Week 9 has the chance to be fun. I'm excited to see what happens in this scoring period.
Patrick Mahomes might actually be trustworthy with his matchup against the Buccaneers, who are No. 2 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterbacks. Joe Flacco is back as the starter for the Colts, which is great news for Josh Downs and Michael Pittman, especially in a juicy matchup at Minnesota. And Matthew Stafford has his guys back with Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp finally healthy.
A lot of running backs have the chance to be awesome this week, including Alvin Kamara (at CAR), Saquon Barkley (vs. JAC) and De'Von Achane (at BUF). If you have these running backs -- and several others with good matchups (check the rankings) -- your Fantasy team should be in great shape.
The wide receiver position continues to suffer due to injuries, and we just lost Stefon Diggs (ACL) and Christian Kirk (collarbone) for the season in Week 8. But in Week 9, you should be able to trust guys like Jakobi Meyers (at CIN) and Courtland Sutton (at BAL), and maybe even Cedric Tillman will continue to surprise us, even in a tough matchup against the Chargers.
In Week 8, all the tight ends seemingly dominated on National Tight Ends Day. The position group had the most receptions (177), second-most receiving yards (1,965) and eighth-most receiving touchdowns (16) for tight ends in a single day of games in NFL history. Can we get that every week?
I'm excited to see what happens in Week 9. And you are as well. Let the games begin.
Start of the Week
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Brown has been the best running back for the Bengals this season, and he's headed for a big game in Week 9 against the Raiders. He's worth trusting as a No. 2 running back in all leagues.
Brown has scored at least 11.4 PPR points in four of his past five games, and he's done well in some tough matchups against the Ravens in Week 5 and the Eagles in Week 8 because of touchdowns. But the matchup with Las Vegas is one of the easier opponents he'll face all season.
The Raiders are No. 10 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs, and a running back has scored at least 13.3 PPR points against Las Vegas in every game this season. The Raiders have also allowed four rushing touchdowns in the past three games.
After this game, Brown will face Baltimore in Week 10 and the Chargers in Week 11, which are tough matchups. But in Week 9, Brown should have the chance for a dominant performance, and I'm expecting him to deliver a standout stat line.
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START 'EM & SIT 'EM
Quarterbacks
QBs to Start
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Stafford looked great in Week 8 against Minnesota in his first full game with Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp. He scored 32.8 Fantasy points, and I'm excited to see what he does in Week 9 at Seattle. The Seahawks have allowed four of the past five quarterbacks to score at least 23.5 Fantasy points, and I like Stafford as a top-10 quarterback in this matchup.
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Three quarterbacks in a row have scored at least 20.7 Fantasy points against the Cowboys, including Jared Goff and Brock Purdy scoring at least 28 points in the past two games against Dallas. Cousins only has three games this season with at least 21.5 Fantasy points, with two of them against Tampa Bay, so he needs to show he can excel against other teams. I expect that to happen in this matchup, and Cousins should be considered a top-10 Fantasy quarterback in Week 9.
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Darnold lost left tackle Christian Darrisaw (knee) in Week 8 at the Rams, but he was quickly replaced by Cam Robinson via trade from Jacksonville. Hopefully this will help Darnold avoid too much pressure against the Colts, who have allowed four quarterbacks this season to score at least 21.3 Fantasy points. Darnold only has one game this season below 18.3 Fantasy points, so he should provide a safe floor, but he also has the potential for a huge outing in this matchup at home.
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Goff had one of the wackiest stat lines you'll ever see in Week 8 against Tennessee. He was 12-of-15 passing for only 85 yards, but he scored three touchdowns to score 21.5 Fantasy points. This is now four games in a row with at least that total, and he's averaging 24.1 Fantasy points in three games on the road this season. However, this is his first outdoor game of the year, but I'm still starting him. The Packers could be without two key members of their secondary in cornerback Jaire Alexander (knee) and safety Evan Williams (hamstring). Both were injured in Week 8 at Jacksonville, and Trevor Lawrence scored 27.3 Fantasy points. Goff could have similar success in this NFC North showdown.
