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    Matthew Stafford Fantasy Hub: Week 9 Injury Update, Start ‘Em/Sit ‘Em Advice, Points Projections, and More

    Here's the latest Matthew Stafford fantasy football news and advice to help you with your lineups, including injury status, start-sit advice, trade insight, and more.

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    The Los Angeles Rams will face the Seattle Seahawks in Week 9. Here’s the latest fantasy football news and advice to help you with your lineups this week and moving forward, especially regarding QB Matthew Stafford.

    PFN Waiver Wire Assistant
    Use a blend of PFN's consensus rest-of-season and weekly rankings to figure out who to pick up on the waiver wire for your fantasy football teams!

    Is Matthew Stafford Playing in Week 9?

    Stafford is not listed on the injury report this week, so barring any setbacks, he is on track to play this weekend.

    We’ll continue to monitor the Rams’ injury report. You can also visit and bookmark our NFL Injury Tracker and Fantasy News Tracker for the latest updates.

    Should You Start or Sit Matthew Stafford in Week 9?

    The Seahawks’ defense has largely been able to shut down inept passing games while proving vulnerable against even semi-stable ones, making them a legitimate target now that the Rams have their impact receivers back and get the benefit of the mini-bye after beating the Vikings last Thursday night.

    Weeks 1 and 8 (with both star receivers):

    • 19.7 fantasy points per game
    • 71.1% complete
    • 6% touchdown rate
    • 77.9 pressured passer rating

    Weeks 2-7 (without at least one of his star receivers):

    • 8.1 fantasy points per game
    • 65.8% complete
    • 1.3% touchdown rate
    • 39.9 pressured passer rating

    It didn’t take long to see the impact health had on Stafford — 6.6 first-quarter fantasy points last week (three games prior: 5.7). Logic would state that the Cooper Kupp/Puka Nacua tandem is near impossible to guard man-to-man, and that makes Stafford’s production against zone with his favorite targets in the mix all that more meaningful as that is the most likely direction defenses go.

    Stafford’s EPA vs. zone:

    • Week 8: 11.75
    • Week 1: 0.81
    • Week 3: -1.22
    • Week 4: -2.23
    • Week 5: -2.51
    • Week 7: -3.29
    • Week 2: -12.88

    I could throw 1,000 more numbers at you, but I’ll spare you all of the nerding out. It goes without saying that Stafford’s limitations as a runner cap his ceiling (though he did look athletic in avoiding a sack before finding Kupp in the end zone last week). But with L.A.’s defense underwhelming, he’s going to be put in a position to produce big numbers from the pocket.

    Stafford is flirting with QB1 status this week for me, and you could certainly justify playing him over preseason MVP front-runners C.J. Stroud or Patrick Mahomes.

    Are you looking for start/sit advice for other players in your lineup? Read our Week 9 Fantasy Start-Sit Advice Cheat Sheet for every fantasy-relevant player in every game.

    Matthew Stafford’s Fantasy Points Projection in Week 9

    Stafford is projected to score 14.2 fantasy points in Week 9. This includes 234.4 passing yards, 1.3 passing touchdowns, and 0.7 interceptions. It also includes 1.1 rushing attempts for 1.7 yards and 0 touchdowns.

    Check out the free PFN Fantasy Start-Sit Optimizer for the latest projections and advice for your lineups this week.

    PFN Insights: Seattle Seahawks Defense

    The Seattle Seahawks padded their stats nicely in the early part of the season, but there were some warning signs that this defense might not last, which has proven to be the case. They have now ranked in the bottom half of teams in each of the last five weeks and have allowed 28 points or more in four of those games.

    The hope was that their ability to generate pressure without blitzing, which they rank fourth in this season, would see them improve as the year went on, but that has not been the case. Based on the way this is trending, this could be a bottom-10 unit before long. That could still be an improvement on last year’s 29th-ranked performance, but it would be a hollow “win.”

    For more insight on all other team defenses, head to our PFN Defense+ Metric Analysis.

    Matthew Stafford’s Week 9 Fantasy Ranking

    Our Weekly Consensus PPR Rankings are below — both positional and overall. They were last updated at 12:00 PM on Sunday, November 3. If you're in a Superflex league, make sure you check out our Weekly Consensus Superflex Rankings.

