December 25, 2025
Detroit Lions running back
David Montgomery (illness) is expected to play on Christmas afternoon when the Lions face the Minnesota Vikings. The veteran RB was listed as a non-participant during Tuesday's practice session but upgraded to limited participation on Wednesday. However, he was still listed as questionable on the team's final injury report. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to his status leading up to kickoff, but it appears the 28-year-old is trending towards suiting up. Last weekend, Montgomery had a disappointing fantasy day, tallying just 14 yards on a mere four attempts during their loss to the Steelers. However, over his last three games (Weeks 13 through 15), Montgomery found the back of the end zone in each contest and averaged 12.1 PPR points per game. Managers should view Montgomery as a mid-end FLEX play, serving as the change-of-pace option behind
Jahmyr Gibbs.
--Andy SmithSource: Mark Garafolo
December 25, 2025
Dallas Cowboys tight end
Jake Ferguson hasn't scored in five straight weeks and is coming off two of his four lowest yardage totals in the past two weeks. Ferguson was remarkably consistent for most of the season leading up to Week 15, catching at least four passes in 11 of the first 13 games and at least five in 10 of those contests. The 26-year-old tight end hasn't been as productive with
CeeDee Lamb back in the lineup and has become dependent on finding the end zone, which he has only done once since scoring twice against the Washington Commanders in Week 7. He'll look to bounce back this week as he faces Washington again on Christmas Day. The Commanders' defense has been bad in all facets, including against tight ends, allowing the third-most PPR points per game. Ferguson can be trusted as a mid-range TE1, ranking as RotoBaller's TE8 in PPR leagues in Week 17.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Pro Football Reference
December 25, 2025
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver
George Pickens rebounded last week against the Chargers after a two-game lull entering Week 16. Pickens racked up seven catches for 130 yards and a touchdown on nine targets in Week 16, marking his fifth game with at least 130 receiving yards, tied with
Puka Nacua for the most in the league. It's been a tremendous first season in Dallas for the former Pittsburgh Steeler, ranking as the WR4 in PPR points. He gets another opportunity to add to his career highs in various receiving stats on Christmas Day against a porous Washington Commanders defense that has allowed the sixth most PPR points per game to wide receivers. Pickens should be fired up again as a borderline WR1 in Week 17.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Pro Football Reference
December 25, 2025
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver
CeeDee Lamb posted his lowest yardage total of the season last week against the Los Angeles Chargers, catching six of seven targets for 51 yards. It snapped a three-game streak of 100+ receiving yards and was also the star wideout's first game averaging less than 10 yards per reception since Week 12 of last season against the Washington Commanders. The 26-year-old is primed for a big performance against a vulnerable Washington secondary on Christmas Day. He terrorized them for 110 yards and a touchdown on five catches (eight targets) in his first game returning from an early-season three-game absence due to an ankle injury. Lamb remains an elite WR1 option in fantasy for Week 17.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Pro Football Reference
December 25, 2025
Dallas Cowboys running back
Javonte Williams (neck) posted his worst fantasy performance of the season last week against the Los Angeles Chargers, handling a season low nine carries for 34 yards while adding two catches (three targets) for nine yards. It marked his fewest total yards in a game since Week 6 against the Carolina Panthers. Williams played through a neck injury last Sunday but doesn’t carry an injury designation heading into the Christmas game versus the Washington Commanders. The former Denver Bronco has a dream spot on Christmas Day against the Commanders to rebound and finish his strong first season in Dallas on a high note. The 25-year-old compiled 19 carries for 116 yards and a touchdown to go with one reception (four targets) for two yards in their Week 7 matchup. Washington is one of only four teams to allow over five yards per carry while also allowing the third-highest rate of runs that result in 10 yards or more over the last five games. Williams ranks as a borderline RB1 in Week 17.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Pro Football Reference
December 25, 2025
Dallas Cowboys quarterback
Dak Prescott had another outstanding performance last week against a strong Chargers defense despite the loss, completing 21 of 30 passes for 244 yards (8.1 Y/A) with two touchdowns. Prescott remains one of the best fantasy quarterbacks in a high-volume passing offense with two elite wide receivers in
CeeDee Lamb and
George Pickens. The 32-year-old signal caller gets a beautiful matchup on Christmas Day against a horrid Washington Commanders defense, which the Cowboys scored 44 points against back in their Week 7 meeting. The Commanders have allowed the third most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks and have shown little to no resistance against the pass in recent weeks. Prescott profiles as a set-and-forget top-three QB option in Week 17.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Pro Football Reference
December 24, 2025
Cleveland Browns rookie tight end
Harold Fannin Jr. has been one of the few bright spots for the Browns' offense this season. The 21-year-old rookie has taken the league by storm with 70 receptions for 701 yards with five touchdowns on 105 targets. Fannin has recently taken his game up a notch during the most important part of the fantasy football season. Over the last four weeks, Fannin has been a TE1 and has finished as a Top-2 tight end twice in PPR leagues. During that stretch, he has commanded 36 targets and found the end zone three times. There has yet to be an offensive rookie to take a firm grip on the 2025 Offensive Rookie of the Year race. If Fannin continues to put up big numbers over his last two games, he could set himself up to become the second-ever tight end to win the award.
