Studs and Duds: Week 17

Mon Dec 30 10:20am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer

Related photo caption below

Higgins comes up huge Week 17


It was a fitting end to the season with several huge performances from fantasy players once again. It made for some high-scoring fantasy championships. We had a receiver top 40 points and eight other players had 30 or more fantasy points. The only bad news with those big scorers were some of them weren’t in fantasy lineups because they were fringe players. But if you took a chance them, you likely won big! Hopefully, your championship games turned out well and you were able to take advantage of some of these big performances.

Chiefs 29, Steelers 10

Fantasy Stud: Travis Kelce. Kelce was down the last few weeks but came back in a big way in Week 17. He had eight receptions for 84 yards and a touchdown. Kelce scored 22.4 fantasy points, topping 20 points for the first time since Week 10. Some might think his season is a little down, but he is three catches shy of 100 and has four games with 20-plus fantasy points.

Fantasy Dud: George Pickens. There was hope for Pickens to return to the lineup and have one of his huge games in his first game back, but that didn’t happen. He was targeted seven times but caught three passes for just 50 yards. He scored just eight fantasy points, which wasn’t a big help for fantasy owners at all.

Game Notes: Patrick Mahomes had a three-touchdown performance, finishing 29-of-38 for 320 yards and three touchdowns without a turnover. He has two straight games with 26-plus fantasy points.

Xavier Worthy found the end zone for the third straight game. He had eight receptions for 79 yards and a touchdown.

Ravens 31, Texans 2

Fantasy Stud: Derrick Henry. It was fitting for Henry to have another one of his huge performances during championship week. He ran 27 times for 147 yards and a touchdown. Henry also caught two passes for 18 yards. Henry had 24.5 fantasy points, his highest total since Week 9. It was his seventh game this season with 20-plus fantasy points. A move to Baltimore was a great one for Henry, posting huge numbers on a consistent basis.

Fantasy Dud: Joe Mixon. The entire Texans offense was a dud but Mixon led the way, considering his production throughout the season. The Ravens really held him in check, though. Mixon rushed nine times for just 26 yards and caught two passes for 13 yards. Mixon had a season-worst 5.9 fantasy points. 

Game Notes: Lamar Jackson attempted just 15 passes and ran four times but produced huge numbers once again despite his limited workload. He was 10-of-15 for 168 yards and two touchdowns without a turnover. Jackson rushed four times for 87 yards and another touchdown.

Mark Andrews found the end zone for the fifth straight game. He had two receptions for 68 yards and a touchdown.

Seahawks 6, Bears 3

Fantasy Stud: Seahawks defense. The Seahawks defense had a completely dominating performance, holding the Bears to just three points and 179 total yards of offense. Seattle had seven sacks and an interception in the game. The Seahawks scored double-digit fantasy points in nearly every fantasy format. This unit has taken a huge step forward this year and becoming a top weekly fantasy starter.

Fantasy Dud: Jaxon Smith-Njigba. There were duds across the board for both teams in this one, but Smith-Njigba tops the list for us. He had been producing such great numbers lately that this performance was really unexpected. He had just three catches for 32 yards. This game broke a streak of 70-plus yards seven straight games.

Game Notes: Caleb Williams had his struggles, missing on some throws once again. He was 16-of-28 for just 122 yards and failed to score a touchdown.

D.J. Moore had six receptions for 54 yards, giving him at least six catches seven straight games.

Chargers 40, Patriots 7

Fantasy Stud: Ladd McConkey. McConkey is clearly the top target in the Chargers passing game. He had eight receptions for 94 yards and two touchdowns on 10 targets. He has scores two of three games. He is over 1,000 yards for the season. McConkey is going to be a top player in this offense for years to come. The best is likely yet to come for the talented rookie.

Fantasy Dud: Hunter Henry. Henry failed to catch a pass for the first time all season. He was targeted two times in the game. Henry has been consistent in this offense nearly all season but didn’t show up in Week 17. He had at least four catches five straight games before this one.

Game Notes: J.K. Dobbins returned from his knee injury and looked good. He ran 19 times for 76 yards and a touchdown, and caught a pass for seven yards.

Justin Herbert continued his great play, going 26-of-38 for 281 yards and three touchdowns without a turnover. Herbert has multiple scores three straight games.

