one to start and you'll be screwed. Fantasy football is about 60 percent luck once you've played a couple seasons, but you can maximize your chances by planning ahead. Good luck on your playoff push.

The following teams are on bye this week, so get their players out of your lineups: 

Carolina, New Orleans, San Diego, San Francisco

Sunday, November 2

Houston at Minnesota

Start- Matt Schaub is turning into a top three fantasy QB. Start him without question every week. With Andre Johnson terrorizing secondaries, things are opening up for Kevin Walter. He had a huge game last week and is a solid flex starter from here on out as long as the Texans passing game keeps clicking the way it is. Adrian Peterson is healthy and it shows. He's returned to form and should push your fantasy squad right into the playoffs. The Texans are 21^st against the run, so even Chester Taylor makes a decent fill-in-particularly if you get points for receptions as he's the designated back on passing downs. Bernard Berrian has been a beast his past three games. You should be starting him every week.

Sit- Ahman Green is out with injury again, which means that Steve Slaton will get the bulk of the carries. Against the Vikings we recommend you sit him, though. The Vikings receivers have gone invisible since Berrian took things over. Sidney Rice returns this week, but he has no fantasy relevance, and Bobby Wade's stats continue to plummet.

NY Jets at Buffalo

 Start- Jericho Cotchery is listed as probable and is almost back at full strength. He makes a nice start since he'll be facing a backup CB this weekend. We won't tell you not to start Laveraneous Coles or Brett Favre, but Buffalo is 13^th against the pass so they should have average days. The Jets are 23^rd against the pass, so start Trent Edwards if you normally would, and of course, keep Mr. Reliable Lee Evans in your lineup. The Jets are much better against the run as they're ranked fourth, but Marshawn Lynch has already shown this season that he can score big against tough defenses. He's still worth starting as a number two back.

Sit- Buffalo is also 13^th against the run, so don't expect Thomas Jones to light it up. We expect Leon Washington to have the better game. Dustin Keller has fallen off the charts for tight ends. He's due for another decent game but there's too much risk involved in starting him. The rest of Buffalo's receiving corps should remain on your bench.

Detroit at Chicago

Start- It looks like Brandon Lloyd is finally going to return to the field this week. Against the next-to-last-ranked pass defense of the Lions, he could be huge. Kyle Orton hasn't looked at all like the QB that stunk up the joint the last couple seasons. He's an every week starter now-especially this week. Marty Booker and Greg Olsen are also quickly emerging. Calvin Johnson is a fantasy nightmare. Seems like every time we give up on him he scores, and then when we start him he tanks. It looks like Detroit has basically put its entire offense on his shoulders, though. He's worth a start as a number three WR, but this week his matchup is tough. Start at your own risk. Against the Lions, Matt Forte should have a career day.

Sit- Kevin Smith has posted respectable scores the last two weeks, but that will change against the Bears. Get him out of your lineup. Shaun McDonald and Michael Furrey haven't stepped up since Roy Williams left.

Baltimore at Cleveland

Start- Willis McGahee just can't get healthy. He's questionable once again, and just when he starting rolling. LeRon McClain stands to get a lot more carries if he doesn't play, and against the Browns' 24^th-ranked rush defense, whoever plays is a great start. Derek Anderson is starting to emerge from mediocrity. This may look like a tough matchup for him, but there are several injuries in the Ravens secondary, and this is a huge rivalry game. We expect him, Kellen Winslow, and Braylon Edwards to score a bit higher than their weekly averages. Cleveland is 24^th against the pass so expect Derrick Mason to put up his usual 7-8 catches for 70-80 yards.

Sit- The Ravens have the number one rush defense in the league, so we don't recommend starting Jamal Lewis, though we do expect he'll score if you're in a touchdown league. Joe Flacco still isn't worth even backup QB consideration, though he should have around 200 yards and a touchdown against the Browns if you're desperate for the points from the QB position.