Wed Jan 17 9:40am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer

LaPorta is getting healthier
Here is to hoping that the playoff games are better this weekend. For the most part, the games last week just weren’t very good unless you were a fans of those teams. I’m hoping for some barn burners this week, going down to the last drive. It will make for a lot better viewing.
Now for my random thoughts for the week. . . .
I like a snow/cold game as much as anyone, but it does kind of stink for the teams involved when playing in the playoffs. You play all season in pretty normal conditions, but have to deal with brutal conditions when the playoffs hit. Again, I love to watch a snow game, but it probably would be better for the playoffs if teams didn’t have to deal with the awful winter weather. Oh well.
The Josh Allen experience is truly wild. He can drive you crazy with the turnovers and mistakes, but when he is playing well, Allen is really the best in the game. He showed that last week. Allen is just so tough defend, especially when he is running the ball more. The Bills kind of took that out of the game plan early in the season, but brought it back more after changing offensive coordinators. The change in philosophy has been a huge spark to the Bills offense.
I’m really excited about Jameson Williams next season. The Lions are starting to use him a lot more in normal routes than just as a deep threat. He is showing his ability as a route runner lately. Williams has a chance for a breakout season as long as he is healthy and playing. The big issue for Williams to start his career is just staying on the field. The ability is there for huge things. I’m ready to see what he can do next year.
It will be interesting to see what the Vikings do with their quarterback position this offseason. I almost think Kirk Cousins will be back and the team will draft a quarterback to learn from him. That might make the most sense and keep star receiver Justin Jefferson happy. This is one situation I’m going to keep a really close eye on this offseason because it has a lot of fantasy implications.
If I’m the Bears, I’m trading that No. 1 overall pick and loading up on more draft picks to surround Justin Fields with better talent. I know Caleb Williams is a stud and could be a fantastic pro, but Fields is no slouch. He made strides this year, especially late in the season. I think the franchise would do better to take advantage of the hype surround Williams and get a huge haul in a trade.
I don’t see Bill Belichick going to a team that doesn’t already have a franchise quarterback. You hear him interviewing with Atlanta, but that situation just doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to me. I think he is going to go to a team that already has a top quarterback, so he doesn’t have to deal with the issues he had with the Patriots after losing Tom Brady.
And speaking of coaches, you have to wonder what is going to happen in Dallas after their stunning early-round exit in the playoffs. Mike McCarthy has been great during the regular season, but owner Jerry Jones doesn’t care about regular season wins. Jones wants Super Bowl titles. I would not be surprised if McCarthy is relieved of his job in the coming days.
I really thought the Browns operated better with Joe Flacco as their starting quarterback this season than Deshaun Watson. Flacco gave that passing game a spark and it produced huge numbers on a weekly basis. You have to think the Browns are really regretting going all in on Watson as their franchise quarterback. He certainly has not played near his past levels. The Browns really overpaid for Watson and could be feeling it for years to come.
News and Notes: The Bills released running back Leonard Fournette from the practice squad on Tuesday.
HOT PLAYS
Sam LaPorta, TE, Lions. LaPorta was able to play last week and didn’t look quite 100 percent, but still found the end zone. He has double-digit fantasy points three straight games and scores two straight. He should be even healthier this week, meaning his production could be even better. Plus, he has a great matchup against a bad Bucs pass defense. The Bucs allowed the second most fantasy points to tight ends during the regular season.
Christian McCaffrey, RB, 49ers. McCaffrey is always a must start and hot play, but especially this week. He gets a Packers defense that is the worst out of all the remaining playoff teams against the run. Green Bay was 28th against the run in the regular season and allowed the 13th most fantasy points to running backs. Green Bay allowed 200-plus rushing yards four times this season. We think McCaffrey is going to have a monster showing in this one, possibly pushing 200-plus total yards and 30 fantasy points.
Zay Flowers, WR, Ravens. Flowers had a breakout season as the top target at receiver the Ravens. He played really well late in the season, having 20-plus fantasy points three of five games. He has scores four of five games. Flowers keeps getting it done on a weekly basis. Look for more success this week against the Texans in what should be a high-scoring game. The Texans have allowed 265-plus passing yards three of six games.
