LAST-MINUTE Week 9 Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em, Advice, Actives/Inactives & Q/A! (11/02 Fantasy Football Podcast)

Summary

Fantasy Football Today: LAST-MINUTE Week 9 Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em, Actives/Inactives & Advice (11/02/25)

Main Theme

This episode of Fantasy Football Today dives deep into the LAST-MINUTE Week 9 lineup decisions with the CBS Sports FFT crew. The focus is on crucial Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em advice, active/inactive updates, injury impacts, and rapid-fire Q&A. The hosts tackle the week’s trickiest situations at quarterback, running back, wide receiver, and tight end—helping managers make informed choices ahead of kickoff.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Quarterback Carousel & Rankings

Major Points:

• QB Injuries and Surprises: Notable shakeups with Mac Jones starting for the 49ers, Joe Flacco possibly starting injured, Michael Penix for the Falcons, and KYLER MURRAY NOT STARTING (but possibly having a limited role), with Jacoby Brissett starting for Arizona (00:48–02:00).
• Top Options & Upside Plays: Seven “lock” QBs for top-12 finishes, with Brissett and Flacco projected as fringe QB1s assuming they play the whole game.
• Risky vs. Safe Options: Brissett and Flacco have big upside due to matchups, but also a lot of risk. Mac Jones is considered a solid option just behind them.

Notable Quotes:

“If I project Flacco and Brissett to play the entire game, they both project as top-12 quarterbacks. That probably sounds really strange with Jacoby Brissett, but he has the dream matchup against the Cowboys.” — Analyst (02:00)

"My current assumption is that Kyler Murray is probably not going to play." — Analyst (02:45)

Timestamps:

• QB News Updates: 00:48–02:00
• QB Tiering Logic: 02:00–03:15

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2. Running Back Committee Chaos

Major Points:

• Uncertainty with Donovan Knight: Once a recommended RB, risk now with “hot hand” usage and Amari DiMercado’s return. Knight’s value dips to a high-end flex. (03:23–04:46)
• Clearer Starts:
  • Kyle Manangai – Must-start (RB13 in rankings), prime matchup versus Cincinnati (“they give up the most fantasy points to running backs”).
  • Trevion Henderson – Also startable but slight risk due to possible committee with Tennessee.
• Other RB News: Rico Dowdle to start for Carolina, but faces a tough matchup against Green Bay’s run D.

Notable Quotes:

"I, he's not a, he's a high-end flex for me. I've got him ahead of Pollard ... but behind Kareem Hunt, behind Rico Dowdle, behind Trevion Henderson, and definitely behind Kyle Manangai who everybody should know by this point is just a must-start running back." — Analyst (04:46–05:06)

“This is what we've been waiting for. Hopefully he [Treveon Henderson] takes the opportunity and runs with it." — Analyst (05:17)

Timestamps:

• RB Uncertainty: 03:23–04:46
• RB Rankings & Must-Starts: 04:46–06:29

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3. Wide Receiver & Tight End Decisions

Major Points:

• Drake London Update: Expected to play—startable as a low-end WR2, but target share dip with Darnell Mooney healthy. (07:12–07:43)
• Parker Washington & Brian Thomas Jr.: Washington a speculative pickup; Thomas right behind London as a low WR2/high flex. (07:43–07:59)
• In/Out Updates:
  • Cooper Kupp unlikely to play; bump for Rams WRs.
  • Christian Kirk, Nico Collins, Dalton Schultz will play.
  • Cole Kmet active—downgrade for Colston Loveland.
  • Brock Bowers & Jacoby Myers active; Myers slightly ahead of other Raiders WRs.
  • Daniel Bellinger out; if desperate, start Theo Johnson over Loveland.
• Defensive Injuries: Several key defenses (Pittsburgh, San Francisco, Giants) are “beat up” and exploitable for opposing offenses. (08:48–09:10)

Notable Quotes:

"He's a low-end wide receiver two for me. But I think everybody's probably starting him [Drake London]." — Analyst (07:16)

"I've got Nico as a top 20 guy so yeah, I'm starting him as a number two wide receiver." — Analyst (08:08)

"If you have to put him in your flex, feel good: Juwan Jennings. ... Has a 25% target share in their last two games." — Analyst (09:10)

Timestamps:

• WR/Tight End Discussion: 07:12–09:10

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4. Lightning Round Listener Q&A

Major Points:

