

Tue Jan 13 12:20am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer

Nacua had his usual big game
Well, that was quite the start to the playoffs. We had some great games and big fantasy performances. Unless your team lost, it was almost a perfect start to the playoffs. It had it all. Let’s hope this is a trend for the rest of the postseason.
Rams 34, Panthers 31
Fantasy Stud: Puka Nacua. Nacua had another one of his monster performances. He had 10 receptions for 111 yards and a touchdown. Nacua has double-digit receptions two straight games and three of four. He has been off the charts nearly all season, but especially down the stretch. Nacua is the top fantasy receiver in the game right now.
Fantasy Dud: Rico Dowdle. Dowdle had a horrible showing, rushing five times for just nine yards. He also caught just a pass for six yards. So Dowdle finished the game with just six touches for 15 yards. Dowdle finished his season with fewer than 30-rushing yards three of four games.
Game Notes: Davante Adams returned from his hamstring injury and looked healthy. He had five receptions for 72 yards.
Jalen Coker picked a good time to have his best game of the season. He had nine receptions for 134 yards and a touchdown on 12 targets. He found the end zone four of his last six games.
Bears 31, Packers 27
Fantasy Stud: Jordan Love. His team lost but Love played an outstanding game in defeat. He was 24-of-46 for 323 yards and four touchdowns without a turnover. Love scored a season-high 33.25 fantasy points. It was his third game this season with 30-plus points.
Fantasy Dud: Josh Jacobs. Many thought this might be a game that Jacobs would produce huge, getting a ton of work. He did get a good amount of carries but didn’t do much with them. Jacobs ran 19 times for just 55 yards and had a catch for three yards. He failed to top double-digit fantasy points, scoring just 6.8 points. Jacobs had less than seven points three straight games to end his season.
Game Notes: Rome Odunze returned from his foot injury and had two receptions for 44 yards. The positive is he played a good amount and didn’t look too slowed by the injury.
Romeo Doubs had season highs across the board in this game. He had eight receptions for 124 yards and a touchdown on 11 targets.
Bills 27, Jaguars 24
Fantasy Stud: Parker Washington. Washington continued his red-hot play with another big game. He had seven receptions for 107 yards and a touchdown. He scored 23.9 fantasy points. He has 100-yard games three of his last four. He also has touchdowns three of those games and at least nine targets all of those four games. He has been the Jaguars best receiver down the stretch.
Fantasy Dud: Jakobi Meyers. Meyers had a poor game to end his season, catching just a pass for 12 yards. With the emergence of Washington in recent weeks, Meyers has taken a bit of a backseat in the passing game. Meyers had fewer than 50 yards four straight games to end the year.
Game Notes: Khalil Shakir had double-digit receptions for the first time all season. He had 12 receptions for 82 yards.
Travis Etienne had 116 total yards. He ran 10 times for 67 yards and caught five passes for 49 yards and a touchdown.
49ers 23, Eagles 19
Fantasy Stud: Christian McCaffrey. McCaffrey had his usual great game. He ran 15 times for just 48 yards, but had six receptions for 66 yards and two touchdowns. He finished with 114 total yards and two scores. McCaffrey scored 29.4 fantasy points. He has 28-plus points three of four games.
Fantasy Dud: A.J. Brown. Brown was held in check in what seemed like a favorable matchup against a banged-up 49ers defense. He had just three receptions for 25 yards in the Eagles tough loss. Brown had an up-and-down season all year long, though, so it shouldn’t be a surprise to see him struggle in the playoffs.
Game Notes: George Kittle suffered a torn Achilles’ tendon. He is done for the season and could be out most of next year because of the unfortunate injury.
Demarcus Robinson was a big surprise, finishing with six receptions for 111 yards and a touchdown. He did not have more than 50 yards in a game all season before this one.
Patriots 16, Chargers 3
Fantasy Stud: Rhamondre Stevenson. Stevenson had a solid overall night in a game that lacked offense. He ran 10 times for 53 yards and caught three passes for 75 yards. He finished with 128 total yards and scored 15.8 fantasy points. He has 15-plus points four straight games and been the fantasy back to use for the Patriots late in the season.
