Christian Watson in Flex Consideration Despite Injury
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (shoulder, illness) will be a slightly more volatile fantasy option than usual for Saturday's home matchup with the Baltimore Ravens. Watson, like quite a few of his teammates, is dealing with multiple injury designations for their Week 17 tilt with Baltimore. In unfortunate news for the 26-year-old, a late-week illness may keep him from suiting up, as he's been deemed questionable after recording a DNP for Thursday's practice. Even if Watson does eventually play, the uncertainty surrounding who will be the team's starting quarterback hurts his fantasy value. Currently, both Jordan Love (shoulder, concussion) and Malik Willis (shoulder, illness) are questionable, too, meaning Clayton Tune could end up being the one calling signals in a worst-case scenario. Fantasy managers relying on the fourth-year pro should closely monitor his status up until game time. Watson ranks as RotoBaller's PPR WR35 for his outing with Baltimore.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Keaton Mitchell a Risky Flex Option Against Packers
Baltimore Ravens running back Keaton Mitchell has seen more and more snaps as each week goes on, but it hasn't exactly turned into enough production for fantasy managers. The past two games, he's seen a season-high 39% and 35% snap share, but has only produced finishes of RB35 and RB64. Derrick Henry should get plenty of work against the Green Bay Packers in Week 17 with Tyler Huntley likely taking over for Lamar Jackson (doubtful - back). Mitchell could still see plenty of work mixed in, but the Packers are ranked eighth against opposing backfields, even without Micah Parsons (knee). RotoBaller's rankings project Mitchell as an RB49, which would make him more viable in very deep leagues, but harder to trust in most other leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jordan Love a Risky Stream if Active
Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (shoulder, concussion) carries a bit of extra risk for this Saturday's outing with the visiting Baltimore Ravens if he's active. Love could only log limited practices this week, leading up to his game with Baltimore after dealing with a few injuries suffered in last Saturday's loss to the Bears. Unfortunately for Green Bay, the team is in danger of being without Love's backup, Malik Willis (shoulder, illness), as he also deals with injury. As it stands, even if the 27-year-old is available to play, he could have a difficult time with a Ravens' defense that's been much improved over the back half of the season. He'll rank as RotoBallers QB20 if he suits up for Week 17's contest.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Rashod Bateman a Dart Throw Option in Week 17
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman has finished as a WR3 or higher in just two games all year in half-PPR formats. Once in Week 3 as the WR15 and again in Week 9 as the WR36. His average finish this season is the WR78, which firmly puts him outside of the start-worthy options in most fantasy leagues. The Green Bay Packers have been quite generous to opposing receivers (ranked 30th over the last four weeks), but Bateman will most likely have Tyler Huntley behind center in this matchup. In Huntley's other two starts this year, Bateman received one and four targets respectively, with a combined three catches for 59 yards. For fantasy managers in their championship game, Bateman projects as the WR84, which would be very hard to trust in a must-win situation.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Mark Andrews is Tough to Trust Against Packers
Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews hasn't been kind to any fantasy managers that have decided to play him through the fantasy playoffs thus far. The veteran hasn't posted a finish in TE1 territory since Week 11 in half-PPR formats. His Week 17 matchup doesn't make it any easier either, since the Green Bay Packers are ranked eighth against the position over the last four weeks. They only allow 8.65 fantasy points per game to tight ends, and Andrews will more than likely have Tyler Huntley under center, who has targeted Zay Flowers more often. In RotoBaller's projections for Week 17, Andrews is the TE21, which would be a tough start for fantasy managers who are in their championship game.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Four Catches For Justin Jefferson As Vikings' Offense Struggles
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson finished Thursday's 23-10 victory against the Detroit Lions with four catches on five targets for 30 yards, a modest output despite the Vikings' inability to do much of anything in the passing game. Playing without starter J.J. McCarthy (hand) and already missing backup Carson Wentz (shoulder) for the season, the Vikings turned over the keys to undrafted rookie Max Brosmer, which went as expected. Brosmer threw for 51 yards and lost 48 yards to sacks, leading to just three net passing yards. A heroic performance from the Minnesota defense, which forced a whopping six turnovers, gave the offense a chance, and two rushing touchdowns were just enough. For managers rostering Jefferson, however, it was yet another frustrating outing limited by the offense around him. Of note, the superstar is 53 receiving yards from 1,000 with one game to go. Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell has made reaching the milestone a stated goal, so the gameplan may heavily feature Jefferson in a Week 18 game against Green Bay.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Zay Flowers Looking to Keep Momentum Rolling into Week 17
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers has now followed up one of his worst games in his three-year career with three weeks of 14 or more fantasy points in half-PPR formats. His lowest finish over the last few weeks has been WR15, and he came in as the WR8 last week against the New England Patriots, despite a fumble at the end of the game. The Ravens are still fighting for their playoff lives in Week 17 when they go up against the Green Bay Packers, and they'll likely have Tyler Huntley under center. The good news is that Huntley seems to target Flowers the most in his starts (10 in Week 6, nine in Week 8). In terms of the matchup, the Packers rank 18th on the season against receivers, but are 30th over the last four weeks. He's projected as the WR24 on RotoBaller's rankings, but has quite a high ceiling depending on game script.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Aaron Jones Sr. Scores TD In Win Against Lions
