Fantasy Football 2019: Thursday Night Football Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Week 9

Sit of the Week: Kyler Murray, QB, Arizona Cardinals

I am not as confident about sitting Kyler Murray as I am about starting Jimmy Garoppolo. The reigning Heisman Trophy winner has failed to reach double digits in his last two starts, but he was an absolute monster to start the season. Despite his recent struggles, he is still quarterback #8 on the season, and sitting him could turn into a very bad decision.

My biggest concern doesn’t even come from Murray himself. He hasn’t turned the ball over much to this point of the season, and his rushing baseline makes him startable every week. The biggest issue is that just like Arizona surrenders a ton of fantasy points to QB’s.

San Francisco stifles the position every week. They are 31st in terms of points allowed at the position, which is just behind the Patriots. The team only allows an average of 7.1(!)  points per game to QB’s. That is an insane number.

The only hesitation I have is I expect the 49er’s to pile on points here. That mean Murray will be throwing all game long to keep up. That is doubly true because the status of David Johnson is up in the air and Chase Edmonds has already been ruled out. That could lead to a game where the Cardinals don’t end up having much success, but a bunch of meaningless numbers from Murray could lead to a good day in terms of fantasy.

A few weeks ago, Jameis Winston had six turnovers and still amassed 17 fantasy points. I am not saying Murray is going to go full nuclear meltdown mode like Jameis, but bad games can still turn into good fantasy days.

I personally am a fantasy owner of Murray, and I have been hesitating on rather I should make a move or not. I finally decided to go with my head and bench Murray. I am just too scared at the possibility of a dud outcome in a must win week, and I think there are safer options out there.