The Primer: Week 8 Edition (2025 Fantasy Football)

IT’S HERE! BYE-POCALYSPSE IS UPON US!

This week, we have six teams on bye and a truckload of injuries to sift through and deal with for fantasy football. Good lawd, the fantasy football gawds are smiting us. It’s only Week 8 in the NFL calendar, and things are getting wild. If you’re starting Tyler Allgeier or Brashard Smith as a flex or (gulp) your RB2 this week, just know you aren’t alone. Well, when the going gets tough, the Primer is here to help.

Welcome to the Week 8 Primer. Enjoy.

MIN vs. LAC | NYJ vs. CIN | BUF vs. CAR | SF vs. HOU | NYG vs. PHI | CLE vs. NE | CHI vs. BAL | MIA vs. ATL | TB vs. NO | DAL vs. DEN | TEN vs. IND | GB vs. PIT | WAS vs. KC

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Fantasy Football Primer

Minnesota Vikings vs. Los Angeles Chargers

• LAC -3.5, O/U 44.5
• Minnesota Vikings vs. Los Angeles Chargers Player Prop Bets via BettingPros

Vikings Players & Weekly Rankings

Chargers Players & Weekly Rankings

Must-Start

These are no-brainer MUST starts.

• Justin Jefferson

Strong Starts

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

Justin Herbert (QB)

Justin Herbert is the QB9 in fantasy points per game, while ranking third in passing yards per game, seventh in CPOE, eighth in highly accurate throw rate, and 11th in hero throw rate. He has averaged 4.3 rushing attempts and 26.6 rushing yards per game. Herbert will face what has become a softer Minny pass defense, as they have allowed the tenth-highest yards per attempt and 11th-highest passer rating while sitting at 15th in adjusted completion rate. The Vikings can still bring the heat with their pass rush, though, ranking second in blitz rate and third in pressure rate. Herbert should navigate the pocket fairly well as he ranks 12th in yards per attempt and 14th in passer rating against the blitz.

Jordan Mason (RB)

With Aaron Jones back this week, we likely see Jordan Mason return to his role as the early-down component of Minnesota’s committee backfield. In Week 1, Mason had all three red zone rushing attempts while logging 15 of 23 running back rushing attempts with a 25% route share (5% target share). Among 57 qualifying backs, Mason ranks 21st in explosive run rate and 17th in missed tackle rate. He should have success on the ground this week. The Chargers have been a soft run defense to exploit all year, allowing the third-highest explosive run rate, the sixth-highest missed tackle rate, and the fifth-highest yards before contact per attempt.

Kimani Vidal (RB)

Over the last two games, Kimani Vidal has had a 65.9% snap share, a 44% route share (8.6% target share), and averaged 17 touches and 86.5 total yards. He has handled nine of ten red zone rushing attempts for the team. Among 57 qualifying backs, he ranks second in explosive run rate and 12th in yards after contact per attempt. Vidal should have a solid day this week against a Minnesota run defense that ranks 15th in rushing yards per game while giving up the 14th-highest yards before contact per attempt, the fifth-highest yards per carry to zone runs, and the fourth-highest success rate to zone runs (Vidal 67.7% zone).

Keenan Allen (WR)

Keenan Allen is the WR10 in fantasy points per game. Yep, you read that correctly. Allen is having a renaissance season back with the Bolts. He has a 22.9% target share with 62.1 receiving yards per game (1.92 yards per route run), and a 25.1% first-read share. He ranks fourth in the NFL in red zone targets. This week, he faces a Minnesota pass defense that has the highest two-high rate in the NFL (70.3%). Against two high, his target share has remained stable at 22.3% (tied for the team lead) with 1.94 yards per route run and a 24.3% first-read share. Minnesota is a wonderful matchup for Allen, as they have allowed the highest PPR points per target to perimeter wide receivers.

