Fantasy Football 2015: Start Em, Sit Em for Week Nine

Nov 1, 2015; London, United Kingdom; Kansas City Chiefs running back Charcandrick West (35) is defended by Detroit Lions cornerback safety Glover Quin (27) and cornerback Nevin Lawson (24) during game 14 of the NFL International Series at Wembley Stadium. The Chiefs defeated the Lions 45-10. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Week 9 of the 2015 NFL season is here, and that means it is time to take a look at those fantasy football lineups.

This is my Start ‘Em/Sit ‘Em article where I try to help you make some tough lineup decisions, whether that means starting a players that normally doesn’t start for your team, or benching a player that is normally in your starting lineup.

Here are my Start ‘Em/Sit ‘Em picks from last week. To get to Week 9’s start/sit picks just go to the next slide of the article.

Last Week’s Start ‘Em

Philip Rivers and the San Diego Chargers came into last week’s matchup with the Baltimore Ravens very hot offensively, as Philip Rivers has been putting up great numbers so far this season. The Ravens came into the game ranked dead last in the NFL in terms of fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterbacks.

Rivers ended with just over 300 passing yards and threw for 3 touchdowns, good for 30 points in standard scoring, 6-point passing touchdown leagues.

Rivers lost his top target in Keenan Allen last week due to injury, but Rivers should continue to shine with Malcolm Floyd, Ladarius Green, Antonio Gates, and others.

Charcandrick West had a second quality game in a row in his second NFL start in relief of starter Jamaal Charles, who tore his ACL a couple of weeks ago. West and the Chiefs went up against the struggling Detroit Lions in London on Sunday, and West finished with close to 125 total yards and a rushing touchdown for the second week in a row.

West has gotten the nod over Knile Davis who has been the Chiefs #2 back behind Charles for a couple years now. West has proven to be more like Jamaal in that he is a quicker and more shifty back than Davis, and he also has great hands coming out of the backfield.

If you started Charcandrick last week, you were happy with his production. Continue to start him if you have a place in your lineup for him.

Vikings rookie wide receiver Stefon Diggs had another good game in Week 8. Diggs has only played in the last four games of this season and has been nothing short of sensational.

Since his return in Week 4 against the Denver Broncos, he has been quarterback Teddy Bridgewater’s top target and has really made his presence felt in the offense. Diggs is a quick reciever with fantastic hands and the ability to run great route in order to get him open.

Last week, Diggs and the Vikings went up against the reeling Chicago Bears. Diggs scored his second touchdown of the season and his second in consecutive weeks as he ended with 15 total fantasy points in standard, non-PPR leagues. Continue to start Diggs if you can, he may just be getting started.

Last Week’s Sit ‘Em

Russell Wilson and the Seattle Seahawks went up against the much improved Dallas Cowboys’ defense, who has welcomed back rushers Greg Hardy and rookie Randy Gregory from suspension.

Dallas has looked pretty good as a defensive unit since their return, and continued their success in Week 8 against Wilson and the Seahawks. Wilson finished the game with 210 yards, 1 touchdown, and an interception as well. This is just another average performance out of Wilson, who has been pretty disappointing this season, since he was one of the top ranked quarterbacks coming into the season.

If Wilson is your best quarterback and you haven’t already attempted trading for a new one or trying to find one on waivers, you probably should now.

C.J. Anderson had his best performance by far in his 2015 campaign in Week 8 against the Green Bay Packers. He got over 43 rushing yards for the first time all season, and actually more than doubled his previous high, ending with 101 total rushing yards. He also scored his first touchdown of the season.

With the emergence of fellow teammate Ronnie Hillman in the Broncos’ backfield, most have thought and suggested that Anderson was all but done in Denver barring injury because he hasn’t shown anything all season that would suggest he should be starting over Hillman.

Starting Anderson was a risky play last week, but you were luckily rewarded if you did pull the trigger on starting him last week. Anderson owners shouldn’t get used to this type of production, and I would look elsewhere for production until he proves he can be a consistent fantasy running back.

Next: DeAngelo Williams