November 1, 2025
Houston Texans wide receiver
Christian Kirk is set to return in Week 9 from a two-game absence due to a hamstring injury, but he steps into a brutal matchup against the Broncos, who have allowed the second-fewest wide receiver fantasy points this season. Kirk has missed two games on two occasions this season with hamstring issues, and in his three healthy contests has totaled 10 catches on 16 targets for 109 yards. The Texans have young receivers who stepped up while Kirk was out, so it will be very interesting to see how the veteran works back into the mix on Sunday. He is the WR58 in RotoBaller's rankings for Week 9, so he's tough to start in most formats unless bye weeks and injuries have you desperate for PPR production.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NFL.com
November 1, 2025
Houston Texans wide receiver
Nico Collins is ready to return to the lineup in Week 9 against the Broncos after missing Week 8 with a concussion. Collins is in a tough matchup against a strong pass defense, but he still brings elite upside. The fifth-year receiver from Michigan has averaged 7.7 targets per game this season and has 26 catches for 339 yards and three touchdowns. Before leaving Week 7's loss to the Seahawks, Collins had four catches for just 27 yards. He has been held under 100 yards in five of his six games this season, and even though he has WR1 upside, he's risky this week returning in such a tough matchup. The Broncos have allowed the second-fewest fantasy points in the NFL to receivers, so Collins checks in as the No. 18 WR in the RotoBaller rankings for the week. Get him back in your lineups this week, but temper expectations.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NFL.com
November 1, 2025
Kansas City Chiefs kicker
Harrison Butker will face the Buffalo Bills in Week 9. Butker is coming off his third game of the season without missing a kick. The Chiefs' kicker has attempted at least 4 extra-point attempts in each of the last five games and made 19/20 (95%), giving him a solid floor to build on. Butker should be utilized often in this game with a nearly 53-point total, which is the second-highest total in Week 9. Butker is ranked K9 in our RotoBaller rankings, making him a startable fantasy kicker this week.
--Joshua CostelloSource: ESPN.com
November 1, 2025
San Francisco 49ers running back
Christian McCaffrey turned in his worst game of the season in Week 8. Against the Texans, McCaffrey toted eight carries for 25 yards and caught three of six targets for 43 receiving yards, all season lows and interrupting his streak of seven consecutive RB1 finishes to start the 2025 season. McCaffrey, being who he is, there is hope for a rebound in Week 9 against the New York Giants. Last week, the Giants gave up 174 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns to
Saquon Barkley (groin) in three quarters of work and another 104 rushing yards to backup
Tank Bigsby. Unfortunately, San Francisco's offensive line does not compare to Philadelphia's elite unit and will be missing starting center Jake Brendel (hamstring). Still, McCaffrey is one of the league's most dynamic playmakers, and if he is on your fantasy roster, he should be in the starting lineup for Week 9.
--Dan StephensSource: NFL.com
November 1, 2025
Kansas City Chiefs tight end
Travis Kelce will face the Buffalo Bills in Week 9. Kelce caught six passes for 99 yards and a touchdown in Week 8 against the win over Washington Commanders. The veteran tight end has caught at least six passes in three of the last four games and is averaging 73 receiving yards per game in that span. In the past,
Rashee Rice being healthy was a bad sign for Kelce's production, but the two were able to coexist in Week 8. Both Rice and Kelce caught at least six passes and scored a touchdown in their 28-7 victory last week. Kelce could find a way to produce despite facing the Buffalo Bills, who have allowed the second-fewest fantasy points to opposing tight ends this season. Kelce is ranked TE9 in our RotoBaller Half-PPR rankings, making him a solid TE1 option this week.
--Joshua CostelloSource: ESPN.com
November 1, 2025
San Francisco 49ers quarterback
Mac Jones (knee) has been named the team's Week 9 starter, though regular starter
Brock Purdy (toe) has not yet been ruled out and may be available off the bench. Jones has already started six games in Purdy's stead, passing for 1,597 yards and eight touchdowns with a 65.9% completion rate, and throwing five interceptions. In Week 9, the Niners face the Giants, who have given up three straight top-12 finishes to opposing quarterbacks. Jones might struggle to see the same success, as he will be short on help and protection. Wide receiver
Ricky Pearsall (knee) is still out, as is starting center Jake Brendel (hamstring). Jones projects as a low-end QB2 and should be avoided given the matchup and the lingering possibility of Purdy being healthy enough to sub in if Jones can't get the offense going.
--Dan StephensSource: NBC Sports Bay Area - Matt Maiocco
November 1, 2025
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver
Xavier Worthy will take on the Buffalo Bills in Week 9. Worthy caught five passes for 53 yards in the 28-7 win over the Washington Commanders in Week 8. Last week marked Worthy's third game of the season with at least five receptions. With
Rashee Rice stepping back into the WR1 role and
Travis Kelce reemerging as a top option, the speedster may continue to be relegated to a tertiary role in the Kansas City offense. That said, Worthy was able to put up a decent stat line regardless of the blowout, and he may be able to build on that this week. Worthy and the Chiefs face the Bills, who have allowed the ninth-fewest points to opposing wide receivers this season. Even with his diminished workload, Worthy is still an explosive player and can break off a long play at any moment. Worthy is ranked WR28 in our RotoBaller Half-PPR rankings, placing him just outside WR2 but firmly in WR3/Flex territory this week.
--Joshua CostelloSource: ESPN.com
November 1, 2025
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver
Rashee Rice will face the Buffalo Bills in Week 9. Rice caught nine passes for 93 yards and a touchdown in the Chiefs 28-7 rout of the Washington Commanders. Since returning from suspension, Rice has been the focal point of the Kansas City offense, and he has delivered massive fantasy performances. The Chiefs WR1 is averaging 9.5 targets per game since returning, and that trend should continue despite facing the Bills, who have allowed the ninth-fewest fantasy points to opposing wide receivers this season. Rice has an especially strong role around the endzone, which makes his scoring opportunities more plentiful than the average receiver. Rice has the opportunity to put on a massive performance in a game with the second-highest total of the week. Rice is ranked WR5 in our RotoBaller Half-PPR rankings, making him a must-start player in Week 9.
