Fantasy football Week 9 Start 'Em & Sit 'Em quarterbacks: Jared Goff gets back on track vs. Dolphins

DET Detroit • #16
Age: 32 • Experience: 11 year

I thought Goff would struggle in Week 8 against Minnesota, and he had his worst game of the season with 11.1 Fantasy points. The Vikings are amazing against opposing quarterbacks -- the Dolphins are not. Miami is No. 3 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterbacks, and three quarterbacks in a row (Joe Burrow, Geno Smith and Drake Maye) scored at least 26.5 Fantasy points. Goff scored at least 20.4 Fantasy points in each of his first six games before facing Minnesota, and I expect him to start a new 20-point streak in Week 9.

KC Kansas City • #15
Age: 31 • Experience: 10 yrs.

I doubted Mahomes in Week 8 at Denver, and he proved me wrong with 31.4 Fantasy points. He has now scored at least 19.9 Fantasy points in every game that Rashee Rice has appeared in -- he missed Weeks 6 and 7 with a hamstring injury -- and Mahomes is averaging 26.6 Fantasy points with Rice active. He should have the chance for another big game in Week 9 at the Jets, who have allowed Drake Maye, Malik Willis and Kirk Cousins to all score at least 29.9 Fantasy points in the past three weeks. Mahomes should be considered a borderline top-five quarterback in Week 9.

GB Green Bay • #10
Age: 28 • Experience: 7 yrs.

It's one of my favorite stats this season, and I'll continue to repeat it. In Week 8, Love was 30-of-41 passing for 288 yards, three touchdowns and one interception, and he scored 27.5 Fantasy points. He has now scored at least 20 Fantasy points in 22 of 33 career games when he has at least 30 attempts, and I expect him to be above 30 pass attempts for the seventh-game in a row at New England. The Patriots have allowed three of the past six opposing quarterbacks to score at least 20.5 Fantasy points, and New England is allowing an average of 20.5 Fantasy points to quarterbacks over that span. Love should be considered a top-10 Fantasy quarterback in all leagues.

LAR L.A. Rams • #9
Age: 38 • Experience: 18 yrs.

Stafford is dealing with arm soreness, which is something to monitor, and could explain his down performance in Week 8 against the Chargers with just 10.3 Fantasy points. That ended a three-game streak where he scored at least 20.9 Fantasy points, but he should rebound at Washington in Week 9. The Commanders are No. 4 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterbacks, and only Daniel Jones in Week 4 and Tanner McKee in Week 8 failed to score at least 19.4 Fantasy points against this defense. As long as Stafford is healthy then I would start him with confidence in this matchup.

LV Las Vegas • #8
Age: 38 • Experience: 15 yrs.

This won't be an easy matchup for Cousins since San Francisco is No. 11 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterbacks and just acquired standout defensive lineman DeForest Buckner via trade from Indianapolis. But Cousins has scored at least 22.5 Fantasy points in six of eight games this season, including three in a row, and he's already excelled in tough matchups against the Chargers (26.2 Fantasy points), Chiefs (26.6) and Rams (24.4). The 49ers also allowed Jayden Daniels and Michael Penix Jr. to each score at least 25 Fantasy points in their past two games, and I still trust Cousins as a No. 1 Fantasy quarterback in all leagues in Week 9.

HOU Houston • #7
Age: 25 • Experience: 4 yrs.

The Chargers have been miserable this season, but one thing they have done well is limit opposing quarterbacks with their Fantasy production. They are No. 7 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterbacks, and only Kirk Cousins in Week 2 has scored more than 18.5 Fantasy points. And it's been against some top-notch competition, including Josh Allen (17.5 Fantasy points), Patrick Mahomes (10.5) and Matthew Stafford (10.3). I don't think Stroud will be awful, and he has scored at least 20.5 Fantasy points in four games in a row prior to his bye in Week 8. But given the matchup, I would only use Stroud as a low-end starter in deeper leagues.

CAR Carolina • #9
Age: 25 • Experience: 4 yrs.

Young has gone from Fantasy star to Fantasy pumpkin in his past two games, and it will be tough to trust him in Week 9 against Denver. After opening the season with at least 23.8 Fantasy points in four of his first five games, Young has scored 12.4 Fantasy points or less in each of his past two outings against Tampa Bay and Green Bay. The Broncos have allowed Patrick Mahomes (twice), Matthew Stafford and Brock Purdy to score at least 23.6 Fantasy points this season, but Denver has also held Trevor Lawrence, Justin Herbert, Sam Darnold and Jacoby Brissett to 18.5 Fantasy points or less. I expect Young to be limited in this matchup, and I would only start him in Superflex and two-quarterback leagues.

NYJ N.Y. Jets • #7
Age: 36 • Experience: 14 yrs.

Smith played well in his past two games against Miami and Las Vegas with at least 22 Fantasy points in each outing. Those were favorable matchups, but it will be tough for him to have a third productive game in a row against the Chiefs. Kansas City is No. 5 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterbacks, and only Kirk Cousins in Week 4 and Bo Nix in Week 8 have scored more than 15.9 Fantasy points against the Chiefs. Smith is only worth starting in Superflex and two-quarterback leagues.