    Week 9 QB PPR Rankings

    1) Josh Allen | BUF (vs. MIA)
    2) Jalen Hurts | PHI (vs. JAX)
    3) Lamar Jackson | BAL (vs. DEN)
    4) Jayden Daniels | WAS (at NYG)
    5) Joe Burrow | CIN (vs. LV)
    6) Jordan Love | GB (vs. DET)
    7) Patrick Mahomes | KC (vs. TB)
    8) Kyler Murray | ARI (vs. ARI)
    9) Kirk Cousins | ATL (vs. DAL)
    10) Jared Goff | DET (at GB)
    11) Sam Darnold | MIN (vs. IND)
    12) Caleb Williams | CHI (at CHI)
    13) Baker Mayfield | TB (at KC)
    14) Bo Nix | DEN (at BAL)
    15) Tua Tagovailoa | MIA (at BUF)
    16) C.J. Stroud | HOU (at NYJ)
    17) Geno Smith | SEA (vs. LAR)
    18) Matthew Stafford | LAR (at SEA)
    19) Joe Flacco | IND (at MIN)
    20) Dak Prescott | DAL (at ATL)
    21) Trevor Lawrence | JAX (at PHI)
    22) Jameis Winston | CLE (vs. LAC)
    23) Aaron Rodgers | NYJ (vs. HOU)
    24) Derek Carr | NO (at CAR)
    25) Drake Maye | NE (at TEN)
    26) Daniel Jones | NYG (vs. WAS)
    27) Justin Herbert | LAC (at CLE)
    28) Gardner Minshew II | LV (at CIN)
    29) Mason Rudolph | TEN (vs. NE)
    30) Spencer Rattler | NO (at CAR)
    31) Bryce Young | CAR (vs. NO)
    32) Malik Willis | GB (vs. DET)

