11 hours agoUnfortunately, the Carolina Panthers defense will not have the luxury of facing a Saints offense led by backup
Spencer Rattler or
Jake Haener this weekend as
Derek Carr (oblique) returns from a three-week oblique injury. For Carr, it is the ideal opponent as Carolina ranks 25th in passing yards allowed per game and last in points allowed per game (33.9). The Panthers were able to generate two turnovers against Denver last week—both forced fumbles. Still, the defense remains as dysfunctional as the offense and is not a viable streaming option in Week 9. Safety Jammie Robinson (knee) is out, linebacker DJ Johnson (ankle) is questionable, and defensive tackle Jaden Crumedy (ankle) is doubtful.
--Travis Kincaid - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
11 hours agoOf NFL placekickers who have played in all eight weeks this year,
Eddy Pineiro ranks last in field goals attempted (10). Even when adjusted for kickers who have had their bye weeks, only
Nick Folk of the Tennessee Titans has attempted fewer field goals. The Carolina Panthers have not attempted a field goal in their last two outings, and it's not due to an overwhelming touchdown output. Pineiro ranks 29th among fantasy kickers and has yet to attempt one from 50-plus yards this year—something to watch for against New Orleans. Fantasy managers should look elsewhere for a kicker to stream in Week 9.
--Travis Kincaid - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
11 hours agoFollowing productive performances against Atlanta and Washington, Panthers rookie tight end
Ja'Tavion Sanders saw 36 percent of their offensive snaps against Denver and recorded just one reception for seven yards. Though with tight end
Tommy Tremble (back) questionable after playing last week, Sanders could be in line to receive more snaps against the Saints. It is worth noting that Sanders' best games came with
Andy Dalton (thumb) at the reins, and with
Bryce Young starting again this week, there could be a lack of chemistry between the two. While the rookie from Texas was trending toward being a streaming option, last week's setback brings him back down to obscurity, ranked as RotoBaller's TE25 for this Week 9 matchup.
--Travis Kincaid - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
11 hours agoCarolina Panthers undrafted rookie wide receiver
Jalen Coker recorded four receptions, 78 yards, and a touchdown in Week 8 against the Denver Broncos. Seeing an 18% increase in snaps and a career-high six targets, Coker took advantage of the opportunity and could be in a similar situation against New Orleans in Week 9. Wide receiver
Diontae Johnson was traded to Baltimore this week,
Adam Thielen (hamstring) is doubtful, and
Xavier Legette (toe) is questionable. In his sixth NFL game, the undrafted man from Holy Cross could be
Bryce Young's No. 1 receiver. The New Orleans defense ranks 25th in points allowed to receivers, and cornerbacks Marshon Lattimore (hamstring) and Kool-Aid McKinstry (hamstring) have been ruled out. Another strong performance could make Coker a hot waiver wire target.
--Travis Kincaid - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
11 hours agoWith Carolina Panthers rookie running back Jonathan Brooks (knee) out and still not activated from his 21-day practice window, running back
Chuba Hubbard remains the beneficiary of Carolina's rushing attack. Hubbard will face a weak New Orleans defense in Week 9, which ranks 28th against running backs and has allowed 100 or more rushing yards in their last four games. However, against Denver, Hubbard recorded his lowest fantasy output since Week 1 and has seen his points trend downward over the previous month. His touches have remained consistent, with 15 or more rushing attempts in his last three games. The dip in production has Hubbard ranked as RB21 this week, according to RotoBaller, as he remains a fine flex option.
--Travis Kincaid - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
11 hours agoCarolina Panthers quarterback
Bryce Young got the starting nod again this week as his team prepares to face a reeling New Orleans squad in Week 9. It will be a surefire Sunday morning doozy, as neither team won a game in October. For Young, the matchup provides more opportunity to prove he belongs in this league as he looks to build on last week's performance at Denver—24-for-37, 224 yards, two touchdowns, two interceptions. Finishing as QB21, Week 8 marked the sophomore's best outing this season. With receiver
Diontae Johnson traded to Baltimore,
Adam Thielen (hamstring) doubtful, and
Xavier Legette (toe) questionable, Young will again be flanked by unproven talent. Undrafted rookie receiver
Jalen Coker had a breakout game last week, accounting for 78 receiving yards, and he could be a top target again. Regardless, coming in as QB30 in RotoBaller's latest rankings, Bryce Young should continue being avoided by fantasy managers.
--Travis Kincaid - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
12 hours agoThe New York Giants defense faces a major test in Week 9 against a high-powered Washington Commanders offense led by rookie QB
Jayden Daniels, who has propelled Washington to third in the league in both points (29.5) and total yards (396.3) per game. While the Giants' defense excels in certain areas, leading the NFL with 35 sacks and ranking fifth in red-zone defense (allowing touchdowns on just 42.1% of red-zone trips), their 27th-ranked run defense (141.8 yards allowed per game) could struggle against Washington's potent third-ranked rushing attack (165.8 yards per game). Despite being 8th against the pass, the Giants will need a strong, balanced defensive effort to limit the explosive potential of Daniels and his offense.
--Danny Boily - RotoBallerSource: NFL.com
12 hours agoNew York Giants wide receiver
Darius Slayton enters Week 9 against the Washington Commanders amid trade rumors and coming off a productive game against Pittsburgh, where he led the team with 108 receiving yards on four catches, including a deep 43-yard reception. Slayton has shown his big-play ability this season, averaging 14.5 yards per catch and posting 420 total yards, although he's managed only one touchdown across 29 receptions. Facing a Washington defense ranked 19th against fantasy wide receivers but allowing just 186.8 passing yards per game (sixth in the NFL), Slayton's upside will hinge on his connection with
Daniel Jones on vertical plays. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues might view Slayton as a potential flex, especially with a higher volume, if the Giants look to showcase him ahead of the trade deadline.
