December 29, 2025
Chicago Bears tight end
Colston Loveland had one of his best games of the season in Week 17 against the San Francisco 49ers, recording six catches for 94 yards and a touchdown on 10 targets. With Bears wide receiver
Rome Odunze (foot) sidelined by a foot injury, Loveland's role in the Chicago offense has grown in recent weeks. He's now recorded at least five targets in six straight games and logged three touchdown grabs in that stretch. Additionally, Chicago wideout
Luther Burden III (quad) suffered a quad injury in Week 17 that could put his status for Week 18 in question, further opening an opportunity for Loveland to climb the team's pass-catching pecking order. The Bears are locked into either the number two or number three seed in the NFC regardless of their result in Week 18 against the Detroit Lions, so they may be inclined to rest Odunze and Burden III to make sure both players are ready to go for the playoffs. In fantasy leagues with 12 or more teams, Loveland profiles as a player to target on the waiver wire.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
December 29, 2025
Washington Commanders running back
Jacory Croskey-Merritt had a big showing in Week 17 against the Dallas Cowboys, rushing for 105 yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries. The 24-year-old has played some of his best football of late, logging 226 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 37 carries over his last three games. Croskey-Merritt has benefited from the absence of Commanders running back
Chris Rodriguez Jr. (illness), who has missed two out of the last three weeks with various ailments. Croskey-Merritt played 64% of Washington's offensive snaps in Week 17 with Rodriguez Jr. sidelined, but just 20% of the snaps in Week 16 with Rodriguez Jr. active. Still, Croskey-Merritt's improved performance of late could lead the team to shift more carries his way even if Rodriguez Jr. returns. Croskey-Merritt may be worth targeting in all fantasy leagues with 10 or more teams heading into his Week 18 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
December 29, 2025
New Orleans Saints running back
Audric Estime had a breakout game in Week 17, recording 14 carries for 94 yards and a touchdown in a win over the Tennessee Titans. With Saints running backs
Alvin Kamara (knee, ankle),
Kendre Miller (knee), and
Devin Neal (hamstring) all sidelined, the team has an opportunity for backfield contributors to emerge. Estime appeared to step into that void in Week 17, as his 14 rush attempts were nearly triple that of running back
Evan Hull and tight end
Taysom Hill combined (5). Estime also dominated running back playing time against Tennessee, playing 76% of the Saints' offensive snaps. Miller and Neal are on Injured Reserve, while Kamara has a chance to return in Week 18. However, Kamara has missed five straight games, and there's not a ton of incentive for the 6-10 Saints to bring him back this season. In fantasy leagues with 12 or more teams, Estime should be a waiver-wire target heading into his Week 18 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
December 29, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver
Quentin Johnston has had a rollercoaster 2025 season. After averaging 84.3 receiving yards per game and scoring four touchdowns over the first four weeks of the season, the 24-year-old averaged just 24.5 yards per game and scored two touchdowns over his next eight contests. However, Johnston appears to be re-emerging in recent weeks. Over his last two games, he's recorded nine receptions for 202 yards and a touchdown on 13 targets. Johnston remains a big-play threat, averaging 14.4 yards per reception for the season and 22.4 yards per reception over the last two weeks. In fantasy leagues with 12 or more teams where he remains available, Johnston could be a player to target on the waiver wire heading into his Week 18 matchup against the Denver Broncos.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
December 29, 2025
Across eight healthy games in 2025, Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver
Chris Godwin Jr. has recorded 32 receptions for 352 yards and two touchdowns on 50 targets. The 29-year-old broke out in Week 17 against the Miami Dolphins, hauling in seven catches for 108 yards and a touchdown on eight targets. It was Godwin Jr.'s first game with more than five catches or 78 receiving yards this season, and it may be a sign that the veteran wideout is finally working his way back to full strength from the lower leg injuries that have bothered him since the middle of 2024. Godwin Jr. also played 79% of Tampa Bay's offensive snaps in Week 17, the most among all Buccaneers wide receivers. In all PPR fantasy leagues with 10 or more teams, Godwin Jr. is a player to target on the waiver wire heading into his Week 18 matchup against the Carolina Panthers.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
December 29, 2025