    Week 9 Overall Rankings

    1) Justin Jefferson | MIN (vs. IND)
    2) Ja'Marr Chase | CIN (vs. LV)
    3) Derrick Henry | BAL (vs. DEN)
    4) Bijan Robinson | ATL (vs. DAL)
    5) A.J. Brown | PHI (vs. JAX)
    6) CeeDee Lamb | DAL (at ATL)
    7) Saquon Barkley | PHI (vs. JAX)
    8) Amon-Ra St. Brown | DET (at GB)
    9) Malik Nabers | NYG (vs. WAS)
    10) Kyren Williams | LAR (at SEA)
    11) Cooper Kupp | LAR (at SEA)
    12) Kenneth Walker III | SEA (vs. LAR)
    13) Tyreek Hill | MIA (at BUF)
    14) Drake London | ATL (vs. DAL)
    15) Jahmyr Gibbs | DET (at GB)
    16) Puka Nacua | LAR (at SEA)
    17) Jonathan Taylor | IND (at MIN)
    18) Jayden Reed | GB (vs. DET)
    19) Brock Bowers | LV (at CIN)
    20) Alvin Kamara | NO (at CAR)
    21) James Cook | BUF (vs. MIA)
    22) Joe Mixon | HOU (at NYJ)
    23) Zay Flowers | BAL (vs. DEN)
    24) Breece Hall | NYJ (vs. HOU)
    25) De'Von Achane | MIA (at BUF)
    26) Travis Kelce | KC (vs. TB)
    27) Terry McLaurin | WAS (at NYG)
    28) Marvin Harrison Jr. | ARI (vs. ARI)
    29) Josh Jacobs | GB (vs. DET)
    30) DJ Moore | CHI (at CHI)
    31) Aaron Jones | MIN (vs. IND)
    32) D'Andre Swift | CHI (at CHI)
    33) Josh Allen | BUF (vs. MIA)
    34) Jalen Hurts | PHI (vs. JAX)
    35) Kareem Hunt | KC (vs. TB)
    36) DeVonta Smith | PHI (vs. JAX)
    37) Davante Adams | NYJ (vs. HOU)
    38) Lamar Jackson | BAL (vs. DEN)
    39) Garrett Wilson | NYJ (vs. HOU)
    40) Chris Olave | NO (at CAR)
    41) Josh Downs | IND (at MIN)
    42) David Montgomery | DET (at GB)
    43) Evan Engram | JAX (at PHI)
    44) Khalil Shakir | BUF (vs. MIA)
    45) Chuba Hubbard | CAR (vs. NO)
    46) James Conner | ARI (vs. ARI)
    47) Jaylen Waddle | MIA (at BUF)
    48) Chase Brown | CIN (vs. LV)
    49) Jaxon Smith-Njigba | SEA (vs. LAR)
    50) Trey McBride | ARI (vs. ARI)
    51) Darnell Mooney | ATL (vs. DAL)
    52) Brian Thomas Jr. | JAX (at PHI)
    53) Courtland Sutton | DEN (at BAL)
    54) Ladd McConkey | LAC (at CLE)
    55) Jayden Daniels | WAS (at NYG)
    56) Joe Burrow | CIN (vs. LV)
    57) J.K. Dobbins | LAC (at CLE)
    58) Michael Pittman Jr. | IND (at MIN)
    59) Jordan Love | GB (vs. DET)
    60) Tank Bigsby | JAX (at PHI)
    61) David Njoku | CLE (vs. LAC)
    62) Keon Coleman | BUF (vs. MIA)
    63) Rhamondre Stevenson | NE (at TEN)
    64) Bucky Irving | TB (at KC)
    65) Xavier Worthy | KC (vs. TB)
    66) Tyrone Tracy Jr. | NYG (vs. WAS)
    67) Javonte Williams | DEN (at BAL)
    68) Kyle Pitts | ATL (vs. DAL)
    69) Tank Dell | HOU (at NYJ)
    70) Raheem Mostert | MIA (at BUF)
    71) Alexander Mattison | LV (at CIN)
    72) Cade Otton | TB (at KC)
    73) Rico Dowdle | DAL (at ATL)
    74) Keenan Allen | CHI (at CHI)
    75) Nick Chubb | CLE (vs. LAC)
    76) Tyler Allgeier | ATL (vs. DAL)
    77) Romeo Doubs | GB (vs. DET)
    78) Rachaad White | TB (at KC)
    79) DeAndre Hopkins | KC (vs. TB)
    80) Calvin Ridley | TEN (vs. NE)
    81) Austin Ekeler | WAS (at NYG)
    82) Cedric Tillman | CLE (vs. LAC)
    83) Wan'Dale Robinson | NYG (vs. WAS)
    84) Tucker Kraft | GB (vs. DET)
    85) Patrick Mahomes | KC (vs. TB)
    86) Kyler Murray | ARI (vs. ARI)
    87) Travis Etienne Jr. | JAX (at PHI)
    88) Ray Davis | BUF (vs. MIA)
    89) Jerry Jeudy | CLE (vs. LAC)
    90) Diontae Johnson | BAL (vs. DEN)
    91) Jordan Addison | MIN (vs. IND)
    92) Jake Ferguson | DAL (at ATL)
    93) Jalen McMillan | TB (at KC)
    94) Jakobi Meyers | LV (at CIN)
    95) Devin Singletary | NYG (vs. WAS)
    96) Rashod Bateman | BAL (vs. DEN)
    97) Julius Chestnut | TEN (vs. NE)
    98) Zach Charbonnet | SEA (vs. LAR)
    99) Dalton Kincaid | BUF (vs. MIA)
    100) Sam LaPorta | DET (at GB)
    101) Jalen Tolbert | DAL (at ATL)
    102) Justice Hill | BAL (vs. DEN)
