Ladies and gentlemen, we will try to keep this short and sweet. Week 9 Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em delivers a potential haymaker with yes, Caleb Williams going up against Daniel Jones.
What? One would have laughed at this Week 1 but yet here we are.
The 1:00 games will be here far too soon because Daylight Savings Time is over.
Note: Our rankings are based on standard format for quarterbacks.
Fantasy Sports On SI Week 9 Ranking: QB 11
This number is not a misprint. Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears face quite possibly one of the worst defenses in football over the last decade. Yes, the Cincinnati Bengals allowed 502 yards of offense by the New York Jets. That included a furious comeback and 39-38 Jets win.
Although Williams does not turn the ball over a lot, too often he does not move the fantasy needle enough. The quarterback has nine passing touchdowns and two rushing scores through seven games.
If #Bears fans need a reason to believe heading into a pivotal stretch — and to trust Ryan Poles vision — it’s pass protection. Darnell Wright has anchored a line that’s finally giving Caleb Williams time.
The crucial run starts today in Cincy.
MORE – https://t.co/Koe9QkJ7gu pic.twitter.com/0dHZvojhSP
— Sam Phalen (@Sam_Phalen) November 2, 2025
Cincinnati does not get to the quarterback and Williams has only been sacked 12 times this season (68 in 2024). This game boils down to the quarterback finding his targets and his targets making plays. Openings and opportunities will be plentiful
The Bengals rank 30th in passing yards allowed and 31st in touchdowns yielded. Add in the 31st in points per drive and yards per drive and the recipe is at least started. Williams will also have Kyle Monangai making his first start. His explosiveness should keep the Bengals defense honest.
Fantasy Sports On SI Week 9 Ranking: QB 9
Everyone keeps waiting for the Daniel Jones clunker of a day. Jones has played extremely well all season and has Jonathan Taylor to fall back on. Taylor is the likely MVP favorite through eight weeks of the NFL season. With one of the best offensive lines in football, Jones has improved his decision making and the Colts are 7-1 and cruising in the AFC South.
However, Jones is delivering an All-Pro season for fantasy football owners. He has thrown for more than 2,000 yards and 13 touchdowns to just three interceptions. Jones has added four touchdowns on the ground while leading the Colts to two fourth quarter comebacks.
“Do what he’s been doing. [Daniel Jones] has been playing unbelievable for us.”
Colts HC Shane Steichen caught up with Sal Paolantonio ahead of their matchup with the Steelers 💪 pic.twitter.com/Qv2TJzTfY1
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) November 2, 2025
Jones spreads the ball around in this offense and five different players have 200+ yards receiving. Tyler Warren and Michael Pittman Jr. lead the way with 492 and 446 respectively. Alec Pierce is kind of a deep threat averaging a league-high 21.2 yards per catch.
Indianapolis can beat teams in many ways and Pittsburgh lately has found ways to beat themselves, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. The Steelers’ defense is dead last in passing yards per game (273.3) with touchdowns and points starting to pile up. One slight concern may be the footing at Acrisure Stadium but that is a minor one given its November and not too frigid or wet.
Both quarterbacks expect to have good afternoons throwing the football. Jones may have better chances to run the ball on scrambles since the Colts will do this by design on occasion. Also, he may have opportunities to throw down the field. The Colts wide receivers pride themselves on getting down the field with speed. Route running and decision making are paramount.
Taking Jones over Williams by a whisker is our decision here.
