QB Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Picks for Week 9 (2024)

We are entering the midpoint of the 2024 season. In Week 8, we saw the return of Jameis Winston, who threw for 300 yards and a trio of touchdowns in his first start since 2022. Fun fact: Winston and Joe Flacco have thrown for 300 yards in six of their seven starts for the Browns, while Deshaun Watson failed to hit 300 passing yards in any of his 19 games.

We also saw Drake Maye leave last Sunday's contest after receiving a helmet-to-helmet blow, so we will need to see how the rookie progresses through the NFL's concussion protocol ahead of Week 9's kickoff, not to mention a groin injury that Packers quarterback Jordan Love sustained.

There are also two teams on bye this week as Russell Wilson and the Pittsburgh Steelers and Brock Purdy and the San Francisco 49ers take a much-needed break before making their playoff push. Now that we have that out of the way, it's time to break down the RotoBaller Week 9 quarterback starts and sits.

• Quarterback fantasy football rankings
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• Dynasty fantasy football rankings

Week 9 Starts - Fantasy Football Booms

Bo Nix - QB, Denver Broncos at Baltimore Ravens

Don't look now, but Bo Nix has been averaging 21.7 fantasy points per game over the last month while posting 20 or more fantasy points in three of his previous four contests.

With a 7:1 touchdown to interception ratio, 870 passing yards, a pair of rushing scores, and three victories, it is Nix, not Jayden Daniels or Caleb Williams, leading rookie quarterbacks in each of those categories for October. I was one of Nix's doubters ahead of the 2024 season, but it's time to give the man his flowers.

Nix also became the first quarterback in Broncos history last week to finish a game with three passing touchdowns, two rushing touchdowns, and zero interceptions. Move aside, John Elway. The Nix experience is in full swing and has been since the start of Week 3, as the Broncos ran their record to 5-1 over that period.

Bo Nix since Week 2:

1,146 Passing Yards
199 Rushing Yards
8 Passing TDs
3 Rushing TDs
1 INT
5-1 Record pic.twitter.com/Qb58xYgvCp

— Bryce 🎸 (@MileHighMims) October 28, 2024

This week, the Broncos face a challenging task in the Baltimore Ravens, who were embarrassed on Sunday in a loss to Jameis Winston and the Cleveland Browns. Luckily, there is no reason to think Nix can't continue his fantasy success against a Ravens secondary, which has allowed quarterbacks 21.33 fantasy points per game this season, the third-most. 

Baltimore has allowed a league-high 17 touchdown passes this season while only forcing five interceptions to date. Fantasy managers should expect the good times to continue this week for a quarterback who has been playing at the level Nix has since the conclusion of Week 2.

Patrick Mahomes - QB, Kansas City Chiefs vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

While Patrick Mahomes is still not the Mahomes of old, well, at least not for fantasy purposes, this week's matchup against the Buccaneers is one of the more favorable on the docket. 

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have allowed the second-most fantasy points to the quarterback position over the last four weeks, as opposing signal-callers have averaged 24.39 fantasy points per game. Over that period, the Buccaneers have allowed 1,191 passing yards and a league-high 11 passing touchdowns, four of which came last week at the hands of Kirk Cousins.

Another thing to remember is that Mahomes' favorite target, Travis Kelce, also has a smashing start this week. Tampa Bay has allowed a pair of touchdowns and 354 yards receiving to opposing tight ends over the last four weeks. That works out to 18.85 fantasy points per game surrendered. Kelce is coming off a 10-catch, 90-yard performance in Week 8, which may be the floor here in Week 9.

You're not gonna believe this

Patrick Mahomes broke another record pic.twitter.com/X0PMhfR5Mj

— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) October 27, 2024

Sam Darnold - QB, Minnesota Vikings vs. Indianapolis Colts

Now that Sam Darnold has his head back on straight, after nearly having it taken off a week ago in the end zone, he can see that his date with the Colts is one fantasy managers should be excited about.