• RB Ranks (Chat Q): Tyrone Tracy > Kareem Hunt > Bam Knight > Woody Marks. (10:05)
• Menangai vs. Chase Brown: Prefer Manangai (10:14–10:20)
• Parker Washington as Flex: Viable, but “just a flex, not more.” (10:33–10:38)
• Keon Coleman: “In the flex group with Xavier Worthy, Juwan Jennings, and Quentin Johnston. There’s hope, but no floor.” (10:38–11:02)
• Lawrence vs. Darnold: Split opinions—Lawrence slightly higher ranked, but Darnold a strong start in bad pass defense matchup (11:49–12:16)

Notable Quotes:

"Tracy's the clear number one ... Kareem Hunt would be next. Bam Knight, then Woody Marks." — Analyst (10:05)

“Parker Washington is a flex.” — Host (10:36)

"It's Darnold for me. I'm high on Darnold. This is one of the worst pass defenses in football." — Host (11:57)

Timestamps:

• Q&A Segment: 09:29–12:16

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “If I project Flacco and Brissett to play the entire game, they both project as top-12 quarterbacks. That probably sounds really strange with Jacoby Brissett, but he has the dream matchup against the Cowboys.” (02:00)
• “Everybody should know by this point [Kyle] Manangai is just a must-start running back.” (05:06)
• “Cooper Kupp unlikely to play ... [so] Parker Washington someone you could speculate on.” (07:43)
• “Juwan Jennings ... has a 25% target share in their last two games ... I’m getting a little bit excited about Jennings.” (09:10)
• “It's Darnold for me. I'm high on Darnold. This is one of the worst pass defenses in football.” (11:57)

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Segment Timestamps

• Quarterback news & rankings: 00:48–03:15
• Running back ranks & advice: 03:23–06:29
• Wide receiver/tight end recommendations: 07:12–09:10
• Defense notes & flex plays: 09:10–09:29
• Listener Q&A and flex debates: 09:29–12:16

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Summary Table: Rapid Start/Sit Index

| Player/Option | Verdict | Notes | |------------------------------------------|------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------| | Jacoby Brissett (QB) | Fringe QB1/Start | High upside, risky, great matchup vs. DAL | | Kyle Manangai (RB) | Must-Start RB | RB13, best matchup, Green light | | Drake London (WR) | Start (Low WR2) | Slight concern re: target share, but health reestablished | | Nico Collins (WR) | Start (WR2) | Top 20 play vs. Denver | | Parker Washington (WR) | Deep Flex | Speculative; bumps up with Kupp out | | Juwan Jennings (WR) | Deep Flex | 25% target share, promising vs. depleted defenses | | Donovan "Bam" Knight (RB) | High Flex | Risk of committee with DiMercado return | | Rico Dowdle (RB) | Flex | Tough matchup vs. GB | | Colston Loveland (TE) | Avoid | Kmet returning, limited usage | | Lawrence vs. Darnold (QB) | Both viable | Lawrence safer; Darnold more upside |

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Tone & Language

• Friendly, fast-paced, conversational
• Hosts openly debate and banter; moments of humor (e.g., “I don’t know if anyone cares but I dropped Kendrick Bourne for Parker Washington...” – 09:29)
• Analytical but approachable, keeping advice practical for all skill levels

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For Listeners Who Missed It

This episode cut straight to the crucial last-minute fantasy decisions for Week 9—rankings shakeups at quarterback and running back, the latest injury updates, and rapid start/sit calls. If you’re scrambling with roster questions or considering a risky flex play, the FFT crew broke down every angle—whether you’re looking to maximize upside or avoid lineup landmines. The hosts’ banter, data-driven takes, and direct Q&A provided listeners with all they need to make sharp lineup decisions heading into Sunday.

Transcript

[A]

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[B]

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[C]

You know, there are seven quarterbacks that I feel really wonderful about. They should definitely be top 12 quarterbacks. There are 10 more quarterbacks who could be top 12 quarterbacks. Just looking at the projections, if I project Flacco and Brissette to play the entire game they both project as top 12 quarterbacks. That probably sounds really strange with Jacoby Brissette, but he's been awesome in two starts and he has the dream matchup against the Cowboys. They are 10 and 11 in terms of the projections. Right now I'm ranking them at 12 and 13. There's Mac Jones is right behind them in the projections. Great matchup for him. I think the, the guys that are the pain point for me are Caleb Williams, Aaron Rodgers, Trevor Lawrence, Jackson Dart, Daniel Jones. I, I think it's a risk reward. I think Brissette and Flacco have more upside than those guys, but they also have significantly more risk because we have no idea really what's going on in Arizona. My current assumption is that Kyler Murray is probably not going to play.

