Chris Godwin Jr. Scores an Octopus in Week 15 Loss
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin Jr. caught four of his five targets for 20 yards, a touchdown, and a two-point conversion during Thursday's Week 15 loss against the Atlanta Falcons. Godwin scored an octopus, which is when a player is responsible for eight points in a sequence of two plays -- a touchdown and a successful two-point conversion. Although his yardage total was relatively low, the 29-year-old maintained decent volume even amid the return of Mike Evans, which bodes well for Godwin's fantasy outlook over the final few weeks of the season. He has scored double-digit fantasy points (PPR) in each of his last three games, and he should remain in the mid-to-low WR2 tier heading into Week 16 against the Carolina Panthers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Mike Evans Wastes No Time Making a Big Impact in Return
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans caught six of his 12 targets for 132 yards during Thursday's Week 15 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. The 32-year-old was activated from injured reserve earlier this week after recovering from a broken collarbone, and he wasted no time playing an enormous role in his return to action. Managers did hold their breath momentarily as Evans suffered an injury scare and left midgame with an apparent shoulder issue, but he returned shortly after and played the remainder of the game. After watching the star receiver step up as Baker Mayfield's favorite and best target once again on Thursday, managers should trust that Evans will remain in the WR1 tier for the remainder of the season. He should be started in all fantasy leagues next week against the Carolina Panthers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Baker Mayfield Throws Costly Interception in Loss to Falcons
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield completed 19 of his 34 pass attempts for 277 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception during Thursday's Week 15 loss against the Atlanta Falcons. He also took five sacks in the defeat. Mayfield was decent for most of the game, but he threw a costly interception in the fourth quarter that allowed the Falcons to mount an improbable comeback. The 30-year-old has really struggled to hit his receivers in the back half of the season, completing just 54.7% of his passes over the Bucs' last five games. He ranks 21st among quarterbacks in fantasy points per game during that span. Managers will hope that he can bounce back in a key divisional battle against the Panthers next week, but it won't be easy. Carolina has intercepted five passes over its last two games. Mayfield remains outside the top 12 fantasy quarterbacks for the time being.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Bijan Robinson Dismantles Buccaneers Defense in Week 15 Upset
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson had 19 carries, 93 rushing yards, and one rushing touchdown during Thursday's Week 15 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He also caught eight of his 11 targets for an additional 82 receiving yards. The lone blemish on Robinson's final stat line was a fumble in the third quarter. Outside of the turnover, the former first-round pick had an enormous showing on Thursday Night Football, playing a major role in the Falcons' comeback victory. He was efficient on the ground, heavily involved and productive as a receiver, and contributed to the scoring with a nifty rushing touchdown. Unlike in some previous weeks, Robinson was able to fend off Tyler Allgeier from having much of a role in Week 15. Robinson played 90.1% of the snaps with 27 total touches, whereas Allgeier played just 16.9% of the snaps with two touches. Allgeier's 16.9% snap share was his second-lowest mark of the season, trailing only Week 3 when he played fewer than 10%. Long story short, Robinson remains the undisputed workhorse here, and he's going to play a massive role in helping managers pursue a fantasy championship over the next few weeks. He should continue to feast against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 16.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kirk Cousins Tosses Three Touchdowns in Primetime Victory
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins completed 30 of his 44 pass attempts for 373 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions during Thursday's Week 15 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He also took one sack and recovered his own fumble. Cousins led five scoring drives on Thursday, including the game-winner with less than two minutes left to play. The veteran quarterback shook off the old narrative that he's incapable of thriving in the primetime slot, and in doing so, he kicked off his candidacy for the top-scoring fantasy quarterback in Week 15. It's unlikely that many managers started Cousins in the first week of the fantasy playoffs, but his big game could be enough to justify deploying him as a fringe top-12 fantasy option heading into a favorable matchup against the Arizona Cardinals next week.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kyle Pitts Sr. Explodes for Best Outing of Career on TNF
Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. caught 11 of his 12 targets for 166 yards and three touchdowns during Thursday's Week 15 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Pitts turned in the best game of his career, showing flashes of why the Falcons made him the No. 4 pick back in 2021. The 25-year-old had just one touchdown this season prior to Thursday, and he hadn't exceeded more than 90 yards in a game yet. He shattered both of those marks in the win, and he also registered the first double-digit catch total of his career. While Pitts probably won't replicate this breakout game every week, it's encouraging to see that he's capable of producing such a superstar-caliber performance. He firmly ranks in the mid-to-high TE1 tier ahead of Week 16 against the Arizona Cardinals.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Elijah Arroyo Logs Another DNP on Thursday
Seattle Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo (knee) missed a second consecutive practice on Thursday. The rookie is trending in the wrong direction ahead of Week 15 against the Indianapolis Colts, and he'd likely need to get on the field in some capacity on Friday to have any shot at playing on Sunday afternoon. The Seahawks invested a second-round pick in Arroyo this year, but he has consistently operated in the No. 2 tight end role behind A.J. Barner. He has just 15 catches, 179 yards, and one touchdown in his rookie campaign, ranking as the overall TE53 in PPR leagues. Assuming Arroyo doesn't play this week, the Seahawks could activate Eric Saubert (calf) from injured reserve to back up Barner against the Colts.
