Fantasy Football is all in regards to the matchups. Though you drafted your crew with sure hopes and intentions, your weekly lineup selections should not be decided by the order you picked your gamers in. You might want to verify who your gamers play and ensure you’ve acquired the suitable guys in — and the mistaken guys out.
We are able to take some educated guesses primarily based on coaches movie, significant knowledge, wholesome personnel, defensive schemes, monitor data, and key particulars of offenses. The issues we all know can assist us decrease the influence of the issues we do not know. This could result in higher selections being made.
We’ll undergo each recreation and spotlight the gamers who aren’t apparent begins and sits (since you do not should be advised to take a seat Elic Ayomanor). You must really feel extra comfy beginning or sitting gamers primarily based on the data given, and feeling comfy along with your Fantasy lineup earlier than the video games begin is the most effective feeling on this planet.
All strains from Caesars Sportsbook.
Miami’s offense ran easily and with tempo final week towards the Falcons — Tua Tagovailoa acquired the ball out rapidly and made plenty of good selections, the crew’s misdirection performs labored, and so they principally out-ran their opponent. Whereas the Ravens secondary has performed higher as their prime gamers have gotten again on the sphere, their go rush has been decimated to the purpose the place they uncharacteristically rank thirtieth in sack charge and twenty ninth in go rush strain charge on the season. Tagovailoa is noticeably extra environment friendly towards man-to-man protection, particularly relating to touchdowns (18.9% charge versus man, 2.2% versus zone), and when he has greater than two seconds to throw towards man protection, he is even higher (69% completion charge, 7.9 yards per try, six touchdowns on 29 makes an attempt). Tagovailoa’s two greatest video games of 2025 got here in video games the place he was pressured underneath 27% of his dropbacks; the Ravens have a 27.8% go rush strain charge or worse in every of their previous 4 video games. Tack on that the Ravens run protection is mostly higher with linebacker Roquan Smith on the sphere, and it could make sense for the Dolphins to attempt using Tagovailoa at the least as a lot as they did final week. Trusting him in Fantasy might be troublesome and doubtless pointless given the standard on the place, however at the least there ought to be optimism for Jaylen Waddle, De’Von Achane as a receiver, and possibly even Malik Washington as a short-area goal.
MUST-STARTS: Lamar Jackson, De’Von Achane, Derrick Henry
STARTS: Jaylen Waddle, Zay Flowers, Mark Andrews (borderline starter)
SITS: Tua Tagovailoa (sneaky sleeper), Malik Washington (desperation PPR WR), Tanner Conner, Ollie Gordon, Ravens DST, Dolphins DST
I’ve acquired some actual questions if Caleb Williams cannot put up an excellent recreation towards this lowly protection. Cincinnati is useless final in blitz charge for the season, third-worst in go rush strain charge, fourth-worst in sack charge, and so they’re coming off their worst go rush recreation of the 12 months once they acquired strain on simply 18.9% of the Jets’ dropbacks. They have not recorded a sack in two video games. Trey Hendrickson, if he performs, will not be at one hundred pc and hasn’t been for a lot of the 12 months. This is the issue: Williams is of course extra environment friendly when he isn’t pressured, however even when that occurs, he is nonetheless throwing catchable passes at an 87.4% charge, ninth-worst amongst qualifying quarterbacks. This has to be every week the place Williams would not frantically scramble each different play — he should keep cool within the pocket and ship. The Bengals have allowed at the least 22.9 Fantasy factors to 5 of the previous seven quarterbacks they’ve confronted, together with Justin Fields final week and Aaron Rodgers the week earlier than. Williams ought to be good for that complete, which makes him startable.
There is no query Chase Brown has seen his numbers enhance since Joe Flacco took over at quarterback, with final week’s 25.5 PPR factors his better of the 12 months. I would not anticipate a repeat efficiency towards a out of the blue improved Bears protection. Within the three video games since their bye, the Bears have held RBs to three.8 yards per rush, a 3.4% explosive rush charge (seventh greatest within the timespan), and have simply two missed tackles. Defensive sort out Gervon Dexter continues to play a giant position there, and the linebackers have been regular for essentially the most half. It is a more durable matchup for Brown and his offensive line, notably since there’s an opportunity Cincy finally ends up throwing quite a bit towards a depleted Bears secondary. Rely Brown as a No. 2 working again, not a No. 1.
