Week 9 Fantasy Football Game Previews
Week 9 looks set to be a fun one for fantasy football. Even with four teams on bye, we have seven games with totals over 47, including four games above 50. However, we also have some ugly matchups and the usual dose of questionable injury situations. Let’s get right into breaking it all down game by game.
Chicago Bears @ Cincinnati Bengals
Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET | Projected Totals: Bears 26.75, Bengals 24.25
Immediately, we get a game that represents this slate very well. We have a very healthy 51-point total, as both of these teams are better offensively than defensively. But we also have two key players who seem legitimately questionable, as Joe Flacco is dealing with a shoulder injury and D’Andre Swift has yet to practice with a groin issue. I’ll give breakdowns of what to expect with and without both players.
Update: Swift is OUT. Fire up Kyle Monangai where you have him.
Quarterbacks
Caleb Williams has been up and down in his sophomore season, but this matchup is ideal. The only potential worry is that the Bears — who have leaned into the running game over the last few weeks — won’t have to pass much if Flacco is out. Even still, Caleb is a backend QB1. Joe Flacco himself has been on fire since taking over as the Bengals’ starter. Assuming he plays, he’s a high-end QB2. If he’s out, Jake Browning is a desperation option given how badly he performed in his starts this season.
Running Backs
If he plays, D’Andre Swift is a backend RB1; the Bengals lead the league in points allowed to RBs by a wide margin. If Swift is out, Kyle Monangai gets the benefit of that matchup and becomes a must-start in his own right. Even with Swift in, the rookie might see an expanded role in this soft matchup, making him an RB3 option. For the Bengals, Chase Brown is trending up in efficiency but losing volume to Samaje Perine. With Flacco in, Brown is an RB2 and Perine is a flex option. With Browning, they both get downgraded significantly.
Wide Receivers
He’s slowed down a little lately, but Rome Odunze is still the Bears’ clear WR1. In this matchup, he’s a backend fantasy WR1, too. DJ Moore is more of a WR3 if not just a flex option at this point. Luther Burden III is likely to miss this week with a concussion (not that he was playable anyway), while Olamide Zaccheaus is a dart throw flex option, with more appeal than usual thanks to the matchup. For the Bengals, Ja’Marr Chase is obviously much better with Flacco under center (he’s averaged an absurd 18 targets over the last three games). But he’s a must-start regardless. Tee Higgins, on the other hand, falls from borderline WR2 territory to being a risky flex option if Flacco is out.
Tight Ends
Cole Kmet seems to be on track to return this week. That means, even though the Bengals are the best matchup for opposing tight ends, he and Colston Loveland are both dart throw TD-dependent TEs. The same applies to Noah Fant, given how much his routes dropped last week with Tanner Hudson’s return. Honestly, none of the tight ends in this game are playable options in one-TE formats.
Minnesota Vikings @ Detroit Lions
Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET | Projected Totals: Vikings 19.75, Lions 28.75
One of the many great things about Dan Campbell’s Lions is that we can expect them to just keep scoring even against thoroughly outmatched opponents. Is that what the Vikings are this week in what will be J.J. McCarthy’s first start since Week 2? Probably, and the nine-point spread certainly implies yes. But McCarthy is still just 22 and has less than two full games of NFL experience — if he is able to find some competence under Kevin O’Connell this week, this could be an even more exciting fantasy matchup.
Quarterbacks
I know I was just giving a bit of a pitch for J.J. McCarthy, but that’s the upside scenario. More likely, he continues to struggle for at least this week, if not the rest of the season (and his career). He’s just a backend QB2, buoyed slightly by the fact that he does have some mobility. Jared Goff, meanwhile, is his usual borderline QB1 self. He’s capable of popping off for a four-TD game, but he’s also capable of finishing with a mediocre outing if the Lions happen to get their big plays and TDs on the ground.
Running Backs
In his return from injury last week, Aaron Jones was the Vikings’ clear RB1 as they played from behind against the Chargers. Given the projected negative game script, the versatile veteran should again take the lead over Jordan Mason. Jones is a high-end RB3, while Mason is a backend RB3 or flex option. Coming off a nuclear outing prior to the Lions’ Week 8 bye, Jahmyr Gibbs is a must-start RB1. David Montgomery, on the other hand, has been seeing less and less work in Detroit’s offense. Even in this theoretically ideal environment, he’s more of a TD-dependent borderline RB2 than anything else.