    103) Kirk Cousins | ATL (vs. DAL)
    104) Jared Goff | DET (at GB)
    105) DeMario Douglas | NE (at TEN)
    106) Antonio Gibson | NE (at TEN)
    107) Emanuel Wilson | GB (vs. DET)
    108) T.J. Hockenson | MIN (vs. IND)
    109) Tyler Lockett | SEA (vs. LAR)
    110) Michael Wilson | ARI (vs. ARI)
    111) Dontayvion Wicks | GB (vs. DET)
    112) Sam Darnold | MIN (vs. IND)
    113) Xavier Legette | CAR (vs. NO)
    114) Rome Odunze | CHI (at CHI)
    115) D'Onta Foreman | CLE (vs. LAC)
    116) Jaleel McLaughlin | DEN (at BAL)
    117) Braelon Allen | NYJ (vs. HOU)
    118) Tyler Goodson | IND (at MIN)
    119) Jake Bobo | SEA (vs. LAR)
    120) Roschon Johnson | CHI (at CHI)
    121) Gabe Davis | JAX (at PHI)
    122) Trey Sermon | IND (at MIN)
    123) Mark Andrews | BAL (vs. DEN)
    124) Elijah Moore | CLE (vs. LAC)
    125) Caleb Williams | CHI (at CHI)
    126) Zach Ertz | WAS (at NYG)
    127) Sterling Shepard | TB (at KC)
    128) Baker Mayfield | TB (at KC)
    129) Bo Nix | DEN (at BAL)
    130) Christian Watson | GB (vs. DET)
    131) Kalif Raymond | DET (at GB)
    132) Andrei Iosivas | CIN (vs. LV)
    133) Hunter Henry | NE (at TEN)
    134) D'Ernest Johnson | JAX (at PHI)
    135) Ray-Ray McCloud III | ATL (vs. DAL)
    136) Kimani Vidal | LAC (at CLE)
    137) Tua Tagovailoa | MIA (at BUF)
    138) Trey Palmer | TB (at KC)
    139) Cole Kmet | CHI (at CHI)
    140) Trey Benson | ARI (vs. ARI)
    141) Noah Brown | WAS (at NYG)
    142) Tre Tucker | LV (at CIN)
    143) Jalen Nailor | MIN (vs. IND)
    144) Sean Tucker | TB (at KC)
    145) C.J. Stroud | HOU (at NYJ)
    146) Nick Westbrook-Ikhine | TEN (vs. NE)
    147) Tim Patrick | DET (at GB)
    148) Dalton Schultz | HOU (at NYJ)
    149) Alec Pierce | IND (at MIN)
    150) Ty Chandler | MIN (vs. IND)
    151) Jaylen Wright | MIA (at BUF)
    152) Blake Corum | LAR (at SEA)
    153) Tutu Atwell | LAR (at SEA)
    154) Dameon Pierce | HOU (at NYJ)
    155) Ja'Tavion Sanders | CAR (vs. NO)
    156) Pierre Strong Jr. | CLE (vs. LAC)
    157) Demarcus Robinson | LAR (at SEA)
    158) Miles Sanders | CAR (vs. NO)
    159) Joshua Palmer | LAC (at CLE)
    160) Geno Smith | SEA (vs. LAR)
    161) Audric Estimé | DEN (at BAL)
    162) Mike Gesicki | CIN (vs. LV)
    163) Darius Slayton | NYG (vs. WAS)
    164) Adonai Mitchell | IND (at MIN)
    165) Jeremy McNichols | WAS (at NYG)
    166) Zamir White | LV (at CIN)
    167) Matthew Stafford | LAR (at SEA)
    168) Joe Flacco | IND (at MIN)
    169) Greg Dortch | ARI (vs. ARI)
    170) Jonnu Smith | MIA (at BUF)
    171) Dak Prescott | DAL (at ATL)
    172) Mason Tipton | NO (at CAR)
    173) Xavier Hutchinson | HOU (at NYJ)
    174) Colby Parkinson | LAR (at SEA)
    175) Will Dissly | LAC (at CLE)
    176) Ty Johnson | BUF (vs. MIA)
    177) Kayshon Boutte | NE (at TEN)
    178) Jerome Ford | CLE (vs. LAC)
    179) Buffalo Bills | BUF (vs. MIA)
    180) Troy Franklin | DEN (at BAL)
    181) Isaiah Likely | BAL (vs. DEN)
    182) Luke McCaffrey | WAS (at NYG)
    183) Chigoziem Okonkwo | TEN (vs. NE)
    184) Tony Pollard | TEN (vs. NE)
    185) Tyler Conklin | NYJ (vs. HOU)
    186) Samaje Perine | KC (vs. TB)
    187) Justin Watson | KC (vs. TB)
    188) Grant Calcaterra | PHI (vs. JAX)
    189) Minnesota Vikings | MIN (vs. IND)
    190) Ameer Abdullah | LV (at CIN)
    191) Trevor Lawrence | JAX (at PHI)
    192) Chicago Bears | CHI (at CHI)
    193) Emari Demercado | ARI (vs. ARI)
    194) Zay Jones | ARI (vs. ARI)
    195) Parker Washington | JAX (at PHI)
    196) New Orleans Saints | NO (at CAR)
    197) Jameis Winston | CLE (vs. LAC)
    198) Dalvin Cook | DAL (at ATL)
    199) Brandon Aubrey | DAL (at ATL)
    200) Kansas City Chiefs | KC (vs. TB)
    201) Los Angeles Chargers | LAC (at CLE)
    202) Aaron Rodgers | NYJ (vs. HOU)