Bengals 30, Broncos 24

Fantasy Stud: Tee Higgins. Higgins had a game-winning fantasy performance. He had an absolutely monster game, catching 11 passes for 131 yards and three touchdowns. There was even some thought he might not play in this game because of his ankle injury. Higgins had season highs across the board, scoring 41.1 fantasy points. He has been huge down the stretch, having scores three straight and six of the last seven games he has played.

Fantasy Dud: Chase Brown. Brown wasn’t awful but wasn’t great, either. He had 20 carries for just 67 yards and caught four passes for 24 yards. You were hoping for a bigger week from him in such a crucial week of games. Plus, he had a chance to score late in the game but pulled up at the goal line to take more time off the clock. He also hurt himself on that play, injuring his ankle. He didn’t return to the game, which was insult to injury for his fantasy owners because the game ended up going to overtime.

Game Notes: Mike Gesicki had double-digit receptions for the first time all season. He had 10 receptions for 86 yards on 12 targets.

Marvin Mims continued to show some signs of life after a terrible start to his season. He had a season-high eight receptions for 103 yards and two touchdowns on eight targets.

Rams 13, Cardinals 9

Fantasy Stud: Trey McBride. McBride picked a good time to finally find the end zone, scoring his first touchdown of the season. It was a long time coming for all his fantasy owners. He had a huge game, catching 12 passes for 123 yards and a score. He scored a season-best 30.3 fantasy points. McBride has double-digit receptions three of six games.

Fantasy Dud: James Conner. Conner was able to play but aggravated his knee injury and left the game early. He had four carries for just four yards before getting hurt once again. He also had two receptions for four yards. Conner burnt all the fantasy owners that used him in Week 17.

Game Notes: Puka Nacua had 10 receptions for 129 yards. Nacua has double-digit receptions two of four games.

Cooper Kupp had just a catch for 29 yards. Kupp has just four receptions for 53 yards his last three games. He has been targeted just nine times during that three-game stretch.

Jaguars 20, Titans 13

Fantasy Stud: Brian Thomas. Thomas continued his great rookie season, catching seven passes for 91 yards and a touchdown. Thomas scored a touchdown for the third straight game. He had 23.9 fantasy points, topping 20 points for the sixth time this year. Thomas is nearing 1,200-receiving yards for the year, which is impressive considering the passing woes of the Jaguars this season.

Fantasy Dud: Chig Okonkwo. Okonkwo wasn’t terrible but you expected much better after his last two monster performances. He had five receptions for 42 yards in this one, putting up some pretty mediocre numbers. Okonkwo had 17 receptions his last two games.

Game Notes: Tyjae Spears had a solid showing in a starting role for the Titans. He ran 20 times for 95 yards and caught three passes for eight yards. He even left the game early because of a concussion so his numbers could have been even better.

Mac Jones had his best showing in a starting role for the Jaguars. He missed on just seven passes, going 15-of-22 for 174 yards and two touchdowns without a turnover.

Bucs 48, Panthers 14

Fantasy Stud: Baker Mayfield. Mayfield had a huge, huge performance. He was nearly flawless, going 27-of-32 for 359 yards and five touchdowns without a turnover. Mayfield scored a season-high 38.15 fantasy points. Mayfield is having another huge season, having 42 total touchdowns and nearly 4,300-passing yards. He has been a solid No. 1 fantasy quarterback all season.

Fantasy Dud: Rachaad White. White was one of the few Bucs that didn’t produce big fantasy numbers. He had six carries for just 30 yards and a catch for four yards. You expected much better from White in a game the Bucs scored nearly 50 points and racked up a ton of yards offensively. He is taking a backseat to Bucky Irving more and more, though.

Game Notes: Bucky Irvin had another big-time performance, racking up 190 total yards. He ran 20 times for 113 yards and caught four passes for 77 yards.

Adam Thielen reached the 100-yard mark for the second time in four games. He had five receptions for 110 yards and two touchdowns.

Eagles 41, Cowboys 7

Fantasy Stud: DeVonta Smith. Smith had a really impressive showing, catching six passes for 120 yards and two touchdowns. He has 100-yard games two of three and touchstones three of four games. Smith has been a little up and down this year but produced plenty of big games like this along the way.

Fantasy Dud: Cooper Rush. Rush was starting to gain some fantasy value with his play of late, but he came back down to earth in this one. He was 15-of-28 for 147 yards and a touchdown with two interceptions. Rush showed why it is hard to trust a player like this at this time of the fantasy season.

