The 2025 Fantasy Football season has been thrilling, full of the unexpected. Key players initially expected to perform well are underperforming, injuries have affected team dynamics, and some players are making remarkable comebacks. New breakout stars are surfacing, and player roles continue to change. Each week brings valuable lessons. Regardless of your league position, don’t lose hope if you’re behind, and avoid complacency if you’re leading. Remember, Fantasy Football is a marathon, not a sprint. I’m here to help you seize every chance to “Play 2 Win.” Let’s get it
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2025 Fantasy Football: Weekly Winners – Week 9
Daniel Jones vs. PIT
Daniel Jones has been one of the biggest Fantasy surprises this year, as the next quarterback to turn his career around. Indiana Jones is thriving as a Colt, as evidenced by his five weeks over 22 Fantasy Points, with three of those being the last three weeks in a row. Across the previous two weeks, Jones has thrown for over 270 yards in both games with five passing touchdowns, showing upside through the air. Jones also has four rushing touchdowns as a dual-threat.
Up next for the Colts is a Steelers defense that allows the most passing yards per game (273.3) and the second-most Fantasy PPG to quarterbacks. Jones has been hot for three straight games and is set up perfectly for another big day.
Tua Tagovailoa vs. BAL
After two terrible weeks for Tua Tagovailoa, he had a solid Week 8. Tua threw 20/26 (76.9%) for 205 yards and four touchdowns, which was 24.2 Fantasy Points. This was the fifth week Tua threw multiple touchdowns, and the second week across the last four that he produced over 22 Fantasy Points. This performance was encouraging as Atlanta is not an easy passing opponent, and Tua has been without Tyreek Hill and now Jonnu Smith.
The Dolphins will face a Ravens defense in Week 9 that allows the fourth-most Fantasy PPG to quarterbacks and the fifth-most passing yards per game (250.9). Lamar Jackson should be back this week, which should create a positive game script through the air in this matchup. Tua may be hard to trust, but he was both productive and efficient last week, and the matchup is nice.
Sam Darnold vs. WSH
Sam Darnold is a solid bounce-back candidate for Week 9 after a down week for Fantasy Football before the Week 8 BYE. After a solid season last year as a Viking, Darnold has looked solid again as a Seahawk. Darnold has finished three weeks with 295+ passing yards, four weeks throwing multiple touchdowns, and two weeks with 20+ Fantasy Points.
In Week 9, the Seahawks will face a Commanders defense that allows the sixth-most Fantasy PPG to quarterbacks and the seventh-most passing yards per game (244). This matchup is a solid one for the Darnold and Jaxon Smith-Njigba connection to continue thriving in.
Check out all of our Week 9 Rankings: Flex Rankings | QB Rankings | RB Rankings | WR Rankings | TE Rankings
D’Andre Swift vs. CIN
Since the Bears’ Week 5 BYE, D’Andre Swift has been one of the biggest Fantasy Football risers. Swift has scored 25.5, 20.8, and then 15.1 Fantasy Points during this stretch, and oddly enough, he looks like the focal point of this Chicago offense. Swift produced 175 scrimmage yards and a receiving touchdown in Week 6, 138 scrimmage yards and a rushing touchdown in Week 7, then scored another rushing touchdown in Week 8.
The Bears will face a Bengals defense in Week 9 that allows the most Fantasy PPG to running backs and also the most rushing yards per game (151.9) on the year. The simple Fantasy Football advice at times is to “ride the hot hand,” and with a great matchup for Swift, that is exactly what you should do.
Kimani Vidal vs. TEN
Kimani Vidal has been a Fantasy Football force in two of his last three weeks, with scores of 22.8 in Week 6 and then 19.7 in Week 8. Vidal rushed 18 times for 124 yards and caught three balls for 14 yards and a touchdown in Week 6. Then in Week 8, Vidal rushed 23 times for 117 yards and a touchdown with a 10-yard reception. These two examples show workhorse volume paired with great production.
