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Quarterback
Start of the Week: Dak Prescott (v ARI)
Prescott was more of a low-end QB1 last week in Denver, but rankings seem to have kept him there for this week despite a much better matchup at home—where Dak has gone for point totals of 22.14, 30.96, and 23.26 so far this season. Although the Cardinals have played solid pass defense, I’m not sure their cornerbacks will be able to stick CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, and Prescott will be more comfortable than he was versus Denver with Arizona having just 12 sacks in seven games. Make sure Prescott is in lineups as a top-five option.
Start: Caleb Williams (@ CIN)
Williams couldn’t take advantage of an attackable Baltimore secondary last week, but the defense got healthier and was coming off a bye week—so it might have been a better on-paper matchup than anything else. I imagine the Bears will have much more success through the air this week with the Bengals allowing the third-most passing yards per game (256.0) and second-most passing touchdowns (19) this season, so if Williams plays better, he can bounce back as a low-end QB1 with upside.
Start: Kyler Murray (@ DAL)
The only team that has allowed more passing touchdowns this year than the Bengals is the Cowboys—and they also allow the most fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks (24.9). Murray is expected to be ready to roll after three weeks off with a foot injury (including a bye), and dual-threat quarterbacks Jalen Hurts (24.28 fantasy points), Russell Wilson (30.0), Caleb Williams (29.12), Justin Fields (25.92), and Bo Nix (23.68) have all stung Dallas in 2025. There always seems to be risk with Murray, but his upside puts him in the QB1 ranks.
Start: Aaron Rodgers (v IND)
A couple of missed opportunities preventing Rodgers from having a huge night versus his former team last week, but he still had multiple touchdown passes for the fifth time in seven games—and the offense has opened up since the bye with 33.3 pass attempts per game (compared to 27.0 prior to the bye). Based on how the Indy offense has dominated and the Pittsburgh defense has fallen off, Rodgers will likely need to put up points this weekend, so I like him as a borderline QB1/QB2; a lot of it has to do with opponents playing from behind, but the Colts have allowed the fourth-most passing yards per game this season (252.0).
Sit of the Week: C.J. Stroud (v DEN)
There was a bump in the road versus Seattle a couple of weeks ago, but Stroud has been much better over the past month by completing over 76.0% of his passes with multiple touchdowns in each of the three other games since Week 4. However, the Broncos—even without Pat Surtain II (pectoral)—are a very stingy pass defense, and I’d be concerned about the offensive line being unable to hold up versus the league’s best pass rush. Stroud is more of a low-end QB2 on Sunday.
Sit: Jared Goff (v MIN)
Goff is mainly listed here because the position doesn’t have many players to avoid this week, and he could easily go off following a bye for Detroit as they try to bury Minnesota in the NFC North. We are still waiting for the passing attack to explode, though, as Goff has only thrown for 214.4 yards per game since the five-touchdown performance against the Bears in Week 2. We still have him in the top 15 at quarterback, but if you have alternatives, this could be a week to keep Goff on the bench.
Sit: J.J. McCarthy (@ DET)
On the other side of Vikings-Lions, McCarthy (ankle) is set to return following a five-game absence, and the high-end weaponry for Minnesota probably isn’t enough to feel confident about him. Again, Detroit is coming off a bye, so the ferocious defense could be a problem for McCarthy—who was sacked six times in his last game and will be behind a banged-up offensive line this week. If the Lions cover like they did last time out in the win over Tampa Bay, it could be a long day for the second-year passer.
Sit: Jordan Love (v CAR)
Love’s confidence should be at an all-time high after beating Aaron Rodgers on a night where he completed 20 passes in a row, but inconsistency has been a stable for him. Just this year, the 337-yard, three-touchdown performance in a tie versus Dallas was followed by two quiet outings with 219.0 passing yards per game as a 2:1 touchdown-interception ratio, and Carolina has been stout on the backend by rankings in the top 10 in passing yards per game (198.4) and passing touchdowns (11) allowed. I’d view Love as a QB2 in a week with plenty of quality options.
Running Back
Start of the Week: Kenneth Walker III (@ WAS)
Walker owners have been frustrated with him at times this year, but he saw 17 carries in the win over Houston prior to the bye—and he’ll now face a Washington defense that might not have the speed to match him on runs to the perimeter. A couple of years ago in his only career matchup versus the Commanders, Walker turned 20 touches into 127 total yards and a touchdown, so we’ll see if the big-play ability is shown on Sunday night. I like Walker as a borderline RB1/RB2.
Start: Kimani Vidal (@ TEN)
Vidal was limited to nine carries for 20 yards two weeks ago, but he went off in the other two games as the starter (21 touches for 138 yards and a touchdown in Week 6; 24 touches for 127 yards and a touchdown in Week 8). This week, Jim Harbaugh said Vidal is “playing like a No. 1 running back in the NFL,” so fantasy owners should be able to comfortably keep him in lineups versus a Tennessee defense that was just shredded by Jonathan Taylor and has allowed a league-high 14 rushing touchdowns this year.
