Sit/Start 2025 Week 9: Reviewing All Fantasy Relevant Players in Every Game

Sit or Start recommendations for EVERY fantasy-relevant player in Week 9 of the 2025 NFL season!

Game Info

 

Kickoff: Sunday, November 2, 2025, 1 p.m. ET

Location: NRG Stadium, Houston, TX

Network: FOX

 

Denver Broncos

 

Quarterback

Bo Nix: SIT, QB2 (startable in Superflex)

Yep. You read that right. I labeled the guy who has eight combine touchdowns over the past two weeks a sit. But there is quite a difference in facing the Cowboys and the Giants, two of the top three matchups in fantasy for quarterbacks, and the Texans, the literal worst matchup. Bo Nix is obviously still a Superflex starter, but don’t say I didn’t warn you. The Texans haven’t given up eight total passing touchdowns all year.  

 

Running Back

J.K. Dobbins: START, RB2
RJ Harvey: FLEX, RB3

Despite facing a Texans defense that’s held all but one running back under 70 rushing yards, J.K. Dobbins is seeing enough volume to be started as a low-end RB2. RJ Harvey scored thrice but had just eight opportunities in Week 8. He’s a boom-or-bust flex play you’re hoping keeps the momentum going, but he’s facing the team from Texas that actually has a defense.  

 

Wide Receiver

Courtland Sutton START, WR2
Troy Franklin: FLEX, WR4
Marvin Mims: SIT

Pat Bryant: SIT

Courtland Sutton has been a steady Eddie this season, scoring 16 or more points in five of eight games and fewer than 10 just twice (both under three points though, gross). His only real competition for targets is Troy Franklin, who’s coming off back-to-back games with at least eight targets and coming down with two touchdowns over that span. Both are startable but will have their work cut out for them against a Texans team allowing the fourth fewest fantasy points to the position. Sutton is the much safer option, but Franklin does have some upside. Marvin Mims left Week 8 with a concussion and is unlikely to play in Week 9. Rookie receiver Pat Bryant caught the first touchdown pass of his career, but should be left on most waiver wires.

 

Tight End

Evan Engram: STREAMER

Dangerously close to consideration for membership in the gLoB. Evan Engram has four or more catches in five straight games, but he only has one game with double-digit fantasy points over that span. And guess what? He scored a touchdown that week. Houston gave up two touchdowns last week to tight ends, but they were the first since Week 1. The Texans have allowed just one tight end to gain over 43 receiving yards.

 

Defense/Special Teams

Denver Broncos: START

The Broncos lead the league in sacks by 10 and are one of seven teams allowing fewer than 20 points per game this season.

 

Houston Texans

 

Quarterback

C.J. Stroud: SIT

For some reason, all the struggling quarterbacks in bad matchups decided they didn’t really care in Week 8. C.J. Stroud had his first 300-yard game of the season against the 49ers, who held four of the previous seven quarterbacks faced to one or fewer passing touchdowns and three to under 200 passing yards. And this was without Nico Collins, who missed the game due to a concussion. It was encouraging for his season-long value, but he’s far from someone you can trust and is not worth starting against Denver. But if Stroud can come out and put up solid numbers against the Broncos’ defense, he’ll at least be in the conversation.

 

Running Back

Woody Marks: FLEX, RB3
Nick Chubb: SIT

Woody Marks is the only Texans running back you should consider starting for fantasy. Nick Chubb had his time as a stud RB, but the only two games he scored more than 10 fantasy points were games he was gifted a touchdown by the opposing defense. Marks has 12 or more fantasy points and at least four targets in three of his last four games. Denver isn’t a great matchup, but Marks is involved enough through the air to start at flex.

 

Wide Receiver

Nico Collins: START, WR2
Xavier Hutchinson: SIT
Christian Kirk: SIT
Jaylen Higgins: SIT
Jaylin Noel: SIT

Nico Collins has yet to clear concussion protocol, but did return to practice. If he’s active, you’re starting him, and he’ll get a boost by not being shadowed by reigning Defensive Player of the Year Patrick Surtain II, who is out multiple games with an injury suffered in Week 8. Jaylin Noel has put up back-to-back weeks of double-digit fantasy points with the extra opportunity that’s opened with Collins and Christian Kirk injured, but he’s set to play more than 43% of snaps. No Texans receiver not named Nico Collins is a viable option for fantasy.

 

Tight End

Dalton Schultz: SIT

Dalton Schultz‘s fantasy value came crashing back to earth after seeing six-plus targets in four straight games and scoring over 11 in two straight. Schultz has to work on his resume to be even considered for the gLoB.

 

Defense/Special Teams

Houston Texans: START

The Texans’ defense is allowing a league low 14.7 fantasy points per game and has at least one interception in five straight games.