COLD PLAYS
Devin Singletary, RB, Texans. Singletary had a solid season, emerging as the starter for the Texans. He has scores two straight games and has been consistent for the Texans, especially the second half of the season. Singletary has a really tough matchup to keep up his solid play this week, though, playing the Ravens. Baltimore was 14th against the run during the regular season, allowing 109.4-rushing yards per game. Houston might need to rely on C.J. Stroud and the passing game moire than Singletary if they hope to have much offensive success.
David Montgomery, RB, Lions. Montgomery found the end zone again last week, giving him four straight games with a touchdown. He still hasn’t topped 65-rushing yards in any of those games and has just three catches during that stretch. He might be a scary play this week against a Bucs defense that allowed just 10-rushing touchdowns all season. The Bucs allowed the third fewest fantasy points to running backs during the regular season and were fifth overall against the run.
Patrick Mahomes, QB, Chiefs. It is so hard to bet against Patrick Mahomes, but his numbers down the stretch haven’t been great for fantasy owners. He has just one touchdown each of his last three games. He has been pretty mediocre for fantasy teams. It might be more of the same this week against the Bills on the road. Buffalo has really played better defense down the stretch and allowed the sixth fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks during the regular season.
SLEEPERS
Baker Mayfield, QB, Bucs. Mayfield had a great opener in the playoffs, hitting the 300-yard mark while scoring three touchdowns. Mayfield has multiple touchdowns five of six games. He has three three-touchdown games during that stretch. He has a great matchup against the Lions, a team that allowed the third most fantasy points to quarterback during the regular season. Look for Mayfield to keep it going this week.
Dontayvion Wicks, WR, Packers. Wicks scored another touchdown last week, giving him scores three straight games. He keeps finding the end zone, making him a top red-zone target for the Packers. He could score again this week in a game the Packers are likely throwing often and playing from behind. This could lead to even more targets for Wicks. He could be a sneaky play for fantasy owners.
Khalil Shakir, WR, Bills. Shakir scored his third touchdown of the season last week. He has 12-plus fantasy points two straight games. He has at least three catches four consecutive games. Shakir is getting more work with Gabe Davis out and playing well in an expanded role. Shakir has a chance for another solid game this week in what should be a high-scoring game with the Chiefs.
High/Low Scoring Games
Each week we will take a look at some of the high and low scoring games for the coming week. In high scoring affairs, get your marginal players on those teams in your lineup to take advantage of the possible points barrage. And in the low scoring games, keep those marginal players on the bench and make sure to have your defenses involved in those contests.
High Scoring Games: Packers/49ers, Bucs/Lions.
Low Scoring Games: None.
Jeff Paur is a two-time finalist for FSWA Fantasy Football Writer of the Year and won the FSWA award for Best Fantasy Football Article on the Web in 2011. He also was the most accurate expert in 2012, winning the FSTA Fantasy Football Accuracy Award. If you have any questions for Jeff, email him at jeff@rtsports.com. Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffpaur.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers second-year wide receiver Jalen McMillan (neck) has spent the season on Injured Reserve after breaking several bones in his neck and suffering a severe sprain in a scary-looking preseason fall, but according to head coach Todd Bowles, the belief is that he could return to action before the end of the regular season. As a rookie in 2024, McMillan came on strong down the stretch, finishing the season with more than 500 receiving yards, while his eight touchdown grabs trailed only Mike Evans amongst Buccaneers pass catchers. In 2025, the team has again struggled to maintain a healthy receiving corps, and with quarterback Baker Mayfield exiting Sunday night's loss to the Rams with a sprained AC joint, the team has lost its division lead over the Carolina Panthers after a third straight loss. If the Buccaneers hope to have any success down the stretch and into the playoffs, a return to health from some of their absent stars feels like a necessity.
From RotoBaller
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (collarbone) has been rehabbing to get back onto the field, and according to head coach Todd Bowles, his return is expected to come before the end of the regular season. While Bowles was unable to provide an exact date, he pointed to the work being done by both Evans and second-year receiver Jalen McMillan as the team enters the stretch run of the season. Evans was placed on IR after exiting a Week 7 loss to the Lions with a concussion and broken collarbone. At the time, the team was 5-2, but after losing three straight games, they have fallen to 6-5, and in a season defined by injury, quarterback Baker Mayfield (shoulder) was unable to finish Sunday night's game after spraining an AC joint on an end-of-half Hail Mary attempt. With the Buccaneers now holding the same record as the Carolina Panthers atop the division, a return to health is critical to their playoff chances.