Wide Receivers
His projection is less impressive than it would be with good (or even mediocre) QB play, but Justin Jefferson is still a must-start WR1. Jordan Addison has been very productive since returning from suspension, but he also gets a downgrade with the unknown of McCarthy under center. He is a volatile high-end WR3. Amon-Ra St. Brown is a weekly must-start. Jameson Williams is getting a ton of encouraging coachspeak coming into this week … but that was true coming into the season, too, and it hasn’t turned into volume. He is a risky backend WR3.
Tight Ends
With a reduced role in a diminished Minnesota offense, T.J. Hockenson is just a mediocre TE2 at this point. Sam LaPorta’s role is also nothing to write home about, but the Lions’ offense is. That keeps him as a solid back-half TE1.
Carolina Panthers @ Green Bay Packers
Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET | Projected Totals: Panthers 15.50, Packers 28.50
This game has the second-largest spread of the week, but the Packers have made a bit of a habit of playing close games against theoretically inferior opponents. The question will be whether the Panthers, with Bryce Young back under center, have enough life to make things interesting.
Quarterbacks
Bryce Young is off the injury report and will be the Panthers’ starter this Sunday. Andy Dalton’s performance last week showed that maybe Carolina’s offensive woes aren’t all on the former first-overall pick, but that doesn’t mean he’s playing well, either. Against Green Bay’s tough defense, he’s barely even in the QB2 conversation. Jordan Love, meanwhile, projects like a QB1, coming off an excellent game against the Steelers. But I can’t help but be a little skeptical of how many passes he will attempt if the Packers do indeed control this game. With that said, he’s probably still a backend QB1
Running Backs
After two weeks of a perfect drive-by-drive committee with Chuba Hubbard, the Panthers reportedly plan to give Rico Dowdle a chance as their starter and clear lead back. Unfortunately, this is a tough matchup for Dowdle’s first day as the team’s official RB1. He is just an RB2, while Hubbard is an unappealing flex option. Josh Jacobs, meanwhile, has quietly been losing work to Emanuel Wilson over the last two weeks while dealing with a calf injury. However, Jacobs’ workload and TD equity are still excellent — he’s an RB1. Wilson is more of a dart-throw flex option if you think Jacobs is still particularly banged-up and/or this becomes a true blowout.
Wide Receivers
Tetairoa McMillan continues to have an impressive rookie season in a dreadful situation. He’s a backend WR2. After him, Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker (who ramped up to a more full-time route share last week) are both dart-throw flex options. For the Packers, Romeo Doubs is still the most (really, only) trustworthy option … and even he is just a WR3. Christian Watson saw a surprisingly solid chunk of work in his 2025 debut last week, but, until we see his role grow further, he’s more of a hindrance to Matthew Golden’s value than a play in his own right. Both the rookie and the veteran are flex options thanks to their big-play potential, but they come with particularly low floors.
Tight Ends
Ja’Tavion Sanders and Tommy Tremble are in the kind of committee that means neither is a viable fantasy option. Tucker Kraft, meanwhile, has emerged as a truly elite fantasy TE, albeit a high-variance one along the lines of George Kittle.
Denver Broncos @ Houston Texans
Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET | Projected Totals: Broncos 19.25, Texans 20.75
In a week full of exciting fantasy matchups, this sticks out like a sore thumb. These are arguably two of the league’s best defenses … and two of the most mediocre offenses. There are a few playable options at the top of both of these teams, but this is the kind of environment where you want to be actively avoiding tertiary and even secondary players.
Quarterbacks
Bo Nix does bring rushing upside, and he is coming off two straight productive outings. But the Texans’ defense is a different beast than the Cowboys and Giants units he faced in those games. He is solidly in the QB2 range. C.J. Stroud has the same matchup issue and none of Nix’s rushing ability. He is more of a backend QB2.
Running Backs
RJ Harvey was the story of last week, but J.K. Dobbins is still the Broncos’ clear RB1. He is an RB2 despite the tough matchup, while the rookie is more of a flex option. The Texans also have a committee between a rookie (Woody Marks) and a veteran (Nick Chubb). However, there’s is more even, with Marks leading in negative game scripts and arguably having a slight edge overall. With that in mind, Marks is a high-end RB3 while Chubb is just a bit behind.
