Start Em Sit Em Week 9 – Fantasy Football 2024
The 2024 fantasy football season is heating up, and Week 9 brings some intriguing start and sit decisions. Here, our FF Faceoff Podcast team of writers and experts have collaborated to deliver the top picks for our Start Em Sit Em Week 9 column.
These aren’t always the obvious choices like Breece Hall or CeeDee Lamb, but rather the Flex plays, RB2s, or WR3s that may have you on the fence. Read on to find out who should be in your lineup and who to bench this week. As always, contact us or chat with us on X with any lineup questions. Let’s get into it.
Start Em Sit Em Week 9 – Fantasy Football
Your Week 9 NFL Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em decisions are pivotal for steering your fantasy football team toward the playoffs. With the season in full swing, making the right lineup calls each week can be the difference-maker. This week, we’ll help you identify the players poised for standout performances and those who might underperform, so you can optimize your lineup. Whether you’re debating a breakout running back or considering a sleeper wide receiver from the Week 9 waiver wire, nailing your start em sit em Week 9 picks is key to fantasy success. Let’s dive in!
Start Em Sit Em Week 9 – Quarterbacks
START – Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
It’s been a rough fantasy season for Mahomes. Week 8 was the first time he scored 20 or more points this season in a 4-point passing touchdown format. He has also reached the 300-passing-yard mark once this year. That said, the matchup with the Buccaneers is too good to pass up.
They’ve allowed 327.3 passing yards per game in their last four while also surrendering 14 total touchdown passes in those games.
START – Joe Flacco, Indianapolis Colts
Having already been announced as the Week 9 starter, Flacco is the best chance the Colts have for winning football games. In his three previous games, he threw seven touchdowns, one interception and completed 65.7 percent of his passes – far better than the 44 percent by Anthony Richardson this season. The Vikings defense he’ll be facing has allowed 286.3 passing yards and two passing scores per game. They’ve taken early leads in most of their games and Flacco will have to pass the ball to keep in step with them.
SIT – Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Mayfield has been an excellent fantasy option this year, even without his big playmakers. He is currently on pace to throw for 4651 passing yards and 44.6 touchdowns. However, he faces off with the Chiefs this coming Monday. The Chiefs haven’t given up more than 212 passing yards since Week 3. Without Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, I don’t think you can count on Mayfield this week.
Start Em Sit Em Week 9 – Running Backs
START – Alexander Mattison, Las Vegas Raiders
Mattison has taken over the starting job for Las Vegas. In his last four games, he has been given at least 18 opportunities and he racked up 60 or more yards in four straight games before Week 8 against the Chiefs. This week, he battles the Bengals defense that is the 8th best opponent for running backs, based on our D-PAC ratings. The touches and the matchup are there and we should get another solid outing from him.
START – Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals
Same game, other sideline. Brown has left teammate Zack Moss in the dust when it comes to weekly touches. Since Week 4, Brown has had 49 carries to Moss’ 26. Brown is also averaging 4.96 yards per carry since Week 2 along with 7.85 yards per reception. Our D-PAC ratings have Las Vegas as the 6th nicest matchup for fantasy running backs, which means you should keep Brown in your starting lineups.
SIT – Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos
Williams has had some nice performances in 2024. In Week 5, he totaled 111 yards on 18 touches. In Week 7, he had his first career game with multiple rushing scores. Other than those two games, he is averaging just 3.1 yards per carry and no touchdowns. Against one of the toughest run-stopping defenses in the league, Baltimore, he’s going to have an uphill struggle. Find another option this week.
SIT – All Tampa Bay Running Backs
There are too many reasons to avoid this offense this week. First of all, they’re implementing a three-headed backfield between Rachaad White, Bucky Irving, and Sean Tucker. There’s no way to know which runner will get the most touches. Second, the Chiefs are allowing 3.5 yards per carry – the second-fewest in the league – and the third-fewest carries. Third, none of these three have been able to sustain any regular success. You might get lucky with a random Irving touchdown, but I wouldn’t bet on it.
Start Em Sit Em Week 9 – Wide Receivers
START – Darnell Mooney, Atlanta Falcons
One of the more pleasant surprises from this fantasy season, Mooney has been solid. His 60 targets are keeping pace with Drake London (68) and he has surpassed 80 receiving yards in a game three times to London’s one time. The Week 9 matchup with Dallas is icing on the cake as they are surrendering 12.6 yards per catch – the most in the NFL. Mooney should have another start-worthy fantasy day this week.
START – Courtland Sutton, Denver Broncos
With the emergence of Bo Nix, the Broncos passing game seems less stagnant. As the premier pass catcher, Sutton will be at the forefront of the teams’ air attack. He just notched 100 receiving yards last week and has seen nine or more targets in four games. He’ll face off with the Baltimore defense who is good at stopping the run but significantly weaker against the pass, allowing the most passing yards (2493) in the league. Sutton also averages 16.8 yards per reception against Baltimore in three career games. I like his chances to be an excellent fantasy option in Week 9.
START – Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts
Downs has seen nine or more targets in four of his last five games. He has also achieved at least 66 receiving yards in each of those four games. From his last five games, he would be on pace for 1118 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. With Flacco at the helm, the efficiency of the passes will be improved. Not only is Downs a great start against Minnesota, pairing him up with Flacco would make for an awesome DFS stack this week.
SIT – Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins
It’s been a rough fantasy season for managers relying on any of the Dolphins playmakers. Most notably Waddle, who hasn’t surpassed 46 receiving yards since Week 1. Most of those issues can be chalked up to the subpar quarterback play the team has had to endure. Even with Tua Tagovailoa back under center, the upcoming matchup doesn’t predict a positive outcome. Buffalo currently holds the second toughest D-PAC score against wide receivers and they’re only giving up 9.8 yards per reception (3rd fewest in the NFL). Wait one more week for Waddle to return to form.
Start Em Sit Em Week 9 – Tight Ends
START – T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota Vikings
We fantasy managers have been patiently waiting for this day to come. Hockenson is all set to make his 2024 debut and it couldn’t come at a better time. The Vikings are reeling after dropping two straight games and in need of another offensive weapon to spread out the defensive coverage. The visiting Colts make for a great first opponent as they’ve surrendered 78.7 receiving yards to tight ends across their last three contests. Open up that IR spot, because Hockenson is stepping into the starting lineup!
SIT – Tucker Kraft, Green Bay Packers
We’ve been getting a boat load of fantasy points for this young tight end. In his last five games, Kraft has averaged 14.7 yards per catch and scored five times. Unfortunately, the Packers may be without Jordan Love under center. The uncertainty at quarterback puts an asterisk next to all of the Green Bay pass catchers. On top of that, the Lions have been brutal against tight ends, based on our D-PAC ratings. Bluer skies may be ahead for Kraft, but not in Week 9.
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