Fri Dec 1 5:58pm ET
Field Level Media
Joe Flacco, the 38-year-old quarterback who signed with Cleveland less than two weeks ago, will start for the Browns on Sunday at the Los Angeles Rams.
The Browns (7-4) announced Friday that rookie starter Dorian Thompson-Robinson has been ruled out against the Rams (5-6) as he continues through the concussion protocol. He has not practiced this week, and Flacco has taken the majority of first-team reps as the team practiced at UCLA.
Flacco was 1-8 in nine starts with the New York Jets over the past three seasons. He threw for 1,051 yards with five touchdowns and three interceptions in five games (four starts) last season. Flacco was unsigned since the end of the 2022 season until the Browns rang after starter Deshaun Watson's season-ending shoulder injury.
Then Thompson-Robinson exited late in the third quarter of last week's loss to the host Denver Browns with a concussion and was replaced by P.J. Walker. Flacco will start Sunday and Walker will be his backup.
"I love playing this game, and any time an opportunity kind of presents itself, you just got to be patient and see what's in store for you," Flacco said on Thursday.
Flacco has amassed 42,320 yards through the air with 232 touchdowns and 147 interceptions for the Baltimore Ravens (2008-18), Denver Broncos (2019) and Jets (2020-22).
Flacco led Baltimore to a Super Bowl in 2013 and was named MVP as the Ravens beat the San Francisco 49ers 34-31.
In other news Friday, the Browns ruled out wide receiver Marquise Goodwin (concussion) and cornerback Denzel Ward (shoulder). Neither practiced this week, and Ward was out in Week 12 with the injury. Goodwin last played Nov. 5.
Cleveland center Nick Harris (knee) was limited at practice Thursday and is questionable for the game.
Miami Dolphins tight end Durham Smythe cleared the injury report on Friday, but his impact doesn't usually appear on the box score. The issue is that the box score results are exactly what fantasy managers need. Smythe is currently the TE40 and he's scored more than five fantasy points only twice in PPR formats. The Washington Commanders are in the middle of the pack against opposing tight ends which is just further reason to leave him on the bench or even the waiver wire.
From RotoBaller
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson will take on the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday night in Week 13. The second-year receiver has got back on track over the past two weeks, finding the end zone twice and tallying 115 yards on seven receptions. Last week, Watson nearly reached 100 yards and led the team in receiving yards. Quarterback Jordan Love is finally starting to click with the former first-round pick, but the duo will have a tough time against the Kansas City secondary this weekend. The Chiefs allow the seventh-fewest fantasy points per game to the wide receiver position and the fifth-fewest yards. Watson will need to find the end zone again and try to break off a big run to make fantasy managers happy in Week 13. If the matchup were better, the 24-year-old would be in the WR2 conversation, but against the Chiefs, consider Watson a WR3.
From RotoBaller
Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love will take on the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday night in Week 13. Over the past two weeks, the 25-year-old has tallied 590 passing yards and five touchdowns while not committing a turnover. The Packers won both of these games and even beat their division rival, the Detroit Lions, to keep their playoff hopes alive. Love has started to look the part of Green Bay's future quarterback, but he will face his toughest challenge yet in Week 13 against the Chiefs. Kansas City allows the seventh-fewest fantasy points per game to quarterbacks this season. Love will need to throw multiple touchdown passes and keep the turnovers to a minimum to make fantasy managers happy. His fantasy ceiling seems to be capped this week, especially with some of his pass catchers playing at less than 100%. Consider Love a low-end streaming option in Week 13.
From RotoBaller
Green Bay Packers running back AJ Dillon will face off against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday night in Week 13. The 25-year-old has dealt with a groin injury over the past few weeks and has been limited in practice this past week but was left off the final injury report. With Aaron Jones (knee) out for another week, Dillon will handle the majority of carries against a stiff Kansas City run defense. The Packers back has averaged 17.5 touches over the past two weeks and should see plenty of work, but he could struggle to finish as a top-24 option unless he is able to find the end zone. The Chiefs allow the 13th-fewest fantasy points per game to the running back position but have given up just five rushing touchdowns, tied for seventh-fewest in the league. Dillon should be considered a fringe RB2 in Week 13.
