• Patrick Mahomes will end as a top-10 fantasy QB for the primary time in practically a yr: When the Kansas City Chiefs play this Monday night time, it should have been 344 days since Mahomes final completed as a top-10 fantasy QB in any given week. That streak ends this week as he will get to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers atrocious go protection.
• De’Von Achane is a weekly top-five fantasy participant so long as Tua Tagovailoa is below heart: Achane has averaged 137.3 scrimmage yards and 26.4 fantasy factors per recreation over the three video games that Tagovailoa began this season. He completed as a top-three fantasy RB in every of these weeks and has the chance to complete on the high once more in an awesome matchup towards the Buffalo Bills this Sunday.
• Unlock your edge with a PFF+ subscription: Get full entry to all our in-season fantasy instruments, together with weekly rankings, WR/CB matchup charts, weekly projections, the Start-Sit Optimizer and extra. Sign up now!
Estimated Reading Time: 11 minutes
Are you struggling to set your fantasy lineups? Maybe I may help… Below you’ll find my high fireplace (increase) and ice (bust) gamers at every place for Week 9. I additionally embody my sleeper of the week at every place in case you’re in a deeper league or in want of a alternative for an ice participant.
Don’t miss my Fire & Ice chart on the backside of this web page. There, I’ve listed out all of my fireplace, good, sleeper and ice performs for Week 9 of the 2024 fantasy soccer season.
Quarterbacks
Fire QB Start of the Week: Patrick Mahomes (vs. TB)
I hardly ever rank Mahomes excessive in my fantasy ranks as he has merely been a nasty fantasy quarterback for a very long time now — he hasn’t completed increased than the QB14 in fantasy factors in any week since Week 9 of the 2023 season. To put that into context, Bo Nix has completed as a top-10 fantasy QB in three of the final 4 weeks. However, this matchup is just too juicy for Mahomes to not go off and I’m predicting that this weekend will likely be his first top-eight fantasy end in over a full yr.
No protection has allowed extra fantasy factors on common to quarterbacks this season than Tampa Bay. In three of the final 4 weeks, the QB going through the Tampa Bay Buccaneers has completed as a top-three fantasy producer at their place that week (Kirk Cousins in Weeks 5 and eight and Lamar Jackson in Week 7).
Sleeper QB of the Week: Joe Flacco (at MIN)
It is humorous to consider, however Joe Flacco leads all quarterbacks with five-plus begins in passing yards per recreation (309.1) and passing touchdowns per recreation (2.6) for the reason that begin of the 2023 season. Flacco has thrown a number of touchdowns in each recreation he has began during the last two seasons, and he has scored 22-plus fantasy factors in three of his final 4 begins.
The Minnesota Vikings‘ protection has allowed the third-most passing yards per recreation this season, behind solely the Jacksonville Jaguars and Baltimore Ravens. Flacco confronted the Jaguars earlier this season and threw for 359 yards, three touchdowns and 0 interceptions whereas placing up 26.6 fantasy factors towards them.
Ice QB Start of the Week: Bo Nix (at BAL)
Nix has been a surprisingly stable fantasy QB as of late, ending as a top-10 performer in three of the final 4 weeks and having the very best recreation of his profession final weekend towards the Carolina Panthers. On paper, this matchup towards the Ravens, who’ve been hemorrhaging fantasy factors to QBs, seems like one other nice alternative for Nix to place up large numbers, however I believe it’s a entice.
The Ravens have allowed 25.9 fantasy factors per recreation to opposing QBs on the street this season however simply 13.8 factors per recreation at house. On the opposite hand, Bo Nix has averaged simply 12.8 fantasy factors per recreation on the street in his rookie season – he’s averaging 145 passing yards per recreation and has scored simply one passing landing over 4 away video games in 2024.
Running Backs
Fire RB Start of the Week: De’Von Achane (at BUF)
Overall it has been a disappointing sophomore season for De’Von Achane, however he has nonetheless been an elite fantasy asset so long as Tua Tagovailoa is below heart. Achane has completed as a top-three fantasy operating again in every week that Tagovailoa began this season – he scored 23 factors in Week 1, 30 factors in Week 2 and 27 factors in Week 8. His season-high scrimmage yards (165) and fantasy factors got here in Week 2 towards the Buffalo Bills, who he will likely be going through once more this weekend.
The Bills have been particularly dangerous towards pass-catching backs this season, permitting essentially the most receptions and receiving yards to RBs amongst all NFL groups. Achane is averaging over seven targets and 65 receiving yards per recreation when Tagovialoa begins for the Miami Dolphins this season. Fantasy managers ought to count on one other monster efficiency from Achane in Week 9.
