Deshaun Watson · Kirk Cousins · 2026 week 9

Deshaun Watson or Kirk Cousins?

Wondering who you should start this week — Deshaun Watson or Kirk Cousins? The start/sit call and the numbers behind it are below, plus who wins a straight-up trade. Rebuilt nightly.

Start Kirk CousinsKirk Cousins projects 3.2 PPR points clear of Deshaun Watson in week 9, drawing SF — the 23rd-ranked matchup for QBs. The numbers behind the call are below; overrule them with your eyes open.

Player	Wk 9	Proj (PPR)	Matchup	Form L3	Trade value	Status
Deshaun Watson	vs HOU	14.2	12th	13.3	113	Questionable
Kirk Cousins START	@ SF	17.4	23rd	22.7	605	healthy

QBs vs HOU recently: Cam Ward 6 pts (W5) · Trevor Lawrence 28.3 pts (W6) · J.J. McCarthy 10.2 pts (W7).

QBs vs SF recently: Sam Darnold 10.3 pts (W5) · Jayden Daniels 21 pts (W6) · Michael Penix Jr. 20.4 pts (W7).

🎓 The coach's read

Kirk Cousins projects 3.2 points higher in PPR.
Deshaun Watson faces HOU, 12th most generous to QBs.
Deshaun Watson is flagged WATCH.
Kirk Cousins faces SF, 23rd most generous to QBs.

Who wins a straight-up trade?

Kirk Cousins carries the higher trade value — 605 against 113 (a 81% gap). In a one-for-one, the side receiving Kirk Cousins gets the most. Momentum: Deshaun Watson -21 and Kirk Cousins +211 over the last 30 days.

Open in Start/Sit (any scoring) Open in the Trade Analyzer

More QB decisions

Deshaun Watson or J.J. McCarthy?Deshaun Watson or Geno Smith?Deshaun Watson or Jacoby Brissett?Kirk Cousins or Matthew Stafford?Kirk Cousins or C.J. Stroud?Kirk Cousins or Bo Nix?

All numbers are the 2026 season, refreshed nightly.