The Chargers will face a Titans defense in Week 9 that allows the second-most Fantasy PPG to running backs, and the seventh-most rushing yards per game (142.6). The Titans are one of, if not the least, competitive teams in the NFL, which creates positive rushing scripts. Viidal should remain a strong asset until Omarion Hampton is back.
Bam Knight vs. DAL
Bam Knight has been operating as the lead back for the Cardinals with both James Conner out for the year due to injury and Trey Benson on the IR. Knight scored a touchdown back in Week 5, produced 54 scrimmage yards and a touchdown in Week 6, then totaled 64 scrimmage yards on 17 touches in Week 7. Michael Carter was released by the Cardinals, then brought back to the practice squad. It is clear that Knight is “the guy” until Benson returns.
The Cardinals will face a Cowboys defense in Week 9 that allows the fourth-most Fantasy PPG to running backs and the fourth-most rushing yards per game (146.0) this season. I am not sure you can bank on Knight exploding for yards, but you should be able to bank on volume and touchdown potential when the Cardinals are in the red zone. Sleeper pick here.
Kareem Hunt vs. BUF
Isiah Pacheco is considered week-to-week due to a right MCL sprain, and while many Dynasty fanatics will scream for rookie Brashard Smith, Kareem Hunt should operate as the lead back. Hunt has already been working into the offense, and has finished three weeks with 11.4 (Week 3), 18.7 (Week 5), and 17.2 (Week 8) Fantasy Points. Hunt scored at least one touchdown in each of those games, with two in Week 5. Last season, Hunt had a stretch as the lead back and finished four weeks with 17+ Fantasy Points.
The Chiefs will face a Bills defense in Week 9 that allows the sixth-most Fantasy PPG to running backs and the second-most rushing yards per game (150.3). The focus of this matchup will be Patrick Mahomes vs. Josh Allen, but it is a good one to be the lead back in. Hunt is a sleeper running back for Week 9.
Marvin Harrison Jr. vs. DAL
Marvin Harrison Jr. has had some ups and downs this season, but has definitely displayed the upside we knew was attached to his profile. MHJ has finished weeks with 71 (Week 1) and 98 (Week 5) receiving yards. He has scored two touchdowns this year, ranks 11th in yards per reception (16.5), and has two weeks of 18+ Fantasy Points. Not the most consistent production, but there are reminders of who this guy can be.
The Cardinals will face the Cowboys in Week 9, who allow the most Fantasy PPG to wide receivers and also the second-most passing yards per game (258.6) this season. The Dallas offense is strong and consistently creates positive game scripts through the air. So, with plenty of passing expected in this matchup, and the defense being a great one for MHJ, you can plug him into your lineups with confidence.
Jaylen Waddle vs. BAL
Jaylen Waddle has scored 15+ Fantasy Points in three of his last four games, with two of those games being over 20 Fantasy Points. Waddle has produced 110 (Week 5) 95 (Week 6), and 99 (Week 8) yards during this stretch with two touchdowns scored. With Tyreek Hill out for the season and Darren Waller on IR, Waddle is stepping up big for Tua Tagovailoa, but his Fantasy Football production is not foreign.
The Dolphins will face a Ravens defense in Week 9 that allows the second-most Fantasy PPG to wide receivers and the fifth-most passing yards per game (250.9). Lamar Jackson should be back this week, which would even further emphasize this being a game the Dolphins have to compete with through the air. This is a solid game script + matchup combination for Waddle.
Travis Hunter vs. LV
Travis Hunter had his “breakout” game in Week 7 right before the Jaguars’ BYE. Hunter caught eight of his 14 targets for 101 yards and a touchdown playing 87% of the snaps, which was 24.1 Fantasy Points. All season-high metrics. Brian Thomas Jr. has been dealing with a shoulder injury, which can even further emphasize Hunter being a big part of the Jaguars’ offense this coming week.
