January 18, 2026
New England Patriots quarterback
Drake Maye completed 16 of his 27 pass attempts for 179 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. He also rushed for 10 yards, took five sacks, and lost two fumbles. Maye didn't have the cleanest game by any means, and his three turnovers made life more difficult for the Patriots. Nevertheless, New England fended off the Houston Texans, who had one of their worst offensive performances in a while. Maye played better than his quarterback opponent,
C.J. Stroud, and as a result, he'll survive another week. The former No. 3 pick moves on to face the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship Game next week. It'll be another tough matchup, as Denver allowed the ninth-fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks during the regular season.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
January 18, 2026
New England Patriots running back
Rhamondre Stevenson rushed for 70 yards on 16 carries during Sunday's Divisional Round win over the Houston Texans. He also caught all four of his targets for an additional 11 receiving yards. Stevenson led the backfield in touches on Sunday, and understandably so. He was far more efficient (4.4 YPC) than teammate
TreVeyon Henderson (2.1 YPC) once again. We'll likely see a similar distribution of touches heading into next week's AFC Championship Game against the Denver Broncos. Denver has a strong defense, allowing the fourth-fewest fantasy points to running backs during the regular season. With that being said, Stevenson has shown that he can produce even against strong run defenses. Look no further than Sunday's playoff win over Houston. He should remain a strong option for DFS managers and bettors going forward, especially in formats where his pass-catching role gives him a boost.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
January 18, 2026
Houston Texans quarterback
C.J. Stroud completed 20 of his 47 pass attempts for 212 yards, one touchdown, and four interceptions during Sunday's Divisional Round loss against the New England Patriots. He also took three sacks and rushed for 11 yards. The former No. 2 pick had an ugly game, and his turnovers proved to be the difference-maker in Houston's two-possession loss. It was previously reported that the Texans have decided to pick up Stroud's fifth-year option for 2027, and while that decision isn't official yet, Sunday's game likely won't change much. However, this frustrating performance could have some impact on whether Stroud earns a long-term extension in the future. He is now 3-3 in the playoffs through three seasons, totaling six touchdowns, six interceptions, and seven fumbles during that span. He'll look to clean up the turnovers ahead of the 2026 regular season. He should rank as a fringe top-12 fantasy quarterback heading into next summer's fantasy drafts.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
January 18, 2026
Houston Texans tight end
Cade Stover (knee) has been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's AFC Divisional Round game against the New England Patriots with a knee injury. He suffered a knee injury during the fourth quarter and will not return on Sunday. According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2, his knee injury appeared significant.
Dalton Schultz also exited Sunday's game earlier with a calf issue, and now leaves
Harrison Bryant as the only healthy tight end for the Texans. Stover caught one of three targets for two yards before exiting. The 25-year-old will undergo additional tests after the game to determine the severity of the injury. Bryant should see an expanded role with both Schultz and Stover out.
--Brad Camara - RotoBallerSource: Aaron Wilson
January 18, 2026
The Denver Broncos signed quarterback
Ben DiNucci to their practice squad on Sunday. He rejoins the Broncos after playing for the team two seasons ago. With
Bo Nix (ankle) set to miss the rest of the playoffs due to a broken bone in his ankle, the Broncos added DiNucci for quarterback depth. The 29-year-old was waived by the Falcons during training camp and hasn't played in an NFL game since 2020.
Jarrett Stidham will start Sunday's AFC Championship game against either the Houston Texans or New England Patriots, while
Sam Ehlinger will serve as the backup. The DiNucci signing doesn't have any fantasy impact, as he's likely to be the team's emergency quarterback unless the Broncos bring in other QB options next week.
--Brad Camara - RotoBallerSource: Adam Schefter of ESPN
January 18, 2026
New England Patriots running back
Rhamondre Stevenson (eye) has returned in Sunday's AFC Divisional Round game against the Houston Texans. Stevenson exited Sunday's early during the first half after being poked in the eye. The 27-year-old currently has 30 rushing yards on four carries while catching two passes for eight yards. He logged a few carries during the third quarter and appears to be over the eye issue that caused him to miss a few drives in the second quarter. Stevenson returning on Sunday is a massive boost as New England looks maintain its 21-13 lead over the Texans.
--Brad Camara - RotoBallerSource: Doug Kyed
January 18, 2026
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver
Tutu Atwell (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's Divisional Round contest against the Chicago Bears. Atwell is a healthy scratch after he did not appear on the Rams' injury report leading up to gameday. The 26-year-old had an underwhelming regular season and also dealt with a six-week injury absence. He finished the campaign with six catches, 192 yards, and one touchdown, and he was not targeted in the Rams' Wild Card win over Carolina. His absence should lead to more offensive snaps for
Xavier Smith and
Konata Mumpfield in their depth roles behind
Puka Nacua and
Davante Adams.
--Andersen PickardSource: Sarah Barshop
January 18, 2026
Former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel is a finalist for the Cleveland Browns head coaching job. He will receive a second interview along with Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter and Los Angeles Rams passing coordinator Nathan Scheelhaase next week. McDaniel was fired by the Dolphins after the regular season ended, following a 7-10 season and a missed playoff berth. He was Miami's coach in 2022, leading the team to back-to-back winning seasons and two consecutive playoff berths. The 42-year-old is also being considered as an offensive coordinator for the Eagles, Chargers, and Lions. If hired by the Browns, McDaniel would take over from Kevin Stefanski and look to revamp Cleveland's offense that finished near the bottom of the league last season. The Browns will continue their second set of interviews this week and look to find their new head coach.