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Prescott only scored 17.6 Fantasy points in Week 8 at San Francisco, and he's been held under 20 Fantasy points in consecutive games going back to Week 6. I expect him to snap that streak in Week 9 against the Falcons, who have allowed three of the past four quarterbacks to score at least 21.8 Fantasy points, including two in a row with Geno Smith and Baker Mayfield. Given the matchup, I'm still trusting Prescott as a No. 1 Fantasy quarterback in all leagues.
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Sleepers (Start/Sit)
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We had Nix as a sleeper last week, and he delivered with 35.8 Fantasy points against Carolina. Hopefully he'll stay hot in Week 9 against the Ravens, who are No. 3 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterbacks. Four quarterbacks in a row and five of the past six against Baltimore have scored at least 24.9 Fantasy points, and Nix has now scored at least 24.7 points in three of his past four games.
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The Colts are starting Flacco in Week 9 at Minnesota, and hopefully he can take advantage of this matchup with the Vikings, who are No. 10 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterbacks. Three of the past four quarterbacks have scored at least 22.8 Fantasy points against Minnesota, including two in a row. And Flacco has scored at least 19 Fantasy points in two of three appearances this season.
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QBs to Sit
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Stroud lost Stefon Diggs (knee) for the season after he was hurt in Week 8 against the Colts, and Nico Collins (hamstring) isn't eligible to return until Week 10. Without two of his top receivers in Week 9 against the Jets, it will be tough to start Stroud in one-quarterback leagues. He's also scored 17.9 Fantasy points or less in three of his past four games, and the Jets held Stroud to 91 passing yards with four sacks on 10-of-23 attempts last year before he left in the fourth quarter with a concussion. I would only start Stroud in Superflex and two-quarterback leagues.
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Lawrence had his best game of the season in Week 8 against Green Bay with 27.3 Fantasy points, and he has scored at least 21.1 Fantasy points in three of his past four games. But I expect the Eagles defense to keep Lawrence in check, especially with Christian Kirk (collarbone) out and Brian Thomas Jr. (chest) and Gabe Davis (shoulder) banged up. Philadelphia is No. 8 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterbacks, and three quarterbacks in a row have scored 14.9 Fantasy points or less against the Eagles heading into Week 9.
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Winston was awesome in his first start for the Browns in Week 8 against Baltimore with 29.5 Fantasy points, but that was a great matchup. This week, Winston is facing a Chargers defense that is No. 7 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterbacks, and Bo Nix in Week 6 is the lone quarterback against Los Angeles with multiple passing touchdowns. I'm only starting Winston in Superflex and two-quarterback leagues for Week 9.
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Herbert just had his best Fantasy game of the season in Week 8 against the Saints with 279 passing yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions, and he ran for 49 yards for 28.1 Fantasy points. Prior to Week 8, Herbert failed to score more than 15.7 Fantasy points in any game, so let's keep expectations in check at Cleveland. The Browns allow an average of 18.7 Fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks, and that's a good expectation for Herbert if he has another solid outing. He's only worth starting in Superflex and two-quarterback leagues.
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Bust Alert (Start/Sit)
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It was great to have Tagovailoa back in action in Week 8 against Arizona following his four-game absence with a concussion. And he played well with 234 passing yards and one touchdown on 28-of-38 passing, including 13 rushing yards, but he only scored 16.7 Fantasy points. This week, Tagovailoa is facing a Buffalo team that has kept him in check. He's scored 15.9 Fantasy points or less in five of his past six games against the Bills, who are No. 6 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterbacks. Only two quarterbacks have scored more than 17.9 Fantasy points against Buffalo this season.
