January 12, 2026
Pittsburgh Steelers running back
Kenneth Gainwell emerged as a surprisingly critical piece of his team's offense over the course of the 2025 season, recording 1,023 yards from scrimmage and eight touchdowns on 187 touches. Gainwell and the Steelers will face one of the NFL's best defenses in the Wild Card round in the Houston Texans. Houston dominated opposing rushing attacks in the regular season, allowing the fourth-fewest rushing yards (1,593) in the NFL. However, Gainwell does most of his work in the Steelers' passing game. The 26-year-old recorded 73 receptions for 486 yards and three touchdowns this season and earned at least seven targets in four out of Pittsburgh's final five games. Houston has been slightly more susceptible to running back production in the pass game this season, allowing an average of four receptions and 31 receiving yards per game to the position. Given his relatively safe receiving floor, Gainwell profiles as a solid fantasy RB2 option in PPR-scoring leagues in the Wild Card.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
January 12, 2026
Houston Texans wide receiver
Nico Collins sat out the final week of the regular season for rest purposes, but he's back and ready to go for his team's Wild Card round matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The 26-year-old had his second-straight Pro Bowl campaign in 2025, recording 71 receptions for 1,117 yards and six touchdowns on 120 targets across 15 games played. Collins is the clear WR1 in Houston and should heavily feature in the Texans' offensive game plan against the Steelers. Additionally, he will face a Pittsburgh defense that had its struggles defending the pass in the regular season. Pittsburgh finished 2025 ranked 30th in the NFL in passing yards allowed (4,437) and tied for 23rd in passing touchdowns allowed (30). The Steelers also allowed 53 receptions of 20 or more yards, so Collins should have a chance to make plays down the field. Collins averaged 15.7 yards per reception in the regular season and has a career average of 15.0 yards per reception across 66 NFL games. Fantasy managers in playoff leagues should view Collins as a WR1 option in the Wild Card round.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
January 12, 2026
Houston Texans rookie running back
Woody Marks finished his first season in the NFL with 911 scrimmage yards and five touchdowns on 220 touches across 16 games. Marks finished the year as the clear RB1 in Houston, earning double-digit touches in 10 out of his last 11 contests. He may see an even larger workload in Houston's Wild Card round matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers, as Texans backup running back
Jawhar Jordan (ankle) has been ruled out with an ankle injury. The Pittsburgh rush defense finished a solid-but-unspectacular 13th in the NFL in total rushing yards allowed (1,922) in the regular season. However, the Steelers proved difficult to score on on the ground, allowing the third-fewest rushing touchdowns (10) in the league. Marks is a good bet to see a heavy workload against Pittsburgh, but he may have to rely on volume alone for fantasy production. RotoBaller projects Marks as the overall RB10 in full PPR scoring for his matchup against the Steelers.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
January 12, 2026
The Green Bay Packers are expected to work out a new contract with head coach Matt LaFleur "in the coming days," per ESPN's Adam Schefter. LaFleur has just one season remaining on his current agreement, and Schefter reports that "both sides want clarity moving forward." LaFleur, who will turn 47 in November, has gone 76-40-1 in the regular season across seven seasons at the helm in Green Bay. He's led the Packers to six postseason appearances and won 13 games in each of his first three years with the organization. However, the team has gone out in the first round in back-to-back years, most recently blowing a sizable second-half lead to the division rival Chicago Bears, ending their 2025 campaign. Regardless, it appears as though Green Bay wants to commit to LaFleur long-term and end speculation about his job security going forward.
--Will BradySource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
January 12, 2026
The Cleveland Browns are interviewing former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel for their open head coaching role on Monday, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. Miami fired McDaniel on Thursday after four seasons at the helm. McDaniel went 35-33 in the regular season with the Dolphins, but posted losing records and missed the playoffs in each of the last two years. He led the Dolphins to playoff berths in both 2022 and 2023, but finished his tenure with the Dolphins a career playoff record of 0-2. McDaniel has a reputation as an offensive guru, and Miami was the number one offense in the NFL in terms of yardage in McDaniel's second season. However, the Dolphins regressed in 2025, finishing 26th in total yards and 25th in points scored. The Browns have finished 28th or worse in points scored in each of the last two seasons, so the organization is no doubt eyeing McDaniel as a potential fix for its ailing offense.
