November 1, 2025
Rico Dowdle is a risky option in Week 9 against the Green Bay Packers, but with four teams on a bye, you may not have a viable alternative. The Packers' run defense has allowed 16.73 fantasy points per game to RBs this season, ranking third-best in the league. Dowdle was in a timeshare with
Chuba Hubbard through the last two weeks, with Hubbard getting the majority of snaps. Head coach Dave Canales said that Dowdle will be the starter and will get the bulk of the touches this week over Hubbard. While Hubbard will be a part of the Carolina running game this week, Dowdle outperformed him at 5.7 yards per carry to Hubbard's 2.5 over the last two weeks, despite having the lower snap count. The matchup against Green Bay is not favorable, but with Dowdle expected to see the majority of snaps, he is a fantasy RB2 for Week 9. The potential volume signals that he should be kept in lineups.
--Sean Engel - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
November 1, 2025
Chuba Hubbard may not be worth consideration for fantasy lineups in Week 9 against the Packers, unless you are in a desperate situation. Since returning in Week 7 from a calf injury, Hubbard has totaled just 65 rushing yards and 8.5 PPR fantasy points. During that span, the running game workload was split between Hubbard and
Rico Dowdle, and Hubbard took the most snaps (57%). Dowdle was the more efficient runner, though, outrushing Hubbard 133 to 65 yards. Earlier in the week, head coach Dave Canales said that Dowdle would be the team's starting RB in Week 9 and get the bulk of carries. Although Hubbard will contribute to the running game, his reduction in touches severely lowers his fantasy outlook, especially against a Packers run defense that allowed 13.9 points to RBs in the last two weeks, which was fifth-best in the league during that period. For now, Hubbard should be left on the bench for Week 9 against Green Bay. Be sure to monitor any trade rumors involving him heading up to the trade deadline. A move to another team could instantly revive his fantasy appeal, so don't cut Hubbard yet.
--Sean Engel - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
November 1, 2025
Bryce Young is back after missing Week 8 due to an ankle injury, but he goes against the Green Bay Packers in his return. Green Bay is on a three-game winning streak and has not allowed more than 23 points in two of those wins. Over the past two weeks, the Packers defense registered nine sacks. This season, Young has averaged 13.9 fantasy points per game but registered fewer than that in four of his last five outings. In seven games played this season. Young has finished as a top 10 fantasy QB once. If the Panthers play from behind, Young can be a productive passer, as 876 of his 1,288 total pass yards this year were recorded while trailing. Young is best suited as a low-end QB2 for Superflex formats.
--Sean Engel - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
November 1, 2025
The Detroit Lions defense had arguably its most impressive performance of the season in a Week 7 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the team's final game before its Week 8 bye. Working with a shorthanded secondary, Detroit allowed just nine points to Tampa Bay, forcing two turnovers and recording four sacks along the way. The Lions will host their division rival, the Minnesota Vikings, in Week 9. Minnesota's offense has been a bottom-ten unit in terms of both passing and rushing yardage so far this season. However, the Vikings will get
J.J. McCarthy (ankle) back under center this week for his first start since suffering an ankle injury in Week 2. Across two games played, McCarthy has thrown for 301 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions while taking nine sacks. On paper, the Lions' defense should have an opportunity to wreak some havoc against the inexperienced quarterback. Detroit will also get safety Brian Branch back from suspension and cornerback Terrion Arnold (shoulder) back from a shoulder injury. In Week 9 against Minnesota, the Lions D/ST profiles as a must-start unit for fantasy managers.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
November 1, 2025
Through seven games so far in 2025, Detroit Lions kicker
