January 5, 2026
Los Angeles Rams tight end
Tyler Higbee (ankle) returned after missing six straight games due to an ankle injury and delivered his best game of the season in Week 18's win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. Higbee caught five of his six targets for a team-leading 91 yards and a touchdown. The 33-year-old's previous highest yardage total was 40 yards back in Week 6, and it marked his most yards in a game since his nine-catch, 94-yard, two-touchdown performance back in Week 16 of the 2022 season. It was great to see Higbee back and healthy, and he looks like the top tight end option for the Rams moving into the playoffs, although
Colby Parkinson had a great game as well with two touchdowns.
--Kyle McCarthySource: ESPN.com
January 5, 2026
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback
Aaron Rodgers completed 31 of 47 passes for a season-high 294 yards and a touchdown to go along with one carry for 20 yards in Week 18's division-clinching win over the Baltimore Ravens. Rodgers and the Steelers scored all three of their touchdowns in the second half, including the future Hall of Famer finding receiver
Calvin Austin III for a 26-yard touchdown to take the lead with 55 seconds left in the game. With his top receiver
D.K. Metcalf (suspension) out again, Rodgers relied heavily on underneath targets to running back
Kenneth Gainwell, connecting with him a season-high eight times. In addition, a season-high 218 of Rodgers' 294 passing yards came after the catch, per Next Gen Stats. The 42-year-old signal-caller made big plays when the Steelers needed them and posted his best QBR (65.8) since Week 7 in Cincinnati. The Steelers will now host the Houston Texans next Monday night in the Wild-Card round of the playoffs.
--Kyle McCarthySource: ESPN.com
January 5, 2026
Buffalo Bills running back
Ty Johnson recorded his first two touchdowns of his career in Week 18's 35-8 win over the New York Jets, handling 13 carries for 36 yards while adding two catches (two targets) for 20 yards as a receiver. Both of Johnson's touchdowns came from six yards out, with the first one coming on the ground to cap a 13-play, 84-yard drive, and the second coming on a receiving touchdown that marked the Bills' final score of the regular season in the fourth quarter. Johnson played behind
Ray Davis, who handled 21 carries for 151 yards, but he earned the high-value touches in the offense with
James Cook resting after the first drive. The 28-year-old became the 21st player this season to post at least 200 rushing yards and 250 receiving yards with five total touchdowns, and he is the only one to do so while playing fewer than 40% of the offensive snaps for the season.
--Kyle McCarthySource: ESPN.com
January 5, 2026
Baltimore Ravens quarterback
Lamar Jackson completed 11 of 18 passes for 238 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception, along with four carries for nine yards in a 26-24 Week 18 loss in a win-or-go-home game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Jackson returned for the season finale after missing last week's game due to a back injury and delivered his most efficient performance of the season by yards per attempt (13.2) on only 18 throws, but he fell short of winning a third straight AFC North title. The star quarterback has battled through a long list of injuries throughout the entire season and hasn't experienced the same highs as his excellent 2024 campaign. The 28-year-old signal-caller threw three touchdowns for the first time since returning from his early-season hamstring injury in Week 9 against the Dolphins, and the second time he's done so in 10 career games against the Steelers. Jackson will have some time to recover from his injuries in the offseason, and he could return to elite QB1 status with better health in 2026.
--Kyle McCarthySource: ESPN.com
January 5, 2026
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver
Zay Flowers delivered one of his best performances of the season in Week 18's loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, catching four of six targets for 134 yards and two touchdowns. His touchdowns both came on similar coverage busts by the Pittsburgh secondary, going for 50 and 64 yards. Quarterback
Lamar Jackson only attempted 18 passes in the game, but he targeted Flowers on a third of them. It marked the 25-year-old wideout's highest yardage total in a game since Week 1 against the Bills and the third two-touchdown game of his career. It was also Flowers' first touchdown of at least 30 yards since Week 9 of last season. Flowers closed the 2025 season with career highs in targets (118), receptions (86), and receiving yards (1,207), while matching his previous career best with five touchdowns.
