Running back Jordan Mason has averaged just over 15 rushes and
nearly 17 touches per game in Aaron Jones’ absence, finding the
end zone four times during that stretch. Jones has a chance to
return from IR this week, but with only two limited practices,
it’s unlikely he’ll be fully active for Thursday night—or see
much work if he is.
Mason should handle lead duties for at least one more week, and
against a Chargers defense that’s allowing over 5.0 yards
per carry and has given up eight rushing touchdowns to opposing
backs, he profiles as a borderline RB1.
Wide receiver Jordan Addison has topped 100 yards in two of his
three games since returning from suspension, scoring in the other.
With 21 touchdowns in his first 35 career games and what looks
like a legitimate Year 3 breakout, Addison’s upside remains
high while his floor is beginning to stabilize. He’s a solid
WR2 against the Chargers.
Carson Wentz will remain under center for at least one more week.
He’s surpassed 300 passing yards in two of four starts but
holds a modest 5:4 TD-to-INT ratio and offers little rushing production
(57 yards, no scores).
The potential for a shootout boosts his outlook, but the Chargers
have been quietly stingy against opposing quarterbacks (7 TDs,
6 INTs allowed). Wentz lands in mid-QB2 territory, best suited
for deep or superflex leagues.
Tight end T.J. Hockenson is showing signs of life after a slow
start, ranking eighth among tight ends in receptions over the
last five weeks. Wentz’s presence—given his tight
end-friendly tendencies—has certainly helped, with only
touchdowns (just one this season) holding Hockenson back.
This could be the week he gets one, though. The Chargers have
allowed four scores to opposing tight ends, and with several fantasy-relevant
TEs on bye or injured, Hockenson carries borderline TE1 appeal.
Jones returned to practice in a limited capacity and is questionable
for Thursday. Even if active, it’s a short week and he hasn’t
logged a full session, so he’s best left on benches until
he’s fully ramped up.
MIN FPts Allowed vs. QBs: No.28
MIN FPts Allowed vs. RBs: No.22
MIN FPts Allowed vs. WRs: No.25
MIN FPts Allowed vs. TEs: No.20
Justin Herbert exploded for 400 yards last week—his first
such performance in two years—and notched his third 300-yard
game of the season. The emergence of rookie TE Orande Gadsden
II has added another layer to the passing game, though this was
also Herbert’s first 20+ point fantasy outing since Gadsden
was activated five weeks ago.
Herbert ranks QB8 in FPts/G overall, but this week he draws a
Vikings defense allowing the 5th fewest points to quarterbacks.
That said, both Caleb Williams and Jalen Hurts managed 24 points
against them. Minnesota’s defense can disguise coverages
effectively, but Herbert’s poise and deep arsenal of weapons
keep him firmly in the back-end QB1 mix for Thursday night.
The Vikings secondary had been steady against wideouts before
being torched by A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith last week (combined
303 yards and 3 TDs). L.A.’s trio of Ladd McConkey, Keenan
Allen, and Quentin Johnston will again test Minnesota’s
limits—but the target hierarchy remains murky.
Allen continues to lead in total targets but had a lull before
rebounding in Week 7 (11-119-1). McConkey sits just seven targets
behind and has scored double-digit fantasy points in three straight
weeks, though efficiency remains an issue (6.6 yards per catch).
Johnston is third in targets per game (7.9) yet remains the red-zone
favorite with 13 touchdowns since the start of 2024. Still, he’s
cooled lately, averaging 35 yards over the past two weeks.
Given how pass-heavy the Chargers are likely to remain, there
should be plenty of volume to go around. Expect McConkey to bounce
back in efficiency and serve as a mid-WR2, Allen as a low-end
WR2 with upside, and Johnston as a flex with WR2 potential in
a tough scoring matchup.
Rookie tight end Oronde Gadsden II erupted last week (7-164-1)
and now ranks eighth in FPts/G at the position (9.6). It was his
second straight game with seven catches and his third with at
least five, though he’s also had two games under 20 yards.
That volatility keeps him in the boom/bust category—particularly
against a Vikings defense that just limited Dallas Goedert to
3-18-0.
Running back Kimani Vidal followed up his breakout debut with
a quiet 35-yard day on 13 touches. Game script played a major
role, with L.A. forced to abandon the run after falling behind
early. The Chargers’ offensive design will likely remain
pass-heavy in competitive or trailing situations, keeping Vidal’s
range wide—a low-end RB2 with ceiling but a low floor if
the Vikings seize early control.
While the expectation is that the Jets will hand the starting
job to Tyrod Taylor this week, the journeyman is day-to-day with
a knee injury, which means another start from Justin Fields remains
in play. If Fields starts, go ahead and toss this designation
in the trash as the passing game has struggled mightily the last
two games, and Taylor’s biggest game of the year came against
Dallas when the Jets were buried. The rookie didn’t jump off the
page in Tyrod Taylor’s previous start, either, but the veteran
tries to manage games and avoid mistakes, and a big part of that
is taking check downs and safe throws. That’s where someone like
the LSU product could get some opportunities. His ceiling also
gets higher if Wilson sits as the other wideouts don’t move the
needle. With a half-dozen teams on bye, this may be a week where
someone like Taylor is worth taking a chance on.
