The Primer: Week 7 Edition (2025 Fantasy Football)

This week will separate the REAL FANTASY FOOTBALL DEGENS from the rest of the herd.

The list of star players hitting the IR and injury reports continues to grow. Teams are splitting up playing time and backfields. This is the time when we grind the edges and matchups to find flex plays that can put us over the top. This is where it comes down to how badly you want that fantasy football championship.

How badly do you want to taste fantasy football victory? To sip that sweet victory nectar.

Don’t worry, the Primer is here to help. There are so many situations that I’ll be updating on Friday night, so get ready for a massive update to lead into the weekend. It’s time for all of us to roll up our sleeves.

Fantasy Football championships aren’t given to you. You gotta take it.

Welcome to the Week 7 Primer. Enjoy.

PIT vs. CIN | LAR vs.JAC | NE vs. TEN | NO vs. CHI | MIA vs. CLE | CAR vs. NYJ | PHI vs. MIN | LV vs. KC | NYG vs. DEN | IND vs. LAC | WAS vs. DAL | GB vs. ARI | ATL vs. SF | TB vs. DET | HOU vs.SEA

Want to read about only your players? Sync your team (free) to get My Primer

Fantasy Football Primer

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cincinnati Bengals

• PIT -5.5, O/U 44.5
• Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cincinnati Bengals Player Prop Bets via BettingPros

Steelers Players & Weekly Rankings

Bengals Players & Weekly Rankings

Must-Start

These are no-brainer MUST starts.

• Ja’Marr Chase

Strong Starts

Here are players that should be in starting consideration for most fantasy teams.

Jaylen Warren (RB)

In his first game back from injury, Warren didn’t step back into a “workhorse” role, only playing 51.7% of the snaps with a 35.5% route share (6.7% target share). He did handle the team’s only red zone carry, though. I expect his snaps to trend up slightly this week. Warren finished with 13 touches and 63 total yards. Among 50 qualifying backs, he ranks second in missed tackles forced per attempt and 17th in yards after contact per attempt. He should have a nice day in Week 7 against a Cincy run defense that has allowed the fifth-most rushing yards per game, the third-highest yards before contact per attempt, and the 13th-highest missed tackle rate.

D.K. Metcalf (WR)

Metcalf is having a strong season as the WR12 in fantasy points per game. He has only one deep target and three red zone looks this season. Metcalf has a 22.1% target share, a 40.3% air-yard share, 2.72 yards per route run (71.2 receiving yards per game), and a 29.2% first-read share. Metcalf should have another strong outing against a secondary that has allowed the 14th-most fantasy points per game to perimeter wide receivers.

Fantasy Football Flex & Deep Plays to Consider

Let’s fill out those flex spots.

Aaron Rodgers (QB)

Rodgers has been a run-of-the-mill quarterback this season as the QB23 in fantasy points per game. Among 41 qualifying passers, he ranks 15th in yards per attempt, 24th in passing yards per game, 18th in highly accurate throw rate, and 16th in catchable target rate. Rodgers will turn in solid QB2 numbers this week against the Cincy pass defense. The Bengals haven’t been able to stop anyone, giving up the fifth-highest yards per attempt, the third-most passing yards per game, the fourth-most passing touchdowns, and the 11th-highest CPOE.

Jonnu Smith (TE)

Jonnu Smith is a scary streaming but viable streaming option at tight end this week. Last week, Smith saw his route share increase to 71%. He had a 13.3% target share and 19% first-read share despite finishing with a disappointing stat line. Overall, this season, he has a 22% target per route run rate and 1.02 yards per route run with only one red zone target. The matchup is wonderful this week, which could elevate his production. Could we get rug pulled by Arthur Smith? Yep, but I wouldn’t be doing my deep dive diligence if I didn’t mention Smith this week. Cincy has allowed the most fantasy points per game and the seventh-most receiving yards per game to tight ends.

Concerning Starts & Players to Fade

Players in consideration for lineups, but temper your expectations this week.