Game Notes: Kenny Pickett was knocked from the game because of an injury. He looked pretty good before leaving, though, going 10-of-15 for 143 yards and a touchdown without a turnover. He also ran in a score, giving him two total scores.

Saquon Barkley went over 2,000-rushing yards for the season in this game. He ran 31 times for 167 yards and caught two passes for two yards.

Giants 45, Colts 33

Fantasy Stud: Drew Lock. There were just 1.1 percent of teams that used Lock on our site but for those owners, great work. He had the game of his career and one of the best fantasy games for a quarterback this season. He was 17-of-23 for 309 yards and four touchdowns without a turnover. He also ran in a score, giving him five total touchdowns. Lock scored 37.45 fantasy points.

Fantasy Dud: Tyrone Tracy. Tracy got his work but didn’t produce big numbers. He ran 20 times for just 59 yards and caught two passes for 14 yards. Tracy failed to reach double-digit fantasy points, scoring just 9.3 points. He has failed to reach double-digit points two of three games.

Game Notes: Malik Nabers had another big game, finishing with seven receptions for 171 yards and two touchdowns. Nabers has at least seven receptions three straight games and four of five.

Jonathan Taylor had multiple touchdowns for the second straight game. He ran 32 times for 125 yards and two touchdowns. He has 100-yard games three straight.

Bills 40, Jets 14

Fantasy Stud: Josh Allen. Allen played his usual solid football, scoring three more touchdowns. Allen was 16-of-27 for 182 yards and two touchdowns without a turnover. He ran in a touchdown, rushing five times for 17 yards and a score. Allen has three-plus scores four of five games. He is having another MVP season.

Fantasy Dud: Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers had a poor showing, throwing for just 112 yards with two interceptions. He also failed to score a touchdown. Rodgers scored a horrible 3.6 fantasy points, his lowest total of the season. He had 20-plus points two of three games before this terrible performance.

Game Notes: Garrett Wilson was a bright spot for the Jets, catching seven passes for 66 yards and a touchdown. Wilson has scores two of three games.

James Cook scored a touchdown for the third straight week. He had 15 carries for 53 yards and a touchdown.

Raiders 25, Saints 10

Fantasy Stud: Jakobi Meyers. Meyers had five receptions for 61 yards and a touchdown. He scored 17.1 fantasy points. It was his first touchdown since Week 8. Meyers has been good as the top target for the Raiders, though, having double-digit fantasy points five of six games.

Fantasy Dud: Kendre Miller. Miller started but didn’t last long, going down with a concussion. He ran three times for just three yards before getting hurt. And he caught a pass for 16 yards. Miller was a huge bust for any owner that used him in what looked like a favorable matchup for him.

Game Notes: Ameer Abdullah continued his late-season surge, having his first 100-yard rushing game of the season. He ran 20 times for 115 yards and caught three passes for 32 yards.

Brock Bowers had seven receptions for 77 yards. He is up to 108 catches and 1,144 yards on the season, having arguably the best rookie season for a tight end.

Dolphins 20, Browns 3

Fantasy Stud: Jerry Jeudy. His team lost but Jeudy produced big numbers, finishing with 12 receptions for 94 yards. He didn’t score a touchdown but managed 21.4 fantasy points. He was targeted 18 times in the game, catching a season-high 12 passes. Jeudy has double-digit receptions two of three games.

Fantasy Dud: Devon Achane. Achane had his second-worst fantasy game of the season, scoring just 5.8 fantasy points. He ran 10 times for just 25 yards and caught two passes for 13 yards. He was used sparingly in the second half, so you have to wonder if he was battling some sort of injury. Either way, his poor game likely did in a lot of fantasy owners.

Game Notes: Tyler Hunter got the start and played a very good game, going 22-of-26 for 225 yards and a touchdown. He also led the team in rushing, running seven times for 52 yards and another touchdown.

Tyreek Hill was iffy to play but played and had his third 100-yard game of the season. He had nine receptions for 105 yards on nine targets.

Vikings 27, Packers 25

Fantasy Stud: Sam Darnold. Darnold continued his resurgence, showing up big in a crucial game for the Vikings. He was 33-of-43 for 377 yards and three touchdowns with an interception. He has two straight three-score games and hit that mark three of four games. Darnold has 36 total touchdowns on the season to 12 interceptions.

