Broncos bring 8-game winning streak into clash with Commanders

Thu Nov 27 11:06am ET
Field Level Media

Two teams coming out of their bye week in opposite directions meet in prime time on Sunday when the Denver Broncos visit the Washington Commanders in Landover, Md.

Denver (9-2) has won eight straight and holds the second seed in the AFC behind the New England Patriots (10-2) and ahead of the Indianapolis Colts (8-3).

The Broncos play the Commanders and Raiders before finishing with a difficult four-game stretch that includes the Packers, Jaguars, Chiefs and Chargers.

Wide receiver Troy Franklin said Denver is taking a week-by-week approach.

"If you get too far ahead of yourself, things can possibly fall apart," Franklin said. "So, you've just got to be where your feet are and everything else will just take care of itself."

Washington (3-8) has dropped six straight games, including a 16-13 overtime loss to the Miami Dolphins before its bye.

For Denver, coming off a 22-19 win against Kansas City, coach Sean Payton would like to see improvement in two areas.

"The penalties stand out if you said, 'What's the low-hanging fruit that you have to clean up to improve your chances of getting the best possible seed?'" Payton said. "Then, secondly, is harping on the plus-minus turnover (margin), giveaway-takeaway. We (were plus-one) last week, and that meant a lot."

Denver has committed a league-high 93 penalties for 883 yards, and is minus-3 in turnover ratio, with only nine takeaways.

Offensively the teams are not far apart statistically. The Broncos are 14th in the league on offense, averaging 335.3 yards per game, and the Commanders are ranked 17th with 330.2 yards.

The disparity is greater on defense. Denver boasts the third-toughest defense to gain yards and score against, allowing 274.4 yards and 17.5 points per game. Washington is allowing 387.0 yards (31st) and 26.9 points (28th).

"I liked the intensity that I saw, especially down in some of the red zone stuff," coach Dan Quinn said of the defense against Miami. "I liked the communication to limit the explosive plays. That's a few of the things I want to see. And heading into this game that's going to be an important piece for us, to make sure ... right spot, right location, really nailing your job not most of the time, every time."

Kicker Jake Moody, signed off the Bears' practice squad, will make his Commanders debut. Washington released Matt Gay after he missed two field goals (51 and 56 yards) against Miami. He had made only 4 of 9 kicks from 50-plus yards.

Washington may soon get some injured players back. Jayden Daniels (elbow) returned to practice Wednesday, although fellow quarterback Marcus Mariota will make his sixth start on Sunday.

Commanders safety Will Harris (ankle) could return for the first time since he was injured in Week 3. Wide receiver Noah Brown (groin/knee) is out, but Terry McLaurin (quad) will be in action for only the second time in nine games.

Washington ruled out defensive end Drake Jackson (knee).

For the Broncos, inside linebacker Alex Singleton (illness) and cornerback Pat Surtain (pec) are expected to be back in action. Singleton missed one game after undergoing successful testicular cancer surgery, and Surtain missed three games.

Denver will be without tight end Nate Adkins (knee), while linebacker Jonah Elliss (hamstring) was listed as questionable.

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Starts, Sits, Sleepers: Week 14

Player Notes
Dont'e Thornton Jr. Dec 5 7:40pm CT
Dont'e Thornton Jr.

Las Vegas Raiders rookie wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. (concussion) did not practice all week and has officially been ruled out for the Week 14 contest this Sunday against the division-rival Denver Broncos, according to Ryan McFadden of ESPN. Thornton will miss at least one game with the concussion that he suffered in last Sunday's loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. The fourth-round pick out of Tennessee has had a forgettable first year in the league with eight catches on 25 targets (28% success rate) for 123 yards and no touchdowns in 11 games (seven starts). In his defense, the Raiders' offense has stalled more often than not, limiting his opportunities in a depth role. Thornton hasn't had more than one catch in a game this year since Sept. 21 against the Commanders. With Thornton out this weekend, it will give fellow rookie Jack Bech a chance for more playing time, although we aren't expecting much from him against the Broncos' stout defense.

From RotoBaller

Malik Washington Dec 5 7:40pm CT
Malik Washington

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Malik Washington is getting plenty of catches in his role as the team's second receiver, but he isn't turning those catches into big numbers, making him a high-risk play against the Jets. He has multiple catches in 10 straight games dating back to Week 3, and he has at least three catches in seven of his last eight. He hasn't hit 50 yards in any contest yet, though, and didn't find the end zone in either of his last two games. He has a decent PPR floor in the Dolphins' low-risk, dink and dunk passing game, but he doesn't have a high ceiling since he hasn't been able to break loose for any big plays. Washington is the WR52 in RotoBaller's Week 14 rankings, so he's only a desperation WR5 or flex play in the deepest of leagues.