Wide Receivers
Courtland Sutton is the only Denver receiver who sees consistent work. Even in this tough matchup, he’s a backend WR2. Troy Franklin is also a viable play coming off a WR1 overall finish, but we have seen him fall from elite usage one week back to a part-time role before this season (he saw a 30% target share on an 84% route share in Week 2 — it didn’t last). He’s a high-upside flex play. Pat Bryant and Marvin Mims are both just dart throw plays, even less appealing than usual, given the game environment. For the Texans, Nico Collins is back from his concussion, and he is lucky to dodge a matchup with Pat Surtain II (out with a pectoral injury). He is a WR2 with upside for more. However, things get tricky after Collins in Houston’s WR room. Christian Kirk is also set to return this week. He will likely split work with rookie Jaylin Noel in the slot, and there is another rookie/veteran battle for the second outside WR spot between Jayden Higgins and Xavier Hutchinson. Personally, I’d avoid them all if you can — between the matchup and usage uncertainty, there’s more risk here than upside. If you have to play one, I’d pick Higgins, who did see more routes than Hutchinson last week.
Tight Ends
Evan Engram runs limited routes, but at least sees targets when he is out there. He is a TE2. Dalton Schultz runs more routes, but he isn’t likely to earn many targets with all of Houston’s WRs back healthy. He is also a TE2, but I’d rather play Engram.
Atlanta Falcons @ New England Patriots
Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET | Projected Totals: Falcons 19.50, Patriots 25.00
The Falcons’ offense was the biggest fantasy disappointment of Week 8. They got nothing going without Michael Penix Jr. and Drake London, even against a soft Dolphins defense. Meanwhile, the Patriots managed 32 points against an elite Browns defense. Atlanta’s defense has also been very good this season, but Drake Maye and Co. are looking matchup-proof.
Quarterbacks
Atlanta’s offense took a step back without him last week, but Michael Penix Jr. hasn’t exactly been good this season. He ranks near the bottom among starters in most major measures of QB play, and that’s where he ranks among fantasy options this week, too. Drake Maye, on the other hand, ranks at the top of most relevant QB leaderboards. The Falcons have been very tough on opposing QBs this season, but he’s still a solid QB1.
Running Backs
Despite a disastrous outing in a theoretically dream matchup last week, Bijan Robinson is still a no-doubt RB1. Tyler Allgeier is just a risky flex option in a game where there may not be many carries to go around. For the Patriots, Rhamondre Stevenson has been ruled out. That means it is finally TreVeyon Henderson’s chance to show why he was a second-round pick. I’ve seen people suggesting he will somehow still not see a solid workload, but who else are the Patriots going to give the ball to? In my eyes, he’s an RB2. However, Terrell Jennings will likely also be involved, making him a desperation streaming option.
Wide Receivers
Drake London is set to return this week. I’ve talked before about how his usage has been worth with Darnell Mooney healthy, but Atlanta will likely try to feed their WR1 after their offense collapsed without him last week. He is a high-end WR2. Mooney, on the other hand, fell flat on his face in his chance to be the team’s top target last week. I still like the usage he saw in weeks with London healthy, but he’s just a risky flex until he actually scores some points. For the Patriots, both Kayshon Boutte and Stefon Diggs keep providing fantasy production despite really underwhelming peripherals. Mack Hollins led the Patriots in targets last week (and ran more routes than Diggs). I see Diggs as a WR3, Boutte as a boom/bust flex, and Hollins as a viable streamer.
Tight Ends
Kyle Pitts is not the unicorn he was touted as, but he runs plenty of routes and sees his fair share of targets. He’s a backend TE1. Hunter Henry is more of a high-end TE2 — his usage has waned as Maye spreads the ball around, and the Falcons have absolutely shut down opposing tight ends this season.
San Francisco 49ers @ New York Giants
Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET | Projected Totals: 49ers 25.50, Giants 23.00
This is another game with a huge lingering injury question, as it is unclear whether Brock Purdy will return this week from his turf toe injury. At this point, I’m leaning no, meaning we get another week of Mac Jones. Meanwhile, the Giants will be adjusting to their first game without breakout RB Cam Skattebo, who is unfortunately done for the season.
Update: Purdy might technically be active, but Mac Jones is getting the start.