--Brad Camara - RotoBallerSource: Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network
January 18, 2026
Los Angeles Rams quarterback
Jimmy Garoppolo (back) is officially active for Sunday's Divisional Round contest against the Chicago Bears. He had been listed as questionable after missing back-to-back practices. The veteran signal-caller has spent the entire season backing up
Matthew Stafford, which means he only plays when Los Angeles has a blowout lead or can kneel out the remainder of the clock. As a result, he has zero pass attempts and nine kneel-downs this year. Garoppolo should occupy a similar role on Sunday and can be left on waivers in all fantasy leagues.
--Andersen PickardSource: Gary Klein
January 18, 2026
Chicago Bears wide receiver
Rome Odunze (foot) is officially active for Sunday's Divisional Round contest against the Los Angeles Rams. He had been listed as questionable but was trending in the right direction after logging a full practice on Friday. The second-year receiver missed the final five games of the regular season, and the foot injury has lingered throughout the playoffs, but it hasn't yet forced him to miss a playoff game. It's been an ugly few months for Odunze, who started the season hot but has been hindered by injuries or poor performance ever since the Week 5 bye. There's an argument to be made that he's now below
Colston Loveland,
DJ Moore, and
Luther Burden III in the pecking order. The Rams are a mediocre matchup for the young receiver. They ranked near the middle of the league in fantasy points allowed to wide receivers and are the 10th-best defense in terms of scoring. Odunze ranks as the overall WR10 in RotoBaller's latest fantasy rankings for the Divisional Round.
--Andersen PickardSource: Brad Biggs
January 18, 2026
Los Angeles Rams passing game coordinator Nathan Scheelhaase is a finalist to be the next head coach for the Cleveland Browns. The 35-year-old is set to have a second interview, along with Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter and former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel, next week. Under the Sean McVay coaching tree, Scheelhaase has been a name to watch for a head-coaching role. Along with Rams OC Mike LaFleur, Scheelhaase has helped the Rams rank among the NFL's top offenses. Scheelhaase would have
Shedeur Sanders and
Dillon Gabriel to work with as Cleveland's starting quarterback unless the Browns select one in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft. If hired, he would take over for Kevin Stefanski and look to jumpstart a Browns offense that ranked third-worst in the league in total yards per game in 2025.
--Brad Camara - RotoBallerSource: Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network
January 18, 2026
New England Patriots running back
Rhamondre Stevenson (eye) is questionable to return in Sunday's AFC Divisional Round game against the Houston Texans with an eye injury. Stevenson got poked in the eye during the second quarter and exited Sunday's game early. He is getting drops in his eye and could potentially return before the end of the first half. The 27-year-old rushed for 25 yards on three carries while catching one pass for nine yards before leaving. Look for
TreVeyon Henderson and
D'Ernest Johnson to see an uptick in carries with Stevenson out.
--Brad Camara - RotoBallerSource: New England Patriots
January 18, 2026
Houston Texans rookie running back
Woody Marks (shoulder) has returned to Sunday's Divisional Round contest against the New England Patriots. Marks had exited during the second quarter and was initially listed as questionable, but he returned to the game just a few minutes later. The Texans trailed by two possessions late in the second quarter, so they'll benefit from getting their No. 1 ball-carrier back as they look to mount a comeback. At the time of his departure, though, Marks had just seven rushing yards on eight carries, plus a six-yard reception. He and the Texans' offensive line will need to play better for the rushing attack to find more success in the final 30-plus minutes of game action.
--Andersen PickardSource: Aaron Wilson
January 18, 2026
Houston Texans running back
Woody Marks (shoulder) exited during the second quarter of Sunday's Divisional Round contest against the New England Patriots. He is officially listed as questionable to return. At the time of his departure, he had just seven rushing yards on eight carries, plus a six-yard reception. The rookie has dealt with a variety of minor injuries throughout the regular season and playoffs, and now, he's on the sideline again.
Nick Chubb has taken over as Houston's primary running back in his absence, leading a backfield that also features
Dare Ogunbowale and
British Brooks. The Texans will need more production from both their rushing attack and passing attack as they look to come back from an 11-point deficit late in the first half.
--Andersen PickardSource: Morgan Weaver
January 18, 2026
Houston Texans tight end
Dalton Schultz (calf) won't return in Sunday's AFC Divisional Round game against the New England Patriots after suffering a calf injury. Schultz exited the first quarter with a calf issue and has been ruled out for the rest of the game. The 29-year-old caught two passes for 47 yards before leaving.
Cade Stover and
Harrison Bryant will handle tight end duties and will see an uptick in targets with Schultz sidelined.
C.J. Stroud is already without top wideout
Nico Collins (concussion) and will now be without his starting tight end. If the Texans advance to the AFC Championship versus the Denver Broncos, Schultz will have a week to recover, but is considered day-to-day for now.
--Brad Camara - RotoBallerSource: Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network
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