Justin Herbert · Patrick Mahomes · 2026 week 9

Justin Herbert or Patrick Mahomes?

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

Start Patrick MahomesPatrick Mahomes projects 7.2 PPR points clear of Justin Herbert in week 9, drawing NYJ — the 16th-ranked matchup for QBs. The numbers behind the call are below; overrule them with your eyes open.
PlayerWk 9Proj (PPR)MatchupForm L3Trade valueStatus
Justin Herbert vs HOU 14.0 12th 10.3 166 healthy
Patrick Mahomes START vs NYJ 21.2 16th 14.6 1,723 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 NYJ recently: Drake Maye 23.8 pts (W6) · Malik Willis 26 pts (W7) · Kirk Cousins 28.2 pts (W8).

🎓 The coach's read

Free. Add your scoring and who else you have — the answer gets specific. 3 questions a day without an account, 30 with one.

Who wins a straight-up trade?

Patrick Mahomes carries the higher trade value — 1,723 against 166 (a 90% gap). In a one-for-one, the side receiving Patrick Mahomes gets the most. Momentum: Justin Herbert -427 and Patrick Mahomes -313 over the last 30 days.

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

More QB decisions

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All numbers are the 2026 season, refreshed nightly.