From RotoBaller
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (concussion) has entered the league's concussion protocol after reporting symptoms following a Week 12 loss to the Packers. McCarthy was evaluated on Sunday night by the team's training staff and doctors, who then made the decision to place him into protocol. The Vikings will travel to Seattle for a Week 14 matchup with the Seahawks, and McCarthy will now need to clear protocol if the team hopes to have him available. Should he miss any time, the Vikings will turn to undrafted rookie Max Brosmer. On the surface, this would seem to be a blow to the fantasy value of Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and the rest of the Vikings offense, but with McCarthy averaging fewer than 155 passing yards per game in six starts, while throwing 10 interceptions to only six touchdowns, any dip should be negligible. Fantasy managers should continue to trot out their underperforming stud receiver based on talent alone.
From RotoBaller
New York Jets veteran quarterback Tyrod Taylor will remain the team's starting QB, according to Dennis Waszak Jr. "I thought he did a really good job for us. So, looking forward to seeing how he's going to operate moving forward -- because I know you guys want to ask me that question," head coach Aaron Glenn said on Monday. In his second start of the year, Taylor went 17-for-28 passing for a season-high 222 yards, one touchdown, and one interception in the 23-10 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. The 36-year-old also added five carries for 19 yards. Although Taylor couldn't help the Jets win, he did improve the passing game slightly and will continue to make starts with Justin Fields sitting on the bench. Taylor brings a low ceiling in fantasy football, though, as a QB2/3 as he heads into a Week 13 meeting with the Atlanta Falcons.
From RotoBaller
The Cleveland Browns have named rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders as their starter for their Week 13 game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, sources tell Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel (head) has cleared the concussion protocol, but the Browns will stick with Sanders after he impressed with 209 passing yards and a touchdown in Sunday's victory over the Las Vegas Raiders. Cleveland previously said that Gabriel would return to the starting role when he was cleared of his concussion, but the Browns will go back on that statement after they liked what they saw from Sanders in Week 12. The 23-year-old went 11-for-20 passing and also threw an interception, so it's not like he went off. He'll have a solid matchup against a banged-up 49ers defense in his second career start, but he should still be viewed as a low-end QB2 option in fantasy in Week 13.
From RotoBaller
Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said on Monday that rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel (head) has cleared the NFL's concussion protocol, according to Camryn Justice of WEWS. The Browns previously said that Gabriel would return to the starting role under center when he was cleared of his concussion, but that won't be the case, as they have named fellow rookie Shedeur Sanders as the starter for Week 13 against the San Francisco 49ers after he led the team to their third win of the year in Week 12 against the Las Vegas Raiders. If Sanders continues to play well, the 24-year-old Gabriel could finish out his first year in the NFL in a backup role. Sanders didn't play exceptionally well in his first career start, but he did help the Browns stretch the field, something that Gabriel could not do. In eight games (six starts), Gabriel completed 59.2% of his passes for 937 yards, seven touchdowns, and two picks while averaging just 117.1 passing yards per game.
From RotoBaller
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said on Monday that All-Pro defensive end Trey Hendrickson (hip) will not play on Thursday in the Thanksgiving Day game against the division-rival Baltimore Ravens in Week 13, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Hendrickson will miss a fourth straight contest after aggravating a hip injury in the Week 8 loss to the New York Jets. The Bengals' defense/special teams will continue to be a unit to avoid in fantasy football, especially against the Ravens offense. The 30-year-old Hendrickson led the NFL with 17.5 sacks a year ago, but he's only played in seven games so far in 2025 and has four sacks, 16 tackles (11 solo), eight QB hits, and a forced fumble for the Bengals. His next chance to return will be in a Week 14 game versus the Buffalo Bills on the road on Sunday, Dec. 7.
From RotoBaller
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor has ruled out rookie running back Tahj Brooks (concussion) for this Thursday's Thanksgiving Day game against the division-rival Baltimore Ravens in Week 13, according to Jay Morrison of SI.com. Brooks suffered a concussion in Sunday's loss to the New England Patriots, and on a short week, the 23-year-old won't be able to clear the league's concussion protocol. Veteran Samaje Perine (ankle) has missed the last two games due to injury and might not be available this week, either, so the Bengals' backfield could be extremely thin behind Chase Brown this week versus Baltimore. If Perine ends up missing a third straight game, expect Gary Brightwell to operate as Cincy's RB2 behind Brown on Turkey Day. Brooks has only nine rushing attempts in 11 games this year for 28 rushing yards.
