Welcome to my 2025 Plays & Fades for Week 9!
As we make the final push with roughly six games left in the fantasy football season, it’s more important than ever to make smart, sound decisions. Every little mistake can cost you a win in the standings.
Be careful not to trade away depth to upgrade a position. Injuries are part of the game, and you need as many startable players as possible.
Thank you all for joining me through the first half of the season. I’m handing these duties off to Rhett Manuel, and you’re in excellent hands. He will help guide you all the way to the fantasy championship.
Now, let’s get to Week 9’s Plays and Fades.
* Stats courtesy of the good folks over at PFF, Fantasy Points Data Suite, FantasyData.com, and FTN Fantasy. Fantasy point references will be made from Half-PPR scoring*
Quarterbacks
Play: Caleb Williams @ Cincinnati Bengals
- It doesn’t get much better for QBs facing the Cincinnati Bengals. They give up the seventh most fantasy points to the position.
- Caleb sits just outside the top 10 among quarterbacks in attempted deep throws and ranks inside the top 10 in deep throw percentage (minimum 125 dropbacks).
- Last week’s QB Play recommendation: Bo Nix was incredible yet again, throwing for nearly 250 yards and four touchdowns with one interception. He was QB6 for the week, giving us a nice hit.
Play: Kyler Murray/Jacoby Brissett Vs Dallas Cowboys
- Kyler Murray should return for the Cardinals after their bye week, and he now gets the Dallas Cowboys defense, which allows the most fantasy points to quarterbacks.
- He has yet to finish as a QB1 this season, but with the Cowboys giving up yards in chunks on both the ground and in the air, this is his best opportunity to do it. With the Cardinals short-handed at RB, you can expect Kyler to have to do more. I put Brissett in here as a play as well because he’s an easy pivot if Murray isn’t able to go.
- Last week’s QB Play recommendation: Michael Penix Jr was unexpectedly ruled out with a bone bruise to his knee.
Play: Joe Flacco Vs Chicago Bears
- Old man Joe is just getting it done with the Bengals, isn’t he? Since joining Cincinnati, he’s QB4 in passing yards and, get this — he hasn’t thrown an interception while tossing seven touchdown passes.
- He should continue to stay hot against the leaky secondary of the Bears. Chicago not only allows the eighth most fantasy points to quarterbacks, but they also allows 26.4 points per game. This game should be full of fantasy points on both sides!
- Keep an eye on Joe Flacco’s status. He popped up on the injury report with a shoulder injury. The team is saying he is 50-50 as of this writing.
- Last week’s QB Play recommendation: Not only was it a hit, but Jordan Love finished as the QB1 for the week.
Fade: C.J. Stroud Vs Denver Broncos
- C.J. Stroud should fall back to planet Earth even with Nico Collins returning. Over their last five games, the Broncos’ defense has only allowed two quarterbacks to throw a touchdown. (Jalen Hurts and Jaxson Dart)
- Stroud has been mediocre all season, averaging 217.5 yards passing per game and 7.0 YPA, and the offensive line hasn’t helped, as he’s 12th in QB pressures. The Broncos front should be able to visit Stroud often in the backfield.
- Last week’s QB Fade recommendation: This was a miss on Stroud as he was able to throw for most yards in a game this season with 318 yards, 2 TDs, and 1 Int.
Fade: Bo Nix @ Houston Texans
- I know he’s coming into Houston red hot with eight total touchdowns over his last two games. He’ll need to take better care of the ball, though, as he has five interceptions through eight games, and the Texans’ secondary is averaging just over one interception per contest.
- The Texans allow less than 200 passing yards per game and have held top QBs like Matthew Stafford, Baker Mayfield, and Sam Darnold to two touchdowns or fewer. They haven’t allowed three passing touchdowns in a single game all season.
- Last week’s QB Fade recommendation: Spencer Rattler was a hit, and he was benched in the third quarter for poor play.
Fade: Jaxson Dart Vs San Francisco 49ers
- How fitting that Jaxson Dart makes my fade list one final time. With Malik Nabers and now Cam Skattebo out for the season, the deck is really stacked against him.
- Dart is averaging a lowly 140.6 yards passing per game and, through seven games, hasn’t hit the 1,000-yard mark. The lack of passing is really going to haunt him in this game with the 49ers. Consider streaming a QB elsewhere if possible.
- Last week’s QB Fade recommendation: It was an easy hit with six teams on bye, it pushed Mariota up in rankings that he usually wouldn’t be otherwise.
Running Backs
Play: Chase Brown Vs Chicago Bears
- Since Joe Flacco’s arrival, Brown has reemerged as a legitimate RB2 and is starting to feel confident in him again in lineups. ***CHECK *** The Bears are a friendly matchup to RBs, where they allow the 10th most fantasy points to the position.