As noted above, Taylor is battling a knee injury, and it’s
unclear if he’ll start this Sunday. If he does, the Jets
will almost certainly be more competent offensively, at least
in terms of staying on schedule and avoiding negative plays. Taylor
is a pro, and he knows what’s asked of him. His insertion
should also help the club’s other skill position players,
like Hall and Wilson, deliver better numbers. Despite that, the
idea of actually using Taylor in your lineup is a bad one. If
this game is close at all you can expect the 36-year-old to fill
a support role, generating little individual value.
NYJ FPts Allowed vs. QBs: No.16
NYJ FPts Allowed vs. RBs: No.19
NYJ FPts Allowed vs. WRs: No.19
NYJ FPts Allowed vs. TEs: No.8
After a mostly dismal first six weeks, Brown finally had a breakout
performance last Thursday night, carrying the ball 11 times for
108 yards (9.8 YPC). You can call it the Joe Flacco Effect as
the team has just looked so much better offensively over the last
six quarters of play. We’re still not at full no-brainer status
with Brown given his struggles to open the year, as well as an
uptick in usage for Samaje Perine, but things are at least trending
in a positive direction. Despite a reputation as a defensive team,
the Jets rank in the bottom 10 in run defense, allowing 129.3
yards per game on the ground, so at least on paper they’re more
susceptible in that department than Pittsburgh was. Brown holds
low-end RB2 potential, but he’s better used as an RB3 or flex.
Flacco started to look comfortable in the second half of the Green
Bay game, and he followed that up five days later by throwing
for 342 yards and 3 TDs in a win over the Steelers. The veteran
got the ball out quickly and let his stud receivers make plays,
including targeting Chase an obscene 23 times. The Jets haven’t
allowed a ton of yards through the air (197.1 per game), but they’re
one of only two teams to not record an interception this season
while giving up 13 touchdown passes. With nearly a quarter of
the NFL enjoying a week off, Flacco looks like an intriguing option.
After throwing multiple interceptions in his game prior to the
bye, Josh Allen should look to play it safer in this one — and
that likely means plenty of work for Khalil Shakir. Shakir has
been targeted nine times in two separate games this season (Weeks
1 and 5), and with Josh Palmer (ankle) sidelined, the target tree
could narrow in his favor. Buffalo’s most reliable wideout should
find consistent volume in the short-to-intermediate areas, setting
him up for another solid PPR outing.
After his explosive debut (8-112-1), Keon Coleman has faded into
relative obscurity, failing to top 45 yards in any game since
Week 1. Still, he leads the Bills with a 20% target share and
could benefit from a matchup that pushes Buffalo to lean a bit
more on the passing game if Carolina succeeds in slowing down
the run. He’s a WR4 with some volume-based appeal, particularly
in deeper formats.
Tight end Dalton Kincaid was enjoying a breakout stretch (3 TDs
in five games) before an oblique injury forced him out in Week
6. If he returns this week, he’ll carry TE1 upside but should
be treated cautiously while working back into full strength. Consider
him a risk/reward play for Week 8.
Ray Davis’s touchdown in Buffalo’s last game teased
the idea of a bigger role, but the reality remains unchanged —
he logged just two touches in that contest and has only 16 touches
on the season. With James Cook entrenched as the lead back and
no evidence of an expanded workload, Davis should remain on benches
even amid bye-week chaos.
BUF FPts Allowed vs. QBs: No.27
BUF FPts Allowed vs. RBs: No.4
BUF FPts Allowed vs. WRs: No.20
BUF FPts Allowed vs. TEs: No.31
Rico Dowdle nearly cracks the “No Brainer” tier this week, but
the return to a near 50/50 timeshare with Chuba Hubbard keeps
expectations in check. The good news: Dowdle looked sharper last
week, averaging 4.6 yards per carry, and he draws a plum matchup
against a Bills defense allowing the fourth-most fantasy points
to opposing backs. There’s room for both Dowdle and Hubbard to
produce in this one, but Dowdle remains the slightly safer bet
for efficiency and goal-line work.
Xavier Legette finally showed life last week against the Jets
(9-92-1), but managers should be cautious about chasing a potential
outlier performance after a quiet start to the season. Tetairoa
McMillan could reclaim a larger role without a shutdown corner
shadowing him all over the field, yet the Panthers’ offensive
game plan is likely to emphasize the run and ball control.
That same approach keeps Chuba Hubbard in the mix despite his
reduced workload (53.5% of snaps last week). Carolina should try
to keep Josh Allen off the field, and Hubbard could see enough
touches to warrant flex consideration in deeper leagues.
Carolina’s best chance to compete will be through a conservative,
possession-based game plan — not a shootout. That caps Andy
Dalton’s upside to game-manager levels, keeping him off
the fantasy radar.
Meanwhile, Jalen Coker played just 36.6% of snaps last week as
he works his way back from injury. Until his role expands, he
should stay on the bench in all formats.