MUST-STARTS: Ja’Marr Chase, D’Andre Swift, Rome Odunze
STARTS: Joe Flacco, Caleb Williams (low-end starter), Tee Higgins, Chase Brown
FLEX: D.J. Moore
SITS: Colston Loveland (high-end No. 2 TE), Kyle Monangai (desperation RB), Samaje Perine, Noah Fant, Andrei Iosivas, Bears DST, Bengals DST
There’s good cause to be anxious about each Vikings participant, together with each Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. The Lions have performed the sixth-highest man-to-man protection charge this 12 months (excluding rubbish time) and should achieve this so long as they’ve a giant lead. This man-heavy tendency additionally confirmed up of their two conferences towards Minnesota final 12 months, taking part in almost 50% of the protection in every recreation. To say McCarthy has struggled towards man-to-man over his 54 dropbacks is placing it mildly — all three of his interceptions got here towards man protection, no touchdowns have been thrown towards man protection, his completion charge is an unsightly 53.3% and his yards per try is fairly near how he does towards zone protection. Tack on a depleted Minnesota offensive line unable to guard him from the Lions’ robust go rush (40%-plus go rush strain charge in 4 of their previous 5), and this might be the worst type of on-the-job expertise McCarthy will face in his profession. Even with the Lions secondary lacking a number of starters, it is onerous to anticipate the type of manufacturing each Jefferson (17.3 PPR factors per recreation) and Addison (16 PPR factors per recreation) created over their previous 4 video games with Carson Wentz.
MUST-STARTS: Jahmyr Gibbs, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Justin Jefferson (No. 2 WR)
STARTS: Jared Goff, David Montgomery, Sam LaPorta, Lions DST
FLEX: Jordan Addison (low-end No. 2 PPR WR), Jameson Williams (low-end flex)
SITS: J.J. McCarthy, T.J. Hockenson (high-end No. 2 TE), Aaron Jones (desperation PPR RB), Jordan Mason, Jalen Nailor, Vikings DST
Earlier this week, Dave Canales advised the media that the crew would begin giving extra alternatives to Rico Dowdle. Why he wasn’t already doing that within the first place, since Week 7 is mystifying, particularly since Chuba Hubbard hadn’t proven anyplace close to the effectivity that Dowdle did of their previous two video games. Who is aware of if he’ll keep on with that, and even when he does, what would possibly that reimagined timeshare appear like? I might guess one thing like Week 5 when Dowdle performed 68% of the snaps and was not on the sphere for a lot of the Panthers’ third downs. After all, Dowdle took off in that recreation versus Miami and had 84% of the RB touches for over 230 complete yards. Inexperienced Bay’s a distinct story: They acquired knocked round for five.2 yards per rush final week at Pittsburgh, however just one run by the Steelers went longer than 14 yards (and solely two runs went longer than 9 yards). Tack on the projected recreation script of Inexperienced Bay taking part in with a lead, and there might be fewer alternatives than we might like for Dowdle. Begin him as a No. 2 working again, however remember that there is loads of draw back primarily based on the matchup in addition to whether or not or not Canales advised the reality to the media.
MUST-STARTS: Josh Jacobs, Tucker Kraft
STARTS: Jordan Love, Tetairoa McMillan, Rico Dowdle (No. 2 RB), Packers DST
FLEX: Romeo Doubs, Christian Watson
SITS: Bryce Younger, Jalen Coker and Matthew Golden (desperation WRs), Chuba Hubbard, Xavier Legette, Emanuel Wilson, Panthers DST
The Texans and Broncos are each within the prime 5 in factors allowed and yards allowed per recreation this season (Houston is first in each classes). That ought to set expectations for a low-scoring field-goal fest between these two stingy defenses. It is dangerous for each quarterbacks: Bo Nix will see a Texans protection that may get strain with out blitzing and play plenty of high quality zone protection behind it, and Nix is much less environment friendly towards zone protection and a large number when pressured (44.6% completion charge, 4.3 yards per go try, 3.1% TD charge, all dangerous). C.J. Stroud will cope with a extra aggressive Broncos protection which will compensate for the lack of shutdown cornerback Pat Surtain II with extra blitzing. Houston’s offensive line stays a large number that was exploited as lately as Week 7 at Seattle and will simply be the Texans’ downfall this week. I am unsure there’s one participant I would have excessive expectations for on this matchup, Courtland Sutton included.
