B/R's Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Picks for Every NFL Week 9 Fantasy Matchup

We're in the second half of the fantasy football season, and the stakes are getting higher—especially for managers on the fringe of playoff contention. And the Week 9 slate features no shortage of games that could swing fantasy matchups.

The week kicks off with one of this year's most consistent fantasy running backs and a quarterback who has watched his wide receiver corps fall apart in recent weeks.

Sunday, there's a massive NFC North showdown with two red-hot offenses, one of which may be short its starting quarterback. The Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Commanders appear to have matchups that could produce big stat lines, while the NFL's No. 1 offense faces one of its best defenses.

And in the final game of the week, this season's biggest surprise under center will try to get by with a makeshift pass-catching corps against the undefeated two-time reigning champions.

There are plenty of players who will score big this week, while others will fall flat. And some guys who will come from nowhere to score a win for fantasy managers.

Here, we will cover all of that and more, with a game-by-game breakdown of starts, sits and sleepers for Week 9.

Key Injuries

The Houston Texans enter Week 9 a hot mess at wide receiver. Stefon Diggs is out for the season after tearing his ACL last week against the Indianapolis Colts, and Nico Collins remains on injured reserve with a hamstring issue. Reserve running back Dameon Pierce has a groin injury and has been ruled out.

The Jets have a banged-up wideout of their own: Veteran Allen Lazard (chest) hasn't played since October 20, and he won't be available for this matchup after landing on injured reserve.

Start of the Week

Joe Mixon, RB, Houston Texans [DraftKings DFS Value: $7,900]: The Jets aren't a favorable matchup for running backs, but Mixon has been productive this season with 100-plus rushing yards and a touchdown in every game he's played bar one this season.

Sit of the Week

Tank Dell, WR, Houston Texans [DraftKings DFS Value: $7,300]: Dell should receive a boatload of targets with Diggs and Collins out. But he hasn't been able to duplicate his 2023 success this year and faces a Jets defense that has surrendered the second-fewest PPR points per game to wide receivers this season.

Sleeper

New York Jets Defense [DraftKings DFS Value: $2,400]: The Texans are middle of the pack in fantasy points allowed to defenses this year, but that was when they had healthy receivers. Given how banged up Houston is, moving the ball could be a challenge Thursday night.

Stat to Know

42.7. The percentage of Houston's 185 receptions that have been made by Collins and Diggs this season. Collins is eligible to come off injured reserve soon, but in the interim, expect to see a lot of Mixon, a bump in target share for veteran tight end Dalton Schultz and a possible down week for Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud.

Key Injuries

Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle left more than a few fantasy managers in the lurch in Week 8 when he was a late scratch due to illness, but his availability for Week 9 isn't believed to be in question.

The Atlanta Falcons are in good shape injury-wise. There are no offensive players of note on this week's injury report.

Start of the Week

Kirk Cousins, QB, Atlanta Falcons [DraftKings DFS Value: $6,400]: Cousins has been a top-five fantasy quarterback over the past month. He's coming off a four-touchdown game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the Cowboys have allowed the sixth-most fantasy points per game to QBs this season.

Sit of the Week

Rico Dowdle, RB, Dallas Cowboys [DraftKings DFS Value: $6,000]: Dowdle is averaging just 4.2 yards per carry this season. He hasn't had even 90 rushing yards in a game, and Atlanta ranks 20th in the league this year in PPR points per game surrendered to running backs.

Sleeper

Tyler Allgeier, RB, Atlanta Falcons [DraftKings DFS Value: $4,900]: Allgeier remains a factor in the Falcons rushing attack, posting double-digit carries in two of his last three games. The Cowboys have struggled against the run this season, allowing 154.6 rushing yards per game—tied for most in the NFL.

Stat to Know

74.1. That's how many rushing yards per game the Cowboys have averaged this season, dead-last in the NFL. Dallas is averaging a dismal 3.4 yards per carry, and the team has just three touchdowns on the ground this season, tied with Cleveland for the fewest in the league.

Key Injuries

The Denver Broncos will have their hands full with the Ravens on Sunday, but it will at least be all hands on deck for the team. They don't have prominent skill-position players on the injury report.

The Ravens added an offensive weapon this week, with the arrival of wide receiver Diontae Johnson from the Carolina Panthers. Whether he will make his Baltimore debut Sunday is another matter, though, as he has missed time this season with a rib injury.

