Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold will line up against the Indianapolis Colts this Sunday in one of the juiciest matchups on paper this weekend. The 27-year-old has been excellent in his first season in a Vikings uniform and has the chance for another strong performance in Week 9. Indianapolis has allowed the eighth-most passing yards to opponents this season and the seventh-most yards per pass attempt (6.7). The only thing that could prevent the former first-round pick from having an above-average outing would be Minnesota leaning on the run, as Indy's D is worse against opposing ground attacks than they are through the air. Still, fantasy managers can confidently start Darnold in Week 9. He's RotoBaller's QB7 in this week's rankings.

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Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson had a quiet day on the ground in Week 8 (13-63-0), but surprisingly led the team in targets and receptions with seven apiece, totaling 43 yards and a touchdown. The volume was the eye-opener, but Robinson has been involved in the passing game throughout the season, catching at least three passes in seven of Atlanta's eight games. Even so, Week 9's matchup with the Cowboys points to a return of success on the ground with Dallas giving up the second-most fantasy points to running backs with 12 TDs allowed via rush, second-worst only to Carolina (14). Being the lead back who is involved in both the run and pass game in a contest that has a somewhat high expected total on the fast track inside the dome against a poor rush defense all indicates that the 22-year-old will be a high-end RB1 on Sunday.

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Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney drew six targets from Kirk Cousins last week, the sixth time in eight games he's done so. The 27-year-old hauled in four of them, turning them into 86 yards and a score, his fourth TD of the season. His 59 total targets equate to 22.84% target share and 31.77% of the team's air yards, giving him a solid role in the offense with a reliable floor for fantasy, especially in PPR. In Week 9, the Falcons take on the Cowboys on their home turf, a team that has held receivers somewhat in check by allowing the 12th fewest points to WRs so far this season but have yielded a league-worst 12.6 yards per reception. The Cowboys have allowed 77 points over the last two weeks combined, this game sports a 48.5 over/under, and Atlanta throws the ball at nearly a 57% clip. All of this is a recipe for involvement from the Falcon pass catchers, making Mooney a low-end WR2 this week.

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Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (toe) logged his second consecutive full practice on Friday. He has been removed from the final injury report and will play in Week 9. The 23-year-old has posted mixed results this season, benefitting greatly from Joe Flacco while struggling to form a rapport with Anthony Richardson. Fortunately for Downs, Richardson was benched for Flacco earlier this week. Downs has 24 catches, 217 yards, and two touchdowns through parts of three games with the veteran quarterback in 2024, and he should continue to rank as a mid-to-low fantasy WR2 for Week 9 against the Minnesota Vikings.

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New England Patriots wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk (concussion) has been removed from the final injury report and will play against the Tennessee Titans in Week 9. The rookie returns from an absence that ultimately lasted just one game. This week, he could be catching passes from either Drake Maye (concussion) or Jacoby Brissett, and we likely won't get confirmation on the quarterback position until Sunday. In the meantime, fantasy managers should make sure Polk is on their bench against a Titans defense allowing the third-fewest fantasy points per game to wide receivers who play out wide.

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Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (back) has been removed from the final injury report despite being limited in practice on Friday. The 27-year-old has posted mixed results this season, benefitting greatly from Joe Flacco while struggling to form a rapport with Anthony Richardson. Fortunately for Pittman, Richardson was benched for Flacco earlier this week. Pittman has 185 yards and two touchdowns through parts of three games with the veteran quarterback in 2024, and he should continue to rank as a mid-to-low fantasy WR2 for Week 9 against the Minnesota Vikings.

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Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (knee) is in a good position to return in Week 11 following the team's bye, head coach Mike Macdonald said on Friday. Metcalf has already been ruled out for Week 9, giving him his second consecutive absence. However, Macdonald likes what he has seen from Metcalf's recovery and is encouraged that he'll be back on the field in roughly two weeks. In the meantime, Seattle's passing attack will run through its healthiest starters, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Tyler Lockett.

