2025 Fantasy Football QB Rankings: Week 9 Lineup Decisions and Key Matchups

Week 9 Quarterback Landscape: Prescott, Murray, and the Dual-Threat Dart

The midpoint of the 2025 NFL season brings critical decisions for fantasy managers, particularly at the quarterback position where bye weeks and injury statuses complicate lineup construction. This week’s rankings are heavily influenced by the potential return of a star, a high-profile player looking to regain form, and a promising dual-threat option entering the QB1 conversation.

The spotlight shines brightest on Dak Prescott of the Dallas Cowboys, who is aiming to get his season back on track in a favorable matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. Conversely, the Cardinals’ situation is volatile, hinging on whether Kyler Murray makes his anticipated return from injury to face the stout Dallas defense. Meanwhile, the New York Giants may have found a weekly starter in the form of standout Jaxson Dart, whose potent dual-threat capabilities offer a high fantasy floor.

Expert Analysis: Navigating the Week 9 QB Tiers

Fantasy success often comes down to identifying the safest floors and highest ceilings. In Week 9, the top tier remains consistent, but the middle tiers are defined by volatile matchups and injury risk. Our rankings prioritize favorable defensive matchups, recent offensive volume, and the crucial rushing upside that elevates a quarterback’s weekly floor.

Tier 1: The Set-and-Forget Elite (QB1)

This tier includes quarterbacks with elite volume, high passing efficiency, and often significant rushing upside, guaranteeing production regardless of the opponent. Players like Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen anchor this group, offering both a high floor and the potential for 30+ point explosions. They are matchup-proof and should be locked into all lineups.

Tier 2: High-End Starters with Upside (QB6-QB12)

This tier features players with excellent matchups or high-volume offenses. This is where Dak Prescott lands this week. Despite recent struggles—which have led to frustration among managers—his Week 9 opponent, the Arizona Cardinals, present one of the league’s most exploitable secondaries. This matchup elevates Prescott’s ceiling significantly, making him a must-start despite any lingering concerns.

Tier 3: Streamers and High-Risk/High-Reward Options

This tier is crucial for managers dealing with bye weeks. It includes players like Jaxson Dart, who, thanks to his rushing volume, provides a safer floor than most QBs in this range. Dual-threat QBs inherently possess a higher floor because rushing yards and touchdowns are worth significantly more in standard scoring formats than passing production.

Critical Week 9 Quarterback Storylines

Dak Prescott: Bounce-Back Potential Against the Cardinals

Prescott has struggled with accuracy and turnover issues over the last three weeks, leading to disappointing fantasy outputs. However, the Cardinals’ defense has consistently ranked near the bottom of the league in passing yards and touchdowns allowed. Our projection sees Prescott taking advantage of this favorable matchup, potentially delivering his first 25-point performance since Week 5.

“Dak Prescott’s recent slump is concerning, but the Cardinals’ defense is the perfect antidote. We project him to be a top-five play this week based purely on matchup volume and the necessity for the Cowboys to establish their passing game early.”

Kyler Murray’s Anticipated Return vs. Dallas

The biggest uncertainty of Week 9 revolves around Kyler Murray. Reports indicate he is angling to return from his mid-season ankle injury to face the Cowboys. If Murray is active, he immediately becomes a high-ceiling QB2 due to his rushing ability, even against a tough Dallas defense. However, the risk of re-injury or a limited playbook significantly lowers his floor.

Actionable Advice: Fantasy managers should monitor the Cardinals’ practice reports closely. If Murray is officially cleared and expected to have a full workload, he is a viable start. If there is any doubt, pivot to a safer option. If Murray is out, the Cardinals’ backup (likely Clayton Tune or similar) should be avoided entirely.

Jaxson Dart: The Dual-Threat Sleeper for the Giants

Jaxson Dart has emerged as a reliable fantasy option due to his ability to generate points with his legs. While his passing volume may be limited by the Giants’ run-heavy scheme, his rushing totals—averaging 45 rushing yards and 0.5 rushing touchdowns per game—provide a solid foundation. This dual-threat capability makes him an excellent streaming candidate this week, particularly if you need a high floor to avoid a zero.

2025 Week 9 Quarterback Rankings (PPR/Standard Scoring)

Below are our consensus rankings for the top 20 quarterbacks for Week 9, based on projected fantasy points (PPR/Standard scoring formats are highly similar for QBs).

Streaming Options and Deep Sleepers

For managers in deeper leagues or those facing unexpected bye-week challenges, finding a reliable streamer is essential. This week’s best deep option is often a quarterback facing a defense that struggles against the run, forcing them into high-volume passing situations to catch up.

Top Streamer: Look closely at the QB facing the Las Vegas Raiders. Historically, the Raiders defense has been susceptible to high-volume passing attacks. If a Tier 3 QB has this matchup, they receive an immediate boost into the top 15 consideration.

Deep Sleeper Consideration: If Kyler Murray is ruled out, the Cowboys defense becomes an even more attractive target for fantasy defenses, but the Cardinals’ backup remains a desperate play only for Superflex leagues. Focus instead on quarterbacks with guaranteed volume, even if the matchup is slightly unfavorable.

Key Takeaways for Week 9 Lineups

Setting your Week 9 lineup requires a calculated approach to risk versus reward. Here are the essential points to remember:

• Trust the Matchup: Despite his recent form, Dak Prescott is a top-five play due to the highly favorable matchup against the Cardinals.
• Monitor Murray: Only start Kyler Murray if he is confirmed fully healthy and unrestricted. If in doubt, pivot to a safer option like Jaxson Dart.
• Rushing Floor is King: Dart’s dual-threat ability provides a higher floor than most QBs ranked outside the top 12, making him a reliable streamer.
• Avoid Volatility: Be cautious of quarterbacks facing elite pass defenses, such as the Jets (even if they are facing Josh Allen, the floor is slightly lower for non-elite QBs).

Conclusion: Prioritizing Floor and Matchup

Week 9 presents a classic fantasy dilemma: choosing between a struggling star in a great spot (Prescott) and a high-upside injury risk (Murray). Our analysis strongly suggests prioritizing the proven talent in the advantageous matchup. Prescott offers the highest ceiling outside of the elite tier, while Dart provides a high-floor alternative for those needing stability. Managers who successfully navigate the Murray injury news and capitalize on the Prescott-Cardinals matchup will gain a significant advantage in their league standings this week.