Yes, George Kittle was used primarily as a blocker last week
and didn’t catch a single pass, but this matchup sets up much
better for him. Houston generates pressure as well as any defense
in the league, which means Mac Jones will need his safety valves
to keep drives alive. Expect Kittle — who played 80.6% of snaps
in Week 7 — to be a focal point underneath and in play-action
situations. A bounce-back week is well within reach.
It’s not that Jennings (dealing with multiple injuries)
and Bourne lack ability — Bourne has flashed a few times
this season (Weeks 5 and 6) — but this isn’t a favorable
setup. Houston’s front ranks fifth in pressure rate, and
with Christian McCaffrey averaging 26 touches per game, San Francisco’s
passing volume to wideouts will likely stay low. That makes all
49ers wide receivers risky fantasy plays this week.
SF FPts Allowed vs. QBs: No.23
SF FPts Allowed vs. RBs: No.13
SF FPts Allowed vs. WRs: No.23
SF FPts Allowed vs. TEs: No.19
Marks showed on Monday night (10 carries for 15 yards, 3-20-1
receiving) exactly how the Texans plan to use him in negative
game scripts. He may not post eye-catching rushing totals, but
his role as a checkdown outlet gives him solid PPR value — especially
with Houston often playing from behind. The Texans are rumored
to be exploring RB trade options, but for now, Marks is their
most reliable backfield piece.
Update: Nico
Collins and Christian Kirk have been ruled Out.
Monitor Collins’s status after he suffered a concussion
Monday night against Seattle. If he’s unavailable, expect
Houston’s offense to funnel targets toward running backs
and tight ends, giving Schultz an opportunity for steady volume
— provided he’s healthy himself after leaving Monday’s
game with back and shoulder issues. Managers rostering either
player should stay tuned for updates later in the week.
C.J. Stroud’s four-touchdown outing in Baltimore a few
weeks ago (244-4-0, 1-30-0) offered a glimmer of hope, but that
performance came against a depleted Ravens defense. Without a
healthy Nico Collins, Stroud’s floor remains low and his
ceiling capped by game flow. Nick Chubb is also a risky start
— if Houston trails early, he’ll lose most of his
touches to Marks in passing situations. Both players are best
left on benches this week.
Jaxson Dart has emerged as a borderline must-start fantasy QB
in his rookie season, showcasing a strong arm and dynamic mobility
— rushing for 50+ yards in three of four starts and scoring
three times on the ground. Just two weeks ago, he torched this
same Eagles defense for 195 passing yards, one passing touchdown,
and another on the ground.
Coming off a career-best outing against Denver — 283 passing
yards, three passing TDs, and a rushing score — Dart’s
dual-threat skillset gives him legitimate QB1 upside again this
week. If the Eagles keep things more competitive than they did
in Week 6, he’s a strong bet for 250+ passing yards with
another 50-yard rushing floor.
Wan’Dale Robinson isn’t a must-start player, but his
consistent volume makes him a reliable WR3/flex in PPR formats.
He’s seen 26 targets over his last three games and draws
another favorable matchup against an Eagles defense that continues
to give up production underneath. Robinson’s slot usage
fits perfectly against Philly’s soft zone coverage, and
his floor remains rock solid with double-digit target potential.
Theo Johnson has become a steady presence in New York’s
offense, posting double-digit PPR points in three of his last
four outings and finding the end zone four times on 23 targets.
He’s established himself as the No. 2 option behind Wan’Dale
Robinson.
The matchup, however, is rough. Philadelphia ranks fourth-best
in fantasy points allowed to tight ends this year, even after
facing elite names like Travis Kelce, Jake Ferguson, and T.J.
Hockenson. Johnson managed only two catches for 27 yards against
them in Week 6.
Despite the tough draw, his recent surge and touchdown involvement
keep him on the TE1 radar — but he’s best viewed as
a volatile, touchdown-dependent TE2 with upside if the Giants
are forced to throw often.
Fade: N/A
NYG FPts Allowed vs. QBs: No.8
NYG FPts Allowed vs. RBs: No.15
NYG FPts Allowed vs. WRs: No.4
NYG FPts Allowed vs. TEs: No.23
Dallas Goedert remains a key piece of Philadelphia’s passing attack,
averaging 3.9 receptions for 37.3 yards per game with five touchdowns
on 36 targets. His production has fluctuated week to week, but
he’s still sitting comfortably within the TE1 range thanks to
consistent red-zone usage.
Goedert already lit up this same Giants defense in Week 6, catching
nine of 11 targets for 110 yards and a touchdown. New York ranks
top-12 against tight ends overall, but their linebackers continue
to struggle in coverage — particularly over the middle, where
Goedert thrives.
His PPR reliability (double-digit points in four games) and strong
rapport with Jalen Hurts make him a confident TE1 play again this
week, with legitimate repeat-upside.
The Giants are allowing the third-most fantasy points to opposing
wideouts, giving both DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown strong theoretical
matchups. But this passing attack has been highly script-dependent.