Jordan Addison (WR)

Jordan Addison has been on a heater since his return to the field in Week 4, with at least 15.1 fantasy points in each game as the WR7 in fantasy points per game. He is tied for second on the team in red zone targets with Justin Jefferson (six each). Addison has a 20.3% target share with a 34.6% air-yard share, 94.3 receiving yards per game (2.38 yards per route run), and a 27.5% first-read share. Since Week 6, the Bolts have reverted to a two-high heavy approach with the fourth-highest rate of the coverage structure (62.5%). Against two high, Addison’s target share has skyrocketed to 25.9% with 3.34 yards per route run and a team-leading 36.1% first-read share. Addison can excel this week against a secondary that, since Week 4, has ranked 15th in PPR points per target allowed to perimeter wide receivers.

Oronde Gadsden II (TE)

Oronde Gadsden II has exploded over the last two weeks as the TE12 and TE1 in weekly scoring. Since Week 6, he has had a 75% route share, a 17.2% target share, 116 receiving yards per game (3.09 yards per route run), and a 24% first-read share. He has five red zone targets and two deep targets over the last two games. This week, he faces a Minnesota pass defense that has the highest two-high rate in the NFL (70.3%). In this small two-game sample, against two high, Gadsden ll has had a 21.4% target share, 2.62 yards per route run, and a 26.7% first-read share. Minnesota has allowed the 12th-fewest schedule-adjusted fantasy points per game to tight ends, but I still expect Gadsden II to get a healthy target share and usage this week, considering the coverage structure.

Fantasy Football Flex & Deep Plays to Consider

Let’s fill out those flex spots.

Carson Wentz (QB)

With J.J. McCarthy still recovering from his ankle injury, Carson Wentz gets another start this week. Wentz is the QB19 in fantasy points per game. Among 41 qualifying passers, he ranks 11th in yards per attempt and fifth in passing yards per game, but that’s where the good news stops, as he’s also 22nd in highly accurate throw rate with the 12th-highest off-target rate and the 14th-highest turnover-worthy throw rate. Wentz faces a Bolts’ pass defense that has been more pliable since Week 4, allowing the tenth-most yards per attempt while ranking 18th in CPOE and 16th in success rate per dropback. Wentz should produce as a solid QB2 this week.

Aaron Jones (RB)

Aaron Jones steps back into the Minny backfield equation as a viable flex play this week. In Week 1, Jones played 46.9% of the snaps with a 37.5% route share (15% target share). He finished with 11 touches and 67 total yards. Mason handled all of the team’s red zone rushing attempts in Week 1, so Jones will have to break a big play this week to get into the end zone. In limited action, Jones has generated an 8% missed tackle rate and 2.31 yards after contact per attempt. Jones could have a nice day in Week 8. The Chargers have been a soft run defense to exploit all year, allowing the third-highest explosive run rate, the sixth-highest missed tackle rate, and the fifth-highest yards before contact per attempt. Los Angeles has also allowed the 14th-most receiving yards and the 13th-highest yards per reception to backs.

Ladd McConkey (WR)

Ladd McConkey is the WR32 in fantasy points per game while being tied for 11th in the NFL in red zone targets. McConkey has shaken from his early-season funk with at least 14.9 PPR points in each of his last three games. McConkey has a 20.7% target share with 54.3 receiving yards per game (1.39 yards per route run) and a 22.9% first-read share. This week, he faces a Minnesota pass defense that has the highest two-high rate in the NFL (70.3%). Against two high, McConkey has seen his target share increase to 22.3% (tied for the team lead) with 1.31 yards per route run and a team-leading 25.3% first-read share. McConkey is a strong flex play this week as the volume could tilt in his favor, but the matchup isn’t great. Minnesota has allowed the fourth-fewest PPR points per target to slot receivers. DeVonta Smith destroyed this secondary last week, but he registered only ten of his 183 receiving yards from the slot.