The Jaguars will face a Raiders defense in Week 9 that allows the third-most Fantasy PPG to wide receivers this season. The Jaguars are trying to avoid going .500 (4-4), so even if the Raiders are 2-5, this is a must-win game. The explosion in Week 7 can hint to a continued heavy role for Hunter in the Jags offense.
DK Metcalf vs. IND
DK Metcalf scored his fifth touchdown of the season in Week 8. While touchdowns have lifted DK’s production this season, he also has flashes that include three weeks of seven or more targets, three weeks over 80 receiving yards, a 126-yard game, three weeks of 20+ yards per catch, and three weeks of 16+ Fantasy Points. While Metcalf’s target total ranks 35th (43), he does rank top 10 for the position in both yards per target (10.7) and yards per reception (17.1), which shows solid efficiency.
The Steelers will face a Colts defense in Week 9 that allows the fourth-most Fantasy PPG to wide receivers and also the fourth-most passing yards per game (252). The Colts are much tougher against the run, and are a tough squad at 7-1, so I expect Aaron Rodgers to be looking DK’s way plenty in this one.
Jordan Addison vs. DET
Jordan Addison scored the lone touchdown in Week 8, which was his second of the season through four appearances. Addison started off his first three games very Fantasy productive, with scores of 15.4, 15.1, and then 21.8. Addison produced 114 (Week 4) and 128 (Week 7) yards in two of those weeks. Addison’s production should remind people that yes, Justin Jefferson is one of the league’s best wide receivers, but Addison is a first-round solid talent as well that should not be undervalued.
The Vikings will take on the Lions in Week 9, who allow the seventh-most Fantasy PPG to wide receivers this season. Any game against Detroit is looked at as a potential “shootout”, which would be in Addison’s favor. Addison should carry FLEX upside this week, which has been evident in 75% of his games this year.
Tre Tucker vs. JAX
Tre Tucker is a deeper sleeper to consider for Week 9. Tucker had that massive Fantasy Week 3, where he caught eight of his nine targets for 145 yards and three touchdowns for 40.9 Fantasy Points. Tucker will likely never match that again, but it was one of four double-digit target weeks. Tucker has finished four weeks with 14+ yards per catch, two weeks of 18+ yards per catch, and three weeks with 60+ receiving yards. Tucker has averaged 5.67 targets across the last three games.
The Raiders will face a Jaguars defense in Week 9 that allows the eighth-most Fantasy PPG to wide receivers and the sixth-most passing yards per game (245.7). There is receiving yard upside evident in Tucker, the volume has been decent, and the matchup is nice, which makes him a dart-throw FLEX for the week.
Kyle Pitts vs. NE
Kyle Pitts has been trending up the last two weeks. During this span, he has earned 19 targets, caught 16 of them, produced 62/59 yards, and scored 13.2/14.9 Fantasy Points. Back in Week 4, Pitts caught five balls for 70 yards and a touchdown, which was 18 Fantasy Points. Clear signs of life here, and we are unsure of Drake London’s health percentage with him missing Week 8.
The Falcons will face the Patriots in Week 9, who allow the fifth-most Fantasy PPG to tight ends this season. The Patriots are hot at 6-2 right now, so this will be a huge task at hand for the Falcons, and Pitts should continue to be a big part of their game plan. I am loving his volume the last two weeks, and he clearly has yardage upside as an athletic tight end.
Zach Ertz vs. SEA
Zach Ertz has averaged 6.33 targets across the last three weeks and scored a touchdown in two of those games. Ertz has produced double-digit Fantasy Points four times this season, with two of those games being over 16 Fantasy Points. The hope is that Jayden Daniels is back in action for Week 9, as Ertz is a very reliable target for him.
The Commanders will face the Seahawks in Week 9, who allow the eighth-most Fantasy PPG to tight end and the 10th-most passing yards per game (230.1) this season. The Commanders have not been able to rely on the run consistently, and this Seahawks offense is sneaky-good, so I expect Ertz to be involved plenty in this matchup.
Make sure to check out all of our Week 9 Fantasy Football Rankings and Analysis!
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