Thu Dec 4 9:24am ET
Field Level Media
The Miami Dolphins and New York Jets usually have eventful games even when both teams are not having great seasons.
As the Dolphins travel to face the host Jets on Sunday afternoon in East Rutherford, N.J., they are looking to extend a three-game winning streak and keep their slim playoff hopes alive.
Miami (5-7) still is very much a longshot to make the postseason as, realistically, it would have to win each of its remaining five games and get some help.
The Jets (3-9) are out of the playoff picture, but have played some of their best football of late, winning three of their past five following an 0-7 start. New York has also won its past two home games.
The Dolphins beat the Jets 27-21 in Miami on Sept. 29 on a Monday night in a game in which both teams entered winless at the time. That game also featured the loss of Dolphins star wide receiver Tyreek Hill for the season due to a devastating knee injury.
The majority of the Dolphins' success during their recent resurgence has come more from its ground game and running back De'Von Achane, who has put together three consecutive games of 120 or more yards rushing.
Achane entered the week ranked third in the NFL in rushing yards (1,034) behind only Indianapolis' Jonathan Taylor (1,282) and Buffalo's James Cook (1,228). Detroit's running back Jahmyr Gibbs, who is fourth and on Achane's heels with 1,019 yards, plays Thursday night against the Dallas Cowboys.
The potent ground attack has disguised the recent struggles of starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who is tied with Las Vegas' Geno Smith for the league lead in interceptions (14).
"His job is to lead us to victory," Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said about Tagovailoa. "Tua would admit and I would admit it wasn't his best game [Sunday]. You're trying to find the ‘why' so he can have his best game that is required."
Unlike the Dolphins, one of the most positive developments for the Jets during their recent success has been its starting quarterback, veteran Tyrod Taylor.
Taylor hasn't put up huge numbers over his last two games, but has been solid for the Jets, passing for 394 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.
Taylor's 10-yard rushing touchdown last week helped the Jets rally in the fourth quarter and beat the Atlanta Falcons on a 56-yard field goal by Nick Folk as time expired.
Taylor isn't the only different player the Jets will have playing a key role, who didn't play in the teams' first meeting this season.
Wide receiver Adonai Mitchell made his first major impact for the Jets since being traded from the Colts for Sauce Gardner. Mitchell caught eight passes for 102 yards and a touchdown.
"Listen, we owe those guys," Jets coach Aaron Glenn said. "We lost one down there with those guys, so looking forward to those guys coming to our place and getting a chance to play them."
The Jets already have two players that they have ruled out for Sunday's matchup - starting cornerback Jarvis Brownlee Jr. (hip) and linebacker/special teamer Mareclino McCrary-Ball (hamstring). It will be the second consecutive game Brownlee will sit out.
Also for the Jets, defensive back Tony Adams (groin), defensive end Jermaine Johnson II (ankle), defensive tackle Harrison Phillips (rest day) and cornerback Qwan'tez Stiggers (concussion) did not practice Wednesday. Defensive end Will McDonald IV (ankle) was limited.
Only three players were limited for the Dolphins - cornerback Rasul Douglas (foot/illness), fullback Alec Ingold (neck) and tight end Darren Waller (rest day).
-Field Level Media
Starts, Sits, Sleepers: Week 14
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall has not had the second-year breakout that many were predicting back in training camp. Injuries have been a big issue yet again, as he didn't return from a PCL sprain in his knee until Week 11 after getting hurt in Week 4. In three games since his return, the 25-year-old former first-rounder has caught only five passes for 20 yards on nine targets. Overall, he's sporting a 25-347-0 line in seven games. It's not like he hasn't been on the field since his return, as he's played at least 75% of the snaps in all three games. Fantasy managers who have hung onto Pearsall will be hoping that the Niners will devise a plan to get him more involved when they come out of their Week 14 bye to face the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, Dec. 14. Better days could be ahead, but Pearsall is likely to continue to struggle for a high target share in an offense that has plenty of mouths to feed between Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle, and Jauan Jennings.
From RotoBaller
Miami Dolphins tight end Darren Waller is a viable streaming option if you're desperate for a tight end solution this week, as he and the Dolphins visit the Jets. Waller played 47% of snaps last week in his return from the IR and hauled in two of his three targets for a team-leading 47 receiving yards. Waller played three full games before his pec injury and had 10 catches for four touchdowns and 117 receiving yards. The Dolphins haven't been throwing the ball very much in their recent offensive game plans, typically relying on De'Von Achance to do most of the work. However, since Waller showed upside earlier this season, he is worth a look if you need help at the position. He's the No. 11 TE in RotoBaller's Week 14 rankings, making him a fringe starter in standard-sized leagues.
From RotoBaller
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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