Lamar Jackson was also listed as questionable after a DNP Wednesday and Thursday, but he practiced Friday and is fully expected to play.

Start of the Week

Courtland Sutton, WR, Denver Broncos [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,400]: The Denver passing game has picked up some steam of late, and that momentum should carry over into Week 9. There isn't a team in the NFL allowing more passing yards per game than the 294.1 the Ravens are giving up.

Sit of the Week

Javonte Williams, RB, Denver Broncos [DraftKings DFS Value: $6,200]: Williams is coming off a clunker in a plus matchup last week: just 44 yards on 17 carries. A bounce back isn't likely against the Ravens, which lead the league in run defense, surrendering less than 70 yards a game on the ground.

Sleeper

Bo Nix, QB, Denver Broncos [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,900]: Nix is coming off the best game of his young career last week against Carolina: 284 passing yards and three touchdowns. He should have another solid statistical outing in Week 9—the way to move the ball on the Ravens is through the air.

Stat to Know

946. The number of rushing yards Derrick Henry has tallied in his first season as a Raven, 180 more than any other back. He is averaging a ridiculous 6.5 yards per carry, and his nine scores on the ground also lead the league. Age and workload don't appear to have negatively impacted the 30-year-old one bit.

Key Injuries

The Buffalo Bills head into Week 9 banged-up at wide receiver. Curtis Samuel missed Week 8 with a pectoral injury and is questionable. So is Amari Cooper, who is day-to-day with a wrist issue.

After a litany of offensive injuries earlier in the year, the visiting Dolphins are in good shape for this AFC East clash. Their injury report is clean at the offensive skill positions.

Start of the Week

James Cook, RB, Buffalo Bills [DraftKings DFS Value: $7,200]: Cook was fantasy football's highest-scoring running back last week on the heels of 133 total yards and two touchdowns, and he should excel again against a Dolphins defense giving up 123.7 yards per game on the ground.

Sit of the Week

Jaylen Waddle, WR, Miami Dolphins [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,500]: The return of Tua Tagovailoa was fantastic news for the fantasy value of Tyreek Hill and Waddle in Miami. But this week's matchup? Not so much. The Bills have surrendered the sixth-fewest PPR points per game to wide receivers this season.

Sleeper

Raheem Mostert, RB, Miami Dolphins [DraftKings DFS Value: $6,000]: Mostert hasn't been able to duplicate last year's fantasy success, but the veteran running back found the end zone twice in Week 8 and faces a Bills defense giving up the fifth-most PPR points per game to RBs in 2024.

Stat to Know

74.1. That's Tagovailoa's passer rating in eight starts against the Bills in his career. He has won just one of those starts, completing under 62 percent of his passes for under 200 yards per game with seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions. This has the makings of a down week for the Dolphins' passing game, especially with the game in Buffalo.

Key Injuries

The New Orleans Saints are pretty beat up heading into Week 9. Wide receivers Cedrick Wilson Jr. (hip) is questionable. Running back Kendre Miller (hamstring) and wide receiver Bub Means (ankle) have been ruled out. Running back Alvin Kamara has been on and off the injury report for weeks, but his Week 9 availability isn't believed to be in doubt.

There is some good news for the Saints. After missing multiple games with an oblique injury, quarterback Derek Carr is off the injury report and will return in Week 9.

The Carolina Panthers have quarterback issues of their own. Andy Dalton missed Week 8 with a thumb injury and is iffy for Sunday. That could mean another start for Bryce Young, who will be down a receiver after Diontae Johnson was traded. Wideout Adam Thielen remains on injured reserve and is doubtful, and rookie Xavier Legette (toe) is questionable.

OK, so Young may be down more than one receiver.

Start of the Week

Chuba Hubbard, RB, Carolina Panthers [DraftKings DFS Value: $6,500]: Both Hubbard and Kamara should pile up the fantasy points Sunday. The Panthers are tied for last in the league in run defense, and no team is giving up more total yards per game this season than the Saints.

Sit of the Week

Xavier Legette, WR, Carolina Panthers [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,300]: With Johnson gone, Legette is the new No. 1 wide receiver for the Panthers, at least until Adam Thielen returns. That means a coverage date with Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore—a tough ask for the banged-up rookie.