STARTS: Nico Collins, Courtland Sutton (No. 2 WR), Woody Marks (low-end No. 2 PPR RB), JK Dobbins (low-end No. 2 RB), Broncos DST, Texans DST
FLEX: Troy Franklin
SITS: Bo Nix, C.J. Stroud, R.J. Harvey (desperation RB), Nick Chubb, Jaylin Noel, Xavier Hutchinson, Jayden Higgins, Evan Engram, Dalton Schultz
The Patriots have change into excellent towards the run, and cornerback Christian Gonzalez has carried out an actual good job eliminating opposing groups’ No. 1 receivers. However one spot the Pats have struggled with is tight ends. On the 12 months, six tight ends have scored at the least 11.3 PPR factors towards them, together with each Browns tight ends in Week 8. There have been 4 tight ends with at the least six targets towards New England, and all 4 exceeded 15 PPR factors. Pitts has been used with extra selection this 12 months and appears more healthy than he is been in years. He additionally has six-plus targets in 4 video games and 12-plus PPR factors in three of these 4. With Drake London anticipated to attract Gonzalez in protection, Pitts ought to be an element.
FRIDAY P.M. UPDATE: Henderson struck gold final week on edge runs towards the Browns, gaining 63 yards on 9 of them. It is essentially the most he is run to the perimeters in a recreation this season, and it could appear clever for the Patriots to maintain utilizing him that approach as an alternative of banging him between the tackles, the place he is averaged 2.9 yards this season. Terrell Jennings and probably a veteran like D’Ernest Johnson may choose up that position (left behind by Rhamondre Stevenson, who has been dominated out). What about passing downs? Henderson’s made some strides in go safety, albeit on restricted tries. He hasn’t had a foul go professional rep since Week 3 towards Patrick Queen and may have some alternatives to carry off Atlanta’s go rushers, although Johnson has expertise doing that and did precisely that for the Cardinals in Week 7. That might be a cut up snap state of affairs. Finally, Henderson ought to be capable of collect a dozen touches within the recreation versus a Falcons protection that is let up 4.4 yards per rush of their previous three (Payments, 49ers, Dolphins), however they have been fairly good in that timespan defending the sting and holding these excellent working backs to three.5 yards per rush. It would not be stunning if the annoying Patriots run recreation annoyingly used three backs like they did earlier within the season. That clearly limits Henderson’s ceiling.
MUST-STARTS: Bijan Robinson, Drake London (No. 2 WR if he performs)
STARTS: Drake Maye, Kyle Pitts, Patriots DST
FLEX: Kayshon Boutte, Stefon Diggs, TreVeyon Henderson
SITS: Michael Penix Jr., Darnell Mooney, Hunter Henry, Terrell Jennings, Tyler Allgeier, Falcons DST
Tyrone Tracy Jr. takes over for Cam Skattebo because the Giants’ major working again. He’ll run behind a serviceable offensive line and may have a sensible shot to take a lot of the 22 touches per recreation Skattebo had between Weeks 4 and seven. Tracy could even provide the Giants just a little bit extra receiving abilities than Skattebo, however any edge he has there, he loses when it comes to physicality by comparability to the rookie rusher. He’ll tackle a Niners run protection that took a step again final week (4.6 yards per rush with two explosive runs towards the Texans in Week 8), however they have been spectacular of their prior two video games with out Fred Warner in the course of the protection. I would cautiously begin Tracy as a volume-driven No. 2 working again, however this should not be a matchup he steamrolls over. If something, he would possibly make a dent within the passing recreation; Dart has focused working backs on 18.1% of his throws.