Concerning Starts & Players to Fade

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

Quentin Johnston (WR)

Quentin Johnston returned to the lineup last week, but I seriously wonder how healthy he truly is after last week’s usage. While Johnston had an 88.5% route share, he had only a 9.1% target share and a 9.7% first-read share, which is not something we have seen this season from Johnston. Johnston has only two games this season where he has had less than a 19.1% target share, and they happen to be last week and Week 5 when he sustained the hamstring injury. He isn’t on the injury report this week, so I hope he’s back to full health. Overall, Johnston is the WR9 in fantasy points per game, commanding a 19% target share with 67.8 receiving yards per game (1.72 yards per route run) and a 23.1% first-read share. He has seven red zone targets and ten deep targets this season. He’s third on the team in red zone targets and leads the squad in deep targets. This week, he faces a Minnesota pass defense that has the highest two-high rate in the NFL (70.3%). Against two high, Johnston has seen his usage decline with a 15.3% target share, 1.06 yards per route run, and a 20.3% first-read share. With the health concerns and the coverage matchup this week. I’ll be below consensus with Johnston. Minnesota has been bleeding out production to perimeter wide receivers, so even with limited volume, Johnston could pay off this week, but I’m skeptical. Minnesota has allowed the highest PPR points per target to perimeter wide receivers.

T.J. Hockenson (TE)

T.J. Hockenson is the TE22 in fantasy points per game with only one TE1 week this season (TE5). Hockenson has a 17.6% target share with 32.7 receiving yards per game (1.16 yards per route run) and a 16.5% first-read share. Since Week 6, the Bolts have reverted to a two-high heavy approach with the fourth-highest rate of the coverage structure (62.5%). Against two high, Hockenson has had a 16.5% target share with 0.95 yards per route run and a 15.5% first-read share. Those dips across the board are concerning, especially when also considering that the Chargers have allowed the seventh-fewest receiving yards and fantasy points per game to tight ends. Consider a streaming option at tight end this week over Hockenson.

MIN vs. LAC | NYJ vs. CIN | BUF vs. CAR | SF vs. HOU | NYG vs. PHI | CLE vs. NE | CHI vs. BAL | MIA vs. ATL | TB vs. NO | DAL vs. DEN | TEN vs. IND | GB vs. PIT | WAS vs. KC

New York Jets vs. Cincinnati Bengals

• CIN -6, O/U 44.5
• New York Jets vs. Cincinnati Bengals Player Prop Bets via BettingPros

Jets Players & Weekly Rankings

Bengals Players & Weekly Rankings

Must-Start

These are no-brainer MUST starts.

• Ja’Marr Chase*

*Sauce Gardner has been ruled out. That’s a bump for Chase, Joe Flacco, and Tee Higgins this week.*

Strong Starts

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

Joe Flacco (QB)

Since arriving in Cincy, Joe Flacco has been the QB15 and QB6 in weekly scoring. Over the last two games, among 32 qualifying passers, he ranks fifth in passing yards per game, eighth in adjusted completion rate, tenth in highly accurate throw rate, and 15th in fantasy points per dropback. Flacco could easily flirt with QB1 production again this week. The Jets’ pass defense has been underwhelming this season allowing the 12th-highest yards per attempt, the eighth-most passing touchdowns, and the fourth-highest passer rating. Flacco should have time to operate against a pass rush that has the tenth-lowest pressure rate.

Justin Fields (QB)

There’s risk to playing Justin Fields this week. He’ll draw the start in Week 8 with Tyrod Taylor ruled out. I’d be insane not to acknowledge the risk that Fields has, but also in the same breath, I’d be ostriching if I didn’t also mention his immense upside. In his six starts this season, Fields has surpassed 25.9 fantasy points and 48 rushing yards three times. Among 41 qualifying passers, Fields ranks 29th in yards per attempt, 19th in highly accurate throw rate, and 11th in fantasy points per dropback. Fields could have another ceiling performance this week. The Bengals’ pass defense has allowed the fifth-highest yards per attempt, the fourth-most passing yards per game, and the second-highest success rate per dropback. Another big factor that could lead to his success is the fact that Cincy has the fifth-lowest pressure rate. It’ll come in handy as Fields operates behind New York’s Swiss cheese offensive line, which has allowed the highest pressure rate.

Breece Hall (RB)

Breece Hall is the RB25 in fantasy points per game, ranking 21st in snap share, 12th in opportunity share, and 11th in weighted opportunities. Hall has averaged 16.8 touches and 87.4 total yards. Among 57 qualifying backs, Hall ranks first in explosive run rate and 14th in missed tackle rate. Hall should have a nice day in Week 8. The Cincy run defense has been putrid allowing the sixth-most rushing yards per game, the tenth-highest missed tackle rate, and the ninth-most yards after contact per attempt. Hall has been listed as questionable this week. He has a knee injury which limited him in practice this week until Friday (full session).