From RotoBaller
In his second game since taking over for the injured Sam LaPorta (back) in Week 12, Detroit Lions tight end Brock Wright recorded three catches for 29 yards on four targets against the New York Giants. With LaPorta likely out for the remainder of the 2025 season after undergoing back surgery, Wright likely has an extended runway as the TE1 in Detroit. He was on the field for 88% of his team's offensive snaps in Week 12. Still, Wright has always been more of a blocker than a receiver throughout his NFL career. Across 69 career NFL games (all with Detroit), the 26-year-old has recorded 70 receptions and 11 touchdowns. He's probably a safe bet to see around five targets per game, but Wright still likely needs to find the end zone to provide fantasy-relevant production. He does not profile as a top-12 fantasy tight end heading into a difficult Week 13 matchup against the Green Bay Packers on Thanksgiving Day.
From RotoBaller
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said on Monday that wide receiver Tee Higgins (concussion) has been ruled out for the Week 13 game this Thursday on Thanksgiving Day against the division-rival Baltimore Ravens, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Higgins is in the league's concussion protocol after coming down hard on his head on the team's final drive of the game in Sunday's Week 12 loss to the New England Patriots, and on a short week, he will not have enough time to clear the protocol. It remains to be seen if the 26-year-old will gain clearance to play in Week 14 against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, Dec. 7. The good news for Cincy's offense is that quarterback Joe Burrow (toe) is expected to play for the first time since Week 2, and they will also be getting top wideout Ja'Marr Chase back from a one-game suspension. With Higgins out, though, Andrei Iosivas will be in line for an expanded role for a second straight week.
From RotoBaller
Heading into Week 12, Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams had recorded at least 66 receiving yards and a touchdown in three straight contests. However, the 24-year-old put up a massive dud in Week 12 against the New York Giants, failing to record a single catch on three targets. Williams has increased target opportunity in Detroit with tight end Sam LaPorta (back) on Injured Reserve, and the wideout's big-play ability gives him explosive upside on a week-to-week basis. However, Week 12 was a stark reminder that Williams' production floor is as low as any player in the league. So far this season, he's recorded three games with fewer than 10 receiving yards and two without a single reception. The Lions have a difficult matchup in Week 13 against the Green Bay Packers, who held Williams to four catches for 23 yards back in Week 1.
From RotoBaller
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor told reports on Monday that the team expects quarterback Joe Burrow (toe) to play on Thursday in the Thanksgiving Day game against the division-rival Baltimore Ravens, although there hasn't been an official determination, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. The 28-year-old has not played since Week 2 after having turf-toe surgery, but he practiced in full last week and is on the verge of returning this week. The Bengals won't make an official determination until probably Wednesday. Burrow's return will provide a huge boost to the Bengals' offense as they desperately try to get into playoff contention with time running out in the 2025 season. However, Burrow could be a bit rusty after his long layoff, and he'll be without top wideout Tee Higgins, who suffered a concussion in the Week 12 loss to the New England Patriots.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay said on Monday that the team will open the 21-day practice window for wide receiver Tutu Atwell (hamstring) this week, and "expect him to be ready to roll" in Week 13 against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, according to Adam Grosbard of the Los Angeles Daily News. The 26-year-old has not played since injuring his hamstring in Week 7, but he should be back this weekend to give the high-scoring Rams offense yet another weapon for MVP candidate Matthew Stafford. Atwell will help the Rams stretch the field, but for fantasy purposes, he won't be much more than a boom/bust deep threat in deeper leagues with limited volume. The former second-rounder has 41 yards per catch on the year, but he's caught just four of his nine targets for 164 yards and one touchdown in six games played.
From RotoBaller
Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery was held in check by the New York Giants in Week 12, recording 37 scrimmage yards on eight touches in his team's overtime win. The 28-year-old played just 34% of Detroit's offensive snaps against New York, the third time in four games since the Lions' Week 8 bye that he's failed to reach the 40% mark. Once one of the league's most reliable touchdown scorers, Montgomery has now failed to hit pay dirt in five out of his last six games. He's recorded single-digit touches in consecutive weeks and 40 or fewer rushing yards in six out of his last eight outings. All indications suggest that Montgomery is fading into a true RB2 role in Detroit, behind star running back Jahmyr Gibbs. Fantasy managers may want to avoid Montgomery when the Lions will face one of the league's best defenses in the Green Bay Packers on Thanksgiving Day in Week 13.