Quarterbacks
As mentioned, I expect Mac Jones to start for the 49ers yet again this week. The former first-rounder has come back to Earth a bit in his last few starts, so he’s just a backend QB2 despite a good matchup. Jaxson Dart, on the other hand, just keeps providing solid fantasy outings despite having more than 17 passes just once in five starts. Rushing value can take you a long way, but he’s going to drop a dud one of these weeks. With that said, he’s still a backend QB1, just with a wider range of outcomes than most players around him.
Running Backs
Christian McCaffrey had by far his worst fantasy outing of the season last year, and it still wasn’t even that bad. He’s a must-start RB1, obviously. With Skattebo out, Tyrone Tracy Jr. is the Giants’ starting RB, although Devin Singletary will also be involved. Tracy is an RB2, while Singletary is an uninspiring flex option.
Wide Receivers
Jauan Jennings has been the 49ers’ WR1 over Kendrick Bourne in each of the last two weeks. With Ricky Pearsall ruled out again, that should remain the case on Sunday. The Giants’ defense actually leads the league in yards allowed to opposing WRs, so I like Jennings as a solid WR3. Bourne is more of a flex option. For the Giants, Wan’Dale Robinson is a high-end WR3, while Darius Slayton and Lil’Jordan Humphrey are desperation flex options.
Tight Ends
George Kittle showed last week that he is still one of the most talented tight ends in the league, with a highlight TD catch on National Tight Ends Day. He is a top-half TE1. For the Giants, Theo Johnson has seen decent usage in recent weeks, moving himself into the borderline TE1 conversation.
Indianapolis Colts @ Pittsburgh Steelers
Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET | Projected Totals: Colts 26.75, Steelers 23.75
Who would have thought that a game between the Colts and the Steelers would have a total over 50? However, it simply makes sense. The Colts have the league’s best offense, while their defense is banged-up. The Steelers’ defense is just flat-out bad, while their offense is decent. I am a little surprised that oddsmakers are giving Pittsburgh this close a spread against an Indianapolis team that has been straight-up dominant, but it makes this a more exciting matchup for fantasy if they are right.
Quarterbacks
In a good matchup where the Colts may have to pass the ball, Daniel Jones is a solid QB1. After all, he’s tied as the QB7 in fantasy points per game. Aaron Rodgers, on the other hand, has mostly been a mediocre fantasy option — he’s a QB2.
Running Backs
Jonathan Taylor is getting legit MVP hype. While he doesn’t deserve that (sorry, JT), it shows just how dominant he has been to start the season. He’s a no-doubt elite RB1. Jaylen Warren has been seeing solid usage as the Steelers’ clear RB1, making him a high-end RB2 in this exciting environment. Kenneth Gainwell is a flex option, while it’s hard to get excited about any of the Colts’ backups with the extent to which Taylor is dominating touches.
Wide Receivers
Michael Pittman Jr. has quietly been one of the best fantasy picks of the 2025 season. In a good matchup this week, he’s a high-end WR2 if not a borderline WR1. Josh Downs and Alec Pierce are both solid high-upside flex options. For the Steelers, DK Metcalf is a solid WR2, as he is most weeks. Calvin Austin returned to serve as the team’s clear WR2 in terms of routes last week, but it was Roman Wilson who had a big game. With that said, it’s Austin who is a flex play (and a deep one at that), while Wilson is a pure dart throw.
Tight Ends
Tyler Warren is a must-start TE1 every single week. Jonnu Smith saw his routes trend back downward with Austin’s return last week. He’s now just a backend TE2, which is still more than can be said for Pat Freiermuth or Darnell Washington.
Los Angeles Chargers @ Tennessee Titans
Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET | Projected Totals: Chargers 26.50, Titans 17.00
This is an interesting one (at least on one side). The Chargers have consistently passed well above their expected rates this season, but that will likely be put to the test as they should easily beat the floundering Titans. Will Justin Herbert still be slinging it if they are up big? And which of his many weapons will be on the other end? Those are really the questions to answer for this matchup, as there’s very little fantasy intrigue on Tennessee’s offense.
Quarterbacks
Even if they shut him down eventually, Justin Herbert should get his against the Titans’ defense in the first half. He’s a borderline elite QB1 option this week. Cam Ward continues to do nothing to indicate he deserves to be ranked outside of the very bottom tier of fantasy quarterbacks every week.
