Minnesota Vikings vs. Detroit Lions
Vikings Players & Weekly Rankings
Lions Players & Weekly Rankings
Must-Start
These are no-brainer MUST starts.
Strong Starts
Here are players that should be in starting consideration for most fantasy teams.
Jordan Addison has been almost non-existent this season, as the WR65 in fantasy points per game. Addison has a 17.9% target share with 1.25 YPRR, one red zone target, five deep targets, and a 24.1% first-read share. Addison has failed to surpass 60 receiving yards in all but one game this season. Addison could double that output after this week. Detroit has the eighth-highest rate of single-high (56.9%). Against single-high, Addison’s usage has gone up, with this TPRR rising from 12% to 21% and his YPRR jumping from 0.78 (against two-high) to 1.77. Now, Detroit has tightened up its defense against perimeter receivers over the last five games, allowing the 11th-fewest yards per target and the eighth-fewest fantasy points per opportunity, which leaves Addison as a middle-of-the-road flex.
T.J. Hockenson is having a resurgent season as the TE9 in fantasy points per game. Among 42 qualifying tight ends, Hockenson is sixth in target share (18.9%), sixth in YPRR (2.14), ninth in red zone targets (six), and ninth in first-read share (19.8%). Hockenson is headed toward another TE1 week against Detroit. Over their last five games, Hockenson’s former team has allowed the fifth-most yards per target to tight ends, the second-most fantasy points per opportunity, and the most receiving touchdowns to tight ends.
Fantasy Football Flex & Deep Plays to Consider
Let’s fill out those flex spots.
Kyler Murray has been a disaster at quarterback this season as the QB34 in fantasy points per game. He has run more in his last two games, averaging 7.5 attempts and 45 yards on the ground, but in the passing department he has been wretched. Among 34 qualifying passers, he is 23rd in yards per attempt, 31st in passing success rate, 28th in aDOT, and dead last in highly accurate throw rate. Murray could have a nice game this week, but I don’t have any faith in him to take advantage of a nice matchup. Across their last five games, Detroit has allowed the fifth-highest passing touchdown rate, the third-highest passing success rate, the fourth-highest passer rating, and the ninth-highest CPOE. Detroit in that span also has the fourth-best pressure rate and has ranked 12th in quick pressure rate. If Detroit’s pass rush can rattle Murray this week, it could be his undoing.
Jared Goff has been crushing it this season as the QB3 in fantasy points per game. Among 34 qualifying passers, Goff is eighth in yards per attempt, fourth in passing touchdown rate and passing success rate, third in hero throw rate, and sixth in catchable target rate. Goff will have to deal with a Minnesota pass defense that has been easily the best pass defense in the NFL. Ok, fine, Seattle is also in that convo, but Minny has been amazing. Over the last five games, Minny has allowed the fewest yards per attempt, the lowest passing success rate, and the lowest passing touchdown rate. Overall, Minnesota has created havoc weekly, leading the NFL in blitz rate and pressure rate. Goff has navigated the blitz well this season, but he will have to be elite in this regard this week. Among 29 qualifying passers, Goff has been quite good against the blitz, ranking sixth in yards per attempt and third in passing success rate. Goff could get it done this week, but there’s a sizable range of outcomes for him this week.
Jordan Mason will lead the backfield again this week. Aaron Jones sustained a knee injury during the fourth quarter of last week’s game, but Mason was the lead back in the first three quarters of action. Last week, in those three quarters, Mason had a 55% snap rate, 12 opportunities, and a 42.9% route share (10.5% target share). He also had the only red zone carry during that span for the backfield. With his limited work this season, Mason hasn’t been efficient with only 1.97 yards after contact per attempt and a 3% missed tackle rate. I don’t have high hopes for Mason this week, but if he gets in the end zone, he could be a decent flex. Over their last five games, Detroit has allowed the fifth-highest explosive run rate, the tenth-highest rushing success rate, and the sixth-most yards before contact per attempt.
