As Dolphins rise, Saints strive to stop freefall

Thu Nov 27 9:49am ET
Field Level Media

The Miami Dolphins are finally headed in a positive direction.

The Dolphins (4-7) were one of the most disappointing teams in the NFL when they lost seven of their first nine games.

But then they routed the Buffalo Bills 30-13 on Nov. 9, beat the Washington Commanders 16-13 in overtime in Madrid and now come off their bye week looking for a third consecutive win when they host the New Orleans Saints (2-9) on Sunday in Miami Gardens, Fla.

"The only way that you start a season with more losses than wins and then win games after that is guys learn, guys don't quit and guys are focused on the right stuff," Miami head coach Mike McDaniel said. "I think we've learned a lot in all of that."

The Dolphins have won consecutive games for the first time this season, but McDaniel said continued improvement will remain a week-to-week challenge.

"What lessons have we learned that we are going to apply to the Saints?" he said. "That will be the story for the remainder of the season. How well we focus on each individual opponent will have a direct correlation on our won-loss record."

McDaniel said the leadership and focus on improvement from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has been "absolutely necessary and monumental for our team."

"The whole team has to keep moving with confidence in one direction," McDaniel said. "I think our team's growth in confidence and growth in style of play is a direct reflection and can be attributed to what Tua is doing."

What running back De'Von Achane has done has been important, as well. Achane, who had 120 rushing yards and 45 receiving yards against the Commanders, is averaging 115.5 yards from scrimmage.

New Orleans has a similar dual-threat running back in Alvin Kamara, but he will be out against the Dolphins because of a lingering sore ankle and a knee injury that knocked him out of a 24-10 home loss to the Atlanta Falcons last Sunday.

The absence of Kamara could further weaken an offense that didn't score a touchdown against the Falcons and hasn't reached the 20-point mark in any of the past six games.

"That's not the formula," said head coach Kellen Moore, who's also the offensive play caller. "We have to run the ball consistently well on first and second down and get in more favorable third downs. We have to finish drives with touchdowns. That's the most important factor. We've had moments. It's just about consistency, which will determine our ability to sustain it over the course of a game."

The Saints are last in the NFL in percentage of touchdowns scored in the red zone. They made three trips into the red zone against Atlanta and came away with a total of three points.

"You're not going to win when you don't score any touchdowns with the opportunities that you have," rookie quarterback Tyler Shough said. "Scoring is difficult and when you have an opportunity it becomes even more important to take advantage. It leaves a sour taste in your mouth when you can't finish."

The offense's failures were exacerbated by Blake Grupe missing two of three field-goal attempts, leading to his release Tuesday.

New Orleans signed Cade York to the practice roster, joining Charlie Smyth, who has yet to kick in an NFL game, in a competition to see which kicker will be active Sunday.

In addition to Kamara's injury, leading wide receiver Chris Olave (back) is questionable after missing practice Thursday and being a limited participant Friday. Rookie running back Devin Neal (ankle), who is Kamara's primary backup, and starting right tackle Taliese Fuaga (ankle), were limited in practice Wednesday but both are set to play.

For the Dolphins, tight end Darren Waller (pectoral), offensive tackle Austin Jackson (toe), defensive tackle Benito Jones (ankle) and cornerback Rasul Douglas (foot/ankle) are all considered questionable. Miami activated Waller and Jackson off injured reserve on Saturday.

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Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 14

Player Notes
Keaton Mitchell Dec 2 9:40pm CT
Keaton Mitchell

Baltimore Ravens running back Keaton Mitchell scored for the first time this year in last Thursday's Thanksgiving Day loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. Mitchell was extremely efficient with his limited opportunities on Turkey Day, taking two carries for 19 yards and a touchdown while picking up 12 receiving yards on his two receptions (three targets). The 23-year-old third-year back only played 13% of the offensive snaps as Baltimore's RB3, though, behind Rasheen Ali (48% snap share) and Derrick Henry (40%). Mitchell had a nice 18-yard touchdown scamper against the Bengals and has intriguing explosiveness out of the backfield, but right now he's stuck as the No. 3 option in the Ravens' backfield, making him a hard sell for a roster spot in 12-team fantasy leagues. He has added value in leagues that include return yardage on special teams. Mitchell had 91 return yards on three kickoffs in Week 13.

