Well, you know what they say… “time flies when you’re having fun.” After Week 9 is concluded, we’ll officially be past the halfway mark for the 2025 Fantasy Football season. I know it has been a stressful season. Every week, another player that we love gets hit with a horrendous injury. Just when we think we’re getting back a trusted baller like Terry McLaurin…the Fantasy Gawds say, “Oh no…I don’t think so.”
Despite the heartache and headache that fantasy can cause, I still love this game about a game so damn much. The weekly puzzle that beckons to be solved (or at least we attempt to solve it). The jubilation of watching players that you believed in finally get an opportunity to show that the talent is there and excel with their opportunities (I’m staring at you, Kimani Vidal). I’m here for all of it. All. Of. It.
Let’s get ready for the second half sprint to the fantasy playoffs with a banner week.
Welcome to the Week 9 Primer. Enjoy.
BAL vs. MIA | CAR vs. GB | MIN vs. DET | CHI vs. CIN | DEN vs. HOU | SF vs. NYG | IND vs. PIT | LAC vs. TEN | ATL vs. NE | JAC vs. LV | NO vs. LAR | KC vs. BUF | SEA vs. WAS | ARI vs. DAL
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Fantasy Football Primer
Carolina Panthers vs. Green Bay Packers
- GB -13.5, O/U 44
- Carolina Panthers vs. Green Bay Packers Player Prop Bets via BettingPros
Panthers Players & Weekly Rankings
| Bryce Young | QB | QB2 |
| Chuba Hubbard | RB | RB3 |
| Rico Dowdle | RB | RB2/3 |
| Tetairoa McMillan | WR | WR2 |
| Xavier Legette | WR | WR4 |
| Jalen Coker | WR | WR4 |
| Ja’Tavion Sanders | TE | TE2 |
Packers Players & Weekly Rankings
| Jordan Love | QB | QB1/2 |
| Josh Jacobs | RB | RB1 |
| Emanuel Wilson | RB | RB4 |
| Romeo Doubs | WR | WR3 |
| Matthew Golden | WR | WR4 |
| Christian Watson | WR | WR3/4 |
| Dontayvion Wicks | WR | Out |
| Tucker Kraft | TE | TE1 |
Must-Start
These are no-brainer MUST starts.
Strong Starts
Here are players that should be in starting consideration for most fantasy teams.
Tetairoa McMillan is the WR31 in fantasy points per game and the WR26 in expected fantasy points per game. He is doing the most he can with the subpar quarterback play that he is dealing with. McMillan has a 23.4% target share, a 41.3% air-yard share, 64 receiving yards per game, 1.96 yards per route run, and a 28.4% first-read share. He leads the team with nine red zone targets and eight deep targets. McMillan could surprise people this week against a Packers’ pass defense that has had issues over the last few games. Since Week 4, Green Bay has allowed the fourth-most PPR points per target and the most receiving yards per game to perimeter wide receivers.
Fantasy Football Flex & Deep Plays to Consider
Let’s fill out those flex spots.
Last week’s monster game from Jordan Love has pushed him up to the QB12 in fantasy points per game, but that was only the third game for the season, with Love surpassing 20 fantasy points and his second QB1 weekly scoring outing. That’s not to say that Love isn’t playing well this season because he is. Among 45 qualifying passers, he ranks fifth in yards per attempt, eighth in passing yards per game and CPOE, and tenth in fantasy points per dropback. Love should have another solid game this week against a Panthers’ pass defense that, since Week 4, has allowed the 11th-most yards per attempt, the sixth-most passing touchdowns (tied), and the tenth-highest passer rating.
