December 27, 2025
Cincinnati Bengals running back
Samaje Perine scored a touchdown in the 45-21 win over the Miami Dolphins. While
Chase Brown remains the No. 1 option out of the backfield, as expected, Perine has stayed involved by logging double-digit carries in two of his previous four appearances. With a favorable matchup against a weak, injury-plagued Cardinals defense on the horizon, everyone on the offensive side of the ball could benefit from a statistical standpoint. However, despite a higher ceiling than usual, Perine shouldn't be viewed as anything more than a deep-league desperation option in Week 17.
--Dennis ClausenSource: ESPN
December 27, 2025
Buffalo kicker
Michael Badgley was elevated from the Bills' practice squad before Sunday's Week 16 matchup with the Browns, and in filling in for
Matt Prater (quadriceps), he made two of three extra points and was good on a 41-yard field goal, his only attempt of the game. He finished as the 26th-best kicker on the week, and in a Week 17 matchup against the Eagles that projects to see fewer scoring opportunities, he lacks the ceiling that fantasy managers should be seeking for their Week 17 title games. In his seven games with Indianapolis this season, Badgley connected on 10 of 11 field goals while converting 18 of 21 extra points. Badgley is RotoBaller's K15 for the Week, indicating that better options are likely available.
--Patrick McGrathSource: RotoBaller
December 27, 2025
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver
Tee Higgins only has 49 catches for 720 yards in 13 games this season. On the other hand, he's certainly made up for it by amassing 10 touchdowns, tying him with
Jaxon Smith-Njigba for the third-highest mark at the position. Granted, fantasy managers would love to see more volume for the former Clemson Tiger. Still, not many (if any) can say that they have scored at least once in six of their last seven appearances. With a favorable matchup with the injury-plagued Cardinals defense on tap for Week 17, Higgins' ceiling is as high as ever. Keep him starting in all fantasy formats.
--Dennis ClausenSource: ESPN
December 27, 2025
Buffalo Bills running back
Ray Davis (knee) has logged a week of full practice participation and was viewed as a valuable handcuff coming into Week 17. Fortunately for most fantasy managers, that handcuff is no longer required, as starting running back
James Cook is at full health heading into a Week 17 matchup with the Eagles. Davis has put up 120 rushing yards on the year, an additional 51 receiving yards, and one touchdown through the air. With Cook currently leading the race for this year's rushing crown, it seems unlikely that Davis will see much run against an uncharacteristically beatable Eagles front, and he can be dropped wherever roster flexibility is needed for Championship weekend.
--Patrick McGrathSource: RotoBaller
December 27, 2025
Cleveland Browns wide receiver
Cedric Tillman looks to be fighting for the team's WR2 position going into an AFC North battle against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 17. The third-year wide out appears to be in a timeshare with rookie wide receiver
Isaiah Bond, with Tillman playing 48% of the snaps, barely edging out Bond, and running 55% of routes compared to Bond's 58%. Whereas the team is getting Bond involved in trick plays and schemes, Tillman does not have much to show aside from his combined three receptions off eight targets for 36 yards since Week 12. If rookie tight end
Harold Fannin Jr. (groin) is inactive on Sunday, rookie quarterback
Shedeur Sanders may look to his wide-outs to pick up the slack, which would benefit Tillman. The Steelers' pass defense has tightened up over the past four weeks, allowing the sixth-fewest fantasy points to opposing wide receivers, making Tillman an even less appealing pivot option for deep league managers. If Fannin Jr. were to miss Week 17, Tillman would get a slight bump to fringe WR4/Flex territory in 14+ person leagues. However, he is the third option on an offense averaging just 169 passing yards per game, which is the fourth-fewest in the NFL.
