Sun Oct 12 10:06pm ET
Field Level Media
Bryce Young threw for three touchdowns, Rico Dowdle rushed for 183 yards and caught a touchdown pass against his former team and the Carolina Panthers beat the Dallas Cowboys 30-27 with a field goal on the final play on Sunday in Charlotte.
Ryan Fitzgerald's 33-yard kick for his third field goal of the game gave the Panthers (3-3) their second consecutive victory. They held the ball for 15 plays on the game's last possession.
Dowdle, in his first season with Carolina after four years with the Cowboys, finished with 239 scrimmage yards (team-high 56 receiving). He is the first player in franchise history to top 200 in consecutive games. Young completed 17 of 25 passes for 199 yards, including two TD passes to first-round pick Tetairoa McMillan, and an interception.
Dak Prescott threw for three touchdowns and 261 yards on 25-for-34 passing for Dallas (2-3-1), which had only 31 rushing yards.
Chargers 29, Dolphins 27
Cameron Dicker's 33-yard field goal with 5 seconds left lifted Los Angeles to a close win over host Miami. The game-winner was Dicker's fifth field goal in five attempts for the game and helped the Chargers (4-2) snap a two-game losing streak.
Justin Herbert completed 29 of 38 passes for 264 yards, two touchdown passes and no interceptions and hit Ladd McConkey on a long 42-yard connection late to set up the game-winner. Kimani Vidal ran for 124 yards on 18 carries and caught a touchdown pass.
De'Von Achane rushed for 128 yards on 16 carries and scored a pair of rushing touchdowns for the Dolphins (1-5), who dropped their second in a row and are off to their worst start since opening the 2021 season with a 1-7 record.
Colts 31, Cardinals 27
Jonathan Taylor rushed for 123 yards and the go-ahead touchdown as Indianapolis rallied in the fourth quarter to edge visiting Arizona.
Taylor scored on a 1-yard run with 4:32 left as the Colts (5-1) took a one-game lead in the AFC South on Jacksonville, a 20-12 loser at home to Seattle. Quarterback Daniel Jones added 212 yards passing on 22 of 30 accuracy, throwing for two touchdowns and one interception.
Backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett, starting in place of injured Kyler Murray (foot), completed 27 of 44 passes for 320 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. It wasn't enough to prevent the Cardinals (2-4) from losing their fourth straight game.
Patriots 25, Saints 19
Drake Maye threw for 261 yards and three touchdowns as visiting New England improved to 3-0 on the road with the win at New Orleans.
Maye, who hit 18 of 2 passes, hooked up DeMario Douglas for a 53-yard touchdown strike in the first quarter before connecting with Kayshon Boutte for 25 and 29 yards in the second to build a 22-14 halftime lead. Boutte finished with five catches for 93 yards for the Patriots (4-2), who tied their win total for last season.
Spencer Rattler completed 20 of 26 passes for 227 yards while Blake Grupe booted four field goals for the Saints (1-5). Taysom Hill scored on a 1-yard run for New Orleans' lone touchdown while Chris Olave collected six catches for 98 yards.
Steelers 23, Browns 9
Aaron Rodgers threw for 235 yards and two touchdowns while host Pittsburgh's defense piled up six sacks to lead Cleveland from start to finish in an AFC North matchup.
Rodgers connected with Connor Heyward for 12 yards in the third quarter and DK Metcalf for a 25-yard score on the first play of the fourth. Jalen Ramsey and Nate Helbig registered two sacks apiece for the Steelers (4-1) while Chris Boswell booted three field goals of 40-plus yards.
Rookie Dillon Gabriel hit 29 of 52 passes for 221 yards in his second start, but he could not get the Browns into the end zone. Harold Fannin Jr. caught seven passes for 81 yards while Andre Szmyt converted field goals of 31, 53 and 32 yards for Cleveland (1-5), which has not won a regular-season game at Pittsburgh since 2003.
Broncos 13, Jets 11
Denver's defense lowered the boom on New York and the Broncos did enough to leave London with a narrow win.
The Jets (0-6) had minus-10 net passing yards and quarterback Justin Fields was sacked nine times, but New York had a lead late and a chance to kick a long game-winning field goal on the final drive.
Wil Lutz punched in a 27-yard field goal with 5:06 remaining to give Denver the two-point lead. Bo Nix completed 19 of 30 passes for 174 yards. Fields completed nine passes for 45 yards.
Seahawks 20, Jaguars 12
Jaxon Smith-Njigba kept his sensational season going with a season-high 162 receiving yards, leading Seattle to a win over host Jacksonville.
