Kyler Murray and 3 More Quarterbacks to Start in Fantasy Football Week 9
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Eight weeks into the NFL season, most managers have their established starters at the quarterback position in fantasy football.
But with bye weeks in full swing, including the Philadelphia Eagles and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Jalen Hurts and Baker Mayfield managers may be seeking replacements. Week 9 offers several favorable matchups and sneaky upside plays, and picking the right QB could be the edge that swings your matchup.
Below are several options to weigh with analysis on each:
Check out the quarterbacks to sit in Week 9.
Kyler Murray (Cardinals) @ Cowboys
Murray missed Weeks 6 and 7 with a foot sprain. However, he’s expected to return in Week 9 vs. the Cowboys after the Cardinals' Week 8 bye. The veteran quarterback has struggled thus far, even when healthy, but he has a prime opportunity to bounce back with the best possible matchup. Dallas’ defense allows the most fantasy points to opposing QBs per game. Furthermore, they allow the second-most passing yards per game (258.6). Murray returns near his hometown of Bedford, Texas, for this matchup, as well. I expect him to look like his vintage self as he plays in the stadium where he won three consecutive high school state championships.
Just a reminder Kyler Murray is 9-0 at AT&T stadium and we play them next week pic.twitter.com/PWLzYochuv
— 🧈 (@ButterAubrey) October 26, 2025
Matthew Stafford (Rams) vs. Saints
Stafford has been a regular on this list and for good reason. He leads the NFL in touchdown passes and is coming off a bye week in which he threw 5 TD passes. The veteran faces the Saints, who have been solid against the pass statistically. They give up an average of just 196 passing yards per game. However, they still rank inside the top 10 in terms of fantasy points allowed to the position. New Orleans has been more susceptible to the run, but the Rams' rushing attack has sputtered at times this season. The bottom line is that Stafford is a high-volume passer, even at 37 years old. Star wide receiver Puka Nacua is also expected back this week.
Matthew Stafford completed 13-of-19 pass attempts against the blitz for 97 yards and 5 touchdowns in the Rams’ win over the Jaguars. His 5 TDs against the blitz are tied for the most in a game by a quarterback in the NGS era (since 2016), according to @NextGenStats. pic.twitter.com/PEVnJ04Vis
— Los Angeles Rams PR (@TheLARamsPR) October 27, 2025
Joe Flacco (Bengals) vs. Bears
Flacco has surprisingly been fantasy relevant even since joining the Bengals. He has thrown for multiple touchdowns in all three of his starts for Cincinnati. That trend should continue at home vs. the Bears this week. Although they’ve been better recently, the Bears allow the seventh-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks and the 10th most passing yards per game (225.6). Flacco has scored at least 24 fantasy points in back-to-back games against the Steelers and Jets, where he has thrown for a combined 565 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions. He should start with confidence in Week 9.
Joe Flacco to Tee Higgins 44-yard TD!
— NFL (@NFL) October 26, 2025
NYJvsCIN on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/LvyYhM9lZC
Sam Darnold (Seahawks) @ Commanders
Darnold is averaging just 29 drop-backs per game, which ranks 30th in the NFL. However, he’s been very efficient and fairly consistent. He has high potential to boom in Week 9, as the Seahawks play the Commanders. Washington allows the eight most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks and gives up two passing scorers per game. Darnold’s most recent performance vs. the Texans was disappointing, but that was against one of the league’s top pass defenses. He has a much better matchup in Week 9 and should pick back up where he left off.
Darnold to JSN for six!
— NFL (@NFL) October 21, 2025
HOUvsSEA on ESPN
Stream on @NFLPlus and ESPN App pic.twitter.com/aJpXXnq4Wk
Check out our Week 9 quarterback rankings and waiver wire adds.
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Michael Rovetto previously served as the staff writer for University of Maryland Athletics for nearly two years. There, he wrote, edited and managed all editorial content for all 20 of Maryland's varsity sports on umterps.com. Rovetto is recognized as a College Sports Communicators district award-winning writer. Many of his stories have also appeared on NCAA.org, garnering national attention. Before graduating from Maryland's Philip Merrill College of Journalism in December 2023, Rovetto wrote for PressBox and Terrapin Sports Central, covering Maryland men's basketball and football. He also has experience in broadcasting, previously working as an analyst and camera operator for Big State Sports, and communication, interning for Shell Shock TBT as its Director of Communication & Content Development.