Smith managed just four catches for 49 yards in the Week 6 loss
to New York despite a pass-heavy game script — then rebounded
with a monster 9-183-1 line against Minnesota in Week 7. His volatility
keeps him in the WR2 tier.
A.J. Brown has been similarly up and down. He’s produced two 100-yard
performances (including 121 yards and two TDs last week) but has
also logged four games under 45 yards. Brown missed practice Wednesday
and Thursday with a hamstring issue, so monitor his status closely.
Both receivers are must-start talents, but expectations should
be tempered. The Eagles’ offense has leaned heavily on game control,
and if they build an early lead, volume could dry up fast.
Saquon Barkley’s revenge game against his former team makes for
an easy headline — but the matchup is less appealing than it looks.
The Giants haven’t allowed a rushing touchdown to an opposing
back since Week 4, and Barkley himself managed only 58 yards on
12 carries when these teams met in Week 6.
He’s averaging 16.1 carries for 52.7 rushing yards per game this
season, with only three total touchdowns. His receiving involvement
helps buoy his floor, but New York’s front seven has held volume
runners like James Cook and Derrick Henry in check.
Barkley is too talented to bench, yet fantasy managers should
brace for a lower-end RB1 outcome in a matchup that could limit
scoring chances.
Quinshon Judkins has been locked in as Cleveland’s starter
since Week 3, averaging nearly 20 carries per game for 77.8 rushing
yards and 0.8 touchdowns — delivering steady fantasy value
despite limited receiving work. His nine receptions in six games
are reminiscent of Nick Chubb’s old-school, volume-based
profile.
Game script derailed him in Week 6’s blowout loss to Pittsburgh,
where he logged just 12 carries for 36 yards. Still, his consistent
workload — 18-plus touches in four of his last six games
— keeps him firmly in play. Even against New England’s
sixth-ranked run defense, Judkins’ goal-line usage and dependable
volume make him a solid, if unspectacular, RB2.
Harold Fannin has quietly carved out a steady role in Cleveland’s
offense, drawing at least four targets in every game this season
despite sharing time with veteran David Njoku. Over the last three
outings, Fannin has seen 19 total targets, and with Njoku (knee)
still limited in practice, he could see an expanded snap share
this week.
The Patriots have struggled against tight ends, allowing strong
outings to Brock Bowers, Dalton Kincaid, and even Tommy Tremble
— all on limited target volume. Fannin’s athleticism gives him
a puncher’s chance to deliver a similar line, though his week-to-week
floor remains modest. Consider him a viable high-upside bye-week
streamer.
Fade: N/A
CLE FPts Allowed vs. QBs: No.30
CLE FPts Allowed vs. RBs: No.32
CLE FPts Allowed vs. WRs: No.22
CLE FPts Allowed vs. TEs: No.18
Stefon Diggs has commanded seven or more targets in three of
his last four games, solidifying his place as the centerpiece
of New England’s passing game. His 39 receptions for 456
yards through seven weeks highlight his consistent involvement,
even while managing a lingering chest injury.
The Browns’ defense has been tough on receivers, but context
matters — nine different wideouts have topped double-digit
PPR points against them this season. Diggs’ target volume
gives him a reliable WR2 floor with WR1 upside if game flow forces
the Patriots to stay aggressive through the air. The only real
concern would be an early New England lead leading to a run-heavy
second half.
Rhamondre Stevenson continues to dominate backfield snaps for
New England, playing over 70% of the RB workload in back-to-back
weeks. The results, though, have been inconsistent. Two weeks
ago, he managed just 18 yards on 13 carries versus the Saints.
Last week, he rebounded with 88 yards and a touchdown.
The challenge this week is Cleveland’s elite run defense,
which has allowed the fewest fantasy points per game to opposing
backs. Stevenson’s role keeps him in the RB2 conversation,
but managers should expect efficiency concerns and hope his touchdown
involvement keeps his floor steady.
Kayshon Boutte has delivered back-to-back big fantasy performances
— but both have come on wildly unsustainable efficiency.
He’s caught all seven of his targets for 148 yards and three
touchdowns over the last two weeks. That 100% catch rate and three-TD
stretch have masked a limited overall role in the Patriots’
offense.
Cleveland’s secondary ranks top-five in fewest fantasy
points allowed to wideouts, making Boutte’s big-play streak
unlikely to continue. He’s a bench stash for now, best left
out of starting lineups in such a difficult matchup.
Although no one would look at Monangai’s first five games
and be overly impressed, he seemed to flash almost every game
-- he had a gain of eight yards or better each week except Week
1. Last Sunday, the rookie saw a major increase in usage, carrying
the ball 13 times for 81 yards and scoring his first NFL touchdown.
Chicago’s running game in general has looked much better
in two games since the bye, and it certainly appears that’s
the area Ben Johnson wants to focus on, which is something he
did to great effect during his time in Detroit where he always
used a two-back system. If Johnson thinks Monangai is ready to
take some of the load off Swift, he could be poised for a strong
second half. For this week, Monangai is worth trying as an RB3
or flex option.
Williams teased fantasy owners with his 298-yard, four-touchdown
effort against the Cowboys in Week 3, fostering hope that we were
seeing the partnership with Johnson beginning to take flight.
