{"id":252939,"date":"2025-10-31T08:30:10","date_gmt":"2025-10-31T12:30:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=252939"},"modified":"2025-11-29T11:28:33","modified_gmt":"2025-11-29T16:28:33","slug":"fantasy-football-wide-receivers-start-bench-week-9","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2025\/10\/31\/fantasy-football-wide-receivers-start-bench-week-9\/","title":{"rendered":"Fantasy Football: Wide Receivers To Start Or Bench Based On Matchups In Week 9"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Playing the matchups in fantasy football can make or break your success from week to week. These are matchups that you want to pay attention to in Week 9 for some big-name wide receivers who could blow up.<\/p>\n<h2>Week 9 Wide Receivers to Start or Bench<\/h2>\n<h3>Start: JAC WR Brian Thomas Jr. vs. LV CB Eric Stokes<\/h3>\n<figure id=\"attachment_250223\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-250223\" style=\"width: 640px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-250223\" src=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/10\/USATSI_27140039_168419650_lowres-1024x583.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"364\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/10\/USATSI_27140039_168419650_lowres-1024x583.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/10\/USATSI_27140039_168419650_lowres-300x171.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/10\/USATSI_27140039_168419650_lowres-768x438.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/10\/USATSI_27140039_168419650_lowres-1536x875.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/10\/USATSI_27140039_168419650_lowres.jpg 2015w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-250223\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo Credit: Doug Engle\/Florida Times-Union<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Both teams are coming off their bye weeks, so the extra rest and preparation should help the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/category\/nfl-teams\/jaguars\/\" target=\"_self\">Jaguars<\/a>, especially as HC Liam Coen continues to try and get BTJ going. This is the perfect time to get Thomas Jr. set on the right path, as Jacksonville will play five of its six division games post-bye week.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/category\/nfl-teams\/raiders\/\" target=\"_self\">Raiders<\/a> have not had the success they thought they might have so far this season, with just two wins and issues on offense and defense. The Jaguars\u2019 offense is a real threat after the bye week, and they simply do not have enough playmakers to contain this offense. It feels like it is now or never for BTJ.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><em><strong>For more fantasy football analysis, check out our <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2025\/10\/30\/fantasy-football-rankings-top-10-quarterbacks-week-9\/\" target=\"_self\">Week 9 Quarterback Rankings<\/a>!<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3>Sit: NO WR Chris Olave vs. LAR CB Cobie Durant<\/h3>\n<figure id=\"attachment_249527\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-249527\" style=\"width: 640px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-249527\" src=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/10\/USATSI_27030250_168419650_lowres-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Week 5 NFL Game Previews DFS Fantasy Football\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/10\/USATSI_27030250_168419650_lowres-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/10\/USATSI_27030250_168419650_lowres-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/10\/USATSI_27030250_168419650_lowres-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/10\/USATSI_27030250_168419650_lowres-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/10\/USATSI_27030250_168419650_lowres-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/10\/USATSI_27030250_168419650_lowres-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/10\/USATSI_27030250_168419650_lowres-1200x800.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-249527\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/category\/nfl-teams\/saints\/\" target=\"_self\">Saints<\/a> have officially made a switch at quarterback to rookie Tyler Shough. Shough replaced Spencer Rattler in the second half against the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/category\/nfl-teams\/buccaneers\/\" target=\"_self\">Buccaneers<\/a>. Shough finished the game 17-of-30 for 128 yards and an interception. For the nerds at home, Shough\u2019s yards per attempt were 4.3 yards. That does not bode well for Olave, who is great at stretching the field and making incredible catches. The <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/category\/nfl-teams\/rams\/\" target=\"_self\">Rams<\/a> have not been stellar in the secondary, but they could let loose against a rookie quarterback and a potentially conservative game plan. Look for other options other than Olave this week.<\/p>\n<p><!--nextpage--><\/p>\n<h3>Start: HOU WR Nico Collins vs. DEN CB Riley Moss<\/h3>\n<figure id=\"attachment_140183\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-140183\" style=\"width: 640px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-140183\" src=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2023\/04\/USATSI_19515312_168400539_lowres-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Texans Wide Receivers\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2023\/04\/USATSI_19515312_168400539_lowres-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2023\/04\/USATSI_19515312_168400539_lowres-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2023\/04\/USATSI_19515312_168400539_lowres-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2023\/04\/USATSI_19515312_168400539_lowres-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2023\/04\/USATSI_19515312_168400539_lowres-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2023\/04\/USATSI_19515312_168400539_lowres-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2023\/04\/USATSI_19515312_168400539_lowres-1200x800.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-140183\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Collins missed last week with a concussion, but he is trending towards playing this week against <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/category\/nfl-teams\/broncos\/\" target=\"_self\">Denver<\/a>. QB C.J. Stroud played well without Collins and WR2 Christian Kirk, racking up over 300 passing yards, and got the win. With Stroud gaining some confidence in what has been an underwhelming season so far for Houston, Collins could explode, as Denver will be without the 2024 Defensive Player of the Year, Patrick Surtain II, for several weeks.<\/p>\n<p>Riley Moss is a great complementary cornerback, but will he be up to the task of being the top corner? The Broncos could use more zone coverage while Surtain is out, which is Nico Collins\u2019 strong suit. Collins was ranked as the second-best receiver against zone last season, according to PFF. Do not be scared off by the \u201cDenver\u201d matchup. Go ahead and fire up Collins this week.