Smith-Njigba, who entered the day second in the league in receiving yards (534), recorded eight catches for his fourth 100-yard game of the season. Sam Darnold threw for 295 yards and a pair of scores, including a 61-yarder to Smith-Njiba.
The Seahawks (4-2) improved to 3-0 in road games -- with nine straight road wins dating back to last season -- while snapping a three-game winning streak for the Jaguars (4-2). Trevor Lawrence completed 27 of 42 passes for 258 yards and two touchdowns, including the first of the season for Brian Thomas Jr. (eight catches, 90 yards).
Rams 17, Ravens 3
Matthew Stafford completed 17 of 26 passes for 181 yards and a touchdown, and visiting Los Angeles pulled away for a 17-3 win over Baltimore.
Kyren Williams finished with 87 total yards (50 rushing, 37 receiving) and a touchdown on the ground for the Rams (4-2), who bounced back from a loss last week against the San Francisco 49ers. Tyler Higbee added a receiving touchdown.
Derrick Henry had 24 carries for 122 yards for the Ravens (1-5), whose nightmare start to the season continued. Baltimore remained without All-Pro quarterback Lamar Jackson (hamstring). Cooper Rush started in Jackson's place and completed 11 of 19 passes for 72 yards and an interception before he was benched in favor of veteran reserve Tyler Huntley.
Raiders 20, Titans 10
Ashton Jeanty rushed for 75 yards and a touchdown as Las Vegas ended a four-game losing streak and won at home for the first time this season by defeating Tennessee.
Geno Smith completed 17 of 23 passes for 174 yards with a touchdown and interception for the Raiders (2-4), who held the Titans scoreless in the first half and built a 17-point lead midway through the third quarter. Maxx Crosby had two of Las Vegas' six sacks on Tennessee rookie quarterback Cam Ward.
Ward completed 26 of 38 passes for 222 yards with one TD and one interception as the Titans (1-5) fell after ending their season-opening four-game losing streak with a comeback victory at Arizona last week.
Buccaneers 30, 49ers 19
Baker Mayfield passed for 256 yards and two touchdowns, while Kameron Johnson and Tez Johnson each made their first career touchdown catches to help host Tampa Bay get a victory over banged-up San Francisco.
Rachaad White and Sean Tucker rushed for a touchdown each as the Buccaneers (5-1) won their second straight game. Mayfield completed 17 of 23 passes to help Tampa halt the 49ers' four-game winning streak in the series.
Mac Jones completed 27 of 39 passes for a season-high 347 yards but was intercepted twice for San Francisco (4-2), which lost for the second time in three games. Christian McCaffrey rushed for a touchdown and had 111 yards from scrimmage (54 rushing, 57 receiving), and Kendall Bourne had a career-high 142 yards for the second straight game while making five catches.
Packers 27, Bengals 18
Josh Jacobs ran for two scores and Jordan Love passed for another as Green Bay held on for a victory over visiting Cincinnati and new quarterback Joe Flacco.
Jacobs added 93 rushing yards on 18 carries, while Love threw for 259 yards on 19-of-26 passing. Kicker Lucas Havrisik filled in for the injured Brandon McManus after signing with the team Saturday, hitting field goals of 43 and 39 yards.
Flacco held his own in his Bengals debut after being traded to Cincinnati on Tuesday, completing 29 of 45 passes for 219 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. Ja'Marr Chase and Tanner Hudson each caught a TD for the Bengals, who have lost four straight games.
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Curtis Samuel (neck, ribs) is officially inactive for the Monday night contest on the road against the Atlanta Falcons, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. In addition to Samuel, the Bills' offense will be missing tight end Dalton Kincaid (oblique) against what has been a much-improved Atlanta defense so far in 2025. The 29-year-old Samuel hasn't been on the fantasy radar to begin with, but his absence on Monday means less depth in the wideout corps for Buffalo behind Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman, and Joshua Palmer. The Bills have their bye coming in Week 7, so hopefully Samuel will be ready to go for a Week 8 contest against the Carolina Panthers. Samuel has only been active for two games so far in 2025 and has caught three of his four targets for 35 yards and one touchdown. He had just one TD in 14 games a year ago for Buffalo and should remain on the waiver wire.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Chargers running back Hassan Haskins started Sunday's game but quickly faded as rookie Kimani Vidal took over in the team's 29-27 win over the Miami Dolphins. Haskins managed only six carries for 14 yards and one catch for nine yards, while Vidal exploded for 138 total yards and a touchdown. Even against the league's worst run defense, Haskins struggled to produce, averaging just 2.3 yards per carry. With Omarion Hampton (ankle) still on IR for at least the next three games, Vidal appears to be the clear RB1 moving forward. Haskins can be dropped in shallow fantasy leagues or stashed in deeper formats unless injuries occur again.