It looks like Bryce Young will be back under center this week. He has been mostly a basement-level QB2 this season with only two QB1 outings. Take out the passing turnstile that is Dallas, and that number shrinks to one (QB8). Among 45 qualifying passers, Young ranks 39th in yards per attempt, 40th in highly accurate throw rate, 37th in catchable target rate, and 29th in fantasy points per dropback. Young isn’t a stellar fantasy option, but the Packers’ pass defense has displayed some cracks in the veneer over the last few weeks. Since Week 4, Green Bay has allowed the tenth-most passing yards per game, the sixth-highest passer rating, and the second-highest CPOE. Young should at least return QB2 production this week with a smidge of upside.
Romeo Doubs is the WR30 in fantasy points per game, ranking second on the team in red zone targets and leading the way with eight deep targets. Doubs has a 19.7% target share, a 39.3% air-yard share, 50 receiving yards per game (1.88 yards per route run), and a 24.5% first-read share. Doubs is a strong flex play again this week against a secondary that, since Week 4, has allowed the third-most PPR points per target to perimeter wide receivers.
Last week, Christian Watson surprised me with a 59.5% route share, finishing with 85 receiving yards (18.3 aDOT). He had a 10.8% target share, 3.86 yards per route run, and a 17.4% first-read share (third on the team). If he’s going to operate as the team’s field stretcher, this isn’t a great matchup for him. Only one of his four targets was downfield, though, so that’s not the only thing he was asked to do last week. Watson is a risky, deep league flex this week against a secondary that, since Week 4, has allowed the third-most PPR points per target to perimeter wide receivers.
Outside of his outlier game against the Jets, Xavier Legette hasn’t managed more than three receptions or 31 receiving yards in any game this season. The high leverage usage has been there, though, as he is second on the team with eight red zone targets and has four deep targets. Overall, he has a 15.4% target share with 26.5 receiving yards per game (0.86 yards per route run), and a 20.8% first-read share. Legette isn’t an inspiring flex play this week, but the matchup is better for him than many would think. If you’re in a pinch in Week 9, there are far worse options to consider. Since Week 4, Green Bay has allowed the fourth-most PPR points per target and the most receiving yards per game to perimeter wide receivers.
Last week, Jalen Coker saw his route share increase to 75% while he had a 12.5% target share, 36 receiving yards (1.50 yards per route run), and a 16.7% first-read share. Carolina will be trailing this week, so they should be chucking it. As long as they don’t get blown out early and pull their starters, Coker is a low-end flex play. Since Week 4, Green Bay has allowed the ninth-most PPR points per target to slot receivers (last week, Coker 62.5% slot).
Concerning Starts & Players to Fade
Players in consideration for lineups, but temper your expectations this week.
#Panthers HC Dave Canales on his RB situation: “Chuba Hubbard has meant a lot to this team. We wanted to give him an opportunity following his calf injury. But we can’t ignore the fact that Rico [Dowdle] has been exceptional.”
Tone suggests Dowdle will get a heavier workload… pic.twitter.com/hqjovwFko7
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 27, 2025
Over the last two games, Rico Dowdle has worked as the 1B in the Carolina backfield with two red zone rushing attempts (Hubbard, four), a 40.3% snap rate, and a 25% route share (1.8% target share). He has averaged 13 touches and 75 total yards over the last two games. He’s still crushing it on a per-touch basis. Among 60 qualifying rushers, Dowdle ranks 16th in explosive run rate, 17th in missed tackle rate, and third in yards after contact per attempt. Dowdle will have to overcome a tough matchup, but he could get a boost of volume with the coaching staff insinuating that the workload could shift back in his direction this week. Plugging him in as a flex play this week is a bet on talent and the hope that his volume and backfield share increase this week. It’s a risky play no matter how ya slice it. Since Week 4, Green Bay has allowed the sixth-fewest rushing yards per game, the fourth-lowest explosive run rate, the second-lowest missed tackle rate, and the third-fewest yards after contact per attempt.
