The Week 9 Cheat Sheet is here, powered by the Dynasty Nerds CheatChart—your fast-track guide for identifying the best and worst positional matchups of the week. Whether you’re setting DFS lineups, making start/sit decisions, or locking in player props before Thursday Night Football, this chart pinpoints ceiling opportunities, trap matchups, and value plays that separate winners from the pack.
From Kyler Murray’s shootout potential to tough fades like Bo Nix and Hunter Henry, the CheatChart delivers clear direction for fantasy football and DFS managers in Week 9.
See our Week 9 Content Hub and get player breakdowns in our Advanced Stats Preview!
Use the chart to find breakout candidates, fade under performers, and take advantage of key Vegas lines across quarterback, running back, wide receiver, tight end, and IDP matchups.
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Best and Worst Week 9 Quarterback Matchups
Kyler Murray leads the way this week with a 39% matchup. This game has the highest over/under of the week and with less than a field goal spread. This is a recipe for a shoot-out—get a piece of this game.
Aaron Rodgers gets a healthy 28% matchup this week. While Rodgers’ lack of mobility means he lacks a floor, this week the Steelers passing game is in a position to succeed, so consider him a fair QB2.
Daniel Jones has a 27% matchup. The Colts passing attack is great across the board, but the upside Jones provides with his rushing puts him as a high-end QB1 this week.
Bo Nix has been a draft value so far this year, but this week is ugly as he gets a -41% matchup. Combined with the lowest over/under of the week, I would look elsewhere if possible.
C.J. Stroud faces a -25% matchup. With only two good fantasy performances this year, you cannot trust him in a bad situation like this.
Patrick Mahomes has a -24% matchup this week, but don’t hesitate to start him. The game is likely being overhyped with a 52.5 over/under, but the temptation of a Mahomes vs. Josh Allen shoot-out is irresistible.
Highlight Matchups for Week 9 Running Backs
Zonovan “Bam” Knight appears to be the lead in the Cardinals backfield, meaning he gets a juicy 29% matchup. He was drafted into a crowded backfield on the Jets but seems to be flourishing in Arizona, and I’m excited to start him this week.
Kimani Vidal gets a very good 28% matchup in Week 9. He looks to be in for another bellcow workload—start him with confidence.
Christian McCaffrey has a 23% matchup. He’s Christian McCaffrey. You’re starting him and you’re feeling good about it.
J.K. Dobbins or R.J. Harvey could have solid games, but their -24% matchup means it will likely be just one at most. A messy backfield, tough matchup, and low over/under means you should pivot if possible.
Alvin Kamara has a -24% matchup, which lands in the “very tough matchup” range. His receiving work makes him less matchup-dependent than most, but he’s a borderline flex at best this week.
Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier get a -22% matchup. You’re starting Bijan, but Allgeier should stay on your bench if you’ve been streaming him… Week 9 likely won’t be kind.
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Top Week 9 Cheat Sheet Wide Receiver Matchups
Marvin Harrison Jr. is a locked starter, but with a 32% matchup, you may want to look at Michael Wilson or Zay Jones as streamers in this game. There should be touchdowns to go around.
Steelers wide receivers have a 32% matchup. DK Metcalf is a solid starter, but both Calvin Austin and Roman Wilson offer high upside at low cost.
Michael Pittman Jr. looks great after last week’s performance, and now adds a 25% matchup to boot. Josh Downs is also a startable option in this one, though his floor is lower.
Courtland Sutton has the league-worst wide receiver matchup at -28%. You can still start him, but don’t expect fireworks or load DFS lineups with him.
Xavier Hutchinson fed on volume last week, but his -18% matchup is less desirable. Nico Collins and Christian Kirkoffer safer upside if active.
CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens have -15% matchups, but in a 54.5-point over/under, both are must-starts due to elite usage.
Week 9 Cheat Sheet Tight End Matchups and DFS Plays
Colston Loveland is positioned for a breakout with a whopping 63% matchup. With Cole Kmet on IR, he’s now the top receiving TE in the room.
Pat Freiermuth sits in a 41% matchup. His touchdown upside makes him a better play than Jonnu Smith this week.
Tyler Warren continues to deliver and now gets a 29% matchup. My undying love for Mo Alie-Cox forces me to mention him, but don’t start him, even with a good matchup.
Travis Kelce faces a brutal -57% matchup, but after his Week 8 boom, you can’t bench him. Expect volatility, not disappearance.
Hunter Henry draws a -56% matchup. Low over/under, poor game script, and bad matchup—three strikes. Sit him.
Dalton Kincaid gets a -40% matchup, similar to Kelce’s, but without the upside. A cheap DFS dart, nothing more.
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Week 9 IDP CheatChart | Top DL, LB, and DB Matchups
The Week 9 IDP CheatChart brings the same matchup-driven clarity to the defensive side — showing where fantasy managers can stream IDP assets or capitalize on favorable tackle and sack matchups.
If you’re streaming defensive players this week, start your Bengals DLs, who hold the top 40% advantage and have been quietly consistent. Packers linebackers also project well for tackle efficiency, and Giants DBs offer solid upside in coverage-heavy game scripts.
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🧠 Week 9 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet FAQ | Dynasty Nerds CheatChart
Q1: What makes Brad Custer’s Week 9 Cheat Sheet different from other fantasy tools?
The Dynasty Nerds CheatChart blends DFS and redraft perspectives, ranking weekly positional matchups by performance percentage. It helps managers identify not only who to start or sit but also where to find DFS and prop-bet value across every fantasy position, including IDP.
Q2: Who are the best DFS value plays and prop bet targets for Week 9?
The Week 9 Cheat Sheet highlights Kyler Murray, Kimani Vidal, and Colston Loveland as top DFS values thanks to strong matchup scores and favorable game totals. On the prop-bet side, Christian McCaffrey and Marvin Harrison Jr.offer the safest paths to volume-based overs.
Q3: Which players should fantasy managers avoid based on bad Week 9 matchups?
Several players face steep defensive tests this week. Bo Nix, Courtland Sutton, and Hunter Henry headline the biggest red flags in the Week 9 CheatChart. Each carries major floor risk due to poor over/unders and matchup efficiency.
Q4: How can I use the Week 9 Cheat Sheet to build balanced DFS lineups?
Start by stacking players from teams with positive matchup percentages (green on the chart). Fade players in red zones to avoid lineup correlation traps. Combine one QB–WR stack from a shootout game with a low-rostered RB from a positive script — this mix consistently produces tournament leverage in DFS.
Q5: Who are the best IDP streamers and defensive matchups in Week 9?
The Week 9 IDP CheatChart highlights Bengals DLs and Packers linebackers as top plays for pressure and tackle efficiency. Giants DBs are also sneaky starts in coverage-heavy scripts. Always check snap share trends and injury reports before finalizing lineups.
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Want more defensive insights? Check out our IDP Rankings and full IDP Hub for the latest analysis.