Joe Flacco (QB)

Joe Flacco finished his first week as the Bengals’ starter as the QB15 for the week. While he finished with 219 passing yards and two passing touchdowns, his per-dropback metrics weren’t great. Flacco had only 4.8 yards per attempt, a 5.2 aDOT, and a 71.1% catchable target rate. The name of the game last week was to get the ball out of his hands quickly, as he had only 2.37 seconds as a time to throw. The approach will likely be the same this week against a Pittsburgh defense that ranks fifth in pressure rate. The Steelers have found their stride in the pass defense department since Week 4, allowing the second-lowest success rate per dropback, the fourth-fewest yards per attempt, and the third-lowest passer rating. Flacco could be in trouble this week.

Chase Brown (RB)

The hits keep coming for Chase Brown as the RB33 in fantasy points per game. At least in previous weeks, we could cling to Brown’s volume as a saving grace, but that isn’t the case anymore. Over the last two weeks, he has averaged 53.5% of the snaps with 13 touches and 48.5 total yards. Last week, he had only nine of 15 running back carries with a 45.7% route share (4.4% target share). He did have the team’s only red zone carry. He’s a sit this week against what looks like a revitalized Steelers run defense. Since Week 3, they have allowed the tenth-lowest explosive run rate and yards after contact per attempt and the fifth-fewest rushing yards per game.

Tee Higgins (WR)

Last week, with Joe Flacco under center, Higgins was the WR26 for the week. He had a 15.6% target share, a 32.2% air-yard share, 62 receiving yards (1.68 yards per route run), and a 25.9% first-read share. It was a fairly nice showing for Higgins with a new quarterback and against a tough opponent. Higgins could come crashing back to earth this week against a secondary that is playing better ball lately. Since Week 3, Pittsburgh has allowed the second-fewest PPR points per target to perimeter wide receivers.

PIT vs. CIN | LAR vs.JAC | NE vs. TEN | NO vs. CHI | MIA vs. CLE | CAR vs. NYJ | PHI vs. MIN | LV vs. KC | NYG vs. DEN | IND vs. LAC | WAS vs. DAL | GB vs. ARI | ATL vs. SF | TB vs. DET | HOU vs.SEA

Los Angeles Rams vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

• LAR -3, O/U 44.5
• Los Angeles Rams vs. Jacksonville Jaguars Player Prop Bets via BettingPros

Rams Players & Weekly Rankings

Jaguars Players & Weekly Rankings

Must-Start

These are no-brainer MUST starts.

• Kyren Williams
• Davante Adams

Strong Starts

Here are players that should be in starting consideration for most fantasy teams.

Brian Thomas Jr. (WR)

Brian Thomas Jr. has flashed some life over the last two weeks with WR30 and WR6 weekly finishes. He has four red zone targets and sits at 15th among wide receivers in deep targets. Overall, Thomas Jr. has had a 22.3% target share with a 35.1% air-yard share with 55.7 receiving yards per game (1.68 yards per route run) and a 27.1% first-read share. Zoom in on the last two games, and his target share has risen to 23.9% with 85 receiving yards per game (2.36 yards per route run) and a 29.8% first-read share. The Rams have the eighth-highest single high rate in the NFL (57%). Since Week 5, against single high, Thomas Jr. has had a 32.4% target share, a 41.5% air-yard share, 2.92 yards per route run, and a 37% first-read share. Thomas Jr. should stack another strong outing this week against a secondary that has allowed the 13th-most receiving yards per game and ranks 17th in PPR points per target allowed to perimeter wide receivers.

Fantasy Football Flex & Deep Plays to Consider

Let’s fill out those flex spots.