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START 'EM & SIT 'EM
Running Backs
RBs to Start
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Swift has scored at least 18.9 PPR points in four games in a row, and I'm shocked he's not started in 100 percent of leagues on CBS Sports. What more does he need to prove? He has a rushing touchdown in four games in a row, and he has 13 receptions on 13 targets over that span. The Cardinals are No. 6 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs, and seven running backs have scored at least 15.2 PPR points against Arizona this season, including De'Von Achane and Raheem Mostert in Week 8.
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We'll see if Jonathon Brooks (knee) will make his NFL debut in Week 8 against the Saints, but even if he's active, I would still use Hubbard as a No. 2 running back in all leagues. The matchup is too good to ignore since the Saints are No. 9 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs. Five running backs have scored at least 16.8 PPR points against New Orleans in the past four games, with seven total touchdowns over that span, and this could be Hubbard's last chance at a quality performance if Brooks is able to play soon.
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Sleepers (Start/Sit)
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I'm hopeful Mattison keeps the lead role for the Raiders, but coach Antonio Pierce said Wednesday that he wants to get Zamir White more involved heading into Week 9 at Cincinnati. That's disappointing for Mattison, who has scored at least 15.3 PPR points in two of his past three games, and he has 13 catches on 13 targets over that span. I'm still willing to use Mattison as a low-end starter or flex in all leagues, and the Bengals have allowed a running back to score a touchdown or gain at least 100 total yards in every game this season.
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Dowdle missed Week 8 at San Francisco with an illness, but he's expected to return in Week 9 at Atlanta. I like him as a flex in all leagues against the Falcons, and hopefully, he continues his role as the lead running back for the Cowboys. Prior to Dallas' bye in Week 7, Dowdle scored at least 13.1 PPR points in two of his previous three games, and Atlanta has allowed four running backs in the past three games to score at least 15.3 PPR points. The Falcons are No. 4 in most receptions allowed to running backs, and I hope Dowdle is a factor in the passing game in Week 9.
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De'Von Achane is headed for a big game against the Bills, who are No. 5 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs and No. 1 in most receptions allowed to the position. But Mostert should be considered at least a flex in all leagues. With Tua Tagovailoa back from his four-game absence with a concussion in Week 8 against Arizona, Mostert scored two rushing touchdowns with nine carries for 19 yards and one catch for 11 yards on two targets. The Bills have allowed seven total touchdowns to running backs, and Mostert should be considered a threat to score any time Tagovailoa is on the field.
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This could be an interesting game for Hill since the Broncos are No. 5 in most receptions allowed to running backs. In the past two games against New Orleans and Carolina, Denver has allowed eight receptions to the Saints backfield and nine receptions to the Panthers backfield. Hill has three games this season with at least 11.5 PPR points, and in each of those outings, he has caught at least three passes. Hill is worth using as a flex in PPR.
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RBs to Sit
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Irving has scored at least 15.4 PPR points in three games in a row heading into Week 9 at the Chiefs, and he's doing a solid job despite sharing touches with Rachaad White and Sean Tucker. I love that Irving had seven catches for 40 yards on seven targets in Week 8 against Atlanta in the first game without Chris Godwin (ankle) and Mike Evans (hamstring). But Kansas City will make things tough on all the Tampa Bay running backs since the Chiefs allow the fewest Fantasy points to the position, and Irving and White should be considered flex options at best. I give a slight nod to White over Irving because I trust White more in the passing game, but I don't expect either to do well in this matchup on the road.
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In two games back from last year's knee injury, Chubb has 27 carries for 74 yards and a touchdown and one catch for 10 yards on five targets. He'll continue to improve as he gets more reps, but he has a tough matchup in Week 9 against the Chargers, who are No. 3 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs. The Chargers have allowed two total touchdowns to running backs all season and none since Week 4, which includes matchups with Javonte Williams, James Conner, and Alvin Kamara over that span. At best, Chubb is worth using as a flex option in non-PPR leagues.
