

Mon Jan 5 12:13am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer

Stevenson scores three times
That was quite the finish to the regular season, capped off by an epic Sunday night game between the Ravens and Steelers. But this week showed why Week 18 can be so uncertain for fantasy owners. Several teams rested starters and others pulled players after opening the game in the starting lineup. It caused plenty of fantasy headaches. The good news is we still had some huge fantasy games this last week. Hopefully, you had some of those players on your roster if you were still playing this week.
Bucs 16, Panthers 14
Fantasy Stud: Cade Otton. Otton was the surprise leading receiver for the Bucs. He had seven receptions for 94 yards and a touchdown. His yardage total was a season high. Otton had a season-high 22.4 fantasy points in the game. It was the first time he hit double-digit fantasy points since Week 10.
Fantasy Dud: Rico Dowdle. There were a lot of fantasy duds in this one but we’ll give it to Dowdle, who most thought would get a heavy workload in this matchup. He ran seven times for just 10 yards and caught two passes for 20 yards. He also lost a fumble, finishing with four fantasy points. It was Dowdle’s worst game since Week 2 of the season.
Game Notes: With Ja’Tavion Sanders out, Tommy Tremble had a much bigger role in the game. He had three receptions for 38 yards and a touchdown.
Seahawks 13, 49ers 3
Fantasy Stud: Zach Charbonnet. Charbonnet had 17 carries for 74 yards and a touchdown. He also had three receptions for 23 yards. He has found the end zone three straight games for the Seahawks. Charbonnet finishes the season with 12 rushing touchdowns.
Fantasy Dud: Brock Purdy. There were a lot of bad fantasy performances from the 49ers but Purdy might have been the most disappointing. He had been red hot but was just 19-of-27 for 127 yards with an interception. He scored just 7.45 fantasy points. Purdy had 30-plus points three straight games before this poor showing.
Game Notes: Kenneth Walker topped 100 total yards, finishing with 133 total yards. He ran 16 times for 97 yards and caught four passes for 36 yards.
Jaguars 41, Titans 7
Fantasy Stud: Parker Washington. Washington continued his red-hot ways, catching five passes for 87 yard and a touchdown. He scored 19.7 fantasy points, giving him three straight games with 19-plus points. Washington has been the go-to target for the Jaguars passing game down the stretch.
Fantasy Dud: Tony Pollard. Pollard had really picked up his play in recent weeks but struggled in this one. He ran 15 times for just 48 yards and caught two passes for 18 yards. Pollard failed to hit double-digit fantasy points for the first time since Week 13. He had four straight games with double-digit fantasy points before this showing.
Game Notes: Trevor Lawrence didn’t even play the full game but had his usual great numbers. He was 22-of-30 for 255 yards and three touchdowns without a turnover.
Vikings 16, Packers 3
Fantasy Stud: Justin Jefferson. Jefferson had his third 100-yard game of the season and first since Week 5. He had eight receptions for 101 yards on 11 targets. He went over 1,000 yards for the season with his big performance to end his season.
Fantasy Dud: Matthew Golden. Golden got the start and was expected to serve as the top receiver for the Packers this week with the team resting starters. This didn’t lead to a big game, though. He had just a catch for eight yards. It was almost a fitting finish to his disappointing rookie season.
Game Notes: J.J. McCarthy was unable to finish the game because of a hand injury. He was playing well before leaving, going 14-of-23 for 182 yards.
Browns 20, Bengals 18
Fantasy Stud: Ja’Marr Chase. Chase had another one of his big games. He caught eight passes for 96 yards and a touchdown. He found the end zone for the second straight game. He had a huge finish to his season, scoring 20-plus points three of his last four games. And he had 19.9 fantasy points in the game he failed to reach 20.
Fantasy Dud: Shedeur Sanders. Sanders struggled to do much in this one, which looked like a favorable matchup for him. He finished just 11-of-22 for 111 yards without a touchdown or an interception. Sanders scored just 7.15 fantasy points. He didn’t exactly cement himself as the franchise starter with his play this year. It will be interesting to see who is under center for the Browns in 2026.
Game Notes: Chase Brown scored a touchdown for the third straight game. He ran 13 times for 72 yards and caught four passes for 18 yards and a touchdown.
Giants 34, Cowboys 17
Fantasy Stud: Tyrone Tracy. Tracy had a huge dual-threat performance to end his season. He ran 18 times for 103 yards. Tracy also had eight receptions for 56 yards and a touchdown. He finished with 159 total yards and a score. Tracy scored a season-high 28.9 fantasy points.
