Tampa Bay has won its last two games without needing the passing game. Baker Mayfield attempted 11 passes in a 43-13 rout of Carolina and just three in a rainy 16-0 win over Atlanta, and Chris Godwin Jr. drew a single target in that shutout after posting between 5.5 and 9.1 PPR points in each of his first seven games. Now the Buccaneers visit Chicago on Sunday night. Find out whether you should start or sit Chris Godwin Jr. in Week 9.
Chris Godwin Jr. Start or Sit Advice for Week 9
When Tampa Bay does throw, Godwin gets the ball. He has drawn 17.4% of the team’s targets this season and caught 27 of his 35, a 77.1% catch rate.
Chicago is a more workable matchup than Tampa Bay’s recent opponents. The Bears allow 30.5 PPR points per game to wide receivers, right around the league average of 31.3, and they have given up eight receiving touchdowns to the position compared with a league mark of 6.6. Receivers are also averaging 15.8 yards per catch against them, well above the league average of 12.9. Chicago has faced Carolina, Minnesota, Philadelphia, the Jets, Green Bay, Atlanta, New England and Seattle, a group throwing right at league average against them, so those numbers are an honest read.
The game script could also force Tampa Bay’s hand. Chicago scores 26.8 points per game, and if the Buccaneers fall behind, they will not be able to run 50 times again. The Bears’ secondary is also banged up. Cornerback Malik Muhammad has been limited with a toe injury after missing Week 8, and safety Coby Bryant is on injured reserve.
The Biggest Fantasy Risk for Chris Godwin Jr. in Week 9
Tampa Bay’s passing volume is the problem. The Buccaneers average just 131.4 passing yards and 25.1 targets per game, against league marks of 219.7 and 31.6. Their 72.6 quarterback rating also sits well below the league average of 91.6. Even a solid target share does not add up to much when the offense is running the ball on nearly every down.
Godwin’s playmaking lives after the catch rather than downfield. He has 180 of his 243 receiving yards after the catch, and he holds just 14.2% of the team’s air yards. He also has not scored this season, so he needs catches to pay off, and Chicago holds receivers to a 58.5% catch rate, below the league average of 62.2%.
Emeka Egbuka’s status matters too. He has missed the last two games with a foot injury but was a full participant in practice this week, and head coach Todd Bowles said he “will be a game-time decision.” Egbuka averages 8.2 targets per game when active, so his return would cut into Godwin’s share of an already small passing game. Godwin sat out one practice this week for rest, but he does not carry an injury.
Fantasy Outlook for Chris Godwin Jr. in Week 9
Godwin is a Borderline Start in Week 9 as a low-end FLEX in full PPR leagues. Chicago gives up yardage and touchdowns to receivers, and a trailing game script could pull Tampa Bay back to the air.
The floor is the concern. The Buccaneers have barely thrown over the last two weeks, and an Egbuka return would shrink Godwin’s role further. Fantasy managers covering Steelers and Titans players on bye can use him, but anyone with a receiver in a higher-volume passing game should go that route instead.