From RotoBaller
Buffalo Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid (oblique), who was listed as questionable to play in Week 6 against the Atlanta Falcons, is out for Monday night's contest, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. In addition to Kincaid, the Bills' offense will be without veteran wide receiver Curtis Samuel (neck, ribs). Kincaid probably could have played in Monday's game, but the Bills are electing to sit him out with their bye coming in Week 7. After two full weeks of rest, we'd expect Kincaid to be ready to roll in Week 8 on Oct. 26 against the Carolina Panthers. With Kincaid out against Atlanta, backup Dawson Knox will have streaming value in DFS and for anyone who was planning to start Kincaid. Knox only has six catches on 10 targets this year for 54 scoreless yards, but he should be in line for his most production in 2025 on Monday night with Kincaid sidelined.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert bounced back strongly in the team's 29-27 last-second win over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday. He completed 29 of 38 passes for 264 yards and two touchdowns, showing poise and evasiveness behind a depleted offensive line. Herbert stayed calm under constant pressure, leading a game-winning drive with less than 40 seconds remaining. The Chargers' rushing attack performed well throughout the game, giving Herbert some needed breathing room. In Week 7, Herbert faces the 5-1 Indianapolis Colts, who just allowed backup Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett to pass for 320 yards. Expect another confident performance from Herbert as he tries to keep the Chargers' momentum going. He continues to be a reliable QB1.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey had a standout performance in the team's last-second 29-27 win against the Miami Dolphins, catching seven passes for 100 yards and a touchdown on nine targets. He led the team in nearly every receiving category, stepping up with Quentin Johnston (hamstring) out, and made a crucial 42-yard reception with seconds left to set up Cameron Dicker's game-winning field goal. This is McConkey's second straight week with a touchdown after barely seeing any red zone targets in the first four games of the season. McConkey is expected to remain active in Week 7, as the 5-1 Indianapolis Colts visit the Chargers at SoFi Stadium. The Colts' pass defense has been average, and with Johnston's status still uncertain, McConkey should be in line for another productive game. His rapport with Herbert is starting to resemble that of the end of the 2024 season. McConkey is a dependable WR3 with WR2 upside moving forward.
From RotoBaller
Washington Commanders wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. (heel), who was listed as questionable for Monday night's game against the Chicago Bears due to a bruised heel, is expected to play, according to ESPN's Lisa Salters. Samuel's status for Week 6 is of even more importance with both Terry McLaurin (quadriceps) and Noah Brown (groin, knee) already ruled out. Samuel was only able to get in one limited practice leading up to Monday's game, but apparently, he's feeling good enough to give it a go in a plus matchup against Chicago's banged-up secondary. Samuel may be a bit limited on Monday night because of his heel, but it's hard to justify benching him in fantasy given his big role in Washington's offense without McLaurin. The 29-year-old has been targeted 17 times the last two weeks, catching 14 of those targets for 168 yards and two touchdowns. Deebo has scored in three of the last four games.
From RotoBaller
Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said on Monday that the team didn't have an update yet on tight end David Njoku (knee) after he injured his knee in Sunday's Week 6 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, according to ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi. Before leaving early on Sunday, Njoku had three catches on six targets for 28 yards. With no update on Njoku's condition, fantasy managers should consider him questionable for a Week 7 tilt against the Miami Dolphins right now. If Njoku is out or limited for the upcoming game against Miami, rookie Harold Fannin Jr. would have clear TE1 upside in a plus matchup. Blake Whiteheart would also likely see the field more as Fanning's backup. Njoku is still involved in Cleveland's passing attack, but the emergence of Fannin has capped his fantasy upside as a TE1 option. Through six weeks, Njoku has a 23-223-1 line on 36 targets.
From RotoBaller
Dallas Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones said on 105.3 The Fan on Monday that wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (ankle) has a chance to return for the Week 7 matchup against the division-rival Washington Commanders on Sunday, according to Jon Machota of The Athletic. Lamb is making progress from a left high-ankle sprain that he suffered back in Week 3, and fantasy managers might get him back this weekend. In addition to Lamb, Dallas could also get receiver KaVontae Turpin (foot) back after he has missed the last two games. Whether Lamb makes his return in Week 7 in a plus matchup against Washington will be determined by whether he can get on the practice field and how much he can do. Right now, it's looking like the star wideout is 50-50 to play. With Lamb out for the last three games, George Pickens' fantasy ceiling has risen to must-start WR1 status in fantasy.