In three games since, Williams has averaged 212 yards per game
with just two passing TDs. It’s also become painfully obvious
that Johnson does not want Williams to scramble, running for just
58 yards combined in the last five games (including minus-four
yards in the last two) after rushing for 58 in the opener. Without
those dual-threat tendencies, it falls to Williams’ arm
to generate value, and recently that hasn’t been happening.
At first blush, this is a great matchup against a Ravens defense
that was torched over their first six games. Baltimore had a week
off, though, and some of their injured stars are set to return.
This is risk/reward territory.
Through six games this season, Moore has had more than four receptions
in a game once, topped 50 yards in a game once, and has one TD.
Even when the passing attack was outpacing the running game, the
veteran was taking a backseat to Odunze. Now, with fewer opportunities,
Moore seems like an even longer shot to contribute much to fantasy
owners. Before the bye, a matchup with a threadbare Ravens secondary
would have been enough to warrant trying Moore as a WR3. Now,
it feels like a stretch to even slot him into your lineup.
CHI FPts Allowed vs. QBs: No.4
CHI FPts Allowed vs. RBs: No.9
CHI FPts Allowed vs. WRs: No.9
CHI FPts Allowed vs. TEs: No.13
As of this writing, Jackson’s official status remains up in the
air. Whether that’s legit concern or gamesmanship is unclear,
but let’s assume he’s ready to return to action after a month
on the shelf. In that scenario, Andrews could be a prime beneficiary.
The team might want Jackson to take things a bit slow, doing more
with his arm than his legs following the time away, and Andrews
is a reliable option for that. It’s also worth noting that Chicago
has struggled to cover tight ends recently with Juwan Johnson
putting up a 5-79-0 line last week and Zach Ertz posting a half-dozen
grabs and a touchdown their previous time out. If Jackson is up,
Andrews is a decent TE1.
Week 7 was ugly for Miami across the board — and that’s
why Jaylen Waddle lands squarely on the fence this week. Despite
commanding a strong 20.4% target share this season, Waddle caught
just one pass on four targets against Cleveland. While the Browns
have one of the league’s best defenses, there’s still
no excuse for his lack of involvement.
Waddle combined for 205 yards receiving the previous two games,
so fantasy managers have to hope last week was an aberration.
Still, with the Dolphins offense struggling to sustain drives
or stretch the field, trusting anyone outside of Achane carries
risk.
With Darren Waller (pectoral) now on injured reserve, Tua Tagovailoa’s
options have narrowed considerably. Miami’s best path to victory
likely lies in a run-heavy approach built around De’Von Achane
and Ollie Gordon II, with play-action sprinkled in. Unfortunately,
that script doesn’t offer much fantasy upside — think something
in the range of 160 yards and one touchdown through the air.
That same reasoning extends to Malik Washington and any other
Dolphins receivers outside of Waddle. Even in a thin bye week,
it’s best to keep them on the bench until this passing game
shows signs of life.
MIA FPts Allowed vs. QBs: No.7
MIA FPts Allowed vs. RBs: No.5
MIA FPts Allowed vs. WRs: No.26
MIA FPts Allowed vs. TEs: No.9
The weeks in which Tyler Allgeier contributes meaningfully can
be unpredictable — but this looks like one of them. If Atlanta
can force an early turnover or jump ahead, we could see a steady
dose of Robinson and Allgeier the rest of the way. That makes
Allgeier (3 TDs in six games) a viable flex play, particularly
in standard formats.
Meanwhile, Kyle Pitts drew a season-high 10 targets last week,
reaffirming his role as a key piece of the passing attack even
with Darnell Mooney back in the mix. Expect another 6–8 looks
this week in a favorable game script, making Pitts a solid TE1
option.
Mooney isn’t a PPR-friendly option given his limited target volume,
but he remains a potential splash-play threat. Michael Penix Jr.
throws one of the best deep balls in the league, and that connection
could easily produce something like a 3-80-1 line on limited volume.
His 48.8% snap share last week is concerning, but for non-PPR
or best-ball formats — or managers in bye-week trouble — Mooney
offers some upside.
The other left-handed quarterback in this matchup could easily
post a similar stat line to his counterpart — roughly 160
yards and one touchdown — as the Falcons lean on their ground
game and defense. That may be great for Atlanta’s real-life
prospects, but it keeps Penix well off the fantasy radar. There
are better streaming QB options available this week.
With Bucky Irving already ruled out for at least one more week,
Rachaad White will remain the primary ball carrier for Tampa Bay
— and should find easier sledding than he did in Detroit last
Monday night. NFL coaches often aren’t shy about leaning heavily
on their RBs heading into a bye week, given the rest that follows,
so a season-high workload is likely for White (his current high
is 20 touches in Week 6).
Baker Mayfield attempted 50 passes Monday night but managed just
228 yards — roughly 4.5 yards per attempt, a rough number
by any standard. He took a beating in that game and enters this
one banged up, though he’ll play. Expect a different approach
from Tampa this week: fewer attempts (around 25–30) and
a focus on ball control to protect him. That could still produce
a couple of touchdowns, but expectations should be tempered.