--Danny Boily - RotoBallerSource: NFL.com
12 hours agoNew York Giants wide receiver
Wan'Dale Robinson will look to make an impact in Week 9 against the Washington Commanders following a quiet Week 8 performance, where he managed five catches for 30 yards. Robinson has been a reliable short-yardage option for the Giants this season, racking up 333 yards and two touchdowns on 48 receptions, though he's averaging just 6.9 yards per catch. Facing a Washington defense that ranks 19th against fantasy wide receivers but is sixth in overall pass defense (allowing only 186.8 passing yards per game), Robinson's ceiling remains capped by limited downfield usage. However, his consistent target share (72 targets) makes him a possible PPR flex option in deep leagues.
--Danny Boily - RotoBallerSource: NFL.com
12 hours agoNew York Giants wide receiver
Malik Nabers remains the team's top target heading into their Week 9 matchup against the Washington Commanders, aiming to build on his strong season. Nabers has tallied 498 receiving yards and three touchdowns on 46 receptions, averaging 10.8 yards per catch, and his consistent involvement (73 targets) highlights his central role in the Giants' offense. Last week against Pittsburgh, he showed big-play potential, narrowly missing additional yards and a touchdown due to minor execution issues. The Commanders' pass defense ranks sixth overall, allowing only 186.8 passing yards per game. Still, they sit at 19th against fantasy wide receivers, making Nabers a fantasy starter with upside if he capitalizes on his end-zone opportunities.
--Danny Boily - RotoBallerSource: NFL.com
13 hours agoNew York Giants quarterback
Daniel Jones will look to bounce back in Week 9 at home against the Washington Commanders after a challenging outing in Week 8, where he finished without a touchdown and threw one interception in the Giants' 26-18 loss to Pittsburgh. Jones has struggled to find the end zone this season, tallying just six passing touchdowns and zero rushing scores, which has limited his fantasy production to 14.73 points per game, ranking him 26th among QBs. He'll face a Washington defense that's been solid against opposing quarterbacks, ranking 13th in fantasy points allowed to the position and allowing only 12 passing TDs all season. Given Washington's sixth-ranked pass defense (186.8 yards per game), Jones projects as a low-ceiling option for fantasy managers, especially without a single 300-yard passing game this season.
--Danny Boily - RotoBallerSource: NFL.com
13 hours agoJacksonville Jaguars kicker
Cam Little should serve as an average kicker at best against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 9. Little put up nine fantasy points against the Green Bay Packers last week and reached double digits against the Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts in Weeks 5 and 6. Despite the Jaguars struggling on offense for a lot of the season, Little has been okay in fantasy as the offense has been just serviceable enough. They could put up multiple field goal attempts against a tough Eagles defense but with all their injuries, the offense could struggle even more than usual. Unless the Jaguars can somehow keep the game close and move the ball enough to attempt field goals, it's hard to imagine Little having much upside. Feel free to avoid Little for other higher upside options in Week 9.
--Seth Quinn - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
13 hours agoJacksonville Jaguars wide receiver
Parker Washington has a unique opportunity to be fantasy-relevant this week against the Philadelphia Eagles. First off,
Christian Kirk is ruled out for the rest of the season, so Washington is the most likely replacement for him going forward. Also,
Brian Thomas Jr. and
Gabe Davis are game-time decisions, meaning Washington could be Jacksonville's top wide receiver this Sunday. He would still certainly be behind
Evan Engram in the target pecking order, but he has shown chemistry with
Trevor Lawrence in the past to step up as the second receiving option. The Eagles are a tough matchup, but fortunately, Darius Slay is out with injury, meaning Washington at least wouldn't be shadowed by a top corner. While it's a bit of a risk in a tough matchup, Washington could serve as a deeper league flex play against the Eagles in Week 9.
--Seth Quinn - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
14 hours agoJacksonville Jaguars running back D'Ernest Johnson could suddenly jump from third to first in the depth chart in Week 9 against the Philadelphia Eagles. Both
Travis Etienne Jr. and
Tank Bigsby are questionable this week, so Johnson would be the next man up. For Johnson to be fantasy-relevant, it would likely take both players to be ruled out. In recent weeks with Etienne Jr. or Bigsby out, the starter dominated the touches. The Eagles are also a tough matchup for running backs in general, so it's hard to see a third-string running back having that much upside against them. With all the injuries to the receiving core though, the starting RB could be more involved in the passing game than usual. It would take two injuries, but Johnson does have potential as a flex play in Week 9 against the Eagles.
--Seth Quinn - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
14 hours agoJacksonville Jaguars tight end
Brenton Strange has a unique opportunity to produce this week against the Philadelphia Eagles despite starting tight end
Evan Engram fully healthy. Every prominent receiving option besides Engram is seemingly banged up, so the Jaguars could run more two tight end sets than usual. If that is the case, Strange could receive a decent target share this week due to less target competition than usual. That is a big if, but he did finish with five catches for 59 yards last week, so that should leave fantasy managers with some optimism for his outlook this week. If all of the receivers questionable are ruled out, Strange serves as an interesting dart-throw option at the tight end position for fantasy managers in Week 9.
--Seth Quinn - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
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