Sleeper RB of the Week: Alexander Mattison (at CIN)
It was a horrible outing on the bottom for Alexander Mattison final weekend when he put up simply 15 yards on 14 carries and was stuffed on all of his four-goal line alternatives. But I don’t assume we have to put most inventory into that efficiency as he was going through the Kansas City Chiefs who’re the No. 1 rush protection within the NFL this season. The vital factor to remove from that matchup is that Mattison nonetheless acquired 19 touches within the recreation and Las Vegas Raiders HC Antonio Pierce stated after the sport that he would stay their beginning again transferring ahead.
Mattison scored not less than 15 fantasy factors in each Weeks 6 and seven and he has 81 scrimmage touches during the last 4 weeks – solely Josh Jacobs has extra throughout that span. He will get a a lot simpler matchup in Week 9 towards the Cincinnati Bengals, who’ve allowed a RB to attain not less than 16 fantasy factors towards them in three of the final 5 weeks.
Ice RB Start of the Week: Raheem Mostert (at BUF)
Mostert scored twice in Week 8, his first dashing touchdowns of the 2024 season. However, he noticed solely 10 touches within the recreation and put up simply 19 yards on 9 carries — 12 of Mostert’s 16 fantasy factors got here from his two touchdowns in Week 8. The Bills have been a really pleasant protection to fantasy operating backs, however that’s largely attributable to them giving up a ton of receptions and receiving yards to RBs. Mostert has 5 receptions by way of 4 video games performed this season.
Mostert’s fantasy manufacturing will likely be very reliant on scoring a landing however the Bills have allowed simply 4 dashing touchdowns to RBs in 2024
Wide Receivers
Fire WR Start of the Week: Josh Downs (at MIN)
With Anthony Richardson, Josh Downs is a dangerous play as he’s depending on massive performs … however with Joe Flacco, Downs turns into a a lot safer possibility with nice upside. On 61 passing snaps with Richardson, Downs has caught simply 9 of 18 targets for 145 yards and one TD. On 84 passing snaps with Flacco, Downs has caught 23 of 29 targets for 206 yards and two TDs. In three video games performed with Flacco this season, Downs has scored 22.2, 15.9 and 19.5 fantasy factors.
Downs get a implausible matchup this Sunday towards the Vikings who’ve allowed essentially the most fantasy factors to the broad receiver place this season. The Vikings have allowed not less than one WR to attain 18-plus fantasy factors towards them in every of their final six video games.
Sleeper WR Start of the Week: DeAndre Hopkins (vs. TB)
In his Chiefs debut, DeAndre Hopkins had simply two receptions for 29 yards whereas enjoying on solely 32% of the offensive snaps in Week 8. However, Andy Reid stated he expects “to see extra” of Hopkins in Week 9 on Monday Night Football. This week’s matchup is a good alternative for the Chiefs to get their new weapon going.
The Buccaneers have allowed the sixth most receiving yards per recreation and fifth most fantasy factors to broad receivers in 2024. They have been getting even worse because the season progresses — 4 completely different WRs have scored 18-plus fantasy factors towards the Buccaneers during the last 4 weeks.
Ice WR Start of the Week: Zay Flowers (vs. DEN)
Zay Flowers has been seeing a ton of quantity and placing up nice manufacturing as of late — he has had a 100-yard receiving recreation in three of the final 4 video games and has completed as a top-15 fantasy producer in every of these three weeks. However, his fantasy factors have been very target-volume-dependent and I don’t count on him to be utilized an excessive amount of on Sunday in a really powerful matchup for broad receivers.
The Denver Broncos‘ go protection is top-notch this season – they’ve allowed the fewest passing yards per try and opponents and the second-fewest yards per reception to broad receivers this season. No WR has recorded 80-plus receiving yards towards the Broncos in 2024. Plus, the likelihood that Flowers can rating a TD on this matchup is low — Flowers has only one TD on the yr and Denver has allowed simply 4 receiving touchdowns to WRs in 2024, tied for the fewest within the NFL.
Tight Ends
Fire TE Start of the Week: Evan Engram (at PHI)
The largest beneficiary from Christian Kirk’s season-ending damage is Evan Engram. The two play very related roles within the Jaguars offense as they’re the group’s high slot weapons. With Kirk on the sidelines from Weeks 13-18 in 2023, Engram averaged over 10 targets per recreation and 19.3 fantasy factors per recreation — he was the general TE1 throughout that span.
The Philadelphia Eagles may have no difficulty placing up factors towards the weak Jaguars protection, which is able to drive the Jaguars to go early and sometimes this Sunday. Engram ought to see double-digit targets in Week 9.
Sleeper TE of the Week: Hunter Henry (at TEN)
There is optimism surrounding Drake Maye’s possibilities to go concussion protocol earlier than the New England Patriots’ Week 9 recreation this Sunday. If Maye is on the market, Hunter Henry is an efficient fantasy possibility. Henry scored 13.1 and 17.2 factors over Maye’s two full video games performed this season (Weeks 6 and seven).