Green Bay Packers backup quarterback Malik Willis (shoulder) dominated on Saturday night against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 17. He completed 18 of 21 passes for 288 yards and a touchdown while also rushing for 60 yards and scoring twice on the ground, good for 31.52 fantasy points, making him worth a look on the waiver wire if he is scheduled to start again for Week 18. Important to note that Willis did leave the game midway through the fourth quarter after he appeared to re-aggravate his shoulder on a throw. At this time, he is questionable for Week 18. Because of his recent performance, he should be on the fantasy radar in Week 18 if he starts against the Minnesota Vikings. Packers head coach Matt LaFleur was non-committal about who will start between Love and Willis after Saturday's 41-24 loss. Primarily because the Packers have locked up the seventh seed in the NFC and can no longer move up or down, in addition to the injuries to both Willis and Love. In Week 18, they also take on the Minnesota Vikings, who have been dominant against opposing quarterbacks, allowing the fewest fantasy points to the quarterback position on the season.--Nicho RoesslerSource: RotoBaller
December 29, 2025
San Francisco 49ers fourth-year player out of California,
Jake Tonges, stepped in for the injured
George Kittle (ankle) on Sunday Night Football and made the most of it. He earned himself an impressive nine targets, hauled in seven of them for 60 yards, and scored a touchdown. When given the opportunity in 2025, considering Kittle has now missed seven games this season, Tonges has made the most of it. On the season, he now has five touchdowns and 293 yards on 34 receptions. The key thing to monitor here will clearly be the status of Kittle's ankle, as Tonges is the clear backup to the superstar. If Kittle remains out, Tonges will be in the low-end TE1 rankings in a crucial Week 18 matchup with the No. 1 seed for the NFC and the division on the line when the 49ers take on the Seattle Seahawks in Santa Clara.
--Nicho RoesslerSource: RotoBaller
December 29, 2025
Las Vegas Raiders third-year tight end out of Notre Dame,
Michael Mayer, stepped in for the injured
Brock Bowers (knee) on Sunday and dominated, hauling in nine of his 10 targets for 89 yards. The 10 targets were the most on the team, with
Tre Tucker with the second most at six targets. With Bowers landing on the Injured Reserve and set to miss the rest of the 2025 season, Mayer will have an opportunity to continue to showcase his skill set for one more game before the regular season is over. Entering Week 18, Mayer will be in the low-end TE1 conversation against the Kansas City Chiefs, who also have had their fair share of injuries. The biggest question to monitor with Mayer would be whether
Geno Smith (ankle) or
Kenny Pickett will be throwing him passes. Regardless, Mayer should dominate target share, and because of that, find himself as a valuable fantasy asset in most 12-team or larger leagues.
--Nicho RoesslerSource: RotoBaller
December 29, 2025
Dallas Cowboys' fourth-year running back out of Florida,
Malik Davis, led the backfield in running back touches in the Cowboys' Week 17 30-23 win on Christmas Day over the Washington Commanders. He stepped in for the injured
Javonte Williams (shoulder) and ended the game with 20 rush attempts (5.15 YPC) for 103 yards. Additionally, over the past two games, he has earned 54 percent and 34 percent of the snaps, respectively. He is starting to see an increased workload as the season comes to an end for the eliminated-from-the-playoffs Cowboys. With a strong Week 18 matchup looming against the New York Giants in Week 18, Davis is a must-add off the waivers for those fantasy managers still competing for a championship. If Williams were to sit out, Davis would immediately become a plug-and-play RB2.
--Nicho RoesslerSource: RotoBaller
December 29, 2025
Chicago Bears rookie wide receiver
Luther Burden III (quadriceps), who was carted off the field after Sunday night's game, suffered a quad injury that is not thought to be serious. He will undergo additional testing today, ESPN's NFL Insider Adam Schefter reports. The very last play of the game, with the Bears down 42-38, they had the ball inside the red zone, and while quarterback
Caleb Williams was scrambling, trying to find an open receiver in the end zone to win the game, Burden was crunched between a few defenders and was down on the field. After the incomplete pass, the game ended so abruptly, and the 49ers team stormed the field. We saw a quick mention of Burden being down on the field; however, on television, it was never further discussed. The additional testing on Monday morning will provide further clarity into the severity of his injury. Fantasy managers who are still competing in Week 18 will want to keep their eyes on this, as
Rome Odunze(foot) has missed the last few games and Burden has taken advantage of his opportunities.
Olamide Zaccheaus and
Jahdae Walker would likely see an increased amount of playing time should Burden miss any time. At the same time,
DJ Moore and
Colston Loveland would likely be the biggest beneficiaries.