From RotoBaller

Aaron Rodgers Dec 5 7:40pm CT
Aaron Rodgers

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (wrist) was a full participant in Friday's practice and is set to face the division-rival Baltimore Ravens in Week 14. Rodgers struggled in a Week 13 loss to the Buffalo Bills, but this matchup is much more favorable on paper. Although the Ravens have improved defensively in recent weeks, they have still allowed the 13th-most fantasy points per game to opposing signal-callers. Just last week, Joe Burrow accumulated 261 passing yards and two scores against Baltimore. Nonetheless, the Steelers' offensive woes remain a major concern. Rodgers hasn't thrown multiple touchdowns in a contest since Week 8 and has failed to eclipse 200 yards in three straight starts. As a result, it's difficult to rely on Rodgers as anything more than a low-end QB2 in superflex formats heading into Sunday's road bout.

From RotoBaller

Isiah Pacheco Dec 5 7:20pm CT
Isiah Pacheco

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco returned in last week's Thanksgiving Day loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday for the first time since Week 8 due to a knee injury. It wasn't a triumphant return for the 26-year-old, as he played a season-low 30% of the snaps and had a season-low three rushing attempts for 16 yards while grabbing both of his targets for an additional 17 yards. Pacheco played well ahead of rookie Brashard Smith, but it's clear that veteran Kareem Hunt has solidified his role as KC's preferred RB, even in goal-line situations. Fantasy managers can hold out hope that Pacheco is more involved in the coming weeks as he puts his knee injury in the rearview mirror, but at no point in 2025 has he looked deserving of a bigger workload. Pacheco has yet to top 60 rushing yards in nine games, and he should be left on benches in Week 14 against the Texans and their No. 1 defense.

From RotoBaller

CeeDee Lamb Dec 5 7:20pm CT
CeeDee Lamb

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (concussion) "had a good day" on Friday after suffering a concussion in the Thursday night loss to the Detroit Lions, according to head coach Brian Schottenheimer. The head coach said the extra days going into the Week 15 game against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, Dec. 14, should help get him back. The 26-year-old hit his head hard on the turf while trying to make a catch in the third quarter and was quickly ruled out. The good news for fantasy managers is that he caught six of eight targets for a season-high 121 yards before getting hurt. There's no guarantee that Lamb will clear the league's concussion protocol in time to play next Sunday, but it definitely helps that he'll have extra time before that contest. With Lamb's status up in the air for next week, Ryan Flournoy, who had nine catches (13 targets) for 115 yards and a TD on Thursday, will be a top waiver-wire target in fantasy leagues.

From RotoBaller

Jacory Croskey-Merritt Dec 5 6:50pm CT
Jacory Croskey-Merritt

Washington Commanders rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt was a trendy late-round upside pick in fantasy drafts in the fall, with Washington's backfield plans unsettled. He became even more popular off the waiver wire early in the season after Austin Ekeler suffered a season-ending Achilles tear. The 24-year-old seventh-rounder out of Arizona had double-digit rushing attempts in five of six games from Weeks 5-10, accumulating 298 yards and two touchdowns on 76 carries (3.9 yards per attempt). Bill has since fallen out of favor and has lost lead-back duties to Chris Rodriguez Jr. In the Sunday night overtime loss to the Denver Broncos, Croskey-Merritt played a season-low 14% of the snaps and had a season-low four carries for only 20 yards. He was also out-snapped by pass-catching back Jeremy McNichols. JCM is still rostered in just under 50% of Yahoo leagues, but in a three-back committee in Washington, he should be on benches entering Sunday's road matchup against Minnesota.

From RotoBaller

Jaylen Waddle Dec 5 6:50pm CT
Jaylen Waddle

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle has trailed off a little bit in the last two games, with only three catches each against the Commanders and the Saints. The Dolphins' passing game has been very low-volume in the last few games as they rely heavily on De'Von Achane and the defense to win three straight. This week, Waddle has a good matchup against the Jets, who traded away Sauce Gardner and have allowed four receiver touchdowns in the last six weeks. Even in his down games, Waddle continues to lead the way in targets, so he still has potential upside if the game script calls for passing. He is the WR12 in RotoBaller's Week 14 rankings, making him a solid WR2 with WR1 upside if the Dolphins have to air it out a little more.

