Start or Sit These Players on Monday Night to Win Week 9 Fantasy

I will be with you every step of the way with recommendations on who to start and who to sit for every Monday Night Football matchup. Without further ado, let’s make the moves required to wrap up your Week 9 victory.

Quarterback

Start or Sit These Players on Monday Night to Win Week 9 Fantasy

Justin Fields – Chicago Bears

Justin Fields completed 19-of-27 passes for 175 yards, one touchdown, and one interception in the Bears’ Week 8 loss to the 49ers. In addition to his work through the air, Fields added 10 runs for 103 yards and a touchdown.

The play of the day, and of his young career, was his touchdown run. On 4th-and-1 he appeared to make 11 San Francisco defenders miss on route to his 22 yard score. The rushing component to his game is what makes him such a sought after fantasy asset, especially in the dynasty format.

This was the first time that we really have seen the Bears let the rookie run. Bears coach Matt Nagy missed the game due to COVID-19 protocols, and one has to wonder if his play calling is holding Fields back. Justin Fields could become fantasy-viable if he maintains that level of rushing volume, but the question is will he? Until we have some clarity, Fields remains on my bench in all league formats.

Ben Roethlisberger – Pittsburgh Steelers

Ben Roethlisberger completed 22-of-34 pass attempts for 266 yards and a touchdown in the Steelers’ Week 8 win against the Browns. The line itself isn’t overly sexy, but its one that we have become accustomed to at this stage of Big Ben’s career.

Ben has completed 25.8 percent of his pass attempts of 20 yards or more, the second lowest rate in the league. Only Detroit Lions’ QB Jared Goff has been worse. Ben makes his living around the line if scrimmage these days with quick passes to his wide receivers and tight end as well as checking down and dumping it off to his running backs. He will take the odd deep shot, but it is no longer a significant component to his game.

Roethlisberger enters the week as QB28, averaging 13.41 points a game, and he is seeking his first outing over 15.22 points all season. To be clear, Ben has been bad this season and it appears that the long list of injuries this man has endured throughout his Hall of Fame career have finally caught up with him. Big Ben is nothing more than a desperation plug and play QB2 in 2QB and Superflex leagues. He is on my bench this week and in standard 1QB formats should be dropped.

Running Back

Start or Sit These Players on Monday Night to Win Week 9 Fantasy

Khalil Herbert – Chicago Bears

Khalil Herbert rushed 23 times for 72 yards, and he had -4 yards on two catches in the Bears’ Week 8 loss to the 49ers. It was his first sub-10 PPR game since he has taken over as the Bears’ top back.

This week, Herbert and the Bears face a Steelers defense that is 6th best against the opponents RB through 8 weeks. The Steelers are giving up 94 rushing yards a game and have only yielded two touchdowns to backs on the ground this season.

We have seen Herbert beat top run defenses this season, most notably his Week 7 performance against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers when he ran for 100 yards on 18 carries. Upside is what keeps Herbert in my lineups this week. I have Herbert ranked 21st this week and will be starting him as a RB2.

Najee Harris – Pittsburgh Steelers