Sleeper

New Orleans Saints Defense [DraftKings DFS Value: $3,800]: The Saints aren't playing especially well defensively this year. But the Panthers are a bottom-five offense in terms of both yards and points per game, and they have given up the eighth-most fantasy points per game to defenses this season.

Stat to Know

104.6. The dismal number of passing yards per game Young has amassed this season—and that's after a season-high 224 yards last week against the Denver Broncos. The cold truth is this—if Young starts under center, then Hubbard is the only Panthers player who should be anywhere near starting lineups, even against a bad Saints defense.

Key Injuries

It has been an injury-marred season for Tee Higgins, who missed Week 8 after injuring his quad in practice last week. He's truly questionable for this week's visit from the Raiders, which could mean all the targets ever for Ja'Marr Chase Sunday.

The Raiders have had their share of injuries on offense this season, but after wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (ankle) returned to action in Week 8, he and reserve running back Zamir White (quad) are the only players of note on the injury report.

Start of the Week

Brock Bowers, TE, Las Vegas Raiders [DraftKings DFS Value: $6,000]: The Bengals have struggled defending tight ends, allowing the sixth-most PPR points per game to the position. That should mean big things for Bowers, who has been peppered with targets since wide receiver Davante Adams was traded.

Sit of the Week

Alexander Mattison, RB, Las Vegas Raiders [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,700]: This has less to do with Mattison's matchup than the likelihood of a negative game script. If/when the Raiders fall behind Sunday, an already lousy ground game will go out the window. At best, Mattison is a so-so flex play in Week 9.

Sleeper

Cincinnati Bengals Defense [DraftKings DFS Value: $3,700]: The Bengals haven't exactly lit things up defensively, but the Raiders have a tendency to make below-average defenses look like the 1985 Bears. Through eight weeks, Vegas has allowed the second-most fantasy points per game to defenses.

Stat to Know

79.0. That's how many yards per game on the ground the Raiders have averaged this season, good for last in the AFC. It's something of a perfect storm: lack of explosive talent at running back, poor offensive line play and an inconsistent passing attack. Add it all together, and you get "three yards and a cloud of "bleh."

Key Injuries

The Chargers head to Cleveland with a few questions in the passing game. Wide receiver Quentin Johnston (ankle) and tight end Hayden Hurst (groin) both missed last week's victory over the New Orleans Saints, and wideout Ladd McConkey (hip) missed practice time this week. None are on the injury report though, so all should play.

The Browns are in better shape coming off their upset of the Baltimore Ravens. Running back Jerome Ford is the only skill-position player whose Week 9 status is in jeopardy, but Nick Chubb's return has rendered him mostly irrelevant anyway.

Start of the Week

Los Angeles Chargers Defense [DraftKings DFS Value: $3,300]: With Jameis Winston under center, the Browns had their best offensive effort of the season last week. But they have allowed the most sacks in the league by a jaw-dropping margin, and the Chargers have been consistently solid on defense this year.

Sit of the Week

Jerry Jeudy, WR, Cleveland Browns [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,100]: Jeudy may be the highest-paid wide receiver in Cleveland, but Cedric Tillman was its top wideout on the field last week. All of the Browns pass-catchers have their work cut out for them Sunday, as the Chargers have allowed less than 195 passing yards per game this season.

Sleeper

Cedric Tillman, WR, Cleveland Browns [DraftKings DFS Value: $4,300]: Yes, Tillman has a bad matchup in Week 9—the Chargers are dead-last in fantasy points per game given up to wide receivers this year. But he is coming off a two-touchdown game against the Ravens, and someone has to catch the rock for Cleveland this week.

Stat to Know

334. The number of passing yards Winston had last week against the Ravens. The Chargers are a much better pass defense, but Week 8 was the first time this season that the Browns have had a viable passing attack. The 30-year-old is going to throw some interceptions (he always does), but he's far and away Cleveland's best option under center. He's a younger Joe Flacco—and we saw what Flacco did for the Browns in 2023.

Key Injuries

Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels' performance playing through a rib injury last week is the stuff of legend.

The rookie should be fine for Week 9, and the Washington injury report lacks any prominent offensive players outside him and running back Brian Robinson Jr. (hamstring), who is in a similar position as Daniels. Robinson is technically questionable, but he's tentatively expected to go.