MUST-STARTS: Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle
STARTS: Jaxson Dart, Tyrone Tracy Jr. (No. 2 RB), 49ers DST (low-end starter)
FLEX: Wan’Dale Robinson (PPR), Jauan Jennings, Darius Slayton (non-PPR)
SITS: Mac Jones, Kendrick Bourne, Theo Johnson, Devin Singletary, Brian Robinson Jr., Giants DST
Aaron Rodgers has a number of passing touchdowns in three straight with at the least 20.8 Fantasy factors in every. He is began to carry the ball just a little bit longer and throw just a little extra downfield in these video games, a change from early within the season. The Colts sometimes play zone protection on early downs and extra man-to-man on third downs, and so they do not blitz a lot however do get loads of go rush strain anyway. This isn’t not like the matchup Rodgers had in Week 8 towards the Packers, and he was a lot comfy in it. The distinction is that the Colts run protection (4.0 yards per rush excluding rubbish time with a teeny-tiny 3.2% explosive rush charge allowed) is a more durable draw for the Pittsburgh run recreation. Between that and the Colts piling up the yardage once they’re on offense, there is a good probability Rodgers must throw an excellent quantity. In 4 of 5 video games with at the least 31 dropbacks he is been over 20 Fantasy factors. It is excellent news for him, for DK Metcalf, his working backs (he throws to them on 24.5% of his makes an attempt) and possibly even his tight ends (the Colts have let up at the least 9.3 half-PPR factors to a decent finish in three straight).
MUST-STARTS: Jonathan Taylor, Tyler Warren, Michael Pittman
STARTS: Daniel Jones, DK Metcalf, Jaylen Warren, Colts DST, Steelers DST (low-end starter)
FLEX: Josh Downs (PPR)
SITS: Aaron Rodgers (high-end No. 2 QB), Alec Pierce (desperation WR), Jonnu Smith, Kenneth Gainwell, Roman Wilson
Final week it was talked about how Ladd McConkey drew the next goal per route charge when Justin Herbert has been pressured this 12 months with Keenan Allen and Oronde Gadsden II simply behind him. When Herbert hasn’t been pressured, it has been Allen cleansing up with a excessive 32.9% goal per route run charge with McConkey (22.5%), Quentin Johnston (19.5%) and Gadsden (15.8%) trailing behind. Even for those who break it down over the Chargers previous three video games, Allen has the best charge, McConkey the second-highest and Gadsden flip-flopping with Johnston by a substantial margin. After all that is being introduced up as a result of the Titans have been bottom-four in blitz charge and bottom-10 in go rush strain charge for the season. They might be with out All-Professional defensive sort out Jeffery Simmons, and so they traded away cornerback Roger McCreary to the Rams. Tack on the Chargers offensive line lastly coming into a recreation with some consistency and it ought to be a discipline day for all the Bolts, Allen included.
MUST-STARTS: Ladd McConkey
STARTS: Justin Herbert, Kimani Vidal, Oronde Gadsden II, Keenan Allen (No. 2 WR), Chargers DST
FLEX: Quentin Johnston, Tyjae Spears (PPR)
SITS: Cam Ward, Tony Pollard (desperation RB), Chimere Dike (sneaky sleeper), Chig Okonkwo, Elic Ayomanor, Titans DST
Tyler Shough was one of many extra mature quarterback prospects within the 2025 draft when it comes to footwork and throwing mechanics. And age — he is 26. And whereas Shough demonstrated the power to face and ship in soiled pockets in faculty in addition to throw the deep fade precisely, he did not fairly have the arm power that separates the stable quarterbacks from the great quarterbacks. Shough will try and information the Saints offense towards a robust Rams go protection that humbled the Jaguars two weeks in the past and added slot cornerback Roger McCreary from the Titans since. It is a robust spot not just for him however for receivers like Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed, each of whom determine to lose just a little upside with the quarterback shift.