The Tennessee Titans not solely allowed Lions TE Sam LaPorta to attain a season-high 16.8 fantasy factors in Week 8, however they allowed each LaPorta and Detroit Lions backup TE Brock Wright to come back down with a receiving landing within the recreation. Henry is a top-12 fantasy begin on the TE place in Week 9 if Maye is energetic.
Ice TE Start of the Week: Tucker Kraft (vs DET)
Tucker Kraft has been a superb fantasy TE as of late, scoring not less than 16 fantasy factors in three of the final 5 weeks. However, a lot of his manufacturing has come on massive performs and touchdowns, and he hasn’t had greater than three receptions in any of the final three weeks. Plus, he will get a really powerful matchup for fantasy tight ends this weekend.
The Lions have allowed simply two tight ends to attain greater than 5 fantasy factors towards them, with no TEs scoring greater than 10 factors towards them this season. Over their final six video games, the Lions haven’t allowed an opposing TE to document greater than 33 receiving yards and have allowed only one landing to the tight finish place throughout that span.
Fire & Ice Fantasy Football Plays
Here, I categorize each related fantasy participant into 5 completely different buckets: (1) fireplace begins (greatest begins of the week); (2) thumbs up (good begins); (3) Risky gamers with upside (sleepers); (4) Ice begins (predicting dangerous efficiency from good participant); (5) Stop (should sits).
Note: If a participant/protection is just not listed, I’m not contemplating beginning them in Week 9. I didn’t embody Texans/Jets gamers as they play on Thursday night time.
Fire 🔥
- QB: Jalen Hurts, Josh Allen, Jayden Daniels, Patrick Mahomes
- RB: Kyren Williams, Derrick Henry, De’Von Achane, Saquon Barkley, Bijan Robinson, Jahmyr Gibbs, Alvin Kamara
- WR: Justin Jefferson, A.J. Brown, CeeDee Lamb, Ja’Marr Chase, Puka Nacua, Malik Nabers, Amon-Ra. St. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Terry McLaurin, DK Metcalf, Josh Downs
- TE: Brock Bowers, Evan Engram, Travis Kelce, Trey McBride
- DEF: Chargers, Commanders, Chiefs, Eagles
Thumbs Up 👍
- QB: Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow, Jordan Love, Kyler Murray, Matthew Stafford, Jared Goff, Joe Flacco
- RB: Jonathan Taylor, Kenneth Walker III, James Cook, Aaron Jones, D’Andre Swift, Josh Jacobs, David Montgomery, Kareem Hunt, James Conner, Chuba Hubbard, Tony Pollard, Brian Robinson Jr., Rhamondre Stevenson, Tyrone Tracy Jr. (if he performs)
- WR: Tyreek Hill, Cooper Kupp, Chris Olave, Drake London, Marvin Harrison Jr., Romeo Doubs, DJ Moore, Brian Thomas Jr (if he performs), Tee Higgins (if he performs), Keon Coleman, Cedric Tillman
- TE: Kyle Pitts, Cade Otton, David Njoku, Hunter Henry, Sam LaPorta, Mark Andrews, Jake Ferguson, Dalton Kincaid
- DEF: Vikings, Ravens, Saints, Bills, Bears
Upside 📈
- QB: Sam Darnold, Kirk Cousins, Baker Mayfield, Dak Prescott, Derek Carr, Drake Maye
- RB: J.Ok. Dobbins, Alexander Mattison, Chase Brown, Austin Ekeler
- WR: DeAndre Hopkins, Jayden Reed, Courtland Sutton, Amari Cooper, Khalil Shakir, Xavier Worthy, Michael Pittman Jr. Calvin Ridley, Darnell Mooney, Jakobi Meyers, Jalen Tolbert
- TE: Cole Kmet, T.J. Hockenson, Mike Gesicki (if Tee Higgins DNP)
- DEF: Bengals, Patriots, Colts
Ice 🥶
- QB: Bo Nix, Caleb Williams, Geno Smith, Tua Tagovailoa, Jameis Winston,
- RB: Tank Bigsby, Raheem Mostert, Rachaad White, Zack Moss
- WR: Zay Flowers, Diontae Johnson, Jaylen Waddle, Ladd McConkey, Keenan Allen, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Christian Watson, Rome Odunze, Jordan Addison
- TE: Zach Ertz, Tucker Kraft
- DEF: Broncos, Packers
Stop 🚫
- QB: Justin Herbert, Trevor Lawrence, Daniel Jones
- RB: Bucky Irving, Javonte Williams, Nick Chubb, Devin Singletary (if Tyrone Tracy is energetic), Antonio Gibson, Ezekiel Elliott
- WR: Jerry Jeudy, Tyler Lockett, Elijah Moore, Rashod Bateman, Jalen McMillan, Wan’Dale Robinson, Xavier Legette
- TE: Jonnu Smith, Will Dissly, Noah Fant
- DEF: Falcons, Browns, Seahawks, Dolphins