Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, September 28, 2025, 1:00 PM ET
Location: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA
Network: FOX
Carolina Panthers
Quarterback
Bryce Young: SIT
With the anemic Atlanta offense failing to put up any points, Bryce Young‘s low point total in Week 3 doesn’t come as much of a surprise. But his completion percentage sits just above 60 percent on the season, and he’s thrown for fewer than 160 yards in two of three games. New England’s defense has been a mixed bag, and the matchup is neutral for fantasy, but I’m not starting Young unless I have no other options.
Running Back
Chuba Hubbard: START, RB2
Rico Dowdle: SIT
There’s no doubt that Chuba Hubbard is the Panthers’ bellcow, handling 58.1% of the team’s carries. But Rico Dowdle has gotten the goal line work, handling 75% of the carries inside the five, vulturing a touchdown from Hubbard against Atlanta. The Patriots allow the second fewest rushing yards per game at 60.3, so the matchup isn’t great. Hubbard is a rock-solid RB2 based on volume and his involvement in the pass game, but Dowdle’s usage on the goal line caps his upside.
Wide Receiver
Tetairoa McMillan: START, WR2
Xavier Legette: SIT
Hunter Renfrow: SIT
Getting fed exactly the type of target share we had hoped for, Tetairoa McMillan‘s nine looks per game have yet to equate to a touchdown and just a single 100-yard game. Tet missed practice on Wednesday due to a calf issue, so there are questions about his availability on Sunday. But if he’s active, view McMillan as a high-end WR2 with upside. New England has given up the sixth most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers; it wouldn’t be a shock to see him score his first NFL touchdown this weekend.
Tight End
Ja’Tavion Sanders: SIT
Tommy Tremble:SIT
Ja’Tavion Sanders is in danger of missing Week 4 due to a high ankle sprain, but neither he nor backup Tommy Tremble are worth starting against the Pats.
Defense/Special Teams
Carolina Panthers: SIT
Week 3 was an aberration for the Panthers D/ST, and they’re not an advisable start in any format.
New England Patriots
Quarterback
Drake Maye: START, QB1
Carolina has been a surprisingly difficult matchup from a fantasy perspective, allowing the fewest points to opposing quarterbacks this season. But the three they’ve faced (Trevor Lawrence, Kyler Murray, and Michael Penix) haven’t exactly been lighting the world on fire. Drake Maye has had some growing pains (like throwing a pick in two of three games), but he’s shown enough flashes of brilliance to hold the sophomore breakout mantle he’s been given. His TD: INT ratio is 5:2, and that’s not including the rushing TD he chipped in Week 2. He’s a must-start in all formats.
Running Back
TreVeyon Henderson: START, RB2
Rhamondre Stevenson: FLEX, RB3
Antonio Gibson: SIT
It took two lost fumbles from Rhamondre Stevenson and then another from Antonio Gibson, but TreVeyon Henderson finally led the Patriots in carries. He didn’t do a whole lot with them, but hopefully it leads to more opportunities and his eventual takeover of the backfield. He was seen running with the ones in practice this week, so that’s another positive sign. The Panthers have allowed over 100 total yards to running backs in two of three games, and just under it (96) to James Conner and Trey Benson in Week 2. The matchup is average, but if Henderson can get the touches, he has the talent to push for borderline RB1 status.
Wide Receiver
Kayshon Boutte: SIT
MacK Hollins: SIT
Stefon Diggs: SIT
DeMario Douglas: SIT
Patriots’ receivers have scored over 10 points just twice this season: both Stefon Diggs and Kayshon Boutte in Week 1. The target distribution is too far too inconsistent to trust any pass catcher not named Hunter Henry in New England.
Tight End
Hunter Henry: START, TE1
Speaking of Hunter Henry, he had his first game of 20+ fantasy points since 2019, coming down with two touchdowns and catching eight passes for 90 yards. It’s his second game this season with eight or more targets, and it seems as if Henry has become the go-to for Drake Maye. Against a Panthers unit that has given up the eighth most fantasy points to the position, Henry is a TE1 for Week 4.
Defense/Special Teams
New England Patriots: START
The Pats D/ST has racked up nine sacks and three interceptions over the first three weeks, and it’s a fantastic start against the Panthers, who average less than 300 total yards per game.