Chuba Hubbard, Nico Collins, Zack Moss: Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Picks for Fantasy Football Week 9

The calendar has flipped to November, which means regular season crunch time has arrived. For a majority of leagues, the fantasy playoffs begin in mid-December.

Each managerial decision made from here on out can make or break playoff chances. No pressure.

The RotoBaller staff is here to help break down why certain players are worth starting or sitting. Chuba Hubbard, Nico Collins, and Zack Moss are under the microscope in this article.

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• Dynasty fantasy football rankings

Should I Start Chuba Hubbard for Fantasy Football?

Chuba Hubbard may not be the most talented running back but talent is only a piece of the fantasy football puzzle. In his last two games (both as a starter), the third-year runner has logged 20 and 17 touches, respectively. He'll be the leader of the Carolina backfield once again in Week 9. The volume alone puts him in the RB2 conversation.

37, 39, 38. That's how many points Indianapolis has let up in the last three games as they quickly rise in the ranks of the NFL's worst defenses. Eight rushing touchdowns have been scored against the Colts in that stretch. Scoring opportunities for Hubbard are higher than they were in recent weeks.

Fantasy managers may have a sour taste in their mouths about Hubbard after he took 15 carries for just 28 yards against Houston. Expect his Week 9 stat line to be more like his final tally against Miami the week prior: 90 scrimmage yards and a score.

Hubbard is the RB18 in our half-PPR consensus staff rankings.

Should I Start Nico Collins for Fantasy Football?

Houston's passing game took a step back following their bye week but there was a clear intent to attempt to get their running game on track for the first time all season. They saw the Panthers on their schedule (more on their soft run defense below) and felt the time was right to see if Dameon Pierce could help their offense. As a result, Nico Collins, Tank Dell, Dalton Schultz, and C.J. Stroud all suffered.

The running game wasn't established, they lost the game, and now Pierce is out with an ankle injury. With a Tampa Bay defense that is weak against the pass and strong against the run on the docket, Houston will return to putting the ball in the air.

In their last game, the Buccaneers allowed three Bills wide receivers (Stefon Diggs, Gabe Davis, and Khalil Shakir) to top 70 yards. The two outside receivers, Diggs and Davis, each snagged nine catches. Collins is still the top option in the Houston passing offense and has a great chance to bounce back in Week 9.

Collins is the WR15 in our half-PPR consensus staff rankings.

Should I Start Zack Moss for Fantasy Football?

At an all-you-can-eat Brazilian steakhouse, you may find yourself near a family of eight with five teenage football players. But that's the beauty of a buffet. It doesn't matter how much food they pile onto their plates, you'll still feast.

That's Zack Moss right now. Jonathan Taylor can take a filet mignon, bacon-wrapped chicken breasts, a parmesan-crusted pork loin, and all the sides, and Moss will still eat. The backup played a season-low 39% of the snaps in Week 8 against New Orleans and still gobbled up 72 yards and a touchdown.

While you're now dreaming of dinner, Moss and Taylor are dreaming of running rampant on the Panthers' defense. The unit allows the fourth-most rushing yards per game, and depending on format, gives up the most fantasy points to opposing running backs. The Colts may opt to give each back even more chances against Carolina, as Gardner Minshew turnovers have played a large part in their three-game losing streak.

Note: Moss did miss practice Friday with a heel issue but the team did not give him an injury designation, a sign that he'll be available on Sunday.

Moss is the RB22 in our half-PPR consensus staff rankings.

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