December 30, 2025
The Philadelphia Eagles have a chance to move up to the No. 2 seed for the NFC playoff picture, but NFL Network's Mike Garafolo believes that the Eagles will rest some starters in the Week 18 regular-season finale this Sunday against the division-rival Washington Commanders. Head coach Nick Sirianni said on Monday that the team has not decided what they will do this weekend. If Philly does decide to rest some starters to keep them fresh for the postseason, fantasy managers could be without the likes of quarterback
Jalen Hurts, running back
Saquon Barkley, and wide receivers
A.J. Brown and
DeVonta Smith. If Hurts sits this weekend,
Tanner McKee would get the starting nod under center for the Eagles. Running back
Tank Bigsby could be a popular DFS play in Week 18 if Barkley is rested against the Commanders.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Mike Garafolo
December 30, 2025
Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay said that the team will play its starters for the Week 18 regular-season finale this Sunday versus the division-rival Arizona Cardinals, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network. The Rams lost to the Atlanta Falcons on Monday night, and with another loss to Arizona in the final week of the regular season, they'd fall to the No. 6 seed in the NFC postseason picture and have to go on the road against either the Chicago Bears or the Philadelphia Eagles in the wild-card round. A win for the Rams on Sunday, coupled with a Seahawks win over the 49ers on Saturday night, would give L.A. the No. 5 seed and a matchup on the road against either the Carolina Panthers or Tampa Bay Buccaneers. McVay said that playing his starters in Week 18 is more about wanting to play well going into the postseason.
Puka Nacua is also still in the running to be the leading WR in 2025.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Mike Garafolo
December 29, 2025
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport says he doubts that Las Vegas Raiders head coach Pete Carroll will be back with the team in 2026. If the Raiders come away with another loss to the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs in the Week 18 regular-season finale this Sunday, they will have the No. 1 overall pick for the 2026 NFL Draft. As things currently look, the Raiders would be expected to draft Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick next year after the failed
Geno Smith experiment in 2025. The Raiders are desperately searching for some glimmer of hope for the future, and securing the No. 1 overall pick would be a big step in the right direction. However, the front office will need to surround a new franchise QB with the right coaching staff as well. Carroll, at 74 years old, wouldn't exactly be a great fit for a rookie signal-caller.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
December 28, 2025
The Los Angeles Rams defense/special teams has played at a high level all season long, and they'll aim to remain highly effective against an Atlanta Falcons offense led by quarterback
Kirk Cousins during Monday Night Football in Week 17. Cousins is starting in place of the injured
Michael Penix Jr. (knee), and he has produced inconsistent results so far. He upset the Buccaneers in Week 15 and has six touchdowns over his last two games, but he also turned the ball over twice last Sunday in Arizona. He'll now run into another challenging matchup against the Rams, whose D/ST unit has 23 turnovers and ranks eighth in fantasy scoring this year. Meanwhile, Atlanta's offense has surrendered the 14th-most fantasy points to opposing defenses in 2025. The Rams rank #11 in RotoBaller's latest D/ST rankings for Week 17.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
December 28, 2025
Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles is not in danger of being fired after the season, according to NFL.com's Ian Rapoport. While there has been some speculation about the future of Bowles, whose Bucs are just 2-8 over their last 10 games, it appears that the head coach's job is safe. When reporting that Bowles is expected back next season, Rapoport cited a three-year extension that he was given prior to the 2025 season. Bowles is under contract through 2028, and the team isn't ready to cut bait just months after signing him to a new deal. Additionally, Rapoport notes that the Buccaneers have won three consecutive divisional titles under Bowles and are still in the hunt for a fourth this season. Tampa Bay has plenty of work to do this upcoming offseason, but a change atop the chain of command isn't expected.
--Andersen PickardSource: Ian Rapoport
December 28, 2025
The Cleveland Browns DST did not generate any turnovers, but managed to sack quarterback
Aaron Rodgers twice and keep the Pittsburgh Steelers out of the end zone in a 13-6 win in Week 17. Even though the Browns gave up almost 300 yards to the Steelers, the defensive squad kept the Rodgers-led offense from converting all three of its three fourth-down attempts, including a pivotal one at the goal line at the end of the game to seal the victory. The sturdy Browns' rush defense also kept the dominant running back duo of
Jaylen Warren and
Kenneth Gainwell to under 100 combined rushing yards. The Browns DST will close out the season on the road against the Cincinnati Bengals and their high-powered offense in Week 18.
--Matt McCauleySource: NFL
December 28, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (lung) is expected to return for Week 18 against the Baltimore Ravens. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that Watt's health is in a "good place," and he should play in the Steelers' next meaningful game. As it turns out, Week 18 will be a meaningful game, since the winner of Ravens-Steelers wins the AFC North. Once next weekend comes around, Watt should return following a three-game absence. He has been sidelined due to a dry needling session that went awry and resulted in a partially collapsed lung. The 31-year-old will likely make a huge impact against a Ravens offense led by
Lamar Jackson (back) and
Derrick Henry.