Matthew Stafford (QB)

Matthew Stafford is the QB15 in fantasy points per game with QB1 finishes in two of his last three games. He’s best viewed as a QB2 this week with his receiving weapons banged up. Stafford has been ballin’ this season, though. Among 41 qualifying passers, Stafford ranks sixth in yards per attempt, third in passing touchdowns and passing yards per game, and second in hero throw rate. He faces a Jacksonville pass defense that leads the NFL in interceptions and has allowed the 11th-lowest CPOE, but they have also given up the tenth-most passing touchdowns (tied) and the 11th-highest success rate per dropback. Stafford should put up solid numbers this week, but I don’t know if it’ll be enough to make it into QB1 territory.

Tutu Atwell (WR)

Tutu Atwell will be back this week and will be a full-time starter for the Rams with Puka Nacua out. He was limited to open the week with a hamstring injury, but he closed the week with back-to-back full practices and doesn’t carry an injury designation into this game. Atwell could pop off with a big game in Week 7, but he’ll have to overcome a tough matchup in the slot. The Jaguars have utilized two high with 50-70.8% of their defensive snaps in five of six games this season. This season, Atwell hasn’t been fantastic against two high with a 5% target per route run rate and 0.88 yards per route run, but last season, he had a 22% target per route run rate and 1.97 yards per route run against two high. Atwell could also be involved in the deep passing game if Matthew Stafford tests this secondary downfield. The Jaguars have allowed the second-most deep passing yards per game and the 12th-highest deep passer rating. Atwell is third on the team in deep targets, and 55.6% of his target volume has been via deep targets this season. I expect Atwell to play on the perimeter this week like he did last season (63.9% out wide). He should have a nice day against a Jacksonville secondary that has allowed the most receiving yards per game and the 11th-most PPR points per target to perimeter wide receivers.

Concerning Starts & Players to Fade

Players in consideration for lineups, but temper your expectations this week.

Trevor Lawrence (QB)

Trevor Lawrence is the QB21 in fantasy points per game with two QB1 weeks this season under his belt (QB12, QB5). His Week 5 showing with his legs was an outlier. That is the only game this season where Lawrence has manufactured more than 12 rushing yards, so don’t expect his rushing equity to enter the equation most weeks. Among 41 qualifying quarterbacks, Lawrence ranks 18th in passing yards per game, 29th in yards per attempt, 27th in highly accurate throw rate, and 28th in fantasy points per dropback. I don’t expect Lawrence to have a monster game in Week 7. He’s likely posting mid-range QB2 numbers this week. The Rams have held quarterbacks to the seventh-lowest yards per attempt and CPOE and the 11th-lowest success rate per dropback.

Travis Etienne Jr. (RB)

Travis Etienne has been humming along as a solid RB2 who’s relying upon his early down production most weeks to make or break his fantasy day. His passing game usage has increased over the last two weeks, with 4.5 targets per game, but he’s still surpassed 20 receiving yards this season only once. Etienne ranks 17th in opportunity share, 18th in weighted opportunities, and seventh in red zone touches. Etienne will have a tough week against the Rams, who have held backs to the third-lowest explosive run rate and missed tackle rate and the fifth-fewest yards after contact per attempt. Etienne will need all the volume and touchdown equity he can get his hands on this week.

Travis Hunter (WR)

Last week, Travis Hunter had a season-high 86% route share while seeing a 16.7% target share and 14.8% first-read share. Hunter had an end zone target and 15 receiving yards. His route share has gone up in each of the last four weeks from 58.1% to 86% mentioned above. Over the last two games, he has a 14.9% target share, 39.5 receiving yards per game (1.16 yards per route run), and a 10.6% first-read share. This isn’t nearly the market share or efficiency that we hoped for from Hunter this season, but he’s a rookie who is still finding his way as a receiver. The Rams have the eighth-highest single high rate in the NFL (57%). Against single high, Hunter has only a 19% target per route run rate and 0.65 yards per route run. This week’s matchup doesn’t set up well for Hunter. The coverage matchup isn’t in his favor, and the Rams have been tough against slot receivers. Yes, the Rams have allowed the 13th-most receiving yards per game and the eighth-most fantasy points per game to slot receivers, but they have faced the most slot targets in the NFL. They have yielded the eighth-fewest PPR points per target to the position, so if Hunter isn’t going to see a massive workload this week, I don’t think he’ll have the per-target efficiency to put up a juicy stat line.