Aaron Jones sustained a knee injury in the fourth quarter last week. Jones will be back in the huddle this week. He didn’t practice on Wednesday, but he had a limited session on Thursday and a full practice on Friday. He doesn’t carry an injury designation into this week’s game. Last week, in the first three quarters, Jones had a 35% snap rate, eight opportunities, 35% of the rushing work, and a 28.6% route share (5.3% target share). Jones has shown his age this season with only an 8.7% explosive run rate and a 12% missed tackle rate. I don’t have high hopes for Jones this week, but if he gets in the end zone, he could be a decent flex. Over their last five games, Detroit has allowed the fifth-highest explosive run rate, the tenth-highest rushing success rate, and the sixth-most yards before contact per attempt.
Ok, Jamo…I’m sorry. I was down on Jamo last week, and he made me pay for it. Jameson Williams is the WR25 in fantasy points per game after the big game. Williams has a 16.6% target share with 1.75 YPRR, seven red zone targets, ten deep targets (eighth among wideouts), and a 23.4% first-read share. After last week, Williams’ numbers against two high look much better, which will help him this week. Minnesota has the fourth-highest two-high rate (63.3%). Against two-high, Williams has a 19% TPRR (second on the team) and 1.81 YPRR. Jared Goff will be blitzed into oblivion this week, and Williams should be a trusted weapon on those plays. Williams has a 19% TPRR and 2.04 when Goff has been blitzed. It’s a tough matchup for Williams, so consider him a volatile player this week as usual. Over their last five games, Minny has allowed the third-fewest yards per target and the second-fewest fantasy points per opportunity to perimeter wide receivers.
Concerning Starts & Players to Fade
Players in consideration for lineups, but temper your expectations this week.
N/A
CAR vs. GB | BAL vs. BUF | TEN vs. CIN | ARI vs. DAL | MIN vs. DET | LV vs. NYJ | CLE vs. PIT | ATL vs. TB | IND vs. JAC | LAC vs. LAR | KC vs. DEN | NE vs. MIA | PHI vs. WAS | CHI vs. SEA
Las Vegas Raiders vs. New York Jets
Raiders Players & Weekly Rankings
Jets Players & Weekly Rankings
Must-Start
These are no-brainer MUST starts.
Strong Starts
Here are players that should be in starting consideration for most fantasy teams.
Kirk Cousins is the QB11 in fantasy points per game as he leads the NFL in passing touchdowns (16). Among 34 qualifying passers, he is third in passing yards, 14th in yards per attempt, 22nd in highly accurate throw rate, 27th in catchable target rate, and 22nd in hero throw rate. Cousins should have another QB1 outing this week. Across their last five games, the Jets have allowed the 13th-most yards per attempt, the eighth-highest passing touchdown rate, the fifth-highest passing success rate, and the seventh-most EPA per dropback.
Geno Smith is a solid streaming option at quarterback this week. Smith is the QB24 in fantasy points per game with two games of at least 24 fantasy points this season. He could add a third game to that ledger this week. Among 34 qualifying passers, Smith has been playing well, ranking ninth in yards per attempt, 12th in passing success rate, second in catchable target rate, and eighth in hero throw rate. In their last five games, the Raiders have allowed the eighth-most yards per attempt, the second-highest passing success rate, the highest passing touchdown rate, and the fifth-most EPA per dropback.
Garrett Wilson is the WR22 in fantasy points per game, but he has had fewer than nine PPR points in three of his last four games. With that said, Wilson could get the squeaky wheel treatment this week. Overall, Wilson still has a 25.1% target share with 2.09 YPRR, three red zone targets, five deep targets, and a 30.6% first-read share. His quiet Week 6 performance is easily explainable, as he had to deal with Christian Gonzalez on 93.9% of his routes. The Raiders don’t have a corner in that talent area code on their depth chart. In their last five games, the Raiders have allowed the fifth-most yards per target and fantasy points per opportunity to perimeter wide receivers.