Fantasy Dud: Jordan Love. Love struggled some in this big division game, failing to throw for even 200 yards. He was 19-of-30 for 185 yards and a touchdown. Love scored just 15.85 fantasy points. He has failed to reach 20 fantasy points four straight games and five of six. He is not having near the fantasy season most hoped.

Game Notes: Jordan Addison scored a touchdown for the second straight game and has scores six of nine games. Addison has 13-plus points four straight games.

Romeo Doubs had a season-high 11 targets, catching seven passes for 58 yards. He has 14-plus fantasy points two of three games.

Commanders 30, Falcons 24

Fantasy Stud: Jayden Daniels. Daniels had some big-time performance once again, playing more like a seasoned veteran than a rookie quarterback. He was 24-of-36 for 227 yards and three touchdowns with an interception. Daniels led the Commanders in rushing, running 16 times for 127 yards. Daniels scored 35.5 fantasy points, giving him 30-plus fantasy points four of five games.

Fantasy Dud: Terry McLaurin. McLaurin was completely shut down in this one, catching a pass for five yards. He had a tough matchup but you still expected better from him based on his performances throughout this season. McLaurin had touchdowns four straight games before this one.

Game Notes: Olamide Zaccheaus continues to emerge as a big factor in the Commanders passing game. He had eight receptions for 85 yards and a touchdown.

Bijan Robinson had multiple touchdowns for the second straight game. He had 17 rushes for 90 yards and two touchdowns.

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.

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Value Picks: Week 14

Player Notes
Xavier Weaver Dec 7 12:20am CT
Xavier Weaver

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Xavier Weaver (hamstring) is expected to be inactive for Sunday's home matchup with their division-rival Los Angeles Rams. The second-year pro was a midweek addition to Arizona's practice report, with his status declining from a limited session on Thursday to a DNP on Friday. Now, labeled questionable, Weaver doesn't appear to be in line to suit up against the visiting Rams. With the news, Arizona's WR corps is alarmingly depleted, considering teammates Marvin Harrison Jr. (heel) and Greg Dortch (chest) have already been ruled out for the contest. As it stands, Michael Wilson, Trent Sherfield Sr., Andre Baccellia, and Jalen Brooks are the only active wideouts without a designation heading into this weekend's bout.

From RotoBaller

Maxx Crosby Dec 7 12:00am CT
Maxx Crosby

Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Maxx Crosby (knee) is anticipated to be active for Sunday's home tilt with the Denver Broncos, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. Crosby appeared on the Raiders' injury report ahead of their Week 12 loss to the Browns, but hadn't really seen his snap share suffer because of it. However, it's worth noting that he'd miss practice twice this week -- and garner a questionable tag -- as they prep for an outing with Denver. Currently, it appears he'll try to gut it out and play, which is excellent news for Las Vegas, as the 28-year-old's eight sacks are more than the following two team leaders combined. If, for some reason, Crosby can't suit up, teammates Tyree Wilson and Charles Snowden would see an uptick in snaps behind Malcom Koonce on the defense's edge.

From RotoBaller

Parker Washington Dec 6 11:50pm CT
Parker Washington

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington (hip) will be inactive for Sunday's game with the visiting Indianapolis Colts. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported the news. The 23-year-old was forced from Week 13's 25-3 win over the Titans with a hip injury, causing him to miss Wednesday's practice and log only limited sessions over the ensuing two days. Despite being deemed questionable, it appears Jacksonville will be without its top statistical pass-catcher. While Washington is shelved, teammates Brian Thomas Jr. and Jakobi Meyers figure to lead the team's WR corps, with the former likely to be near a full snap share as he's further removed from an ankle injury. Austin Trammell and Tim Patrick will mix in behind them.

From RotoBaller

Dalton Kincaid Dec 6 11:40pm CT
Dalton Kincaid

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Buffalo Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid (hamstring, knee) is projected to make his return from a three-game absence for this weekend's home tilt with the Cincinnati Bengals. Kincaid has yet to practice in full since injuring his hamstring back in a loss against Miami, although he was able to log a week's worth of limited sessions despite also picking up a knee injury along the way. For now, it appears that he'll suit up, but it's possible he's not ready for a full complement of plays, considering his lack of a full practice. Fortunately, he's shown capable of producing on a limited snap share, so fantasy managers can start him as a strong TE1 if he's active. The third-year pro's status will be worth monitoring before the early window of Sunday's games.