Giants tailback Tyrone Tracy Jr. suffered a concussion late in last week's loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, But he has cleared the NFL's protocol and is expected to play Sunday.

Start of the Week

Malik Nabers, WR, New York Giants [DraftKings DFS Value: $7,500]: Nabers has been shut out of the end zone for over a month, but this week's NFC East clash sets up well for the rookie to snap that dry spell. If the Giants have any chance of winning this game, he will have to post big numbers.

Sit of the Week

Devin Singletary, RB, New York Giants [DraftKings DFS Value: $6,100]: Tracy has one less day to clear the NFL's concussion protocol, so Singletary may be New York's lead back against the Commanders. But after a shaky start to the season, the Washington defense has stiffened in recent weeks.

Sleeper

Washington Commanders Defense [DraftKings DFS Value: $3,400]: Over the past four weeks, the Commanders are seventh in fantasy points among defenses. The Giants have been a strong matchup for the position this year, giving up the most fantasy points in the NFC to the position.

Stat to Know

18.9. That's how many PPR points per game Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin is averaging over the past three games. Over that span, only A.J. Brown of the Philadelphia Eagles has more fantasy points among wideouts. McLaurin and Daniels have quickly built a strong rapport, and the 29-year-old is officially a fantasy WR1.

Key Injuries

The New England Patriots are hoping a pair of rookies clear the concussion protocol and play this week after sitting out Week 8. Both quarterback Drake Maye and wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk got in limited practices to start the week. Polk has cleared the protocol. Maye (as of Friday evening) has not.

The Titans are short a quarterback as well, after Will Levis missed the last two games with a shoulder injury. He practiced this week, but his status for Sunday is uncertain.

Tennessee wide receiver Tyler Boyd (shoulder) and running back Tony Pollard (foot) have missed practice all week and are the wrong side of questionable. Running back Tyjae Spears (hamstring) has been ruled out, but after missing practice earlier in the week, wideout Calvin Ridley is off the injury report.

Start of the Week

New England Patriots Defense [DraftKings DFS Value: $3,000]: Compared to the Bill Belichick era, the Patriots defense has been pitiful in 2024. But there isn't a better "get right" matchup for defenses in the NFL than the Titans. No team in the league has given up more fantasy points per game to defenses.

Sit of the Week

Hunter Henry, TE, New England Patriots [DraftKings DFS Value: $3,900]: Henry has been decent for fantasy managers this year—10th among tight ends in fantasy points. But the Titans aren't a favorable matchup for his position, as they rank 28th in PPR points per game given up to tight ends this year.

Sleeper

Julius Chestnut, RB, Tennessee Titans [DraftKings DFS Value: $4,000]: If Pollard can't go Sunday, Chestnut will be the proverbial last man standing in the Tennessee backfield. That could mean good things against a Patriots team

Stat to Know

265.4. That's how many yards per game the Titans defense has given up, best in the NFL. The Patriots have already struggled to move the ball this season, and their 260.9 yards per game is last in the league. Given that offensive futility and a bad matchup, starting any Pats players in Week 9 is a risky play.

Key Injuries

The Chicago Bears and Arizona Cardinals have both exceeded expectations to this point in the season, and both will be at relatively full strength Sunday. Neither squad has any fantasy-relevant players on the injury report.

Start of the Week

D'Andre Swift, RB, Chicago Bears [DraftKings DFS Value: $6,400]: Swift had a big game last week against the Commanders, tallying a season-high 129 rushing yards and finding the end zone for the fourth straight week. The Cardinals have given up the sixth-most PPR points per game to running backs this season.

Sit of the Week

Kyler Murray, QB, Arizona Cardinals [DraftKings DFS Value: $6,600]: Murray has been more or less as advertised this season—seventh in fantasy points among quarterbacks on the season. But this week's matchup is an uphill climb. The Bears are last in the NFC in fantasy points per game surrendered to QBs in 2024.

Sleeper

Rome Odunze, WR, Chicago Bears [DraftKings DFS Value: $4,900]: Odunze hasn't had the statistical success of some of his rookie counterparts at wide receiver this season. But a matchup with a Cardinals defense allowing the ninth-most PPR points per game to wideouts could pave the way for his best game yet.