From RotoBaller

Ollie Gordon II Dec 2 9:30pm CT
Ollie Gordon II

Miami Dolphins rookie running back Ollie Gordon II has pretty much worked as the backup in Miami all year behind workhorse De'Von Achane, totaling 53 carries for 174 yards (3.3 yards per carry) and two touchdowns in 12 games in his first year in the NFL. Gordon has added six catches on eight targets for 30 yards and another TD. The 21-year-old 6-foot-2, 225-pound back had as many carries (three) as Jaylen Wright in Sunday's win over the New Orleans Saints, though, gaining just 10 yards. He was not targeted in the passing attack for the third game in a row. Achane continues to see the lion's share of the backfield touches, as he had 22 rushing attempts for 134 yards and a touchdown. Gordon gives Miami's offense a unique mix of size and speed at the RB position, but he just has not seen enough volume to be worth rostering in 12-team redraft fantasy football leagues. He's rostered in just 9% of Yahoo leagues.

From RotoBaller

Tyjae Spears Dec 2 9:20pm CT
Tyjae Spears

In the lowest-scoring offense (14.2 points per game) in the league, Tennessee Titans running back Tyjae Spears has a low ceiling and low floor for fantasy managers, and he should only be rostered in point-per-reception leagues. In the Week 13 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, Spears had two rushing attempts for a loss of one yard, but he salvaged his fantasy day by catching all six of his targets for 25 yards through the air. The 24-year-old's six catches were tied for the team lead, and his six targets were second on the team. Since returning from Injured Reserve due to a high-ankle sprain, Spears has a very modest 39 carries for 158 yards and one touchdown while adding 28 receptions for 173 yards on 30 targets in eight games. Fantasy managers cannot count on him to produce on the ground -- he's had more than five carries in a game only twice in eight games. Spears has had at least five targets in each of the last three games, though, which makes him a low-upside RB3/flex in deep PPR leagues going into a tough Week 14 matchup against the Cleveland Browns.

From RotoBaller

Kirk Cousins Dec 2 9:20pm CT
Kirk Cousins

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins completed 21 of his 33 passes for 234 yards with a touchdown and no interceptions in Sunday's 27-24 loss to the Jets. The 37-year-old looked Kyle Pitts Sr.'s way most often (eight targets), which has been the case in each of his three starts this season, but again spread the ball around, with seven different receivers earning two or more targets, and he also foundDavid Sills V for a touchdown pass for the second straight week. The veteran QB draws a tough matchup in Week 14 as the Falcons host the Seahawks in Atlanta, a defense that has been in the bottom third in terms of fantasypoints allowedto opposing quarterbacks. It will at least be a home matchup, and there is still a chance that the team's No. 1 receiver, Drake London (knee), will return for Sunday's contest. Even so, Cousins figures to be in the lower end of the QB2 ranks in Week 14.

From RotoBaller

Tank Bigsby Dec 2 9:10pm CT
Tank Bigsby

Across 11 games since being acquired by the Philadelphia Eagles, running back Tank Bigsby has recorded just 18 carries for 164 yards. As long as star Eagles running back Saquon Barkley remains healthy, there appears to be a firm ceiling on Bigsby's playing time and opportunity for touches. The 24-year-old has logged double-digit offensive snaps in just one game this season. However, Bigsby's average of 9.1 rushing yards per attempt is a clear indicator of his significant production upside if Barkley were to suffer an injury. In a larger, 168-carry sample size across 16 games with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2024, Bigsby averaged 4.6 yards per attempt and scored seven rushing touchdowns. Bigsby's never provided much production as a receiver, so fellow Eagles back Will Shipley would likely handle passing-downs work even if Barkley were to go down. Still, Bigsby is a high-end handcuff option who is worth rostering in fantasy leagues with 12 or more teams heading into a Week 14 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers.

