Studs and Duds: Championship Games
Mon Jan 29 8:39am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer
McCaffrey comes up big again
That was a fun weekend of games. Both came down to the wire, making for some great entertainment. The Chiefs/Ravens game didn’t have many big fantasy performances, though, which was a bit of a downer. Now the NFC game had a lot more offensive fireworks. That game had plenty of fantasy production, helping make up for the first one. Hopefully, you scored a lot of fantasy points this week and are looking good to win your league.
Chiefs 17, Ravens 10
Fantasy Stud: Travis Kelce. He might not have enjoyed his best regular season but Kelce is coming up huge in the playoffs. He was vintage Kelce in this one. Kelce has 11 receptions for 116 yards and a touchdown. This was his third game of the season with double-digit receptions
Fantasy Dud: Both Ravens running backs. Gus Edwards had just three carries for 20 yards while Justice Hill ran three times for three yard. And neither did much in the passing game. Hill had four receptions for 34 yards, and Edwards caught a pass for 16 yards. It was a disappointing showing for both backs, especially if you consider how well the Ravens ran the ball all season.
Game Notes: Mark Andrews returned from his broken leg and had two receptions for 15 yards. Andrews didn’t do much in this game, but was able to play and played a good number of snaps in his first game back. He’ll be just fine for 2024.
Zay Flowers had good numbers but made a couple crucial mistakes, including losing a fumble at the goal line. He did have five receptions for 115 yards and a touchdown despite the mistakes.
Isiah Pacheco found the end zone for the seventh straight game he has played. He ran 24 times for 68 yards and a touchdown.
49ers 34, Lions 31
Fantasy Stud: Christian McCaffrey. McCaffrey didn’t have one of his huge yardage games, but scored two more touchdowns and still produced good total yardage numbers. McCaffrey ran 20 times for 90 yards and two touchdowns. He also had four receptions for 42 yards, giving him 132 total yards and two scores
Fantasy Dud: George Kittle. Kittle was really held in checking, finishing with two receptions for 27 yards. It was a poor showing in a game that had a lot of offense. You just expected better from the elite fantasy tight end.
Game Notes: Deebo Samuel was able to play with his shoulder injury and led the 49ers in receiving. He had eight receptions for 89 yards and didn’t seem slowed by the injury at all.
The Lions had big rushing totals. David Montgomery led the way, rushing 15 times for 93 yards and a touchdown. Jahmyr Gibbs ran 12 times for 45 yards and a touchdown. Gibbs did lose a key fumble in the game, though.
Jameson Williams had three touches but two went for touchdowns. Williams had a carry for a 42-yard touchdown. And he also had two receptions for 25 yards and another touchdown.
Jeff Paur is a two-time finalist for FSWA Fantasy Football Writer of the Year and won the FSWA award for Best Fantasy Football Article on the Web in 2011. He also was the most accurate expert in 2012, winning the FSTA Fantasy Football Accuracy Award. If you have any questions for Jeff, email him at jeff@rtsports.com. Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffpaur.
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The Paur Report
Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (knee) could return to practice as early as next week, according to Kevin Seifert of ESPN. The 27-year-old suffered a torn ACL and MCL last season and has been on the PUP list since the beginning of the 2024 season. Earlier this afternoon, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reported that the team is loosely targeting a Week 7 return for the Iowa product. Seeing that he could return to practice next week is a great sign and suggests a Week 7 return could be possible. Before the season-ending injury, Hockenson was on pace to smash previous career highs in 2023 and could be in store for a strong second half, given how potent the Minnesota offense has looked early into the season.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker is a safe option in Week 4 fantasy lineups. Dicker was extremely accurate in his rookie season last year and has remained that way three weeks into his sophomore season. The only downside to Dicker's fantasy prospects is a slow moving Chargers offense going against a strong Kansas City Chiefs team this week. Dicker has one of the higher floors among fantasy kickers, but his ceiling is somewhat limited. He's made six field goals and four extra points through the first three weeks of the season.
