Derrick Henry continues to power Baltimore's ground attack as
a true workhorse, averaging nearly 16 carries and 73 rushing yards
per game with six touchdowns through eight weeks. The offense
hasn’t been its usual high-powered self without Lamar Jackson
behind center, but that hasn’t stopped Henry from turning
in two solid fantasy days in back-to-back games.
The Dolphins rank fifth-worst in defending running backs, surrendering
100-plus total yards to five different backs in addition to Rico
Dowdle's 234-yard explosion and Quinshon Judkins' three-TD rampage.
With Jackson back this week, Henry’s ceiling and floor
should both be elevated, making him a must-start for fantasy.
Miami must respect the pass, creating creases for Henry's bruising
style to gash the secondary. His volume and goal-line appeal make
him a locked-in RB1, primed for 100-plus yards and giving him
multi-score upside on Thursday Night Football.
Zay Flowers stands as Baltimore's clear top target, averaging
nearly eight targets and six receptions for 70 yards per game
through eight weeks. He started Week 1 off with a season-high
143-yard, one-TD opener, but he’s otherwise mostly been
just a consistent WR2 who delivers double-digit PPR fantasy points
most weeks.
The biggest concern here is that the Dolphins rank as the league's
second-best defense against wide receivers, allowing just one
100-yard outing (Ladd McConkey in Week 6) and touchdowns to only
seven opposing WRs all season. Flowers must navigate that shutdown
secondary in Lamar Jackson's injury return, where rust could cause
timing issues. He’s a solid WR3 with WR2 possibility if Jackson
syncs early, but bench him for boom alternatives if you’re a big
underdog in your weekly matchup.
Mark Andrews' name recognition has masked much of his 2025 output,
where he's managed just two double-digit PPR days through eight
weeks. His huge, two-touchdown performance in Week 3 stands alone,
with every other game yielding fewer than 35 yards.
The Dolphins rank as a top-10 matchup for opposing tight ends,
an enticing matchup, but Miami has surrendered just three touchdowns
to the position all season, including one in their past five games.
Andrews' lack of targets this season limits his spike potential
in Baltimore's run-first attack. He's a name-brand TE2 trap. Fade
him for higher-volume streamers.
BAL FPts Allowed vs. QBs: No.4
BAL FPts Allowed vs. RBs: No.4
BAL FPts Allowed vs. WRs: No.2
BAL FPts Allowed vs. TEs: No.15
Jaylen Waddle has tormented fantasy managers in 2025 with erratic
output—true duds like Week 6's one catch for nine yards
on five targets sandwiched between solid efforts such as Week
7's seven receptions for 92 yards and a touchdown—rendering
him a prediction nightmare despite his clear WR1 status in Miami's
attack.
If you’re looking for some additional positivity, Baltimore ranks
as the second-best matchup for opposing wide receivers, yielding
double-digit PPR days to 14 different WRs across seven games.
Waddle's speed could exploit gaps, but the Dolphins may opt to
lean more heavily on Achane and the running game. Waddle is a
volatile WR3 with WR2 spikes if Tua Tagovailoa gets things going
early.
Tua Tagovailoa's monster Week 8 saw him go 20-of-26 for 205 yards
and a career-high four touchdowns against Atlanta, sparking waiver-wire
interest from managers who are in need heading into Week 9.
That game was surely an outlier, though, which has allowed some
managers to forget his recent woes where he delivered nightmare
outings in back-to-back weeks against the Browns and Chargers.
He’s been turnover-prone, doesn’t run the ball, and
there’s still always the lingering worry that one hit could
knock him out of a game at any time.
Tua has one of the most fragile floors of any QB and while a
matchup against a bad Baltimore secondary might look exciting
for fantasy, he’s a very risky option who should probably
be benched in most matchups for QBs who provide more of a rushing
floor.
Nix is currently 6th among fantasy quarterbacks and is coming
off a 4-TD game where he feasted on a weak Cowboys defense, finishing
as the QB5 on the week. The Texans represent a more difficult
matchup and thrive on pressuring the QB… 5th in the league.
In fact, they’ve given up the fewest amount of fantasy points
to QBs this season. With a game total of 40.5 you can’t
expect Nix to reach QB1 status, but perhaps his legs keep him
in mid-range QB2 territory.
Sutton plays the most snaps out of all the Denver receivers but
the five-man rotation run by Sean Payton can cause frustration
for fantasy managers. It leads to a lower target share for Sutton
(20.7%) than we’d like for No.1 receivers which results in more
volatility. He’ll be started in 12-team leagues but Sutton hasn’t
scored since Week 4 and has seen double-digit targets in just
two games (Wk5, Wk 7). The Texans have allowed just 3 touchdowns
to wide receivers this season.
Dobbins is averaging a cool 5.3 yards per carry this season and
routinely is getting 15-20 touches per game and typically finds
himself in the “favorites” category most weeks. However,
the likelihood of a low-scoring game and difficult matchup against
a Texans-D pushes him down to “on the fence” in Week
9. There is a silver lining: Houston has allowed 7 rushing TDs
to running backs which Dobbins will need to take advantage of
if he's to return RB2 value.
Harvey scored 3 touchdowns last week against the Cowboys but
closer inspection reveals he played just 27% of the snaps and
had just 8 touches. That kind of role and usage isn’t going
to produce meaningful fantasy scores most weeks and there’s
nothing to suggest a role increase for the rookie in this matchup
against the Texans. Keep Harvey on the bench against Houston who’ve
allowed just 156 receiving yards to RBs this season.