Fantasy Dud: Dak Prescott. He didn’t play the full game with the Cowboys playing for nothing, but you still expected Prescott to produce a little better. He failed to score a touchdown in this game, going 7-of-11 for just 70 yards. He still had a great year but his finish was a little disappointing for any fantasy team that used him in Week 18.
Game Notes: Jaydon Blue got his most work as a pro, getting a chance to start. He ran pretty well, rushing 16 times for 64 yards and a touchdown.
Falcons 19, Saints 17
Fantasy Stud: Drake London. London had four receptions for 78 yards and a touchdown. It was good to see London get it going again since doing little the last several weeks. He had not reached double-digit fantasy points since Week 11. London had 17.8 points in this one. Injuries derailed what looked like a career-best season for London.
Fantasy Dud: Bijan Robinson. Robinson was really quiet in a game he got plenty of work. He ran 15 times for just 33 yards and caught three passes for 10 yards. It was an unexpected showing, especially after his huge game the previous week. Robinson still had a monster season and is likely to be the top overall pick for many fantasy owners next season.
Game Notes: Tyler Shough was 23-of-35 for 259 yards and a touchdown with an interception. He also ran in a score, finishing with 25.35 fantasy points.
Texans 38, Colts 30
Fantasy Stud: Alec Pierce. Pierce had a huge game, catching four passes for 132 yards. And he missed much of the second half after getting ejected for making contact with an official. He could have posted even better numbers. Pierce scored 29.2 fantasy points, which was a season best for him. He had 24-plus points two of his last three games.
Fantasy Dud: Michael Pittman. Pittman played his usual snaps and his team had plenty of success throwing the ball, but Pittman didn’t do much. He had just two receptions for 20 yards. You expected better from the Colts No. 1 receiver with the team having so much success throwing the ball.
Game Notes: Riley Leonard got his first NFL start and played a solid game. He was 21-of-34 for 281 yards and two touchdowns with an interception.
Bills 35, Jets 8
Fantasy Stud: Mitchell Trubisky. Trubsiky had a huge game, getting a chance to serve as the Bills starter. He was 22-of-29 for 259 yards and four touchdowns without a turnover. It was an impressive performance from the backup quarterback. Maybe this gets him a chance to start again next season.
Fantasy Dud: Adonai Mitchell. There was some hope for Mitchell to have a decent game, getting a chance to serve as the top target for the Jets again against the backups for the Bills. Well, Mitchell didn’t catch a pass in this game. He was targeted three times but was unable to connect on any of them.
Game Notes: Ray Davis had a monster game, rushing 21 times for 151 yards. He also had two receptions for 23 yards and another touchdown.
Patriots 38, Dolphins 10
Fantasy Stud: Rhamondre Stevenson. Stevenson is red hot right now for the Patriots. He found the end zone three times in this game on just nine touches. He ran seven times for 131 yards and two touchdowns. He also caught two passes for 22 yards and another score. Stevenson scored 35.3 fantasy points and has found the end zone three straight games.
Fantasy Dud: Drake Maye. Maye played his usual good game but didn’t help fantasy teams with his team scoring four rushing touchdowns. Maye was 14-of-18 for 191 yards and a touchdown without a turnover. Maye scored 17.65 fantasy points, his lowest total since Week 5.
Game Notes: TreVeyon Henderson scored multiple touchdowns for the fourth time this season. He ran 13 times for 53 yards and two touchdowns.
Rams 37, Cardinals 20
Fantasy Stud: Puka Nacua. Nacua had another one of his game-changing performances. He had 10 receptions for 76 yards and a touchdown. Nacua scored 26 fantasy points. He has 26-plus points four of his last five games to end his season. Nacua had a monster season.
Fantasy Dud: Kyren Williams. Williams played fine but had a pretty quiet fantasy performance in a game that the Rams racked up the fantasy points. Williams ran 12 times for 60 yards and caught three passes for 21 yards. It was a ho-hum performance from the Rams top back.
Game Notes: Matthew Stafford was back to his MVP ways this week. He was 25-of-40 for 259 yards and four touchdowns without a turnover.
Lions 19, Bears 16
Fantasy Stud: Colston Loveland. Loveland had a monster game and was the clear top target for the Bears passing game. He had 10 receptions for 91 yards and a touchdown 13 targets. He has been targeted double-digit fantasy times each of his last two games. He has 21-plus fantasy points each of those two games.