Hello, Omar Cooper Jr. I’m sorry for doubting you last week. Over the last two games, Cooper has been the WR6 and WR9 in weekly scoring. In those games, Cooper had a 20% target share, 4.45 YPRR, two red zone targets, three deep targets, and a 29.3% first-read share. Cooper could have another fantastic game in Week 8. In their last five games, the Raiders have allowed the fourth-most receiving fantasy points per game, the fifth-most fantasy points per opportunity, and the most receiving touchdowns (tied) to slot receivers.
Well, damn. Ok, I guess it’s time to start believing in Tre Tucker. Tucker has three weeks with at least 21 PPR points this season as the WR20 in fantasy points per game. Tucker has a 17.7% target share with 2.18 YPRR, six red zone targets, nine deep targets, and a 23.3% first-read share. Tucker could keep the party bus rolling in Week 8. In their last five games, the Jets have allowed the 13th-most yards per target and the tenth-most fantasy points per opportunity to perimeter wide receivers.
Last week, Mason Taylor popped off with a two-touchdown performance and finished as the TE2 in weekly scoring behind only Trey McBride. Over the last two games, Taylor has had a 60.2% snap rate, a 56.1% route share, a 20% target share, 2.57 YPRR, four red zone targets, one deep target, and a 24.4% first-read share. He could keep the strong fantasy output going this week. Over the last five games, the Raiders have been hemorrhaging production to tight ends, giving up the second-most receiving fantasy points per game and the fifth-most fantasy points per opportunity to the position. Taylor could be a TE1 again this week.
Fantasy Football Flex & Deep Plays to Consider
Let’s fill out those flex spots.
Breece Hall could retake his commanding lead role this week, but I also could see Braelon Allen mixing in more, and this backfield being more of a committee. Allen was so good while Hall was out it might be tough for Aaron Glenn to put that genie back in the backup bottle. In Weeks 1-2, Hall had a 61.7% snap rate while averaging 22.5 touches and 104.8 total yards. Hall hasn’t been amazing on a per-touch basis this season with only 1.49 yards after contact per attempt and a 14% missed tackle rate. I’m sure those numbers won’t look better this week with Hall coming off an injury, but I could be wrong. The Raiders could also help improve those efficiency numbers. Their run defense has been horrible over their last five games, allowing the third-highest explosive run rate, the highest rushing success rate, the highest yards before contact per attempt, and the third-highest missed tackle rate.
Braelon Allen might have been too good while Breece Hall was out for New York to stick him back into a change-of-pace role. In Weeks 4-7, Allen averaged 20.8 touches and 105.3 total yards as the RB22 in fantasy points per game. Allen has shown per-touch efficiency this season that I didn’t know he was capable of, with a STRONG 15.7% explosive run rate, 2.79 yards after contact per attempt, and a 22% missed tackle rate. If the Jets decide to open the game by mixing both backs in and go with a hot hand approach, don’t be surprised if Allen’s hands look like they touched the sun. The Raiders’ run defense has been wretched. Over their last five games, they have allowed the third-highest explosive run rate, the highest rushing success rate, the highest yards before contact per attempt, and the third-highest missed tackle rate.
Since Week 3, Michael Mayer has been the TE16 in fantasy points per game, with four weeks with at least 10.5 PPR points. During that span, he has had a 12.1% target share with 1.71 YPRR, one red zone target, one deep target, and a 9.7% first-read share. The minimal touchdown equity and first-read share make Mayer a fringe streaming option only. In their last five games, New York has allowed the ninth-most yards per target to tight ends, but they have also held the position to only one receiving touchdown and the 14th-fewest fantasy points per opportunity.
Concerning Starts & Players to Fade
Players in consideration for lineups, but temper your expectations this week.
