November 1, 2025
New Orleans Saints running back
Devin Neal could be in line for more action against the Rams in Week 9, with starter
Alvin Kamara questionable due to an ankle injury. Although offensive coordinator Kellen Moore said Kamara is "trending in the right direction," his snap share has fluctuated throughout the season and hit a season-low 51% last week. The Saints rank 28th in the league with just 93.6 rushing yards per game, so they may be searching for a spark on the ground. Neal has managed only 21 yards on six touches this season and, even if Kamara is limited, remains off the fantasy radar for now.
--Dakota Legg - RotoBallerSource: Pro Football Reference
November 1, 2025
Los Angeles Rams quarterback
Matthew Stafford has been an excellent fantasy surprise so far this season, ranking as the overall QB10 with 1,866 yards, 17 touchdowns, and two interceptions so far. He's coming off a bye, and right before that bye, he struck for an international record five passing touchdowns against the Jaguars in London. Stafford returns stateside in Week 9 to play against the New Orleans Saints, who have been struggling immensely. We could see Los Angeles go run-heavy in an anticipated lopsided game, but there should be many opportunities for Stafford to pass, too. New Orleans has allowed the 11th-most fantasy quarterbacks in 2025, putting Stafford in a great spot to thrive once again. We expect him to showcase more turnover-free football while throwing for at least a couple of touchdowns.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
November 1, 2025
The Chicago Bears defense/special teams currently ranks 12th in the latest RotoBaller expert fantasy rankings, but they could jump even higher with one key piece of injury news. The Bears face the Cincinnati Bengals this week, and their position at #12 in the rankings reflects the expectation that
Joe Flacco (shoulder) will start at quarterback. However, Flacco is questionable and trending toward being a true game-time decision. If he can't play, the Bengals would hand the offense off to
Jake Browning. A matchup against Browning would be quite favorable for Chicago, as he has six passing touchdowns and eight interceptions through parts of four games in 2025. The Bears have been playing excellent defense lately, too, amassing 10 interceptions and five fumble recoveries over their last five games. This D/ST should be started even if Flacco plays. However, if he doesn't, the Bears will jump into the top five.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
November 1, 2025
Atlanta Falcons running back
Bijan Robinson will look to bounce back in Week 9 after falling flat in what should have been a bountiful fantasy day against the Dolphins in Week 8. Both
Michael Penix Jr. (knee) and
Drake London (hip) will be back this week, so the offense should look more like what we've been accustomed to this season, which is a healthy dose of Robinson in both the run game and the passing attack. The 23-year-old will take on the Patriots in Foxborough on Sunday, a run defense that has been one of the stingiest in terms of fantasy points allowed to running backs (fifth-fewest), and has allowed just 76 rush yards per contest and 3.5 yards per rush (both second-fewest). Regardless, the third-year pro has one of the highest floors in the game with his involvement in the passing game, averaging over six targets and four catches per game, making him a high-end RB1 again in Week 9 despite the tough matchup.
--Jarod RuppSource: ESPN
November 1, 2025
New Orleans Saints quarterback
Tyler Shough took over for
Spencer Rattler in the third quarter of the blowout loss to the Buccaneers, and head coach Kellen Moore will roll with the rookie for the rest of the season. In limited action thus far, Shough has completed 17 of 32 passes for 128 yards and an interception. Listed at 6-foot-5 and 219 pounds, he offers plenty of arm strength and averaged 9.7 yards per attempt last season at Louisville, highlighting his ability to attack downfield. While he offers little rushing upside, Moore said the team is "not looking back," so expect Shough to let it rip. He's a back-end QB2 or Superflex option against a tough Rams defense.
--Dakota Legg - RotoBallerSource: Pro Football Reference
November 1, 2025
Chicago Bears kicker
Cairo Santos returned from a multi-game absence last week. He immediately made an impact in his first game back, converting his lone extra point attempt while going 3-for-4 on field goals, including one from 40+ yards out. The 33-year-old has always been a solid kicker, and his productivity has improved this season as the Bears show more signs of life on offense. This week, Santos will take on the Cincinnati Bengals in a potentially close game that should feature high scoring. Cincinnati ranks near the middle of the league in terms of fantasy points allowed to kickers, giving Santos a chance to carve out a fantasy-revelant showing. He's on the border of the fantasy radar right now, ranking as the overall K13 in Week 9, according to RotoBaller's experts.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
November 1, 2025
Chicago Bears wide receiver
Olamide Zaccheaus will jump to third on the depth chart after
Luther Burden III (concussion) was ruled out for Week 9 against the Cincinnati Bengals. Zaccheaus should operate behind
Rome Odunze and
DJ Moore. As the No. 3 receiver in Chicago, Zaccheaus doesn't exactly have a significant amount of fantasy appeal. Nevertheless, we could have said the same last week, and he ultimately broke out for 33 yards on seven catches. The 28-year-old is a solid veteran presence in the passing game, and the Bengals have allowed the 13th-most receiving yards to opposing receivers in 2025. Managers might be able to find better alternatives on the waiver wire, but if not, Zaccheaus can be a low-end WR3/flex in deep leagues. His ceiling is modest, but his floor is low.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
November 1, 2025
The Indianapolis Colts defense/special teams just kept rolling in a 38-14 win over the Tennessee Titans in Week 8. Indy notched four sacks and forced one turnover in the blowout win against their division rivals. The Colts will now head on the road to face off against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 9. The Steelers have been a tough matchup for fantasy defenses this season, allowing just the 25th-most fantasy points per game thus far. The matchup isn't ideal, but the Colts' defense has been a top unit this season, allowing 19.3 points per game, the sixth-fewest in the NFL, notching 23 sacks, fifth-most in the league, and 10 interceptions, second-most. Fantasy managers can trust the Indianapolis defense as a top-10 option in Week 9.