From RotoBaller

Brian Robinson Jr. Dec 2 9:00pm CT
Brian Robinson Jr.

Across 13 games this season, San Francisco 49ers running back Brian Robinson Jr. has recorded 72 carries for 328 yards and two touchdowns. While the 26-year-old has been productive when given the opportunity in his first season in San Francisco, his playing time upside is capped by the presence of superstar 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey. Robinson Jr. has yet to play more than 18 offensive snaps or log double-digit carries in any game this season. However, as the fantasy playoffs approach, Robinson Jr. could be worth rostering as a premium handcuff option. He's averaging a career-best 4.6 yards per rush attempt this season and would immediately profile as a starting fantasy running back if McCaffrey were to miss time due to injury. In leagues with 12 or more teams, Robinson Jr. could be worth rostering and stashing through San Francisco's Week 14 bye.

From RotoBaller

Theo Johnson Dec 2 8:50pm CT
Theo Johnson

New York Giants tight end Theo Johnson posted modest production in his team's Week 13 loss to the New England Patriots, recording just three catches for 29 yards. However, the 24-year-old tied his single-game season-high with eight targets. Across the last five games he's played with Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart, Johnson has hauled in 19 catches for 217 yards and two touchdowns. Johnson also rarely leaves the field in New York, playing at least 89% of the Giants' offensive snaps in three out of the last four weeks. With the Giants on their bye week in Week 14, fantasy managers desperate for a win may be forced to drop Johnson. In leagues with 12 or more teams, Johnson could be worth targeting on the waiver wire and stashing through his bye week, given his favorable Week 15 matchup against the Washington Commanders.

From RotoBaller

Nick Chubb Dec 2 8:40pm CT
Nick Chubb

After starting the season as the lead running back for the Houston Texans, Nick Chubb has now ceded the RB1 role to Texans rookie back Woody Marks (foot). Still, Chubb gets his share of touches each week for Houston and scored his third rushing touchdown of the season in the team's Week 13 win over the Indianapolis Colts. Perhaps most importantly for Chubb's production outlook, Marks briefly left the game against Indianapolis with a foot injury. While the 24-year-old was able to return and finish the contest, there's a chance the injury could linger and lead Houston to limit Marks' touches in Week 14 against the Kansas City Chiefs. Chubb's upside is limited, but he's logged six games with double-digit rush attempts this season and could find the end zone against the Chiefs. In deeper fantasy leagues, Chubb could be worth targeting on the waiver wire heading into Week 14.

From RotoBaller

Tom Kennedy Dec 2 8:30pm CT
Tom Kennedy

In his first game action of the 2025 season, Detroit Lions wide receiver Tom Kennedy recorded four catches for 36 yards on four targets in his team's Week 13 loss to the Green Bay Packers. Kennedy was signed off the practice squad leading into Week 13 to replace Lions wideout Kalif Raymond (ankle), and then forced into a more prominent role when star Detroit wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (ankle) exited the game early due to an ankle injury. Both Raymond and St. Brown are uncertain to play in Week 14 against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday Night Football, which could mean another week with significant playing time for Kennedy. Outside of wide receiver Jameson Williams and running back Jahmyr Gibbs, the injury-plagued Lions are desperate for pass-catching talent. Across 25 career NFL games, Kennedy has recorded 18 receptions for 231 yards on 30 targets. In deep fantasy leagues, he could be worth targeting on the waiver wire in case Raymond and St. Brown remain sidelined in Week 14.

