Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em, NFL Week 9: Lean on Patrick Mahomes, Quinshon Judkins?

Byes are light for NFL Week 9, with only the Titans and Steelers getting rest over the weekend. Most fantasy football managers have full rosters available this week, and that could add to the difficulty surrounding Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em decisions. 

Last week saw several underperforming players finally produce, such as Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes (QB5 in Week 8) and Cardinals WR Michael Wilson (WR4 in Week 8). But does one standout performance merit a start for Week 9 fantasy football lineups?  

We’ll look at rising fantasy football players and more for our NFL Week 9 Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em, featuring each player’s projections on PrizePicks.

Make NFL picks for Week 9 on PrizePicks! 

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Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em, NFL Week 9

An opponent’s defense should always be considered in your Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em debates, and that’s the theme of NFL Week 9, with several productive players potentially moving to the bench due to difficult matchups this week. 

We’ll cover the good and bad for each major position group for full-PPR leagues, including quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends.

Here’s who you should start and who should warm the bench for Week 9’s Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em.

Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em: Quarterbacks

Following back-to-back underwhelming performances off bye, Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes finally produced one of his signature splash performances. Raiders QB Kirk Cousins, meanwhile, remains one of the most productive signal-callers across fantasy football. Who earns the start in Week 9?

Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes: Start ‘Em

Game: Jets vs. Chiefs – Sunday, November 8, 1:00 p.m. ET

Projections via PrizePicks: 231.5 Pass Yards, 2.5 Passing TDs (Demon), 32.5 Pass Attempts

Following Week 5’s bye, Patrick Mahomes posted 11.5 (QB23) and 7.0 fantasy points (QB25) over Weeks 6 and 7. That put him in sit territory for a tough Week 8 matchup vs. the Broncos. 

Mahomes didn’t blink, torching the daunted Denver defense for 321 passing yards, 3 passing TDs, and 25.4 fantasy points (QB5). According to RBSDM, the Broncos rank seventh with a 43.3% dropback success rate allowed, yet Mahomes still went off.

Week 9 looks like a much more favorable matchup against a 2-6 Jets squad. New York surrenders a 49.2% dropback success rate (24th), 7.0 yards per passing attempt (14th), and 18.1 fantasy points per game (FPPG) vs. QBs (16th), per Pro Football Reference. 

According to PrizePicks, the Chiefs have a 1.78x payout to go over 27.5 points, suggesting plenty of scoring opportunities for Mahomes.

Add Patrick Mahomes to your PrizePicks lineup

Raiders QB Kirk Cousins: Sit ‘Em

Game: Raiders vs. 49ers – Sunday, November 8, 4:25 p.m. ET

Projections via PrizePicks: 244.5 Pass Yards, 0.5 Rush Yards

Kirk Cousins is up to QB4 on the season, tallying 20.6 FPPG (QB5). Since Week 6, Cousins recorded 19.5 (QB9), 20.4 (QB9), and 28.2 fantasy points (QB2). So why in the world would you fade a red-hot QB right now? 

The San Francisco 49ers are up next, and they have allowed only 15.7 FPPG vs. QBs (10th-fewest). That’s backed by a strong pass defense that surrenders 6.3 yards per passing attempt (sixth) and a 44.6% dropback success rate (11th). 

San Francisco’s 5.70% sack rate (23rd) has been a weak point of a defense allowing only 19.9 PPG. However, EDGE Nick Bosa is expected to return from injury in Week 9, and DT DeForest Buckner will play in his first game since the Niners acquired the elite 3-tech in last week’s trade. 

According to Pro Football Focus, Cousins has 5 turnover-worthy plays over his last six, yet that led to only 2 INTs. If the veteran continues to put the ball in harm's way, that could finally burn Cousins against an exceptional 49ers defense in Week 9. 

Make Kirk Cousins picks on PrizePicks now!

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Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em: Running Backs

Since Jets RB Breece Hall suffered an injury, RB Braelon Allen has been a consistent fantasy producer. Browns QB Quinshon Judkins and consistency do not belong in the same sentence, but what does that mean for our Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em debate for RBs?

Browns RB Quinshon Judkins: Start ‘Em

Game: Browns vs. Saints – Sunday, November 8, 1:00 p.m. ET

Projections via PrizePicks: 48.5 Rush Yards, 12.5 Receiving Yards, 0.5 Anytime TDs (Demon)

Since Week 4, Quinshon Judkins has truly been a roller coaster experience for fantasy managers. He’s logged 21.6 (RB11), 8.0 (RB33), 23.4 (RB3), and 6.9 fantasy points (RB32) in the split.