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New England Patriots running back Antonio Gibson (toe) returned to practice in a full capacity on Friday. As a result, he has been removed from the final injury report and will play in Week 9 against the Tennessee Titans. This news doesn't mean much for fantasy football, as it has become clear this season that Gibson isn't going to be a dependable option for as long as Rhamondre Stevenson is healthy. Averaging just 29.6 rushing yards and 14.9 receiving yards per game this season, Gibson lacks fantasy appeal.

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New England Patriots kicker Joey Slye (personal) missed Friday's practice but is expected to return for this weekend's game against the Tennessee Titans. The 25-year-old has struggled with volume lately, converting all 11 of his extra-point attempts while going 11-for-13 on field goals. While some of these accuracy numbers are solid, fantasy managers should be dismayed by his reduced opportunities within a subpar offense. The Patriots don't look particularly desperate to score points this year, which does not bode well for fantasy managers or any other fans who are invested in Slye's success.

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Seattle Seahawks tight end Noah Fant (groin), who has already been ruled out for this Sunday, could miss additional time beyond the team's Week 10 bye, head coach Mike Macdonald told the media. With that said, Fant is expected to stay on the 53-man roster and will not be placed on injured reserve. The 26-year-old had put together some respectable showings over the last three weeks, averaging 4.3 catches and 49.7 receiving yards per game during that span. In his absence, Seattle will deploy AJ Barner, a rookie from Michigan, as its top tight end.

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New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry has strung together three impressive games and continued to play well with Drake Maye (concussion) or Jacoby Brissett under center. Over the last three weeks, Henry has 16 catches, 178 yards, and one touchdown, accounting for roughly half of his season's production. This solid stretch has allowed Henry to rank as the overall TE9 during that span, posting more fantasy points per game than players like Tucker Kraft, Sam LaPorta, and Dalton Kincaid. On a less promising note, the road gets tougher for Henry this week against the Titans. Tennessee's defense has allowed the fourth-fewest catches, third-fewest receiving yards, and sixth-fewest fantasy points to opposing tight ends this season. As a result, Henry falls just outside the top 12 fantasy options at his position.

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New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte has recently emerged as his team's busiest and most productive player at the position, but even he is still tough to trust heading into Week 9 against the Tennessee Titans. The 22-year-old has played north of 80 percent of offensive snaps in each of his last three games, but he's averaging just 2.3 catches, 46 receiving yards, and 0.3 touchdowns during that span. Even if New England keeps Sunday's game close against a subpar Titans team, Tennesse's solid defense will make it tough for Boutte to be productive. The Titans have allowed the third-fewest fantasy points per game to wide receivers who play out wide, like Boutte. The second-year receiver also has to deal with uncertainty at the quarterback position where Drake Maye (concussion) is listed as questionable.

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New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson had an impressive showing last Sunday, but he'll get a tougher matchup in the form of the Tennessee Titans during Week 9. The 2024 season has been a mixed bag of results for Stevenson, who is ultimately averaging 60.3 rushing yards, 8.7 receiving yards, and 0.7 touchdowns per game. His reduced work as a pass-catcher is particularly perplexing given how effective he's been as a receiver and blocker in past years. Nevertheless, Stevenson has showcased efficiency and a nose for the end zone this year, allowing him to rank as the overall RB24 so far this season. He'll likely fall a few spots against a Titans defense allowing the sixth-fewest rushing yards to opposing running backs, but he's still worth starting in most leagues.

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New England Patriots wide receiver DeMario Douglas has been ineffective over the last two weeks, averaging just two catches and 13 yards while seeing a reduction in snaps. More than one-third of his season total receiving yards came in just one game (Week 6), making him tough to trust in lineups on a week-after-week basis. This week, Douglas faces the Tennessee Titans, whose defense has quietly been one of the league's stronger units. They've been closer to mediocre against slot receivers like Douglas, allowing the 13th-fewest fantasy points per game to the position. Regardless of whether Drake Maye (concussion) or Jacoby Brissett starts on Sunday, Douglas is avoidable given his tough stretch and less-than-ideal matchup.