--Matt TerelleSource: NFL.com
November 1, 2025
Chicago Bears tight end
Colston Loveland will remain a solid fantasy TE2 despite the return of
Cole Kmet (back). This week, the Bears face off against the Cincinnati Bengals, offering Loveland a chance to break out. Cincinnati has allowed the most fantasy points to tight ends in 2025, as well as 10 touchdowns, and the gap between the Bengals and the No. 2 team is not particularly close. Loveland and Kmet can both carve out sizable roles against the Bengals, as we've seen from other teams this season. Just two weeks ago, Pittsburgh had three different tight ends score a touchdown against Cincinnati. That's why we're not particularly concerned about Loveland in Kmet's first game back, even though the rookie's workload will likely decline in future weeks. For now, though, Kmet and Loveland are mid-range TE2 options with TE1 upside.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
November 1, 2025
Indianapolis Colts kicker
Michael Badgley will head on the road to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 9. Badgley has been excellent for the Colts since taking over kicking duties after
Spencer Shrader was lost for the season with a knee injury. The veteran placekicker has made all three of his field-goal tries while hitting 12 of his 13 extra points in three contests. The Steelers have been generous to kickers this season, allowing the 11th-most fantasy points per game to the position. Although Badgley hasn't attempted multiple field goals in a game yet, Shrader was near the league lead in field-goal makes and attempts before he got hurt. Badgley sets up as a top-10 fantasy kicker in Week 9.
--Matt TerelleSource: NFL.com
November 1, 2025
Chicago Bears tight end
Cole Kmet will return from a one-game absence in Week 9 against the Cincinnati Bengals. His return will likely lead to a general reduction in volume for
Colston Loveland over time, but perhaps not this week, given that the Bears' tight ends have a terrific matchup. Cincinnati has allowed the most fantasy points to tight ends in 2025, as well as 10 touchdowns, and the gap between the Bengals and the No. 2 team is not particularly close. Kmet and Loveland can both carve out sizable roles against the Bengals, as we've seen from other teams this season. Just two weeks ago, Pittsburgh had three different tight ends score a touchdown against Cincinnati. Both Kmet and Loveland are mid-range TE2 options with TE1 upside.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
November 1, 2025
Indianapolis Colts tight end
Tyler Warren has been an excellent addition to his team's passing attack this season. Warren is leading the Colts with 492 receiving yards through eight games, while his 37 catches and three receiving touchdowns both rank second behind only
Michael Pittman Jr. The rookie tight end will look to keep it going on the road against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 9. The Steelers have really struggled to contain opposing tight ends this season, allowing the second-most fantasy points per game to the position thus far. Warren sets up as a top-three tight end in fantasy in Week 9 and should be locked into all lineups for Sunday.
--Matt TerelleSource: NFL.com
November 1, 2025
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver
Alec Pierce has been a big-play machine for his team in 2025. With 386 yards on just 18 receptions, Pierce's 21.4 yards per reception leads the NFL. That being said, Pierce is still looking for his first touchdown of the year after finding the end zone seven times in 2024. Pierce draws an interesting Week 9 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers on the road. The Steelers are allowing the sixth-most fantasy points per game to receivers this season. Pierce isn't a safe play due to his typical low volume in the passing game, but he is worth a look as a boom/bust flex option in deeper leagues.
--Matt TerelleSource: NFL.com
November 1, 2025
The New England Patriots defense/special teams has been the highest-scoring defense in fantasy football this season, and they'll look to hold onto that title when they face the Atlanta Falcons in Week 9. Atlanta's offense has been inconsistent this season, as has the entire team. They beat the Bills and Commanders, but also lost to the Dolphins and Panthers.
Michael Penix Jr. has been a main reason for the team's struggles. He only has four turnovers, but he also has only five passing touchdowns and one rushing touchdown. He's returning from a knee injury this week and could struggle to move the ball through the air.
Bijan Robinson remains a phenomenal option on the ground, but New England's run defense could be up for the challenge. All in all, Atlanta has allowed the 14th-most fantasy points to opposing D/ST units in 2025. The Patriots should be started in all leagues.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
November 1, 2025
New England Patriots tight end
Hunter Henry is off the fantasy radar in most leagues ahead of a Week 9 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. Henry is the overall TE8 in full-PPR leagues through eight weeks, but he has been held to fewer than eight fantasy points in each of his last four games. His target share has declined steadily over the last handful of weeks as
Drake Maye sends more passes in the direction of players such as
Stefon Diggs,
Kayshon Boutte,
Mack Hollins, and
Austin Hooper. Even worse than Henry's track record is his upcoming matchup. The Falcons have allowed the fewest fantasy points to tight ends in 2025. In fact, through their first seven games, Atlanta has allowed tight ends to catch a total of 12 passes for 105 yards. That comes out to 1.7 catches and 15 yards for the entire position group in a single contest. Henry can be avoided in most fantasy leagues this week.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
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