Running Backs
With the dream matchup, Kimani Vidal is a legit must-start RB1 this week. If you’re really desperate, you could even consider Jaret Patterson — he did see 11 carries as the Chargers trounced the Vikings last Thursday. For the Titans, Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears are alternating weeks as the main eaters of an already small backfield pie. This week’s negative game script theoretically favors Spears, but they are both just uninspiring RB3 options.
Wide Receivers
I’m not going to declare him immune from down weeks in this crowded offense, but Ladd McConkey has firmly reestablished himself as the Chargers’ WR1 over the last few weeks. Quentin Johnston dropped a goose egg in Week 8, while Keenan Allen posted just a 50% route participation rate, making them both more difficult to trust. With this in mind, Ladd is a borderline WR1 while the other two are high-ceiling/low-floor WR3 options at this point. Calvin Ridley is out again this week for the Titans. In his absence, Chimere Dike has emerged as Tennessee’s most exciting receiver. He’s a deep flex option, as is his fellow fourth-round rookie Elic Ayomanor (and I guess Van Jefferson), if you’re really desperate.
Tight Ends
Oronde Gadsden has posted two straight massive weeks. Given how many weapons LA’s offense suddenly has, he’s likely to have some bust weeks eventually to go with the booms. But that’s much more acceptable at TE than other positions — the rookie is a legit TE1. Chigoziem Okonkwo is barely even in the TE2 conversation at this point, with Gunnar Helm cutting into his workload.
New Orleans Saints @ Los Angeles Rams
Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET | Projected Totals: Saints 14.75, Rams 28.75
Last week, I made the mistake of saying that Spencer Rattler had actually been playing decent football, at least compared to expectations. Of course, he immediately had his worst game of the season, prompting Kellen Moore to bench him for rookie Tyler Shough, who didn’t look much better. Things are much more optimistic in LA, where the 5-2 Rams are welcoming back their All-World WR Puka Nacua.
Quarterbacks
Like Rattler before him, Tyler Shough showcased at least a tiny bit of mobility last week, rushing three times for 12 yards in his one half of play. That’s just enough that I’ll think twice before ranking him 28th out of 28 quarterbacks this week … but he’ll still probably end up there, especially given this tough matchup. Matthew Stafford, on the other hand, provides no mobility … but he has been playing excellent football. He might not need to do much this week, but he should be able to do whatever he wants. That dichotomy lands him in the borderline QB1 range.
Running Backs
With Kendre Miller done for the year, I was hoping the Saints would go back to feeding Alvin Kamara. Instead, they got rookie Devin Neal heavily involved (at least in terms of snaps) in their Week 8 loss to the Buccaneers. With that in mind, Kamara is a borderline RB2 in this tough matchup. Neal himself is not playable — he still has just six NFL touches for 21 total yards. On the other side, this is a dream matchup for Kyren Williams. With elite TD equity on the highest-projected team of the week, he is a solid RB1.
Wide Receivers
Even after replacing Rattler with Shough, the Saints’ offense at least remained high-volume. Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed both finished with 12 targets last week. Olave, who has seen elite volume all season, is a WR2. Shaheed is more of a WR3, with high upside but a low floor if the wheels fall off this offense. Puka Nacua will suit up this week, which means he’s an elite WR1. It also bumps Davante Adams down slightly, but the veteran is still a WR1 in his own right — the Rams’ offense is incredibly concentrated, which is fantasy gold.
Tight Ends
Like the Saints’ receivers, Juwan Johnson benefits from a fast-paced, high-volume environment. His usage dipped for a few weeks after a hot start, but it trended up again recently to bring his season averages to a solid place. He is a solid TE2. Taysom Hill’s upside is still high, but he’s not seeing enough usage to be more than a TD-dependent punt option. Don’t look now, but rookie Terrance Ferguson led LA’s TEs in route participation rate last week … at 35%. Neither he nor Tyler Higbee is playable.
Las Vegas Raiders @ Jacksonville Jaguars
Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET | Projected Totals: Raiders 20.75, Jaguars 23.25
This is one of those intriguing games between two bad teams that has a real — but slim — chance of turning into a complete shootout. After all, neither of these defenses is at all intimidating. With that said, the offensive talent in this one took a blow when Travis Hunter was shockingly placed on IR for a knee injury suffered in practice this week. Chances are, this is a relatively ugly affair.