During the season, the Colts have allowed the 10th-most fantasy points to quarterbacks, 16.84 per contest. That line hasn't moved much over the last four weeks, as they have allowed 18.34 fantasy points per game to the position, again the 10th-most. See where I am going with this? Darnold has a top-10 fantasy matchup, no matter how you look at it this week.

Once again, Darnold proved to be a viable fantasy option, throwing for a pair of scores and 240 yards in that Thursday night loss to the Rams, posting 21 fantasy points, which put him over 16 fantasy points for the fifth time in seven contests this season.

Week 9 Sits - Fantasy Football Busts

Daniel Jones - QB,  New York Giants vs.  Washington Commanders

It doesn't matter if it is Daniel Jones, Drew Lock, or even Phil Simms. I'm not starting any of them this week against the Washington Commanders. Over the last four weeks, the Commanders' defense figured some things out. They have allowed 9.38 fantasy points per game over that period, the third-fewest in the league.

Before last week, Caleb Williams had posted back-to-back fantasy performances in which he topped 23 fantasy points before dropping to less than 10 against the Commanders in a game where he completed just 10 of 24 passes for 131 yards.

Whatever Dan Quinn is selling, this defense is buying. Over the last three games, the Commanders' defense ranks 10th in total points allowed (17.3), third in passing yards allowed (168), second in passing touchdowns per game (0.3), and first in opponent completions per game (14.3).

Anthony Richardson - QB, Indianapolis Colts at Minnesota Vikings

I won't say that Anthony Richardson quit his team last week; I'll let you all decide that for yourselves. I will say, and the numbers will confirm, that Richardson is a drop in fantasy football.

#Colts QB Anthony Richardson on taking himself out of the game in the 3rd quarter: “Tired, I ain’t gonna lie. That was a lot of running right there that I did ... So, I just told Shane (Steichen) I needed a break right there.”

(🎥 @WISHNews8)pic.twitter.com/5DiUalDXDU

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 27, 2024

Richardson's 12.3 fantasy points per game rank 28th in the league. Mason Rudolph of the Titans averages 11.9 fantasy points per game. Let that sink in for a minute.

But how bad has Richardson really been? I'm glad you asked. Since 2000, Richardson's 50% completion rate puts him with elite company. I'm talking about JaMarcus Russell, Ryan Leaf, Tim Tebow, and Akili Smith. Yes, the who's who of NFL draft busts.

I will say that Richardson is just 22 and missed most of last season, so in a sense, this is a continuation of his rookie season. At 22, I can't remember what I was doing, but I know whatever it was did not involve the NFL. 

This week, he has a favorable matchup, as the Vikings have allowed nearly 20 fantasy points per game over the last four weeks. That said, if he was "tired" last week, you can expect that Brian Flores is going to make him run again this week courtesy of that Vikings blitz package.

Update: The Indianapolis Colts are making a change at quarterback. Richardson is being benched in favor of Joe Flacco.

A QB change for the Colts: Indianapolis is benching former first-round pick Anthony Richardson and turning to veteran Joe Flacco, sources tell @FowlerESPN and me. Coaches met this morning and made the seismic organizational decision to change QBs. pic.twitter.com/uqANJwOwr4

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 29, 2024

C.J. Stroud - QB, Houston Texans at New York Jets

Over the last four weeks, New York has, on average, held quarterbacks to under 16 fantasy points, which many consider to be the mark for a viable start. 

Now, it's okay to admit when we are wrong. A season after C.J. Stroud took fantasy by storm and averaged 18.7 fantasy points per game, he has been underwhelming through eight weeks, averaging 15.3 fantasy points per game, ranking him 23rd. 

Good news: Nico Collins will be returning soon. Over the last two weeks without Collins, Stroud has produced just 17.7 fantasy points. The bad news is Collins isn't back this week, and Stefon Diggs' right knee buckled (non-contact), leaving Stroud with Tank Dell, John Metchie III, Robert Woods, and Xavier Hutchinson.

Until Collins returns, fantasy managers will likely have to bench Stroud and look for other options.

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