From RotoBaller

Chris Olave Dec 6 11:20pm CT
Chris Olave

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the New Orleans Saints expect to have wide receiver Chris Olave (back) for Sunday's divisional clash with the hosting Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Olave popped up on the Saints' practice report last week with back spasms, but would ultimately play his usual allotment of snaps in their loss to Miami despite two limited practices and a DNP. He'd follow a similar regimen at practice this week, and it seems he'll play through the issue again. Fellow wideout Devaughn Vele has come on recently as a decent secondary option. However, Olave should see substantial utilization, particularly with running back Alvin Kamara (knee, ankle) set to miss another contest. He's a solid WR2 if not held back by his injury.

From RotoBaller

Oronde Gadsden II Dec 6 10:11pm CT
Oronde Gadsden II

Los Angeles Chargers rookie tight end Oronde Gadsden was being viewed as a league-winner when he was in the midst of a mid-season surge. He came out of nowhere and had four straight performances with 60 receiving yards or more. Since Week 10, though, Gadsden has been basically invisible on the field. During that span, he has six receptions for 81 yards and hasn't scored a touchdown. Another factor to consider is that quarterback Justin Herbert (hand) recently underwent surgery on his left (non-throwing) hand. Herbert is hopeful to play against the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night, but it's unclear how much he will be impacted by the injury. The Chargers have a lot of mouths to feed and could lean on the running game more with rookie running back Omarion Hampton (ankle) on track to make his first appearance since Week 5. Gadsden probably won't offer more than TE2 value in Week 14.

Greg Dortch Dec 6 9:20pm CT
Greg Dortch

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Greg Dortch (chest) was placed on Injured Reserve on Saturday with a chest injury that he suffered in last week's loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Dortch's season has likely come to an end with this move, but he'll technically be eligible to return for the regular-season finale against the Los Angeles Rams. The 27-year-old recorded 29 receptions for 206 yards and three touchdowns on 33 targets, along with seven carries for 15 yards and another score on the ground in 12 games this season. Arizona is dealing with multiple injuries at the wide receiver position, with Zay Jones (Achilles) already on Injured Reserve, and Marvin Harrison Jr. (heel) ruled out for Week 14's divisional matchup against the Rams. Michael Wilson and tight end Trey McBride will be expected to lead the passing attack on Sunday, with Trent Sherfield Sr. mixing in after being elevated from the practice squad. If active, Xavier Weaver (hamstring) could operate as the team's WR2 behind Wilson.

From RotoBaller

Ty Chandler Dec 6 9:20pm CT
Ty Chandler

Minnesota Vikings running back Ty Chandler (knee) has been downgraded to out for Sunday's game against the Washington Commanders. Chandler's 21-day practice window was opened this past Wednesday, but his return will wait at least another week. The 27-year-old suffered a knee injury during Minnesota's Week 1 win over the Chicago Bears and has been on Injured Reserve ever since. The 2022 fifth-round pick would serve as a quality depth option behind top running backs Aaron Jones Sr. and Jordan Mason upon returning, while contributing primarily as a return man on special teams. Chandler will look to be activated for the Vikings' Week 15 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. He can be left on the waiver wire in the majority of redraft fantasy football leagues at this time.

From RotoBaller

Keon Coleman Dec 6 9:10pm CT
Keon Coleman

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman returned in Week 13 against the Pittsburgh Steelers after serving as a healthy inactive the past two games due to disciplinary reasons. Coleman hauled in two of his three targets for nine yards and his fourth touchdown of the season. The second-year wideout hasn't taken the step forward as the team's WR1 as many had hoped, recording 34 receptions for 339 yards and four touchdowns on 52 targets in 10 games. Since his monster Week 1 performance when he collected eight receptions for 112 yards and a touchdown on a season-high 11 targets, he's been held below 50 yards in every game. Coleman has some momentum heading into Week 14 against the Bengals after scoring in back-to-back games, but he isn't a trustworthy fantasy option in 12-team leagues at this stage of the season.

