Last week was a full-blown Byepocalypse, with six teams vanishing into the darkness. Week 9? The bye-week curse strikes again! This time it’s coming for the Browns, Buccaneers, Eagles, and Jets. Oh, and it’s Halloween weekend… so brace yourself, because things could get spooky out there. Fear not, my fantasy ghouls and goblins, I’ve got your back. I’m diving into the most haunting Start/Sit decisions of the week, pulled straight from the FootClan using the Fantasy Footballers’ Start/Sit tool. Let’s raise the fantasy dead and chase down some Week 9 wins.
Jaxson Dart or Kyler Murray?
Kyler Murray has missed the last two games with a foot injury but returned to limited practice this week. The team expects him to start Monday night against the Dallas Cowboys. This matchup has shootout written all over it, with a Vegas total of 54.5 points. Dallas has been a dream matchup for fantasy QBs, allowing the most fantasy points to the position (26.2 per game). That’s exactly why Andy’s rolling with Kyler as his QB Start of the Week.
Jaxson Dart has quickly become everyone’s favorite waiver-wire QB pickup after good ol’ Russell Wilson got benched. He’s posted two top-5 finishes in the past four weeks and currently ranks as the QB6 in fantasy points per game over the last month. However, things just got trickier. Dart lost Cam Skattebo to a season-ending injury last week. That’s a massive blow to an offense already missing Malik Nabers since Dart’s very first start with the Giants. The silver lining? Dart’s legs are his cheat code. He’s already scored four rushing TDs on the season, trailing only Josh Allen and Jalen Hurts. This week, the Giants host the 49ers, who’ve been middle-of-the-pack against QBs, allowing 17.4 fantasy points per game to the position. And yes, before you ask, C.J. Stroud and the Texans did torch them last week. But context matters: San Francisco was missing four defensive linemen in that game. They are expected to get three of them back this week, which should help stabilize that front. Expect a tougher challenge for Dart now that the 49ers’ defense is close to full strength again.
Verdict: As much as I love the Jaxson Dart storyline, I’m rolling with Andy’s Start of the Week: Kyler Murray. You don’t bench your fantasy pieces against the Cowboys. End of story.
Kareem Hunt or Bam Knight?
With Isiah Pacheco sidelined, Kareem Hunt is expected to take over lead-back duties for Kansas City in Sunday’s AFC showdown against the Bills. While a massive yardage day isn’t likely, TD upside keeps him firmly in play. The matchup helps, too. Buffalo ranks 27th against opposing RBs, giving up 23.7 fantasy points per game to the position. Hunt’s volume and goal-line role make him a viable RB2/FLEX play for Week 9.
Need a spot start? Zonovan "BAM" Knight has a juicy matchup vs the Cowboys in Week 9
pic.twitter.com/Vb4qmpYBlW
— Fantasy Footballers (@TheFFBallers) October 28, 2025
Speaking of sidelined, Trey Benson should be returning next week for the Cardinals. This may be Bam Knight‘s final startable week. He’s Mike’s RB Start of the Week. Last week, the Cardinals were on bye, but before that, Bam had finished as the RB14 and RB24. That’s RB2 with upside. And as I pointed out with Kyler, when it comes to playing the Cowboys, start EVERYONE. Not only are they dead last against the passing attack, but they are also in the bottom five against the run – 29th in rushing yards allowed per game. Just look at what rookie R.J. Harvey did to them last week.
Verdict: Didn’t I tell you to start EVERYONE against the Cowboys? I meant it. I’m rolling with Bam Knight one more week.
Rico Dowdle or Bam Knight?
The Panthers say they want to get Rico Dowdle more involved, but actions speak louder than words, and Chuba Hubbard isn’t disappearing. Since Chuba’s return, touches have been split nearly 50/50, and even if Dowdle gets a slight edge, it’s hard to trust him as a confident start with that timeshare looming. To make matters worse, Carolina faces a brutal matchup against the Packers this week. Green Bay has allowed the second-fewest fantasy points to RBs (13.9 FPPG), slamming the door on opposing backfields all season.
Verdict: I told you—Bam Knight is the play this week. Dowdle’s RB1 and RB2 finishes came without Chuba in the mix, and that window’s closed. With the backfield now crowded and the matchup coffin-sealed, it’s time to ride with Bam.
Brock Bowers or Oronde Gadsden?
Bowers has risen from the grave—well, technically just from injury—but for fantasy managers, it feels like a resurrection. The Raiders have missed their star weapon badly, and you can bet they will waste no time getting him involved. He’s the focal point of this offense, and they know it. This week’s matchup against the Jaguars sets up nicely for Bowers to remind everyone why he’s that guy. According to Samuel DiSorbo’s NFL Team Performance Trends Week 9 article, the Jaguars have been “a weaker defensive team this season (-0.02 EPA/play). They have had a strong run defense, allowing just 0.84 points per touch to RBs in the last 5 weeks, but have been weaker against all other key positions.”
Hope you grabbed Gadsden! Guy is a beast
— Fantasy Footballers (@TheFFBallers) October 24, 2025
Last year, Brock Bowers was the breakout rookie TE. The past couple of weeks? Rookie Oronde Gadsden has been absolutely cooking. The rookie has been on fire: finishing as the TE4 last week and TE1 the week before. This week, he gets the nod as Jason’s Start Of The Week. The Chargers head to Tennessee to face a tough Titans defense that’s been stingy against TEs, ranking 8th in the league and giving up just 9.2 fantasy points per game to the position. They’ve already shut down Tyler Warren and Trey McBride in recent weeks.
Verdict: You didn’t wait all this time to bench Brock Bowers. He’s back, and he is locked into your lineup. Gadsden has been a fantastic fill-in while Bowers was on IR—so good, in fact, that he’s earned some flex consideration in the right matchups. But if you’re rostering both, it might be time to sell high on Gadsden (unless it’s dynasty). His production could dip once Omarion Hampton returns and the Raiders’ ground game gets rolling again.
As we creep into Week 9, every decision could be the difference between a trick or a treat. Keep an eye on those spooky matchups, stay alert for any injury scares, and always trust your gut (even if it’s crawling with doubt). Need help summoning the right lineup? Drop a comment below or hit me up on X. Use the Ballers’ Start/Sit tool and weekly rankings to exorcise those lineup demons. And don’t forget about Mike’s Sunday start/sit show! Now go haunt your opponents’ dreams this weekend.
from Fantasy Footballers Podcast https://ift.tt/15StTK8
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