Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, November 2, 2025, 1 p.m. ET
Location: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA
Network: CBS
Atlanta Falcons
Quarterback
Michael Penix Jr. SIT, QB2 (startable in Superflex)
He’s trending towards suiting up against New England, but Michael Penix Jr. belongs on the bench in any format. New England is one of the worst fantasy matchups for quarterbacks, and Penix has more games with zero passing touchdowns (two) than multiple touchdowns (one).
Running Back
Bijan Robinson: START, RB1
Tyler Allgeier: SIT
Miami came into Week 8 allowing the most rushing yards per game in the entire NFL. Atlanta came into Week 8 averaging the fourth-most rushing yards per game. So naturally, Bijan Robinson gets shut down, has his first game this season under 16 fantasy points, which also happened to be his worst game since Week 15 of his rookie season. To be fair, the Falcons’ offense wouldn’t have been able to move the ball against the JV team of your closest high school, but it was an absolute nightmare for what should have been his fourth game in a row with over 40 points. Thankfully for the Falcons offense, Penix is on track to return versus New England. That being said, you’re still starting Robinson. But did you know he was born in 2002, the same year Michael Myers returned (again) in “Halloween: Resurrection”? Tyler Allgeier was able to get in the end zone, yet still finished with fewer than 10 fantasy points. New England allows the fewest points to the position. Hard pass.
Wide Receiver
Drake London: START, WR2
Darnell Mooney: BORDERLINE FLEX
Drake London unexpectedly missed Week 8 against the Dolphins, but he’s predicted to return to face the Patriots in Foxboro. London has seen a target total of 36 over his previous three games, and as long as Penix returns, he’ll pepper London with enough targets to keep maintaining WR2 status. Darnell Mooney was the de facto WR1 against the Dolphins, but the entire offense fell flat. Still recovering from his hamstring injury but expected to play, Mooney is a borderline flex until he shows on the field he’s returned to his 2024 form.
Tight End
Kyle Pitts Sr.: START, TE1
The enigma that is Kyle Pitts Sr. has 19 targets over Atlanta’s past two games and 13 or more fantasy points in three of his last four. New England is a top-five fantasy matchup for tight ends, and Pitts is seeing enough volume to consider him a TE1 in Week 9.
Defense/Special Teams
Atlanta Falcons: SIT
The Atlanta defense is on a timeout for one week to think about what it did after letting Tua Tagovailoa throw four touchdowns against them.
New England Patriots
Quarterback
Drake Maye: START, QB1
If anybody was questioning Drake Maye coming into Week 8, he shushed them up real quick. Over their last three, Cleveland had given up just over 16 points per game, and the former North Carolina Tar Heel hung 32 on them. Maye started the game slowly, heading into the half with 10-of-16 passes for 168 yards, no touchdowns, and one pick. But the second half was another story, going 8-of-8, 114 passing yards, and, count ’em — one, two, three touchdowns. Maye is truly having a sophomore breakout. He’s proven himself a matchup-proof, must-start quarterback in all formats. Dare I say, MVP candidate?
Running Back
Rhamondre Stevenson: START, RB2
TreVeyon Henderson: FLEX, RB3
So you’re telling me there’s a chance. I said last week I was giving up hope, but I hope TreVeyon Henderson can forgive me. Hendo showed out against one of the best defenses in all of football, averaging 7.5 yards per carry on 10 touches for a career-best 75 rushing yards. Mike Vrabel continues to act like an ’80s dad who’s set in his way by still feeding Rhamonde Stevenson despite Henderson being the better back. Stevenson saw four more carries but could only muster 34 yards, good for 2.4 yards per carry. It was the second time this season Henderson saw double-digit touches, so the door is ever so slightly ajar for that second half of the season breakout from Henderson. It’s a risky proposition, but both are startable against Atlanta. The Falcons allow an average of 126.4 rushing yards per game, but have surrendered just four rushing touchdowns.
Wide Receiver
Stefon Diggs: START, WR3
Kayshon Boutte: FLEX, WR4
DeMario Douglas: SIT
Although Stefon Diggs is only playing about 50% of the snaps, he’s clearly the Pats’ WR1 and a high-end WR3. But it’s left enough room for Kayshon Boutte to become a downfield weapon for Drake Maye, leading the team with a 17.7 average depth of target and a 28.3% air yard share. Boutte has four touchdowns in his last three games, but is just a flex option against Atlanta. The Falcons’ defense has shut down the deep ball, holding teams to a league low 23.8% completion percentage on pass attempts over 20 yards.
Tight End
Hunter Henry: STREAMER
Hunter Henry, YOU are a member of tHe gLoB.
tHe gLoB (θɛ/glɒb) — A mass of tight ends whose stat line you can expect to be around 3-5 targets, 2-4 catches, 40-ish yards, and double-digit fantasy points if they happen to fall into the end zone.
Defense/Special Teams
New England Patriots: START
The Patriots’ defense has held teams under 20 points in four of its last five games, and racked up eight sacks and five turnovers in their last three.