- In the last three games with Flacco under center, Brown is RB12 in yards, RB14 in rushing yards per game, and the 10th most explosive yards (on minimum 25 carries).
- Last week’s RB Play recommendation: A big hit for Breece Hall, where he took 18 carries for 133 yards and two touchdowns. He even passed for a TD.
Play: J.K. Dobbins @ Houston Texans
- It’s not an easy matchup by any means, as the Texans limit the rushing yards to 88.4 yards per game. It’s a volume play here for me as an RB2.
- Despite R.J. Harvey catching a touchdown and Dobbins being held out of the end zone, he still topped 100 yards last week against the Cowboys. Dobbins is still averaging over five yards per carry and handling 54.5% of the team’s rushing attempts.
- Last week’s RB Play recommendation: Took an L on this one. With virtually no receiving work and just 10–15 carries a game, Pacheco’s a volatile play who’ll need touchdowns to pay off going forward.
Play: D’Andre Swift @ Cincinnati Bengals
- Halfway through the season, D’Andre Swift sits at RB11 in PPR, just behind Cam Skattebo for a top-10 spot in fantasy scoring. He’s performing exactly as I projected him to be doing before fantasy football drafts.
- Nothing changes for Swift in this matchup with the Bengals. I expect both sides to put points on the board, and Swift should keep rolling against a defense allowing a league-high 151.9 rushing yards per game.
- Last week’s RB Play recommendation: Barely a hit with Swift, who found the end zone to save the day and sneak into RB2 territory.
Fade: James Cook Vs Kansas City Chiefs
- If you have James Cook, he’s still a must-start as an RB1 or high-end RB2—just temper expectations in this tough matchup. The Chiefs’ run defense has been stingy all season, allowing the fifth fewest fantasy points to running backs.
- As good as James Cook has been, the Chiefs’ defense has been better. They have yet to allow an RB to eclipse the 100-yard mark or even a two-touchdown game against them.
- Last week’s RB Fade recommendation: Jaylen Warren’s fade suggestion was a hit, even though he had sufficient numbers finishing as a high-end flex.
Fade: Bill Croskey-Merritt vs Seattle Seahawks
- I guess it’s time for me to wave the white flag on an RB I continued to back. He’s fine as a desperate flex, but he’s fallen out on a lock-and-load RB2 or high-end flex play.
- He’s a bit of a wildcard, finishing as an RB1 twice but following it up with games well outside flex territory. He’s hard to trust. Jeremy McNichols has taken a firm hold as the receiving back, and Seattle has been stingy against the position, allowing the ninth fewest fantasy points to running backs.
- Last week’s RB Fade recommendation: Tony Pollard was a hit as he carried the ball 11 times for just 44 yards. Tyjae Spears stole the touchdown.
Fade: Rhamondre Stevenson Vs Atlanta Falcons
- Let’s go back to the “fade” well on Rhamondre Stevenson this week at home against the Falcons. He’s only averaging just over 10 carries per game with virtually no work in the receiving game.
- The Falcons aren’t exactly a tough run defense, but if Rhamondre isn’t getting north of 18 carries, it’s hard to see him finishing as an RB2 unless he finds the end zone. I’m fading him due to the lack of volume.
- Last week’s RB Fade recommendation: A nice hit here for Rhamondre Stevenson. Rookie TreVeon Henderson outproduced him. Stevenson finished with 14 carries for 34 yards and no touchdowns.
Wide Receivers
Play: Jaylen Waddle Vs Baltimore Ravens
- As bad as the Dolphins offense has been, just like De’Von Achane, you can’t fade Jaylen Waddle right now. He’s tied with Achane for the team lead in targets and is averaging 10.29 yards per target, showing Tua’s trust in him on intermediate and deep routes.
- The Ravens are an all-around juicy matchup for pass catchers. This game has shootout potential, with both defenses allowing over 26 points per game.
- Last week’s WR Play recommendation: I gotta credit the Dallas Cowboys for containing Courtland Sutton. Their game plan was to take Sutton out of this game, and he finished with four catches for 67 yards—a miss.
Play: Zay Flowers @ Miami Dolphins
- I realize it’s been tough sledding for Zay Flowers since Week 1who hasn’t finished as a WR1 or WR2 since the opener. Some of it has to do with Lamar Jackson going down and Cooper Rush’s poor play.
- This is a nice bounce-back game for him, coming home from nearby Fort Lauderdale. The Dolphins run the most Cover 2 defense in the league, and Zay Flowers has a strong 10% win rate getting open against it. It puts him in the same elite class as Tyreek Hill, Justin Jefferson, and Mike Evans.
- Last week’s WR Play recommendation: 12 targets for Chris Olave, where he caught eight of those for 67 yards. It was a nice outing for him, but it’s a miss.