Last week, in his first game back from the finger injury, Adonai Mitchell had only a 51.5% route share, a 10% target share, and a 15% first-read share. He’s a sit this week and until further notice, until we see his playing time jump back into a full-time starting workload. That could be this week, but it’s impossible to know and not worth the risk in Week 8.
CAR vs. GB | BAL vs. BUF | TEN vs. CIN | ARI vs. DAL | MIN vs. DET | LV vs. NYJ | CLE vs. PIT | ATL vs. TB | IND vs. JAC | LAC vs. LAR | KC vs. DEN | NE vs. MIA | PHI vs. WAS | CHI vs. SEA
Cleveland Browns vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Browns Players & Weekly Rankings
Steelers Players & Weekly Rankings
Must-Start
These are no-brainer MUST starts.
Strong Starts
Here are players that should be in starting consideration for most fantasy teams.
Last week, Rico Dowdle was the RB22, finishing with 15 touches and 86 total yards. Dowdle played 44.4% of the snaps with 30% of the rushing attempts and a 55.9% route share (20% target share). Dowdle has a decent 2.06 yards after contact per attempt and a 10% missed tackle rate. Dowdle could post another strong week against the Browns’ porous run defense. Over their last five games, Cleveland has allowed the second-highest explosive run rate, the third-most yards after contact per attempt, and the fourth-highest missed tackle rate.
Fantasy Football Flex & Deep Plays to Consider
Let’s fill out those flex spots.
Since Week 5, Germie Bernard has been the WR23 in fantasy points per game with a 22.7% target share, 1.92 YPRR (4.8 aDOT), four red zone targets, one deep target, and a 21.4% first-read share. He has essentially been Pittsburgh’s Rashee Rice with a 24% designed target share. This week, he faces a Browns pass defense that has the highest single high rate in the NFL (75.2%). Against single high, since Week 5, Bernard has had a 19% TPRR and 2.05 YPRR. Bernard has a solid matchup this week and could have a bounce-back game after a quiet outing against the Saints. Across their last five games, the Browns have allowed the 12th-most yards per target to slot receivers while ranking 19th in fantasy points per opportunity.
Well, I hoped KC Concepcion would have his breakout game last week, and it happened. Concepcion was the WR8 in weekly scoring. That pulls him up to WR51 in fantasy points per game for the season. I know, not great. He has a 20.5% target share with 1.73 YPRR, three red zone targets, five deep targets, and a 27.1% first-read share. It’s possible Concepcion keeps the train rolling this week. Over their last five games, Pittsburgh has allowed the tenth-most receiving fantasy points per game and the 11th-most fantasy points per game to slot receivers.
Harold Fannin Jr. is the TE17 in fantasy points per game. Fannin has had fewer than two PPR points in two of his last three games. Overall, he has a 17.1% target share with 1.28 YPRR, three red zone targets, one deep target, and a 16.7% first-read share. Fannin could pop back up with a TE1 week against the Steelers. Across their last five games, Pittsburgh has allowed the 13th-most yards per target and the tenth-most fantasy points per opportunity to tight ends.
Darnell Washington has another single high matchup this week. Over the last two games, he has been the TE12 and TE23 in weekly scoring with touchdowns in both games. In those games, he has had a 64% snap rate, a 36.4% route share, a 7.6% target share, 0.91 YPRR, three red zone targets, and an 8% first-read share. This week, he faces a Browns pass defense that has the highest single high rate in the NFL (75.2%). Against single high, Washington has had a 23% TPRR with 1.78 YPRR. Washington is a viable streaming option this week. Over their last five games, Cleveland has allowed the 11th-most receiving fantasy points per game to tight ends.
Concerning Starts & Players to Fade
Players in consideration for lineups, but temper your expectations this week.
