Week 9 Fantasy Picks: Start ' Em, Sit 'Em for Broncos vs Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons (2-6) are in search of their first home win as they host the Denver Broncos (3-4) in Week 9 NFL action. In what is expected to be a closely contested matchup, the Falcons are 3.5-point favorites, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.

If you need help with your fantasy football lineups, here's some start 'em, sit 'em advice for the Week 9 Broncos-Falcons showdown.

Who Should I Start Fantasy Football

Start Jerry Jeudy, WR, Denver Broncos: Jerry Jeudy has proven over the past couple of weeks that he is the clear-cut WR1 on the Broncos' offense. He saw a career-high 10 targets last week and hauled in 4 of them for 73 yards. He draws a great matchup in Week 9 as he takes an Atlanta Falcons' secondary that has allowed 15-plus fantasy points to an opposing wide receiver in every game this season but one. In fact, the average reception by a wide receiver against the Falcons goes for 15.27 yards, which leads the league. Atlanta is allowing the second-most passing yards per game in the NFL (311.4) and Jeudy could easily see close to double-digit targets once again.

Start Matt Ryan, QB, Atlanta Falcons: Matt Ryan has not been the "set it and forget it" fantasy quarterback that he has been in the past, but he could shine this week as he takes on the Broncos' defense. Ryan's lack of passing touchdowns (12 through eight games) is uncharacteristic of the veteran has had at least 26 in each of the past two seasons. The Falcons rank No. 5 in the NFL with 10 team rushing touchdowns this season, but should attack the Broncos through the air this Sunday as Denver gives up 236.6 passing yards per game this season (No. 16 in the NFL). Ryan has completed 70-plus percent of his passes in three straight games now and should have a productive showing this week.

Sit Phillip Lindsay and Melvin Gordon, RBs, Denver Broncos: It seems that Phillip Lindsay and Melvin Gordon will be splitting work moving forward. This doesn't bode well for fantasy football managers as it is unknown every week who will see more touches. Last week, Gordon played in 55 percent of the offensive snaps, while Lindsay was close behind him playing in 45 percent. The game was highlighted by a 55-yard touchdown run by Lindsay in the third quarter, but Gordon saw more action in the passing game hauling in 6 receptions. The Broncos' backfield draws a decent matchup this week against a poor Falcons' rush defense, but it is just too risky to start either of these guys if you have safer options available.

Sit Atlanta Falcons D/ST: Some fantasy football managers may see the Atlanta Falcons D/ST as a solid streaming option this week, but it is best to avoid them if possible. While they are welcoming a west coast team to the east coast with a 1 p.m. start time, the Falcons defense has been anything but great this season. They are allowing 28.0 points per game this season (No. 22 in the NFL) as well as 410.6 total yards per game (No. 28 in the NFL). Drew Lock and the Broncos offense may not be as scary of some of the other teams the Falcons take on this season, but there is no reason to believe they can't put up some numbers this week inside the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

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Larry Rupp is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Larry Rupp also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username phillyfan424. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.