The Falcons were hit hard by the injury bug last week, but there’s good news: several key starters are expected to return, setting the stage for a competitive matchup. On the other side, the Patriots continue to dominate and remain atop the retooled AFC. Both teams feature several intriguing fantasy options, but also a few landmines to avoid.
Let’s dive into this week’s fantasy outlook.
🏈 New England Patriots
| Player | Designation | Fantasy Outlook |
| Drake Maye | ✅ Start | I owe Drake Maye an apology; he’s the real deal. After a hot streak of efficient play, Maye looks like a confident QB1 option this week. Expect 250+ passing yards, 2 TDs, and around 35 rushing yards. His dual-threat upside makes him an automatic start. |
| Kayshon Boutte | ✅ Start | Boutte is no longer just a bye-week fill-in; he’s becoming a consistent weapon. With six or more catches in back-to-back games, he’s trending up. Projecting 6 catches, 80 yards, and a score feels right against this shaky Atlanta secondary. |
| Stefon Diggs | 💪 Flex Start | Diggs has adapted well to his WR2 role behind Boutte, even if his volume dipped slightly. He remains Maye’s most trusted red-zone target. Expect modest yardage but a solid chance at another touchdown. |
| Mack Hollins | 💤 Sleeper | Hollins has quietly seen an uptick in targets and could capitalize on the Falcons’ secondary lapses. He’s a deep-league flex who could find the end zone on 4–6 receptions if game flow breaks his way. |
| TreVeyon Henderson / Rhamondre Stevenson | ❌ Sit | Both backs are splitting touches, and neither has separated themselves. Henderson’s volume hasn’t translated into efficiency, while Stevenson’s red-zone work has dried up. Avoid this backfield until a clear lead emerges. |
🦅 Atlanta Falcons
| Player | Designation | Fantasy Outlook |
| Bijan Robinson | ✅ Start | Bijan had a quiet outing last week as defenses keyed in on him, but with reinforcements returning, expect a bounce-back. His versatility as a receiver keeps him in RB1 territory every week. Pencil him in for 100+ total yards and a score. |
| Kyle Pitts | ✅ Start | Believe it or not, Pitts is back on the fantasy radar. He’s seeing increased usage and looks like he’s finally meshing with the quarterback rotation. Start him as a top-8 TE with breakout potential this week. |
| Drake London | 💪 Flex Start | London should be back in action and remains a dependable WR2/flex option regardless of who’s under center. He’s a safe 10+ point play in PPR formats. |
| Michael Penix Jr. / Kirk Cousins | ❌ Sit | Penix is expected to return, but his production has been limited: only 5 TD passes on the season. Neither QB is trustworthy outside of superflex formats. Let’s see more consistency before deploying either. |
| Falcons Defense | ❌ Sit | The defense looked lost last week, surrendering 4 TDs to Tua and the Dolphins. Facing another hot quarterback in Maye, this unit should be firmly on the bench in all formats. |
Kyle Pitts Fantasy Outlook Week 9 – Derek Brown via fantasypros.com
🔍 Final Take
This matchup should feature plenty of offense, especially from the Patriots’ passing game. Drake Maye continues to impress as a rookie leader, while Kayshon Boutte and Stefon Diggs have become reliable fantasy plays. For Atlanta, Bijan Robinson and Kyle Pitts are clear starts as the offense gets healthier, but their QB situation remains a fantasy headache.
Expect the Patriots to control the tempo with Maye’s arm and keep their AFC dominance rolling, while the Falcons fight to stay competitive.
