Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em Week 9
Our Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em Week 9 article tells you everything you need to know as you cross the halfway point of the NFL season and get closer to the fantasy football playoffs. We are just about halfway through the NFL season. How is your team doing? Some of us have multiple leagues, and some of us have one sad league. Regardless, this Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em Week 9 article will help you navigate through all the hardships. Let’s talk about what I got right and what I got wrong last weekend.
Alexander Mattison struggled as I said he would, finishing with 9.4 fantasy points. Likewise, Diontae Johnson finished with an awful 2.7 fantasy points. But those were the only two I nailed in my saddest week.
All of my starts fell below their projections (Jordan Love suffered an injury). Additionally, Trevor Lawrence ran for a touchdown, which helped him surpass his projections (and mine), and Terry McLaurin stayed hot.
But enough about last week. I have been mainly stout this season in my predictions, and want to turn it around after just one bad week so I am ready to get it going.
Don’t forget to check out the fantasy football points team ranks. The best course of action is to study them, and our Week 8 recap tells you all you need to know. Also, don’t forget to optimize your lineups with our NFL Optimizer.
Week 9 Starts
*Start Stat Percentage, Via Yahoo
Patrick Mahomes
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (99% started)
Bet you never thought you would see Patrick Mahomes on this list. Well, Mahomes is no longer a “must-start” in fantasy football. But he is this week as he faces the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who have allowed the second-most fantasy points to quarterbacks and have a depleted defense that is struggling to stop anyone. Mahomes did well against the Las Vegas Raiders, finishing with 18.2 fantasy points. Expect even better results this week.
De’Von Achane
Miami Dolphins vs. Buffalo Bills (94% started)
Tua Tagovaloa is back. More importantly, De’Von Achane was the happiest of all the Miami playmakers, as he finished with 26.7 fantasy points. Achane also did a lot of damage against the Buffalo Bills in the first go-around, running 22 times for 96 yards and catching seven passes for 69 yards and one touchdown for 29.5 fantasy points, which is still his best performance of the season. Expect him to replicate those stats and become Tagovalia’s biggest weapon as the Dolphins attempt to stun the Bills on the road. Start’ Em!
Tony Pollard
Tennessee Titans vs. New England Patriots (93% started)
Tony Pollard has had an up-and-down season. It continued this week, as he had 14.7 fantasy points a week after a major dud. He gets a juicy matchup this week as he faces the New England Patriots, who allow the third-most fantasy points to running backs. The Titans will look to run the ball down the Patriots’ throats and will use Pollard to do it. Start him with confidence.
Jayden Reed/Romeo Doubs
Green Bay Packers vs. Detroit Lions (94% and 69%)
I am kind of cheating here. But I think the Packers will be passing the ball a lot against the Lions, who have a stout run defense. Jayden Reed has struggled over the last two weeks, but there is hope for a resurgence. Conversely, Romeo Doubs finished with 10.2 fantasy points, which was his third straight week with double-digit finishes. When the two played the Lions last season, Reed averaged 12.75 fantasy points, while Doubs averaged 12.6. I believe both will be productive because the Packers will be in a situation where they have to pass. Therefore, it will likely result in more target opportunities for both Reed and Doubs. There are plenty of mouths to feed in this offense. But Reed and Doubs will lead the targets this week.
Devonta Smith
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (98% started)
The Eagles will pass all over the Jacksonville Jaguars, who currently allow the fourth-most fantasy points to wide receivers. Devonta Smith has mainly had a productive season, except for the incredibly quiet game against the New York Giants. He bounced back in a monster way last weekend, finishing with 20.5 fantasy points to lead the Eagles to victory. Expect Smith to get his targets and make the most of them against one of the NFL’s weakest pass defenses.
Cade Otton
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Kansas City Chiefs (63% started)
Cade Otton was not on my list last week but I had a feeling the Bucs would go with him a lot, and they did as he finished with 29.1 fantasy points. There is one way to beat the Kansas City Chiefs, and that is to target the tight end. With Chris Godwin out for the season and Mike Evans out for a few weeks, Baker Mayfield has lost his two favorite targets. Otton has shown he can produce when given the opportunity. Now, he faces the Chiefs, who have allowed the most fantasy points to tight ends. Otton is an interesting play this week.
Week 9 Sits
Jared Goff
Detroit Lions vs. Green Bay Packers (88% started)
Even though the Lions destroyed the Tennessee Titans, he only finished with 15.5 fantasy points, and that was only because of three touchdown passes. If you know anything about Goff, then you know he is basically allergic to playing outdoors. Sure, he has averaged 20.9 fantasy points in two outdoor games this season, but one of those games was against the Seattle Seahawks, who have an atrocious defense. But more importantly, he struggles when it gets colder. It will be 54 degrees at Lambeau Field, which is not the worst, but it still will be chilly as Goff attempts to beat the Green Bay Packers. Coincidentally, the Packers also are one of the top teams in the league when it comes to limiting quarterbacks in fantasy football.
Rachaad White
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Kansas City Chiefs (90% started)
Rachaad White has done well over the last two weeks. However, it might turn around as he goes head-to-head with the Kansas City Chiefs, who allow the fewest fantasy points to running backs. Moreover, White is also still dealing with competing touches from Bucky Irving, and that makes it a lot more challenging for him to do anything. Fade him this week.
Nick Chubb
Cleveland Browns vs. Los Angeles Chargers (85% started)
Nick Chubb is barely coming back from multiple serious injuries. Additionally, he has to face the Los Angeles Chargers, who have allowed the third-fewest fantasy points to running backs. Chubb also has to form chemistry with Jameis Winston and find a way to make some plays for a team that lacks serious talent. It probably won’t happen against this tough defense.
Zay Flowers
Baltimore Ravens vs. Denver Broncos (96% started)
Zay Flowers gets his toughest matchup to date this weekend as he faces the Denver Broncos, who allow the second-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers. While he managed 18.5 fantasy points last weekend, it will be tough to replicate that effort this time around.
Tank Dell
Houston Texans vs. New York Jets (91% started)
Tank Dell has not been that good this season. While the Jets’ pass defense has not been as good lately, they still come into this game with the fifth-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers. Plus, he is the second wide receiver on a team that also has a struggling offensive line. This does not seem like a good spot for him, especially if the offensive line continues to struggle. Dell will be the top option in the lineup if Stefon Diggs misses this game. Regardless, I still don’t see him capitalizing this week.
Evan Engram
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Philadelphia Eagles (90% started)
Evan Engram has produced mixed results this season. So far, he has had two great games this season and two duds. It will not get any easier this week as he faces the Philadelphia Eagles, who allow the fewest fantasy points to tight ends. Yes, the Jags likely will be playing catchup. But getting the ball to Ingram will be difficult against the Eagles linebackers.