Chase Brown (RB)

Since Week 6, Chase Brown has averaged a 58.2% snap rate with 20 of 33 running back rushing attempts, a 48.4% route share, and a 6.5% target share. He has had four of five red zone rushing attempts in these two games. Over the last two weeks, he has had 12 touches and 74.5 total yards per game. Among 57 qualifying backs, he ranks 16th in missed tackle rate and 17th in yards after contact per attempt. The Cincy offensive line has actually done a fine job over the last two weeks of opening up holes for Brown with the third-best yards before contact per attempt. Brown should have a solid stat line this week against a Jets’ defense that has allowed the tenth-most rushing yards per game, the eighth-highest yards after contact per attempt, and ranks 14th in yards per reception allowed to backs.

Tee Higgins (WR)

Over the last two games, with Joe Flacco under center, Higgins has been the WR28 and WR13 in weekly scoring. With Flacco, he has had a 17.4% target share, 79 receiving yards per game (2.00 yards per route run), and a 25.4% first-read share. Since Week 6, Higgins has had three red zone targets and two deep targets. Higgins should succeed this week against a secondary that has allowed the 11th-most PPR points per target and the ninth-highest passer rating when targeted to perimeter wide receivers.

Mason Taylor (TE)

Since Week 4, Mason Taylor has stacked two strong games and two duds. Yes, quarterback play has played a large role in it and will be moving forward. Since Week 4, Taylor has had a 19.4% target share with 41.3 receiving yards per game (1.27 yards per route run), and a 20.6% first-read share. Taylor has two red zone targets in those four games. Taylor should have a nice bounce-back game in Week 8 if his quarterback play complies against a defense that has allowed the most receiving yards and fantasy points per game to tight ends. Taylor popped up on the injury report on Thursday with a quad issue. He didn’t practice Thursday, but he managed a limited session on Friday and has been listed as questionable.

Fantasy Football Flex & Deep Plays to Consider

Let’s fill out those flex spots.

**The Jets’ wide receiver room is a mess. I don’t have a particular lean with any of them as a flex option over the others. Mason Taylor could lead the team in targets, or New York could spread out targets with an emphasis on the ground game with Justin Fields and Breece Hall.**

Concerning Starts & Players to Fade

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

Garrett Wilson (WR)

Garrett Wilson has been ruled out for Week 8.

MIN vs. LAC | NYJ vs. CIN | BUF vs. CAR | SF vs. HOU | NYG vs. PHI | CLE vs. NE | CHI vs. BAL | MIA vs. ATL | TB vs. NO | DAL vs. DEN | TEN vs. IND | GB vs. PIT | WAS vs. KC

Buffalo Bills vs. Carolina Panthers

• BUF -7.5, O/U 46.5
• Buffalo Bills vs. Carolina Panthers Player Prop Bets via BettingPros

Bills Players & Weekly Rankings

Panthers Players & Weekly Rankings

Must-Start

These are no-brainer MUST starts.

• Josh Allen
• James Cook

Strong Starts

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

The Panthers truly when with a drive by drive RB committee in Week 7

But they went back to Rico to close out the game

Snaps by Drive:
1: Hubbard: 92% Rico 0%
2: 14% – 100%
3: 80% – 0%
4: 0% – 75%
5: – 87% – 0%
6: – 0% – 80%
7: – 87% – 0%
8: – 17% – 75%
9: – 75% – 0%
10: – 0% -…

— Chris Wecht (@ChrisWechtFF) October 21, 2025

Rico Dowdle (RB)

Last week, Carolina rotated Rico Dowdle and Chuba Hubbard, with each player getting entire drives to themselves all game. We’ll see if that continues in Week 8. If anything, I think the backfield could shift more in Dowdle’s favor if anything considering his per-touch effectiveness, which continues to dwarf Hubbard’s. Last week, Dowdle played 46.5% of the snaps overall, finishing with 18 touches and 96 total yards as the RB21 for the week. Dowdle has been awesome this season on a per-touch basis. Among 57 qualifying backs, he ranks 19th in explosive run rate and missed tackle rate and fourth in yards after contact per attempt. Assuming that Carolina will continue to feed their ground game and can keep this contest relatively close, Dowdle should eat this week against a run defense that has allowed the second-highest rushing yards per game, explosive run rate, and yards after contact per attempt.