Play: Marvin Harrison Jr @ Dallas Cowboys
- It’s been a slow start, a little up and down for Harrison Jr, but what a beautiful matchup he gets with the Dallas Cowboys secondary. I’ve said in previous articles, no matter who faces the Cowboys, we gotta fire up the offensive players.
- Marvin Harrison Jr is second across the board on the team in targets, yards, receptions, and leads in air yards. He is a solid WR2/Flex start, whether it’s Kyler Murray under center or Jacoby Brissett.
- Last week’s WR Play recommendation: I botched the George Pickens call, making this a clear miss. Pat Surtain even got hurt, but Pickens still caught seven catches for 78 yards. Not bad, just not enough.
Fade: Courtland Sutton @ Houston Texans
- I’m doubling down on Nix and Courtland Sutton to struggle in H-town. Even if Pat Surtain misses this contest, I expect the game to be on the lower side of scoring. The Broncos are just deep in the secondary.
- As far as this matchup goes, Derek Stingley Jr. can hold his own and should see plenty of Courtland Sutton. Through seven games, Stingley has allowed just 19 receptions on 34 targets and one touchdown in coverage. Sutton should be on your bench in Week 9.
- Last week’s WR Fade recommendation: It was a miss on Jaylen Waddle. Tua set the field on fire with his QB1 spot on the hot seat. Waddle had five catches for 99 yards and a TD.
Fade: Stefon Diggs Vs Atlanta Falcons
- Diggs is the WR to own in New England, as he is the top option in the offense. That said, Drake Maye spreads the ball around. Diggs leads with a 21.5% target share, while Henry has 15.4%, Kayshon Boutte 12.7%, and Demario Douglas just under 10%.
- Diggs faces a tough matchup, as the Falcons allow the fifth fewest fantasy points per game to wide receivers. Last week against another strong defense in the Browns, he salvaged his fantasy day with a touchdown after catching three passes for just 14 yards.
- Last week’s WR Fade recommendation: Ricky Pearsall was held out another week with his knee injury. He’ll try to return in Week 9.
Fade: Tetairoa McMillan @ Green Bay Packers
- The Panthers will likely get Bryce Young back under center after missing a week with an ankle injury. It may not matter, though, as Young might not have much time to find T-Mac downfield. According to PFF, Green Bay ranks in the top five in both pass rush and coverage grades.
- The Packers have allowed just one 100-yard receiving game to a wideout this season, courtesy of George Pickens. Bryce Young has faced the 10th-highest pressure rate, and you can bet Micah Parsons and Rashan Gary are licking their chops for this one.
- Last week’s WR Fade recommendation: It was a hit with Romeo Doubs. With the Packers getting everyone back in the receiver room, it’ll be hard to trust Doubs going forward.
Tight Ends
Play: Travis Kelce @ Buffalo Bills
- I’m amazed he’s being ranked so low at ECR TE10. Even with Rashee Rice back in the lineup, Kelce remains an essential piece to this offense.
- Rice will, of course, take some targets from Travis Kelce, but having him back actually helps Kelce’s production. Since Rice returned in Weeks 7 and 8, Kelce ranks second in receptions, first in yards, and a close third in targets, just one behind Xavier Worthy.
- Last week’s TE Play recommendation: Evan Engram didn’t do enough for us. He only caught four balls for 36 yards. Woof.
Play: Sam Laporta Vs Minnesota Vikings
- I know it’s been a little up and down for Laporta, and maybe he hasn’t given you what you wanted, considering where you drafted him, but better days are ahead.
- The Vikings have been leaky in the secondary lately, allowing big plays to happen. Laporta is second on the team in receptions, yards, target share percentage, and yards per route run. Play Laporta as a back-end TE1 vs Minnesota.
- Last week’s TE Play recommendation: Orange Gadsden smashed the play call. He finished with five catches for 77 yards and a touchdown. It’s back-to-back weeks now of top 5 finishes at TE.
Play: Mark Andrews @ Miami Dolphins
- The matchup is too good to sit Mark Andrews this week. With Lamar Jackson expected back, this sets up as a strong bounce-back spot for him.
- The Dolphins allow the 11th most fantasy points to tight ends, and four have topped 50 yards against them over the last six games: Dalton Kincaid, Mason Taylor, Oronde Gadsden, and Kyle Pitts.
- Last week’s TE Play recommendation: This was a hit for Kyle Pitts Sr. He didn’t score, but he still grabbed nine balls for 59 yards, which you can’t ask for much more at the TE position.
Fade: Evan Engram @ Houston Texans
- There’s not enough meat on the bone in the Broncos offense for Evan Engram. The volume isn’t there for him to produce, and this matchup doesn’t help.
- The Texans allow the fourth fewest fantasy points to tight ends. Among Broncos TEs, Engram ranks third in targets, third in receptions, and fourth in yards.