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Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp looks to return to WR1 form after his solid return in Week 8, even though fellow wideout Puka Nacua (knee) overshadowed him. He caught five passes on eight targets for 51 yards and a receiving touchdown. Week 9 presents a solid matchup against a Seattle Seahawks defense that ranks 16th in fantasy points allowed to opposing wide receivers. Nacua's status against Seattle is uncertain, meaning more targets could be heading Kupp's way if Nacua is ruled out. Darius Slayton, Deebo Samuel Sr., and Khalil Shakir have all gone over 100 yards receiving in recent weeks against them. The Rams' offense seems to be back in peak form with all of their weapons back. Expect his target share to continue to go up each week, as history has shown when Matthew Stafford is under center. Kupp should be started with confidence in all lineups and check in as RotoBaller's WR10 in the Week 9 rankings.

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Chicago Bears running back Roschon Johnson is eager for increased opportunities this week as he takes on the Arizona Cardinals in Week 9. Though he has been primarily used sparingly as a backup, he has established himself as the team's go-to goal-line back, showcasing his potential in that role. Last week, Johnson had a limited outing with just two carries for 6 yards, but he managed to find the end zone on a crucial goal-line carry. As he prepares for the matchup against the Cardinals, Johnson will be looking to capitalize on more red-zone opportunities. A favorable factor for him is that the Cardinals' defense currently ranks 24th in EPA per rush, indicating vulnerability against the run. This could allow Johnson to build on his solid play and become a more impactful contributor to the Bears' offense this week.

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This week, Chicago Bears wide receiver DJ Moore is a solid WR2/WR3 option. However, there is some downside to consider against the struggling Arizona Cardinals secondary, which currently ranks 30th in EPA per pass this season. Moore's season has been a bit of a rollercoaster, with inconsistent performances that have prevented him from reaching the level of reliability many anticipated, especially given the supposed improvements at quarterback. Last week, he had a quiet outing against the Washington Commanders, managing only two catches for 27 yards without finding the end zone. For the Bears to maximize their offensive potential, it's crucial that they find ways to get Moore more involved in the game plan. With the Cardinals' defensive struggles, this week presents a prime opportunity for him to break out and deliver a more robust performance for fantasy managers.

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Chicago Bears wide receiver Keenan Allen is looking to bounce back this week as he faces a mediocre Arizona Cardinals secondary. After a frustrating performance against an improved Washington Commanders defense last week, where he led the team in targets with seven but only managed to haul in two catches for 39 yards, Allen is eager to regain his rhythm. The Bears need him to be a key contributor, especially given the Cardinals' struggles in pass defense, currently ranking 30th in EPA per pass this season. This matchup presents a prime opportunity for Allen to improve his numbers and reestablish himself as a reliable target in the Bears' offense. With his talent and the favorable matchup, fantasy managers should have their fingers crossed for a significant rebound performance from Allen this week.

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Chicago Bears rookie wide receiver Rome Odunze has the potential for a strong performance this Sunday as he faces a vulnerable Arizona Cardinals secondary. Last week, Odunze led all Bears receivers with 41 yards against the Washington Commanders, a reflection of the team's overall struggles in the passing game. However, his six targets indicate that he is starting to carve out a role in the offense, which is often the case for rookie wideouts who gain traction as the season progresses. Given the Cardinals' defensive strugglesranking 30th in EPA per pass this seasonOdunze has a prime opportunity to capitalize on his targets. If he can continue to earn looks and leverage the matchup, he could emerge as a valuable asset for fantasy managers. This week, all eyes will be on Odunze to see if he can take advantage of the favorable conditions and elevate his game.

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Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet is positioned as a solid starter this week, largely due to a favorable matchup against the Arizona Cardinals secondary. Kmet faced challenges in Week 8 against the Washington Commanders, managing only one reception for 14 yards and failing to score. His performances this season have been characterized by a boom-or-bust nature, which is often the reality at the tight end position in fantasy football. However, the opportunity for a breakout game looms large this week, especially against a Cardinals defense that ranks 30th in EPA per pass. If Kmet can capitalize on Arizona's defensive weaknesses, he could significantly contribute to fantasy lineups. With the potential for increased targets and a favorable matchup, Kmet is a player to watch closely, making him a valuable asset for fantasy managers this week.

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