NFL: Miami Dolphins at Minnesota Vikings
Oct 4, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis (2) scrambles during the second quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
Miami Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis and Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold are my Week 9 fantasy football quarterback starts, with Detroit allowing the most fantasy points to quarterbacks and Arizona allowing the third-most.
New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough and Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud land on the sit side against Cleveland and the Los Angeles Chargers, which allow 14.9 and 15.6 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks, respectively.
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How did my Week 8 picks fare?
Fantasy football QB start-sit
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray (1) makes a pass against Detroit Lions | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
Three of last week’s four calls landed, and the lone miss came on Sunday night.
Kyler Murray (QB8 in Week 8) didn’t win at Detroit, but he gave fantasy managers what they needed in Minnesota’s 19-15 loss. He threw for 210 yards and two touchdowns with an interception, ran four times for 35 yards and added a two-point conversion pass to Jordan Addison.
Washington sacked Tanner McKee (QB22) five times in a 27-10 Commanders win, and the Eagles quarterback finished with 212 yards, no touchdowns, an interception and a lost fumble.
Both sit calls held up. Green Bay sacked Bryce Young (QB16) six times in a 27-19 win, and he was pressured on 22 dropbacks, tying a career high. Jared Goff (QB18) beat Minnesota with a late 7-yard touchdown pass to Jameson Williams, but he threw for only 176 yards with an interception.
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Week 9 QB start ’em: Malik Willis, Dolphins
Week 9 QB start: Malik Willis, Dolphins
Miami Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis (2) warms up before a game against the New York Jets | Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images
Week 9: vs. Detroit, 26.0 FP/game to QBs (32nd)
Week 8: vs. New England, 211 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
Willis played well enough to win in Sunday’s 24-19 loss to the Patriots. He completed 21 of 32 passes for 211 yards and two touchdowns, including a 35-yard strike to Kevin Coleman late in the fourth quarter. Afterward, he said Miami has to keep figuring out how we want to attack different schemes.
Detroit is the easiest matchup on the board. The Lions have allowed 2,084 passing yards and 18 touchdown passes in seven games with only five interceptions, and Murray threw two scores against them Sunday even though the Vikings managed 15 points.
The former Packers backup ran only once against New England, but he has three rushing touchdowns this season, which gives him a floor most streamers ranked near him don’t have. Willis is my QB11 and a streaming start in 1QB leagues.
MORE: Panthers hire new defensive coach after loss to Packers
Week 9 QB start ’em: Sam Darnold, Seahawks
Week 9 QB start: Sam Darnold, Seahawks
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) passes the ball against the Kansas City Chiefs | Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images
Week 9: vs. Arizona, 22.7 FP/game to QBs (30th)
Week 7: vs. Kansas City, 257 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Darnold hasn’t accomplished much this season. He has eight touchdown passes and eight interceptions, and he faces Chicago tonight before this matchup.
Still, Arizona has allowed 18 touchdown passes against three interceptions in eight games, and the Cardinals gave up 30 points to Dallas on Sunday. Their offense should also push Seattle to keep throwing, because Gardner Minshew II led touchdown drives on four straight series after replacing Jacoby Brissett in the 33-30 overtime win.
The Seattle quarterback also has Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who has 867 receiving yards this season. Darnold is my QB13 and a superflex start with QB1 upside in this spot.
MORE: Bold predictions for Monday Night Football in NFL Week 8
Week 9 QB sit ’em: Tyler Shough, Saints
Week 9 QB sit: Tyler Shough, Saints
New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough (6) throws a pass during the third quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Week 9: vs. Cleveland, 14.9 FP/game to QBs (6th)
Week 7: Pittsburgh in Paris, 278 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Shough’s volume keeps him in the conversation. He averages 39 pass attempts per game, and the Saints’ running game was so stuck in Paris that he led the team with 7 rushing yards. He’s also been playing with two broken bones in his left hand, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Cleveland’s pass defense has allowed 11 touchdown passes and intercepted six in eight games. The 5-3 Browns lost 27-6 at Pittsburgh on Sunday, but the Steelers did most of their damage with 200 rushing yards.
A one-dimensional New Orleans offense against a top-six defense versus quarterbacks caps Shough’s ceiling. He’s my QB18 and a sit in 1QB leagues.
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Week 9 QB sit ’em: C.J. Stroud, Texans
Week 9 QB sit: C.J. Stroud, Texans
Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) attempts a pass during the third quarter against the New York Giants | Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Week 9: at L.A. Chargers, 15.6 FP/game to QBs (8th)
Week 7: vs. N.Y. Giants, 153 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT
Stroud has protected the ball better than almost anyone, with 11 touchdown passes and one interception, and he ranks seventh in QBR. Volume has been the issue. He threw for a season-low 153 yards against the Giants before the bye, while Houston ran for 84 yards on 26 carries and Nico Collins finished with two catches for 6 yards.
The Chargers have allowed 1,454 passing yards and eight touchdown passes in seven games with six interceptions, and the 2-5 Texans head west without a run game that can take pressure off their quarterback.
Stroud is my QB19, a sit in 1QB leagues and a low-end superflex option.
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Matt De Lima
Matt De Lima brings 15+ years of elite sports media experience to the table. From covering the gridiron to the hardwood, this Virginia Tech graduate has established himself as a versatile editor and writer for heavy hitters like Sports Illustrated and DraftKings. A twice-nominated FSWA finalist, Matt combines a digital-first philosophy with an eagle eye for breaking news, consistently delivering the engaging coverage today’s audience demands across the NFL, NBA, MLB, and beyond.
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