--Wyatt McClintockSource: ESPN
December 24, 2025
Los Angeles Rams running back
Blake Corum has carved out a role in one of the most fantasy-productive offenses in the NFL. Since Week 13, Corum has scored more than 13 fantasy points and finished among the top 24 running backs in PPR formats. During this stretch, Corum has scored a touchdown in each game and has scored five touchdowns in total. The Rams have deployed a split backfield over the last couple of weeks to keep
Kyren Williams fresh and healthy for a potential Super Bowl run. Despite splitting work, both running backs have remained fantasy viable. With the offense consistently playing in the red zone, both backs have been able to score touchdowns and produce for fantasy managers. Corum has built a solid resume that managers can depend on and can be trusted as a flex option during fantasy championships.
--Wyatt McClintockSource: RotoBaller
December 24, 2025
The Detroit Lions' defense has been an abject disaster in recent weeks, allowing opponents to score an average of 31.6 points per game over the team's last five games. Detroit's secondary has been ravaged by injuries, as star safeties Brian Branch (Achilles) and Kerby Joseph (knee) are done for the season, and backup safety Avonte Maddox (back, illness) has been ruled out for Week 17 against the Minnesota Vikings. However, Minnesota is dealing with some significant injury absences of its own, most notably quarterback
J.J. McCarthy (hand). The Vikings will start rookie
Max Brosmer under center in Week 17. In Brosmer's lone other start this season, he averaged 4.2 yards per pass attempt and threw four interceptions in Week 13 against the Minnesota Vikings. Fantasy managers should proceed with caution around this leaky Lions' defense. However, the Detroit D/ST could be a decent streaming option in Week 17 against Brosmer and the Vikings.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
December 24, 2025
Across 15 games this season, Detroit Lions kicker
Jake Bates has converted on 22 of 28 field goal attempts and 52 out of 54 extra-point tries. Bates has the benefit of being tied to the Detroit offense, which enters Week 17 ranked second in the NFL in points per game (30.1). However, Bates and the Lions will face one of the league's top scoring defenses in Week 17 when they travel to Minnesota to take on the Vikings. Over the last three weeks, Minnesota has allowed opponents to score an average of just 13 points per game. In the first matchup between the two NFC North division rivals this season in Week 9, the Lions were held to 24 points, their fourth-lowest mark in a game in 2025. If there's one benefit for Bates, the game will be played indoors, which eliminates any weather concerns for the kicking game. Bates remains a viable starting kicker for fantasy managers in Week 17, but he profiles as a low-end option rather than a must-start player at the position against Minnesota.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
December 24, 2025
Green Bay Packers running back
Emanuel Wilson has been a reliable fill-in starter when he has had his name called on this season.