Since his return in Week 7, Chuba Hubbard has averaged 14 touches and 44.5 total yards. He has had a 56.6% snap rate with a 42.6% route share (Dowdle 25%) and a 5.4% target share. He has also led the backfield with four red zone rushing attempts (Dowdle two). Hubbard was the lead back role for Carolina, but this could be the week that Dowdle takes over. Hubbard still doesn’t have an explosive run, has a 5% missed tackle rate, and only 1.82 yards after contact per attempt. Hubbard is a low-end touchdown-dependent flex this week. Since Week 4, Green Bay has allowed the sixth-fewest rushing yards per game, the fourth-lowest explosive run rate, the second-lowest missed tackle rate, and the third-fewest yards after contact per attempt.
Matthew Golden possibly isn’t fully healthy, so maybe that is playing a factor here, but in Christian Watson‘s first game back, Golden saw his usage plummet. Last week, he had a 70.3% route share, but his target share fell to 8.1% with only three receptions for four yards (0.3 aDOT) and an 8.7% first-read share. With his aDOT almost non-existent and his target share falling off a table with Watson back, Golden is a sit until we see his role evolve.
BAL vs. MIA | CAR vs. GB | MIN vs. DET | CHI vs. CIN | DEN vs. HOU | SF vs. NYG | IND vs. PIT | LAC vs. TEN | ATL vs. NE | JAC vs. LV | NO vs. LAR | KC vs. BUF | SEA vs. WAS | ARI vs. DAL
Minnesota Vikings vs. Detroit Lions
- DET -8.5, O/U 48.5
- Minnesota Vikings vs. Detroit Lions Player Prop Bets via BettingPros
Vikings Players & Weekly Rankings
| J.J. McCarthy | QB | QB2 |
| Jordan Mason | RB | RB3 |
| Aaron Jones | RB | RB3 |
| Justin Jefferson | WR | WR1 |
| Jordan Addison | WR | WR3 |
| Adam Thielen | WR | WR5 |
| T.J. Hockenson | TE | TE2 |
Lions Players & Weekly Rankings
| Jared Goff | QB | QB1 |
| Jahmyr Gibbs | RB | RB1 |
| David Montgomery | RB | RB2 |
| Amon-Ra St. Brown | WR | WR1 |
| Jameson Williams | WR | WR2 |
| Kalif Raymond | WR | WR5 |
| Sam LaPorta | TE | TE1 |
Must-Start
These are no-brainer MUST starts.
Strong Starts
Here are players that should be in starting consideration for most fantasy teams.
Jared Goff has been playing amazing football, but it hasn’t translated into fantasy success as the QB17 in fantasy points per game. He has one QB1 weekly scoring outing on his 2025 resume. Among 45 qualifying passers, Goff ranks sixth in yards per attempt, fifth in passing touchdowns, and sixth in highly accurate throw rate and catchable target rate. Goff should rip the Minny pass defense apart. Since Week 4, Minnesota has allowed the highest yards per attempt and passer rating and the third-highest CPOE. During that stretch, they have also given up the highest completion percentage and highest passer rating to downfield passing. Minnesota blitzes at the highest rate in the NFL (42%). That won’t save them this week, though, as Goff also has the highest yards per attempt and the second-highest passer rating against the blitz.
David Montgomery is the RB24 in fantasy points per game, averaging 12.7 touches and 64.4 total yards. Among 59 qualifying backs, Montgomery ranks 20th in explosive run rate and ninth in yards after contact per attempt. Montgomery should have a successful day against a Minnesota run defense that, since Week 4, has allowed the 12th-highest rushing yards per game and explosive run rate and the third-highest success rate to zone runs (Montgomery 66.7% zone).
Fantasy Football Flex & Deep Plays to Consider
Let’s fill out those flex spots.
