December 26, 2025
Arizona Cardinals quarterback
Jacoby Brissett has been a pleasant surprise for fantasy managers in the 2025 season. Not only has he become a consistent streaming option, but he has managed to take the Cardinals' passing attack to the next level. The 33-year-old had his first misstep in Week 16 against the Atlanta Falcons, and finished outside of the Top-12 quarterbacks for the first time since becoming the Cardinals' starting quarterback in Week 6. Heading into Week 17, Brissett is RotoBaller's ninth-ranked quarterback in a favorable matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals' defense has allowed the third-most passing touchdowns and the sixth-most passing yards this season. In an expected high-scoring game on Sunday, there should be plenty of points to go around on the field and fantasy scoreboards for fantasy football championships. Brissett can comfortably be interested in lineups as a QB1 in Week 17.
--Wyatt McClintockSource: NFL.com
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
December 26, 2025
Philadelphia Eagles kicker
Jake Elliott made all three of his extra points but missed both of his field goal attempts in his most recent performance against the Commanders. This week, Elliott is up against the Bills, who tote an average defense allowing 22.9 points per game to their opponents this season-15th-fewest in the league. This game is chock-full of offensive talent, but even if it does turn into a shootout, Elliott has lost a lot of trust. In the last five weeks he has missed six of his 23 attempts between field goals and extra points. For managers streaming kickers, there are safer options for Week 17.
--Ricky Maloney - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
December 26, 2025
Seattle Seahawks quarterback
Sam Darnold is a risky streaming option against a talented Carolina Panthers pass defense in Week 17. The Seahawks' passing game has been inconsistent in recent weeks, further adding to the risk factor for Darnold. Carolina is No. 8 against opposing quarterbacks in fantasy. They have also forced 13 interceptions, which is good for No. 9 in the league. Darnold himself has thrown 13 interceptions this season. Seattle should be able to move the ball on the ground, and they may lean less heavily on Darnold and the passing game this week than in normal weeks. Darnold, of course, should continue his smooth connection with wide receiver
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, but a high enough passing output to merit a fantasy start may not be in the cards. Proceed with caution with Darnold in Week 17 if you have struggled with injuries at quarterback this year.
--Quincy Milton III - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
December 26, 2025
Philadelphia Eagles tight end
Dallas Goedert has now caught a touchdown in consecutive games for the first time since Weeks 5 and 6 after scoring against the Commanders. However, Goedert's usage fell back down to earth, finishing with just three catches for 32 yards on three targets. And this week, Goedert will have a steep uphill battle as he travels to Buffalo to take on the defense allowing the fewest fantasy points to tight ends this year. Hope was restored after back-to-back 70+-yard games for Goedert, but his most recent performance once again showed his inconsistency with catches and yardage. Unless managers believe in a late-season end zone resurgence continuing, it's probably best to set expectations low for Goedert. He's a mid-tier TE2 option this week.
--Ricky Maloney - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
December 26, 2025
Philadelphia Eagles rookie wide receiver
Darius Cooper did not record any statistics in his most recent game against the Commanders after having receptions in his previous two contests. Cooper also saw his offensive snap count percentage drop to below 20% for the first time since Week 11. The first-year undrafted wideout has failed to explode onto the scene, but given the talent surrounding him it was always going to be an unrealistic expectation for him to have much of a contribution. He has not carved out a real role on this offensive unit yet, and is not suited for fantasy lineups for his Week 17 game against the Bills.
--Ricky Maloney - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
December 26, 2025
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver
DeVonta Smith (illness) does not carry an injury designation heading into the weekend. Smith snapped a five game scoreless streak last week against the Commanders, with his six receptions also being his most in an outing since Week 12. While the touchdown helped out his final stat line, the Philly wideout has still finished a game with more than 50 receiving yards just once in his last six performances. This Sunday, he'll line up against a tough Buffalo defense that has given up just 17 passing touchdowns this season-tied for fourth-fewest in the league. Smith does get a decent amount of looks though, averaging 7.4 targets per game in the last five weeks. Scoring in back-to-back weeks seems unlikely, so managers have to bank on Smith returning to mid-season form and upping his overall production. Consider him a low-end WR3/FLEX with an unfavorable matchup in Week 17.
--Ricky Maloney - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
December 26, 2025
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver
A.J. Brown (teeth) does not carry an injury designation heading into the weekend. Brown's low-usage Week 15 looks more and more like a fluke, as he caught his stride once again with nine catches for 95 yards on 12 targets against the Commanders last week. His last six weeks have been his best stretch of the season, and fantasy managers that held out through his struggles must be rejoicing. However, as fantasy playoffs come to a close, Brown has the Bills to deal with. Buffalo allows the eighth-fewest fantasy points to WRs this season and has not let an opposing receiver record 100+ yards since
Drake London in Week 6. But, with the momentum Brown has had it feels foolish to doubt him now. Temper expectations in terms of yardage, but he should still have high upside in PPR leagues. He's a mid-tier WR2 in Week 17.