Jordan Whittington (WR)

Jordan Whittington will be a full-time player again this week for the Rams with Puka Nacua out. Last week, Whittington had a 15.4% target share and a 14.3% first-read as he got all the underneath stuff with a 3.0 aDOT. The coverage matchup doesn’t mesh well for Whittington this week. The Jaguars have utilized two high with 50-70.8% of their defensive snaps in five of six games this season. Over the last two seasons against two high, Whitington has logged target per route run rates of 10% and 12% and yards per route run of 0.43 and 1.12 against two high. The Jags have defended slot receivers well this season, which will also be a problem for Whittington. Jacksonville has allowed the third-fewest PPR points per target and the sixth-fewest receiving yards per game to slot receivers this season.

PIT vs. CIN | LAR vs.JAC | NE vs. TEN | NO vs. CHI | MIA vs. CLE | CAR vs. NYJ | PHI vs. MIN | LV vs. KC | NYG vs. DEN | IND vs. LAC | WAS vs. DAL | GB vs. ARI | ATL vs. SF | TB vs. DET | HOU vs.SEA

New England Patriots vs. Tennessee Titans

• NE -7, O/U 42.5
• New England Patriots vs. Tennessee Titans Player Prop Bets via BettingPros

Patriots Players & Weekly Rankings

Titans Players & Weekly Rankings

Must-Start

These are no-brainer MUST starts.

• Drake Maye

Strong Starts

Here are players that should be in starting consideration for most fantasy teams.

N/A

Fantasy Football Flex & Deep Plays to Consider

Let’s fill out those flex spots.

Rhamondre Stevenson (RB)

Rhamondre Stevenson remains the Patriots’ lead back. Last week, he played 71% of the snaps with 13 of 22 running back carries and had a team-leading 48.4% route share. Stevenson handled both of the team’s red zone carries. Mike Vrabel WILL NOT play TreVeyon Henderson. I don’t get it, but I won’t be blind to what’s transpiring. Stevenson has averaged 10.7 touches and 51.9 total yards. Stevenson has two top-20 weekly finishes this season (RB6, RB18). Among 50 qualifying backs, Stevenson ranks 12th in missed tackles forced per attempt and 35th in yards after contact per attempt. Stevenson should have a nice week against a Tennessee run defense that has allowed the eighth-most rushing yards per game, the ninth-highest explosive run rate, and the fourth-highest yards before contact per attempt.

Tyjae Spears (RB)

Last week, Tyjae Spears took over as Tennessee’s passing-down back with a 52.3% route share and 10.5% target share (four targets). He played 59.3% of the snaps with five of the 15 running back carries. Spears finished with nine touches and 50 total yards. Spears has been effective in limited action with a 22% missed tackle rate and 2.78 yards after contact per attempt. The rushing matchup for Spears is brutal, but that’s not really where he’ll make his money this week if you toss him in as a flex in PPR formats. The Patriots have given up the fourth-fewest rushing yards per game, the sixth-lowest explosive run rate, and the eighth-lowest yards after contact per attempt. To receiving backs, they have allowed the tenth-most receiving yards and yards per reception. Spears is a deeper flex option in PPR leagues.

TreVeyon Henderson (RB)

I don’t know what is going on with TreVeyon Henderson, but he hasn’t taken over the New England backfield, and he’s honestly not making it happen on the field when he has had opportunities. Last week, Henderson played a season-low 29.7% snap rate with ten touches and 36 total yards. He hasn’t done much with the opportunities he has gotten, and the Patriots seem reluctant to give him more work. Henderson has zero explosive runs, and among 50 qualifying backs, he ranks 46th in missed tackle rate and 47th in yards after contact per attempt. Maybe Tennessee’s putrid run defense helps him out this week, but it’s tough to consider him as anything but a low-end flex play. Tennessee has allowed the eighth-most rushing yards per game, the ninth-highest explosive run rate, and the fourth-highest yards before contact per attempt.