From RotoBaller

Deshaun Watson Dec 6 9:10pm CT
Deshaun Watson

The Cleveland Browns are planning to keep quarterback Deshaun Watson (Achilles) on their roster next season, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. While Watson is considered unlikely to play this season as he continues to recover from a torn Achilles that required multiple surgeries, the team has expressed interest in keeping him on the roster, noting that the 30-year-old's veteran presence is valuable for their pair of rookie quarterbacks in Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel. Another big reason Watson is expected to return is due to the fact that the Browns would have to take on a dead salary of close to $135 million if they released him before June 1 and a $53 million cap charge if he was designated as a post-June 1 cap casualty. The record for dead-cap money was set by the Denver Broncos with quarterback Russell Wilson at $85 million, which they split into two years, but releasing Watson would cost the Browns significantly more. With Watson set to return in 2026, he's expected to compete with Sanders and Gabriel for Cleveland's starting gig.

From RotoBaller

Dalton Kincaid Dec 6 9:10pm CT
Dalton Kincaid

Buffalo Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals after being limited in practice this week. Kincaid has been sidelined since injuring his hamstring in Week 10 versus the Miami Dolphins. The 2023 first-round pick has been excellent in limited action this season, hauling in 29 of his 33 targets for 448 yards and four touchdowns in eight games. The 26-year-old tight end is set up with a dream matchup for his potential Week 14 return against the Cincinnati Bengals. Cincinnati has been horrendous against opposing tight ends this season, allowing by far the most PPR points per game, in addition to 13 touchdowns -- five more than the next closest team. It seems like Kincaid will be a game-time decision on Sunday. He's been the Bills' most reliable pass-catcher when active and would profile as a strong TE1 if he can play on Sunday.

From RotoBaller

Marquez Valdes-Scantling Dec 6 9:10pm CT
Marquez Valdes-Scantling

The Pittsburgh Steelers elevated wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling from the practice squad to the active 53-man roster ahead of Sunday's game against the Baltimore Ravens, according to the team's official website. Valdes-Scantling signed with the Seattle Seahawks during the offseason but was released before the season began. The veteran was picked up by the San Francisco 49ers, where he played five games and recorded four receptions for 40 yards on eight targets before being waived again. He then signed to Pittsburgh's practice squad on Nov. 4 and is now set to make his team debut in Week 14's divisional matchup against the Ravens. The Steelers have been searching for playmakers at wide receiver all season to complement DK Metcalf, and recently signed veteran Adam Thielen to the practice squad. Valdes-Scantling should have the opportunity for playing time this weekend, but he is most likely to disappoint in his first game with Pittsburgh as a boom/bust deep threat.

From RotoBaller

Josh Allen Dec 6 9:00pm CT
Josh Allen

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen scored his 30th total touchdown on the season in last week's win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Allen completed 15 of 23 passes for 123 yards and a touchdown while adding eight carries for 38 yards and a score on the ground. The 29-year-old signal-caller didn't need to throw the ball much, though, as the Bills gashed Pittsburgh for 249 yards on the ground, and he worked his way into the end zone for his 11th rushing touchdown of the season -- three more than any other quarterback. Allen is set up with a dream matchup in Week 14 against the Cincinnati Bengals, who have allowed the most points per game in the league and concede the fourth-most passing yards per game. The superstar quarterback blew up for six touchdowns back in Week 11 at home against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and he could be gearing up for another nuclear game in Week 14.

From RotoBaller

James Cook Dec 6 9:00pm CT
James Cook

Buffalo Bills running back James Cook recorded a season-high 32 carries for 144 yards during last week's win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Despite missing both starting tackles, Cook and the Bills' ground game tore up the Steelers for 249 total rushing yards. The 26-year-old has been an elite fantasy asset all season, handling 231 rushing attempts for 1,228 yards and eight touchdowns with 27 receptions (29 targets) for 236 yards and a touchdown. He ranks as the RB6 on the year, averaging 18.6 PPR points per game. The Bills' RB1 has already set a career high in rushing yards and is set up to surpass his career high of 237 carries in Week 14 against a porous Cincinnati Bengals defense. The Bengals have allowed the most PPR points per game to opposing running backs, setting Cook up for another potential massive game on Sunday.