--Andersen PickardSource: Ian Rapoport
December 28, 2025
Indianapolis Colts cornerback Sauce Gardner (calf) exited during the second half of Sunday's Week 17 loss against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The team listed him as questionable, but he never returned to the contest. He finished Sunday's game with three tackles and one pass defended. It's too early to tell whether Gardner will play in Week 18 against the Houston Texans, but the fact that Indianapolis never officially ruled him out is encouraging. With that said, the Colts have been eliminated from playoff contention, so they have no reason to rush him back if he's not 100 percent healthy. Mekhi Blackmon, Johnathan Edwards, and Jaylon Jones should earn more defensive snaps if Gardner doesn't play next weekend.
--Andersen PickardSource: Indianapolis Colts
December 28, 2025
Miami Dolphins linebacker Jordyn Brooks (hamstring) exited during the third quarter of Sunday's Week 17 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The team listed him as questionable, but he didn't end up getting back into the game. Brooks finished the game with one pass defended and five tackles, including one tackle for loss. His departure led to more defensive snaps for K.J. Britt and Willie Gay Jr. It's too early to tell whether Brooks will be able to play in Week 18 against the Patriots, but with Miami eliminated from playoff contention, they probably won't rush him back. With 174 tackles this year, Brooks has been a high-scoring option in IDP leagues, so managers will eagerly await updates on his status in the days leading up to Week 18.
--Andersen PickardSource: Miami Dolphins
December 28, 2025
The Tennessee Titans D/ST is coming off an impressive showing against a banged-up Kansas City Chiefs offense, but the unit could come back down to earth in Week 17 against the New Orleans Saints. The Saints have looked weak at certain times this year, but they're playing some very good football all of a sudden. New Orleans has won three consecutive games, and they exploded for 412 yards and 29 points last week against the New York Jets. Meanwhile, the Titans did tally four sacks and allow just nine points last Sunday, but they strongly benefited from a matchup against
Gardner Minshew (knee) and
Chris Oladokun. Tennessee has the 12th-lowest-scoring D/ST in fantasy football this year, and they drop to 10th-lowest if you throw out last week's game. Fantasy managers should be wary about starting the Titans this Sunday against the surging Saints. There are better alternatives available on the waiver wire.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
December 28, 2025
The Jacksonville Jaguars D/ST continues to be a strong fantasy football option heading into their Week 17 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts. The Jaguars have been one of the hottest defenses in football lately, ranking as the second-highest-scoring D/ST unit since Week 10. This week, they'll benefit from a matchup against the
Philip Rivers-led Colts. While the Colts have played competitive football since turning to the 44-year-old quarterback, Rivers is still turnover-prone. He has an interception in each of his two games, which bodes well for a Jaguars defense that has picked off six passes over the last three weeks. The Jaguars remain in must-start territory on Sunday.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
December 27, 2025
The New Orleans Saints D/ST dominated in Week 16, recording eight sacks, one interception, and one fumble recovery in the 29-6 victory over the Jets. They pressured rookie quarterback
Brady Cook all game, limiting him to 22-of-35 passing for 188 yards and a passer rating of 64.9. Their next challenge comes against first-overall pick
Cam Ward and the Titans, who defeated the Chiefs 26-9 in Week 16. Despite the tougher quarterback matchup, the Saints D/ST remains a top play, as Tennessee allows the fourth-most sacks per game and scores just 16.7 points per game, the third-worst mark in the league.
--Dakota Legg - RotoBallerSource: NFL.com
December 27, 2025
Entering Week 17, the New York Giants defense ranks 29th among NFL defenses in total yardage allowed and 28th in points allowed. New York has given up at least 27 points in seven out of its last nine contests. However, the Giants have a very favorable matchup on paper in Week 17 against the Las Vegas Raiders. Las Vegas enters the week ranked last in the NFL in both total yards and total points scored. The Raiders have scored more than 17 points just once over their last seven games and have been held to 10 points or fewer six times so far this season. Additionally, Las Vegas placed star tight end
Brock Bowers (knee) on Injured Reserve earlier this week, removing their best offensive weapon from the equation. The Giants' defensive line should have a chance to wreak some havoc against the struggling Raiders' offensive line, which has allowed 57 sacks through 16 games in 2025. All in all, the Giants D/ST profiles as a low-end starting unit for fantasy managers in Week 17 against Las Vegas.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
December 27, 2025
The New England Patriots D/ST enters Week 17 against the New York Jets as one of the most appealing options in fantasy football. The Patriots are coming off a strong two-turnover performance against the Baltimore Ravens, and their upside is significantly higher this week against the Jets. New York has been eliminated from the playoffs, will be without
Garrett Wilson (knee), and plans to start undrafted rookie
Brady Cook at quarterback. New England has a high probability of forcing at least one turnover this week, as Cook has a whopping seven turnovers over three games (two starts). Furthermore, the Jets have allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing defenses in 2025. As it stands, the Patriots rank #2 among D/ST units in RotoBaller's latest fantasy football rankings for Week 17.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
December 26, 2025
The Philadelphia Eagles defense/special teams unit forced a turnover for the sixth straight game last week, and added on two sacks in a 29-18 victory. However, they will have one of their tallest tasks up against them on Sunday as they visit Buffalo. The Bills average 29.8 points per game, which is tied for the third-most in the league. They have also scored 35 or more points in four of their last nine contests. While Philly has shown out several times this year by stopping powerful offenses, this is an intimidating matchup while deep into the fantasy playoffs. The Eagles have a high floor, but there are more promising options this week at this position.
--Ricky Maloney - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
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