Stefon Diggs (WR)

After monster performances in Weeks 4-5, I didn’t see Stefon Diggs‘ quiet Week 6 coming. He looked like he was on a smash trajectory, and then Week 6 happened. Diggs had a 64.5% route share, an 11.5% target share, 28 receiving yards (1.40 yards per route run), and a 16.7% first-read share. In the two previous games, Diggs had a 67.2% route share, a 39.6% target share, 123.5 receiving yards per game (6.33 yards per route run), and a 44.4% first-read share. He has three red zone targets across those two games. Diggs is likely to see shadow coverage this week from L’Jarius Sneed. Sneed followed Nico Collins, Davante Adams, and Marvin Harrison Jr. on 75-85.2% of their routes. Adams roasted him, but that was in Week 2. In Weeks 4-5 against Collins and Harrison Jr., Sneed held each player below 40 receiving yards (zero touchdowns) in his coverage. Since Week 3, Tennessee has had the second-highest two-high rate in the NFL (66.9%). Since Week 4, against two high, Diggs has had a 29.4% target share with 2.24 yards per route run and a 37.5% first-read share. Don’t be surprised if Drake Maye feeds Diggs this week despite the shadow coverage from Sneed, but I’ll say, with the way that Maye has been spreading the ball around, I also wouldn’t be shocked if he avoids the matchup. There’s a wide range of outcomes for Diggs in Week 7.

Elic Ayomanor (WR)

Elic Ayomanor is the WR58 in fantasy points per game with six deep targets and three red zone looks this season. He hasn’t finished with more than 44 receiving yards in a game since Week 2. He also hasn’t finished higher than WR56 in weekly scoring or seen a red zone target since Week 3. He has a 15.8% target share with 32.7 receiving yards per game (1.14 yards per route run) and a 19.4% first-read share. The Patriots have utilized single high with at least 54.2% of their defensive snaps in five of six games this season. Against single high, Ayomanor’s yards per route run has increased slightly to 1.48, and he has seen a 21% first-read share. He’s a low-end flex this week against a secondary allowing the fifth-most PPR points per target to perimeter wide receivers.

Hunter Henry (TE)

Hunter Henry is the TE11 in fantasy points per game, leading tight ends in deep targets and running second in red zone looks. Henry has a 16.7% target share, 1.81 yards per route run (46.2 receiving yards per game), and a 20% first-read share. Since Week 3, Tennessee has had the second-highest two-high rate in the NFL (66.9%). Against two high, his target share has nudged up to 17.1% with 1.54 yards per route run and a 17.6% first-read share. This isn’t a great matchup for Henry. Tennessee has allowed the eighth-fewest receiving yards and the seventh-fewest yards per reception and fantasy points per game to tight ends. He could post TE2 production in Week 7.

Chig Okonkwo (TE)

Chig Okonkwo is a low-end tight end streaming option. He has a 62.3% route share, a 14.4% target share, 1.48 yards per route run (36.3 receiving yards per game), and a 16.9% first-read share. Okonkwo has only one TE1 weekly finish this season (TE8). He has zero deep targets or red zone targets. He’s just a source for empty PPR calories, but the matchup could lend itself to those this week. If you’re in a pinch at tight end, he could make sense. New England has allowed the eighth-most fantasy points per game and the fifth-most receiving yards to tight ends.

Concerning Starts & Players to Fade

Players in consideration for lineups, but temper your expectations this week.