--Ricky Maloney - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
December 26, 2025
Philadelphia Eagles running back
Tank Bigsby recorded 37 rushing yards and his first touchdown of the season on four carries against the Commanders last week. Bigsby broke free for a 22-yard score in the fourth quarter, and now averages an impressive 6.1 yards per attempt this year. However, with
Saquon Barkley healthy and ready to play, it seems as though any chance of Bigsby stepping into a notable role before season's end has faded away. With his low volume, it would be a massive gamble to start him in fantasy lineups as playoffs come to a close, even against a poor Buffalo run defense. It's best to leave Bigsby benched for Week 17.
--Ricky Maloney - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
December 26, 2025
Philadelphia Eagles running back
Saquon Barkley last week recorded his second-most rushing yards in a game this season, torching the Commanders for 132 and a touchdown. Barkley has gotten hot lately, with 332 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 63 carries over the last three weeks. On Sunday, he may feast again versus a Buffalo defense that gives up 144.3 yards per game on the ground, which is the fourth-most in the NFL. The Bills have also allowed a league-leading 24 rushing touchdowns through 15 games. Given the sheer amount of volume Barkley has had recently and his 5.3 yards per carry since Week 14, he's primed for a huge day. While he's been relatively uninvolved in the passing game recently, having just two receptions over his last four outings, it shouldn't matter much this weekend. Barkley looks like himself again, and he's a mid-tier RB1 as fantasy playoffs near their end.
--Ricky Maloney - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
December 26, 2025
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback
Jalen Hurts helped out fantasy managers last week with two passing touchdowns and his biggest day on the ground since Week 4, tallying 40 rushing yards. Hurts may have to rely on his legs some more in his upcoming game against the Bills, as Buffalo allows just 167.1 passing yards per game this season, which is the second-fewest in the league. Luckily, the Bills let Browns QB
Shedeur Sanders scramble all around them last week as the rookie led his team with 49 rushing yards. While it may be tough to get it going through the air, Hurts has shown he can score in more ways than one with his eight rushing touchdowns this season. In this high-octane clash of Super Bowl-hopefuls, expect Hurts to bring his A-game. Especially with his five passing touchdowns in his last two games, consider him a solid QB1 despite the slightly intimidating matchup.
--Ricky Maloney - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
December 26, 2025
Philadelphia Eagles tight end
Dallas Goedert is back to being a consistent option after posting a few mid-season duds. Goedert has found the end zone three times over the last two games. He has also recorded 17 receptions in the previous three contests. The expectation is that the 30-year-old will continue to be a significant part of the offense in Week 17. Goedert does have a tough matchup against the Buffalo Bills. Fantasy managers shouldn't expect a ton of yardage from Goedert, but he has proven to be a consistent red-zone threat. Fantasy managers should have faith in Goedert to produce at least a low-end TE1 value for this upcoming matchup, and he is TE8 in the latest RotoBaller rankings for Week 17.
--Andy WebbSource: Pro Football Reference
December 26, 2025
The Pittsburgh Steelers recorded three sacks and a forced fumble while surrendering 24 points to the Detroit Lions in a Week 16 victory. The Steelers DST didn't have a huge fantasy showing, but it held Detroit to just 15 rushing yards and kept the Lions off the scoreboard for two of four quarters. Even without star linebacker T.J. Watt (lung), cornerback James Pierre (calf), and cornerback Brandin Echols (groin), Pittsburgh shouldn't have too much trouble against the Cleveland Browns this week. The Browns are averaging just over 16 points and 1.5 giveaways per game. Given this contest's low projected point total, fantasy managers aren't likely to find many safer options than Pittsburgh in Week 17. The Steelers DST can be started with confidence on Sunday.
--Jorden HillSource: Pro Football Reference
December 26, 2025
New York Jets wide receiver
Adonai Mitchell has become a bigger piece of the offensive attack in the second half of the season. Since Week 11, Mitchell has seen six or more targets in every contest. The production hasn't always been there, with Mitchell having two or fewer receptions in three of those games. The biggest problem has been the inconsistent play at quarterback. Rookie quarterback
Brady Cook will be making another start under center versus the New England Patriots in Week 17. Mitchell hasn't excelled with Cook as his quarterback. However, the target share should remain high, so Mitchell should at least be worth a look as a FLEX option for fantasy championship week.
--Andy WebbSource: Pro Football Reference
December 26, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers kicker
Chris Boswell converted all three of his extra-point tries and drilled two of his three field goal attempts in a Week 16 win over the Detroit Lions. His miss from 37 yards out was nearly costly, as he failed to put Pittsburgh up by eight points with just over two minutes remaining, but the Steelers were ultimately able to close out the victory with a five-point lead. Boswell will look to bounce back against the Cleveland Browns this week. When he last faced Cleveland in Week 6, Boswell was incredibly productive for fantasy purposes in a 23-9 win. Sunday's contest carries an extremely low projected point total, which could signal limited touchdown opportunities and increased involvement for the kicker. Furthermore, Pittsburgh may not have much to play for if the Green Bay Packers defeat the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday. If the Steelers rest some starters or adopt a conservative approach, Boswell could be called upon early and often. Fantasy managers can continue to roll with the 34-year-old in Week 17.
--Jorden HillSource: RotoBaller
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