    203) Cam Akers | HOU (at NYJ)
    204) Devaughn Vele | DEN (at BAL)
    205) Johnny Mundt | MIN (vs. IND)
    206) Jalen Coker | CAR (vs. NO)
    207) New York Jets | NYJ (vs. HOU)
    208) Quentin Johnston | LAC (at CLE)
    209) Kendrick Bourne | NE (at TEN)
    210) Mack Hollins | BUF (vs. MIA)
    211) Patrick Ricard | BAL (vs. DEN)
    212) DJ Turner | LV (at CIN)
    213) Philadelphia Eagles | PHI (vs. JAX)
    214) Will Reichard | MIN (vs. IND)
    215) Kenneth Gainwell | PHI (vs. JAX)
    216) Houston Texans | HOU (at NYJ)
    217) Austin Seibert | WAS (at NYG)
    218) Justin Tucker | BAL (vs. DEN)
    219) Younghoe Koo | ATL (vs. DAL)
    220) Green Bay Packers | GB (vs. DET)
    221) Simi Fehoko | LAC (at CLE)
    222) Derek Carr | NO (at CAR)
    223) New England Patriots | NE (at TEN)
    224) Theo Johnson | MIN (vs. IND)
    225) Cincinnati Bengals | CIN (vs. LV)
    226) Dare Ogunbowale | HOU (at NYJ)
    227) Nelson Agholor | BAL (vs. DEN)
    228) Tennessee Titans | TEN (vs. NE)
    229) Allen Robinson II | DET (at GB)
    230) Tyler Boyd | TEN (vs. NE)
    231) Washington Commanders | WAS (at NYG)
    232) Denver Broncos | DEN (at BAL)
    233) Jake Elliott | PHI (vs. JAX)
    234) Lil'Jordan Humphrey | DEN (at BAL)
    235) Baltimore Ravens | BAL (vs. DEN)
    236) Bo Melton | GB (vs. DET)
    237) Detroit Lions | DET (at GB)
    238) Drake Maye | NE (at TEN)
    239) Mecole Hardman Jr. | KC (vs. TB)
    240) Ka'imi Fairbairn | HOU (at NYJ)
    241) Juwan Johnson | NO (at CAR)
    242) Taysom Hill | NO (at CAR)
    243) Noah Gray | KC (vs. TB)
    244) Olamide Zaccheaus | WAS (at NYG)
    245) Will Shipley | PHI (vs. JAX)
    246) Daniel Jones | NYG (vs. WAS)
    247) Atlanta Falcons | ATL (vs. DAL)
    248) Miami Dolphins | MIA (at BUF)
    249) Brandon McManus | GB (vs. DET)
    250) Evan McPherson | CIN (vs. LV)
    251) Harrison Butker | KC (vs. TB)
    252) Carson Steele | KC (vs. TB)
    253) Jonathan Mingo | CAR (vs. NO)
    254) Justin Herbert | LAC (at CLE)
    255) John Metchie III | HOU (at NYJ)
    256) Dallas Cowboys | DAL (at ATL)
    257) Dawson Knox | BUF (vs. MIA)
    258) Gardner Minshew II | LV (at CIN)
    259) Jahan Dotson | PHI (vs. JAX)
    260) JaMycal Hasty | NE (at TEN)
    261) Cameron Dicker | LAC (at CLE)
    262) Hassan Haskins | LAC (at CLE)
    263) Eric Gray | NYG (vs. WAS)
    264) Jalen Brooks | DAL (at ATL)
    265) Alec Ingold | MIA (at BUF)
    266) Jake Bates | DET (at GB)
    267) Jason Myers | SEA (vs. LAR)
    268) Indianapolis Colts | IND (at MIN)
    269) Mason Rudolph | TEN (vs. NE)
    270) Laviska Shenault Jr. | SEA (vs. LAR)
    271) Mike Williams | NYJ (vs. HOU)
    272) Tyler Bass | BUF (vs. MIA)
    273) Michael Burton | DEN (at BAL)
    274) Dyami Brown | WAS (at NYG)
    275) C.J. Ham | MIN (vs. IND)
    276) Ronnie Rivers | LAR (at SEA)
    277) Erick All Jr. | CIN (vs. LV)
    278) Cairo Santos | CHI (at CHI)
    279) Parris Campbell | PHI (vs. JAX)
    280) Odell Beckham Jr. | MIA (at BUF)
    281) Kristian Wilkerson | LV (at CIN)
    282) Chris Brooks | GB (vs. DET)
    283) Chase McLaughlin | TB (at KC)
    284) Wil Lutz | DEN (at BAL)
    285) Arizona Cardinals | ARI (vs. ARI)
    286) Raheem Blackshear | CAR (vs. NO)
    287) KhaDarel Hodge | ATL (vs. DAL)
    288) Spencer Rattler | NO (at CAR)
    289) Joshua Kelley | NYG (vs. WAS)
    290) DeAndre Carter | CHI (at CHI)
    291) Deuce Vaughn | DAL (at ATL)
    292) Bryce Young | CAR (vs. NO)
    293) Malik Willis | GB (vs. DET)
    294) Harrison Bryant | LV (at CIN)
    295) Seattle Seahawks | SEA (vs. LAR)
    296) Tyreik McAllister | LV (at CIN)
    297) Marvin Mims Jr. | DEN (at BAL)
    298) Ashton Dulin | IND (at MIN)
    299) Cleveland Browns | CLE (vs. LAC)
    300) Matt Gay | IND (at MIN)