[B]

Yeah. Who do you. You said they're 12 and 13, I think. Or who's ahead, Flacco or Brissette?

[C]

I have Brissette one spot ahead of Flacco.

[B]

All right, so I'm not going to ask you on this show, but at we have a show from 11 and 1. You're on what started at 12:40, 11:45.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

I'll ask you why Daniel Jones is not ahead of all those guys. He's got a great matchup against a Steelers secondary that is totally ripped apart right now and he's been terrific this year. We'll get into that later, but watch the show 11 to 1 YouTube.com fantasy football today we'll be answering your starter sit questions. All right, running back, I really wanted to recommend Donovan Knight. I've been answering a lot of starter sit questions this morning and I, I just feel uncertain about this. I don't know why Jonathan Gannon would say we're going to ride the hot hand. You know, Donovan Knight's going to start. Sometimes coaches say that and it doesn't mean much, but what do you think about Donovan Knight?

[C]

So he was a top 20 running back for me at the beginning of the week. He is currently RB25. I think that the, the hot hand thing is a risk because none of these running backs are the type of guy that just get to keep going if they average three yards per carry in the first half. So I, he could definitely lose series. And then the bigger thing is Amari D. Mercado is also going to play. Right. So does he just go back to his third down role? If they get into a two minute situation, is there any chance that bam, Knight's on the floor or on the field?

[B]

No, I don't think so that's either going to be Carter or D. Mercado. I would think that, you know, so.

[C]

I, I, he's not a, he's a high end flex for me. I've got him ahead of Pollard, ahead of Rashad Smith, ahead of Bill, ahead ahead of Woody Marks but behind Kareem Hunt, behind Rico Dowdle, behind Trevion Henderson and definitely behind Kyle Menangai who everybody should know by this point is just a must start running back.

[B]

Right. Okay, so Manangai and Henderson, how high are you on those guys?

[C]

I've got Manangai at 13, Henderson at 19. So I'm, I'm starting both over the guys. We just talk just a little bit of risk that Mike Rabel hates Treveon Henderson so much that he gives more work to Terrell Jennings and Dearness Johnson. But this is what we've been waiting for. Hopefully he takes the opportunity and runs with it. Yeah.

[B]

And, and for Manangai it's Cincinnati gives up the most fantasy points to running backs.

[C]

They see the second and Roshan Johnson's out as well. So it's just Manangai and Travis Homer.

[B]

Okay. And they're gonna see the second most running back carries per game in the NFL. I'm so excited to start Kyle Banangai this week, so. Yeah, well, I don't have him. I'm so excited for all of you to start Kyle Menangai. All right. And then Joe Person of the Athletic says that Rico Dowdle is going to start and get the bulk of the carries which is great. Unfortunately Green Bay has a very good run defense. They give up 3.8 yards per carry to running backs. They allow the atheist receiving yards per game to running backs. And Carolina's got a pretty beat up offensive line so I think I heard him kind of behind Henderson, Rico Dowdle. Right. But ahead of night that's where I'm at.

[C]

Yes, I've got him of course behind the Nangai, behind Henderson. I've still, I'd still rather start Chase Brown than Rico Dowdle but he is right now just ahead of Ken Walker, just ahead of David Montgomery.

[B]

All right, we're going to take a break and we'll talk about wide receivers, tight ends and more after this on FFT Express.

[D]

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[B]

Right, we still got a lot to talk about. How did we used to do this show in five minutes?

[C]

I don't know.

[B]

Drake London expected to play. You're good starting him. Starting him?

[C]

Yeah. I'm a little bit concerned just because I I don't know that he's 100 healthy and the target share hasn't been as dominant when Darnell Mooney's been healthy. So he's a low end wide receiver too for me. But I think everybody's probably starting him.

[B]

Okay. Yeah. And would you. So we start Kyle Menangai over over Drake London.

[C]

Definitely a non PPR and half ppr. I also wouldn't full PPR Travion Henderson or Drake London. I would go with London.

[B]

Okay. Travis Hunter's on IR. Parker Washington someone you could speculate on but you know best week of practice.

[C]

Liam Cohen has seen from Brian Thomas Jr. So he is right behind Drake London for me in that low end wide receiver too high inflex range.