Fantasy Dud: Justin Herbert. It wasn’t his fault because he had little time to throw and his receivers weren’t getting open, but Herbert disappointed fantasy owners. He threw for just 159 yards and failed to score a touchdown. He did lead the team in rushing, running 10 times for 57 yards but that helped lead to just 12.65 fantasy points. It was a disappointing finish to Herbert’s fantasy season.
Game Notes: Omari Hampton was active but barely saw the field. He ran once for a negative gain and didn’t catch a pass. Kimani Vidal got most of the carries and rushed 11 times for 31 yards.
Drake Maye led the Patriots in rushing, running 10 times for 66 yards. He finished the game, going 17-of-29 for 268 yards and a touchdown with an interception.
Texans 30, Steelers 6
Fantasy Stud: Woody Marks. Marks had an impressive game, rushing 19 times for 112 yards and a touchdown. That was his first 100-yard rushing game of the entire season. He didn’t top 80-rushing yards in a game before this one. Marks is doing a good job of making a case to be the long-term starter for the Texans. He is making some big plays with his chances.
Fantasy Dud: Kenneth Gainwell. Gainwell was held in check for the first time in a long time. He ran six times for just 20 yards and had four receptions for 26 yards. His lack of production in the passing game is what really hurt his fantasy numbers. It was a disappointing finish to what otherwise was a really good season.
Game Notes: Nico Collins was knocked from this game late with a concussion. This is something to watch for next week’s game. Collins had three receptions for 21 yards before getting hurt.
Christian Kirk was a huge surprise, leading the Texans in receiving. He had eight receptions for 144 yards and a 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.
RTSports Super Bowl Preview
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (concussion) has returned to the Super Bowl. Smith-Njigba exited the contest in the third quarter after being evaluated for a concussion. However, in the early stages of the game's final frame, the team's top wideout cleared protocol and returned to action. Before exiting, the 23-year-old caught three of his nine targets for 24 yards. He is expected to remain the team's top wideout over the final quarter of the season.
From RotoBaller
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (concussion) is questionable to return to the Super Bowl due to being evaluated for a concussion. The team's star wideout was seen jogging to the locker room in the game's third quarter after taking a hit. Before suffering the injury, New England held the 23-year-old to just three catches for 24 yards on nine targets. While he remains on the sidelines, veteran wideout Cooper Kupp should operate as the top option in the Seattle passing game.
From RotoBaller
Seattle Seahawks rookie tight end Elijah Arroyo is officially active for Super Bowl LX after being a healthy scratch for the NFC Championship Game. The second-round pick out of Miami had missed the final four games of the regular season and the Seahawks' Divisional Round win over the 49ers with a knee injury that landed him on Injured Reserve. He was activated before Seattle's matchup with the Rams but was ultimately made a healthy scratch after carrying no injury designation into the game. He will now make his first appearance since a Week 14 win over the Falcons, in which he was targeted once before exiting early. Since catching his lone touchdown of the season in Week 9, Arroyo has caught only two of six targets for 10 yards across his last five games. Super Bowl heroes come in all shapes and sizes, but it would be surprising if Arroyo makes a meaningful impact on Sunday.
From RotoBaller
New England Patriots edge rusher Harold Landry III (knee) is active for Super Bowl LX after missing the team's Conference Championship win over Denver with a knee injury that has plagued him across the second half of the season. The 29-year-old Landry began the season as New England's most disruptive pass rusher, but has been managing a knee issue and has seen his usage and effectiveness wane down the stretch. He missed the final two games of the regular season before playing a limited role in New England's two home playoff victories. Landry had carried a questionable designation into the game, and it remains to be seen how he'll be utilized on Sunday. Still, the Patriots will have one of their defensive captains for a game that profiles as a low-scoring slugfest.
From RotoBaller
New England Patriots linebacker and defensive signal-caller Robert Spillane (ankle) is active for Super Bowl LX after leaving the team's Conference Championship win over the Broncos with an ankle injury and carrying a questionable designation into Sunday. Spillane led the Patriots in tackles, despite missing four games at the end of the season, and while he's been in the lineup, New England's run defense has been among the league's elite units. The Patriots' clearest path to victory is to limit Kenneth Walker III and force Sam Darnold to beat them in obvious passing situations. It's a blueprint that has worked through three straight playoff games, and it becomes increasingly more feasible with Spillane at the center of the defense.
