18 hours agoDetroit Lions wide receiver
Kalif Raymond heads into Week 9 against the Green Bay Packers as a potential deep-league fantasy option, with
Jameson Williams suspended for one more game (PED violation). Raymond showcased his big-play ability last week, scoring both on a punt return and a receiving touchdown. Competing for targets with other Lions' receivers, he's proven capable of capitalizing on limited opportunities, making him a possible flex option in deeper leagues. The Packers' defense has shown inconsistencies, allowing 12 different players to score a touchdown this season, though no player has managed multiple scores in a single game. Raymond's explosiveness could make him a surprise contributor against Green Bay's vulnerable secondary.
--Tyler Thomson - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
18 hours agoDetroit Lions tight end
Sam LaPorta heads into Week 9 against the Green Bay Packers with an expanded role due to
Jameson Williams' suspension (PED violation). LaPorta is coming off a strong Week 8 performance, turning six targets into six catches for 48 yards and a touchdown. The Packers' defense has struggled against tight ends, allowing the fifth-most receiving yards to the position, which sets up a favorable matchup for LaPorta. Across his last three games, he's averaged 125 receiving yards with two touchdowns. With the Packers ranking high in fantasy points allowed to tight ends, LaPorta remains a dependable TE1 option with the potential for another productive outing.
--Tyler Thomson - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
18 hours agoKansas City Chiefs wide receiver
JuJu Smith-Schuster (hamstring) was again listed as a non-participant at the team's Friday practice. The veteran wideout has been tagged as a DNP for the fifth-straight session as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury he sustained in Kansas City's Week 7 victory over the San Francisco 49ers. With the Chiefs set to host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday Night Football, Smith-Schuster will have one more chance to elevate his practice participation ahead of Week 9. The last time he played a full game, the 27-year-old had a massive seven-catch, 130-yard performance in Week 5. However, with
DeAndre Hopkins now in the fold, his target share becomes less apparent. If the former USC Trojan again can't suit up, wide receivers
Xavier Worthy,
Justin Watson, Hopkins, and
Mecole Hardman will handle the team's wide-receiver duties.
--Alex CiullaSource: Kansas City Chiefs
19 hours agoDetroit Lions wide receiver
Amon-Ra St. Brown will remain a top starting option in Week 9 against the Green Bay Packers. Though he had a quiet Week 8 with just two catches for seven yards, St. Brown extended his touchdown streak to five games. With
Jameson Williams out due to PED violation suspension, St. Brown may see even more increased opportunities in an offense that spreads the ball but leans on him as a reliable target. Green Bay's defense ranks 19th in passing yards allowed per game, making this matchup one St. Brown could exploit. Over his last five games, he's recorded 276 receiving yards and five touchdowns on 27 receptions, showcasing his WR1 potential even with variable volume. St. Brown is a must-start with strong touchdown potential against the Packers' secondary.
--Tyler Thomson - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
19 hours agoLos Angeles Rams wide receiver
Jordan Whittington (shoulder) is listed as questionable for the team's road tilt against the Seattle Seahawks. The rookie wideout was held out of LA's Week 8 matchup after picking up a shoulder injury the week prior in their 20-15 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders. Whittington was able to log a week of limited sessions ahead of Week 9, though his status is still uncertain for the outing. With fellow wideout
Puka Nacua (knee) also questionable for Sunday, it could be wide receivers
Cooper Kupp,
Tutu Atwell, and
Demarcus Robinson shouldering most of the pass-catching duties in the divisional clash.
--Alex CiullaSource: Jourdan Rodrigue
19 hours agoDetroit Lions running back
Jahmyr Gibbs offers intriguing upside in Week 9 as he faces the Green Bay Packers. Gibbs showcased his big-play ability last week with a 70-yard touchdown run, extending his streak of at least one 20-yard rush to six games. In his last three games, Gibbs has totaled 306 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 38 carries, along with 78 receiving yards on eight catches. While Green Bay ranks 10th in rushing yards allowed per game, Gibbs' versatility as a dual-threat player makes him a valuable fantasy option. His role may be limited to around 15 touches, but the Lions' high-scoring offense, averaging 43 points in recent games, keeps his RB1 upside intact. Treat Gibbs as a low-end RB1 with big-play potential for Week 9.