Jameson Williams has been quite volatile and disappointing this season, with two weeks as the WR12 in weekly scoring, but in his other five games this season, he has finished outside of the top 55 fantasy wide receivers. He has a 14.7% target share, a 36.9% air-yard share, 41.3 receiving yards per game (1.47 yards per route run), and a 14.8% first-read share. Minnesota has the highest two high rate in the NFL (69.4%). Against two high, Williams has only a 10% target per route run rate and 1.20 yards per route run, but his downfield role could save him this week, even if the volume isn’t amazing. Since Week 4, Minnesota has given up the highest completion percentage and highest passer rating to downfield passing. Williams leads the team with nine deep targets (the next closest receiving option has only two). Williams should have a strong day this week against a secondary that also since Week 4, has given up the most PPR points per target to perimeter wide receivers.
T.J. Hockenson has been a massive disappointment as the TE24 in fantasy points per game. He has only one game this season where he has finished as a TE1 (TE5). Hockenson has seven red zone targets and zero deep targets this season. He has a 16.4% target share with 31.7 receiving yards per game (1.13 yards per route run), and a 15.6% first-read share. He could flirt with TE1 production this week against a defense that has allowed the 13th-most receiving yards per game and the 11th-highest yards per reception to tight ends.
Concerning Starts & Players to Fade
Players in consideration for lineups, but temper your expectations this week.
In his two starts this season, J.J. McCarthy finished as the QB11 and QB33 in weekly scoring. His numbers are as bipolar as those two weekly finishes would have you believe. Among 45 qualifying passers, he also ranks 14th in yards per attempt and tenth in hero throw rate while simultaneously sitting at 42nd in highly accurate throw rate and 31st in catchable target rate. McCarthy has a tough road to walk this week. He faces off against a defense that, since Week 4, has the second-best pressure rate and has allowed the fewest yards per attempt, the second-lowest passer rating, and the third-lowest CPOE. Oh, and by the way, since Week 4, Minnesota has allowed the 13th-highest pressure rate. It’s a tough situation for McCarthy to get tossed into in his first game back under center. He’s a mid-range QB2.
Last week, Jordan Mason flopped in fantasy with only five touches and six total yards as he played only 34% of the snaps with a 16.7% route share and 3.2% target share. Mason was game-scripted out, and that’s likely to happen again this week with Aaron Jones back and operating as the team’s preferred passing-down back. Mason likely won’t find much room anyway when he’s asked to tote the rock behind an offensive line that, since Week 4, has the second-lowest adjusted yards before contact per attempt. Mason has been solid on a per-touch basis this season with a 4.5% explosive run rate and 17% missed tackle rate. This isn’t the week to flex him, though. Detroit has allowed the fourth-lowest rushing yards per game, explosive run rate, and missed tackle rate. Sit Mason.
Aaron Jones should lead the Minnesota backfield in snaps and usage this week, considering that Minnesota is likely playing from behind this week. Last week, in his return, Jones played 53.2% of the snaps with five of 11 running back rushing attempts, a 47.2% route share, and a 12.9% target share. Jones has a 6% missed tackle rate and only 2.17 yards after contact per attempt this season. Not great, Bob. Not great. Jones won’t get much done on the ground this week. Detroit has allowed the fourth-lowest rushing yards per game, explosive run rate, and missed tackle rate. He’s not likely to have much success through the air, either. The Lions have limited backs to the seventh-fewest receiving yards and the third-fewest yards per reception. Sit Jones this week.
Since his return, Jordan Addison has been the WR7 in fantasy points per game, with at least 11.6 PPR points in every game. He has an 18.8% target share with a 33.7% air-yard share, 77.3 receiving yards per game (2.09 yards per route run), and a 23.8% first-read share. In his four games played, Addison has seven red zone targets and six deep targets. This week, he faces a Detroit secondary that has utilized single high at the seventh-highest rate (56.9%). Against single high, Addison is fourth on the team with a 17% target per route run rate with 1.45 yards per route run. Addison is on shaky ground this week against a secondary that, since Week 4, has allowed the ninth-fewest PPR points per target to perimeter wide receivers.