Cam Ward (QB)

Cam Ward remains unstartable in fantasy. He’s still looking for his second outing of the season with double-digit fantasy points. He has only one game with at least 250 passing yards and hasn’t thrown for multiple touchdowns in any game this season. Among 41 qualifying quarterbacks, Ward ranks 37th in yards per attempt, 40th in catchable target rate, dead last in highly accurate throw rate, and 40th in fantasy points per dropback. I hope there are better days ahead for the rookie, but it doesn’t look good.

Tony Pollard (RB)

Last week, Tony Pollard saw his lightest workload of the season with a 42.6% snapshare as he was the early down guy, and Tyjae Spears took over as the main passing down back. Pollard had only a 25% route share (5.3% target share). He did handle ten of 15 rushing attempts, though. Pollard finished with 12 touches and 47 total yards. Among 50 qualifying backs, Pollard ranks 14th in yards after contact per attempt. The Patriots are a horrible matchup for Pollard on the ground, giving up the fourth-fewest rushing yards per game, the sixth-lowest explosive run rate, and the eighth-lowest yards after contact per attempt. Sit Pollard.

Kayshon Boutte (WR)

Kayshon Boutte had a massive game in Week 6, but that was his first standout performance since his big game in Week 1. In Weeks 2-5, Boutte never had more than three receptions or 43 receiving yards in any game. Last week, Boutte was the WR4 in fantasy with a 19.2% target share, 93 receiving yards (two scores), and a 16.7% first-read share. This doesn’t project as another banner performance from Boutte. Since Week 3, Tennessee has had the second-highest two-high rate in the NFL (66.9%). Against two high, Boutte has a 7.3% target share, only 1.44 yards per route run, and an 11.8% first-read share. Sit Boutte this week. I know the matchup is good, but the coverage shell matchup screams stay away. Tennessee has allowed the eighth-most PPR points per target to perimeter wide receivers.

Calvin Ridley (WR)

Calvin Ridley has been ruled out for Week 7.

PIT vs. CIN | LAR vs.JAC | NE vs. TEN | NO vs. CHI | MIA vs. CLE | CAR vs. NYJ | PHI vs. MIN | LV vs. KC | NYG vs. DEN | IND vs. LAC | WAS vs. DAL | GB vs. ARI | ATL vs. SF | TB vs. DET | HOU vs.SEA

New Orleans Saints vs. Chicago Bears

• CHI -4.5, O/U 46.5
• New Orleans Saints vs. Chicago Bears Player Prop Bets via BettingPros

Saints Players & Weekly Rankings

Bears Players & Weekly Rankings

*The weather in this game could be a small factor for the passing attacks. Current forecasts have the winds sustained in the mid-teens with gusts into the upper 20 mph range. It won’t crush these passing games, but it could drop the ceiling some for each aerial game.*

Must-Start

These are no-brainer MUST starts.

• Rome Odunze

Strong Starts

Here are players that should be in starting consideration for most fantasy teams.

Caleb Williams (QB)

Caleb Williams is the QB8 in fantasy points per game, with three games as a top ten weekly option (QB9, QB1, QB10) and two games outside the top 15 fantasy quarterbacks in weekly scoring (QB20, QB24). Williams’ rushing score saved his fantasy day last week. Without it, he would have finished with 13.9 fantasy points for the week. Among 41 qualifying passers, Williams ranks 16th in yards per attempt, 34th in highly accurate throw rate, 37th in catchable target rate, and he has the third-highest off-target rate and the 14th-highest turnover-worthy throw rate. Williams’ fantasy production has been much better than his real-life quarterback play. Rushing production and some nice matchups have helped him this season. Lookie lookie, Williams has another soft matchup to exploit this week. He should post strong QB1 numbers this week. New Orleans has been clueless as a pass defense this season, giving up the eighth-most yards per attempt, the second-most passing touchdowns, the fourth-highest CPOE, and the seventh-highest success rate per dropback.

