Week 9 of the NFL season is almost over! Monday Night Football can either make or break your fantasy matchup as the last game of the slate.
Let’s highlight my start/sit fantasy football picks for Chiefs vs. Bucs on MNF.
MNF Must-Starts
- Kareem Hunt (if available)
- Travis Kelce
Start ‘Em: Baker Mayfield
No Mike Evans or Chris Godwin? No problem for Baker.
The reigning 2024/25 fantasy QB2 has been nothing short of stellar this season, racking up at least 23 fantasy points in five straight games. There were legitimate concerns for Mayfield’s outlook with both of his top receivers sidelined, but he put those doubts to rest against a tough Falcons defense.
Until Baker cools off, he should be in your lineup on a weekly basis.
Sit ‘Em: Rachaad White
It’s not often you sit a running back who racked up a combined 44 fantasy points over his last two games.
For me, this is one of those occasions. Despite producing at a high level, White saw a snap share of 56% or lower in each of those contests. He only garnered 11 touches last week, saving his fantasy day with a touchdown. According to the eye test, Bucky Irving is the best back in Tampa Bay. Not only is this the case, but he also ate into White’s receiving work against the Falcons, catching all seven of his targets.
There will be weeks when White and Irving can co-exist from a fantasy standpoint, but I don’t expect that to happen against the Chiefs, who allow the fewest fantasy points to opposing backfields.
Start ‘Em: Cade Otton
With Mike Evans and Chris Godwin out of the equation, Otton has been elevated to Baker Mayfield’s top receiving threat.
The 25-year-old saw an elite snap share paired with decent production for the first six games of the season. In his last two weeks, he’s caught 17 balls for 181 yards and two touchdowns, amassing 47.1 PPR points. That bump in production should continue against the Chiefs, who allow the most fantasy points to opposing tight ends in the league. Otton is a top-five option this week at his position.
Sit ‘Em: Both D/ST Units
Look, I’m grasping for straw a bit here.
In reality, I expect this to be a high-octane affair between two strong offenses. Sure, there are obvious “sits” among players who aren’t as involved, but I think you can make a case to start all of the main impact guys (and even Rachaad White, who I just declared a “sit”). Jalen McMillan has potential for a significantly expanded role. Xavier Worthy has been consistently productive. Patrick Mahomes finally snapped out of his fantasy slump.
When you expect a lot of offense in a particular matchup, the only logical step is to fade both defenses.
Those are my start ’em, sit ’em fantasy football picks for Monday Night Football! Stay tuned for more fantasy advice next week.
All views expressed are my own. I am an employee of DraftKings and am ineligible to play in public DFS or DKSB contests.