Cade Otton’s role tends to grow when either Evans or Godwin
is sidelined, and that happened again last week after Evans’
injury (7-65-0). He’s posted 50+ receiving yards in three
straight games, putting him on the streaming radar in Week 8.
Johnson’s talent is obvious, but his execution remains raw.
Multiple route errors last week disrupted the passing game, and
that could cost him snaps in this game. His 4-58-1 line from last
week will keep him on some fantasy radars, especially in a shallow
player pool, but he carries far more risk than his box score suggests.
A desperation flex at best.
TB FPts Allowed vs. QBs: No.13
TB FPts Allowed vs. RBs: No.7
TB FPts Allowed vs. WRs: No.17
TB FPts Allowed vs. TEs: No.16
Through seven games, Olave has commanded a staggering 71 targets
— and while that hasn’t quite translated into WR1 production,
he’s been a reliable WR2 option on a struggling offense. With
Kendre Miller (ACL) done for the season, expect the Saints to
stay pass-heavy. Given Tampa’s stout run defense, Olave should
again be the centerpiece of this attack.
Kamara’s recent stretch has been disappointing — three
straight games under 15 touches and 80 total yards, including
fewer than 30 last week. Still, with Miller out, Kamara’s
experience and expected opportunity share keep him in play.
Shaheed, meanwhile, remains one of the league’s most volatile
receivers. He’s tallied exactly four receptions in six straight
games and has only one outing over 52 yards. His speed makes him
a tempting upside play, but his weekly floor is perilously low.
It’s unclear if Neal will simply step into Kendre Miller’s
role (7-8 touches per game) or will be used sparingly in his first
real action of the season. Taysom has averaged 10 snaps per game
since his return. You’re better off chasing players with
more predictable volume and usage.
Jake Ferguson’s improbable season continued last week with
two touchdowns despite averaging just 4.1 yards per reception.
His 88% catch rate is elite, but the fact that he has six touchdowns
on 6.5 yards per catch is almost absurd — one or both of
those numbers will eventually normalize. Still, Denver’s
defense has shown vulnerability against tight ends, allowing nearly
14 yards per reception at the position. That bodes well for Ferguson’s
yards per target. Until defenses solve this part of the Cowboys
offense, Ferguson remains a must-start.
Dak Prescott currently ranks as QB5 in fantasy points per game
and faces a difficult Broncos defense that has nonetheless allowed
280+ passing yards in four different contests. Prescott now relies
almost entirely on his arm for production, and that will likely
continue against a team that’s given up just 55 total rushing
yards to quarterbacks. A 300-yard, multi-touchdown day is possible,
but the Broncos have only allowed multiple passing scores to two
of seven QBs, giving Prescott a slightly lower floor than usual.
He’s a back-end QB1.
The Broncos have held all but four opposing wide receivers under
double-digit fantasy points this season. With CeeDee Lamb drawing
most of Patrick Surtain II’s attention, George Pickens may
find a few more openings, but his volatility remains high. He’s
best viewed as a flex play rather than a WR2 this week.
Fade: N/A
DAL FPts Allowed vs. QBs: No.1
DAL FPts Allowed vs. RBs: No.6
DAL FPts Allowed vs. WRs: No.1
DAL FPts Allowed vs. TEs: No.21
Bo Nix snapped out of his early-season funk with a 36-point fantasy
explosion against the Giants, throwing and rushing for two touchdowns
apiece. Efficiency remains a concern, but it’s hard to fade
him this week against a Dallas defense that has allowed 3.1 more
FPts/G to opposing QBs than any other team. Even the floor has
been QB1-worthy — no opposing quarterback has scored fewer
than 19.7 fantasy points against them (and that was due to injury).
Nix is a must-start.
Not surprisingly, the Cowboys are also surrendering the most
points to opposing wide receivers. Courtland Sutton has seen 10
targets in two of the past three games and should continue to
operate as Nix’s top option. He’s a high-end WR2.
Running back J.K. Dobbins has been lightly used as a receiver
(no more than one catch in any of the last six weeks), meaning
his value leans entirely on rushing production. Fortunately, Dallas
has been gashed recently — Breece Hall and Rico Dowdle both
topped 100 yards against them. Dobbins, currently 7th in rushing
yards and 10th in yards per carry, is well-positioned to do the
same. He’s a high-end RB2.
Tight end Evan Engram saw a season-high eight targets last week
and has posted consecutive games with five receptions (and four-straight
with at least four). Since returning from injury, he’s just
two targets shy of Sutton’s team lead and offers a steady
floor. As his chemistry with Nix grows, so should his ceiling.
He’s a low-end TE1 versus Dallas.
Troy Franklin saw 10 targets in last week’s shootout with
the Giants, but it marked his third straight game with only three
receptions. He’s topped four catches just once all year.
That said, a matchup with Dallas’s leaky secondary could
temporarily mask his inefficiency (5.8 yards per target). He’s
an upside flex option for managers in need of a spark.