Alvin Kamara (RB)

Over the last two games, Kamara’s workhorse role has been slipping, with him averaging 58.4% of the snaps with 18 of 36 running back carries. Kamara has retained his passing game usage with a 56.5% route share and a 19% target share. During that span, Kamara still owns all the red zone work with five carries inside the 20-yard line. Kamara is still performing decently on a per-carry basis, ranking 20th in missed tackle rate and 29th in explosive run rate. He should post a solid stat line this week against a run defense that has surrendered the second-most rushing yards per game, the fourth-highest explosive run rate, and the second-highest missed tackle rate. Kamara is due for some touchdown regression as he hasn’t scored since Week 1. This could be the week. The Bears have allowed the second-most receiving touchdowns to running backs this season.

D’Andre Swift (RB)

Well, so much for D’Andre Swift relinquishing the lead back role in Chicago coming out of the bye. Last week, Swift smashed with 16 touches and 175 total yards as the RB6 for the week. Overall, he is the RB14 in fantasy points per game, ranking 15th in snap share, 11th in opportunity share, and 18th in weighted opportunities. He is 16th among backs in targets and has a 13.1% target share (12th among running backs). Swift has averaged 17 touches and 89.4 total yards. Among 50 qualifying backs, he ranks 25th in missed tackles forced per attempt and 44th in yards after contact per attempt. He has enjoyed the 12th-best yards before contact per attempt this season getting 2.3 yards upfield on average before colliding with any defender. Swift should have another solid day, but I don’t know if it’s a spot for another ceiling game. The Saints have been a confounding run defense, ranking 16th in rushing yards per game while allowing the ninth-highest missed tackle rate, but holding backs to the seventh-lowest yards after contact per attempt and yards before contact per attempt and 14th-lowest rushing success rate. Swift is dealing with a groin injury and has been listed as questionable, but he is expected to play. He had limited practices on Thursday and Friday this week.

Chris Olave (WR)

Chris Olave has been a volume monster this season as the WR26 in fantasy points per game. He is second among wide receivers in targets, sixth in routes run, and fifth in red zone targets. He has a 29.5% target share with a 38.5% air-yard share, averaging 57 receiving yards (1.65 yards per route run) with a 34.7% first-read share. This week, he faces a Bears’ secondary that in Weeks 1-4 had the third-highest two-high rate in the NFL (62.6%). Against two high, Olave’s target share and first-read share still sit at 24.1% and 31.9%, but his yards per route run has dipped to 0.97. That isn’t great, but he should still lead the way for the Saints’ passing attack against a secondary that has allowed the 14th-most PPR points per target to perimeter wide receivers.

Fantasy Football Flex & Deep Plays to Consider

Let’s fill out those flex spots.

Spencer Rattler (QB)

Spencer Rattler has been a basement-level QB2 this season as the QB25 in fantasy points per game. He has only one QB1 weekly scoring performance (QB10). Among 41 qualifying passers, the Saints have had him operating as a game manager, ranking 24th in deep throw rate and 31st in aDOT, which has helped him rank eighth in catchable target rate, but he also has the 12th-highest turnover-worthy throw rate. Rattler is 36th in fantasy points per dropback. The Bears have been a burnable pass defense, but expecting more than QB2 numbers from Rattler this week is probably asking too much of him. The Bears have allowed the sixth-highest yards per attempt, the fourth-most passing touchdowns, and the second-highest CPOE.

Kendre Miller (RB)

Over the last two weeks, Kendre Miller has factored into the Saints’ backfield mix, averaging 39.3% of the offensive snaps with ten touches and 40.5 total yards. He hasn’t gotten any of the red zone work during that stretch, with Kamara getting all those opportunities. Since Week 5, Miller has 50% of the running back carry share with only a 21.2% route share and 3.4% target share. If he’s going to pay off as a flex option, this is a good week/matchup to do so. He ranks first in missed tackles forced per attempt and 32nd in yards after contact per attempt. The Bears’ run defense has been a problem for their team. They have given up the second-most rushing yards per game, the fourth-highest explosive run rate, and the second-highest missed tackle rate. Miller could house a run this week and pay off as a flex option.