Jake Bates has made an uninspiring eight out of 11 field goal attempts. However, Bates leads the NFL in both extra-point attempts (27) and makes (27). The Lions are currently averaging over 30 points scored per game, which has given Bates a relatively safe fantasy floor. In Week 9, Detroit will host the Minnesota Vikings. Playing inside the domed Ford Field, Bates will not have to deal with any potential weather concerns. In 12 career games at Ford Field, Bates has scored an average of 8.67 points per contest. He profiles as a must-start fantasy kicker in Week 9 against Minnesota.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
November 1, 2025
Through seven games so far in 2025, Detroit Lions wide receiver
Kalif Raymond has hauled in nine catches for 64 yards on 12 targets. The 31-year-old recorded a season-high three catches in Detroit's final game before its Week 8 bye, but has yet to crack 20 receiving yards in a game this season. Raymond still profiles as the Lions' WR3 ahead of rookie wideout
Isaac TeSlaa, as Raymond out-snapped TeSlaa 30 to nine in Week 7. However, that role has not led to consistent fantasy production, which appears unlikely to change in the second half of the season. Detroit has a tough matchup in Week 9 against the Minnesota Vikings. Through eight weeks, Minnesota has allowed the fourth-fewest passing yards (1,428) in the NFL. Raymond should remain off the radar of fantasy managers heading into Week 9.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
October 31, 2025
Across the first seven games of his NFL career, Detroit Lions rookie wide receiver
Isaac TeSlaa recorded three catches for 54 yards and two touchdowns. The 23-year-old has flashed contested-catch brilliance, but has been unable to be consistently productive on a week-to-week basis. TeSlaa may see a larger role in Detroit's offense post bye week. However, in his final game before the team's Week 8 bye, TeSlaa played just 13% of Detroit's offensive snaps, his lowest playing time share since Week 1. The Lions have a difficult matchup in Week 9 against the division rival Minnesota Vikings, who have allowed the fourth-fewest passing yards (1,428) in the NFL through eight weeks. TeSlaa should remain off the radar of fantasy managers in Week 9.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
October 31, 2025
Detroit Lions wide receiver
Jameson Williams has been one of the more disappointing players in fantasy so far this season, recording 17 catches for 289 yards and two touchdowns on 30 targets across seven games. In his final outing before Detroit's Week 8 bye, the 24-year-old was held without a catch on two targets by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Coming out of the bye week, Lions offensive coordinator John Morton told reporters he's looking to get Williams more involved in the team's offense. That may be difficult to do in Week 9 against the Minnesota Vikings, who have allowed the fourth-fewest passing yards (1,428) in the NFL through eight weeks. Williams was held in check by Minnesota across two games in 2024, recording seven catches for 30 yards on nine targets. He profiles as a low-end, boom/bust WR3/flex option for fantasy managers in Week 9.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
October 31, 2025
Washington Commanders tight end
Zach Ertz has seen six or more targets in three straight games since his no-catch performance in Week 5 against the Chargers. The veteran tight end continues to be a reliable threat in the red zone, leading the team with four receiving touchdowns. The 34-year-old will be happy to have second-year quarterback
Jayden Daniels back as the starter, who he has been more productive with compared to backup
Marcus Mariota. Ertz has uncharacteristically had multiple costly drops this season. The veteran has already totaled five drops in only eight games this season, more than he had all of last year and one off of his career high of six back in 2021. Ertz will likely see a solid target share with top wideout
Terry McLaurin (quadriceps) out, and it's a decent matchup against a Seattle defense that has allowed 47 receptions to opposing tight ends, tied for seventh most. Ertz is ranked as RotoBaller's TE13 in PPR formats for Sunday Night Football.