From RotoBaller
New York Jets kicker Greg Zuerlein converted on just one of his two extra-point tries in a Week 12 loss to the Miami Dolphins. The 35-year-old will look to bounce back against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. Although Atlanta has given up a fair amount of production to kickers this season, New York's offense cannot be trusted to move the ball effectively with Tim Boyle under center. Even with multiple teams on bye this week, fantasy managers should be able to find more reliable options than Zuerlein on waivers.
From RotoBaller
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed (chest) is listed as questionable for Sunday night's game against the Kansas City Chiefs. The rookie dealt with the injury last week but was able to play, but he did miss two practices this week before getting in a limited session on Friday. Reed has been a mainstay of the Packers' offense over the past three weeks, tallying 164 yards on 13 receptions and scoring two receiving touchdowns while adding five carries for 62 yards and an additional score on the ground. The matchup is not great this weekend, with the Chiefs allowing the seventh-fewest fantasy points per game to wide receivers and the fourth-fewest yards gained. With that said, due to how hot the rookie has been for fantasy purposes, consider Reed a flex option for Sunday night football if active. Romeo Doubs would be the best available pivot option if needed.
From RotoBaller
The New York Jets surrendered 28 points to the Miami Dolphins last week but managed to record two sacks, a fumble recovery, two interceptions, and a defensive touchdown in the loss. They'll face a much less threatening opponent in the Atlanta Falcons at home on Sunday. Atlanta has scored just 15 points per game on the road this season and starting quarterback Desmond Ridder has thrown eight interceptions in nine starts. The Jets D/ST offers a high ceiling against any offense, but fantasy managers should feel especially confident in its floor this week.
From RotoBaller
New York Jets quarterback Tim Boyle is set to make his second start of the season against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. The 29-year-old struggled for much of his Week 12 performance but did manage to connect with wide receiver Garrett Wilson for a touchdown. He does have a favorable matchup this week with the Falcons surrendering the eighth-most fantasy points per game to the quarterback position. Still, it's extremely difficult to trust Boyle and the Jets' offense at the moment. Fantasy managers should view him as a desperation QB2 in superflex leagues.
From RotoBaller
New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson scored his third touchdown of the season last week and will hope to make another trip to the end zone against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. Unfortunately for Wilson, Atlanta has been stout against opposing receivers, surrendering the ninth-fewest fantasy points per contest to the position. Wilson has shown that he has the talent to produce regardless of who is under center, but New York's offense will be especially difficult to rely on with Tim Boyle starting at quarterback once again. While fantasy managers continue to hope for the return of Aaron Rodgers (Achilles), Wilson should only be viewed as a WR3 or flex option.
From RotoBaller
New York Jets tight end Tyler Conklin earned five targets from quarterback Tim Boyle last week and should stay involved against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 13. Conklin will hope to capitalize on this matchup as the Falcons have surrendered the sixth-most fantasy points per game to tight ends. With six teams on bye this week, fantasy managers may be forced to check the waiver wire for a starting option. Expectations for the Jets' offense should remain low, but Conklin can be played in a pinch.
From RotoBaller
New England Patriots rookie wide receiver Kayshon Boutte (illness, shoulder) has been ruled out for the Week 13 contest on Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers. In addition to Boutte, fellow rookie receiver Demario Douglas (concussion), who had become the team's top target with Kendrick Bourne (knee) done for the year, will also be unavailable this weekend. It means an already terrible offense that is now turning to Bailey Zappe at quarterback will be down to JuJu Smith-Schuster, DeVante Parker and Tyquan Thornton as their starting wideouts. Boutte, 21, will now miss his ninth game of the year. At best, he's a stash candidate in dynasty/keeper leagues. The sixth-round pick has two catches for 19 yards in the three games he's played in.
