Bye weeks are shaking up lineups in Week 9, and several key players face matchups that could make or break fantasy weeks. From a hobbled Kyler Murray facing off against a reeling Cowboys secondary, to Kyle Pitts’ continued revenge tour, we highlight clear spots to exploit and others to avoid. Here are Week 9’s Best and Worst Matchups for fantasy football:
Quarterback
Best: QB Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals
Kyler Murray heads to AT&T Stadium in Week 9 with plenty of reason for optimism. The Cardinals signal-caller has gone 9-0 in Dallas, and this week he faces a Cowboys secondary that’s been shredded all season, allowing the most passing yards (2,185), touchdowns (20), and fantasy points per game (25.7) to quarterbacks.
Murray’s rushing upside adds an extra boost to his floor, and the loss of Trevon Diggs makes the matchup even more appealing. Even if Jacoby Brissett were to start (although all reports indicate Murray’s return), he’s shown he can produce, averaging nearly 300 passing yards and over 20 fantasy points in his two starts. Murray is firmly in QB1 territory this week, while Brissett is a more than capable streamer if Murray ends up not able to go.
Worst: QB Bo Nix, Denver Broncos
Bo Nix has been a fantasy force lately, putting up 40 and 24.8 points in his last two outings for Denver. Yet Week 9 brings a harsh reality check: he faces Houston’s suffocating pass defense. The Texans allow just 11.5 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks, the lowest in the league, and they rank among the stingiest teams in passing yards and touchdowns allowed.
Nix’s rushing ability gives him a slightly higher floor, but his passing production is unlikely to thrive against a unit that has surrendered only six passing touchdowns through seven games. Similar to Dak last week, Nix isn’t a must-start despite his recent production, and managers should consider more favorable options if they are available.
Running Back
Best: RB Kimani Vidal, Los Angeles Chargers
Kimani Vidal bounced back in a big way last week after a quiet outing against the Colts, torching Minnesota for 117 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries. That performance erased any doubt about his hold on the Chargers’ backfield while Omarion Hampton remains sidelined.
Fantasy managers shouldn’t expect another post-breakout dip here — Tennessee ranks bottom seven in rushing yards allowed and gives up the second-most fantasy points per game (26.4) to running backs. With Hassan Haskins barely factoring in, Vidal is locked in as a strong RB2 play against a vulnerable Titans defense.
Worst: RB Rico Dowdle, Carolina Panthers
Rico Dowdle’s Week 8 start unraveled quickly, but the blame doesn’t fall completely on him. Carolina’s offense sputtered under Andy Dalton after Bryce Young exited the game, leaving Dowdle with just a handful of chances despite averaging an impressive 6.8 yards per carry.
His role could rebound if Bryce Young suits up, but even then, expectations should stay modest. Chuba Hubbard outpaced Dowdle in snaps and handled the lone goal-line opportunity last week, converting it for a touchdown. Now, Dowdle faces a Green Bay defense allowing the third-fewest fantasy points to running backs. With a time-share expected again this week, Dowdle will be facing an uphill battle for significant fantasy production.
Wide Receiver
Best: WR Marvin Harrison Jr., Arizona Cardinals
Marvin Harrison Jr. has cooled off slightly, with just two catches in back-to-back games, but the big-play ability remains. Over the past three contests — two with Jacoby Brissett at quarterback — five of his eight receptions have gone for 20-plus yards. Arizona heads into Week 9 aiming to get Harrison more involved, and he faces a Dallas secondary that has allowed a league-high 15 receiving touchdowns and 28 catches of 20+ yards this season.
That combination of volume and deep-ball opportunity gives Harrison clear WR2 upside with touchdown potential. If the Cardinals commit to feeding their top wideout, Harrison could quickly turn a slow start out of the bye into a fantasy-impactful performance against the Cowboys.
Worst: WR Troy Franklin, Denver Broncos
Troy Franklin showed his upside in Week 8, hauling in eight catches for 89 yards and two scores against a leaky Cowboys defense. He’s been targeted nearly as often as Courtland Sutton, but his production has been inconsistent — Franklin finished under 20 receiving yards in three of the five games between his standout performances.
That volatility makes him a risky fantasy option on a week-to-week basis. This Sunday, he faces a Texans defense that has allowed just three receiving touchdowns to wideouts, tied for the second-fewest in the NFL. Against such a stingy unit, managers should approach Franklin cautiously and prioritize more proven options in their lineups.
Tight End
Best: TE Kyle Pitts Sr., Atlanta Falcons
Kyle Pitts continues to cement himself as Atlanta’s top receiving option and a (surprisingly) reliable fantasy tight end. Last week, he led the Falcons with nine catches for 59 yards against Miami, marking his fourth game of the season with 50-plus receiving yards. Pitts has scored at least 13 PPR points in three of Atlanta’s last four contests and has seen fewer than five targets in all but one game this season.
Week 9 brings a matchup with New England, a defense that just allowed 10 catches for 99 yards and two touchdowns to Browns tight ends, and ranks fifth in fantasy points allowed to the position. Pitts should feast yet again, and is firmly in TE1 territory across formats.
Worst: TE Hunter Henry, New England Patriots
Hunter Henry has quietly faded after a strong start to the season. The veteran tight end had three double-digit fantasy performances in the first four weeks but has failed to reach eight PPR points in each of his last four games. New England’s offense has shifted. Stefon Diggs is back to top form, Kayshon Boutte has emerged as a weapon, and Austin Hooper consistently draws second looks and red-zone opportunities.
Henry still has touchdown potential from Drake Maye, but his floor is extremely low. This week, he faces a Falcons defense that has allowed just 12 receptions to tight ends all season and the fewest fantasy points at the position. Look elsewhere if you can.