BAL vs. MIA | CAR vs. GB | MIN vs. DET | CHI vs. CIN | DEN vs. HOU | SF vs. NYG | IND vs. PIT | LAC vs. TEN | ATL vs. NE | JAC vs. LV | NO vs. LAR | KC vs. BUF | SEA vs. WAS | ARI vs. DAL
Chicago Bears vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Bears Players & Weekly Rankings
| Caleb Williams | QB | QB1/2 |
| D’Andre Swift | RB | Out |
| Kyle Monangai | RB | RB2 |
| Rome Odunze | WR | WR1 |
| DJ Moore | WR | WR3/4 |
| Olamide Zaccheaus | WR | WR3/4 |
| Luther Burden | WR | Out |
| Cole Kmet | TE | TE2 |
| Colston Loveland | TE | TE2 |
Bengals Players & Weekly Rankings
| Joe Flacco | QB | QB1/2 |
| Chase Brown | RB | RB2 |
| Samaje Perine | RB | RB3 |
| Ja’Marr Chase | WR | WR1 |
| Tee Higgins | WR | WR2 |
| Andrei Iosivas | WR | WR4 |
| Noah Fant | TE | TE2 |
Must-Start
These are no-brainer MUST starts.
Strong Starts
Here are players that should be in starting consideration for most fantasy teams.
Caleb Williams has finished as the QB20 or lower in weekly scoring in three of his past four games. He’s the QB14 in fantasy points per game. During that stretch, he hasn’t managed more than 25 rushing yards in any game. Among 45 qualifying passers, Williams is one of the most inaccurate quarterbacks in the league, ranking 15th in yards per attempt, 39th in highly accurate throw rate, 41st in catchable target rate, and having the fifth-highest off-target rate. If the Bears don’t continue winning, don’t be surprised if we see Tyson Bagent this season. Cincy should act as a one-week cologne to cover Caleb Williams‘ smelly play on the football field. Since Week 4, the Bengals have allowed the third-highest yards per attempt, the fifth-most passing yards per game, the most passing touchdowns, and the second-highest success rate per dropback.
Joe Flacco is dealing with a shoulder injury. He had only one practice session this week (a limited practice on Thursday), but he sounds like he’ll suit up this week. During every interview I could find, he said that he felt good and had the candor of a player who’s gonna give it a go for Week 9. In two of his three starts with Cincy, he has been a QB1 in weekly fantasy scoring (QB6, QB7). Since Week 6, among 37 qualifying quarterbacks, Flacco ranks eighth in passing yards per game, seventh in highly accurate throw rate, 17th in catchable target rate, and 14th in passer rating. Flacco should flirt with QB1 production again this week. Since Week 4, Chicago has allowed the 12th-highest yards per attempt, the fifth-highest CPOE, and the seventh-highest success rate per dropback.
Since Week 6, Chase Brown has been the RB14 in fantasy points per game, averaging 13 touches and 84.6 total yards. He has had eight of 11 red zone rushing attempts with a 56.8% snapshare, a 44.3% route share, and a 7.1% target share. Among 60 qualifying backs, Brown ranks 16th in missed tackle rate and 13th in yards after contact per attempt. He should have another strong game this week against a Bears’ run defense that, since Week 4, has allowed the fourth-most rushing yards per game, the ninth-highest explosive run rate, the tenth-most yards before contact per attempt, and the 14th-highest success rate.
With D’Andre Swift out, Kyle Monangai should be the Bears’ workhorse back this week. Travis Homer is the only other healthy back on the depth chart, and I can’t see him significantly cutting into Monangai’s workload this week. Since Week 7, Kyle Monangai has averaged 45.5% of the snaps played with 11 touches and 59 total yards. Among 60 qualifying backs, he ranks 23rd in explosive run rate and 20th in missed tackle rate. Across the last two games, he has four of the 16 red zone rushing attempts for the backfield. Since Week 4, Cincy has allowed the most rushing yards per game, the eighth-highest explosive run rate, and the fifth-highest missed tackle rate. Monangai is a strong RB2 this week with RB1 upside. He should see 15-20 touches this week.