From RotoBaller
42-year-old quarterback Aaron Rodgers is weighing his options following the 20th season of his NFL career, and the odds of a return to the Pittsburgh Steelers are reportedly increasing, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Rodgers has spoken with Steelers teammates and new head coach Mike McCarthy, for whom he played the first 13 years of his career in Green Bay, and there is a growing sense he could sign a new deal this offseason. Rodgers led the Steelers to an AFC North title in his first season in Pittsburgh, completing over 65% of his passes for 3,322 yards and 24 touchdowns to seven interceptions. In a year with few quarterback options available on the open market and a rookie class relatively thin on elite talent, the team is hoping for a decision from Rodgers before the start of free agency in mid-March.
From RotoBaller
Seven of the last nine Super Bowl MVPs have been quarterbacks, and if Seattle Seahawks signal-caller Sam Darnold can limit his mistakes against the Patriots in Super Bowl LX, he stands a strong chance to extend that streak. Darnold, who led all players with 20 regular-season turnovers, has not thrown an interception in either playoff game, and though he has fumbled twice, both have been recovered by the Seahawks. While his opponent, Drake Maye, has shown an ability to quickly put mistakes behind him all season long, Darnold has a history of allowing bad plays to stack. If he's able to keep the ball out of harm's way against an opportunistic Patriots defense that has forced eight turnovers through three playoff games, Seattle will have every opportunity to win what many are projecting as a low-scoring game.
From RotoBaller
Atlanta Falcons QB Kirk Cousins has a chance to remain with the Falcons next season, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.
Fantasy Spin: Cousins is expected to be released this offseason, but fantasy players should monitor the situation to see if the Falcons decide to keep him. He could compete with Michael Penix Jr. for the starting job if he returns but will only be a No. 2 fantasy quarterback if he plays.
From TheHuddle
Arizona Cardinals QB Jacoby Brissett may be placed on the trade block if the team decides to keep QB Kyler Murray, in the opinion of ESPN.com's Jeremy Fowler.
Fantasy Spin: Brissett played in 14 games this past season and threw for 23 touchdowns and eight interceptions during that span. He would likely receive interest from a few teams if he became available but will only be a No. 2 fantasy quarterback if he starts for a team in 2026.
From TheHuddle
Tampa Bay Buccaneers impending free-agent WR Mike Evans felt better after this season than he did in the last few seasons and seems to be on track to continue playing, according to agent Deryk Gilmore.
Fantasy Spin: Fantasy players will need to monitor the situation over the next month to see if Evans will consider retirement this offseason. He will be a free agent if he continues to play, but he is likely to return to the Buccaneers if he plays. He has lost some of his fantasy value but can be at least a No. 3 receiver in most fantasy leagues.
From TheHuddle
Miami Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill's (knee) availability for the 2026 season is uncertain at this point, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.
Fantasy Spin: Hill suffered a serious injury during the 2025 season, so fantasy players will need to monitor Hill's recovery over the next several months. He has been a starting fantasy option during his career when healthy but will be a risky option in fantasy leagues next season because of his uncertain status.
From TheHuddle
Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson is expected to have contract extension talks with the Ravens this offseason, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero and Mike Garafolo.
Fantasy Spin: Jackson is scheduled to count $74.5 million against the salary cap next season, so an extension will benefit both sides if they can reach an agreement. He will be working in a new offensive system in 2026 but should be a No. 1 quarterback in fantasy leagues.
From TheHuddle
Cincinnati Bengals impending free-agent DE Trey Hendrickson could have the franchise tag applied to him this offseason, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.
From TheHuddle
New York Giants impending free-agent QB Russell Wilson plans to continue his playing career in 2026, even though he spent most of the 2025 season as the club's third-string quarterback, according to NFL Network's Judy Battista.