- Last week’s TE Fade recommendation: Zach Ertz was a hit. Whenever Marcus Mariota is under center, Ertz becomes an easy fade. He doesn’t look his way often or push the ball downfield. He finished with four catches for 16 yards.
Fade: Dalton Kincaid @ Kansas City Chiefs
- Starting Kincaid feels risky after his oblique injury. He played last week but was on the field for just 22% of snaps. He could be limited again, so it’s best to monitor his status.
- Additionally, his matchup against the Chiefs is daunting. Kansas City allows the fourth fewest fantasy points to tight ends. Bench Kincaid and reevaluate for next week.
- Last week’s TE Fade recommendation: It was a gutsy call to fade Jake Ferguson, but it paid off. I didn’t expect him to finish without a catch, but he was indeed held catchless against Denver.
Fade: Kyle Pitts Sr @ New England Patriots
- Even though Pitts had a great game last week, I expect Drake London to return and take a good chunk of those nine targets. Head coach Raheem Morris labeled London as day-to-day, which is a positive sign for his Week 9 return.
- Despite the Patriots being a favorable matchup for tight ends, allowing the fifth most fantasy points to the position, they’ve been solid lately. In their last six games, four tight ends have been held under 50 yards, with only Dalton Kincaid reaching 100, and the Browns’ duo combining for nearly 100.
- Last week’s TE Fade recommendation: Hunter Henry caught one pass for seven yards, and it just happened to be a touchdown. That’s how wild this position is. It’s a miss, all because he found the end zone on one measly catch. You have to laugh at this one.
D/ST
Play: Jacksonville Jaguars @ Las Vegas Raiders
- Let’s see if the bye did the Raiders any good. I doubt it; it’s still Geno Smith who is tied for the most interceptions along with Tua Tagovailoa. Fire up the Jags defense.
- The Raiders have struggled with ball security, committing 12 turnovers, just one fewer than the league-leading Titans. The Jaguars are tied for the second-most interceptions, so expect this defense to create some takeaways.
- Last week’s D/ST Play recommendation: We crushed the call to play Tampa Bay here. The Bucs recorded a couple of interceptions, including a pick-six, and added five total sacks.
Play: Los Angeles Chargers @ Tennessee Titans
- Next up to face the Titans are the Los Angeles Chargers. It’s no secret the Titans have been struggling offensively, ranking dead last in points per game and leading the league in turnovers.
- The Chargers’ defense has been inconsistent, partly due to injuries. Getting Khalil Mack back this week should give a boost to their front line. Fire up the Chargers with utmost confidence.
- Last week’s D/ST Play recommendation: What an unfortunate miss here—I took the Atlanta Falcons against the struggling Miami Dolphins. I didn’t see Tua getting off the bus and tossing four touchdown passes with a near-perfect QB rating of 138.6.
Play: San Francisco 49ers @ New York Giants
- I know Tyrone Tracy is next in line for Cam Skattebo, and he’s shown flashes last year, but when he filled in for Skattebo this past week, he managed just 10 carries for 39 yards.
- The 49ers are holding opponents to under three touchdowns per game, and with Dart struggling to push the ball downfield, I expect the 49ers to control this game from start to finish.
- Last week’s D/ST Play recommendation: Not my best start recommendation. Missed the mark on that one as C.J. Stroud carved them up through the air, and the 49ers finished as the D/ST16 on the week.
Fade: Chicago Bears @ Cincinnati Bengals
- The Bears are ranked in streamer territory this week in Cincinnati, but I don’t buy them as a streaming option unless Jake Browning starts. Joe Flacco is dealing with an AC joint injury, and head coach Zac Taylor said he’s 50-50 to play.
- The Bengals are going to do whatever they can to get Joe Flacco on the field because they know they’re in trouble with Jake Browning under center. Since joining Cincinnati, Flacco has yet to throw an interception, and this game has shootout potential, so be cautious with the Bears’ defense. Keep an eye on the quarterback situation, and if Browning does get the start, then by all means, fire up the Bears.
- Last week’s D/ST Fade recommendation: Perfect call to fade the Bengals last week, even against the lowly Jets offense. They gave up another 30-plus points and failed to force a single turnover.
Fade: Atlanta Falcons @ New England Patriots
- What a disappointment the Falcons were last week against Miami, right? Not a single turnover, are you kidding me? This certainly isn’t the best matchup either for a get right game against New England.
- Drake Maye is the current QB3 in fantasy scoring, and it doesn’t seem to matter who he’s facing. He just lit up the Browns’ secondary. The Falcons have been a solid defense overall, but they’ll have their hands full against the league’s 10th-ranked offense.
- Last week’s D/ST Fade recommendation: Totally blew fading the Cleveland Browns last week against the Patriots. I even pointed out that Myles Garrett hadn’t had a monster game yet, and what did he do? Went out and recorded five sacks. Of course he did.