--Matt McCauleySource: ESPN
December 27, 2025
Las Vegas Raiders running back
Raheem Mostert (ankle, knee) was able to log a limited practice on Friday after missing two previous sessions ahead of the team's Week 17 matchup at home against the New York Giants. The veteran running back has been playing behind rookie
Ashton Jeanty all season and has yet to score double-digit fantasy points or reach the end zone this year. In Weeks 14 and 15, Mostert did see a spike in his third-down usage, much to the chagrin of Jeanty managers, but he only saw two opportunities from his six snaps in Week 16 against the Houston Texans. If he suits up on Sunday, he will be lining up against a Giants' run defense that is a top-three matchup for opposing running backs. There is an unlikely scenario that head coach Pete Carroll could bring in Mostert or running back
Dylan Laube to ice the game and protect Jeanty from injury if the Raiders were to gain a decisive, early lead. However, the Raiders are currently home underdogs, and the Las Vegas offense is likely to rely heavily on Jeanty throughout its Week 17 matchup. Fantasy managers interested in starting Mostert in Week 17 are hoping the veteran back can make a big play when subbing in for Jeanty, since volume and goal-line opportunities have been going to the workhorse rookie.
--Matt McCauleySource: ESPN
December 27, 2025
Buffalo Bills tight end
Dawson Knox (knee) is listed as questionable for Week 17 against the Philadelphia Eagles. Knox was unable to practice on Wednesday and Thursday but returned on a limited basis on Friday, opening the door for him to play this week. Knox cooled off last week, hauling in just one pass for 10 yards against the Cleveland Browns, which ended his two-game production surge. The matchup is almost as tough as they come, as the Eagles have given up the second-fewest fantasy points to tight ends this season. With
Dalton Kincaid (knee) also questionable entering Week 17, Knox could be more of a focal point against the Eagles, but he's still a risky TE2 given his injury and the tough matchup.
--Nathan HarveySource: Pro Football Reference
December 27, 2025
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver
Ja'Marr Chase hasn't scored a touchdown since the Week 7 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, the wideout continues to produce at an exceptional level and has benefited from his league-leading 166 targets. The Bengals aren't going to the playoffs. Still, the team will look for a strong finish to the season in hopes that the momentum will carry over into the 2026 campaign. Without question,
Tee Higgins has been the go-to end zone target for
Joe Burrow, although there should be plenty of opportunities for Chase to have another productive performance in an advantageous matchup with the Arizona Cardinals. Not only that, but the former LSU Tiger has a real chance to be the week's highest-scoring option at the position, considering the Bengals are projected to put up the most points in Week 17.
--Dennis ClausenSource: ESPN
December 27, 2025
Buffalo Bills wide receiver
Joshua Palmer struggled in Week 16, catching his only target for two yards in the Bills' victory over the Cleveland Browns. Despite both
Gabe Davis and
Keon Coleman being healthy inactive last week, Palmer failed to capitalize on his opportunities. Palmer has dealt with injuries in his first season in Buffalo, suffering a high-ankle sprain that cost him four weeks earlier in the season. The Bills face the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 17, who have allowed the second-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers this season. Star cornerback Quinyon Mitchell is likely to shadow the top receiver in Buffalo, and that assignment could be Palmer. With him already struggling entering this brutal matchup, Palmer is in a tough spot this week.
--Nathan HarveySource: Pro Football Reference
December 27, 2025
Buffalo Bills tight end
Dalton Kincaid (knee) is listed as questionable for Week 17 against the Philadelphia Eagles. Kincaid missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday but returned on a limited basis on Friday. Injuries have limited the third-year tight end, who suffered a PCL sprain in 2024 and already missed three games this season with a hamstring injury. If he's active, he faces a Philadelphia Eagles defense that has allowed the second-fewest fantasy points to tight ends this season. With
Dawson Knox (knee) also questionable for Week 17, Kincaid could see more snaps, but given the tough matchup and his injury status, he's a risky option at tight end this week.
--Nathan HarveySource: Pro Football Reference
December 27, 2025
Buffalo Bills wide receiver
Tyrell Shavers hauled in one of two targets for 21 yards in Week 16's victory over the Cleveland Browns. Despite the Bills being without
Gabe Davis and
Keon Coleman, both healthy inactives in Week 16, Shavers failed to capitalize on his opportunities, as the Bills totaled fewer than 100 passing yards. The second-year receiver will hope for a bounce-back in Week 17 against the Philadelphia Eagles, who have allowed the eighth-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers this season. However, there is still a window for Shavers this week.