Quarterbacks
After quietly looking like a genuinely good quarterback during his tenure in Seattle, Geno Smith has been abysmal so far in Vegas. He’s only playable if you have no other option in 2-QB formats. Things aren’t quite as bad for Trevor Lawrence, especially facing a generous Raiders defense — he’s more of a mid-range QB2.
Running Backs
Ashton Jeanty has undeniably been a fantasy disappointment. But I still believe he has the talent, and he’s got the workload and the matchup on his side as well. He’s a borderline RB1, with elite upside and some downside. Travis Etienne Jr. has slowed down after a hot start to the season. His workload has remained solid, so it’s probably just variance, but he does have a history of hot starts and cold finishes. With that said, he’s still a solid RB2 in this excellent matchup. Bhayshul Tuten could get a post-bye rookie bump, but his usage until now has barely even been flex-worthy.
Wide Receivers
Despite being arguably the hottest fantasy-relevant name in the league heading into the NFL Trade Deadline, Jakobi Meyers appears on track to suit up this week. However, the usually consistent veteran wasn’t exactly doing much even before going down with injury. He and Tre Tucker are both just flex options. I would avoid the rookie duo of Dont’e Thornton and Jack Bech until we see their roles with Meyers (and Brock Bowers) healthy. For the Jaguars, Travis Hunter is out just when he seemed to be taking over as the team’s WR1. Can Brian Thomas Jr. re-find his rookie form? He’s got a shot against a terrible Raiders defense, making him a solid WR2. Parker Washington and Dyami Brown will be the Jaguars’ WR2 and WR3, and the soft matchup makes them both flex options.
Tight Ends
Hunter Long is technically the Jaguars’ TE1 with Brenton Strange out, but he’s not fantasy-relevant. What is relevant is that Brock Bowers is finally returning, and he is reportedly actually healthy this time. I can understand some apprehension, but I recommend firing him back up as a top-half TE1. He’s one big game away from once again being the consensus overall top option.
Kansas City Chiefs @ Buffalo Bills
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET | Projected Totals: Chiefs 27.25, Bills 25.25
It feels like 2020 again. After a few seasons of playing weirdly ugly football, Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs are once again an offensive juggernaut. That sets up for a classic matchup against reigning MVP Josh Allen and the Bills. This game has the second-highest total of the week (and highest of Sunday), to go with a very close spread. What’s not to like?
Quarterbacks
You don’t need me to tell you that Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen are both truly top-tier fantasy options this week.
Running Backs
Isiah Pacheco has been ruled out for this matchup. Kareem Hunt should see the bulk of carries for the Chiefs’ offense, with Brashard Smith likely also seeing more work to go with his usual passing-down role. Especially given his excellent TD equity (even with Pacheco healthy), Hunt seems like a solid RB2 to me, although I will note that consensus projections have him as more of a high-end RB3. Smith, meanwhile, is a high-upside option as an RB3 or flex play. The Chiefs’ run defense is tough, but James Cook dominated them last season in the playoffs. He is an RB1. In what will likely be a back-and-forth affair, it’s unlikely Ray Davis or Ty Johnson will be involved enough to be viable.
Wide Receivers
On the one hand, I’m tempted to say that Rashee Rice’s absurdly low 2.7-yard ADOT will eventually catch up to him. On the other hand, he has immediately reasserted himself as the engine of arguably the league’s best offense. He’s a must-start WR1. Xavier Worthy has taken a bit of a backseat with Rice’s return, but his usage is still decent — he’s a high-upside WR3. Marquise Brown is the only other KC receiver still involved enough to mention, and even he is just a dart-throw flex at this point. For the Bills, Khalil Shakir has clearly separated from Keon Coleman as the team’s WR1 … but that might say more about Coleman than Shakir, whose usage numbers are still thoroughly uninspiring. Shakir is a WR3, and Coleman is a risky flex. Elijah Moore is Buffalo’s current WR3, making him a dart-throw option, although that role has shifted from week to week.
Tight Ends
Travis Kelce had a vintage performance last week. It still feels a bit like the wheels might fall off the 36-year-old at any moment, but he’s a TE1 for now. Dalton Kincaid posted just a 32% route participation rate last week, well below his already sketchy 56% average. Unsurprisingly, this turned into a bad fantasy outing. Assuming he can get back to his usual usage with another week to heal from the oblique injury that caused him to miss a game, he is a borderline TE1.