MUST STARTS: Puka Nacua, Davante Adams, Kyren Williams
STARTS: Matthew Stafford, Chris Olave, Alvin Kamara (No. 2 RB), Rams DST
SITS: Tyler Shough, Blake Corum (desperation RB), Rashid Shaheed (desperation WR), Juwan Johnson (high-end No. 2 TE), Tyler Higbee, Taysom Hill, Devin Neal, Saints DST
When Week 7 ended, Travis Hunter had a career-high 14 targets, eight catches and 101 yards with a landing. Nonetheless, all the manufacturing got here within the second half of a blowout loss to the Rams. Jaguars coach Liam Coen mentioned after that recreation that he deliberate all alongside to contain Hunter extra on offense however did not get the possibility to till the second half. Then this week Coen talked about that Hunter and Trevor Lawrence are constructing their connection and that the Jaguars want that. As a result of most of Hunter’s targets have not been downfield, he and Lawrence may probably get right into a rhythm early to assist the Jaguars maintain drives within the first half. Hunter additionally hasn’t made as many errors as Brian Thomas Jr. has. It is most likely for the most effective to view each Hunter and Thomas as borderline No. 2/No. 3 Fantasy receivers, however it would not be stunning if Hunter earned extra alternatives coming off of their final recreation. Seven receivers have scored at the least 14.4 PPR factors in seven Raiders video games this season with solely the Titans not fielding at the least one.
STARTS: Brock Bowers, Ashton Jeanty, Travis Etienne, Travis Hunter, Jaguars DST
FLEX: Brian Thomas Jr. (high-end No. 3 WR)
SITS: Trevor Lawrence (high-end No. 2 QB), Geno Smith, Tre Tucker, Jakobi Meyers, Bhayshul Tuten, Jack Bech, Raheem Mostert, Raiders DST
Kareem Hunt has some fairly good timing. With Isiah Pacheco anticipated to overlook Week 9, Elijah Mitchell’s contemporary legs are usually not anticipated to make a significant influence, and rookie Brashard Smith remains to be not taking part in a big portion of the Chiefs’ snaps. Hunt is in line to guide the Chiefs run recreation. Within the Payments’ previous 4, they’ve given up 5.1 yards per carry and a 12.2% explosive run charge. Additionally they misplaced massive defensive sort out Ed Oliver to a biceps damage final week. There is no doubt that Hunt is not an explosive working again, however he is trusted by the teaching workers to already deal with passing downs and short-yardage. Including on a few of what would in any other case be Pacheco’s carries, just like the 14 makes an attempt he had in eight video games with out Pacheco final 12 months, appears cheap. True, Hunt’s worst recreation was a catchless 14-60-0 dashing line at Buffalo in Week 11 final 12 months, however in his different seven video games, he had at the least 10 PPR (and eight.5 non-PPR) factors in every. His coach additionally mentioned this week he is in higher form now than he was in 2024. There is a fairly secure ground for a TD-needy working again in a high-scoring recreation, sufficient to name him a borderline No. 2 working again.
The Chiefs are identified for being a man-to-man protection crew, however they’ve a fairly good monitor document of taking part in zone protection towards Josh Allen, actually solely reverting to man protection once they’re behind or on some third downs. The Chiefs additionally have not blitzed quite a bit towards Allen via the years, once more solely resorting to that once they’re trailing and attempt to drive a turnover. So if the Payments are to anticipate extra zone protection and fewer blitzing, then Allen ought to discover Khalil Shakir and Dalton Kincaid essentially the most. On the 12 months, Shakir has the best goal per route run charge (27.4%) with Kincaid second-best (23.1%) amongst major Payments go catchers towards zone, and Shakir has a excessive charge within the situations Allen is pressured as effectively (23.1%). The purpose is that I would anticipate Shakir and Kincaid to be major retailers for Allen and probably ship stable numbers as a part of the annual high-scoring shootout.