--Kyle McCarthySource: ESPN.com
January 4, 2026
Baltimore Ravens Pro Bowl safety Kyle Hamilton (concussion) has been ruled out for the rest of the Sunday night game against the division-rival Pittsburgh Steelers due to a concussion, according to the team. Hamilton collided with fellow defensive back Alohi Gilman on a play in the third quarter and was carted to the locker room. Gilman was cleared to return to the field, but Hamilton won't be back for the remainder of the game, a big blow to Baltimore's defense as they trail by three points in the second half. If the Ravens come back to win this game, it's unclear if Hamilton will be ready to play next Monday night in the wild-card round of the playoffs against the Houston Texans. With Hamilton out the rest of the night, Ar'Darius Washington, Malaki Starks, and Keondre Jackson could all see more time on the field against Pittsburgh.
--Keith HernandezSource: Baltimore Ravens
January 4, 2026
Baltimore Ravens defensive backs Kyle Hamilton (head) and Alohi Gilman (head) are both being evaluated for concussions on Sunday Night Football against the division-rival Pittsburgh Steelers after they collided on a play in the third quarter. Gilman was quickly cleared and allowed to go back into the game, but Hamilton was seen being carted to the locker room with his head down. Before getting injured, the 24-year-old three-time Pro Bowler recorded nine tackles (six solo) and a pass breakup. Hamilton appeared to take the brunt of the collision with Gilman, and it looks like he might be doubtful to return in a game that will decide the NFC North. Losing Hamilton for the rest of this game and potentially going into the playoffs would be a big blow to Baltimore's defense.
--Keith HernandezSource: Baltimore Ravens
January 4, 2026
Detroit Lions running back
Jahmyr Gibbs laid an egg the last two weeks for fantasy managers, but he was able to finish out the season strong in Sunday's 19-16 win over the Chicago Bears in the Week 18 regular-season finale. Gibbs led the Lions with 19 carries for 80 yards and also caught three of his five targets for 33 yards and his fifth touchdown reception of the year. Overall, the 23-year-old was once again one of the most productive RBs in the NFL in his third year in the league. Gibbs finished with 1,223 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground, adding a career-best 77 catches for 616 yards and another five scores as a receiver. He was the Lions' clear leading ball-carrier this year over
David Montgomery, and Gibbs should profile yet again as a top-five fantasy RB going into 2026 drafts.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com
January 4, 2026
Detroit Lions offensive linemen Taylor Decker and Dan Skipper are both mulling retirement after their team's season came to an end with a win over the division-rival Chicago Bears in the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday, according to Eric Woodyard of ESPN. Decker returned for the final game of the regular season after missing Week 17 with a shoulder injury. The 31-year-old battled a shoulder injury for most of the 2025 season and ended up playing in only 13 games for the Lions. The former first-rounder in 2016 out of Ohio State signed a three-year, $60 million extension in 2024, which was his only Pro Bowl campaign. If Decker does retire, which seems likely, the Lions will probably move Penei Sewell to left tackle to protect quarterback
Jared Goff's blind side in 2026.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Eric Woodyard
January 4, 2026
Detroit Lions wide receiver
Amon-Ra St. Brown ended his 2025 season the right way, recording 11 receptions for 139 yards on 15 targets in Detroit's 19-16 Week 18 win over the Chicago Bears. St. Brown entered Sunday questionable to play due to lingering knee and ankle injuries, but he was ultimately able to suit up. Across 17 games played in 2025, the 26-year-old recorded 117 receptions for 1,401 yards and 11 touchdowns on 172 targets. St. Brown has recorded at least 106 catches in four consecutive seasons and double-digit touchdowns in three straight campaigns. He's been named to four straight Pro Bowls and could have a chance at his third consecutive All-Pro selection for his work in 2025. As long as St. Brown makes it through the offseason healthy, he will likely be one of the first wide receivers off the board in fantasy drafts heading into the 2026 season.
