Bucky Irving
TB vs. CHIFloor7.1
Median17.6
Ceiling18.0
Recent PPG: 20.2
Recent volume: 26.5
Snap share: 55%
Availability: No current-week designation
Week 9 lineup decision · updated Nov 4, 2026, 8:35 PM EST
Bucky Irving or James Cook: who should I start?
James Cook has the narrow Week 9 lean over Bucky Irving. The Half PPR projection is 18.1 to 17.6.
The lean blends recorded scoring, recent workload, opponent positional defense and only same-week listed availability. Recheck the official inactive list before kickoff.
TB vs. CHIOpen player file →
James Cook
BUF vs. MINFloor9.8
Median18.1
Ceiling21.2
Recent PPG: 19.4
Recent volume: 24.5
Snap share: 60%
Availability: No current-week designation
Scoring changes the call
4 points per passing TDWeek 9 projection by format.
Standard
Start James Cook — close call
0.6-point gapHigh confidence
Other option
Bucky Irving
TB vs. CHI- Floor
- 6.9
- Projection
- 16.6
- Ceiling
- 16.6
Recommended start
James Cook
BUF vs. MIN- Floor
- 8.9
- Projection
- 17.2
- Ceiling
- 20.6
Half PPR
Start James Cook — close call
0.5-point gapHigh confidence
Other option
Bucky Irving
TB vs. CHI- Floor
- 7.1
- Projection
- 17.6
- Ceiling
- 18.0
Recommended start
James Cook
BUF vs. MIN- Floor
- 9.8
- Projection
- 18.1
- Ceiling
- 21.2
PPR
Start James Cook — close call
0.4-point gapHigh confidence
Other option
Bucky Irving
TB vs. CHI- Floor
- 8.1
- Projection
- 18.6
- Ceiling
- 20.6
Recommended start
James Cook
BUF vs. MIN- Floor
- 11.2
- Projection
- 19.0
- Ceiling
- 22.5
Floor and ceiling show the lower and upper ends of the player's recent scoring range. The projection is the middle estimate after current role, matchup, and same-week availability are applied.
Why the model leans this way
Role first. Matchup second. Availability always visible.
Two relevant running-back options in a similar weekly range, compared through touches, receiving work, matchup and current availability.
Bucky Irving: recent role is near baseline, and the matchup is neutral. James Cook: recent role raises the estimate, and the matchup is neutral.
Availability adjustments apply only when the source contains a Week 9 report. Older designations remain visible in the injury archive but do not reduce this projection.
Week 8 final result
Bucky Irving scored more. The pregame lean was wrong.
Bucky Irving: 21.0 Half PPR · James Cook: 17.1 Half PPR.
More Week 9 decisions
Keep working through the close calls.
RB · 3.5-point leanJames Cook over Bijan Robinson18.1–14.6 Half PPR →RB · Close callD'Andre Swift over Bucky Irving18.4–17.6 Half PPR →RB · 4.4-point leanBucky Irving over Javonte Williams17.6–13.2 Half PPR →RB · Close callBucky Irving over Jaylen Warren17.6–16.7 Half PPR →RB · 10.7-point leanBucky Irving over Jeremiyah Love17.6–6.9 Half PPR →RB · 1.5-point leanBucky Irving over Kenneth Walker17.6–16.1 Half PPR →