Despite Denver’s offensive eruption last week, rookie R.J.
Harvey was nearly invisible, logging only a two-yard touchdown
catch late in the game — his only two yards on the day.
He remains strictly a bench stash until his role expands.
Tony Pollard remains a serviceable weekly flex option, but he’s
unlikely to win you any matchups. His increased involvement in
the passing game last week (six targets) was encouraging, yet
this woeful Titans offense continues to cap everyone’s ceiling.
The Colts have been particularly stingy against running backs
— no rusher has topped 77 yards against them this season
— keeping Pollard in the low-end RB2/Flex range.
If Calvin Ridley (hamstring) misses another game, Chimere Dike
becomes a possible desperation play after posting 4-70-1 last
week. Still, there’s little to get excited about overall in this
passing attack.
You likely don’t need a reminder to sit Cam Ward or Chig
Okonkwo, but with six teams on bye, we’ll make it explicit.
Ward has averaged just 5 rushing yards per game and thrown only
four touchdown passes in seven contests — all of which limits
his fantasy appeal. Meanwhile, Okonkwo has yet to find the end
zone this season, which tells you all you need to know.
TEN FPts Allowed vs. QBs: No.21
TEN FPts Allowed vs. RBs: No.3
TEN FPts Allowed vs. WRs: No.11
TEN FPts Allowed vs. TEs: No.25
The primary risk when starting Colts skill players in this matchup
is game script — a lopsided score could lead to a quieter
second half. That said, Daniel Jones’s dual-threat ability
and the addition of Tyler Warren have made him close to matchup-proof
as a steady mid-range QB1.
Michael Pittman Jr. continues to be Jones’s favorite red
zone target, finding the end zone in five of seven games this
year while commanding a 22.1% target share. He’s a locked-in
WR2 with WR1 upside this week.
Pierce isn’t a strong PPR option since most of his value comes
from his downfield role, but non-PPR managers can take notice.
He’s coming off a 5-98-0 performance on 10 targets — inflated
somewhat by Josh Downs’s absence (concussion). Still, Pierce has
historically produced when healthy and remains a viable flier
this week.
Downs missed Week 7 while in concussion protocol and remains
questionable after logging a limited Wednesday practice and a
full practice on Thursday. Daniel Jones appears locked in with
Pittman, Pierce, and Warren as his top targets, leaving Downs
on the outside looking in unless one of those three is sidelined.
We’ve banged the drum for Matthew Golden in this space, but on
the road in primetime against the Steelers, we’re rolling with
the veteran. Following a slow start, Doubs has been more involved
the last three games, posting 17 receptions, 185 yards, and 3
TDs in that stretch. We could also see the 2025 debut of Christian
Watson (knee) this Sunday, which would give the Packers two legitimate
field stretchers and open up more room for Doubs to operate in
the intermediate level. That might be a more attractive place
to work for Green Bay’s passing attack depending on how much pressure
the Steelers can generate. Doubs as your WR3 is a solid choice.
Love logged multiple TD passes in three of his first four games,
but in two outings since the bye he’s accounted for just 438 yards
and 2 TDs combined with Jacobs getting four scores on the ground.
While Pittsburgh struggled with Cincinnati’s previously dormant
running attack last Thursday, their pass defense has been the
bigger weakness over the course of the season, ranking 31st in
yards allowed (258.8 per game). There’s also the wild card element
of going up against Aaron Rodgers, who Love learned under for
his first three seasons. Their pairing was always considered friendly,
but it’s human nature to want to prove the Packers right by shining
in a head-to-head matchup. While not a safe play, Love has QB1
potential.
Fade: N/A
GB FPts Allowed vs. QBs: No.18
GB FPts Allowed vs. RBs: No.30
GB FPts Allowed vs. WRs: No.16
GB FPts Allowed vs. TEs: No.2
In last week’s Icy Hot Bowl, Rodgers went toe-to-toe with
Joe Flacco, throwing for 249 yards and 4 TDs, though a pair of
interceptions ended up hurting the Steelers in an upset loss.
While he’s sure to downplay it in the leadup to kickoff,
you can bet Rodgers has had this game circled since the schedule
was released. Although Rodgers’ time in Green Bay paved
his path to Canton, his final years were acrimonious, at least
in how he felt towards GM Brian Gutekunst. Pair that with Rodgers’
well-established use of perceived slights as motivation, and you
have a recipe for the veteran to be locked in. On the field, his
preferred method of attack, getting the ball out quickly, is exactly
what teams have tried to do against the Packers to marginalize
their pass rush. After watching veterans like Flacco and Jacoby
Brissett have success with that approach, Rodgers could follow
suit on Sunday night.
Quick passes, quick passes, and more quick passes. That’s likely
to comprise a big chunk of the Steelers’ game plan this Sunday,
and in that approach, Gainwell could be heavily involved. Both
he and Warren are capable pass catchers, and prior to last Thursday,
Gainwell had back-to-back games with a half-dozen receptions each.
Granted, these short looks could end up going to names like Jonnu
Smith or Pat Freiermuth instead, but neither of them offers the
same level of elusiveness in the open field. With a bunch of teams
getting the week off, Gainwell has enough potential to be used
as a flex.