Tetairoa McMillan (WR)

Tetairoa McMillan is the WR35 in fantasy points per game while ranking 23rd in deep targets and 13th in red zone targets among wide receivers. McMillan has a 21.5% target share, a 39% air-yard share, 1.79 yards per route run (59 receiving yards per game), and a 26.5% first-read share. This week, he faces a Bills’ secondary that has utilized two high at the sixth-highest rate (56.7%). Against two high, McMillan has seen his target share drop to 18.8% (leads the team) with 1.84 yards per route run and a 22.9% first-read share (leads the team). McMillan can have a strong week if Dalton can get him catchable targets against a secondary that has allowed the fifth-most PPR points per target to perimeter wide receivers.

Dalton Kincaid (TE)

Dalton Kincaid practiced all week in a limited fashion (oblique) and has been listed as questionable. Kincaid missed the Bills’ last game before the bye with this injury. Monitor the news up to kick off this week. Have a backup plan at tight end ready in case he’s ruled out Sunday. Kincaid is the TE5 in fantasy points per game as he has been making the most of his 55.5% route share. Kincaid has drawn a 15.6% target with a 24% target per route run rate, 57.4 receiving yards per game (2.84 yards per route run), and a 16.7% first-read share. The route share isn’t ideal, but when he’s on the field, Kincaid has been heavily utilized, so we can live with it, and considering the tight end landscape, it isn’t a coffin nail. Kincaid has five red zone targets and three deep targets in five games played this season. Since Week 5, Carolina has utilized two high at the 12th-highest rate (52.5%). Kincaid should return strong TE1 production this week against a defense that has allowed the sixth-most schedule-adjusted fantasy points per game and the fourth-most receiving yards per game to tight ends.

Fantasy Football Flex & Deep Plays to Consider

Let’s fill out those flex spots.

Andy Dalton (QB)

Andy Dalton will get the start for Carolina this week. Last year in five starts, Dalton had two QB1 outings (QB8, QB12). Among 47 qualifying passers last year, his per-dropback numbers weren’t amazing as he was 39th in yards per attempt, 25th in highly accurate throw rate, 18th in adjusted completion rate, and 38th in fantasy points per dropback. He should be able to post decent QB2 numbers this week against what has been a middling Buffalo pass defense since Week 4. Since Week 4, Buffalo has ranked 15th in yards per attempt, 17th in CPOE, and 18th in success rate per dropback. Those numbers don’t and shouldn’t strike fear in the hearts of anyone in a pinch in a Superflex league that is forced to plug in Dalton this week.

Chuba Hubbard (RB)

Last week, Carolina rotated Rico Dowdle and Chuba Hubbard, with each player getting entire drives to themselves all game. We’ll see if that continues in Week 8. If anything, I think the backfield could shift more in Dowdle’s favor if anything considering his per-touch effectiveness, which continues to dwarf Hubbard’s. Hubbard finished with a 53.5% snap rate, 16 touches, and 55 total yards. Hubbard STILL hasn’t managed an explosive run or forced a missed tackle this season while posting only 1.82 yards after contact per attempt. Hubbard still has flex relevance if he continues to split the volume with Dowdle, especially with a nice matchup on the ground this week. Buffalo has allowed the second-highest rushing yards per game, explosive run rate, and yards after contact per attempt.

Khalil Shakir (WR)

Khalil Shakir is the WR40 in fantasy points per game with three games of top-36 weekly production (WR26, WR25, WR15). He has six red zone targets and two deep targets this season. Since Week 5, Carolina has utilized two high at the 12th-highest rate (52.5%). Since Week 2, against two high, Shakir leads the team with an 18.8% target share and 20.7% first-read share despite posting only 1.34 yards per route run. Shakir is just a run-of-the-mill flex play this week, facing a secondary that has allowed the 12th-fewest PPR points per target to slot receivers.