Start: Bam Knight (@ DAL)
Dallas has been run on all season, and Knight will get a crack at them on Monday night as the lead runner for an Arizona offense that involves the backfield on a weekly basis. Including last week when J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey went off, the Cowboys have allowed 33.6+ fantasy points in three of their past five games, and Knight drew 17 touches in a start prior to the bye. If available, the 24-year-old can be added and started as a top-24 option at running back.
Start: Kyle Monangai (@ CIN)
Monangai might not be as involved in weeks where Chicago doesn’t play from ahead, which limits his overall upside in a backfield with D’Andre Swift. Still, the Bengals are another team that was run all over last week as Breece Hall (147 total yards) and Isaiah Davis (109 total yards) both averaged 7.4+ yards per carry, so there should be room for Monangai to have FLEX appeal for Week 9. It was just two games ago that the rookie rushed 13 times for 81 yards and a touchdown, and Cincinnati could provide a matchup where he can thrive again.
Sit of the Week: Travis Etienne Jr. (@ LV)
The Jaguars would be wise to feature Etienne in the second half of the season after it’s what worked best when they started 4-1—and I think he’s a prime buy-low target who could have huge dividends down the stretch. Unfortunately for those relying on him this week, Etienne gets a tough draw with the Raiders mostly showing well versus the run (4.0 yards per carry allowed), and next week in Houston will be a difficult matchup as well. If nothing else, Etienne remains a low-end RB2 and could be more attainable in a trade for those looking ahead.
Sit: Jacory Croskey-Merritt (v SEA)
I’m guessing the Commanders will get Jayden Daniels (hamstring) back on Sunday night, but Croskey-Merritt has cooled off since his 150-yard, two-touchdown breakout to begin October—averaging 39.7 rushing yards per game and 3.1 yards per carry over the past three games. Frankly, I don’t think Washington has run the ball enough during their struggles, and suddenly deciding to feed JCM might not happen versus a Seattle defense that’s allowing the fewest rushing yards per game (75.7) and yards per carry (3.3) in the league. Consider the rookie a low-end RB2/FLEX option.
Sit: Jordan Mason (@ DET)
Minnesota falling behind last week in Los Angeles led to just four carries (for three yards) for Mason, and like the aforementioned Croskey-Merritt, things might not get better this week versus a top-five run defense for the Lions. More than four carries should be expected with Kevin O’Connell not wanting to put too much pressure on J.J. McCarthy, but Aaron Jones Sr. being back was another factor last week, so you’re probably banking on a touchdown for Mason to pay off as a FLEX based on the matchup.
Sit: Alvin Kamara (@ LAR)
Kamara started the season well with 12.7 fantasy points and 13.0 fantasy points across his first two games, but he’s been held to single-digit point totals in five-of-six outings since—including a combined 9.9 fantasy points over the past two weeks. Now down to the overall RB29 on the season, Kamara might not catch fire this week versus a rested Los Angeles defense that is allowing the second-fewest fantasy points per game to opposing runners (13.7). I’d look elsewhere if you can.
Wide Receiver
Start of the Week: Brian Thomas Jr. (@ LV)
A shoulder injury for Thomas suffered in London before the bye is a wild card, as it would seem to be something that could pop up during a game if not healed—which would add obvious risk. That said, the Raiders don’t have anyone at cornerback who can match Thomas, and I expect Jacksonville spent the bye week finding ways to get their star receiver more involved. With Las Vegas allowing the third-most fantasy points per game to enemy wideouts (32.2), Thomas is optimistically ranked as our WR11 for this week.
Start: Romeo Doubs (v CAR)
Green Bay got healthier last week with Christian Watson making his season debut, but there is no doubt that Doubs is the top wide receiver for them—and his playing time clearly paced the position at 79.7% snaps played. While the Panthers could be a difficult matchup with a trio of good cornerbacks led by Jaycee Horn, the role in scoring territory and ability to beat anyone in press coverage still makes Doubs a low-end WR2/FLEX option on Sunday (and most weeks moving forward).
Start: Keon Coleman (v KC)
Coleman was inactive in the first game versus the Chiefs last year and limited to one reception in the playoff loss—so this is somewhat of a gut feeling ahead of what could be a high-scoring game based on recent history between Buffalo and Kansas City. Last week, we saw Terry McLaurin make a couple of contested catches versus the Chiefs along the boundary, and I could see Josh Allen leaning more on Coleman if given single coverage. The second-year wideout is a nice buy-low option and an upside FLEX this weekend.
Start: Olamide Zaccheaus (@ CIN)
Luther Burden III (concussion) will likely be out this week, so Zaccheaus—who caught all seven of his targets for 33 yards last week—brings a decent floor and could have an increased ceiling as the clear No. 3 wide receiver. Of course, facing the Bengals will help the odds of hitting as a plug-and-play option considering their struggles in coverage, and Ben Johnson notably grouped “OZ” in with DJ Moore and others (basically everyone on offense) that he’d like to get more targets.