The Minnesota Vikings' hampered offense looked helpless for much of Thursday's game against the Detroit Lions, but running back Aaron Jones Sr. was still able to scratch out a solid fantasy day with 53 yards rushing, three catches for 10 yards, and a touchdown in a Vikings win. Playing on a short week, Minnesota was missing its top two quarterbacks, three starting offensive linemen, its starting tight end, and Jones' fellow running back, Jordan Mason (ankle). The Vikings naturally leaned on Jones, who needed 18 carries to gain 53 yards as the Lions loaded the box and put pressure on Brosmer. The Vikings gained a miserable three net passing yards, but the combination of defense and a pair of rushing touchdowns was just enough. Jones has been a reliable fantasy back this year, but he'll need some good news on the injury front as the Vikings prepare for a Week 18 game against Green Bay.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Jordan Addison's Big Play Clinches Vikings Win
A beleaguered Minnesota Vikings offense did very little for most of a Christmas Day showdown against the Detroit Lions, but wide receiver Jordan Addison provided a late-game spark with a 65-yard touchdown run that changed the game in a 23-10 victory. Missing three offensive line starters, their top two quarterbacks, and their starting tight end, the Vikings threw for a miserable 51 yards passing behind undrafted rookie quarterback Max Brosmer, which led to one target and no catches for the third-year receiver. The Minnesota defense played an outstanding game by forcing six turnovers, and the offense finally came to life late in the fourth quarter with an end-around to Addison that clinched the game. Routinely a risky fantasy option, Addison came through with one big play this week. He and the Vikings will finish the season by playing host to the Green Bay Packers in Week 18.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Derrick Henry Remains Low-End RB1 in Week 17
Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry has faced some tough times this season in regard to ball security and questionable coaching decisions. While he registered his fourth fumble of the year last week against the New England Patriots, he still accrued 128 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries. Tyler Huntley is likely to be under center in Week 17 against the Green Bay Packers, which means Henry should see some more carries. In Weeks 6 and 8, Henry received a combined 45 carries with Huntley as the starter. The Packers, however, are the eighth-toughest team in the league against the position over the last four weeks. They only allow 19.38 fantasy points per game to opposing backfields, but Henry was able to run all over the third-ranked Patriots defense, so he still projects as the RB11 in RotoBaller's rankings.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kimani Vidal Questionable for Saturday, Risky Start if Active
Los Angeles Chargers running back Kimani Vidal is in a precarious position heading into a Week 17 matchup against the Houston Texans. Vidal is officially questionable after sustaining a neck strain last week. He managed a limited practice on Friday but was largely ineffective before exiting the game, posting just 2.2 yards per carry. He continues to be outshined by rookie Omarion Hampton, who has shown far superior explosiveness and vision. The Texans boast a top-seven rush defense that allows the fifth-fewest rushing yards in the league, making this a brutal environment for a struggling, banged-up back. Even if Vidal is active, his plummeting volume and lack of production make him an impossible start with fantasy titles on the line. He should remain on your bench this week.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Los Angeles Chargers D/ST Could Be a Sneaky Start on Saturday
Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter has this unit playing inspired football of late, having just held the high-powered Dallas Cowboys to 17 points to secure a fourth straight win. While the Chargers D/ST lacks the flashy defensive touchdowns that drive elite fantasy scores, they are a dominant real-life unit playing at home in SoFi Stadium on Saturday. They face a Houston Texans offense that, while efficient, ranks only 19th in passing and 23rd in rushing yards per game. This game is shaping up to be a low-scoring battle of field position. Although safety R.J. Mickens (shoulder) is out, the expected return of Elijah Molden and Bud Dupree bolsters the rotation. If you prioritize a high floor and low points allowed, this unit is a solid streaming D/ST with top-10 potential this week.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Cameron Dicker Enters Potential Defensive Slog in Week 17
Los Angeles Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker has been the definition of reliable, remaining perfect last week with two field goals and four extra points. However, his Week 17 outlook is tempered by a projected low-scoring affair against the Houston Texans. Both the Chargers and the Texans have ridden elite defenses to recent success, with Houston limiting opponents to just 18 points per game during their seven-game win streak. This matchup has the hallmarks of a defensive slog, which could severely limit the Chargers' ability to move the ball into scoring range. While Dicker's accuracy is never in question, the lack of projected offensive volume caps his ceiling in a week where every point matters. He is a mid-range K1 and ranks K13 in the weekly rankings.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Tyler Huntley Holding Low-End QB2 Value Vs. Packers
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley looks to be in line to start against the Green Bay Packers after Lamar Jackson (back) received a doubtful status on the injury report. The former Pro-Bowler took over for Jackson after he suffered a back contusion in their Week 16 loss to the New England Patriots. Huntley posted 65 yards while completing nine out of his 10 throws, and rushed for two yards on two carries. The Packers have a similarly stout defense, but have started to show some holes ever since Micah Parsons (knee) was injured. While they allow 25.04 fantasy points per game over the last two weeks to quarterbacks, Huntley and the Ravens are likely to lean a little more on the run game. That leaves him as the QB22 in RotoBaller's projections, right behind Philip Rivers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Oronde Gadsden Seeing Reduced Volume, Avoid in Championship Week
Los Angeles Chargers rookie tight end Oronde Gadsden saw his involvement crater last week, recording just one catch for seven yards on a season-low 3.5% target share. This drop in usage stems from the Chargers prioritizing extra pass protection for their battered offensive line, leaving non-blocking Gadsden on the sidelines for significant stretches. The Week 17 matchup against the Houston Texans offers little hope for a rebound. While Houston is occasionally susceptible to tight end touchdowns, they rank top-10 in yards allowed to the position and lead the league in EPA/Pass. With Gadsden's routes and targets trending sharply downward, he cannot be trusted during the most important week of the fantasy season. He should remain on your bench as a low-end TE2.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
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