The last time we saw Terry McLaurin, he was nearly taking a 56-yard
completion from Marcus Mariota to the house, only to be injured
while trying to stretch across the goal line. After a full practice
to open the week, McLaurin looks poised to return to the field
this Sunday, where he'll find Marcus Mariota once again as his
quarterback. With no fewer than 77 receptions and 1,005 yards
in each of the previous five seasons, McLaurin should immediately
return to being a cornerstone of Washington's offense. He’s a
WR2 versus a K.C. defense that has played a light receiver schedule.
Terry McLaurin’s return shouldn’t concern Deebo Samuel managers
too much. Samuel, who is also poised to return this week, averaged
seven targets and 1.3 rushing attempts in three games played alongside
McLaurin to start the year. He also saw a bump in rushing volume
while Jayden Daniels was previously out (three rushes per game),
which helps boost his floor. In a game where Washington is an
underdog and may be playing from behind, Samuel is likewise a
WR2 versus the Chiefs.
Averaging nearly 19 fantasy points in two earlier starts this
year, Marcus Mariota showcased legitimate upside in Jayden Daniels’s
absence. He’ll face a Chiefs team that has struggled against
mobile quarterbacks, surrendering the sixth-most rushing yards
and second-most rushing TDs to the position. With 94 rushing yards
and a score in three games this year, Mariota has an avenue to
fantasy success against a defense that has otherwise been tough
on passers, having held four opponents under 200 yards passing.
With a healthy receiving corps, Mariota profiles as a high-end
QB2 this weekend.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt enters Week 8 as RB25 in FPts/G and has
seen a significant jump in snap rate over the last three weeks,
playing just over half of Washington’s offensive snaps during
that stretch. His production has followed suit, ranking 12th in
rushing yards, tied for 9th in rushing touchdowns, and 14th in
FPts/G (13.0). He’s shown an increased ceiling—much
of it coming from a 28-point outburst—but still carries
a low floor (3.7 points last week).
Against a difficult Chiefs front, Croskey-Merritt’s ceiling
is likely capped. The high risk of Washington falling behind and
his lack of receiving involvement both lower his floor. The bye-week
crunch is arguably the only thing that keeps him in play as a
low-end flex option.
Veteran Zach Ertz draws a Chiefs defense that has smothered tight
ends this season, allowing just one to produce more than 6.5 fantasy
points in a game. It’s a real turnaround for K.C., which
was routinely gashed by the position last year. It likely won’t
help Ertz that both Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel are returning,
nor that Marcus Mariota—who targeted Ertz just seven times
over two games—is under center. Ertz is a low-end TE2 versus
K.C.
WAS FPts Allowed vs. QBs: No.11
WAS FPts Allowed vs. RBs: No.14
WAS FPts Allowed vs. WRs: No.10
WAS FPts Allowed vs. TEs: No.15
Playing 33 snaps in his first game back, Rashee Rice’s
10 targets, seven receptions, and two touchdowns were everything
patient fantasy managers wanted to see. Immediately reinserted
as Patrick Mahomes’s go-to target in an increasingly lethal
offense, Rice is a WR2 with elite upside, especially if his snap
rate climbs versus Washington this week.
Tight end Travis Kelce draws a Washington defense that has been
feast-or-famine against opposing tight ends this year. All but
three opposing TEs have scored fewer than five fantasy points,
but those three each posted at least 15.5. Last week, despite
producing just 29 yards, Jake Ferguson capitalized on the attention
given to CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, scoring twice on Washington.
The Commanders’ cornerbacks require constant safety help over
the top against talented receiving corps. The instant impact of
Rashee Rice’s return, coupled with Marquise Brown’s recent red
zone efficiency (four touchdowns in the last four games), will
likely open lanes for Kelce. Don’t be surprised if his veteran
savvy lands him in the end zone this weekend. Kelce remains a
top-10 tight end with considerable upside versus Washington.
Xavier Worthy continues to see weekly touches on the ground,
and the Chiefs are clearly committed to keeping him on the radar
of defenses. For the first time in a while, Patrick Mahomes has
a bevy of weapons, meaning that a banged-up Worthy may see wide
fluctuations in involvement from week to week. His game-breaking
upside preserves his value as a high-ceiling, low-floor flex.
With the Chiefs running out the clock for much of the second
half versus the Raiders last week, Isiah Pacheco picked up a season-high
57 yards on 15 carries, scoring his first touchdown of the season.
Still, he’s yet to top 60 total yards in a game and is averaging
just 4.0 yards per touch. His floor remains very low, without
enough ceiling to warrant starting him versus Washington.
Kareem Hunt, meanwhile, has seen his snap count steadily decline
for three consecutive weeks, hitting a season-low 15 snaps last
game. Some of that may stem from the team working in rookie Brashard
Smith, who’s caught at least three passes in each of the
last four games. Smith appears to be carving out a role at Hunt’s
expense. In an already pass-heavy offense, the K.C. backfield
was crowded even before Smith emerged.