Others: Jauan Jennings (@ NYG), Tre Tucker (v JAX)
Sit of the Week: Deebo Samuel Sr. (v SEA)
Samuel was looking like a legitimate upside WR2 with fantasy-point totals of 19.1, 13.9, 17.1, and 19.6 in four of his first five games—but he’s seemed to lose his explosiveness with the heel injury hampering him (and leading to a missed game in Week 7). Maybe the potential return of Jayden Daniels will elevate Samuel and the offense, but Marcus Mariota played very well under center, and Seattle will be a physical defense that should be able to tackle in the open field. We have Deebo down to the borderline top-36 range at wide receiver.
Sit: Jameson Williams (v MIN)
Williams can hit in any matchup based on his big-play ability to strike on a deep ball at any moment, but the Vikings have limited him throughout his career with lines of 1/41/1, 5/43, 1/-4, and 6/34. So, basically it’s been quiet for Williams outside the 41-yard touchdown in the first career meeting, and the hope for those forced to play him would be the hot-and-cold Vikings deciding to leave Jamo in single coverage if they stay the box. If that’s the case, Goff will still need to be on the same page as Williams to connect.
Sit: Keenan Allen (@ TEN)
Allen having a 17-game pace of 102 receptions for 1,018 yards and 8.5 touchdowns in his return to Los Angeles hasn’t gotten much attention—but there is reason to be concerned about him falling off with just 24.7% of the snaps played last Thursday night. Some of that had to do with the game being a blowout (and perhaps scaling back the veteran’s snaps on a short week), but Oronde Gadsden II emerging at tight end could limit Allen’s appeal—especially in spots like this Sunday where the Chargers should play from ahead.
Sit: Justin Jefferson (@ DET)
There is no doubt that Jefferson will be in virtually every lineup this week, and we still have him as a definite WR1/WR2 play. However, expectations might need to be tempered despite overwhelming career success versus the Lions (120.8 receiving yards per game); if we focus on last year, Detroit putting feisty cornerback Amik Robertson on Jefferson in the season finale led to a frustrating night (three receptions for 54 yards on nine targets), and the chemistry with J.J. McCarthy is clearly a work in progress.
Others: Darnell Mooney (@ NE), Xavier Legette (@ GB)
Tight End
Start: of the Week: Kyle Pitts Sr. (@ NE)
Michael Penix Jr. (knee) should be back this week for Atlanta, but either way, Pitts is a key part of the offense with at least four receptions and 37 receiving yards in all but one game—including a career-high nine receptions last week with Kirk Cousins under center. The Patriots allowed both David Njoku (4/37/1) and Harold Fannin Jr. (6/62/1) to thrive last week, and I don’t think their linebackers will be able to stick with Pitts if the Falcons are more aggressive with his usage. We like the former No. 4 overall pick as a top-eight option at tight end.
Start: Isaiah Likely (@ MIA)
Fantasy owners will ideally see Likely break out with a big game before feeling confident about him in lineups, but Lamar Jackson (hamstring) being back in the lineup on Thursday night could be a spot where he emerges. The last TNF game for Miami saw them struggle to contain Dalton Kincaid (5/66/1), and Ravens-Dolphins being more of a track meet can lead to a big night for Likely—who played over 80.0% of the offensive snaps two games ago.
Start: Noah Fant (v CHI)
Joe Flacco (shoulder) being out would downgrade Fant’s outlook, but Chicago has continued to struggle defending the middle of the field, particularly versus tight ends. Since the bye, the Bears have allowed point totals of 13.3, 12.2, and 14.2 to the position, and Fant has gone for solid lines of 4/27, 4/44, and 3/41 in three games with Flacco under center for the Bengals.
Sit of the Week: T.J. Hockenson (@ DET)
As expected, Carson Wentz was a boost for Hockenson based on his history of targeting tight ends at a high level, but J.J. McCarthy will be back under center this week—which resulted in a combined four receptions for 27 scoreless yards in two games to begin the season. After being limited to two receptions (on eight targets) for nine yards in the lone 2024 matchup versus Detroit, Hockenson falls outside the top 15.
Sit: Theo Johnson (v SF)
A lack of options at wide receiver for the Giants has led to opportunities for Johnson, and he’s caught three touchdowns in five games with Jaxson Dart as the starter. Drops have been an issue, though, and the 49ers have been tougher versus opposing tight ends after a slow start—perhaps due to an increased role for Ji’Ayir Brown and the return of Malik Mustapha. With San Francisco allowing zero touchdowns to the position in October, Johnson has less of a chance to hit on Sunday.
Sit: Travis Kelce (@ BUF)
Similar to Justin Jefferson, benching Kelce almost certainly isn’t even a thought, and the presence of Rashee Rice could roll coverage away from him between the numbers. The concern is that Buffalo did a great job limiting Kelce last season (eight yards in the regular season and 19 yards in the playoff rematch), and Sean McDermott’s defense is allowing the second-fewest fantasy points per game to the position (4.4). I’d at least avoid Kelce in DFS lineups with plenty of promising options this week at tight end.