Who Should I Start? Kirk Cousins or C.J. Stroud

Sunday, October 27, 9:18 PM

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins enjoyed another big day versus Tampa Bay, completing 23 of 29 passes for 276 yards and four touchdowns without throwing a pick. The 36-year-old signal-caller even chipped in 16 yards on three carries. The veteran QB probably wishes he could face the Buccaneers every week, now with 785 yards and an 8:1 TD:INT in two games versus their divisional foe. He'll finish the week as a top-five QB for fantasy, however, the 13-year pro has been fairly pedestrian otherwise, averaging 220 yards per game with a 6:6 TD:INT, those two games versus the Bucs notwithstanding. Cousins will get a somewhat favorable matchup in Week 9 against the Cowboys and figures to be a QB2 with QB1 upside again.

Wednesday, October 30, 4:30 PM

Bad luck and bad timing make Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud tough to start in one-QB formats on Thursday against the New York Jets. Despite the Jets being dysfunctional, even for them, they rank second in the NFL in yards after catch allowed and tied for third with six passing touchdowns surrendered in eight games. New York boasts two excellent coverage corners in Sauce Gardner and D.J. Reed, and Houston will face them when top wide receivers Nico Collins (hamstring) and Stefon Diggs (knee) are on injured reserve. Backup wide receivers, a short week, and a bad matchup is a lot to dislike, so fantasy managers should strongly consider their other options in Week 9.