From RotoBaller
According to head coach Pete Carroll, Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (knee) could be held out of action for the "long haul" in hopes of ensuring he is back to full speed when cleared to play. On Monday, Carroll told reporters, "You look at the long haul of it, it might be best to guarantee that he's full speed and back." With the Raiders having Week 8 off, it appears Bowers is trending toward missing Week 7 and could be in the mix to potentially return in Week 9 when they host the Jacksonville Jaguars. However, given his current status, this return is not guaranteed. The second-year tight end has had a disappointing campaign and has been out of the lineup since Week 5. Through four games of action, the former first-round pick has caught just 19 passes for 225 yards and no touchdowns. As a rookie, Bowers was elite, catching 112 passes for 1,194 yards and five touchdowns. While he remains sidelined, Michael Mayer will continue to hold high-end TE2 value.
From RotoBaller
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid hinted that wide receiver Rashee Rice could have his workload monitored when he returns from a six-game suspension to make his season debut in Week 7 against the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders, according to Matt McMullen of Chiefs.com. "It's just a matter of getting him back in the swing. I know he's in good shape...We'll just see how that all works out," Reid said on what to expect from Rice in his return. Rice has not been able to practice with the rest of the team during his suspension, so it's unclear exactly what his conditioning level is. Fantasy managers who have been stashing him to begin the year are probably itching to get him into their starting lineup, but is it wise to start him in Week 7? The 25-year-old should be quarterback Patrick Mahomes' top target when all is said and done in 2025, but as far as this weekend, fantasy managers may want to temper expectations as they get Rice back into the fold.
From RotoBaller
Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie wide receiver Tez Johnson scored his first career touchdown on Sunday on a 45-yard bomb, and he could be in play as a sneaky flex option moving forward. The Buccaneers were already without Mike Evans (hamstring) and Chris Godwin (leg) before losing rookie sensation Emeka Egbuka (hamstring) to a hamstring injury that could keep him sidelined for multiple weeks. While Evans nears a return, head coach Todd Bowles has already said that Godwin will not play in the team's Week 7 matchup with the Lions. With Baker Mayfield playing at an MVP-level regardless of who he has been throwing to, Johnson has some flex appeal, as he's now gone for 104 yards and a score over the last two games.
From RotoBaller
Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales said that wide receiver Jalen Coker (quadriceps) is "really close" to returning, according to Joe Person of The Athletic. The Panthers opened Coker's 21-day practice window last week, and he was actually practicing in full, but they held him out of the Week 6 win over the Dallas Cowboys. Coker suffered a serious quad injury in late August in training camp and opened the 2025 campaign on Injured Reserve. If he doesn't suffer a setback at practice this week, it seems there's a good chance he'll officially be activated to make his season debut in Week 7 against the New York Jets. The 23-year-old second-year wideout should be scooped off waivers now if you need WR depth. The Panthers haven't really had anyone step up as a bona fide No. 2 behind rookie Tetairoa McMillan this year. Coker was very productive down the stretch last year and finished with 32 catches for 478 yards and two touchdowns in 11 games (four starts).
From RotoBaller
With the Vikings preparing to play the defending champion Philadelphia Eagles in Week 7, head coach Kevin O'Connell has no plans to name his starting quarterback just yet. J.J. McCarthy (ankle) and Carson Wentz (shoulder) will both practice this week after carrying injuries into the bye week, and O'Connell plans to assess what he sees before making a decision. The team started the year 1-1 under McCarthy before he was sidelined by an ankle injury sustained late in a Week 2 loss to the Falcons. They've since gone 2-1 with Wentz, with both Justin Jefferson and T.J. Hockenson benefiting from the improved passing volume over that time. McCarthy was the 10th overall pick of the 2024 Draft, so the expectation is that he will again be named the starter as soon as he is healthy, but with Wentz proving capable as his backup, the leash might be shorter than once thought coming into the year.
From RotoBaller
Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard (calf) has missed the last two games, and in his stead, Rico Dowdle has run for 389 yards and added 84 receiving yards and two touchdowns. When asked if Dowdle has earned the right to continue his role as the starting running back, head coach Dave Canales was non-committal. There's an adage around the NFL that players don't lose jobs to injury, but when their replacement is responsible for over half the team's total yardage over a surprising two-game winning streak, Canales' "We'll see" makes a lot of sense. With Dowdle averaging 7.3 yards per carry over the past two games, while seeing 60 total opportunities, he remains a must-start until proven otherwise.
