Week 9 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Play or Bench Tips for Fantasy Football Managers

We've reached the halfway point in the 2024 NFL season, which means we're also approaching the stretch run in fantasy football.

While the playoffs are still several weeks away in most leagues, time is running short for managers without a winning record. Making the right lineup decisions is as critical as ever, and unfortunately, byes are back for Week 9.

This week's schedule also features a few less-than-desirable matchups. We'll dive into a few of those here and provide some start-sit recommendations.

All picks and analysis are based on point-per-reception (PPR) scoring.

Start: RB Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 27: Tampa Bay Buccaneers Running Back Rachaad White (1) warms up before the game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on October 27, 2024 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Though they lost in Week 8, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers showed that they can field a functional offense without receivers Chris Godwin (ankle, out for season) and Mike Evans (hamstring).

Running back Rachaad White played a significant role in the passing game, catching five of six targets for 38 yards and a touchdown. He finished with 67 scrimmage yards, though he did lose a fumble.

While White must compete with Bucky Irving and Sean Tucker for carries, his PPR floor makes him a dependable option in a tough matchup.

The Buccaneers will visit the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday night, and their defense has been a problem for opposing running backs. Kansas City ranks second in yards per carry allowed and has surrendered the fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs.

Someone has to catch the ball for Tampa Bay, though, and White could easily finish with a half-dozen receptions or more.

Sit: RB Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns

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CLEVELAND, OHIO - OCTOBER 20: Nick Chubb #24 of the Cleveland Browns looks on prior to a game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Huntington Bank Field on October 20, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images)

Managers who waited nearly two months to insert Nick Chubb into their lineups were rewarded with a solid first outing in Week 7. Chubb found the end zone in his 2024 debut and finished with one reception and 32 scrimmage yards.

In Week 8, however, Chubb tallied just 52 yards on 16 carries. His performance against the Baltimore Ravens should serve as a reminder that A.) the Cleveland Browns aren't going to run Chubb 25 times a game and B.) that the 28-year-old isn't heavily involved in the passing game.

Chubb's fantasy value this season will depend on his ability to break long runs and/or find the end zone. He's worth starting in favorable matchups but is extremely risky in tough ones.

This week, Chubb will have a difficult matchup as the Browns are set to host the Los Angeles Chargers. Alvin Kamara was worth starting against L.A. last week because of his PPR floor—he finished with six receptions and 122 scrimmage yards—but Chubb is a massive boom-or-bust option.

Only the Chiefs have surrendered fewer fantasy points to opposing RBS than Los Angeles.

Start: WR Keon Coleman, Buffalo Bills

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SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - OCTOBER 27: Keon Coleman #0 of the Buffalo Bills looks on against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on October 27, 2024 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

The in-season arrival of wide receiver Amari Cooper has helped the Buffalo Bills offense in a big way. While Cooper hasn't put up big numbers himself, he's helped open up opportunities for pass-catchers like Khalil Shakir and rookie Keon Coleman.

Coleman has taken off in two games with Cooper in the lineup. He caught four passes for 125 yards in Week 7 and finished last week with five receptions, 70 yards and a touchdown. He should be dependable once again this week, even against a good Miami Dolphins secondary.

The Dolphins have allowed the second-fewest fantasy points to opposing receivers this season.

Cooper will command defensive attention, and Miami will likely be concerned with Shakir's ability to go over the top. This should give Coleman the opportunity to serve as a high-volume possession target.

Coleman has seen seven targets in each of the past two weeks.

Sit: WR Tank Dell, Houston Texans

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GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - OCTOBER 20: Wide receiver Tank Dell #3 of the Houston Texans gets set during the third quarter of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, at Lambeau Field on October 20, 2024 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Todd Rosenberg/Getty Images)

In theory, Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell should be a must-start moving forward. Nico Collins remains on injured reserve, and Houston recently lost Stefon Diggs for the season to a torn ACL. Someone has to step in as C.J. Stroud's go-to target.

"Everybody's got to step up," Dell told Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston.

The problem this week is that Dell is going to command the full attention of a talented New York Jets secondary. The Jets have allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points to opposing WRs this season.

With the game coming on Thursday night, New York won't have a ton of time to tailor its game plan. However, ensuring that Dell is double-covered on every play is a strategy that can be implemented on a short week.

Dell has been a hit-or-miss fantasy option all season—he's had three games with either five-plus receptions or a touchdown, but he's had two with fewer than three fantasy points.

Given the situation and the matchup, Dell can't be trusted if other WR options are available.

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*Fantasy scoring information from FantasyPros.