Fantasy football advice, Week 9: Who to start/sit for Saints vs. Panthers

At this point, there can't really be many holdouts on the NFC South, as it must be basically unanimous that this is an awful division. The two "best" teams -- the Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints -- come into their matchup Thursday night with losing records. The Panthers sit at 3-4-1 and the Saints are at 3-4. One of these teams will leave Thursday night in first place in the division.

The Saints are going to be down a couple of running backs Thursday, with Pierre Thomas and Khiry Robinson both out. Tight end Jimmy Graham is listed as questionable, though after having played the last two games, he'll certainly be on the field. The Panthers, meanwhile, are expected to get running back DeAngelo Williams back from injury. He hasn't played since Week 4, and has played only two games all season.

Start 'em: Hey, good Drew Brees might be showing up. The quarterback hadn't put up 20 fantasy points in any game through his first five, but now has 22 and 24 in his last two. He's not quite back in the top, top tier of quarterbacks, but he's not far off. ... With many of his compatriots sidelined, Mark Ingram should be a nice start at running back. ... This banged-up version might not be vintage Jimmy Graham, but it's still a fantasy must-start. ... That's three straight games kicking for at least 12 fantasy points for Shayne Graham, and four in seven games on the season.

Start 'em?: He's not Pierre Thomas or Khiry Robinson, but Travaris Cadet should at least put up some numbers in the short passing game. He's a low-end flex, but with possibilities. ... Through seven team games, Brandin Cooks has led the Saints in fantasy points at wide receiver three times, Marques Colston once, Kenny Stills twice, and there was one tie. There's a lot of variability here, and if you guess the right one to use, more power to you, but none of the three is a surefire start.

Start 'em: Eight games this season, and Kelvin Benjamin has at least nine fantasy points in six of them. He's a rookie, and he's a stud. ... Greg Olsen has put up double-digit fantasy points in five games this season. No other tight end has done that.

Start 'em?: Remember that Week 6 game when Cam Newton put up 33 fantasy points? He's averaged barely 12 per game this season outside of that. He has upside, but he looks like a QB2 right now. ... Williams will likely get his starting role back. It'll be a timeshare, so odds are you don't want to use any Carolina running back, but if you use one, this should be it. ... Graham Gano's production has gone up and down, but he does offer reasonable kicking value.

Sit 'em: Williams' return renders Jonathan Stewart even less helpful in fantasy. ... Jerricho Cotchery has offered fairly consistent production this season, and that isn't really a compliment. Three to five catches a game, 21-58 yards in every game but one. Almost no upside. ... At this point, the Panthers' defense is basically a stay-away, which is weird to think after where we thought the unit was a couple months ago.

Start in every league: Drew Brees, Mark Ingram, Jimmy Graham, Shayne Graham, Kelvin Benjamin, Greg Olsen
Start if you're desperate: Travaris Cadet, Brandin Cooks, Marques Colston, Kenny Stills, Cam Newton, DeAngelo Williams, Graham Gano
Bench: New Orleans defense, Jonathan Stewart, Jerricho Cotchery, Carolina defense