From RotoBaller
Cincinnati Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki (pectoral) will not play on Thursday night for a Week 7 divisional clash with the Pittsburgh Steelers and will be "out for a while" due to the pectoral injury he suffered in the Week 6 loss to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, according to head coach Zac Taylor. The 30-year-old played only two offensive snaps on Sunday before getting injured. Tanner Hudson (head) caught four of five targets for 10 yards and a touchdown against Green Bay before going into the concussion protocol. On a short week, Hudson will probably have difficulty gaining clearance to play on Thursday night, which means Noah Fant could be in line for a significant pass-catching role at TE for the Bengals in Week 7. Gesicki has caught only eight passes on 16 targets this year for 61 yards and no touchdowns through six weeks.
From RotoBaller
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor called All-Pro pass-rusher Trey Hendrickson (back) day-to-day after he was forced from the Week 6 loss to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday at Lambeau Field due to a back injury, according to Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network. Hendrickson's back injury doesn't sound too serious, but with a quick turnaround in Week 7 on Thursday night against the division-rival Pittsburgh Steelers, Hendrickson may be held out. If he is eventually ruled out for Thursday, Hendrickson's next chance to play would be in Week 8 versus the New York Jets. Fantasy managers in IDP leagues will want to keep a close eye on Hendrickson's status this week while having a backup plan ready in case he does not play. Not having Hendrickson on TNF would be a major downgrade for an already weak Bengals defense.
From RotoBaller
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III (shoulder) is considered questionable to play on Thursday night in Week 7 against the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals, according to Brooke Pryor of ESPN. Austin injured his shoulder in the Week 4 win over the Minnesota Vikings in London, but then was unable to play in Sunday's victory over the Cleveland Browns, despite having the Week 5 bye to heal up. The matchup on Thursday will be a good one against Cincy, but it sounds like Austin could be in line to miss a second straight game. If he cannot go this week, his next chance to return will be for a Week 8 contest against the Green Bay Packers. In the 23-9 win over Cleveland in Week 6, DK Metcalf unsurprisingly led Pittsburgh's receiving corps, with Darnell Washington stepping up as the No. 2 with three catches for 62 yards on five targets. If Austin is out again on Thursday, Washington will have some deep-league streaming appeal in a plus matchup.
From RotoBaller
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are hoping that veteran wide receiver Mike Evans (hamstring) can return to practice this week, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. If Evans can get back on the practice field this week, it will give him a chance to return next Monday night for a Week 7 showdown against the Detroit Lions. The 32-year-old has not practiced or played since straining his hamstring in Week 3. The Bucs could really use Evans back in the fold, as rookie Emeka Egbuka (hamstring) is now set to miss time after getting hurt in the Week 6 win over the San Francisco 49ers. Veteran Chris Godwin (leg) is also expected to miss a second straight game in Week 7. If Evans cannot return to face Detroit next Monday, Tampa will be starting Sterling Shepard, Kameron Johnson, and Tez Johnson in three-wide sets. If Evans is up in the air for next Monday night, it will make for a difficult decision for fantasy managers as well.
From RotoBaller
Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie first-round wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (hamstring) is scheduled to undergo additional testing on Tuesday to determine how much time he will miss after injuring his hamstring in Sunday's Week 6 victory over the San Francisco 49ers, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Egbuka is fully expected to miss time, so fantasy managers should not expect him to suit up for next Monday night's contest against the Detroit Lions in Week 7. Tampa was already without Mike Evans (hamstring) and Chris Godwin (leg), so their receiving corps is dangerously thin now, forcing Sterling Shepard, Kameron Johnson, and Tez Johnson into bigger roles. Egbuka's injury is a big one for the Bucs, as the 22-year-old has been one of the best pass-catchers in the league through six weeks with 27 catches, 469 receiving yards, and five touchdowns.
From RotoBaller
Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said on Monday that running back Bucky Irving (foot, shoulder) is not in play to return for the team's Week 7 game next Monday night against the Detroit Lions, according to Greg Auman of FOX Sports. Irving missed a second straight game in the Week 6 win over the San Francisco 49ers due to a foot sprain and a subluxation of his shoulder, and it appears fantasy managers are going to have to wait a little longer for his return. He may be available to return for a divisional matchup in Week 8 against the New Orleans Saints. With Irving sidelined, Rachaad White hasn't exactly been the most efficient with his increased touches out of the backfield, but he has had a nose for the end zone and has scored three times in two games. Expect at least another game in the lead-back role for White against Detroit. Fantasy managers need to keep him in their lineups as a volume-based RB2.
From RotoBaller