MUST-STARTS: Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, James Prepare dinner, Rashee Rice
STARTS: Kareem Hunt (low-end No. 2 RB), Dalton Kincaid, Travis Kelce
FLEX: Khalil Shakir, Xavier Worthy
SITS: Keon Coleman, Marquise Brown, Brashard Smith (desperation PPR RB), Elijah Moore, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Ty Johnson, Ray Davis, Elijah Mitchell, Chiefs DST, Payments DST
Jayden Daniels returns to one of many hardest matchups he may have. Seattle’s zone-heavy protection has held all however two quarterbacks to twenty.8 Fantasy factors or much less. The 2 who exceeded? Baker Mayfield on crazy-good effectivity in Week 5 and Trevor Lawrence on much less effectivity however 42 go makes an attempt in Week 6. Daniels has blended outcomes towards zone protection each this season and in his profession, with the pattern being that he would not take as many downfield pictures towards it. He additionally has only a 2.2% TD charge towards zone this season and 1.4% for his 22-game profession. The numbers solely worsen when he is pressured — he has one profession passing landing towards zone when the warmth’s on. This is the intense facet: Daniels has 22-plus Fantasy factors in 14 of 17 profession video games when he is dropped again at the least 35 occasions. Given the state of the Commanders run recreation, particularly versus a run protection holding opponents to 2.9 yards per rush this season, it is a secure guess that Daniels will do plenty of heavy lifting. Even in a tricky matchup, he ought to ship at the least respectable numbers.
MUST-STARTS: Jaxon Smith-Njigba
STARTS: Jayden Daniels, Kenneth Walker III (low-end No. 2 RB), Zach Ertz, Seahawks DST
FLEX: Zach Charbonnet, Jacory Croskey-Merritt (non-PPR)
SITS: Sam Darnold (high-end No. 2 QB), Jeremy McNichols (desperation PPR RB), Cooper Kupp, Chris Moore, Luke McCaffrey, Jaylin Lane, Tory Horton, Commanders DST
There is no concern in regards to the matchup itself for Arizona, however whether or not or not its offense can sustain with Dallas on the scoreboard is. Kyler Murray has one recreation with greater than 20.1 Fantasy factors this 12 months (22.3 in Week 1) and has been gun-shy in comparison with backup Jacoby Brissett, who averaged an 8.8-yard common depth of throw and 5.0% TD charge in his two begins in comparison with Murray’s 5.8-yard common depth and three.7% TD charge. Coming off damage and out of the bye could have given Murray the time wanted to replicate on his season and what he can do to be extra explosive. And the favorable matchup he’ll face — seven QBs have at the least 24 Fantasy factors towards Dallas this 12 months, 5 have 29-plus — may give him the platform to succeed in enormous numbers, particularly if he is chasing factors. One final issue: There is no doubt Murray circled this recreation on his calendar as he is from the Dallas space and has by no means misplaced in 9 video games at AT&T Stadium as a professional, collegiate, or highschool athlete. Possibly it motivates him just a little extra to point out out.
After all, the Cardinals’ greatest path to successful would possibly simply be to run the ball. The Cowboys have been a sieve all 12 months towards the run, however of their previous 5 video games, they’ve let up 5.7 yards per rush to working backs with a 15.5% explosive charge allowed. Final week, the Broncos gained 12-plus yards on a fourth of their RB runs! Zonovan Knight figures to be the Cardinals’ major rusher, and whereas he would not have a monitor document of being explosive, he can at the least be serviceable on this unbelievable matchup. Leaning on the run, notably with Kyler Murray subsequent to him, would give Arizona an opportunity at shortening the sport and preserving Dallas from possessing the ball. It is quite a bit to ask of Knight, and if the Cardinals fall behind early, he may lose out on taking part in time since he isn’t on the sphere a lot in passing conditions. There have been solely two video games this season when a RB did not have at the least 11.9 non-PPR factors towards the Cowboys. Pencil Knight in for about that a lot.
MUST-STARTS: CeeDee Lamb, Javonte Williams, Trey McBride
STARTS: Dak Prescott, Jake Ferguson, George Pickens (No. 2 WR), Zonovan Knight (No. 2 RB), Marvin Harrison Jr.
SITS: Kyler Murray (borderline starter), Michael Wilson, Greg Dortch, Jalen Tolbert, KaVontae Turpin, Jaydon Blue, Cowboys DST, Cardinals DST
