By Week 9, the fantasy football grind is real — bye weeks, injuries and matchups separate contenders from pretenders.
Whether it’s a quarterback in rhythm, a running back on a roll, or a receiver trending up, here’s who earns a start and who’s better off on your bench.
Quarterbacks
Start: Lamar Jackson, Ravens vs Dolphins
Jackson faces a Miami defense that struggles against mobile quarterbacks. The Dolphins man coverage creates lanes for scrambles and Baltimore’s offense punishes over pursuit. Expect multiple touchdowns and at least 250 total yards.
Other locks:
— Dak Prescott vs Cardinals
— Jayden Daniels vs Seahawks
— Trevor Lawrence vs Raiders
Avoid: C.J. Stroud, Texans vs Broncos
Stroud’s poise is never in doubt, but Denver’s pass rush leads the league in sacks. The Texans of

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