If we stick to this trend, that means Judkins is due for another splash performance in Week 9. Of course, we can’t elect to start an inconsistent RB based on just that; fortunately, he has the matchup to back a start as well.

Week 9 features the Saints, and they give up 4.8 yards per carry (26th), 139.4 rushing yards per game (29th), and a 48.1% rush success rate (32nd). New Orleans’ 16.1% missed tackle rate (fourth-highest) further aids Judkins’ ability to generate yards, via FTN.

While the second-year RB comes off a deflating 6.9 fantasy points, the Browns were quickly forced into a negative game script in a 27-6 loss vs. the Steelers. Cleveland was trailing 20-6 at halftime, contributing to 41 passing attempts compared to 15 carries. 

Judkins’ workload on the ground is not in danger, proven by his 11 rushing attempts surpassing RB Dylan Sampson’s 1 in Week 8. From Weeks 3 to 7, he logged 16.5 carries and 65.8 rushing yards per game. Further, Judkins boasts a healthy 60.0% red zone rushing attempt share and has taken 80.0% of carries within the 5-yard line.   

Predict More or Less for Quinshon Judkins’ rush yards projection on PrizePicks! 

Jets RB Braelon Allen: Sit ‘Em

Game: Jets vs. Chiefs – Sunday, November 8, 1:00 p.m. ET

Unlike Quinshon Judkins, Braelon Allen’s role may be in danger for Week 9. In his last five games, Allen has a dominant 76.5% snap share that’s fueled 18.6 rushing attempts, 100.8 rushing yards, and 14.0 receiving yards per game.

However, Jets RB Breece Hall was out of all of those games, and he finally made progress last week. Hall was a limited participant at all three practices and was ruled questionable for Week 8. According to Ian Rapoport of ESPN and NFL Network, Hall “should” play in Week 9. 

Allen’s absurd numbers, such as 3.64 yards after contact per carry, should earn touches going forward. However, he’s unlikely to dominate touches when Hall is back — proven by a 35.5% snap share in Hall’s two full games this season. 

Furthermore, the Chiefs are 9.5-point favorites on the spread, per PrizePicks. A negative game script would limit New York’s ability to run the rock, and Kansas City is already a tough challenge by limiting teams to a 34.8% rush success rate (third).  

Make Braelon Allen picks on PrizePicks now!

Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em: Wide Receivers

The Colts are in sell mode ahead of the trade deadline, but that doesn’t mean to fade the entire offense for fantasy football. Plus, the Panthers come off back-to-back losses with limited success in the passing game.

How should we approach a Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em battle between Colts WR Keenan Allen and Panthers WR Jalen Coker?  

Colts WR Keenan Allen: Start ‘Em

Game: Cowboys vs. Colts – Sunday, November 8, 1:00 p.m. ET

The Colts benefit from a matchup with the Cowboys this week. Need I say more? Dallas continues to struggle across the board, yielding 26.6 PPG (27th), 7.5 yards per play (22nd), and a 50.6% dropback success rate (29th). 

The Cowboys held the Cardinals to only 3 points in the first half on Sunday, followed by an epic collapse in a 33-30 overtime loss. After giving up 467 total yards, Dallas continues to be a target for any offense in the NFL. 

Adding to the matchup, Cowboys CB Joey Porter Jr. (ankle) and S Caleb Downs (concussion) each left Week 8’s game due to injury, and they’re arguably Dallas’ best in an already struggling secondary. 

Since Week 3, Keenan Allen has posted 9, 9, 11, 3, and 7 targets. That’s good for a team-best 19.9% target share in the split. Even more impressive, Allen touts a 27.9% target-per-route run rate in the split. 

Indianapolis WR Josh Downs (19.4%) has the second-highest target share since Week 3. Plus, Downs’ 28.0% air yards share leads the team during the split. However, Downs is firmly in trade rumors ahead of next week’s trade deadline, potentially carving out more targets for Allen. 

Following Week 8’s 7 receptions for 67 receiving yards and 13.7 fantasy points (WR21), Allen is still a trustworthy start in fantasy football — especially in a favorable matchup vs. the Cowboys. 

Pick More or Less for Keenan Allen’s projections on PrizePicks. 

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Panthers WR Jalen Coker: Sit ‘Em

Game: Broncos vs. Panthers – Sunday, November 8, 1:00 p.m. ET

Projections via PrizePicks: 50.5 Receiving Yards, 4.5 Receptions, 11.5 Fantasy Score

In Jalen Coker’s first two games of the season, he racked up 9.0 targets, 8.0 catches, 102.0 receiving yards, and 1.0 receiving TDs per game. That produced an elite 24.2 FPPG. 

