Week 9 of the fantasy football season is finally here, and the high-strung edginess that the NFL trade deadline can impose has passed, meaning teams are more or less locked in for the long haul. As such, many teams have begun to experience their respected fates as the regular season passes its halfway point. We've experienced some similar storylines throughout the weeks that have left us to know what field generals will be the best options in on order to make a strong push for the remainder of the season.
With so many questions circulating in regards to the absolute continuance of the season due to COVID-19, fantasy football owners have to put their best foot forward each week. Even so, some of the best quarterbacks to date have left us hanging through Week 8, which poses the question of which lineup should be deployed in the following week.
With that in mind, here's the best options for start 'em sit 'em for quarterbacks in Week 9.
QBs to Start in Week 9
Tom Brady, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Brady didn't get off to his hottest start of the decade against the New Orleans Saints in Week 1, but that's bound to change this week. In his season debut with the Bucs, the 43-year-old threw two interceptions, which hasn't been repeated since. He has, however, increased his overall production within head coach Bruce Arians' offense.
To make matters even better, the Buccaneers were able to snag Antonio Brown off the market, given his established rapport with Brady. With the first-team All-Pro wideout set to make his debut on Sunday, Brady gets an extra weapon in his downfield arsenal. Even with Brown out of the mix, Brady has still been performing to an outstanding level after a shaky start to the season.
He's completed at least 70 percent of his passes in his last two outings while throwing for a combined six touchdowns and rushing for one touchdown.
Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers
Yes, Herbert is still dominating the passing game as just a rookie. Call it what you wish, but the 22-year-old is still adjusting to the starting role on the fly, which makes him an easy pick to insert in a fantasy football starting lineup given how well he's coped thus far.
Herbert has thrown for over 250 yards in all of his games this season. His completion rate has dwindled below 65 percent only twice as well. After letting a close one slip through their hands in Week 8 against the Denver Broncos, the Chargers will be looking to come out swinging and establish an early lead against the Raiders' wobbly defense. While Herbert did give the Raiders their flowers in terms of defensive efforts this week, it doesn't make up for what occurs on the turf.
The Raiders are 25th in yards allowed, which gives Herbert the opportunity for another dominant performance.
Cam Newton, New England Patriots
Aside from the opponent, Newton would rightfully find himself on the sit portion of Week 9. While pundits have all offered their philosophies as to why the Auburn standout hasn't been able to convert his known abilities into expected performances has become nauseating. So now, it appears that the forces that be are allowing Newton a chance at redemption against the Jets, which could almost be seen as a bye week for the Patriots given how the Jets' year has went.
Newton was able to turn in a better performance against the Bills in Week 8 versus his nightmarish performance against the 49ers, but it still left much to be desired in his return to a No.1 talent on a team. The Jets' defense ranks 29th in passing yards allowed and 21st in touchdowns allowed.
To be blunt, if Newton can't turn things around against the 0-8 Jets, Bill Belichick may have to throw in the towel soon.
QBs to Sit in Week 9
Teddy Bridgewater, Carolina Panthers
It doesn't look good for Bridgewater heading into Week 9. He's surely had decent performances this season, but you're only as good as your last game in this league. Bridgewater finished Week 8 against the Atlanta Falcons only throwing for one touchdown while also throwing a pick. He was able to get off 65 percent of his passes, but it was only for 176 yards—not a great fantasy football performance.
In short, that performance can't carry over into Week 9. He'll be facing an elite defense in the Chiefs, who haven't been exactly friendly to opposing quarterbacks in recent weeks. When speaking on a defense that's ranked fifth in passing yards allowed, the room gets quite dark for Bridgewater. We could indeed excuse Sam Darnold's performance against the Chiefs last week, given that it doesn't hold much value. Even so, Newton and Lamar Jackson have had their past struggles in converting touchdowns against them.
Don't bank on Bridgewater filling up the stat sheet in Week 9.
Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins
There's a lot of reasonable hype surrounding the rookie, but Tagovailoa is just that—a rookie, and an unproven one at that. He was able to get a full game under his belt in Week 8 against a formidable Los Angeles Rams' defense that resulted in a win, but how he sustains a higher level of play remains questionable.
Tagovailoa finished his outing against the Rams completing 54 percent of his passes for 93 yards, resulting in one touchdown. While it's only one game of evidence, it's all that we spectators have to go by in gauging his success against the Arizona Cardinals. The Cardinals are also coming off a bye week, which gives them the edge in stamina over the Dolphins' offense. Prior to that, they forced three interceptions from Russell Wilson, his most of the season.
Tagovailoa will likely have dominant fantasy football performances as the season continues, but this will likely be a repeat of his Week 8 performance.
Ryan Tannehill, Tennessee Titans
This could get tricky for the Titans against the Bears. Tannehill could have another decent performance in Week 8 to help lift the Titans over the Bears, or he could dip below his moderate averages.
Tannehill has thrown at 60 percent in his last two outings, his latest resulting in 233 yards and two touchdowns against the Cincinnati Bengals. He best performance came in an overtime victory against the Houston Texans, whose defense struggled out the gate during the first few weeks. Now, he faces a challenging Bears' defense. They rank first in the league in touchdowns allowed, which could see Tannehill have arguably his worst game of the season.
Either way, the safe bet is to sit Tannehill for Week 9.
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