Xavier Legette (WR)

I’m not putting a ton of stock into Xavier Legette‘s performance last week. We have a much longer track record of Legette being a league-average wide receiver than one that will post nine receptions and 92 receiving yards. Legette has a 15.8% target share, 28.4 receiving yards per game (0.90 yards per route run), and a 22.4% first-read share. He’s tied for the team lead in red zone targets while also seeing four deep targets. This week, he faces a Bills’ secondary that has utilized two high at the sixth-highest rate (56.7%). Against two high, Legette has seen his target share remain stable at 15.6% with 0.79 yards per route run and a 21.4% first-read share. Legette is a low-end flex option this week with a nice matchup. Buffalo has allowed the fifth-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.

Keon Coleman (WR)

Since Week 2, Keon Coleman hasn’t surpassed 45 receiving yards in any game and has only once seen more than six targets. Coleman has only two red zone targets across his last five games. Since Week 5, Carolina has utilized two high at the 12th-highest rate (52.5%). Since Week 2, against two high, Coleman has only a 12.5% target share with 0.85 yards per route run and a 17.2% first-read share. Sit Coleman this week. Carolina has allowed the 11th-fewest PPR points per target to perimeter wide receivers.

Jalen Coker (WR)

Last week, Jalen Coker had a disappointing season debut with only a 44.4% route share, a 6.3% target share, and 9.5% first-read share. Coker isn’t flex-worthy until his usage changes and he’s a full-time player in the Carolina offense. I hope his usage trends upward this week, but we have to see it.

MIN vs. LAC | NYJ vs. CIN | BUF vs. CAR | SF vs. HOU | NYG vs. PHI | CLE vs. NE | CHI vs. BAL | MIA vs. ATL | TB vs. NO | DAL vs. DEN | TEN vs. IND | GB vs. PIT | WAS vs. KC

San Francisco 49ers vs. Houston Texans

• HOU -2, O/U 42
• San Francisco 49ers vs. Houston Texans Player Prop Bets via BettingPros

49ers Players & Weekly Rankings

Texans Players & Weekly Rankings

Must-Start

These are no-brainer MUST starts.

• Christian McCaffrey
• George Kittle

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.

C.J. Stroud (QB)

The Houston offense looks broken. C.J. Stroud has only one week this season in which he has finished higher than QB15 in weekly scoring. He has multiple passing touchdowns in only two games and hasn’t logged a game yet this season with more than 244 passing yards. Among 41 qualifying quarterbacks, Stroud ranks 26th in yards per attempt, 40th in CPOE, 26th in catchable target rate, and he has the fourth-highest off-target rate. The 49ers rank 15th in yards per attempt and CPOE, have given up the 12th-most passing touchdowns (tied), and the 13th-highest success rate per dropback. At best, you’re hoping for decent QB2 numbers this week from Stroud.

Woody Marks (RB)

Last week, Woody Marks regained his lead job in the backfield with a 61% snap rate, a 35.2% route share, both red zone rushing attempts, and a 10.2% target share. He finished with 13 touches, 35 total yards, and a score as the RB16 for the week. Marks has posted only a 7% missed tackle rate and 2.20 yards after contact per attempt. Volume is really what you’re relying upon with him if you’re plugging him into a lineup. Marks will need all of the volume he can get this week. The 49ers’ run defense has been improving and has allowed the 13th-fewest rushing yards per game, the 12th-lowest explosive run rate, and the tenth-fewest yards after contact per attempt.

Jaylin Noel (WR)

Last week, Jaylin Noel had a 46.3% route share with a 14.3% target share, 77 receiving yards (3.08 yards per route run), and a 16.7% first-read share. Noel has one red zone target and four deep targets. I would love to see to stop doing ignorant things and play him in a full-time role, but this coaching staff doesn’t seem interested in helping C.J. Stroud and the offense operate at optimal efficiency. It’s maddening. I won’t be surprised if he still plays only a part-time role this week, with Braxton Berrios eating into his slot usage. If this coaching staff can get out of their own way, Noel could crush this week. San Francisco has allowed the fourth-most receiving yards and PPR points per target to slot receivers.