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Williams blew his chance for a big game in Week 8 against Carolina when he had 17 carries for 44 yards and four catches for 8 yards on five targets. That was one of the best matchups he'll have all season, and he scored just 9.2 PPR points. Williams has only scored a touchdown in one game this season, and I wonder if Sean Payton will start giving more work to Jaleel McLaughlin or even Audric Estime soon. For Week 9, Williams is just a flex option at best at Baltimore. The Ravens are No. 7 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to running backs, and it's hard to trust Williams in a tough matchup when he flopped in an easy one.
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Travis Etienne (hamstring) could return in Week 9 after sitting out the past two games, and he should take work away from Bigsby in some capacity. He has at least 20 total touches in both games without Etienne, and Bigsby is averaging 17.2 PPR points over that span. This week, I would avoid Bigsby and Etienne against the Eagles, who are No. 6 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs. No running back has gained more than 49 yards on the ground in the past four games against Philadelphia, and the Eagles have allowed just two running backs to score over that span. Bigsby and Etienne are flex options at best in all leagues in Week 9.
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START 'EM & SIT 'EM
Wide Receivers
WRs to Start
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Olave returned from a one-game absence with a concussion in Week 8 at the Chargers and had one of his best games of the season with eight catches for 107 yards on 14 targets for 18.7 PPR points, and he did that without Derek Carr (oblique). Carr is expected to return in Week 9 against the Panthers, who have allowed the opposing No. 1 receiver to score at least 15.8 PPR points in five games in a row. Look for Olave to make it six in a row this week.
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Downs and Michael Pittman are both worth starting in Week 9 against the Vikings with Joe Flacco back as the starting quarterback. It helps that the Vikings are No. 1 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing receivers, but Downs scored at least 15.9 PPR points in all three appearances with Flacco this season. Pittman scored at least 12.5 PPR points in each of those three games, and both should benefit with Flacco throwing them the ball. I like Downs better than Pittman, but both have top-20 upside in all leagues.
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Meyers is the No. 1 receiver for the Raiders with Davante Adams now in New York, and Meyers has scored at least 13.2 PPR points in each of his past two games. In Week 8 against Kansas City, Meyers had six catches for 52 yards and a touchdown on seven targets for 17.2 PPR points, and he gets a more favorable matchup in Week 9 against the Bengals. Three receivers have scored at least 13.4 PPR points against Cincinnati in the past two games, and I like Meyers as a No. 2 Fantasy receiver in all leagues.
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Mooney is coming off another dominant game against Tampa Bay in Week 8 with 18.6 PPR points, and he loves facing the Buccaneers. But he should also do well against the Cowboys, and this game could be a shootout with an expected total of 52 points. Dallas hasn't allowed a lot of big games to receivers this season, but five receivers have scored at least 11.3 PPR points against the Cowboys in the past two games. Given the potential for this game to be a high-scoring affair, I like Mooney as a No. 2 Fantasy receiver in the majority of leagues.
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Sutton is coming off a strong game in Week 8 against Carolina with eight catches for 100 yards on 11 targets. He now has five games this season with at least six targets, and he's scored at least 13.8 PPR points in four of them. The Ravens are No. 2 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing receivers, and seven receivers have scored at least 12.9 PPR points against Baltimore in the past four games. I like Sutton as a No. 2 Fantasy receiver in all leagues for Week 9.
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Sleepers (Start/Sit)
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Shakir and Keon Coleman are worth using as No. 3 Fantasy receiver in Week 9 against Miami. The Dolphins secondary hasn't been tested much this season, but in Week 8 against Arizona, Marvin Harrison Jr. and Michael Wilson each scored at least 14.1 PPR points. Shakir has scored at least 13.5 PPR points in each of the past two games since Amari Cooper joined the Bills, and Coleman has scored at least 16.5 PPR points in each game over that span as well. Josh Allen is leaning on Shakir and Coleman more than Cooper right now, and the younger receivers should continue to excel against Miami in Week 9.