From RotoBaller

Emanuel Wilson Dec 5 6:40pm CT
Emanuel Wilson

Green Bay Packers running back Emanuel Wilson was a popular waiver-wire pickup after starting RB Josh Jacobs injured his knee in the Week 11 win over the New York Giants. Wilson took full advantage of Jacobs' absence in the team's Week 12 victory over the Minnesota Vikings, carrying the ball a season-high 28 times for 107 yards and two touchdowns while adding two receptions for 18 yards. Before that spike performance, the 26-year-old hadn't seen more than eight carries (Sept. 28) in a game behind Jacobs. In the win over the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving Day last Thursday, with Jacobs back in action, Wilson saw just four carries for 14 yards and wasn't targeted through the air. The 26-year-old showed that he can be successful for fantasy managers in a lead-back role, but unless Jacobs misses time with an injury again, Wilson just cannot be trusted in starting fantasy lineups.

From RotoBaller

Pat Bryant Dec 5 6:30pm CT
Pat Bryant

Denver Broncos rookie wide receiver Pat Bryant (hamstring) was limited in practice for the second straight day on Friday due to a hamstring injury, but he's been removed from the final Week 14 injury report and will play on Sunday versus the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders, per Aric DiLalla of DenverBroncos.com. Bryant and the 10-2 Broncos will be heading into a plus matchup this weekend on the road against a Raiders defense that has surrendered the seventh-most half-PPR points to the WR position per game. The 22-year-old third-rounder out of Illinois will still only be a low-upside WR4/5 for fantasy purposes as the Broncos' WR3 behind Courtland Sutton and Troy Franklin. Bryant has found the end zone once in his first 12 NFL games, and he had just one catch on two targets for 43 yards in the first game against Vegas back on Nov. 6. Bryant has cleared 50 receiving yards only once in 2025.

From RotoBaller

Ollie Gordon II Dec 5 6:30pm CT
Ollie Gordon II

Miami Dolphins running back Ollie Gordon II has been relegated to a minimal role recently, as the team gives more work to De'Von Achane. Gordon has gotten three carries or fewer in three of his last four games, and he only got 10 yards on his three carries against the Saints last week. He played 27% of snaps while Jaylen Wright played 10% of snaps and also had three carries, finishing with 16 yards. The rookie has shown a few glimpses of upside and scored a couple of touchdowns, but his role is so limited behind Achane that he is only a desperation play this week against the Jets. The Jets have been a great matchup for running backs this season, and especially recently, but it's uncertain if Gordon will get much work in Week 14. He's only the No. 48 RB in RotoBaller's rankings this week, so he can be left on the bench or waiver wire in most formats.

From RotoBaller

Woody Marks Dec 5 6:20pm CT
Woody Marks

Houston Texans rookie running back Woody Marks (ankle) was able to practice in full on Friday and has been cleared to play on Sunday night in a matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs on the road. Marks tweaked his ankle in the Week 13 win over the Indianapolis Colts but eventually returned to the game, and the 24-year-old's injury was never considered very serious, despite the fact that he did not practice on Wednesday. Marks was limited on Thursday. The fourth-rounder has become a much bigger part of the Texans' backfield plan since their Week 6 bye, and he has out-produced and out-touched veteran Nick Chubb. Since the team's bye, Marks has seen double-digit carries in every game and has a total of 349 rushing yards and one touchdown on 98 carries, adding 12 receptions for 92 yards and another score. The Chiefs have allowed the seventh-fewest half-PPR points per game to RBs this year, but Marks' volume alone vaults him into low-end RB2 territory, especially with quarterback C.J. Stroud now back from a concussion.

From RotoBaller

Sean Tucker Dec 5 6:10pm CT
Sean Tucker

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Sean Tucker completely disappeared during last week's win over the Arizona Cardinals. Before that game, Tucker had seen double-digit rushing attempts in three of his last four contests. During last week's game, Tucker rushed the ball twice for zero yards. The return of Bucky Irving appears to have ended Tucker's run as a fantasy-relevant back. There are too many mouths to feed with Irving and Rachaad White both involved now. The 24-year-old is worth holding in dynasty leagues with White being a pending free agent at the end of the season. Outside of that, Tucker can be sent back to the waiver wire in most 12-team redraft leagues.

From RotoBaller

Kenneth Walker III Dec 5 6:10pm CT
Kenneth Walker III

Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (glute) has been removed from the injury report ahead of the Week 14 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. As expected, Walker will play through the same injury he had last week. It didn't seem to impact his performance, as he rushed for 56 yards on 13 attempts in the blowout win over the Minnesota Vikings. Fantasy managers shouldn't be worried about this glute injury having any impact on his play. Walker remains a solid RB2 for a favorable matchup against the Falcons' rush defense this weekend.

From RotoBaller

Maxx Crosby Dec 5 6:00pm CT
Maxx Crosby

Las Vegas Raiders All-Pro defensive end Maxx Crosby (knee) is officially questionable to suit up for the Week 14 contest against the Denver Broncos. Crosby is in danger of missing Sunday's game after sitting out of practice on Thursday and Friday. Crosby is known for playing despite being banged up. It's going to take quite a bit for Crosby to not suit up on a Sunday, but fantasy managers in IDP formats must pay close attention to his status going into Sunday. If he sits, the Raiders' defense would be in bad shape for this divisional matchup. Tyree Wilson figures to see increased playing time if Crosby is unable to go.