--Tyler Thomson - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
19 hours agoThe Washington Commanders defense is shaping up to be a high-end option facing the New York Giants in Week 9. Since Week 4, the Commanders have only allowed more than 20+ points on one occasion. This lone blemish was to the high-powered Baltimore Ravens in Week 6. Last weekend, the Commanders held the Chicago Bears to 15 points and tallied three sacks. Facing
Daniel Jones, who has been sacked 33 times this season, which is the third-most in football, and who has thrown five interceptions, sets the Commanders defense up for another productive afternoon. Fantasy managers should feel comfortable starting Washington in all formats.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Pro Football Reference
19 hours agoWashington Commanders kicker
Austin Seibert has enjoyed an excellent start to his time in Washington and should continue to be viewed as a high-end kicking option in Week 9. Since joining the Commanders in Week 2, Seibert has averaged 12.6 fantasy points per game. During this stretch, Seibert has gone perfect on all attempts from within 49 yards and on extra points. In addition, he has attempted at least two field goals in all but one game this season. Given how potent the Washington offense has looked under
Jayden Daniels. Seibert remains a matchup-proof option going forward.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
19 hours agoDetroit Lions running back
David Montgomery remains a solid RB2 option heading into Week 9, taking on a Green Bay Packers defense that ranks 10th in rushing yards allowed per game. Currently ranking as RB11 in fantasy points per game, Montgomery has been dependable, averaging over 15 touches and 79 total yards per game. His consistent red zone usage has helped him score in all but one game this season, showing his role in crucial scoring moments. Although Green Bay's defense has shown improvement against the run, they allow the third-most yards after contact per carry, which plays into Montgomery's strength. Over the past five games, Montgomery has amassed 289 rushing yards and five touchdowns, plus 101 receiving yards. With the Lions' offense generating plenty of scoring chances, Montgomery should retain his value with notable touchdown potential.
--Tyler Thomson - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
19 hours agoWashington Commanders tight end
Zach Ertz has emerged as the No.2 option for
Jayden Daniels and should continue to be viewed as a solid TE1 in all formats in Week 9. Since Week 5, Ertz has seen at least five targets in each game, with a season-high of 11 coming last weekend in their victory over the Chicago Bears. During this span, Ertz has scored double-digit PPR points in all but one game. Without a reliable No.2 wideout, fantasy managers should expect Ertz to continue seeing reliable targets weekly. Even though the New York Giants have allowed the fourth-fewest PPR points to opposing TEs, he remains a solid tight end in all formats due to his safe volume.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
19 hours agoWashington Commanders wide receiver
Noah Brown remains a high-risk flex option heading into Week 9 when he faces the New York Giants. Despite caching the game-winning Hail Mary pass last weekend, Brown has struggled to find consistency while serving as the No.2 wideout. While Brown has tallied at least 50 yards in three games, he has fallen under 30 yards in the other three he has played in. For now, fantasy managers in deeper 3WR formats should continue to stash Brown, as he may emerge as a consistent option in this passing attack during the second half. This weekend, he remains a high-risk flex option facing the Giants, who have allowed the 15th-most PPR points to opposing WRs.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
19 hours agoThe Indianapolis Colts will start
Joe Flacco under center in Week 9 versus the Vikings. The 39-year-old played nearly three full games for the Colts in Weeks 4 through 6, tossing at least two touchdown passes in each of the games, totaling 716 yards with a 7:1 TD:INT. While the Vikings are tough against the run, they can be beaten through the air, allowing the seventh-most fantasy points to QBs on the season, with the last four signal-callers who faced them faring even better, averaging 298 yards passing and three TDs. In a game with a 46.5 over/under and the Colts as five-point underdogs though, it doesn't foretell of a high-scoring game for the Colts, so while Flacco is a massive upgrade over
Anthony Richardson, he still looks like a low-end QB2 for fantasy this week with some slight upside.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
19 hours agoWashington Commanders wide receiver
Terry McLaurin is coming off one of the best games of his season and should be viewed as a low-end WR1 in a divisional tilt against the New York Giants this weekend. Last week, McLaurin posted a season-high 125 yards on just five receptions in their victory over the Chicago Bears. Since totaling just 39 yards across the first two weeks, the Ohio State product has gone on to average 90.0 receiving yards per game with four total scores in his past six games. With how well
Jayden Daniels has performed, McLaurin should be locked into all lineups facing the Giants, who have allowed the 15th-most PPR points to opposing wideouts this season.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
19 hours agoDetroit Lions quarterback
Jared Goff (ankle) is positioned for a productive outing against the Green Bay Packers in Week 9. He is dealing with an ankle issue but was a full participant in practice on Thursday and Friday and is off the injury report. While Week 8 saw a modest 85 passing yards from Goff, Detroit's ground game was the primary scoring method. Over his last three games, Goff has demonstrated impressive efficiency, completing 80% of his passes for 680 yards, eight touchdowns, and zero interceptions, securing his status as a reliable QB1. The Packers' defense ranks 29th in blitz rate and allows one of the league's higher yards per completion, presenting an opportunity for Goff to connect on longer throws. They've also shown vulnerability by conceding the fifth-highest success rate per dropback, making this matchup favorable. With his accuracy and the Lions' overall offensive firepower, Goff remains a strong top-10 QB option this week.
--Tyler Thomson - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
19 hours agoWashington Commanders running back
Jeremy McNichols could see an increase in opportunities in Week 9 with
Brian Robinson Jr. (hamstring) listed as questionable. Throughout the first half of the campaign, McNichols only has had opportunities when the Commanders had sizeable leads in games. He saw only seven or more carries in three games this season and two or fewer in the others. However, he has performed well with his limited workload, averaging 6.3 yards per carry with three total scores. If Robinson cannot suit up, McNichols would serve as a change-of-pace option behind
Austin Ekeler and could see opportunities late in the game if Washington has a sizeable lead over the Giants.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
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