Fantasy Dud: Luther Burden. There were some high expectations for Burden but he was not much of a factor. Burden had three receptions for 35 yards. It was his lowest catch total since Week 12. He just wasn’t a huge part of the passing game as the Bears struggled to get their receivers involved.
Game Notes: Amon-Ra St. Brown had double-digit receptions for the second game this season. He had 11 catches for 139 yards on 15 targets.
Commanders 24, Eagles 17
Fantasy Stud: Tank Bigsby. Bigsby looked good as the lead back for the Eagles. He ran 16 times for 75 yards and a touchdown. He also had a 31-yard reception, giving him 106 total yards. Bigsby scored a season-high 17.6 fantasy points.
Fantasy Dud: Jacory Croskey-Merritt. With the Eagles resting many of their starters, Croskey-Merritt was an intriguing fantasy option with his recent solid play. But he didn’t even lead the Commanders in carries in this game. He ran 13 times for just 29 yards and didn’t catch a pass. He had his ups and downs his rookie season but showed some promise at times, so he could be a part of their plans next year.
Game Notes: Tanner McKee got the start and played pretty well. He was 21-of-40 for 241 yards and a touchdown with an interception.
Raiders 14, Chiefs 12
Fantasy Stud: Daniel Carlson. There were few offensive bright spots in this game, so we’ll give the stud honors to Daniel Carlson. He made four field goals, including the 60-yarder to win the game. He put up 17.7 fantasy points in most fantasy formats. It was quite the showing for Carlson.
Fantasy Dud: Travis Kelce. We really thought the Chiefs might force-feed Kelce the ball in what might be his NFL game. That didn’t happen with the Chiefs passing game struggling much of the game. Kelce finished with just three receptions for seven yards. Kelce had another great season at tight end but you would have liked to see him end on a high note.
Game Notes: Ashton Jeanty ran the ball 26 times and had three receptions. He had 29 total touches for 94 yards.
Broncos 19, Chargers 3
Fantasy Stud: Broncos defense. The offenses were almost nonexistent in this game. Denver’s defense had a dominating performance, holding the Chargers to just three points and 217 yards of total offense. Denver also had four sacks, an interception and a fumble recovery. It was a fitting finish for a defense that was very good much of the year.
Fantasy Dud: RJ Harvey. There were a ton of poor offensive showings for both teams but Harvey gets the nod for us. He ran 15 times for just 28 yards and caught a pass for five yards. Harvey had touchdowns five straight games before this showing. He also scored just 4.3 fantasy points, his lowest total since Week 10.
Game Notes: Trey Lance got the start of the Chargers and didn’t show a whole lot. He did lead the team in rushing, running nine times for 69 yards. But he threw for just 136 yards and failed to score a touchdown.
Steelers 26, Ravens 24
Fantasy Stud: Zay Flowers. Flowers made two huge plays, leading to a big fantasy performance. He had four receptions for 138 yards and two touchdowns. Flowers scored a season-high 29.8 fantasy points. He finishes the season scoring touchdowns four straight games.
Fantasy Dud: Jonnu Smith. With Darnell Washington out for the season, there was some thought Smith would see an uptick in playing time and targets. Well, that didn’t happen this week. He had just a catch for two yards and ran once for two yards. It was more of the same for Smith in Week 18, posting inconsistent numbers.
Game Notes: Derrick Henry had his fourth straight 100-yard game. He ran 20 times for 126 yards and finished with 1,595-rushing yards.
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 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
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
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
Cleveland Browns DE Myles Garrett is the 2025 Defensive Player of the Year, and despite the walkout of defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, owner Jimmy Haslam and general manager Andrew Berry aren't worried about the mindset of the star defender. 'We kept Myles abreast (of) the process throughout,' Berry said. 'So obviously he knew the news before you all did. Myles is a great team player and I'm not really worried about that.'
From TheHuddle
San Francisco 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey was named the 2025 NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award. He led the 49ers in both rushing and receiving yardage in 2025, totaling over 2,000 scrimmage yards after playing just four games in 2024.
Fantasy Spin: It was a wild season for CMC, who managed to stay mostly healthy while others around him fell like flies. He left the NFL with 413 total touches, and that's a bit of a red flag for fantasy managers heading into 2026. He has had a propensity for injury, and after such a heavy workload, the injury potential is likely for next season. Buyer beware when we get closer to draft time.