--Kyle McCarthySource: RotoBaller
October 31, 2025
Through his first seven games of 2025, Detroit Lions tight end
Sam LaPorta has recorded 29 catches for 339 yards and two touchdowns on 36 targets. Although LaPorta ranks second on the Lions in targets, he's been less consistent than fantasy managers would ideally like. The 24-year-old has failed to crack 40 receiving yards in four out of seven contests. LaPorta is facing a Minnesota Vikings defense in Week 9 that has allowed the fourth-fewest passing yards (1,428) in the NFL so far this season. Across two games against Minnesota in 2025, LaPorta recorded eight catches for 88 yards and zero touchdowns on nine targets. This could be a matchup where fantasy managers would be wise to temper their expectations for LaPorta. He profiles as a low-end starting tight end option in Week 9 against the Vikings.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
October 31, 2025
Across seven games so far this season, Detroit Lions wide receiver
Amon-Ra St. Brown has recorded 50 catches for 538 yards and seven touchdowns on 61 targets. The 26-year-old has seen at least six targets in every game he's played, and he earned double-digit targets in each of Detroit's last two games before its Week 8 bye. St. Brown and the Lions will host the division rival Minnesota Vikings in Week 9. The Vikings have been a stingy pass defense, allowing the fourth-fewest passing yards (1,428) in the NFL. Across two games against Minnesota in 2024, St. Brown looked like his usual self by recording 14 catches for 189 yards and a touchdown on 15 targets. He's a good bet to see 8-10 targets in his first matchup of 2025 against the Vikings and profiles as a must-start fantasy wide receiver in Week 9.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
October 31, 2025
Detroit Lions running back
David Montgomery has recorded 451 scrimmage yards and four touchdowns on 89 touches through his first seven games of 2025. However, Montgomery was trending downwards before Detroit's Week 8 bye. In four games across Weeks 4 through 7, the 28-year-old logged 122 rushing yards and one touchdown on 44 carries (2.8 yards per carry). Montgomery is looking more and more like the clear RB2 in Detroit behind
Jahmyr Gibbs, which makes him heavily reliant on touchdowns for fantasy production. In Week 9, Montgomery will face a Minnesota Vikings defense that has allowed the 10th-fewest rushing touchdowns (five) in the NFL this season. In his lone outing against Minnesota in 2024, Montgomery rushed for just 31 yards on nine carries, although he did add three catches for 39 yards. He profiles as a low-end fantasy RB2 in a difficult Week 9 matchup against the Vikings.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
October 31, 2025
Washington Commanders rookie wide receiver
Jaylin Lane has caught at least one ball in every game this season and has been forced to step up with injuries to Washington's top wide receivers.
Terry McLaurin (quadriceps) is out again for Week 9 against the Seattle Seahawks, which opens up more routes and targets for Lane, among others. The fourth-round rookie likely had his worst game as a pro in Week 8 against the Chiefs, committing a costly blunder that set the offense up with field position inside their own five-yard line, and then failing to make up for his mistake by dropping a pass on third down on the same drive. Lane has the speed and ball-in-hand ability that Washington's offense needs, but his hands have been unreliable so far. Lane will have the chance to bounce back on Sunday Night Football, along with
Luke McCaffrey and
Chris Moore vying for targets behind
Deebo Samuel Sr.--Kyle McCarthySource: RotoBaller
October 31, 2025
Washington Commanders wide receiver
Chris Moore had his lowest route share in a game since Week 1 with the return of
Terry McLaurin last week against the Chiefs, but McLaurin re-aggravated the quadriceps injury that sidelined him for four games and has been ruled out for Week 9's matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. Moore has stepped into a near full-time role in his absence, posting a 74% route share or higher in three of the four games. The 32-year-old has eight receptions for 164 yards and a touchdown on 17 targets in seven games this season. Moore is likely to run the most routes behind
Deebo Samuel Sr. and carries some deep league appeal in Week 9, given the likely volume of routes he will see.
--Kyle McCarthySource: RotoBaller
October 31, 2025
Washington Commanders wide receiver
Luke McCaffrey hasn't had a massive role on offense this season, but he has made a handful of big plays. The second-year wideout has recorded 11 receptions for 203 yards and three touchdowns on 15 targets this season. With
Terry McLaurin (quadriceps) out, McCaffrey should have some more opportunities for targets on Sunday Night Football against the Seattle Seahawks. Plus, he should benefit from having quarterback
Jayden Daniels back as the starter. The 24-year-old has only two games with a route share above 50% this season, so he will need to be efficient on the limited targets he receives. McCaffrey's route share could tick up in Week 9, but he's likely to remain in a reduced role and will need to hit on a few big plays to deliver fantasy value.
--Kyle McCarthySource: RotoBaller
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