Khalil Shakir is likely to see a lot of slot corner Cooper DeJean, and
Joshua Palmer is expected to be shadowed by star cornerback Quinyon Mitchell. Quarterback
Josh Allen has been electric at home this season, and both tight ends,
Dawson Knox (knee) and
Dalton Kincaid (knee), are questionable entering this week. While he's too risky to start in fantasy championships this week, Shavers could be a cheap DFS option against the Eagles.
--Nathan HarveySource: Pro Football Reference
December 27, 2025
Buffalo Bills wide receiver
Khalil Shakir hauled in four of five targets for 34 yards in the 23-20 victory over the Cleveland Browns. Despite being the Bills' current WR1, Shakir has struggled over the last four weeks, averaging three receptions for 30 yards. He is averaging 10.5 PPR points per game, ranking WR42 (the second-lowest among WR1s in the NFL). He faces the Philadelphia Eagles, who have allowed the second-fewest fantasy points to slot receivers this season. Second-year corner Cooper DeJean has been stellar this season, and fantasy managers should take notice before considering Shakir in their Week 17 starting lineups. While
Josh Allen has been spectacular at home this season, given Shakir's recent struggles and a tough matchup, he is better off out of starting lineups on fantasy championship weekend.
--Nathan HarveySource: Pro Football Reference
December 27, 2025
Buffalo Bills running back
James Cook was dominant in Week 16's win over the Cleveland Browns, totaling 134 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns on just 17 touches. Cook has ascended once again in the 2025 season, jumping from 79.2 scrimmage yards per game in 2024 to 121.3 this season. He currently leads the NFL in rushing yards and ranks RB6 in PPR formats. The Bills host the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 17, who have allowed the eighth-most fantasy points to running backs this season. While star defensive tackle Jalen Carter will be active this week for the Eagles, Cook and the Bills are running the ball with ease, so fantasy managers should expect more dominance from the fourth-year back.
--Nathan HarveySource: Pro Football Reference
December 27, 2025
Buffalo Bills quarterback
Josh Allen (foot) is off the injury report and is good to go in Week 17 against the Philadelphia Eagles. Allen injured his foot in the first half of Week 16's win over the Cleveland Browns but practiced all week and has no injury designation in Week 17. The reigning MVP is coming off his worst fantasy performance since 2018, totaling 130 passing yards and 17 rushing yards. Allen will look to bounce back against an Eagles defense that has allowed the sixth-fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks this season. However, Allen's dominance at home has been well demonstrated this season, as he's averaged 30.8 fantasy points per game in the seven contests they've played in Buffalo. With them chasing the Patriots for the AFC East title, Allen should be viewed as a top-end QB1 in Week 17.
--Nathan HarveySource: Pro Football Reference
December 27, 2025
Cleveland Browns rookie wide receiver
Isaiah Bond has taken over as the team's WR2, even though the Week 16 box score against the Buffalo Bills did not show it, and is likely to continue his ascension in Week 17 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Browns' passing attack struggled to get anything going against the Buffalo Bills last week. However, the team tried to get Bond involved via a trick play for 21 yards on the Browns' opening drive. The young rookie appears to be part of the Browns' offensive game plan, averaging 45% snaps and 58% route participation since Week 12, edging out fellow wide receiver
Cedric Tillman for playtime. Bond offers big-play potential and, with rookie quarterback
Shedeur Sanders as the starter, he is carving out his niche as a vertical threat. Sanders' preferred target, rookie tight end
Harold Fannin Jr. (groin), popped up on the injury report Friday, and he is pushing to play on Sunday. However, if Fannin Jr. does miss time, Bond would be in line to benefit from additional looks against a tough Steelers' pass defense. Bond is an extremely risky start with big-play potential and is best suited for DFS dart throws or desperate deep-league managers looking for volatility.
--Matt McCauleySource: ESPN
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