--Will BradySource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
January 12, 2026
Buffalo Bills wide receiver
Gabe Davis (knee) is set to undergo an MRI on his injured knee on Monday, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Davis was carted off from Buffalo's Wild Card round win over the Jacksonville Jaguars after taking a big hit going over the middle of the field. Rapoport reports that Davis' knee was so swollen initially that diagnosing the injury has been difficult, and that Davis' status "does not look good" for the remainder of the postseason. The 26-year-old recorded two receptions for 14 yards on three targets against Jacksonville before getting injured and hauled in 12 catches for 129 yards and a touchdown across six regular-season games with the Bills. If Davis is unable to play in the AFC Divisional round against the Denver Broncos, the Bills will likely rely more heavily on wide receivers
Brandin Cooks,
Keon Coleman, and
Tyrell Shavers.
--Will BradySource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
January 11, 2026
Chicago Bears quarterback
Caleb Williams led his team to yet another comeback win in impressive fashion in the 31-27 victory over the division-rival Green Bay Packers on Saturday night in the Wild-Card round of the playoffs. Williams finished 24-for-48 passing for a season-high 361 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. He added four carries for 20 yards and also took one sack for a loss of nine yards. The 24-year-old second-year signal-caller also fumbled, but it was recovered by the Bears. It was the Bears' single-game playoff passing-yardage record. It wasn't pretty, but Williams continues to display his elite athleticism by extending the play outside the pocket to find his receivers deep down the field. The USC alum could get into a shootout with the Los Angeles Rams in the Divisional Round, giving him plenty of fantasy upside. Williams has now gone over 300 passing yards in two of his last three games, with six touchdowns and three interceptions combined in his last three contests.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com
January 11, 2026
Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur's future with the organization is in question after losing to the division-rival Chicago Bears in the Wild-Card round of this year's postseason, according to Ryan Wood of the Green Bay Press-Gazette. Packers president Ed Policy must decide if the team will give LaFleur a contract extension, or if they will be looking for a new head coach this offseason. The least likely option is for the Packers to retain LaFleur for the final year of his contract in 2026. LaFleur said "of course" his preference would be to remain with the team. If LaFleur were to be fired, he'd instantly become one of the top candidates on the market for another head-coaching job, along with Baltimore Ravens former head coach John Harbaugh. In his seven seasons with the Packers, LaFleur has gone 76-41. If Green Bay has a head-coaching vacancy, it will be one of the most coveted positions with a roster already built for Super Bowl contention.
--Keith HernandezSource: Green Bay Press-Gazette - Ryan Wood
January 11, 2026
Chicago Bears tight end
Colston Loveland caught eight of his 15 targets for 137 yards during Saturday's Wild Card win over the Green Bay Packers. Loveland's impressive rookie campaign continued as he set new personal-best marks in targets and yards. He now has 24 catches, 322 yards, and two touchdowns over his last three games. According to Jacob Gibbs of CBS Sports, the 21-year-old's big game made him just the second tight end in NFL history to record at least 10 targets and at least 130 yards in a playoff game at age 22 or younger. He joins just
Rob Gronkowski in that select group. Loveland will look to remain hot as the Bears advance to face either the Eagles or Rams in the Divisional Round next weekend.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
January 11, 2026
New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez (head) exited during the fourth quarter of Sunday's playoff contest against the Los Angeles Chargers. He is officially listed as questionable to return. Gonzalez left the game after breaking up a pass attempt on second down. At the time of his departure, he had defended two passes. The 23-year-old didn't record an interception during the regular season, but he was named to the AFC Pro Bowl roster and is consistently relied upon to cover opponents' No. 1 receivers. His absence will be something to monitor as the Patriots look to defend a three-pronged wide receiver room featuring
Ladd McConkey,
Keenan Allen, and
Quentin Johnston. Charles Woods should earn more cornerback snaps behind Carlton Davis and Marcus Jones.