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McConkey just had a breakout game in Week 8 against New Orleans with six catches for 111 yards and two touchdowns on six targets, and hopefully that's a sign of things to come. He has at least six targets in five games in a row heading into Week 9, and the Browns have allowed eight receivers to score at least 12.6 PPR points in their past four games. If there's one receiver to trust for the Chargers right now it's McConkey, and he's worth starting in all three-receiver leagues.
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Cedric Tillman has more upside based on what we've seen in the past two games since Amari Cooper was traded to Buffalo, but Moore has quietly done well in those outings against Cincinnati and Baltimore. He has 18 targets over that span for 14 catches and 126 yards, and he scored 16.5 PPR points against the Ravens in Week 8. Most of the attention from the Chargers should go to Tillman, who has 15 catches for 180 yards and two touchdowns on 21 targets in the past two games, and David Njoku, while Moore can still be a reliable weapon for Jameis Winston. I don't mind using Moore as a No. 3 Fantasy receiver in Week 9.
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DeAndre Hopkins is likely still trying to adjust to life with the Chiefs, while hopefully Worthy is starting to understand his role in Kansas City for Patrick Mahomes. Worthy has eight targets in each of his past two games against the 49ers and Raiders, and he had four catches for 37 yards and a touchdown at Las Vegas. Hopefully he'll produce at a higher level moving forward, and he has a great matchup in Week 9 against Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers are No. 5 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing receivers, and I would use Worthy as a No. 3 Fantasy receiver in all leagues in Week 9 given the matchup.
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I wish Andy Dalton (thumb) was starting in Week 9 against the Saints when it comes to Legette, but he can still be used as a No. 3 Fantasy receiver in deeper leagues. With Diontae Johnson traded to Baltimore, Legette should be the No. 1 receiver for the Panthers, and he just had a solid game with Young in Week 8 at Denver. Legette had four catches for 34 yards and a touchdown on seven targets against the Broncos, and he's now scored a touchdown in three of his past five games. The Saints are No. 6 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing receivers, and I hope Young and Legette can connect again for solid production in Week 9.
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WRs to Sit
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I'm going to start Cooper in three-receiver leagues, but I hope he does something to inspire confidence in Fantasy managers moving forward. In two games with the Bills, Cooper has five catches for 69 yards and a touchdown on seven targets, and you have to wonder if his struggles in Cleveland weren't just about Deshaun Watson. I'm not worried about the matchup, but Josh Allen is also leaning heavily on Khalil Shakir and Keon Coleman since Cooper's arrival as well. This is an important week for Cooper to perform at a high level.
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Waddle had another disappointing game in Week 8 against Arizona with four catches for 45 yards on six targets, and we can't blame poor quarterback play this time. Tua Tagovailoa was back for the Dolphins after a four-game absence with a concussion, and Waddle had his sixth game in a row with 8.6 PPR points or less. He also doesn't have a great history against the Bills, who are No. 6 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing receivers. Waddle has scored 8.6 PPR points or less in three of his past five meetings with Buffalo, and I would only start Waddle in three-receiver leagues.
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T.J. Hockenson (knee) is expected to make his 2024 debut in Week 9 against the Colts, and that could further impact the targets for Addison. He has four targets or less in four of the five games he's played this season, and in his past two outings against the Lions and Rams, Addison has combined for five catches for 88 yards and no touchdowns on seven targets. He's scored 9.6 PPR points or less in all but one game, and until he starts playing at a high level on a consistent basis, you can sit Addison in the majority of leagues.
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Robinson has 50 receiving yards or less in three games in a row and has scored 10 PPR points or less in each outing. The volume is there with 25 targets over that span for 16 catches, but he's doing nothing down the field or scoring touchdowns, which makes him difficult to start, even in PPR. Now, he did score a touchdown against Washington in Week 2, but he only had two catches for 18 yards on four targets. Hopefully he can snap out of his recent slump, but I'm nervous to trust Robinson in this matchup with the Commanders.
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Bust Alert
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