[B]

Cooper cup unlikely to play. Christian Kirk and Nico Collins will play. Dalton Schultz is expected to play. Are you okay with Nico Collins this week against against Denver?

[C]

I've got Nico as a top 20 guy so yeah, I'm starting him as a number two wide receiver.

[B]

Cole Commit will play. What does this mean for Colson Loveland?

[C]

I was never quite as high on Colston Loveland because it's just entirely a matchup thing and there's nothing in Loveland's usage that would suggest you would want to start him with commit back. I'm pretty much out.

[B]

Okay. Brock Bowers and Jacoby Myers are going to play. Who's your favorite wide receiver for the Raiders today?

[C]

I'm going with Myers over Trey Tucker. But not neither of them are more than a number three.

[B]

Daniel Bellinger is out. Would you start Colson Loveland or Theo Johnson if you were in a pitch pinch?

[C]

Theo.

[B]

And then just some defenses that you should know about that are really beat up. Pittsburgh's defense, very injured. You know they're going to be probably easy to run on, easy to pass on, whatever the Colts want to do. San Francisco has injuries on the defensive line, a number of them and the Giants are going to be pretty sure without three cornerbacks.

[C]

I think a guy that I still don't really have ranked as a starter but you should feel good if you have to put him in your flex is Juwan Jennings. They are also talking about how he's getting healthier, has a 25% target share in their last two games. Bourne is a fine like what the heck flex too but I'm getting a little bit excited about Jennings.

[B]

Yeah, right. I, I, you know, I don't know if anyone cares but I dropped Parker. I dropped Kendrick Bourne for Parker Washington. It was more of a long term thing. I feel like at some point Pierce all and Iuk will be back but I could see that being a mistake for this week. I just think this passing game for the, for the Niners should be a lot better than what it's been the last couple weeks against Atlanta and Houston. All right, let's go to the chat here. I would not ever refer to me as as this. I'm not even going to read it out loud but rank these guys. Tyrone Tracy, Woody Marks, Bam Knight, Kareem Hunt.

[C]

So Tracy's the clear number one here for me. He's the only one of this group that's in my top 20 running backs. Kareem Hunt would be next. Bam Knight, then Woody Marks.

[B]

Okay, how about we go to Kyle Menangai or Chase Brown?

[C]

I'm going Manangai, Start two here.

[B]

Jordan Mason, Bam Knight, Kyle Menangai, Manangai and Night Parker Washington is a great flex. I don't know. I, I don't, I don't know. I don't.

[C]

I think there's just one too many words there.

[B]

Yeah, exactly.

[C]

Parker Washington is a flex.

[B]

Yeah. Keon Coleman. You like Keon Coleman this week?

[C]

I, I wouldn't say I like him. He's definitely in that same group as Xavier Worthy and Juwan Jennings and Quentin Johnston. There's the types of guys you put in your flex spot and you have opt reasons for hope but there's, there's not any floor with that group.

[B]

How about Jacori Crosby, Merit or Chimeri? DK ppr.

[C]

I think I still have Bill ranked higher. So in full PPR I've got him projected for 9.8 points and DK I have at eight and a half.

[B]

Okay. Parker Washington, Alec Pierce, Nick Chubb or Kendrick Bourne?

[C]

I would still go. Born out of that group this week.

[B]

Taije Spears, R.J. harvey. Bill or Horton PPR.

[C]

It'd be Bill for me.

[B]

Okay, how about. Yeah. Any bump for Horton by the way, with cup out. Likely out.

[C]

Yes, yes. It's just that he's got a long. Like it's a bump, but he's coming from a long ways back.

[B]

Yeah, I'm sorry.

[C]

Good. No good.

[B]

Brian Thomas Jr. Or McConkey lad? And last one. Lawrence or Darnold, please? Lawrence or Darnold, please?

[C]

It would be Lawrence for me.

[B]

It's Darnold for me. I'm high on Darnold. I. This is the. One of the worst pass defenses in football. Lawrence, though, he's. He's been good lately, no doubt. And, you know, this is another bad defense that he's facing. So it's a good match.

[C]

They're not like, it's not a big difference. They're. They're both between like 16 and 19.

[B]

It's like we've said it's a good week for quarterback, so that's usually some weeks. Lawrence versus Darnold, you'd be like, oh, this week, hopefully you're gonna have two good players there. All right, we'll talk to you at 11am Eastern. YouTube.com fantasy football today. Thanks to Heath. Thanks to all of you for watching and listening. We'll talk to you next time.

[D]

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