From RotoBaller

Pat Bryant Dec 2 8:20pm CT
Pat Bryant

Across 12 games this season, Denver Broncos rookie wide receiver Pat Bryant has recorded just 18 catches for 273 yards and a touchdown on 32 targets. However, the 22-year-old has played some of his best football in recent weeks. Over his last three games, Bryant has recorded nine catches for 167 yards on 15 targets. Bryant has earned at least six targets in each of the last two weeks, and he played a season-high 70% of Denver's offensive snaps in the team's Week 13 win over the Washington Commanders. While Courtland Sutton and Troy Franklin are relatively established as the top two wide receivers in Denver, it appears Bryant is carving out a role down the stretch of the season. In fantasy leagues with 12 or more teams, Bryant is worth targeting on the waiver wire and stashing through Denver's Week 14 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders.

From RotoBaller

Dante Fowler Dec 2 8:03pm CT
Dante Fowler

Dallas Cowboys DE Jadeveon Clowney (hamstring), OT Tyler Guyton (ankle) did not practice on Tuesday, Dec. 2. OT Hakeem Adeniji (knee), CB Trevon Diggs (knee), and S Malik Hooker (back) were limited participants. CB DaRon Bland (foot, wrist), CB Caelen Carson (hamstring), DE Dante Fowler (shoulder), DE James Houston (foot, ankle), DT Osa Odighizuwa (elbow), WR George Pickens (calf, knee), WR KaVontae Turpin (shoulder) and S Donovan Wilson (neck) practiced in full on Friday and no longer appear on the injury report.

From TheHuddle

Amon-Ra St. Brown Dec 2 7:53pm CT
Amon-Ra St. Brown

Detroit Lions OT Taylor Decker (shoulder/rest), S Kerby Joseph (knee), WR Kalif Raymond (ankle), OT Penei Sewell (shoulder) WR Amon-Ra St. Brown (ankle), TE Brock Wright (neck) and TE Shane Zylstra (knee) did not practice on Tuesday, Dec. 2. OG Kayode Awosika (foot), DB Brian Branch (toe, ankle), C Graham Glasgow (knee) and RB Sione Vaki (thumb) were limited in practice.

From TheHuddle

Kenneth Gainwell Dec 2 7:50pm CT
Kenneth Gainwell

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kenneth Gainwell saw just five carries for 20 yards and secured two of his three targets for 25 yards in a 26-7 loss to the Buffalo Bills. After delivering two straight performances as a fantasy RB1, Gainwell logged his lowest snap share since Week 9 and ceded both targets and goal-line work to Jaylen Warren. Though Gainwell should remain involved down the stretch, it's clear that Pittsburgh prioritizes Warren as its primary ballcarrier. In Week 14, Gainwell will face the division-rival Baltimore Ravens, who have held running backs to the sixth-fewest fantasy points per contest and the 10th-fewest yards per carry over the past eight weeks. The game script could make Gainwell a necessary check-down option for quarterback Aaron Rodgers, but fantasy managers should view him as a risky flex play on Sunday.

From RotoBaller

D.K. Metcalf Dec 2 7:30pm CT
D.K. Metcalf

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf caught three of his five targets for 32 yards in a 26-7 loss to the Buffalo Bills. While he managed to find the end zone in Week 12, Metcalf has now gone five consecutive games without surpassing 50 receiving yards. Pittsburgh's offense has been incredibly ineffective lately, especially through the air, making it hard to rely on any of its pass-catchers. Metcalf remains the only Steelers wideout worth rostering for fantasy purposes, but he is far from a must-start at this point. The Baltimore Ravens, who have tightened up defensively over the past eight weeks, are on tap for Week 14. Fantasy managers in need of a safe floor should explore other options, but Metcalf's explosiveness and talent still give him enough upside to profile as a WR3 or flex play.

From RotoBaller

Amon-Ra St. Brown Dec 2 7:23pm CT
Amon-Ra St. Brown

Detroit Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown (ankle) did not practice Tuesday, Dec. 2.

Fantasy Spin: This isn't good news for fantasy managers who roster St. Brown. The star didn't practice Monday after spraining his ankle in Week 13 against Green Bay. However, Detroit head coach Dan Campbell said that he isn't ready to rule out the Pro Bowler yet for Thursday's game against Dallas. This situation needs close monitoring with an eye down the depth chart for the next man up.

