Fantasy football advice, Week 9: Who to start/sit for Browns vs. Bengals on Thurdsay night

Four NFL teams are undefeated entering Week 9. They are the New England Patriots, Denver Broncos, Carolina Panthers and one team playing Thursday night, the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals put their undefeated record on the line against an AFC North rival in the 2-6 Cleveland Browns, who will be looking to move their record more toward respectability.

The Browns will be without quarterback Josh McCown, turning to backup Johnny Manziel as starter. Wide receivers Brian Hartline and Andrew Hawkins will both miss the game as well, as they deal with concussions. Meanwhile, the Bengals are the league’s healthiest team, without a close second. Only three players are even on the team’s injury report, and none of those three carries any sort of fantasy relevance.

The Bengals host the Browns Thursday, with kickoff scheduled for 8:25 p.m. ET. Let’s take a look at the fantasy names to consider:

Start ‘em: It’s hard to believe the career turnaround of Gary Barnidge lately -- he has double-digit fantasy points in six straight games, averaging 14 a game since Week 2 -- but at this point, he’s a must-start until something changes.

Start ‘em?: The only Cleveland running back carrying any sort of fantasy value at this point is Duke Johnson Jr., who has at least been getting targets. Even then, he’s only had double-digit fantasy points once all season, and that was Week 4. ... It’s been two bad weeks in a row for Travis Benjamin, though he had a great connection with Johnny Manziel last time he was quarterback. He’s a low-end flex, but with good upside.

Sit ‘em: When Johnny Manziel got a short run as the team’s quarterback early in the season, he wasn’t an outright disaster, but looking back, he was only OK, and that was against worse teams than this Bengals team. He’s not a fantasy option. ... There’s barely any reason to even own Isaiah Crowell or Robert Turbin at this point, let alone putting either one in your lineup. ... The Cleveland offense could struggle to get going Thursday, on a short week. This is not a good time to use Travis Coons. ... The Cincinnati offense is strong, and the Browns’ defense has been bad all season outside of Week 2.

Start ‘em: Week 8 was the worst of the season for Andy Dalton, but this has a chance to be a get-right game for him against a sub-par defense. ... The Browns’ defense has struggled, and Jeremy Hill is still getting No. 1-level touches. He’s a starter. ... A.J. Green had been on a bad run for a few weeks before getting back to the good in Week 8. He’d be a must-start even if he weren’t coming off a big game, but it’s nice that he is. ... Tyler Eifert has huge upside at a position where not many guys have much upside. ... Mike Nugent has kicked for double-digit fantasy points in three straight weeks. ... The Bengals’ defense against a backup quarterback on a short week is an easy fantasy play.

Start ‘em?: There’s good reason to use Giovani Bernard, who has at least put up marginally helpful fantasy points every week but Week 8 all season, but he’s not getting as many touches as you might like. ... Marvin Jones is inconsistent, but his good games have been really good.

Sit ‘em: With Green, Jones and Eifert going strong, there hasn’t been much for Mohamed Sanu.

Start in every league: Gary Barnidge, Andy Dalton, Jeremy Hill, A.J. Green, Tyler Eifert, Mike Nugent, Cincinnati defense
Start if you’re desperate: Duke Johnson Jr., Travis Benjamin, Giovani Bernard, Marvin Jones
Bench: Johnny Manziel, Isaiah Crowell, Robert Turbin, Travis Coons, Cleveland defense, Mohamed Sanu