DJ Moore (WR)

DJ Moore was taken to a hospital for observation after last week’s game. He will play this week. He doesn’t carry an injury designation into this game (hip/groin) after a limited practice session on Thursday and a full practice on Friday. Moore is the WR47 in fantasy points per game, seeing three deep targets and only two red zone targets this season. Both red zone targets have occurred in his last three games. Moore has a 15.4% target share with 43 receiving yards per game (1.42 yards per route run) and a 15.8% first-read share. Moore will face a New Orleans secondary that has the fifth-highest single high rate (58.7%). Moore has been an afterthought in the passing attack against single high, but a juicy matchup could help Moore this week, even if the volume is more limited. Against single high, Moore has a 10% target share, 0.74 yards per route run, and an 8.5% first-read share. The Saints have been unable to stop perimeter wide receivers this season, giving up the sixth-most receiving yards per game and the second-most PPR points per target.

Rashid Shaheed (WR)

Rashid Shaheed is the WR35 in fantasy points per game, ranking 24th among wide receivers in deep targets and 21st in red zone targets. Shaheed has a 17.4% target share with 52.7 receiving yards per game (1.69 yards per route run) and an 18.8% first-read share. This week, he faces a Bears’ secondary that in Weeks 1-4 had the third-highest two-high rate in the NFL (62.6%). Against two-high, Shaheed has seen his target share drop to 13.9% with 1.76 yards per route run and a 15.9% first-read share. None of those numbers outside of his yards per route run are encouraging, but Shaheed is still a decent flex play against a secondary that has allowed the 14th-most PPR points per target to perimeter wide receivers.

Concerning Starts & Players to Fade

Players in consideration for lineups, but temper your expectations this week.

Olamide Zaccheaus (WR)

Despite the public sentiment that Luther Burden has taken over as the Bears’ starting slot receiver, that’s actually not the truth. Last week. Olamide Zaccheaus had a season-high 66.7% route share and 20.7% target share. Overall, he has a 55.9% route share, a 16% target share, 28.6 receiving yards per game (1.38 yards per route run), and an 18.8% first-read share. Zaccheaus has three red zone targets in his last three games. This isn’t the matchup to consider flexing him, though. The Saints have allowed the eighth-fewest schedule-adjusted fantasy points per game and the 11th-fewest PPR points per target to slot receivers.

Luther Burden (WR)

Luther Burden remains only a part-time player in the Bears’ offense and a stash only. Last week, he had a 36.4% route share and a season-high 13.8% target share and 13% first-read share. I still hope that Burden’s role will continue to grow, but we aren’t at the point where he’s flex viable, especially with a bad matchup like this week. The Saints have allowed the eighth-fewest schedule-adjusted fantasy points per game and the 11th-fewest PPR points per target to slot receivers.

Juwan Johnson (TE)

Over the last three games, Juwan Johnson has seen his role in the offense shrink. While his route share has stayed steady with an 80-85.7% route share, his target and first-read shares have fallen weekly from 10.7% and 16.7% to 7.7% and 6.7%. That’s a highly concerning trend, and I have a hard time trusting Johnson in any lineups this week, especially against a defense that has allowed the fewest yards per reception and ranks 18th in fantasy points per game allowed to tight ends. Sit Johnson and hope this trend reverses itself this week, and he’s a viable fantasy tight end moving forward.

**The Bears’ tight end room has become a mess. Last week, Cole Kmet had only a 30.3% route share, and Colston Loveland logged a 39.4% route share. Maybe the usage shifts more in Loveland’s favor moving forward, but right now, both of them are unplayable.**

PIT vs. CIN | LAR vs.JAC | NE vs. TEN | NO vs. CHI | MIA vs. CLE | CAR vs. NYJ | PHI vs. MIN | LV vs. KC | NYG vs. DEN | IND vs. LAC | WAS vs. DAL | GB vs. ARI | ATL vs. SF | TB vs. DET | HOU vs.SEA