But since returning from injury in Week 6, Coker hasn’t provided the same punch with 9.1 FPPG. He returned to 13 targets in Week 6 and followed that with only 4 and 5 targets in the last two games. 

Since Week 7, Panthers QB Bryce Young has struggled mightily with a 37.0% success rate (31st). Week 9’s matchup doesn’t do Young any favors, as the Broncos cede a 43.3% dropback success rate (seventh), -0.013 dropback EPA (seventh), and 6.5 yards per passing attempt (eighth).

Additionally, Denver gives up only 22.1 FPPG to WRs (fifth-fewest). According to FTN, the Broncos run man coverage at the third-highest rate (41.9%), and Coker has 0.031 EPA per route vs. man compared to 0.101 vs. zone coverage.

Following 5.8 FPPG in his last two, Coker is a wise sit amid Young’s struggles with a tough matchup awaiting in Week 9.

Add Jalen Coker to your PrizePicks lineup for Week 9.

Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em: Tight Ends

We’re dissecting two top 12 TEs for fantasy football in this week’s Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em. Packers TE Tucker Kraft is TE6 in PPR leagues, while Bengals TE Mike Gesicki is TE12.

However, Kraft’s 11.1 FPPG actually trails Gesicki’s 11.2. Who should we start in NFL Week 9?

Packers TE Tucker Kraft: Start ‘Em

Game: Packers vs. Patriots – Sunday, November 8, 4:25 p.m. ET
Projections via PrizePicks: 43.5 Receiving Yards, 4.5 Receptions, 11 Fantasy Score

Tucker Kraft has flexed his muscles with three top six weekly finishes since Week 4. Furthermore, he’s produced back-to-back TE6 finishes, tallying 16.1 FPPG since Week 7.

Kraft scored 1 TD in each performance, bringing his receiving TDs to 3 on the season. However, he’s not relying on finding the end zone; Kraft has a healthy 17.1% target share and 20.5% target-to-route run rate.

His low 5.7 average depth of target harms fantasy football upside, but Kraft makes up for that thanks to 5.4 yards after the catch per reception. Plus, he has plenty of opportunities for targets considering the Packers’ 65.73% pass play rate (the highest).

The Patriots are allowing 7.3 yards per passing attempt (19th), and they run zone coverage at a 69.1% rate (tied for 10th-highest). Kraft produces 1.81 yards per route run vs. zone compared to 1.25 against man.  

Furthermore, Kraft could be an outlet for QB Jordan Love, as the Pats carry a dangerous 7.89% sack rate (fifth).

Make Tucker Kraft picks on PrizePicks now!

Bengals TE Mike Gesicki: Sit ‘Em

Game: Bengals vs. Falcons – Sunday, November 8, 9:30 a.m. ET
Projections via PrizePicks: 27.5 Receiving Yards, 2.5 Receptions, 0.5 Anytime TDs (Demon), 7 Fantasy Score

Mike Gesicki is simply a touchdown machine, boasting 6 receiving TDs across seven contests. According to PlayerProfiler, Gesicki’s 16.1% red zone target share ranks 22nd among TEs; this screams regression ahead.

Week 9’s opponents, the Falcons, have allowed only 4 TDs to tight ends this season. Atlanta’s 10.9 FPPG allowed to TEs (tied for 14th-fewest) is in the middle of the pack across the NFL.

The Falcons’ D has been a run funnel at times, allowing a 41.7% rush success rate (21st) compared to a 44.3% dropback success rate (ninth). According to ESPN, Atlanta sports a 53% pass rush win rate (10th), and the Bengals carry a 46% pass block win rate (25th). That could take away some of QB Joe Burrow’s downfield attempts, impacting Gesicki’s lofty 11.1 aDOT.

Gesicki’s path to fantasy points has been touchdowns and healthy air yards. The Falcons are a tough matchup in both categories for Sunday’s battle in Madrid, Spain.

Add Mike Gesicki to your PrizePicks lineup for NFL Week 9.

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Turn Your Fantasy Football Takes to NFL Picks on PrizePicks

Patrick Mahomes, Quinshon Judkins, and Keenan Allen could take advantage of favorable matchups for NFL Week 9. Kirk Cousins, Braelon Allen, and Mike Gesicki have all been valuable fantasy pieces, but difficult matchups in Week 9 could lead to time on the bench for our Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em this week.

You can turn your fantasy football knowledge into picks on PrizePicks! Pick players, predict More or Less on their stats, and cash in if you’re right. With Team Picks, you can make predictions on NFL game winners, spreads, and over/unders — now available in 36 states. 

As we head into the NFL season, stay locked in Playbook for weekly NFL start/sit advice, waiver wire analysis, and game picks throughout the 2026 NFL season.