Deshaun Watson is the QB22 in fantasy points per game with two QB1 weekly finishes on the ledger for 2026 (QB10, QB11). Among 34 qualifying passers, he is 18th in yards per attempt, 26th in passing touchdown rate, 17th in passing success rate, 15th in highly accurate throw rate, and 21st in hero throw rate. He has averaged 6.9 rushing attempts and 30.7 yards on the ground with one rushing score. He’s a middling QB2 again this week. Over their last five games, Pittsburgh has allowed the 11th-fewest yards per attempt, the seventh-lowest passing touchdown rate, and the eighth-lowest CPOE.
Aaron Rodgers is the QB19 in fantasy points per game with three outings this season with at least 22 fantasy points. He had a letdown game against the Saints that I didn’t see coming. Among 34 qualifying passers, Rodgers is 24th in yards per attempt, 13th in passing touchdown rate, 24th in passing success rate, 19th in highly accurate throw rate, and 25th in hero throw rate. Rodgers is a low-end QB2 this week with a bad matchup. Over their last five games, Cleveland has allowed the seventh-fewest yards per attempt, the 11th-lowest passing touchdown rate, the fifth-lowest passing success rate, and the 11th-lowest EPA per dropback.
Quinshon Judkins is the RB19 in fantasy points per game, averaging 18.2 touches and 71.1 total yards. He has a 59.2% snap rate, 58.1% of the rushing work, and a 30.3% route share (11.4% target share). His per-touch efficiency has been horrible with only 1.80 yards after contact per attempt and a 13% missed tackle rate. Judkins will need a touchdown and all the volume he can handle this week to produce a nice stat line for fantasy purposes. Over the last five games, Pittsburgh has allowed the tenth-lowest explosive run rate, the fourth-lowest rushing success rate, and the fifth-lowest rushing yards over expectation per attempt.
Every time I think DK Metcalf should smash, he turns in a wet fart stat line. Metcalf started hot with 56 receiving yards in the first half last week before falling asleep after halftime. Metcalf is the WR36 in fantasy points per game, with four games this season with fewer than nine PPR points. Metcalf has a 21.9% target share with 1.41 YPRR, four red zone targets, 14 deep targets, and a 31.7% first-read share. This week, he faces a Browns pass defense that has the highest single high rate in the NFL (75.2%). Against single high, Metcalf’s TPRR has risen from 20% to 23%, and his YPRR has increased from 1.11 to 1.56. The coverage structure is in his favor, but Cleveland has been shutting down perimeter wide receivers. Over their last five games, Cleveland has allowed the fifth-fewest yards per target and the fourth-fewest fantasy points per opportunity to perimeter wide receivers.
Denzel Boston has dropped to the WR34 after two quiet weeks. Over the last two games, he has scored only 8.2 PPR points combined. Overall, he has a 19% target share with 1.68 YPRR, five red zone targets, 14 deep targets, and a 22.9% first-read share. Unfortunately, it looks like Boston is headed toward another quieter day. Over their last five games, Pittsburgh has allowed the 12th-fewest yards per target to perimeter wide receivers while ranking 15th in fantasy points per opportunity against the position.
Pat Freiermuth disappears against single-high. He has had two down games in a row with single-high heavy defenses on the menu, and he has another one this week. This week, he faces a Browns pass defense that has the highest single-high rate in the NFL (75.2%). Against single high, Freiermuth has a 13% TPRR with 0.77 YPRR. Sit Freiermuth this week.
CAR vs. GB | BAL vs. BUF | TEN vs. CIN | ARI vs. DAL | MIN vs. DET | LV vs. NYJ | CLE vs. PIT | ATL vs. TB | IND vs. JAC | LAC vs. LAR | KC vs. DEN | NE vs. MIA | PHI vs. WAS | CHI vs. SEA
Atlanta Falcons vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Falcons Players & Weekly Rankings
Buccaneers Players & Weekly Rankings
Must-Start
These are no-brainer MUST starts.
Strong Starts
Here are players that should be in starting consideration for most fantasy teams.
