By Matthew MacKay | @Matt_MacKay_ | Nov 6, 2023

In an unpredictable Week 9, the Houston Texans emerged as the surprising stars of fantasy football, with four players making the top-12 for total fantasy production. Led by rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud, the Texans secured a thrilling 39-37 overtime victory against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, as Tank Dell, Dalton Schultz, and Noah Brown delivered monster performances.

Stroud's breakout performance catapulted his odds for Offensive Rookie of the Year, as he accounted for an impressive 470 passing yards and five touchdowns without committing a single turnover. With 41.8 fantasy points, Stroud outshined all players on the field. The Texans' young quarterback bounced back from three consecutive low-scoring outings, proving himself as more than just a streaming option. However, Stroud's next challenge awaits as the Texans face the Cincinnati Bengals in a road matchup.

Rachaad White of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers also had an outstanding game in Week 9, accumulating 25.9 fantasy points. He showcased his versatility, rushing for 73 yards and two touchdowns while adding 46 receiving yards on four receptions. With little competition in the backfield, White is poised to be a mid-range RB2 as the Buccaneers prepare to face the Tennessee Titans' defense in Week 10.

Another standout performance came from Josh Jacobs of the Las Vegas Raiders. Jacobs finally found his stride, rushing for 98 yards and two touchdowns on 26 carries, earning him 21.8 fantasy points. Jacobs will look to capitalize on the Jets' vulnerable defense as the Raiders gear up for their Week 10 matchup.

Among the Texans' top performers in Week 9 was rookie wide receiver Tank Dell, who recorded six receptions for 114 yards and two touchdowns on 11 targets. Though he has demonstrated his ability to generate high fantasy points, Dell's inconsistency makes him a risky option as he faces the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 10.

CeeDee Lamb of the Dallas Cowboys continued his impressive streak, finishing as the overall WR3 in Week 9. Despite not finding the end zone, Lamb's 11 receptions for 191 yards solidify his status as a fantasy WR1, especially considering the Cowboys' offensive struggles. Lamb's next challenge lies in a matchup against the New York Giants in Week 10.

The Texans' Dalton Schultz stood out in Week 9 as well, bouncing back from a lackluster performance with a stellar outing of 10 receptions for 130 yards and one touchdown on 11 targets. Schultz's role in Houston's offense warrants consideration as a low-end TE1 with significant upside.

On the dud side of Week 9, Geno Smith of the Seattle Seahawks struggled against the Baltimore Ravens' elite defense, finishing as the QB28. Smith has had only one game with over 20 fantasy points this season and has relied heavily on the run game for support. Although a matchup against Washington in Week 10 presents an opportunity for Smith to retrieve some fantasy points, he remains a high-end QB2 with limited upside.

Bijan Robinson of the Atlanta Falcons has left fantasy managers perplexed due to his limited usage. Despite averaging 4.6 yards per carry versus teammate Tyler Allgeier's 3.2, Robinson saw fewer carries and failed to score more than 15 fantasy points in the last five games. Facing an Arizona defense that ranks as the third-best fantasy matchup for running backs, Robinson should be treated as a low-end RB2.

Cooper Kupp of the Los Angeles Rams struggled in Week 9 due to the absence of quarterback Matthew Stafford. Despite his previous explosive performances, Kupp has failed to surpass 6 fantasy points in three consecutive games. Fantasy managers must consider the Rams' upcoming bye week and prepare to reinsert Kupp into lineups as a mid-range WR2 with WR1 upside.

Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs had a disappointing performance in Week 9, with two consecutive games under nine fantasy points. However, his immense value and ceiling make him a must-start tight end despite recent fluctuations. Kelce's next challenge awaits after the Chiefs' bye week, as they face the Philadelphia Eagles, a favorable matchup for the star tight end.

As fantasy football managers reflect on the exhilarating performances and frustrating disappointments of Week 9, it becomes increasingly clear that constructing lineups and managing injuries remains a significant challenge. The Texans' surprising dominance and the struggles of notable players emphasize the need for strategic decision-making as we head into Week 10.

Matthew MacKay, an NFL fantasy analyst, provides these insights into the studs and duds of Week 9, based on their performances using half-PPR scoring. Stay tuned for more updates and analysis as the fantasy football season progresses.