--Joshua CostelloSource: ESPN.com
November 1, 2025
Kansas City Chiefs running back
Brashard Smith will take on the Buffalo Bills on Sunday in Week 9. Smith was listed on the injury report with a toe injury, but practiced in full all week and does not have an injury designation heading into the weekend. Smith was barely involved in Week 8, handling just three carries for eight yards in the 28-7 victory over the Washington Commanders. The rookie back has been eased into the offense, but should presumably see a larger workload with
Isiah Pacheco ruled out with a knee injury. Smith is the most explosive back in the backfield, but
Kareem Hunt should continue seeing the most valuable touches in the offense. That said, Smith could still find success against the Bills, who have allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to opposing running backs this season. With plenty of scoring expected for this matchup, Smith could see an uptick in volume with scoring upside. Smith is ranked RB34 in our RotoBaller Half-PPR rankings, making him a flex option this week.
--Joshua CostelloSource: NFL - Twitter
November 1, 2025
Kansas City Chiefs running back
Kareem Hunt will face the Buffalo Bills in week 9. Hunt was on the injury report with an ankle injury, but practiced fully all week and has been removed from the report. Hunt is now in line to be the lead back, with
Isiah Pacheco ruled out due to a knee injury. The veteran back has been relatively effective in his last two games, averaging at least 4.4 yards per carry, but he's still only averaging 4.0 yards per carry on the season. Despite his lack of explosiveness, the Chiefs have turned to Hunt near the goal line, and he has converted on four rushing touchdowns. Hunt should continue to get those valuable touches while adding volume between the 20s against the Bills, who have allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to opposing running backs this season. There should be plenty og points scored in a game with a nearly 53-point total, so Hunt's upside is apparent. Hunt is ranked RB20 in our RofoBaller Half-PPR rankings, making him a startable RB2 this week.
--Joshua CostelloSource: NFL - Twitter
November 1, 2025
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback
Patrick Mahomes will take on the Buffalo Bills in Week 9. Mahomes continued his dominant run in last week's contest against the Washington Commanders. The Chiefs quarterback completed 25 of 34 pass attempts (74%) for 299 yards and three touchdowns in the 28-7 victory. Mahomes has now completed at least 70% of his passes in four straight games. The 30-year-old will now face the Bills, who allow the second-fewest fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks this season. That said, the Kansas City offense has been rolling, and they face the fourth-highest scoring team in the league on a points-per-game basis. Mahomes can have a ceiling performance in a matchup with the second-highest Over/Under of the week. Mahomes is ranked QB1 in our RotoBaller rankings, making him a must-start player this week
--Joshua CostelloSource: NFL.com
November 1, 2025
New York Giants' defense is a weak fantasy streaming option in Week 9, despite facing a San Francisco 49ers offense that is tied for 26th in the NFL, averaging just 20 points per game. The Giants' defense is highly vulnerable, ranking 26th in the league, allowing 26.9 points per game and 29th in yards allowed (382.4 YPG), and 27th in Red Zone Defense, allowing a 68% TD rate. Their best hope is their pass rush, which ranks 13th with 19 sacks. Expect
Christian McCaffrey to dominate a unit that has allowed 24 total touchdowns, making the Giants defense a high-risk play.
--Danny BoilySource: NFL.com
November 1, 2025
New York Giants kicker
Graham Gano returns as a reliable leg with consistent opportunities thanks to his perfect 100% field goal percentage (8-of-8) this season. Gano's successful return from IR in Week 8, where he converted both field goals and extra points, provides much-needed stability following his backup's struggles. San Francisco's defense is prone to allowing field goal attempts, ranking 21st in the NFL by allowing an average of 2.3 opponent field goal attempts per game. Gano's ability to hit from a long of 55 yards gives him a decent fantasy floor and upside in this contest.
--Danny BoilySource: NFL.com
November 1, 2025
New York Giants tight end
Theo Johnson enters Week 9 as the TE16, with his fantasy viability heavily reliant on scoring after accumulating four receiving touchdowns on just 23 catches this season. Johnson maintains a significant role with a 78.7% snap share and 37 targets through eight games, but the upcoming matchup presents a challenge against the San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers defense is tough against tight ends, ranking as the 10th-ranked fantasy defense and limiting the position to an average of only 11.95 points per game. Although the 49ers' pass rush ranks 31st in the NFL with nine sacks, allowing quarterback
Jaxson Dart time, San Francisco's solid Red Zone Defense ranks 7th, making Johnson's primary source of fantasy value--touchdowns--more difficult to come by. Therefore, Johnson remains a low-floor, touchdown-dependent TE2 for Week 9.
--Danny BoilySource: NFL.com
November 1, 2025
New York Giants wide receiver
Beaux Collins is a deep-league fantasy dart throw this week due to increased opportunity after
Jalin Hyatt was a healthy scratch in Week 8. The undrafted rookie has only six targets on the season for two catches and 25 yards, but his playing time is set to increase as the Giants desperately seek playmakers following major injuries. The Week 9 opponent, the San Francisco 49ers, is a surprisingly welcoming matchup for wide receivers, ranking 21st against the position and allowing an average of 33.81 fantasy points per game to the unit. Furthermore, the 49ers' defense is 31st in sacks, which could give rookie QB
Jaxson Dart the time to attempt a few downfield shots to the 6'3" Collins.
--Danny BoilySource: NFL.com
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