Stat to Know

131. That's how many passing yards Bears quarterback Caleb Williams had last week against the Commanders, his second-lowest output in that category this season. Look for him to rebound in Week 9, as the Cardinals rank 26th in the NFL in pass defense, allowing 235.6 yards per game through the air.

Key Injuries

The Jaguars head to Philadelphia with a wideout corps ravaged by injuries. Christian Kirk (collarbone) is out for the season. Brian Thomas Jr. (chest) and Gabe Davis (shoulder) are questionable, although the latter has a better chance of playing.

Running backs Travis Etienne (hamstring) and Tank Bigsby (ankle) both logged limited practices this week, but the pair appears truly questionable.

The Eagles are in better shape from an injury standpoint, although tight end Dallas Goedert (hamstring) still isn't practicing and has been ruled out for Week 9.

Start of the Week

Saquon Barkley, RB, Philadelphia Eagles [DraftKings DFS Value: $8,200]: Fantasy football's No. 3 running back has been everything the Eagles hoped for when they signed him, and he should feast on a struggling Jaguars defense that is giving up the most fantasy points in the AFC to running backs this year.

Sit of the Week

Tank Bigsby, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars [DraftKings DFS Value: $6,200]: Bigsby has been solid as Jacksonville's lead back with Etienne out, but the sledding will be tough in Week 9. The Eagles allow just 107 yards on the ground per game, and this contest has negative game script written all over it.

Sleeper

Parker Washington, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars [DraftKings DFS Value: $3,600]: With Kirk's season over, Washington will likely serve as Jacksonville's primary slot receiver moving forward. The Eagles are much easier to throw on than run on, and the Jaguars will almost certainly be playing catch-up in the second half.

Stat to Know

382.1. The number of yards per game Jacksonville's 29th-ranked defense is allowing this season. The Jaguars are equally inept against the run and pass and have given up more fantasy points overall than any team in the AFC. This week is a "start 'em if you've got 'em" game for Eagles players.

Key Injuries

As the Packers prepare to host the Lions in this battle for first place in the NFC North, there are some significant injury concerns in Titletown.

Quarterback Jordan Love is in real jeopardy of missing Sunday's game with a groin injury, while running back Josh Jacobs is questionable after hurting his ankle in last week's win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The Lions have a banged-up signal-caller as well, but while Jared Goff (ankle) missed some practice time, his availability for Week 9 isn't a concern.

Start of the Week

Sam LaPorta, TE, Detroit Lions [DraftKings DFS Value: $4,800]: LaPorta hasn't come close to backing up his rookie success in 2024. But he's coming off of one his best statistical efforts of the season and now draws a Green Bay defense allowing the eighth-most PPR points per game to tight ends.

Sit of the Week

Josh Jacobs, RB, Green Bay Packers [DraftKings DFS Value: $6,900]: This is a perfect storm—in a bad way. Jacobs is banged up. If Love sits, the Lions will load the box against Malik Willis and a run-heavy Green Bay offense. And Detroit has given up the fewest PPR points per game in the NFC to RBs this year.

Sleeper

Christian Watson, WR, Green Bay Packers [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,000]: With Willis the likely starter at quarterback for the Packers this week, trusting any Green Bay wideout carries some risk. But the Lions can be had through the air—their pass defense ranks 27th in the league.

Stat to Know

385.1. The number of yards per game Detroit's sixth-ranked offense is amassing, while its 33.4 points per game leads the league. Whether it's Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery on the ground or Amon-Ra St. Brown and LaPorta through the air, Goff has weapons galore around him—and one of the league's best offensive lines is keeping his jersey clean.

Key Injuries

The biggest injury question for the Los Angeles Rams is wide receiver Puka Nacua, who aggravated his knee injury in practice this week. Nacua was a DNP Friday, but head coach Seam McVay has expressed optimism that the second-year receiver will be able to go Sunday.

The Seahawks have pass-catcher problems as well. Star wide receiver DK Metcalf (knee) has been ruled it for Week 9. Tight end Noah Fant has also been ruled out with a knee injury of his own.

Start of the Week

Kenneth Walker III, RB, Seattle Seahawks [DraftKings DFS Value: $7,300]: Walker was invisible in last week's blowout loss to the Buffalo Bills. But he scored touchdowns on the ground in the two preceding games and should find success on the ground against a Rams defense allowing 139.1 yards per game on the ground.