--Nicho RoesslerSource: Adam Schefter
December 29, 2025
Chicago Bears running back
D'Andre Swift recorded nine carries for 54 yards and two touchdowns to go with two catches (three targets) for 25 yards in Sunday night's 42-38 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Swift notched his second multi-touchdown game of the season, with the other coming two weeks ago against the Browns in Week 15. The 26-year-old totalled only nine carries in the game, his fewest since Week 12, but he's remained a super steady contributor in the Bears' lethal rushing attack, notching at least 50 rushing yards in six of the last seven games. While his pass-catching ability hasn't been a major part of his fantasy profile this season, it remains a strength of his game, with his 25 receiving yards on Sunday night marking his highest total since Week 8. Swift will continue to be an integral part of the Bears' offense when he faces his former team, the Detroit Lions, in Week 18.
--Kyle McCarthySource: ESPN.com
December 29, 2025
Chicago Bears quarterback
Caleb Williams delivered an outstanding performance on Sunday night against the San Francisco 49ers despite the loss, completing 25 of 42 passes for 330 yards and two touchdowns while adding five carries for 18 yards on the ground. Williams went blow-for-blow with 49ers QB
Brock Purdy, posting his first 300-yard passing performance of the season. The second-year signal-caller continues to look more and more comfortable under head coach Ben Johnson, now throwing two touchdown passes in four consecutive outings. In 16 games this season, the 2024 No. 1 overall pick has completed 57.9% of his passes for 3,730 yards, 25 touchdowns, and six interceptions while adding 76 carries for 387 yards and three scores on the ground. Williams will look to finish out the regular season strong in Week 18 against the Detroit Lions before heading into the playoffs.
--Kyle McCarthySource: ESPN.com
December 29, 2025
Chicago Bears rookie wide receiver
Luther Burden III (quadriceps) was electric in Sunday night's loss to the San Francisco 49ers, hauling in eight of his nine targets for 138 yards and a touchdown. The rookie wideout set season highs in targets, catches, and yards while scoring his first touchdown since Week 3. Burden's promising rookie season finally had its signature moment with big production, as his eight catches and 138 yards were the most in a game by any Bears pass-catcher this season. The 22-year-old missed last week's game against the Packers due to an ankle injury, but he's taken advantage of extra opportunities with
Rome Odunze (foot) out of the lineup in recent weeks. He's been one of the most efficient receivers in the league on a per-route basis, and his arrow is firmly pointed up heading into the playoffs. Chicago will travel back home to face the Detroit Lions in Week 18.
UPDATE: Burden was carted off the field with a quad injury that he suffered on the final play of the game, although the injury isn't considered serious.--Kyle McCarthySource: ESPN.com
December 29, 2025
San Francisco 49ers running back
Christian McCaffrey handled another 27 touches in Sunday night's 42-38 win over the Chicago Bears, notching 23 carries for 140 yards and a touchdown to go with four catches (six targets) for 41 yards as a receiver. The superstar running back made history, joining LaDainian Tomlinson as the only players in NFL history to have three seasons with at least 2,000 yards from scrimmage and 15 or more touchdowns. CMC continues to be the engine of the 49ers' offense and tallied his most yards from scrimmage in a game since his 201-yard performance in Week 7 against the Falcons. The 29-year-old has carried a heavy load all season, handling 399 touches in 16 games, the most by a running back since his 403 touches in 2019. San Francisco will stay at home in Week 18 to face the Seattle Seahawks to decide the division and the top seed in the NFC.
--Kyle McCarthySource: ESPN.com
December 29, 2025
San Francisco 49ers quarterback
Brock Purdy was masterful again in Sunday night's 42-38 win over the Chicago Bears, completing 24 of 33 passes for 303 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception while adding six carries for 28 yards and two more scores on the ground. Purdy threw a pick-six on his first pass attempt of the game, but was dialed in after that, producing his second straight game with five total touchdowns after his career performance last week in Indianapolis. The 26-year-old signal-caller has played in only eight games this season due to an early-season turf-toe injury, but he has still managed to rack up 23 total touchdowns and is averaging 26.5 fantasy points per game. San Francisco will take on the Seattle Seahawks at home on Saturday to decide the NFC West and the No. 1 seed in the conference in Week 18. Fantasy managers should expect Purdy to come back to Earth in that one against a tough defense.
--Kyle McCarthySource: ESPN.com
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