DEN FPts Allowed vs. QBs: No.31
DEN FPts Allowed vs. RBs: No.22
DEN FPts Allowed vs. WRs: No.32
DEN FPts Allowed vs. TEs: No.24
Nico missed Week 8 due to a concussion and has largely failed
to live up to his expectations this season. He’s been a
top 12 fantasy wideout just once this season (Wk3) and has topped
4 receptions only once in six games. He’s largely playing
on the outside and isn’t getting enough easy targets in
the middle of the field. The Broncos are the worst possible matchup
for wideouts having given up just 2 touchdowns to the position.
The silver lining here in that Patrick Surtain is going to miss
this game and multiple weeks with a pec injury. Still, Denver
should have no problem pressuring Stroud, making it difficult
to trust any of his wideouts in Week 9.
Marks is the favorite play of the two Houston running backs as
he’s the better pass catcher in what’s likely to be
a trailing or neutral game script for the Texans. The two Houston
RBs split snaps almost evenly last week against the 49ers (35-32
in favor of Chubb) with Marks producing 111 yards on 15 touches.
The game environment isn’t great as Denver possesses one
the better defenses in the league, so temper your expectations
for Marks as a Flex option.
Chubb produced 69 yards on 19 touches last week against the 49ers
but simply doesn’t offer much fantasy appeal unless he finds
the endzone, which he’s done twice this season. Chubb is
averaging 4 yard per carry which is exactly what Dener is allowing
to the position through eight games.
The Texans are using a five-man rotation at wideout and are likely
going to get Christian
Kirk (hamstring) back in the mix this week. Jayden
Higgins will lose snaps to Nico while Xavier
Hutchinson, Jaylin
Noel and Braxton
Berrios will all have their snaps reduced if Kirk does indeed
play. Given the uncertain roles and the worst possible matchup,
you can leave all Texans wideouts not named Nico Collins on your
bench this week.
Jauan Jennings has managed to deliver some solid fantasy outings,
but his ceiling remains low outside the big Week 2 outlier (5-89-1).
He’s been held to under 50 yards in every other appearance through
eight weeks. Averaging just six targets per game, he's handcuffed
by San Francisco's anemic passing volume, especially sans Brock
Purdy. To make matters worse, Christian McCaffrey has twice as
many targets as Jennings. His red-zone reliability is interesting,
but the 49ers' ground-first identity caps Jennings’ reliability
as a WR3/4 dart throw.
Mac Jones has steadied the 49ers as Brock Purdy's backup, completing
66% of passes for 1597 yards and eight touchdowns across six starts,
but his fantasy returns have been much less lucrative, including
ugly performances in both Week 6 (QB20) and 7 (QB25). The Giants'
porous secondary has given up the fifth-most points to QBs, which
may tempt some managers to stream him as a mid-range QB2, but
Jones is more of a low-end QB2 as his lack of rushing and turnover
risk cap his ceiling.
SF FPts Allowed vs. QBs: No.19
SF FPts Allowed vs. RBs: No.15
SF FPts Allowed vs. WRs: No.14
SF FPts Allowed vs. TEs: No.23
Cam Skattebo's gruesome injury was devastating to many rosters
but it catapults Tracy into a golden opportunity, building on
his solid 2024 rookie flashes. As an above-average pass-catcher,
Tracy bolsters his floor and ceiling with his ability to stay
on the field on every down. He is primed for 15-plus touches as
the lead back for the Giants.
The 49ers are middle of the pack against running backs overall
but have shown cracks lately yielding quality days to Marks, Kyren,
and Etienne. Tracy's elusiveness and receiving chops position
him as an RB2 with low-end RB1 upside, especially if he punches
in a score.
Jaxson Dart has had his moments, but his lack of volume has left
fantasy managers wishing for more. He’s completed 17 or
fewer passes in four of his five starts, capping his output. What
salvages his fantasy viability is a sky-high touchdown rate—eight
passing and five rushing scores across those outings, fueling
QB1 flashes like Week 7's monster performance (QB3) against the
Broncos.
There are risks however: Dart’s ceiling craters if he’s
unable to deliver on the ground and the loss of Skattebo could
negatively impact the offense, making it easier for the 49ers
to key in on Dart and the passing game. Dart is a borderline QB1/2
with spike allure, but he can be benched for proven volume passers
unless you’re chasing touchdowns.
Wan’Dale Robinson has been a stomach-churning roller coaster
for fantasy managers in 2025, erupting for two WR1-caliber explosions,
amid four frustrating single-digit duds. His Week 8 whimper—three
grabs for 48 yards on four targets—showcases his volatility.
Volume is his lifeline, but the 49ers' secondary has permitted
just three WRs to snag more than five catches all season: JSN,
Olave, and Puka. Robinson is not an elite producer, and faces
a potential drought against San Francisco's scheme. He's a trap
WR4.
Much like last year’s Bengals, the Colts are a top-heavy
group in terms of fantasy appeal with Taylor, Pittman, and Warren
weekly must-starts, and Jones teetering on that designation based
on matchup -- and a game with the NFL’s last-ranked pass
defense comfortably tilts the scales for Danny Dimes to be a no-brainer
for Week 9. Beyond that, we’re bordering on wasteland territory.
Of the remaining skill players, Downs is probably the closest
to being a needle mover. He ranks third on the club in receptions
(29) and touchdown catches (2), and he’s fourth in yardage
(256). He’s also on a two-game scoring streak. Downs is
more of an underneath and intermediate option, and that could
appeal to Jones as the Steelers have the personnel to get after
the passer. As a flex or even a low-end WR3, Downs might produce
this Sunday.