--Will BradySource: ESPN.com
January 4, 2026
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver
Ja'Marr Chase had a big game in his team's 20-18 Week 18 loss to the Cleveland Browns, recording eight catches for 96 yards and a touchdown on 10 targets. The 25-year-old had another excellent season in 2025, hauling in 125 receptions for 1,412 yards and eight touchdowns on 185 targets across 16 games played. Across seven games started by Bengals quarterback
Joe Burrow, Chase averaged 106 receiving yards per contest and recorded four touchdown grabs. Chase has been named to the Pro Bowl in all five of his NFL seasons and could be on his way to a second consecutive All-Pro selection. As long as he makes it through the offseason healthy, Chase figures to be one of the first wide receivers off the board in fantasy drafts heading into the 2026 season.
--Will BradySource: ESPN.com
January 4, 2026
Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports reports that the Atlanta Falcons are "strongly" considering former quarterback
Matt Ryan for a "high-profile" front-office role with the team. Atlanta fired general manager Terry Fontenot and head coach Raheem Morris on Sunday after the franchise completed its eighth straight losing season. Ryan quarterbacked the Falcons for 14 seasons from 2008 to 2021, winning an MVP award and leading his team to the Super Bowl in 2016. He has a borderline Hall of Fame resume as a player, throwing for over 60,000 yards and 381 touchdowns across 222 career NFL games. However, Ryan has zero front office experience, working as an analyst for CBS since leaving the NFL at the end of the 2022 season. It's unclear at this time whether Ryan would be the lead decision-maker with the Falcons if he and the team can reach an agreement.
--Will BradySource: Fox Sports - Jordan Schultz
January 4, 2026
Tennessee Titans rookie quarterback
Cameron Ward (shoulder) is believed to have suffered a Grade 3 AC joint sprain in his right shoulder during the team's Week 18 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, per Jeff Howe of The Athletic. Ward exited the game in the first quarter after being landed on by a Jacksonville defender. While Tennessee's 2025 season has come to a close, Ward may now face a lengthy rehab process throughout the offseason. Across 17 games as a rookie, the 23-year-old completed 59.8% of his pass attempts for 3,169 yards, 15 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. Ward also rushed for 159 yards and two scores. The Titans will pair Ward with a new head coach in 2026 after firing former head coach Brian Callahan in mid-October. Ward still carries significant upside for the future, but it appears he will have to overcome a substantial shoulder injury as he heads into his second season.
--Will BradySource: The Athletic - Jeff Howe
January 4, 2026
Chicago Bears rookie right end
Colston Loveland had a big game in his team's 19-16 Week 18 loss to the Detroit Lions, hauling in 10 catches for 91 yards and a touchdown on 13 targets. The 21-year-old ended his first NFL regular season on a tear, recording back-to-back weeks with double-digit targets, at least 90 receiving yards, and a touchdown. For the season, Loveland finishes with 58 catches for 713 yards and six touchdowns on 82 targets across 16 games played. After hitting the five-target mark just twice over the first 11 weeks of the season, Loveland earned at least five targets in each of his final seven games of the year. The 10th overall pick in the 2025 draft, Loveland has a chance to establish himself as one of the NFL's premier tight ends as he heads into 2026.
--Will BradySource: ESPN.com
January 4, 2026
New York Giants quarterback
Jaxson Dart finished his rookie season strong in his team's 34-17 Week 18 win over the Dallas Cowboys, completing 22 of 32 pass attempts for 230 yards, two touchdowns, and zero interceptions. Dart also recorded 32 rushing yards on five attempts. Heading into 2026, the 22-year-old looks like he could be one of the NFL's premier dual-threat quarterbacks. Across 13 games (11 starts) in 2025, Dart completed 63.7% of his pass attempts for 2,272 yards, 15 touchdowns, and five interceptions while rushing for 487 yards and nine touchdowns on 86 attempts. Dart also played the majority of the season without star wide receiver
Malik Nabers (knee), who could return from a torn ACL for the start of 2026. The Giants have plenty of questions to answer as they complete their third-straight double-digit loss season, but the organization appears to have found its franchise quarterback.
--Will BradySource: ESPN.com
RADIO