Last week was insanely frustrating if you had Tee Higgins on a fantasy roster. Early in the game, he takes one to the house for 44 yards, and then Joe Flacco proceeds to reward that big play with only one more target during the rest of the game. Thanks, Joe. That wasn’t the case in the two previous games, so I think Higgins’ volume bounces back this week. Since Week 6, he has had a 14.3% target share with a 32.2% air-yard share, 1.89 yards per route run (67.3 receiving yards per game), and a 20% first-read share. In those three games, he has two red zone targets and three deep targets. Since Week 6, Chicago has utilized single high at the third-highest rate in the NFL (70.1%). Since Week 6, against single high, Higgins has had a 20.7% target share with 2.64 yards per route run and a 23.9% first-read share. Across the last five games, Chicago has allowed the fewest schedule-adjusted fantasy points per game to perimeter wide receivers, but playing Higgins is a bet on talent and the coverage structure matchup. That’s a bet I’m willing to make.
Fantasy Football Flex & Deep Plays to Consider
Let’s fill out those flex spots.
Since Week 6, Samaje Perine has been the 1B in the Cincy backfield as the RB29 in fantasy points per game. He has averaged 8.3 touches and 54.3 touches with three of 11 red zone rushing attempts. During that stretch, he has had a 42.2% snap rate, a 32.1% route share, and a 3.2% target share. Perine has been insanely efficient with his rushing work ranking ninth in missed tackle rate and 12th in yards after contact per attempt. He should have another strong game this week against a Bears’ run defense that, since Week 4, has allowed the fourth-most rushing yards per game, the ninth-highest explosive run rate, the tenth-most yards before contact per attempt, and the 14th-highest success rate. Perine is a strong flex play this week.
DJ Moore is the WR46 in fantasy points per game with only two top-36 weekly finishes among wide receivers this season (WR29, WR31). Moore has a 15.9% target share with 47.3 receiving yards per game (1.58 yards per route run) and a 16.2% first-read share. Moore has four red zone targets and three deep targets. Moore is a decent flex play with a less-than-desirable matchup. Since Week 4, Cincy has held perimeter wide receivers to the 14th-fewest PPR points per target and the 13th-fewest receiving yards per game.
With Luther Burden out this week, Olamide Zaccheause should be a full-time player. This season, he has had a 56.7% route share (that should bump up this week) with a 15.9% target share, 26.4 receiving yards per game (1.28 yards per route run), and a 19% first-read share. Zaccheaus is tied for the team lead in red zone targets with Rome Odunze. This week, he faces a Bengals’ secondary that has utilized single high with 53.7% of their defensive snaps. Against single high, Zaccheaus is second on the team with a 24% target per route run rate while seeing his yards per route run increase marginally to 1.37. Zaccheaus is quietly a strong flex play this week against a secondary that has allowed the fifth-most PPR points per target and the seventh-most receiving yards per game to slot receivers.
Cole Kmet will be back this week. He could see his snaps and routes cut into more this week by Colston Loveland, but it’s also possible that he resumes his role as the leading tight end for the team, which would make him a deep streaming option this week. In Weeks 1-6, Kmet had a 63.4% route share, a 10.5% target share, 23.2 receiving yards per game (0.98 yards per route run), and an 8.9% first-read share. In those five games, Kmet had two red zone targets and three deep targets. Cincy has allowed the second-most receiving yards per game and the most schedule-adjusted fantasy points per game to tight ends.
Concerning Starts & Players to Fade
Players in consideration for lineups, but temper your expectations this week.
N/A
BAL vs. MIA | CAR vs. GB | MIN vs. DET | CHI vs. CIN | DEN vs. HOU | SF vs. NYG | IND vs. PIT | LAC vs. TEN | ATL vs. NE | JAC vs. LV | NO vs. LAR | KC vs. BUF | SEA vs. WAS | ARI vs. DAL