Bucky Irving is the RB15 in fantasy points per game, averaging 18.7 touches and 90.8 total yards. He has a 63.8% snap rate, 57.1% of the rushing work, a 47.6% route share, and a 10.7% target share. Among 42 qualifying backs, Irving is 30th in yards after contact per attempt and 15th in missed tackle rate. Irving should have another strong stat line this week. Across their last five games, Atlanta has allowed the ninth-highest rushing success rate, the second-most yards before contact per attempt, and the fifth-highest gap rushing success rate (Irving: 53.3% gap).
Since Week 4, Kyle Pitts has been the TE6 in fantasy points per game. During that stretch, he has had a 17.2% target share, 2.09 YPRR, six red zone targets, and a 19.3% first-read share. Last week, I was low on Pitts because the 49ers had been tough against tight ends and the coverage structure didn’t align with Pitts’ usage for the season. Atlanta did change his usage last week against single high, as he had a 27% TPRR against the coverage structure. It’s possible he could see that type of usage again this week against a single high heavy Tampa Bay pass defense. Tampa Bay has the fourth-highest single-high rate in the NFL (60.4%). Tampa Bay has allowed solid production to tight ends in their last five games, surrendering the 14th-most yards per target and the 12th-most fantasy points per opportunity to the position. It also doesn’t hurt that Pitts annihilated the Bucs last year, finishing as the TE7 and TE1 in weekly scoring against them in their two meetings.
Fantasy Football Flex & Deep Plays to Consider
Let’s fill out those flex spots.
Michael Penix is the QB18 in fantasy points per game after ripping off back-to-back QB1 outings (QB5, QB8). Among 34 qualifying passers, Penix is seventh in yards per attempt, 11th in passing success rate, 17th in catchable target rate, and 16th in hero throw rate. He has played far better than I anticipated this season. Penix could log another QB1 outing this week, but it’s better to view him as a mid-range QB2. Tampa Bay’s pass defense has been rounding into form. Across their last five games, they have allowed the tenth-fewest yards per attempt, the eighth-lowest passing success rate, the second-lowest EPA per dropback, and the 13th-lowest passing touchdown rate.
Concerning Starts & Players to Fade
Players in consideration for lineups, but temper your expectations this week.
Last week, Baker Mayfield posted only 6.7 fantasy points (QB26) in his return to the huddle. Mayfield’s thumb obviously isn’t 100%. He threw the ball only 11 times for 64 passing yards (5.8 yards per attempt) and a passing score. With those 11 passing attempts, Mayfield had an aDOT of 4.67 (third-lowest) and a 2.49 average time to throw (seventh-lowest). Despite the short area passing approach, Mayfield had only 36.4% of his throws deemed as highly accurate. With Tampa Bay protecting Mayfield with limited passing volume, it’s impossible to feel good about plugging him into a fantasy lineup. Across their last five games, Atlanta has allowed the 13th-fewest yards per attempt, the tenth-lowest passing touchdown rate, and the 14th-lowest EPA per dropback. During that span, the Falcons also have the 13th-best pressure rate and the ninth-best quick pressure rate. I expect another down week for Mayfield.
Chris Godwin hasn’t been fantasy relevant all year as the WR64 in fantasy points per game. He has yet to post even double-digit PPR points. Godwin has a 16.6% target share, 1.18 YPRR, three red zone targets, one deep target, and a 19.3% first-read share. It’s been tough to watch. Godwin is a sit-and-droppable at this point. Across their last five games, Atlanta has allowed the sixth-fewest yards per target and the second-fewest fantasy points per opportunity to slot receivers.
CAR vs. GB | BAL vs. BUF | TEN vs. CIN | ARI vs. DAL | MIN vs. DET | LV vs. NYJ | CLE vs. PIT | ATL vs. TB | IND vs. JAC | LAC vs. LAR | KC vs. DEN | NE vs. MIA | PHI vs. WAS | CHI vs. SEA