--Andersen PickardSource: New England Patriots
January 11, 2026
Carolina Panthers running back
Chuba Hubbard tallied 13 carries, 46 rushing yards, and two rushing touchdowns during Saturday's Wild Card loss against the Los Angeles Rams. He also caught two of four targets for an additional 13 receiving yards. Hubbard lost his lead-back role to
Rico Dowdle during the middle of the season, but he seemed to reclaim his top spot over the final few weeks. As the Panthers were eliminated on Saturday, Hubbard registered 15 touches while Dowdle had just six. Dowdle is an impending free agent, so Hubbard should be a fringe top-24 fantasy running back heading into 2026 fantasy football drafts. It's unclear whether Jonathan Brooks (knee) or
Trevor Etienne will be able to carve out a role next year.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
January 11, 2026
Green Bay Packers wide receiver
Matthew Golden caught four of his five targets for 84 yards and one touchdown during Saturday's Wild Card loss against the Chicago Bears. Golden was disappointing during the regular season, amassing just 29 catches and 361 yards during his rookie season, but he showed up when it mattered most, scoring the first touchdown of his pro career. However, his effort came up short as Green Bay blew a three-score lead and lost to the Bears for the second time in one month. Golden will look to shake off this year's inconsistencies and carry momentum into his second pro season in 2026. Green Bay has a crowded receiver room, but he could be headed for increased opportunities if
Romeo Doubs departs in free agency.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
January 11, 2026
Green Bay Packers wide receiver
Romeo Doubs caught eight of his 11 targets for 124 yards and one touchdown during Saturday's Wild Card loss against the Chicago Bears. Doubs was relatively inconsistent this season, but he feasted during his final two games against the Bears, totaling 13 catches, 208 yards, and two touchdowns during that span. The 25-year-old was one of several receivers who benefited from
Jordan Love's busy passing game on Saturday. He and three other wide receivers all scored touchdowns, but he paced the team in targets, catches, and yards. Doubs is an impending free agent, and it seems likely that he'll test the market with an opportunity to escape from Green Bay's very crowded wide receiver room.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
January 11, 2026
Green Bay Packers quarterback
Jordan Love completed 24 of his 46 pass attempts for 323 yards, four touchdowns, and zero interceptions during Saturday's Wild Card loss against the Chicago Bears. He also rushed for 11 yards and took one sack. Love played great football for most of Saturday's game, but as the gap between Chicago and Green Bay closed, the young quarterback wasn't able to preserve his team's lead. Love found himself trying to lead a game-winning drive as the Packers trailed by four points in the final minute, but he went just 5-for-11 passing on the final drive and Green Bay lost. Love still had a great showing for bettors and DFS players, and he also spread the ball around with one touchdown pass to four different receivers. He'll now head into the offseason and should rank as a top-10 quarterback in 2026 fantasy drafts.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
January 11, 2026
San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner (ankle) is unlikely to have his practice window opened this week, head coach Kyle Shanahan said on Sunday. Warner is working his way back from a dislocated and fractured ankle that he suffered back in Week 6. The injury was initially expected to sideline him for the entire season, but he is ahead of schedule and now has a chance to return during the playoffs. With that being said, it sounds like he won't be ready for the Divisional Round. Warner is on injured reserve, so the Niners would have an opportunity to open his practice window before activating him. Once his window is opened, he has 21 days to practice without being activated. The 49ers have made it this far without Warner on defense, and now, it looks like they'll have to survive at least one more week. Instead, his next chance to play will likely be the NFC Championship, should San Francisco advance that far.
--Andersen PickardSource: Mike Garafolo
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