Pierce, meanwhile, is cut more from the feast-or-famine cloth.
Despite missing two games with a concussion, he ranks third on
the Colts in receiving yards (386) -- in fact, he’s only
60 yards behind Pittman despite logging 25 fewer receptions. Pierce
is the designated deep threat as evidenced by just 36 of those
386 yards coming after the catch. He’s more of a lottery
ticket play than Downs.
Fade: N/A
IND FPts Allowed vs. QBs: No.10
IND FPts Allowed vs. RBs: No.26
IND FPts Allowed vs. WRs: No.3
IND FPts Allowed vs. TEs: No.5
Rodgers’ high-profile matchup with the Packers didn’t go his way,
but the veteran played a solid game, passing for 219 yards and
a pair of touchdowns. That’s very much on brand with what he’s
done this season, averaging 213 yards and 2.3 TDs per game in
his first year with the Steelers. He’ll need to be on his game
to keep up with the Colts, which enter this week as the NFL’s
highest-scoring offense. Only three teams have given up more passing
yards per game than the Colts (252). Granted, some of that is
doubtless a byproduct of holding large leads and playing soft
coverage, but on the flip side of that coin is a dubious slate
of opposing QBs, which includes Tua Tagovailoa, Geno Smith, Jacoby
Brissett, and two meetings with Cam Ward -- in contrast, Matthew
Stafford and Justin Hebert combined for 795 yards and 6 TDs versus
Indy. While far from a lock, Rodgers offers legitimate QB1 upside.
In three games since racking up 134 yards and 2 TDs when Warren
was sidelined, Gainwell has averaged just 26 combined yards, and
he lost a fumble in their Sunday night loss to the Packers. It’s
similar to what he did those first three games when he put up
28 yards per outing with one total touchdown. Until he does something
impactful with Warren active, Gainwell is little more than a handcuff
option that doesn’t offer much weekly appeal.
As of this writing, there’s no certainty on who will start at
quarterback for Carolina this Sunday. Bryce Young (ankle), who
missed Week 8, returned to practice on Wednesday, though head
coach Dave Canelas wouldn’t name a starter. Meanwhile, Andy Dalton
(thumb) did not practice due to a thumb injury. Whoever it is,
they’d do well to try to get McMillan involved early and often.
The rookie was one of the only bright spots in the team’s blowout
loss to Buffalo last Sunday, catching seven passes for 99 yards.
It was the fifth time this year he’s topped 60 yards in a game.
Green Bay has a solid defense and a dangerous pass rush, but their
cornerbacks are suspect. Look for McMillan to get his no matter
who starts and contribute as a WR3 with a little juice.
When Hubbard missed time with a calf injury, Dowdle stepped in
and put up some huge numbers. Upon his return, the Panthers slid
them back into their old roles with Hubbard seeing the majority
of touches and Dowdle as a complement. Comments this week from
Canales suggest that won’t be the case going forward with
the head coach talking about what Hubbard has “meant to
the organization” while praising Dowdle. That sounds like
a changing of the guard, even if it’s only temporary, and
suddenly it’s unclear what role the longtime Panther will
fill in Green Bay. An RB2 before the injury, Hubbard heads into
Week 9 as uncertain flex.
Fade: N/A
CAR FPts Allowed vs. QBs: No.21
CAR FPts Allowed vs. RBs: No.19
CAR FPts Allowed vs. WRs: No.30
CAR FPts Allowed vs. TEs: No.8
In a high-profile matchup opposite Aaron Rodgers, Love put together
one of the best games of his career, throwing for 360 yards and
three touchdowns. It’s further evidence that the third-year starter
is ready to operate as the centerpiece of the Packers offense.
Whether head coach Matt LaFleur agrees is unclear. Part of Green
Bay’s recent struggles in the first half have a lot to do with
the team trying to get the running game going, and when that falls
flat, they turn things over to Love in the second half. With Carolina
coming off a game in which they allowed Buffalo to run for 245
yards and four TDs, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the team
try to get Jacobs and Emanuel Wilson rolling. Love has the talent
and weapons to be a QB1 each week, but unless the Packers commit
to featuring the passing game, he’ll remain more of a fringe option.
For the first time since suffering a torn ACL in Week 18 last
season, Watson suited up for the Packers. They got him involved
right away on a short out, and Love found him working downfield
a couple of times as well with the speedy wideout finishing with
a 4-85-0 line that was the best among the team’s wideouts. If
you’ve been seeking receiver help, you might view this as a sign
that you should grab Watson and get him in your lineup. That would
be premature. The only truly reliable pass catcher in Green Bay
at this point is Kraft. After that, we’ve seen the likes of Romeo
Doubs, Matthew Golden, and now Watson, have their moment in the
sun only to find themselves on the back burner the following week.
Doubs is the safest option of the group, but beyond that you’re
just trying to read the tea leaves. As such, Watson is a high-risk
flex.
Jones was activated from the IR in time to play last Thursday
in Los Angeles. With the Chargers dominating, the veteran didn’t
see much action, logging just seven combined touches for 30 years.
The move back to J.J. McCarthy should place a renewed focus on
the ground game in an effort to support the inexperienced quarterback
and limit what is asked of him -- not to mention keeping McCarthy
from enduring the kind of hits that Carson Wentz (shoulder) took
on his way to suffering a season-ending injury. During his two
games against the Lions last year, Jones averaged 96 yards per
game and scored once. He’ll continue to share time with Jordan
Mason, but Jones’ ability as an outlet for McCarthy should be
beneficial in a game like this. He’s a solid RB3/flex.