    Los Angeles Rams at Seattle Seahawks Insights

    Los Angeles Rams

    Team: Over their past three games, the Rams have coveted seven-of-nine red zone drives into touchdowns (prior: seven-of-17).

    QB: Matthew Stafford posted his best EPA against zone in a game since Week 6, 2021 (it was the first time he posted a positive number since Week 1, the last time he had both Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua)

    Offense: In the return of their two star receivers, the Rams operated at their slowest pace of the season and it worked – they averaged a season-best 5.8 yards per play.

    Defense: In Weeks 5-8, Los Angeles has allowed opponents to convert just 20% of third downs (Weeks 1-4: 50%).

    Fantasy: Puka Nacua dropped the first target on Thursday night, but in his return to action, three of Stafford’s first four passes were directed toward the second-year weapon.

    Betting: The Rams kicked off Week 8 on Thursday night – they are 6-15-1 ATS (28.6%) since the beginning of 2019 when playing on extended rest (only the Jets and Texans have been worse in such spots over that stretch). They’ve failed to cover each of their past eight games (average cover margin: -6.1 points)

    Seattle Seahawks

    Team: This is Seattle’s fourth home game in a five-game stretch—they’ve lost the first three and been outscored 96-54 in those contests (Giants, 49ers, and Bills).

    QB: In the first four weeks this season, Geno Smith completed 81% of his out-of-pocket throws. Over the past four weeks, that rate has regressed in a major way: 35.7%.

    Offense: Seattle went three-and-out on 55.6% of their drives against the Bills, their second-highest rate since November 1, 2021 (Week 9, 2023, at Ravens).

    Defense: In Weeks 1-3, the Seahawks took advantage of their schedule (DEN, NE, and MIA) and allowed just 1.03 points per drive. In their five games since (DET, NYG, SF, ATL, and BUF), they are allowing 2.61 points per drive (up 153.4%)

    Fantasy: Kenneth Walker III is already three receptions away from setting a career-high for a season – he has over seven PPR points as a pass catcher in all five of his games back from injury.

    Betting: The Seahawks are a league-worst 14-25-1 ATS (35.9%) after Halloween since 2020 (the Rams are 23-19-1 ATS over that stretch, eighth-best).

    Betting: Since 2021, the Seahawks are just 3-7 ATS in home divisional games (unders are 7-3 in those games).

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