Source: John Boyle
Source: John Boyle
Dont'e Thornton Jr. Logs a Full Practice Session on Thursday
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. (concussion) upgraded to a full participant in practice on Thursday. He had previously opened the week in a limited capacity. It appears that Thornton is trending in the right direction to clear concussion protocol and play in Sunday's Week 15 contest against the Philadelphia Eagles. The 23-year-old has been underwhelming in his first NFL season, even after teammate Jakobi Meyers was traded away. He ranks as the overall WR138 in PPR leagues with 25 targets, eight catches, and 123 yards so far this year. Even if he's confirmed as active on Sunday, Thornton can be avoided in all fantasy leagues.
Source: Las Vegas Raiders
Source: Las Vegas Raiders
Michael Mayer Upgrades to Full on Thursday
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (ankle) was a full participant in practice on Thursday. This was an upgrade for the backup tight end after he logged a limited practice session on Wednesday. Mayer is working his way back from a two-game absence, and it looks like he should suit up against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 15, barring any sort of setback. The 24-year-old is one of the better backup tight ends in the NFL, but he still doesn't handle enough volume in his role behind Brock Bowers to justify starting him in fantasy football. To make matters worse, Mayer will likely be catching passes from Kenny Pickett this week with Geno Smith (shoulder, back) not expected to play.
Source: Las Vegas Raiders
Source: Las Vegas Raiders
Darnell Washington Still in Concussion Protocol, Limited on Thursday
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Darnell Washington (concussion) was a limited participant in practice on Thursday, and he remains in concussion protocol ahead of Sunday's Week 15 contest against the Miami Dolphins. Washington exited last week's game early after catching just one pass for 12 yards. He had looked solid in his nine previous contests, though, totaling 22 catches, 276 yards, and one touchdown during that span. The 24-year-old has quietly passed Jonnu Smith and Pat Freiermuth in terms of snap count, but his fantasy production has still left a lot to be desired. He can be dropped in redraft leagues and stashed in deeper dynasty formats.
Source: Brooke Pryor
Source: Brooke Pryor
Emari Demercado Remains Limited Ahead of Week 15
Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado (ankle) remained limited for a second consecutive practice on Thursday. Demercado is working his way back from a three-game absence, and it looks like there's at least a chance that he could suit up against the Houston Texans on Sunday in Week 15. The 26-year-old was solid when healthy, amassing 182 scrimmage yards and playing more than 40% of the offensive snaps over his last two healthy games. Friday's practice will provide more clarity on his status for Week 15. Even if he does play, though, he'll have to compete for touches with Michael Carter and Bam Knight. For now, Demercado isn't a dependable running back or flex option in the fantasy football playoffs.
Source: Bo Brack
Source: Bo Brack
Theo Johnson Remains Limited with Toe Injury
New York Giants tight end Theo Johnson (toe) was limited for a second consecutive practice on Thursday. He has not yet missed a game this season, and he's trending in the right direction for Week 15 given that he has been able to get on the field in some capacity for two days in a row. Johnson has impressed in his second pro season, ranking as the overall TE13 in PPR leagues with 42 catches, 456 yards, and five touchdowns. He commanded a season-high eight targets last week, but caught just three passes. Johnson takes on the Commanders this Sunday. Washington has allowed the second-most fantasy points to tight ends in 2025, putting Johnson in the low-end TE1 tier for this week.
Source: Dan Salomone
Source: Dan Salomone
Devin Neal Limited Again on Thursday
New Orleans Saints running back Devin Neal (abdomen) remained a limited participant in practice for the second consecutive day on Thursday. The rookie has handled an increased workload lately with Alvin Kamara (knee, ankle) sidelined and Kendre Miller (knee) on injured reserve. He's averaging 71.3 scrimmage yards as the starter and scored his first career touchdown last week. Kamara is trending toward missing another game, leaving Neal in line to start against the Carolina Panthers, assuming he's healthy enough to play. At this rate, Neal has a decent chance to suit up in Week 15 as long as he logs a limited or full practice on Friday. If Neal is confirmed as active and Kamara is out, the rookie will rank as a mid-to-low RB2 in fantasy football.
Source: Katherine Terrell
Source: Katherine Terrell
Trevor Lawrence Upgrades to Full Practice on Thursday
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (ankle) upgraded to a full participant in practice on Thursday. He had been limited on Wednesday. The 26-year-old should play in Sunday's Week 15 contest against the New York Jets, barring any sort of setback during practice on Friday. Lawrence has played very clean football lately, amassing 473 passing yards, 41 rushing yards, four touchdowns, and zero turnovers over his last two games. He is the overall QB12 in fantasy football scoring this season and is a worthy starter in deeper leagues this week. The Jets have allowed the 14th-fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks this year, and they're the only defense that has not intercepted a pass yet this season.
Source: Rich Cimini
Source: Rich Cimini
Mason Taylor Officially Misses Another Practice Thursday
New York Jets tight end Mason Taylor (neck) did not practice on Thursday in preparation for Week 15 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. This was the second day in a row that the rookie tight end was sidelined. Taylor has not yet missed a game this season, but it looks like he's trending in the wrong direction for Sunday's contest in Florida. He picked up the injury last week against the Miami Dolphins when he played just 68% of the offensive snaps but still caught five of his eight targets for 51 yards. The 21-year-old ranks as the overall TE24 in PPR leagues this season, and he has been a matchup-based streamer in deeper leagues at times this season. If Taylor can't play in Week 15, Jeremy Ruckert would step up as the primary tight end in New York's Tyrod Taylor-led offense.
Source: Rich Cimini
Source: Rich Cimini
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