From TheHuddle

Jaylen Warren Dec 2 7:20pm CT
Jaylen Warren

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren handled 10 carries for 35 yards and a touchdown while adding two receptions for nine yards on four targets in a Week 13 loss to the Buffalo Bills. In a game where almost everything went wrong for Pittsburgh, Warren was one of the lone bright spots. He gave the Steelers a 7-0 lead in the second quarter with a goal-line score, marking his fifth total touchdown of the season. In Week 14, he'll face the division-rival Baltimore Ravens, who have been strong against the run over the past eight weeks. Given how poorly Pittsburgh's offense has played lately, it's unlikely Warren delivers any league-winning performances down the stretch, but he's been good enough individually to remain in lineups as a steady RB2.

From RotoBaller

Kerby Joseph Dec 2 7:20pm CT
Kerby Joseph

Detroit Lions All-Pro safety Kerby Joseph (knee) intends to return to the field this season despite being sidelined since Week 6 due to a nagging knee injury, multiple sources told Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports. Joseph's injury is not considered career-altering, as some have speculated. The 25-year-old will seek treatment on his knee in the offseason, but he's hoping to be back on the field in the coming weeks. The Lions never put Joseph on Injured Reserve, and he was able to return to practice on Monday for the first time since his injury. He isn't going to be active this Thursday night against the Dallas Cowboys, but it's possible he could return for a Week 15 game against the Los Angeles Rams. A reeling Lions defense would really benefit from the return of Joseph, who was a first-team All-Pro in 2024 when he had a career-high nine interceptions.

From RotoBaller

David Sills Dec 2 7:20pm CT
David Sills

AtlantaFalcons wide receiver David Sills V hauled in two of his four targets for 15 yards and a touchdownin Sunday's 27-24 loss to the Jets. It was the second consecutive week in which the 29-year-old secured a touchdown pass from quarterback Kirk Cousins. Surely fantasy managers who were desperate enough to deploy Sills were happy with the results, but there may not be much room for this hot stretch to run with such low volume being directed at the veteran and with the potential for Drake London (knee) to return in Week 14 against the Seahawks. Interested managers may consider picking up the 6-foot-3 wideout off the waiver wire, then monitor practice reports for the rest of the week, and if London returns, cut bait with Sills. Seattle has been tough against the pass this season, but it's at least a home matchup in Atlanta on Sunday.

From RotoBaller

Tyler Allgeier Dec 2 7:10pm CT
Tyler Allgeier

Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier has been a headache all season long for fantasy managers. Allgeier is the backup to Bijan Robinson, but he continues to vulture touchdowns in goal-line situations. For example, Allgeier rushed eight times for 20 yards and a touchdown during last week's loss to the New York Jets. His touchdown plunge came from just one yard out after Robinson was held to no gain on the play before. This has been a theme all season long, as Allgeier has eight rushing touchdowns, but only 344 yards on the ground. That being said, Allgeier will remain a touchdown-dependent option ahead of the team's Week 14 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. It's a tough matchup for Allgeier against an elite Seahawks run defense (they allow the second-fewest rushing yards per game), so fantasy managers in 12-team formats should be able to find someone that isn't so reliant on TDs.

From RotoBaller

Colston Loveland Dec 2 7:10pm CT
Colston Loveland

Chicago Bears rookie tight end Colston Loveland has earned a bigger role in the offense ever since his 118-yard performance in Week 9. Since then, Loveland has finished with 40 receiving yards in every game but one. Last week, Loveland saw six targets, which was the second-highest total of the year during the win over the Philadelphia Eagles. The 21-year-old figures to remain a consistent part of the passing game ahead of the Week 14 matchup against the Green Bay Packers. Loveland is on the TE1/2 borderline in fantasy football as he sees more involvement in Chicago's passing game, but he faces a difficult matchup this weekend. Green Bay has allowed the fewest half-PPR points to TEs in the last three games.

From RotoBaller