The NFC South is chaotic, and both the Falcons and the Panthers enter this matchup in full must-win mode to keep their seasons alive. These teams know each other well, and the outcome will come down to which version of the Panthers shows up. Fantasy managers, however, can count on a few players delivering in this divisional battle.
Michael Penix Jr. — QB, Falcons
Penix has thrown 4 touchdowns over his last two games, and his confidence is trending up. Carolina’s secondary has been inconsistent, and Atlanta should give him volume in a must-win situation.
Projection: 220+ yards and at least one score.
If he continues using Kyle Pitts, the offense becomes even more dangerous.
Bijan Robinson — RB, Falcons
The Panthers have been atrocious against the run
in the last three weeks, giving up chunk gains and red-zone lanes to even mediocre backfields. Bijan is set up for a monster fantasy day.
Projection: 100+ total yards, strong TD chance.
Drake London — WR, Falcons
London erupted last week versus the Colts and now draws another physically gifted corner in a matchup that should be great theatre. He’s trending like a weekly WR1.
Projection: 80+ yards and a touchdown.
Panthers rule out Trevin Wallace; Rico Dowdle is set to play – Josh Alter via Yahoo Sports
Rico Dowdle — RB, Panthers
Carolina finally leaned into the hot hand, and Dowdle rewarded them. He runs hard, finishes through contact, and has a legitimate shot at a score in this matchup.
Projection: 60–80 total yards with red-zone upside.
Tet McMillian — WR, Panthers
Tet is coming into his own—tall, athletic, and showing flashes similar to Drake London’s early development. Young needs to find him more near the goal line, and this could be the week it happens.
Projection: 50–70 yards with scoring potential.
He’s probably sitting on benches everywhere, but the usage says he shouldn’t be. Pitts continues to draw
Projection: 70+ yards.
Why Tyler Allgeier is Falcons’ quiet superstar on offense – Terrin Weack via atlantafalcons.com
Allgeier is the definition of a risky flex, but after punching in two scores last week and with Carolina struggling so badly against the run, he’s worth consideration in bye-week or injury crunches.
Projection: TD-dependent RB3.
Darnell Mooney — WR, Panthers
The targets are there, but the production is not. Mooney continues to underperform and remains low-ceiling even in favorable scripts. Carolina should start funneling more looks toward Pitts-type mismatches, not Mooney.
Verdict: Sit.
Xavier Legette — WR, Panthers
Legette’s year has been derailed by injuries and poor separation. Being the WR2 in this offense should help, but inconsistent QB play has tanked his weekly value.
Verdict: Sit unless in a very deep league.
Bryce Young — QB, Panthers
There’s still talent, but right now there are too many question marks around Young’s development and decision-making. He’s best left on the bench until further notice.
Verdict: Sit in all 1-QB leagues.
Aug 12, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Dustin May (85) reacts after an out to end the second inning against the Houston Astros at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
The Boston Red Sox took a gamble with Dustin May at the trade deadline, and it quickly backfired.
May wound up making just six appearances in a Red Sox uniform, pitching to a 5.40 ERA and 1-4 record before winding up on the injured list for the final three weeks of the season. Worse still, his Los Angeles Dodgers team grabbed two outfield prospects that finished the season on a tear, then went on to win the World Series without missing May in the slightest.
It’s time for all involved to turn the page, but although he’ll get a World Series ring from the Dodgers, his third in the last six years, May was glad to get a shot to start with the Red Sox, even though it didn’t work out the way he hoped.
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“It was definitely a huge letdown,” May said of his Red Sox stint Thursday, per Christopher Smith of MassLive. “But the guys were great to be around. I was super happy to be able to join that group. I didn’t really contribute the way that I felt like I could have, but it was a very, very fun group.”
May also was proud to be getting another ring, as he had the third-most regular-season innings of any Dodgers pitcher despite the trade. But it’s time to focus on free agency now, and May knows his complicated injury history and rough season in LA and Boston will make it difficult for him to find a lucrative deal.
However, May expressed Thursday that he has rather straightforward hopes for his free agency this winter, seeking an opportunity to log innings.
“I just want to find a spot that’s going to treat me well and put the best foot forward and make me have the best season possible,” May said, per Smith. “So that’s kind of what we’re looking at right now is just who’s going to help the most.”
Finding a rotation spot with a team that doesn’t necessarily project to contend for a World Series next season seems doable for May, though that likely means a one-year contract and the possibility of being flipped at the trade deadline once again.