From TheHuddle
Pittsburgh Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers is reportedly refreshed after his 2025 season, and one source said Rodgers is in a much better place coming out of this year with the Steelers compared to the past two seasons with the New York Jets. The addition of former Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy in Pittsburgh, and offensive coordinator Brian Angelichio, might mean Rodgers gives it another season in Pittsburgh. Cincinnati Bengals impending free-agent QB Joe Flacco is a possibility, if Rodgers does not return, and Flacco isn't retained by the Bengals.
From TheHuddle
The Seattle Seahawks have elevated running back Cam Akers from the practice squad ahead of their Super Bowl LX matchup with the Patriots. Seattle signed the six-year veteran before a Week 13 matchup with the Vikings, and he was made active for Seattle's regular-season finale against the 49ers, seeing the field for only one snap. With Zach Charbonnet (knee) tearing his ACL in the Seahawks' Divisional Round rubber match with San Francisco, Akers was made active for the NFC Championship, again seeing the field for only one snap. Along with Akers, Seattle has activated Velus Jones Jr., though neither is expected to have any impact on the game. George Holani, who carried the ball three times for four yards against the Rams, will continue to serve as the primary backup to Kenneth Walker III.
From RotoBaller
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins is expected to be released before the start of the new league year in March. Coming off a torn Achilles tendon that ended his six-year tenure in Minnesota, Cousins signed a four-year, $180 million contract with Atlanta before the 2024 season, only to see the team select Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth pick in that year's draft. Across his 22 starts with the Falcons, Cousins has thrown 28 touchdowns to 21 interceptions, while going 12-10. By releasing him before the new league year, he will have the opportunity to sign with any team of his choosing in 2026, with some speculating that a reunion with the Vikings could be in the cards.
From RotoBaller
For much of the season, New England wide receiver Kayshon Boutte has been one of the Patriots' most reliable big-play threats, even while topping five targets only once all season. The Patriots' offense has struggled of late, and they come into what many are projecting to be a low-scoring Super Bowl LX. Given the circumstances, Boutte is unlikely to volume his way to fantasy relevance, but he has repeatedly shown up at opportune moments, pulling in over 70% of his regular-season targets despite seeing them at an average depth of 17.5 yards. In a game where nobody benefits from leaving potentially explosive plays uncalled, Boutte has a strong chance of making a game-breaking downfield play, keeping him squarely in the DFS conversation.
From RotoBaller
Seahawks veteran wide receiver Cooper Kupp has played some of his best ball of the season in Seattle's playoff wins over the 49ers and Rams, and he could be in line for another high-volume performance in Super Bowl LX. After seeing five targets or more in only five regular-season games, he's hit that mark in back-to-back games. New England has the defensive personnel to at least make things difficult for Offensive Player of the Year Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and if they are able to limit him on Sunday, Kupp suddenly becomes an integral part of a Seahawks offense that very well could struggle to run the ball. Since his mid-season trade from the Saints, Rashid Shaheed has seen only 28 targets and 16 receptions across 11 games, making a secondary option like Kupp all the more important if New England can succeed at slowing down Smith-Njigba.
From RotoBaller
Atlanta Falcons QB Kirk Cousins is expected to be released before the start of the new league year in March. That gives him a choice where or if he wants to play in the 2026 season, league sources said Saturday, Feb. 7.
Fantasy Spin: Cousins just restructured his contract, and recently he said he feels good wanted to play in 2026. It just appears that will be in another uniform, and it's uncertain if he'll be a starter or a backup.
From TheHuddle
New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson averaged 25 opportunities per game against the Texans and Broncos, but against yet another top-five defense in the Seattle Seahawks, he may see those numbers drop. New England's last two games were each played in inclement weather, with the Patriots rarely trailing, but they enter Super Bowl LX as underdogs for the first time this postseason. While Stevenson, as the superior pass protector, is still likely to see the field more than rookie TreVeyon Henderson, offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels approaches his tenth Super Bowl knowing that this game can't be won by playing things safely. Through either game script or a concerted effort to get more explosive players on the field, Stevenson, who topped eight carries only once over the final six games of the regular season, is unlikely to see the type of volume that he has in recent weeks, making him a low-floor DFS play.
From RotoBaller
Cincinnati Bengals impending free-agent QB Joe Flacco is a player that the Bengals are interested in re-signing this offseason, according to ESPN.com's Jeremy Fowler.
From TheHuddle