From RotoBaller
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff did not have his most efficient day in his team's 34-27 overtime Week 12 win over the New York Giants, averaging just 6.6 yards per pass attempt. However, Goff found his way to solid production with volume, completing 28 of 42 pass attempts for 279 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. The 31-year-old has now completed 69.3% of his pass attempts for 2,769 yards, 23 touchdowns, and five interceptions across 11 games this season. Still, it's worth noting that Goff has been sacked 14 times in his last five outings and has failed to crack seven yards per pass attempt in consecutive weeks. With the Lions offense looking a bit disjointed, fantasy managers in single-QB formats may want to avoid Goff in a difficult Week 13 matchup against the Green Bay Packers on Thanksgiving Day.
From RotoBaller
Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton said that running back Jaleel McLaughlin had a number of good runs in the team's big Week 11 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs and pointed to him "being important down the stretch," per Zac Stevens of DNVR Sports. McLaughlin played only 13% of the offensive snaps before the team's Week 12 bye and had six carries for 19 yards, but he did find the end zone for the first time this year in just his second game played. Rookie RJ Harvey is expected to lead Denver's backfield the rest of the way with J.K. Dobbins (foot) done for the year, but it sounds like McLaughlin is going to have a bigger role to close out 2025. At the very least, McLaughlin could become the Broncos' preferred goal-line back, which would give him streaming appeal in deeper leagues as a touchdown-dependent option. McLaughlin is currently rostered in 1% of Yahoo leagues.
From RotoBaller
Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield (shoulder) suffered a sprained AC joint in his left shoulder, and scans revealed no fracture or structural damage. He'll undergo an MRI Monday, Nov. 24, and hasn't been ruled out for Week 13.
Fantasy Spin: Mayfield is a tough dude, and sprained AC joints are about pain tolerance. It would be surprising to see him sitting out against the Arizona Cardinals. He'd be a solid QB1 in fantasy.
From TheHuddle
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Greg Dortch has caught 12 of his 15 targets for 119 yards and two touchdowns in the last two games, with Marvin Harrison Jr. (appendix) sidelined after undergoing an appendectomy. In the Week 12 overtime loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, the 27-year-old caught six of a season-high nine targets for 53 yards and scored for the second week in a row. He also carried the ball twice but lost five yards as a runner. Dortch has come alive the last two weeks with Harrison sidelined, and with Harrison's status unknown for a Week 13 date with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dortch is worth a look on the waiver wire this week as WR depth. In deeper leagues, Dortch could continue to be an option as a WR4/flex play, even when Harrison returns, as the Cardinals' offense has become very pass-heavy with Jacoby Brissett under center.
From RotoBaller
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers believe that quarterback Baker Mayfield (shoulder) suffered a sprained AC joint in his left shoulder in the Sunday night loss to the Los Angeles Rams, sources tell Adam Schefter of ESPN. Mayfield is undergoing an MRI exam on Monday, but he doesn't have a fracture or structural damage. The Buccaneers "are not ruling out" Mayfield being available to play on Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 13. However, Monday's MRI exam will give the team a clearer picture of Mayfield's timetable. The good news is the 30-year-old's injury is to his non-throwing shoulder, although that doesn't mean he won't be forced to miss time. If Mayfield cannot play this weekend, Tampa's offense would take a big hit with backup Teddy Bridgewater running the offense. Fantasy managers should have a better idea of Mayfield's Week 13 status once the team resumes practicing on Wednesday.
From RotoBaller
Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said on Monday that running back Bucky Irving (foot, shoulder) will practice all week before the team re-evaluates him on Friday, according to the Pewter Report. Irving hasn't played since Week 4, but he has practiced the last two weeks and is expected to make his return in Week 13 versus the Arizona Cardinals. The 23-year-old has been rehabbing from a subluxated shoulder and a foot sprain. The Tampa offense could use a boost, especially with quarterback Baker Mayfield (shoulder) now injured, but Irving could be eased back into a crowded backfield that also includes Sean Tucker and Rachaad White. Before his injury, Irving was the team's clear RB1, recording 165 scrimmage yards in four games. He should be rostered in all fantasy leagues, but he'll be a shaky fantasy play in his first game back in what could become a committee backfield the rest of the season.
From RotoBaller