From RotoBaller
Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander (shoulder), outside linebacker De'Vondre Campbell (neck), free safety Rudy Ford (biceps, groin), cornerback Robert Rochell (calf) and safety Darnell Savage (calf) are all questionable for Week 13 against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. Cornerback Eric Stokes (hamstring) is doubtful. Alexander has played in only five games so far in 2023 and has missed the last three contests, but he has a chance at returning this weekend. Campbell missed the Thanksgiving win over the Detroit Lions last week after hurting his neck in Week 11, but he, too, has a shot at playing on Sunday. The Packers D is going to need all the help they can get to slow down the Chiefs in Week 13. Fantasy managers should be avoiding the Packers' defense/special teams unit.
From RotoBaller
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Marquise Goodwin (concussion) was unable to practice all week and was officially ruled out for the Week 13 game on Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams. It's been a lost first year in Cleveland, as he's now set to miss his fourth straight game due to a concussion. The 33-year-old has appeared in only eight games for Cleveland in 2023 and has been an afterthought on offense with a total of seven touches for 43 scrimmage yards. He is completely off the fantasy radar until further notice. Goodwin will hope to finally clear the NFL's concussion protocol next week and play in Week 14 against the Jacksonville Jaguars next Sunday, Dec. 10.
From RotoBaller
Miami Dolphins kicker Jason Sanders had an eight-week streak of single-digit fantasy outcomes until the last two weeks. In Week 12, Sanders made a 38 and 54-yard field goal while making all four of his extra-point attempts. The Dolphins offense is likely to turn in a big week against a weak Commanders defense and Sanders will benefit from the extra point work. On top of that, they'll likely be within field goal range often in this game so Sanders is bound to at least get a couple of opportunities. He can be considered a solid streaming option in this matchup.
From RotoBaller
Cleveland Browns All-Pro edge rusher Myles Garrett (shoulder) was a full participant in practice on Friday and has been removed from the final Week 13 injury report, so he will play on Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams. Meanwhile, top cornerback Denzel Ward (shoulder) missed practice all week and will miss his second straight game. The Browns remain a little short-handed in the secondary for the second straight week with Ward sidelined, but it's great news that they will have their best pass-rusher on the field as they look to beat the Rams on the road. Cleveland's D allowed 29 points in the loss to the Denver Broncos last week, and although they remain strong up front, they're more of a low-end defensive unit for starting lineups in Week 13. Garrett should remain in all IDP lineups now that he's cleared to play.
From RotoBaller
The Miami Dolphins defense/special teams posted their best fantasy game of the season in Week 12 as they posted 23 points from seven sacks, two interceptions, a touchdown, and only seven points allowed. Their matchup in Week 13, the Washington Commanders, is ranked 28th in terms of fantasy points given up to opposing defenses. These defensive units are averaging 10.3 fantasy points per game against the Commanders and this secondary is bound to force some turnovers from Sam Howell. They come in a strong streaming option in Week 13.
From RotoBaller
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth dominated in Week 12 and will hope to find similar success against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. The Cardinals have held opposing tight ends in check for much of the season but did surrender two touchdowns to the Rams' Tyler Higbee last week. With quarterback Kenny Pickett targeting the middle of the field more frequently in a revamped offense, Freiermuth should be heavily involved once again. Fantasy managers should fire up the 25-year-old as a top-10 option this week.
From RotoBaller
New England Patriots running back Ezekiel Elliott (thigh) is currently listed as questionable for the Week 13 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers. The veteran back has been limited in practice all week. That being said, Elliott appears to be trending in the right direction towards this weekend's game. However, his role in the offense has taken a hit as of late. Regardless of his status, Elliott isn't much of a fantasy option right now. His absence would just mean an increased workload for Rhamondre Stevenson in the backfield.
From RotoBaller
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle is fresh off of an eight-catch, 114-yard game against one of the toughest secondaries in the league. He and Tyreek Hill received enough work to both finish within the top 16 at receiver in Week 12. Now that they play against the second-worst defense against opposing receivers, they're even more likely to register a similar finish. Waddle can be considered a strong WR2 with some WR1 upside in this matchup.
From RotoBaller
Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell drilled all three of his field goal attempts and was successful on his lone extra-point try of a Week 12 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. He'll look to stay busy against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. Pittsburgh showed signs of life on offense last week and could keep rolling with Arizona surrendering 26.8 points per contest this season. With six teams on bye this week, Boswell can be added and streamed by fantasy managers in need of a starter.
From RotoBaller