From RotoBaller
Chicago Bears rookie wide receiver Rome Odunze (hip) was limited during Thursday's practice due to a hip injury, according to Jonathan Jones of CBS. The Washington product was not on Wednesday's initial injury report, but seeing that he was only limited suggests it might not be a serious injury. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to Friday's injury report as it should provide clarity on the 22-year-old's status heading into the weekend. After two quiet outings in his first two professional games, the ninth-overall pick enjoyed a nice breakout last weekend as he caught six passes for 112 yards and a score. Odunze should be considered a WR3 with upside if he is a "full-go" against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday.
From RotoBaller
Chicago Bears S Kevin Byard (back), TE Marcedes Lewis (rest), DL Zacch Pickens (groin), DB Terell Smith (hip), DL Darrell Taylor (knee, illness) and DL Andrew Billings (knee) did not practice on Thursday, Sept. 26. OT Darnell Wright (back), WR Keenan Allen (heel), FB Khari Blasingame (hand, knee), OT Braxton Jones (knee) and WR Rome Odunze (hip) were limited. OG Nate Davis (groin) and DE Montez Sweat (elbow) practiced in full.
From TheHuddle
Chicago Bears WR Keenan Allen (heel) was limited during practice Thursday, Sept. 26.
Fantasy Spin: Allen appears to have a decent chance to play this week after sitting out the Week 3 game. He should see a decent amount of targets if he is active and could be at least a flex option in fantasy leagues.
From TheHuddle
Detroit Lions TE Sam LaPorta (ankle), S Ifeatu Melifonwu (ankle), C Frank Ragnow (pectoral) and OT Dan Skipper (ribs) did not practice on Thursday, Sept. 26. Also, DB Brian Branch (concussion), DL Alim McNeill (shoulder), DL Levi Onwuzurike (knee) and CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (hamstring) were limited and LB Alex Anzalone (concussion) practiced in full.
From TheHuddle
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Diontae Johnson (groin) did not practice on Thursday due to a groin injury, according to Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team. Meirov further reported that Carolina expects Johnson to return to practice tomorrow. As a result, fantasy managers should see this as a precautionary measure as it does not look too serious. However, Friday's injury report will clarify any potential designation the former Steeler might have heading into the weekend. After catching just five passes across the first two weeks of the season, Johnson enjoyed a breakout game last weekend as he caught eight passes for 122 yards and a score. Much of this was credited to Andy Dalton stepping into the starting QB role in favor of Bryce Young. If Johnson sees his expected workload on Sunday, he should be considered a high-end WR3 in PPR formats.
From RotoBaller
Denver Broncos S JL Skinner (ankle) did not practice on Thursday, Sept. 26. TE Nate Adkins (shoulder) was limited. WR Josh Reynolds (Achilles) practiced in full.
From TheHuddle
Denver Broncos WR Josh Reynolds (Achilles) fully participated in practice Thursday, Sept. 26.
Fantasy Spin: Reynolds has been a good option in the passing game for the Broncos this season and should see a few targets this week against the New York Jets. He can be a possible flex option in deeper leagues.
From TheHuddle
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston will look to make it three weeks in a row with a touchdown when the Chargers face the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 4. Johnston scored twice in Week 2 and followed it up with another trip to the end zone in Week 3. The scores and a few long gains have shot the sophomore pass catcher up to an overall WR21 ranking through the first three weeks. Some of his underlying metrics aren't all that pretty, but results count and he's making things happen on the field. A matchup against a strong Kansas City secondary will be a good test for QJ, who leads the Chargers with a 31.6% first read share. There's a concerning floor, but an enticing ceiling as well, leaving him somewhere in the WR3 ranks as long as Justin Herbert (ankle) is able to start under center.
From RotoBaller
Pittsburgh Steelers RB Jaylen Warren (knee), LB Alex Highsmith (groin), TE MyCole Pruitt (knee), DT Cameron Heyward (rest), S Miles Killebrew (rest) and RB Cordarrelle Patterson (rest) did not practice on Thursday, Sept. 26. QB Russell Wilson (calf) and OG Isaac Seumalo (pectoral) were limited. WR Roman Wilson (ankle), WR Van Jefferson (eye), RB Najee Harris (rest), S DeShon Elliott (quad), CB Donte Jackson (rest), LB T.J. Watt (rest) and DL Larry Ogunjobi (rest) practiced in full.
