Fantasy Football 2024 Week 9: Start ’em, Sit ’em

Welcome back to Fantasy Football Start ‘em, Sit ‘em – where each week we explore some of my best picks for who should be starting in fantasy managers’ lineups, and who should be sitting the week out.

Week 8 saw a few more players go down with injury – Malik Willis had to step in for Jordan Love again after Love suffered a strained groin, the Jags lost just about all their wide receivers, Drake Maye went down with a concussion, Jordan Mason left with a shoulder injury and didn’t return, and Stefon Diggs tore his ACL and is done for the year. On the other hand, there’s a handful of impact players that fantasy managers will hopefully be getting back this week or next. After missing week 8 with a knee injury, DK Metcalf looks set to practice this week and hopefully play Sunday, Nico Collins seems set to arrive back on schedule for week 10, and Kyle Shanahan told reporters that Christian McCaffrey is going to “hit it hard” this week while the 49ers are on a bye, with the hopes of having him return to practice next week.

Speaking of byes, they are unfortunately back this week, so fantasy managers will have to navigate around not having Deebo Samuel, Jordan Mason, George Kittle, George Pickens, and Najee Harris.

Per usual, let’s take a look at the best of what we have left to work with this week.

Ian’s Record: 37-22

Start ’em

Bo Nix (QB, Broncos) at Ravens

Nix is buzzing after posting his first 250+ passing yard, 2+ passing touchdown game of the season, and he steps right into another juicy matchup where he could thrive if the offense can stay out on the field.

Baltimore is currently in a three-way tie for most passing touchdowns allowed on the season. If Denver’s stingy defense can contain Lamar and Derrick Henry at least somewhat, this could easily become a second consecutive trap game for Baltimore.

Tony Pollard (RB, Titans) vs Patriots

This one’s a little out of left field, and this will probably be a pretty ugly game, but bear with me on this one.

Pollard dominates the touches coming out of the backfield. In week 6 – the last time he scored – Pollard took 100% of the team’s red zone snaps. Obviously their situation isn’t ideal, but Mason Rudolph is a serviceable QB that should be able to move the ball adequately against an underwhelming New England defense.

The Pats have allowed the second most rushing touchdowns so far, so let Rudolph find the 10-15 yard line a couple times and you should have a couple Pollard TDs.

Colts WRs at Vikings

What began as an unbreachable defense courtesy of Brian Flores has since cooled down, and if Anthony Richardson was starting I would’ve gone a different direction, but the combo of MPJ, Alec Pierce, and Josh Downs should see a lot more consistency with Joe Flacco starting against a defense that has allowed passing touchdowns to at least two receivers four weeks in a row now.

Minnesota might try to get their footing back in this one by exploiting the run game, but I like a 250+ yard/2+ touchdown game from Flacco here by spreading the ball around in contrast to Richardson’s deep-ball habits.

Dalton Schultz (TE, Texans) at Jets

The Jets have covered tight ends fairly well to this point, and Schutlz for the most part has been pretty quiet this season, but I think he finds his breakout game here in a very favorable situation for him.

With Nico Collins still on IR and Stefon Diggs going down with a torn ACL, that only leaves Tank Dell as Houston’s primary ball-catcher, and at 5’8”, should be a fairly easy target to cover, especially if you throw two backs at him every few plays.

Schutlz, however, poses as a more difficult target to cover immediately off the line or in the slot, where the Jets are a little more forgiving. I like Schultz to grab 4+ catches and maybe find the endzone.

Sit ’em

Baker Mayfield (QB, Buccaneers) at Chiefs

All year Mayfield has been continuing to remind people why he was the number one overall pick in 2018, throwing for over 300 yards and at least three touchdowns in his last three games. It may be time to pump the brakes on him this week though, as he faces his toughest defensive matchup so far this season (minus the Broncos).

Without his top targets, it may be difficult for Baker to get the ball out quick enough against this relentless Kansas City front, and they’ve only allowed four touchdown passes in their last three games played. Stick him in your back pocket this week.

J.K. Dobbins (RB, Chargers) at Browns

While Dobbins has surprised most by managing to stay productive and fantasy relevant following his injury history and being on a new team, he’s a higher risk than reward play for this week as Cleveland continues trying to turn their page on the season.

I hate to say it because I never wish injury upon anybody nor would I root for someone to be unsuccessful, but I wouldn’t be surprised to continue seeing Cleveland kicking it up a notch on both sides of the ball now that Deshaun Watson’s done for the year. They’ve been stingy against the run all year as they usually are, but don’t be surprised to see them buzzing still after bringing Baltimore back to real life.

Jordan Addison (WR, Vikings) vs Colts

It’s tough to gauge what Addison’s target share will look like just about every week with Justin Jefferson on the same team, but even more so now that TJ Hockenson is returning, too.

There’s also some weird vibes going on with Addison and Minnesota, as he posted this last week:

He’s since tried to calm the noise – saying it’s a nickname/catch phrase he’s been using since college – but…. I mean……

Evan Engram (TE, Jaguars) at Eagles

Engram’s becoming borderline boom or bust, and I’m picking bust this week in a brutal matchup.

Christian Kirk, Brian Thomas Jr., AND Gabe Davis went down last week with injuries, making for a very easy coverage situation for Philly’s cornerbacks and safeties. They are also one of four teams that have yet to allow a touchdown to a tight end this year. Pass.

BYES: SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS, PITTSBURGH STEELERS