Sit of the Week

Puka Nacua, WR, Los Angeles Rams [DraftKings DFS Value: $7,200]: Nacua came up big in his first game back from a knee injury last week. But that could be followed up with something of a clunker, as the second-year pro will likely draw Devon Witherspoon in coverage for much of Sunday's game.

Sleeper

Colby Parkinson, TE, Los Angeles Rams [DraftKings DFS Value: $3,700]: With Nacua and Kupp back in the fold, Parkinson's target share took a big hit last week. But the matchup's there for the 25-year-old this week—the Seahawks have surrendered the ninth-most PPR points per game to tight ends this season.

Stat to Know

50. That's the percentage of Matthew Stafford's 34 pass attempts last week that were targeted at Nacua or Kupp in the Rams' 10-point win over the Minnesota Vikings. This is a much different, much more dangerous offense with its two star wideouts, especially with Kyren Williams producing as well as any back in the NFL right now.

Key Injuries

The Indianapolis Colts head to Minnesota with a new (old) quarterback. Joe Flacco will start under center after Anthony Richardson was benched. The Colts also have two injured receivers in Josh Downs (toe) and Michael Pittman Jr. (back), although both played through their injuries last week and are off the injury report.

The host Vikings are at full strength at the offensive skill positions.

Start of the Week

Michael Pittman Jr., WR, Indianapolis Colts [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,900]: No team in the league has allowed more PPR points per game to receivers this year than the Vikings, and while Richardson's fantasy managers aren't happy about him getting the hook, it's good news for the team's wide receivers. Richardson is an awful passer. Period.

Sit of the Week

Jonathan Taylor, RB, Indianapolis Colts [DraftKings DFS Value: $7,700]: Taylor is an awfully hard player to actually sit. But as bad as Minnesota is against the pass, it's equally good against the run. Its run defense is third in the league, allowing just 83.9 yards per game.

Sleeper

Joe Flacco, QB, Indianapolis Colts [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,700]: The Vikings aren't the gravy fantasy matchup for quarterbacks that they are for wide receivers. But Minnesota has allowed 260.3 passing yards per game this season. No team in the NFC has given up more, and the Colts will likely be airing it out Sunday night.

Stat to Know

125. That's how many receiving yards every pass-catcher not named Justin Jefferson had for the Vikings a week ago, while Jefferson caught eight of nine targets for 115 yards. There's no denying he is an elite talent. But if Sam Darnold doesn't do a better job spreading the ball around, Minnesota's losing streak may well continue.

Key Injuries

The Buccaneers remain a banged-up mess at wide receiver as they prepare to face the defending champs. No wide receiver Chris Godwin. No wideout Mike Evans.

Not an ideal situation as they take on the undefeated Chiefs.

For Kansas City, wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster has missed most of the last two games with a hamstring injury. He's questionable at best for Week 9 and has yet to return to practice.

Start of the Week

Patrick Mahomes, QB, Kansas City Chiefs [DraftKings DFS Value: $6,700]: That Mahomes needing to be recommended at all speaks to a 2024 season in which his numbers have been down even while the wins have piled up. But the Buccaneers lead the league in fantasy points per game given up to quarterbacks this season.

Sit of the Week

Rachaad White, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,800]: It's not bad enough that the Tampa Bay ground game has descended into a three-headed committee. Now the Bucs take on a Chiefs team surrendering the fewest PPR points per game to running backs this year.

Sleeper

Kansas City Chiefs Defense [DraftKings DFS Value: $3,100]: The Chiefs don't get the credit they deserve for playing excellent defense, but the team is fifth in the NFL in points allowed. The Tampa pass-catchers have been smashed by injuries, and while Baker Mayfield leads the league in touchdowns, he also paces it in interceptions.

Stat to Know

235.9. The number of passing yards per game Mahomes is averaging this season, the lowest number of his NFL career. He has eclipsed 300 passing yards just once, and his next three-touchdown game will be his first of the season. The Kansas City offense just isn't as explosive as in past seasons, and the arrival of DeAndre Hopkins isn't going to flip some magical switch.

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Gary Davenport is a two-time Fantasy Sports Writers Association Football Writer of the Year. Follow him on X at @IDPSharks.