From TheHuddle
Pittsburgh Steelers QB Russell Wilson (calf) was limited during practice Thursday, Sept. 26.
Fantasy Spin: The Steelers continue to be cautious with Wilson because Justin Fields is playing well as the starting quarterback. Wilson probably will not be cleared to play until Fields struggles in a game or two, so fantasy players can continue to avoid Wilson.
From TheHuddle
Los Angeles Chargers rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey could end up with a good game in Week 4 despite a tough matchup against a strong Kansas City Chiefs defense. McConkey has been the top receiving option for the Chargers offense, logging a 25.8% target share and a 30.7% air yard share, both leading the team. He's also second on the squad in first read share at 28.9%. The Chiefs secondary has limited most opposing receivers, but they have been somewhat exploited by slot routes, with Kansas City allowing the fourth most receptions to slot receivers so far this season. With quarterback Justin Herbert (ankle) likely to be limited if he even plays, all Chargers pass catchers should be downgraded somewhat, but McConkey is the safest bet to still produce a high floor, and he has some clear upside this week as well.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins will look to bounce back in a Week 4 game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Dobbins was outstanding in Weeks 1 and 2, averaging 20.5 fantasy points per game before slowing down to a 6.9 point performance in Week 3. He still played on 65% of the team's offensive snaps in Week 3, it was just a down week in general for the Chargers offense. Dobbins is having an excellent start to the season, ranking fourth in explosive run rate and sixth in missed tackles per attempt. He's involved as a runner and as a pass catcher, and is firmly in the RB2 conversation despite a tough Chiefs run defense in Week 4.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Chargers running back Gus Edwards is not shaping up as a Week 4 fantasy starter in a game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Edwards has faded well behind J.K. Dobbins in the Chargers backfield. Edwards was only in on 35% of the team's offensive snaps in Week 3, totaling just three runs for nine yards total and not drawing a single pass game target. Dobbins, meanwhile, has averaged around 16 fantasy points per game even after a slow Week 3 of his own. This is clearly Dobbins' backfield, and Edwards is only around to play a change of pace and maybe occasional short down role.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (ankle) is trending toward playing in a Week 4 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs. Herbert said the team had considered resting him until the Week 5 bye, but he got in a limited practice early in the week and implied that he would at least try to play. Herbert may very well play, but he likely won't be much of a fantasy asset. His injury combined with the Chargers offensive game plan this year plus a tough matchup against the Chiefs defense leaves Herbert as a lower end QB2 for Week 4 fantasy lineups. If he is unable to play, Taylor Heinicke would likely be under center for the Bolts.
From RotoBaller
Carolina Panthers CB Lonnie Johnson (hip), OG Damien Lewis (elbow), DT Shy Tuttle (foot), WR Diontae Johnson (groin) and OT Taylor Moton (rest) did not practice on Thursday, Sept. 26. DE A'Shawn Robinson (knee) and S Nick Scott (quad) were limited. LB Jadeveon Clowney (rest), RB Chuba Hubbard (rest) and QB Andy Dalton (ankle) practiced in full.
From TheHuddle
Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen (hand) fully participated in practice Thursday, Sept. 26.
Fantasy Spin: Allen has been one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL over the first three games and is a must-start option in all fantasy leagues no matter the opponent.
From TheHuddle
Buffalo Bills OL Tylan Grable (groin) and CB Taron Johnson (forearm) did not practice on Thursday, Sept. 26. CB Kaiir Elam (neck) and LB Terrel Bernard (pectoral) were limited. QB Josh Allen (hand), TE Quintin Morris (shoulder) and QB Mitchell Trubisky (knee) practiced in full.
From TheHuddle
Carolina Panthers QB Andy Dalton (ankle) fully participated in practice Thursday, Sept. 26.
Fantasy Spin: Dalton will receive another start after playing very well last week. He probably will see his numbers drop some this week but could be a possible starting option in two-quarterback leagues.
From TheHuddle