Washington Commanders @ Seattle Seahawks
Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET | Projected Totals: Commanders 22.25, Seahawks 25.25
It feels as though the previous game should have been the Sunday Night Football matchup, but this is a solid consolation prize. The NFC West-leading Seahawks have been good on both sides of the ball, with Sam Darnold proving the doubters wrong. Meanwhile, Jayden Daniels has been in and out of the Commanders’ lineup with injuries, and he hasn’t seemed like his Rookie of the Year self even when healthy.
Quarterbacks
Although I was just casting aspersions on Jayden Daniels’ level of play so far this season, he is still a dual-threat quarterback. That means he’s a solid QB1 even in this tough matchup. Sam Darnold is kind of the opposite — he’s been great, but his game and Seattle’s offense aren’t fantasy-friendly. He’s a high-end QB2.
Running Backs
Jacory Croskey-Merritt has been thoroughly underwhelming in the last three weeks since taking over as the Commanders’ RB1. He doesn’t see receiving work, and his rushing efficiency has tanked after an elite beginning to the season. However, that efficiency should positively regress toward a more normal number, especially with Daniels back. Because of Seattle’s defense, he is a backend RB2. Jeremy McNichols is a desperation play in PPR. The Seahawks continue to split work relatively evenly between Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet. Walker is an RB2 to Charbonnet’s RB3, given his superior explosiveness … but the gap isn’t as big as you might think.
Wide Receivers
After a one-week return, Terry McLaurin is once again going to be sidelined by his quad injury. Deebo Samuel should serve as Washington’s clear WR1 in his absence, making him a solid WR2 despite the tough matchup. After him, however, it’s hard to get excited about the Commanders’ WRs. Chris Moore was the WR2 previously when McLaurin was out, but he saw fewer routes than both Luke McCaffrey and Jaylin Lane last week. McCaffrey and Moore are both deep flex options, while Lane isn’t really playable. For the Seahawks, Jaxon Smith-Njigba is an elite option. However, Cooper Kupp seems genuinely questionable with heel and hamstring issues. If he’s out, Tory Horton becomes intriguing as a streaming flex play. If Kupp is in, the veteran is his usual backend WR3/flex self.
Tight Ends
Zach Ertz has seen at least 20% target share in each of the last three games. That puts him in borderline TE1 territory. AJ Barner is holding off Elijah Arroyo for now, but he is still just a TD-or-bust option.
Arizona Cardinals @ Dallas Cowboys
Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET | Projected Totals: Cardinals 25.50, Cowboys 28.00
This week has a lot of high-total games, but they’ve saved the best for last. Both of these teams are defensively challenged and offensively competent, resulting in a massive 53.5-point total for Monday Night Football. Sticking with the theme of the week, we have an important player who is questionable, as Kyler Murray has gone from “preparing to start” to practicing with the backups. Thankfully, Jacoby Brissett has been cromulent in Murray’s absence, so this game should be set up for fireworks regardless.
Quarterbacks
As mentioned, Kyler Murray is a legit question mark. Thankfully, Dallas’ defense is so bad that anyone relying on the short king can happily pivot to Jacoby Brissett if needed (assuming he is available). Kyler’s rushing means he is the preferable option, but they would both be QB1s in this matchup. Dak Prescott is also a no-brainer QB1, given the Cowboys’ massive 28-point total.
Running Backs
Zonovan “Bam” Knight is the Cardinals’ clear lead back, and he gets a dream matchup. Michael Carter and/or Emari Demercado will also be involved, but Knight should lead in snaps and opportunities. That makes him a solid RB2. Javonte Williams, meanwhile, is a legit RB1. His situation is elite, but he also deserves credit for having played well so far this season.
Wide Receivers
Marvin Harrison Jr. still hasn’t emerged as an elite option, but he’s a must-start WR2 in this matchup. Given the game environment, Michael Wilson also deserves some consideration as a flex play. On the other side, there are also only two truly fantasy-relevant WRs … but this duo is much more impressive. CeeDee Lamb is an elite WR1, while George Pickens is a high-end WR2. If you’re looking for a third Dallas WR to play, the answer appears to be Kavontae Turpin, but I wouldn’t recommend it.
Tight Ends
With three TDs over the last two weeks, there are officially no holes in Trey McBride’s fantasy profile. He’s the must-start TE1. Jake Ferguson is also still a solid TE1 option, although his usage is clearly worse now that Lamb has returned.