From RotoBaller

Devon Achane Dec 5 6:00pm CT
Devon Achane

Miami Dolphins running back De'Von Achane has been one of the top running backs in the NFL over the last few weeks, and he's a great play this week against the Jets. Achane has at least 120 rushing yards to power the Dolphins to three straight wins in his last three games against the Bills, Commanders, and Saints. He finished with 134 rushing yards and a touchdown last week against the Saints, and is averaging 86.2 rushing yards and 30.8 receiving yards per game on the season with 10 total touchdowns. The Jets have been the sixth-best matchup for running backs this season, and last week, the Falcons running backs totaled 162 rushing yards, 86 receiving yards, and two touchdowns against New York. In such a great matchup with plenty of momentum and a large expected workload, Achane is the No. 1 RB in the entire NFL in RotoBaller's Week 14 rankings.

From RotoBaller

Noah Brown Dec 5 5:50pm CT
Noah Brown

Washington Commanders wide receiver Noah Brown (groin, knee) is officially listed as questionable ahead of the Week 14 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. Brown is working his way back from groin and knee injuries that have sidelined him since Week 2. He was able to practice without limitations on Wednesday and Thursday this week, though. Brown didn't practice on Friday, but that was likely for rest purposes. He'll still need to be officially activated from Injured Reserve ahead of Sunday's contest. Brown is unlikely to be a viable fantasy asset with Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel Sr. both healthy right now.

From RotoBaller

Emari Demercado Dec 5 5:40pm CT
Emari Demercado

Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado (ankle) has been ruled out ahead of the Week 14 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams. There was some hope that Demercado would return this weekend after getting in two limited practice sessions. Unfortunately, Demercado sat out of Friday's practice and will be held out for a third straight game due to an ankle sprain. His absence has opened up more playing time for both Bam Knight and Michael Carter, with Trey Benson (knee) still on Injured Reserve. Between the two, Knight is the better streaming choice for Sunday's slate in a tough matchup against L.A. Knight has found the end zone in three straight games. The 24-year-old should be considered a solid low-upside flex play against the Rams. Demerado has a limited path to fantasy relevance in PPR leagues the rest of the way, but only if Benson stays on IR.

From RotoBaller

Michael Mayer Dec 5 5:40pm CT
Michael Mayer

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (ankle) has been ruled out ahead of the Week 14 matchup against the Denver Broncos. This news comes as no surprise, given the fact that Mayer hasn't practiced since suffering an ankle injury in Week 12. Mayer will miss his second straight game, but head coach Pete Carroll did express optimism that Mayer could return in Week 15 when the team faces the Philadelphia Eagles. With Mayer out again, Carter Runyon and Ian Thomas should see increased snaps. Neither of them is worth a look as a streaming option for Week 14. Brock Bowers is healthy and is the top receiving option in this offense. Mayer has only 22 receptions for 182 yards and one touchdown in nine games in 2025.

From RotoBaller

Tua Tagovailoa Dec 5 5:40pm CT
Tua Tagovailoa

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa continues to post lackluster numbers while continuing to dink and dunk. Last week, he completed 12-of-23 passes for 157 yards and an interception in his team's win over the Saints. While the team has won three straight games, he has thrown for under 200 yards in each contest with two touchdowns and three interceptions. He's averaging 190 passing yards per game on the season with 17 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. The Dolphins have been winning by relying on De'Von Achane and their defense, and they'll likely follow that formula again this week against the Jets, leaving Tua with limited upside. He's the No. 22 QB in RotoBaller's Week 14 rankings, so he can be left on the waiver wire or bench even in two-quarterback leagues.

From RotoBaller

Parker Washington Dec 5 5:00pm CT
Parker Washington

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington (hip) was limited in practice for the second straight day on Friday and is officially questionable to play this Sunday against the division-rival Indianapolis Colts in Week 14. Washington injured his hip in the first half of Sunday's victory over the Tennessee Titans and did not practice on Wednesday. Even if the 23-year-old gets the green light to play in a big divisional clash this weekend, fantasy managers shouldn't consider him much more than a low-upside WR4/flex option now that Brian Thomas Jr. has returned from an ankle sprain that kept him out for multiple weeks. Before getting injured last week, Washington caught only one pass on three targets for 26 yards. If Washington is ruled out on Sunday, Tim Patrick would likely operate as the Jags' WR3 behind Thomas and Jakobi Meyers. Washington has been outside the top 50 wideouts in half-PPR points per game in 2025 at 7.4.

From RotoBaller