In four games since returning from suspension, Addison has either
posted 100-plus yards or scored each week. That’s consistent production
for fantasy owners. The reason he’s here for Week 9, however,
is simple: the USC product has never taken a regular-season snap
with McCarthy. All of Addison’s damage was done with the veteran
Wentz pulling the trigger, and in previous columns we’ve pointed
out what a narrow path Addison has walked with much of his production
coming very late in games. Now, he’ll face the challenge of working
with a new QB. Not that it’s a true apples-to-apples comparison,
but in Weeks 1 and 2, the de facto WR2, Jalen Nailor, caught four
passes for 59 yards combined. There are reasons to be nervous
about rolling with Addison this Sunday, though an injury-plagued
Lions secondary offers some hope as well.
After missing five games due to a high ankle sprain, McCarthy
practiced in full on Wednesday and is set to return this week.
In two games on the job, the Michigan product struggled mightily
outside of the fourth quarter in Chicago. Against the Falcons
in Week 2, he took six sacks and threw for just 158 yards with
a pair of picks. We knew there would be a learning curve, the
question is how far along it is McCarthy? Knowing what we do now
about the severity of Wentz’s injury, you wonder how comfortable
Kevin O’Connell is with McCarthy where he’d roll out
a physically compromised Wentz ahead of his second-year quarterback
that had already had 40 days to heal up. For this week, keep McCarthy
on your bench.
MIN FPts Allowed vs. QBs: No.22
MIN FPts Allowed vs. RBs: No.21
MIN FPts Allowed vs. WRs: No.25
MIN FPts Allowed vs. TEs: No.14
Goff has become one of the toughest quarterbacks to predict for
fantasy purposes because his value is so dependent on touchdowns.
For example, if you throw out his high (334 yards) and low (168
yards) yardage outputs through seven games, his remaining five
all fall within a 56-yard range: 225, 202, 258, 203, and 241.
Since Goff isn’t a runner, what separates playable weeks
from duds is TD passes. In those same five games, Goff threw 1,
1, 3, 2, and 1 touchdown passes, respectively. Against the Vikings
a season ago, he averaged 256 yards and 1.5 TDs. Minnesota’s
defense this season has rarely matched what they did in 2024,
but Goff is a risky choice as a low-end QB1.
If Goff is a model of consistently, Williams is the direct opposite.
A former first-round pick oozing with big-play potential, Jamo
has yet to really get it going this year. Through seven games,
he has finished with two receptions or fewer five times, and that
includes going without a catch against the Buccaneers in Detroit’s
last game before their bye. We know Williams can bust out at any
time, but he’s had exactly two impact performances this
year, and last season he managed just 30 combined yards in two
games against the Vikings. While there’s certainly a chance
the Lions will try to get Williams more involved coming out of
the bye, he’s no more than a risky lottery ticket for Week
9.
Vidal has this backfield all to himself, for the most part. He
saw 24 touches last week in a blowout win over the Vikings (37-10)
and could get the same treatment here against the lowly Titans.
Tennessee has allowed a league-leading 14 TDs to running backs.
Jaret Patterson is not a meaningful threat for touches as long
as the game is close. I’m expecting another 20-25 touches for
Vidal making him one of the better low-end RB1 plays of the week.
After a slow start to the season, McConkey has seen 34 targets
over his last three games, finishing as the WR6, WR23 and WR5
during that stretch. His role is the most secure out of all the
Chargers’ wideouts and he is a key target on third downs. The
Titans have only allowed one 100-yard receiver this season (Davante
Adams, Wk3) but aren’t a matchup to avoid by any stretch, allowing
the 5th most receiving yards to the position. They also traded
starting CB Roger McCreary to the Rams this week.
What a three-game Oronde Gadsden II has been on! He’s finished
as the TE12, TE1 and TE4 the last three weeks, at the same time
taking away snaps from Tyler Conklin (9.6%) and Will Dissly (inactive).
He’s added another weapon to the Chargers’ passing offense that
will make the situation more volatile for the wideouts. The Chargers
could lean into the run game in this spot against Tennessee and
at some point the Gadsden party will end, but there’s no sense
in getting in front of the train now.
The old man of the Chargers receiving room played just 24.7%
of the snaps last week but the Chargers were in command against
the Vikings last Thursday and focused on the run game in the second
half. We could see a similar game script this week against the
Titans as the Chargers are currently 9.5-point favorites. Whatever
damage the LA passing game is going to do, will likely be done
in the first half. Keenan could certainly have a fantasy-worthy
game here, but I’d be looking at other alternatives in more
competitive game environments.
The recent explosion of Gadsden appears to be affecting QJ the
most who’s losing his downfield targets in the offense. He took
a goose egg last week against the Vikings despite playing 52.1%
of the snaps and has just 10 targets in his last three games.
Tre Harris appears to be his direct competition and if the coaching
staff wants the rookie more involved it’s going to come at Johnston’s
expense. I’d avoid QJ for the time being.
LAC FPts Allowed vs. QBs: No.28
LAC FPts Allowed vs. RBs: No.18
LAC FPts Allowed vs. WRs: No.27
LAC FPts Allowed vs. TEs: No.28
Now that Spears is back from his ankle injury, the Titans are
using a 50-50 split in their backfield, which given the state
of the offense, isn’t useful for anything more than Flex
consideration. Pollard last found the endzone in Week 5 and has
yet to top 100 total yards in a game. I’d lean towards Spears
in this contest and hope the negative game script spikes his receiving
usage, but unless one of them finds the endzone, (as Spears did
last week), you’re likely to get middling production from
both against a Chargers defense that’s middle of the pack
against the position.