Josh Jacobs (knee, ankle) has battled injuries off and on this year, and Wilson has taken advantage of every chance he has been given. Recently, Jacobs was battling lower-body injuries heading into Week 16 but managed to play through them against the Chicago Bears. Due to Jacobs being less than fully healthy, Wilson led the Packers in carries and rushing yards in the overtime loss. Wilson finished the game with 14 carries for 82 rushing yards. When Jacobs has missed time, Wilson has been a viable fantasy running back for managers. However, when Jacobs has been healthy, Wilson has been a non-factor in every fantasy format. Wilson has been a solid handcuff running back when he has been forced into action, but his fantasy value is solely attached to the health of Jacobs. If Jacobs cannot give it a go in Week 17 against the Baltimore Ravens, Wilson is a solid option for fantasy managers.
--Wyatt McClintockSource: ESPN
December 24, 2025
Detroit Lions wide receiver
Kalif Raymond had his best performance of the season in Week 16 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, recording four catches for 62 yards and a touchdown on five targets. Raymond could see an expanded role again in Week 17 against the Minnesota Vikings, as top Lions wideout
Amon-Ra St. Brown (knee) is questionable to play due to a knee injury. However, if St. Brown is active, there's reason to believe Raymond's performance in Week 16 is unlikely to be repeated. Lions quarterback
Jared Goff threw 54 passes against Pittsburgh, 17 more than he attempted in his first matchup of the season against the Vikings in Week 9. Additionally, Minnesota has been a very tough matchup for opposing passing attacks. The Vikings enter the week ranked second in the NFL in total passing yards allowed (2,790) and tied for second in passing touchdowns allowed (14). Raymond has some upside as a deep-league flex option for fantasy managers if St. Brown is sidelined. If St. Brown is active, fantasy managers should likely avoid Raymond in Week 17.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
December 24, 2025
Detroit Lions wide receiver
Isaac TeSlaa posted his best performance of the season in Week 16 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, recording four catches for 52 yards and a touchdown on seven targets. Although the 23-year-old has hauled in just 12 receptions across 15 games this season, five of them have gone for touchdowns. TeSlaa has seen his playing time spike in recent weeks, as he's played at least 40 offensive snaps in four straight games after failing to play more than 28 snaps in any of Detroit's first 11 contests. He may have an even greater role in his team's offense in Week 17 against the Minnesota Vikings, as star wide receiver
Amon-Ra St. Brown (knee) is questionable to play due to a knee injury. However, Minnesota enters the week ranked second in the NFL in total passing yards allowed (2,790) and tied for second in passing touchdowns allowed (14). In his first matchup of the season against the Vikings in Week 9, TeSlaa did not record a catch or earn a target. If St. Brown is active, TeSlaa should likely be avoided by fantasy managers in Week 17.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
December 24, 2025
Across 15 games this season, Detroit Lions wide receiver
Jameson Williams has recorded 57 receptions for 1,006 yards and seven touchdowns on 91 targets. Over his last four games, Williams has taken his production to a new level, hauling in 26 receptions for 444 yards and two touchdowns on 38 targets. The 24-year-old could see an even larger role in Week 17, as Lions wideout
Amon-Ra St. Brown (knee) is officially listed as questionable to play in the team's Christmas Day matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. Minnesota has been an excellent pass defense so far this season, entering the week ranked second in the NFL in total passing yards allowed (2,790) and tied for second in passing touchdowns allowed (14). However, Williams had posted solid production in his first matchup of the season against the Vikings in Week 9, recording four catches for 66 yards and a touchdown on 6 targets. Williams remains a must-start fantasy wide receiver despite the tough matchup in Week 17.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
December 24, 2025
Houston Texans tight end
Dalton Schultz (knee) was a full participant in practice on Wednesday. Schultz was limited in practice to begin the week, but he is back to a full session a day later. Barring any setbacks, Schultz will be ready to go for Saturday's Week 17 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers. Schultz has hauled in 11 receptions for 111 yards and two touchdowns over his last two games. He draws a tough matchup this weekend on the road against the Bolts, but he remains a TE1 target for this game in fantasy football. He has been a solid contributor in this offense over the last few months.
--Andy WebbSource: Houston Texans PR
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