From TheHuddle
New England Patriots rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson has had a quiet postseason run following an often electric regular season that earned him an Offensive Rookie of the Year Nomination, but he has a chance to make his impact felt in Super Bowl LX. The Patriots, who have played with a lead more than any team in the NFL, come into Sunday's matchup with the Seahawks as 4.5-point underdogs, putting them in a position where they may need to play aggressively and hunt for the big plays that were a staple of their 14-3 regular season. While the Seahawks have boasted one of the most formidable run defenses in the league, the strength of their defensive line resides in the middle with Byron Murphy II and Leonard Williams. If the Patriots are able to replicate some of the outside zone success that saw Blake Corum run for over six yards per attempt in the NFC Championship, Henderson has the speed to turn any play into a long touchdown, putting him in position to be one of the game's most impactful players on minimal touches.
From RotoBaller
New England Patriots second-year quarterback Drake Maye finished second in MVP voting for his brilliant regular-season performance, but he has faltered through his first three playoff appearances. For the Patriots to have any chance of defeating the Seahawks in Super Bowl LX, Maye will need to play like the regular-season quarterback who led the league in completion percentage, yards per attempt, EPA, and passer rating, making him a smart Super Bowl MVP bet for anyone taking the underdog. Maye's struggles have notably come in poor-weather games, both in the playoffs and in a rain-soaked first half against the Buccaneers in Week 10. With clear skies and a game-time temperature projected in the low-to-mid-60s, Maye and the number two-ranked Patriots offense should have Josh McDaniels' full playbook at their disposal. If they are able to hit on a handful of the explosive plays that they seemingly executed with ease in the regular season, and which Seattle struggled to defend against the Rams' number one offensive unit, New England has a puncher's chance.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Rams QB Matthew Stafford will likely engage in negotiations for a raise on the heels of his 2025 Most Valuable Player campaign, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
Fantasy Spin: The 38-year-old Stafford led the league in passing yards (4,707) and passing touchdowns (46) in 2025, narrowly edging out New England Patriots QB Drake Maye for MVP honors. Even if he doesn't duplicate those numbers next season, he will continue to have a strong supporting cast surrounding him in 2026 and can be viewed as a QB1 option in all fantasy numbers.
From TheHuddle
Pittsburgh Steelers impending free-agent QB Aaron Rodgers appears increasingly likely to return to the club for the 2026 season, even though he has not officially announced that he will continue his playing career, in the opinion of NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. In recent weeks, Rodgers has spoken with WR DK Metcalf and new head coach Mike McCarthy multiple times. The Steelers are hopeful that Rodgers will make a final decision regarding his status for 2026 prior to the start of free agency in mid-March.
Fantasy Spin: If Rodgers decides to return for a second season in Pittsburgh, the 42-year-old veteran could be viewed as a midrange QB2 option in most 2026 fantasy leagues.
From TheHuddle
Atlanta Falcons rookie defensive end James Pearce Jr. was arrested on Saturday on two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, aggravated stalking, and fleeing/eluding police. The arrest came in Florida after Pearce crashed his car, following a police chase. Pearce, whom the Falcons traded their 2026 first-round pick to acquire in the 2025 draft, was in San Francisco days earlier for the NFL Honors, where he was nominated for Defensive Rookie of the Year. The Falcons have issued a statement, saying, "We are aware of an incident involving James Pearce Jr., in Miami. We are in the process of gathering more information and will not have any further comment on an open legal matter at this time." In addition to the criminal charges he faces, Pearce is now subject to investigation under the NFL's personal conduct policy that will likely lead to suspension.
From RotoBaller
The Dallas Cowboys are expected to place their franchise tag on Second-Team All-Pro wide receiver George Pickens. Dallas acquired Pickens via trade from the Pittsburgh Steelers before the 2025 season, and in his first season with the Cowboys, the fourth-year wideout set career highs in receptions, yards, and touchdowns, earning his first Pro Bowl nod. Should Pickens hit the open market, he would be the unquestioned prize of the wide receiver free agency class and could easily demand a top-of-the-market deal. By placing the franchise tag on him, the Cowboys would retain Pickens' rights at the cost of roughly $28 million for 2026, with the hope of working toward a long-term extension. Pickens is a borderline top-10 dynasty wide receiver, and his value should continue to rise if the Cowboys succeed in making Dallas his home for the foreseeable future.
From RotoBaller