In the two games since Mike McCoy took over as head coach, we’ve
seen some slight improvement in production from Ward but he’s
far from being fantasy relevant. He hasn’t thrown more than
1 TD in any game this season and has thrown an interception in
six-straight. He has -2 yards rushing combined in his last four
games.
Ward’s struggles leave his pass catcher’s as risky fantasy propositions.
With Calvin
Ridley (hamstring) out, the target tree is condensed to Elic
Ayomanor, Van
Jefferson and Chimere
Dike with Dike the lone consideration, especially if your
leagues rewards points for return yards in the kicking game. Dike
led the Titans last week with a 7-93-0 line even though all three
wideouts had 8 targets a piece.
Drake London returns from a Week 8 injury absence, primed to
dominate Atlanta's targets once more—averaging 10.5 per
game through seven weeks with 38 receptions for 469 yards and
two touchdowns, including a 158-yard, one-score demolition of
Buffalo in Week 6.
The Patriots boast a top-10 defense against wide receivers, but
they've benefited from an easy schedule, facing no true alpha
like London, who's commanded over 25% of the Falcons' targets.
London's sheer volume guarantees a WR2 baseline, with a potential
100-plus yard spike game if Atlanta is in a negative game script.
Kyle Pitts has delivered his most consistent season since his
2021 rookie year, averaging 6.7 targets and 5.6 receptions for
49.1 yards per game through eight weeks. He's drawn 19 targets
over his last two outings—resulting in seven catches for
62 yards at San Francisco and nine for 59 against Miami. Of course,
this was at least partly boosted by Drake London's Week 8 absence.
The Patriots have clamped wide receivers but faltered against
tight ends, surrendering the fourth-most fantasy points per game
to the position, including touchdowns to both David Njoku and
Harold Fannin last week, plus 100-yard games for Brock Bowers
(Wk1) and Dalton Kincaid (Wk5). Pitts is a high-floor TE2 with
breakout potential.
Darnell Mooney epitomized fantasy disappointment with his Week
8 outing. Primed to be the target leader with Drake London sidelined,
Mooney drew just four—converting one for 11 yards in Atlanta's
loss to Miami. He's capped at four catches in every game this
season, eclipsing five targets only once, underscoring his secondary
role in the Falcons' passing game. London's return crushes any
path to volume, relegating Mooney to waiver-wire fodder in shallow
leagues or bench duty in deeper ones.
The Patriots' top-10 defense against wide receivers adds to the
poor outlook for Mooney, as New England has limited non-elite
WRs to under 50 yards routinely. Mooney has big-play ability,
but lacks consistency in this offense. Fade him for reliable WR3s
with actual target security.
ATL FPts Allowed vs. QBs: No.29
ATL FPts Allowed vs. RBs: No.11
ATL FPts Allowed vs. WRs: No.26
ATL FPts Allowed vs. TEs: No.32
Rookie TreVeyon Henderson notched his biggest rushing game yet
in New England’s Week 8 thrashing of Cleveland—10
carries for 75 yards—but a fumble, his first since high
school, and a lack of volume this season casts doubt on his workload
in Week 9. Explosive as a runner and pass-catcher, he falters
in pass protection, which may limit his opportunities.
Rhamondre Stevenson missed Wednesday and Thursday’s practices,
signaling we may get a Henderson breakout. However, we’ve got
no indication from the coaching staff that will be the case. If
Henderson starts, the Atlanta matchup looks nice as the 10th-best
matchup for running backs, recently yielding monster production
to both De'Von Achane and Christian McCaffrey.
Rhamondre Stevenson missed Wednesday and Thursday practices with
a toe injury, amplifying concerns for a back who's been limited
to under 40 rushing yards in six of eight games. He’s scraped
by for fantasy on three scores, but his receiving game offers
no value as he’s surpassed two catches only twice, leaving
him as a pure touchdown-or-bust gamble even when healthy.
Atlanta's middling run defense is tempting if he’s active,
but the injury could limit Stevenson’s snap count. Even
if he suits up, his inefficiency increases the likelihood of a
bust.
While seven games is a small sample size in the grand scheme
of an NFL marriage, let’s agree that the first two months
of the Williams/Ben Johnson partnership has not gone particularly
smoothly. Johnson wants to run a precision, timing-based offense.
Williams spent his collegiate career, and rookie season, making
a living on off-schedule plays. You can even see it in the box
score. In Week 1, Williams ad-libbed and leaned on his ability
to extend plays, running for 58 yards and a touchdown. In six
games since, he’s gained just 72 yards on the ground (12/game).
Last year’s No. 1 overall pick has thrown two TD passes
in his last four outings, averaging 230 passing yards per game
in that stretch. He hasn’t approached QB1 territory since
Week 3 against Dallas. Despite all of that, there’s a glimmer
of hope in Week 9 courtesy of a Bengals defense that allowed 39
points to a Jets offense that had scored 17 combined in their
previous two games. The risk is that New York ran all over Cincinnati,
and since their Week 5 bye, the Bears have been a better running
team than a passing one. Add it all up, and Williams is a risk/reward
option for your QB1 slot.
With Cole Kmet (back) out, Loveland had the best game of his
young career, generating a little bit of buzz amongst fantasy
circles. Let’s throw some cold water on that. The rookie managed
just 38 yards on three receptions, hardly the stuff of fantasy
relevance, and it’s possible Kmet could return this Sunday, potentially
pushing Loveland back into a timeshare role. You probably weren’t
considering Loveland for a spot in your lineup, but just in case,
he should remain benched if he’s even being rostered.