From RotoBaller

Khalil Shakir Dec 6 9:00pm CT
Khalil Shakir

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir matched a season low with just one reception for five yards on four targets in last week's win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Bills opted for a heavy run approach with 51 total carries to 23 pass attempts, and Shakir's production suffered as a result. His four targets tied for the second most on the team, but it was another frustrating performance for his fantasy managers. The 25-year-old now has three games with only one reception after recording zero such games in his breakout 2024 season. Shakir is still the clear top target for the Bills, but their run-heavy offensive approach limits his ceiling. He could have some targets taken away in Week 14 against the Bengals with the potential return of top tight end Dalton Kincaid (hamstring), who is currently listed as questionable to play for the first time since Week 10. It could be a great spot for Shakir to bounce back against a Bengals defense that has been the worst in the league. He ranks as RotoBaller's WR27 in PPR formats in Week 14.

From RotoBaller

Tyrell Shavers Dec 6 9:00pm CT
Tyrell Shavers

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Tyrell Shavers broke out for 90 yards and a touchdown on four receptions (five targets) in Week 11 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. However, he has failed to register a target over the past two games. The 26-year-old has operated as part of the Bills rotation at receiver this year and hasn't run a full route share in any game this season, maxing out at 61.8% in Week 6, with no other game above 37.5%. With Buffalo adding Keon Coleman back into the mix after a two-game absence for disciplinary reasons, along with veterans off the street in Gabe Davis and Brandin Cooks, Shavers is unlikely to see many opportunities. The second-year wideout has an ideal Week 14 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals, but Shavers profiles as just a deep-league dart throw in re-draft leagues.

From RotoBaller

Tyler Lockett Dec 6 8:50pm CT
Tyler Lockett

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tyler Lockett is looking to bounce back after giving fantasy managers a dud last week. Lockett struggled to make an impact, hauling in his lone target for 11 yards in the loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. Before that, Lockett was actually playing well with three catches or more in each of his three previous contests. Lockett has also finished with 40 receiving yards or more in two of his four games in Las Vegas. The familiarity with quarterback Geno Smith has probably helped Lockett get more comfortable in this offense. The biggest problem is that the Raiders' offense hasn't been able to successfully move the ball through the air this season. There is hope that Lockett can have a bounce-back game in Week 14. He hauled in five receptions for 44 yards during the last meeting against the Denver Broncos. Fantasy managers should put Lockett in the low-end flex category for this weekend.

From RotoBaller

Jack Bech Dec 6 8:50pm CT
Jack Bech

Las Vegas Raiders rookie wide receiver Jack Bech is expected to have an expanded role during the Week 14 matchup versus the Denver Broncos, with fellow rookie Dont'e Thornton Jr. (concussion) ruled out. The Raiders are banged up with only three healthy wideouts right now. Last week, Bech hauled in two of his three targets for 22 yards in the loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. He played 56 percent of the offensive snaps, which was the most for Bech since Week 7. The rookie wideout figures to see more of the field on Sunday, but production isn't guaranteed, especially against one of the best defenses in the NFL. The Raiders have struggled to move the ball in the passing game this season. Bech should be viewed as a risky flex option, even in the deepest of leagues, for Week 14.

From RotoBaller

Brock Bowers Dec 6 8:50pm CT
Brock Bowers

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers is coming off an awesome two-touchdown game against the Los Angeles Chargers last week. Bowers hauled in all four of his targets for 63 yards and two trips to the end zone in the loss. This marked the first time that Bowers has scored a touchdown since Week 9. Fantasy managers are finally getting the elite tight end that they drafted at the beginning of the season. The expectation is that Bowers will see heavy usage this weekend. The Raiders only have three healthy wide receivers, so there's not a ton of competition for Bowers. The 22-year-old is by far the best receiving option on the team. He was held in check during his last outing versus the Denver Broncos in Week 10, catching one of three targets for 31 yards. Bowers will seek revenge in a home matchup this weekend. Fantasy managers should plug in Bowers as a high-end TE1 for this weekend.

From RotoBaller

Marcedes Lewis Dec 6 8:00pm CT
Marcedes Lewis

Denver Broncos tight end Marcedes Lewis was signed from the practice squad to the active roster ahead of the Week 14 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders. Lewis has been elevated three times, so he must be signed to the active roster if the team wishes to keep him. The 41-year-old will now stick on the active roster for the rest of the season. At this point in his career, Lewis is basically depth and an extra blocking option. He hasn't finished with more than six receptions in a single season since the 2021 campaign with the Green Bay Packers. Lewis can be ignored in all fantasy formats going forward.

From RotoBaller