<\/p>\n<h3>Sit: GB WR Matthew Golden vs. CAR CB Mike Jackson<\/h3>\n<figure id=\"attachment_252944\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-252944\" style=\"width: 640px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-252944\" src=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/10\/USATSI_27403504_168419650_lowres-1024x735.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"459\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/10\/USATSI_27403504_168419650_lowres-1024x735.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/10\/USATSI_27403504_168419650_lowres-300x215.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/10\/USATSI_27403504_168419650_lowres-768x551.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/10\/USATSI_27403504_168419650_lowres-1536x1103.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/10\/USATSI_27403504_168419650_lowres-2048x1470.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-252944\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Golden\u2019s production in his rookie year has still not flourished as many had hoped. Last week, Golden caught three passes for a measly four yards. The news does not get any better for fantasy managers as Christian Watson returned last week and instantly made an impact with four catches for 85 yards, showing the chemistry that had been built previously with Jordan Love.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/category\/nfl-teams\/panthers\/\" target=\"_self\">Carolina<\/a>\u2019s pass defense has not been too bad this season, surrendering just under 200 passing yards a game. The Panthers have been gashed on the ground a few times this season, including <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/category\/nfl-teams\/bills\/\" target=\"_self\">Bills<\/a> RB James Cook last week, who ran for over 200 yards. Josh Jacobs could be in for a big game in a run-heavy scheme. All the more reason to pivot from Golden this week.<\/p>\n<p><!--nextpage--><\/p>\n<h3>Start: DAL WR George Pickens vs. ARI CB Will Johnson<\/h3>\n<figure id=\"attachment_252428\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-252428\" style=\"width: 640px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-252428\" src=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/10\/USATSI_27309216-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"George Pickens NFL Wide Receiver Power Rankings\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/10\/USATSI_27309216-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/10\/USATSI_27309216-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/10\/USATSI_27309216-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/10\/USATSI_27309216-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/10\/USATSI_27309216-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/10\/USATSI_27309216-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/10\/USATSI_27309216-1200x800.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-252428\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo Credit: Scott Kinser-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Pickens has stayed productive since CeeDee Lamb returned two weeks ago. As one of the best contested catch receivers in the league, the former <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/category\/nfl-teams\/steelers\/\" target=\"_self\">Steeler<\/a> has been put in a position to succeed in this offense, and the numbers back that up. <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/category\/nfl-teams\/cowboys\/\" target=\"_self\">Dallas<\/a> will square off against the Cardinals on Monday Night Football, which has the potential to be a shootout with Kyler Murray more than likely returning to action this week.<\/p>\n<p>Pickens will have the advantage in one-on-one opportunities against the rookie corner Will Johnson. The <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/category\/nfl-teams\/cardinals\/\" target=\"_self\">Cardinals<\/a> are giving up about 235 passing yards a game this season, so this plays into the Dallas offensive game plan perfectly. Start Pickens without a shadow of doubt.<\/p>\n<h3>Sit: DEN WR Troy Franklin vs. HOU CB Kamari Lassiter<\/h3>\n<figure id=\"attachment_252945\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-252945\" style=\"width: 640px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-252945\" src=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/10\/USATSI_27426355-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"troy franklin Week 9 Wide Receivers to Start or Bench\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/10\/USATSI_27426355-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/10\/USATSI_27426355-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/10\/USATSI_27426355-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/10\/USATSI_27426355-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/10\/USATSI_27426355-2048x1366.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/10\/USATSI_27426355-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/10\/USATSI_27426355-1200x800.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-252945\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>One of the darlings of the waiver wire this week is surely to be Troy Franklin if he is not rostered in your league already. He is worth the pickup; however, this week could be challenging for him. Franklin has scored three touchdowns over the past two games, but <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/category\/nfl-teams\/texans\/\" target=\"_self\">Houston<\/a>\u2019s secondary is tough to throw the ball on. The Texans are giving up just 178 passing yards a game this season. Stash Franklin on your bench, and only plug him into your lineup if you are desperate.<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>For more great fantasy football analysis, check out <a href=\"https:\/\/drroto.com\/category\/blog\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">DrRoto.com<\/a>!<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Playing the matchups in fantasy football can make or break your success from week to week. These are matchups that you want to pay attention to in Week 9 for some big-name wide receivers who could blow up. Week 9 Wide Receivers to Start or Bench Start: JAC WR Brian Thomas Jr. vs. LV CB [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5637,"featured_media":252945,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[59,33917],"tags":[33747,2320],"class_list":["post-252939","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-fantasy","category-advice","tag-fantasy-football-advice","tag-nfl-schedule"],"modified_by":"Michael Kovacs, ADMIN","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/252939","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5637"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=252939"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/252939\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":252952,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/252939\/revisions\/252952"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/252945"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=252939"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=252939"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=252939"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}