CHI FPts Allowed vs. QBs: No.6
CHI FPts Allowed vs. RBs: No.8
CHI FPts Allowed vs. WRs: No.11
CHI FPts Allowed vs. TEs: No.12
As of this writing, the Bengals are calling Flacco “50-50” to
play versus Chicago with a shoulder issue, and he may end up being
a true game-time decision. Full disclosure, all the designations
for Cincinnati’s skill players (and the score prediction) are
based on the guess that the veteran finds a way to gut it out.
If Jake Browning is pressed into action, throw it all in the trash
with Chase becoming the only no-brainer. With that out of the
way, let’s proceed as though Flacco is suiting up. After a slow
start in Green Bay, the 40-year-old has been excellent the last
10 quarters, which include seven passing TDs and a rare rushing
score on a QB sneak. While the Bengals blew a winnable game against
the Jets, Flacco led the offense to 38 points, a week after guiding
them to 33. The Bears, meanwhile, gave up 30 to a Ravens offense
led by Snoop Huntley. Their secondary is decimated by injury,
and the 16 TD passes they’ve allowed are third-most in the NFL.
If Flacco can go, he brings QB1 potential to the table.
While Flacco’s insertion into the starting lineup has drawn
the attention for turning the Bengals around, and rightfully so,
there has been another, more subtle change, and that comes in
the form of increased playing time for Perine. Over the first
five games of the season, the veteran averaged 12 yards per game.
In the last three, that has jumped to 54 yards per contest with
a touchdown last Sunday. His 10 touches versus the Jets were just
five fewer than Brown. If Flacco is a go, you could utilize Perine
as a flex in larger leagues, especially after seeing Chicago allow
177 yards and 2 TDs on the ground in their Week 8 loss to Baltimore.
Two-way star Travis Hunter saw a season-high 14 targets in Jacksonville’s
last outing, turning them into his first career 100-yard game
and touchdown. His offensive snap rate has climbed sharply in
recent weeks (78% and 87%), with 21 total targets and even a rushing
attempt during that span.
With Brian Thomas Jr. cooling off after a strong rookie debut,
the Jaguars are searching for reliable production elsewhere —
and Hunter’s expanded usage suggests they may have found it. His
efficiency remains modest and game script could still limit his
role, but his athleticism and rising target share make him a viable
flex with upside against the Raiders. Keep an eye on his late-week
status, though, after a Thursday addition to the injury report
(knee).
Travis Etienne, meanwhile, has come back to earth following a
red-hot start, though recent opponents (Chiefs, Seahawks, Rams)
explain much of that slowdown. The Raiders defense, which has
yielded eight touchdowns to running backs this year, offers a
chance for a rebound. Etienne remains the Jaguars’ lead
back and should return RB2 value this week.
Brian Thomas Jr. logged a season-low 66% snap rate in Week 7
before the bye, producing just 4.6 fantasy points after averaging
14.5 FPts/G over the prior two contests. The shoulder injury likely
played a part, and the extra rest should help — but volatility
remains high. Once viewed as a rising WR1, he’s better treated
as a boom-or-bust flex until he shows he’s fully healthy and back
in rhythm with Trevor Lawrence.
Ranked just QB19 in fantasy points per game, Trevor Lawrence
continues to look stuck in neutral. The passing game hasn’t
clicked, and even a neutral matchup against the Raiders may not
move the needle much. Until this offense shows signs of life,
Lawrence is no more than a mid-QB2.
JAC FPts Allowed vs. QBs: No.3
JAC FPts Allowed vs. RBs: No.25
JAC FPts Allowed vs. WRs: No.8
JAC FPts Allowed vs. TEs: No.11
Tight end Brock Bowers finally appears fully healthy and ready
to reclaim his central role in the Raiders offense. While he hasn’t
yet delivered a breakout 2025 performance, the combination of
matchup and opportunity makes him a confident TE1 play against
Jacksonville.
His return should also benefit Jakobi Meyers, who saw 22 targets
and 14 catches through the first two weeks of the season before
defensive attention ramped up in Bowers’ absence. With coverage
now forced to account for the tight end again, Meyers could see
more favorable looks and regain midrange flex appeal — especially
if he logs a full week of practice.
Tre Tucker’s outlook dims slightly with Bowers back. Safeties
will play tighter, and targets should funnel toward Bowers and
Meyers, leaving Tucker in his familiar “home-run”
role — one deep shot away from fantasy relevance.
Running back Ashton Jeanty faces a stiff test against a Jaguars
defense allowing just 3.7 yards per carry. He’s breaking
tackles (18 in seven games) but still averaging only 1.3 yards
before contact, which speaks to the Raiders’ blocking issues.
Jeanty’s talent keeps him in RB2 territory, but expectations
should be tempered versus this front.
As for Geno Smith, his production hit rock bottom two weeks ago
with a 67-yard outing, yet this matchup offers a potential rebound.
The Jaguars have given up the third-most fantasy points to quarterbacks,
and with Bowers and Meyers both healthy, Smith carries some sneaky
streaming upside. Still, turnover risk looms large against a defense
that’s already generated 10 takeaways.
Chris Olave saw 12 more targets last week and now ranks second
among wideouts in total targets (83), trailing only Ja’Marr Chase
(99). However, with rookie Tyler Shough struggling in his first
extended action — averaging just 7.5 yards per completion and
a 57% completion rate — Olave’s outlook takes a hit. The Rams
have surrendered three 100-yard receiving games to wideouts this
season, so there’s still some hope if he can establish chemistry
with Shough. Still, he’s better viewed as a low-end WR3 until
the passing game finds its footing.
