### Patrick Mahomes: A Week 9 Fantasy Quarterback to Trust

Looking ahead to Week 9, Patrick Mahomes emerges as a strong candidate for your Fantasy lineup. His upcoming clash with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at home promises to be a significant opportunity. The Buccaneers rank second in the most Fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterbacks, a stat that works in Mahomes' favor. Notably, Kirk Cousins and Lamar Jackson have each racked up at least 36.7 Fantasy points against Tampa Bay in their recent encounters. Will Mahomes replicate their success?

Mahomes is coming off his best performance of the season against Las Vegas in Week 8, where he amassed 22.2 Fantasy points. He achieved this through 262 passing yards, two touchdowns, one interception, and an additional 17 rushing yards. This game was a much-needed boost after three consecutive weeks where he scored 15 Fantasy points or less, averaging just 16.7 points per game for the season.

This season has been a rollercoaster for Mahomes, making him a surprising Fantasy bust despite the Chiefs remaining undefeated. With eight touchdowns against nine interceptions so far, inconsistency has plagued his performance. Injuries within his receiving corps, including Marquise Brown's shoulder issue, Rashee Rice's knee problem, and JuJu Smith-Schuster's hamstring strain, have also contributed to his struggles.

However, optimism persists with the recent arrival of DeAndre Hopkins, who could play a pivotal role after a full week of practice. Hopkins managed only two catches for 29 yards on three targets in his first game with the Chiefs in Week 8 after being traded from the Titans. This week, with trusted targets like Travis Kelce, Hopkins, and Xavier Worthy, Mahomes appears well-equipped to take on the Buccaneers.

Therefore, he is considered a low-end No. 1 Fantasy quarterback for Week 9, with a favorable matchup that could set the stage for another strong performance.