Concerning Starts & Players to Fade

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

Mac Jones (QB)

Brock Purdy has been ruled out for Week 8. Mac Jones will get another start for San Francisco this week. Jones is the QB23 in fantasy points per game with two QB1 outings under his belt this season (none since Week 5). Jones is just another run-of-the-mill QB2 this week with a horrible matchup. Among 41 qualifying passers, he has played well this season, ranking second in passing yards per game, 18th in yards per attempt, 13th in highly accurate throw rate, and 14th in hero throw rate. Houston has been shutting down quarterbacks, allowing the fifth-fewest yards per attempt, the fewest passing touchdowns, the lowest passer rating, and the fourth-lowest success rate per dropback.

Nick Chubb (RB)

Last week, Nick Chubb‘s usage dropped to only 25% of the snaps, zero rushing attempts inside the 20-yard line, six touches, and 11 total yards. Chubb is close to droppable at this point. Don’t play him this week. The 49ers’ run defense has been improving and has allowed the 13th-fewest rushing yards per game, the 12th-lowest explosive run rate, and the tenth-fewest yards after contact per attempt.

Jauan Jennings (WR)

Jauan Jennings‘ usage has been all over the map this season, which is probably a reflection of his health, but it has still made deciding to flex him or not weekly a headache-inducing proposition. In Week 6, Jennings had a 7.7% target share and 11.5% first-read share. Last week, he had a 26.9% target share, a 32.4% air-yard share, 31 receiving yards (1.29 yards per route run), and a 46.7% first-read share. Jennings is a volatile fantasy option weekly until his role and health find some type of baseline. Jennings also doesn’t have a great matchup this week against a secondary that has allowed the sixth-fewest PPR points per target and the 13th-fewest receiving yards to perimeter wide receivers.

Kendrick Bourne (WR)

Kendrick Bourne came crashing back to earth last week as the WR77 in weekly scoring. The 49ers moved Jauan Jennings back into the role that Bourne had been occupying. I expect Bourne to play a similar complementary role this week. Last week, Bourne had a 7.7% target share, 14 receiving yards (0.67 yards per route run), and a 6.7% first-read share. Bourne is a low-end flex play this week with a tough matchup. Houston has allowed the sixth-fewest PPR points per target to perimeter wide receivers. Look for Hurts to lean on Smith this week, especially with A.J. Brown out.

Xavier Hutchinson (WR)

Outside of his two-touchdown performance in Week 5 against a clueless Baltimore secondary, Hutchinson hasn’t finished higher than WR64 in weekly scoring this season. Hutchinson hasn’t managed more than 30 receiving yards or four targets in any game this season. He’s not on the flex radar this week. San Francisco has allowed the fifth-fewest PPR points per target to perimeter wide receivers.

Jayden Higgins (WR)

Last week, Jayden Higgins had a 57.4% route share with a 6.1% target share and a 10% first-read share as he finished with zero receptions and receiving yards. He’ll be shoved into close to a full-time role this week, but I expect Houston to continue their wide receiver by committee stupidity by involving Braxton Berrios more than they should. Higgins has one red zone target and four deep targets this season. San Francisco has utilized single high with 52.1-60% of their defensive snaps since Week 5. Against single high, Higgins has an 18% target per route run rate and 2.29 yards per route run. Those are solid numbers, but it’s tough to consider him as anything more than a middling flex play this week with how bad Houston’s offense has been, the committee approach with their wide receiver room, and the tough on-paper matchup. San Francisco has allowed the fifth-fewest PPR points per target to perimeter wide receivers.

MIN vs. LAC | NYJ vs. CIN | BUF vs. CAR | SF vs. HOU | NYG vs. PHI | CLE vs. NE | CHI vs. BAL | MIA vs. ATL | TB vs. NO | DAL vs. DEN | TEN vs. IND | GB vs. PIT | WAS vs. KC