Rashid Shaheed caught 9 of 12 targets for 75 yards last week,
much of that production coming after Shough entered the game.
That may hint at some early rapport between the two, though it’s
worth noting that Shough has yet to prove capable of making consistent
downfield throws — Shaheed’s biggest strength. Add
in his questionable status with a hip injury, and he’s a
risky but intriguing deep flex option against the Rams.
Taysom Hill has seen limited action since returning from last
season’s injury (3.5 touches per game), but his role could soon
expand — especially with a rookie quarterback now under center.
The Saints may lean on Hill’s versatility to ease pressure on
Shough. For fantasy managers in formats where Hill retains TE
eligibility, he’s a volatile but legitimate upside swing in a
thin tight end landscape.
Rookie Tyler Shough faces a tough task in his first career start
against a Rams defense that ranks fourth in pressure rate and
eighth-fewest in fantasy points allowed to quarterbacks. After
averaging just 4.3 yards per attempt and throwing an interception
in relief last week, he’s off the fantasy radar —
a QB3 option at best.
Alvin Kamara’s usage has fallen off dramatically, averaging
only 12.3 touches per game over his last four contests and producing
a mere 8.8 fantasy points per game on the season. Against a Rams
front allowing the third-fewest fantasy points to opposing backs,
Kamara is best left on benches in Week 9.
NO FPts Allowed vs. QBs: No.15
NO FPts Allowed vs. RBs: No.13
NO FPts Allowed vs. WRs: No.24
NO FPts Allowed vs. TEs: No.20
Davante Adams has six touchdowns through seven games, including
a three-score eruption in Week 7 against Jacksonville. The Rams’
offense funnels primarily through Adams and Puka Nacua, who account
for more than half (53.8%) of the team’s total targets.
A master of leverage routes and red-zone precision, Adams remains
a strong bet to produce when the Rams are dictating pace and field
position. He’s a confident low-end WR1 versus the Saints.
Matthew Stafford tossed five touchdowns in the Rams’ last
outing, though it came alongside just 190 passing yards —
his second straight sub-200-yard game and third of the season.
He’s been hyper-efficient (a 7% touchdown rate), but his
fantasy success lately has depended heavily on scoring rather
than volume. In a matchup where the Rams are comfortable favorites,
Stafford’s ceiling remains tied to how much he’s asked
to throw. He’s a borderline QB1 play with moderate risk.
Kareem Hunt has punched above his weight with five total touchdowns
this season despite eclipsing 10 carries just once, thriving as
Kansas City's goal-line back. That lack of volume could be increased
this week, however, as Isiah Pacheco (knee) missed both Wednesday
and Thursday practices, paving a path for Hunt to lead the backfield.
Rookie Brashard Smith could nab some change-of-pace snaps, but
Hunt will be trusted in the red zone.
The Bills rank sixth in fantasy points allowed to opposing RBs,
coughing up nine rushing scores (second-most in the league) and
at least one TD to a back in seven of eight games. Hunt's red-zone
reps position him for 15-plus touches and a prime scoring shot,
elevating him to a juicy RB2 with RB1 spike if the Chiefs feed
the ground game.
Kelce embodies TE reliability in 2025, averaging 6.0 targets
and 4.6 receptions for 59.3 yards per game with three touchdowns
through eight weeks. He’s also coming off of a Week 8 gem,
when he caught six catches for 99 yards and a score. Buffalo's
stingy defense against tight ends has allowed the second-fewest
points per game to the position, with just one TD surrendered
all season. That matchup alone forces pause, as Buffalo has blanked
other stud tight ends. Kelce's rapport with Mahomes is yielding
consistent floors and occasional ceilings, but this is a more
difficult matchup than normal.
Hollywood Brown's recent scoring mirage—three touchdowns
across Weeks 6 through 8—might tempt some managers to slot
him into lineups, but don’t make that mistake. Brown has
displayed a vanishing act since Rashee Rice's return: a pitiful
five targets over those two games, yielding two catches for 14
yards and one score in Week 7 before a ghosting Week 8. His season-long
6.1-target average feels unlikely now that Rice is back.
The Bills, better-than-average against wideouts, have conceded
just six TD passes to the position all year. Brown's big-play
flashes could mean that he ends up in the end zone, but without
volume, he's a dud waiting to happen.
KC FPts Allowed vs. QBs: No.26
KC FPts Allowed vs. RBs: No.27
KC FPts Allowed vs. WRs: No.28
KC FPts Allowed vs. TEs: No.29
Dalton Kincaid's Week 8 hiccup—three catches for 23 yards
on six targets—snapped a hot streak, but don’t forget
his early dominance as a top-12 TE in four of the first five games.
Averaging 5.5 targets and 48.4 yards per game overall, Kincaid’s
seam-stretching role is a vital part of Buffalo's passing game.
The Chiefs, however, loom as a TE nightmare, allowing the fourth-fewest
fantasy points to the position with just two TDs surrendered all
season. Kincaid's red-zone rapport with Josh Allen might is noteworthy,
but Kansas City represents a negative matchup for the position.
He’s a high-floor TE1 candidate with bust potential.
Shakir shined in Buffalo's Week 8 rout of Carolina, snagging
six of seven targets for 88 yards and a touchdown, but that spike
masks a ceiling that's stubbornly low—three scores all season,
with just two 15-plus PPR outings amid otherwise middling outputs.
His reliability out of the slot provides somewhat of a floor,
but the Chiefs' secondary is allowing the fifth-fewest points
to wideouts and no receiver has topped 80 yards against them.
Shakir is a high-floor WR3 at best, but the matchup caps any boom
potential.
Kenneth Walker has logged at least 10 carries every game, anchoring
Seattle's ground attack with 61.4 rushing yards per outing, but
his non-role in the passing game is a negative, leading to three
straight sub-10 PPR duds pre-bye. Now scoreless since Week 3,
Walker has watched Zach Charbonnet surge ahead, out-snapping him
in the three pre-bye tilts and stealing touches around the goaline
with two scores on 12 carries in Week 7.
Washington's leaky run-D has allowed double-digit PPR games to
seven RBs, including Hunt's two-TD romp last week, but the near-even
split mutes the upside of both Seattle RBs. Each are risky RB2
bets but one is likely to be usable. Charbonnet may be the better
option at the moment in this near 50/50 split.
Fade: N/A
SEA FPts Allowed vs. QBs: No.16
SEA FPts Allowed vs. RBs: No.23
SEA FPts Allowed vs. WRs: No.18
SEA FPts Allowed vs. TEs: No.9
Jayden Daniels is expected to return following a Week 8 injury
absence that led to Washington's blowout loss to Kansas City.
Logging a full practice early in the week, fantasy managers will
be excited to have their stud QB back.
He's rushed for at least 35 yards in four of five starts, averaging
42.2 on the ground with one score, complementing his 206.2 passing
yards and 1.6 TDs per game. Terry McLaurin's absence injects risk
to the passing game, but the Seahawks sit middle-of-the-road against
fantasy QBs and are vulnerable to mobile QBs like Daniels. In
a potential high-scoring affair, Daniels is a QB1.
Jayden Daniels' Week 8 absence let the Chiefs stack the box,
stifling Jacory Croskey-Merritt to 25 yards on nine carries—his
third straight fantasy dud, despite dominating touches as the
Commanders' workhorse. Volume keeps him viable as a low-end RB2/flex,
but Seattle's run defense has allowed just one opposing back to
score a rushing TD all season (Rachaad White did it twice in Week
5). Bill's bell-cow role shouldn’t make him risky, but inefficiency
means that we could see another ugly outing with under 50 yards.
With Daniels back, creases should open, but the matchup tempers
upside so start him if you’re desperate, but brace for bust potential.
Deebo Samuel's recent tailspin—15 yards on four catches
in Week 6, missed Week 7 with injury, then 11 yards on three receptions
in Week 8—has eroded trust, especially given that Terry
McLaurin's continued absence should have been funneling targets
to Samuel. He flashed earlier in the season but the inconsistency
has been excruciating. Jayden Daniels' return bolsters Washington's
passing game, potentially unlocking Samuel's YAC wizardry against
Seattle's middling secondary. Yet, he’s at risk another
dud under 50 yards.
Kyler Murray and Marvin Harrison Jr. have endured a rocky 2025,
but no defense screams "redemption arc" like the Dallas
Cowboys, whose secondary has given up the league's most passing
yards and a staggering 20 touchdown passes—three more than
any other team—alongside three rushing scores to QBs (tied
for second).
Murray has been sidelined since Week 5 but returns to a dream
spot that could catapult him back to QB1 relevance with 250-plus
yards and some rushing magic.
Harrison, despite early-season disappointment, boasts a solid
floor with five-plus targets in six of seven outings, priming
him for a big day against a Cowboys defense that has yielded WR1
explosions to much lesser talents.
Together, Murray and Harrrison should exploit Dallas' defense
in a script favoring the Arizona passing game. Fire up this duo
for boom potential in a plus matchup.
Bam Knight has climbed Arizona's depth chart, in large part due
to just staying healthy. He logged 11 carries for 34 yards and
a touchdown at Indianapolis (a top-10 RB defense) and 14 for 57
yards against Green Bay (another top-10 unit) in Weeks 6 and 7—modest
outputs, but he is the the lead option.
No stud as a talent, Knight has still established himself as
a potential RB2/Flex against a terrible Cowboys defense. Dallas
ranks second in fantasy points surrendered to running backs, coughing
up 10 touchdowns and three 100-yard rushers. Knight's expected
workload in a positive matchup, provide a reliable floor with
scoring upside against Dallas' leaky front.
Fade: N/A
ARI FPts Allowed vs. QBs: No.25
ARI FPts Allowed vs. RBs: No.12
ARI FPts Allowed vs. WRs: No.23
ARI FPts Allowed vs. TEs: No.6
Jake Ferguson's dream start to the season finally came crashing
down in Week 8 against Denver when he turned in a goose egg on
one target, his first true dud. But don't panic; the rest of 2025
has been elite, with six touchdowns fueling double-digit PPR performances
in five of seven games. He's been Dallas' red-zone magnet.
Arizona ranks seventh in fantasy points allowed to tight ends,
allowing scores in three of their last four. Ferguson's volume
and scoring touch should rebound here, primed for six or more
catches, 50-plus yards, and another TD in a pass-first game script.
Dak Prescott's Week 8 nightmare resulted in a season-low 188
passing yards on 19 completions, two interceptions, and no touchdowns
(just his second TD-less game). He's averaged 259 yards and two
TDs per game otherwise, though, so it’s probably wise to
not give up on him after one poor outing.
Arizona ranks top-10 against quarterbacks, yet their slate has
been soft: Spencer Rattler, Bryce Young, Mac Jones, and Cam Ward,
who all eclipsed 200 yards. Prescott's extremely high volume will
likely be needed as the Cowboys are typically forced to overcome
their own horrible defense.
