Mon Dec 1 4:25pm ET
Field Level Media
The New York Giants welcome quarterback Jaxson Dart back to the lineup for Monday night's game in Foxborough, Mass., where the red-hot New England Patriots are facing their biggest injury adversity of the season.
It's a big game for the 10-2 Patriots to keep distance ahead of the Buffalo Bills (8-4) in the AFC East, while the 2-10 Giants are seeking some positive vibes following another week with a coaching change.
ODDS AND TRENDS
New England is a consensus 7.0-point favorite, although the line was sitting at 7.5 at several major sportsbooks Monday afternoon. BetRivers, where the line has held at 7.0, reported a nearly even split with 51% of the spread-line money backing the Patriots.
The 46.5 total points line has seen 64% of the money back the Under, while 70% of the total bets have supported the Over. The book reported that each of New England's past four home games against NFC opponents have gone Over the total points line.
INSIDE EDGE
The Patriots have allowed only two rushing touchdowns to running backs this season, tied for the fewest in the NFL, according to Inside Edge's Remarkable Engine. Meanwhile, New England's offense leads the league with a 34.2% conversation rate on third downs of 10-plus yards this season.
KEY STAT
The Giants will seek their first road victory since Week 5 of last season, when they beat Seattle 29-20. New York has lost 12 straight road games since then.
PROP PICKS
--Dart Under 26.5 Rushing Yards (-117 at BetRivers): Dart has rushed for 54+ yards in five of his seven starts. He is also coming off a concussion that sidelined him for the past two games, and the Giants want their young star to learn how to avoid the big hits he has absorbed far too often as a rookie.
--Patriots QB Drake Maye 2+ TD Passes (-185 at DraftKings): There are significant concerns about his pass protection this week, but Maye is also facing the league's 30th-ranked scoring defense. Maye has thrown multiple touchdowns eight times this season, although he has been held to just one in each of his past two games. Through the first 12 weeks of this season, Maye leads the NFL with 3,130 passing yards and a 71.0 completion percentage. His 21 passing touchdowns rank fifth.
INJURY REPORT
New England's offense will be without starting left tackle Will Campbell and starting left guard Jared Wilson.
Campbell, the fourth pick in the 2025 draft, was placed on injured reserve Wednesday after he reportedly sustained an MCL sprain last Sunday in the 26-20 victory over Cincinnati. He will miss at least the next four games. Wilson (ankle) will not play Sunday, New England coach Mike Vrabel told reporters Wednesday.
New England quarterback Drake Maye has been sacked 37 times this season -- third most in the NFL -- and Vrabel said New York's defensive line presents plenty of challenges.
"I think 57 of the 66 quarterback hits come from those guys up front," he said. "Three edge guys with (Brian) Burns, (Kayvon) Thibodeaux, (Abdul) Carter. Obviously what Big Dex (Dexter Lawrence II) can do inside and (Roy) Robertson-Harris. So, those guys are certainly impactful players that have to be accounted for every play. They rotate them through there pretty good, and so there's a lot of juice there. There's a lot of disruption."
Lawrence (elbow) practiced on a limited basis Saturday and didn't receive an injury designation. Thibodeaux (shoulder) sat out practice all week and will miss his third straight game.
Four Giants were listed as questionable - linebackers Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (neck/knee), Swayze Bozeman (hip) and Victor Dimukeje (knee) and cornerback Korie Black (bicep).
In addition to Wilson, safety Brenden Schooler (ankle) was ruled out for New England. Linebacker Harold Landry (knee) and defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga (chest) are questionable
GIANTS' D IN NEW HANDS
New York fired defensive coordinator Shane Bowen last Monday, 12 games into his second season in that role. Outside linebackers coach Charlie Bullen was named as the interim replacement.
"The results just weren't where we wanted them to be and so Charlie's going to step up for us and rally the group," interim head coach Mike Kafka said. "The defensive staff will rally around Charlie and put together a great plan. I got a lot of confidence in the room and a lot of confidence in our staff to do that."
New York enters the game against the Patriots ranked 32nd among NFL teams in rushing defense, 23rd in passing defense and 30th in scoring defense.
PREDICTION
The spread is big considering the significant injury concerns along a Patriots offensive line that has struggled in pass protection even when healthy. With temperatures expected to be in the low-30s by kickoff, offense could be at a bit of a premium and the Giants have been unable to play four solid quarters on the road all season. --Patriots 23, Giants 20
Five Fantasy Takeaways: Week 13
Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn said on Monday that quarterback Jayden Daniels (elbow) has not been cleared for contact, and he does not expect to make a final decision on the QB's Week 14 status until Friday, according to Tashan Reed of The Washington Post. Quinn added that Daniels is going through "functional movements" this week as the next step for his return to action following a gruesome dislocation of his left (non-throwing) elbow in Week 9. The second-year signal-caller has a chance to return in Week 14 against the Minnesota Vikings, but his status still seems very much up in the air, and with the Commanders well out of the playoff picture, it doesn't make sense for the organization to rush their franchise QB back. We'll have a better idea of Daniels' Week 14 status later this week, but we wouldn't be surprised if Marcus Mariota makes another start this weekend.
From RotoBaller
Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said on Monday that even though wide receiver Jayden Reed (foot, shoulder) is back at practice, he has to be given medical clearance to play, according to Rob Demovsky of ESPN. "The plan is to see where he's at by the end of the week," LaFleur said. Reed has been back at practice for over a week now, but he's still up in the air to be officially activated from Injured Reserve to play in a big Week 14 divisional game against the Chicago Bears. The 25-year-old is recovering from a broken foot that required surgery and a broken collarbone that he suffered back in Week 2. Reed should have a key role eventually in Green Bay's offense, and his nose for the end zone (18 total touchdowns through two-plus seasons) makes him a stash candidate in fantasy football leagues. However, expect Reed to be eased back into the Packers' offense when he's finally activated.
From RotoBaller
Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales said on Monday that the team expects to get Pro Bowl cornerback Jaycee Horn (concussion) back after their Week 14 bye, according to David Newton of ESPN. Horn suffered a concussion in Week 12 and did not suit up for a surprising Week 13 victory over the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. The 26-year-old defensive back will have an extra week to rest during the team's bye, though, and the team is hoping he'll be ready to return in Week 15 against the division-rival New Orleans Saints. Getting Horn back will be a massive boost to the Panthers' defense, as he's played at a Pro Bowl level in 2025 with 25 tackles (15 solo), a career-high five interceptions, and six pass breakups in 12 starts. The Panthers' defense/special teams unit will be a popular streaming option in Week 15 in the first week of the fantasy playoffs in most leagues.
From RotoBaller
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said on Monday that defensive end Trey Hendrickson (hip) remains week-to-week and is doubtful to play in Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills in Week 14, per ESPN's Ben Baby. Hendrickson aggravated a hip injury in the Week 8 loss to the New York Jets and has missed the last four games. The 30-year-old All-Pro pass-rusher is on track to miss a fifth straight game, and it's fair to wonder if he'll end up having season-ending surgery on his hip instead of waiting until the offseason. The four-time Pro Bowler has been a huge disappointment for fantasy managers in IDP formats this year after he had back-to-back 17.5-sack seasons in both 2023 and 2024. Hendrickson has played in seven games in 2025 and has 16 tackles (11 solo), four sacks, eight QB hits, and a forced fumble.
From RotoBaller
Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said on Monday that he didn't have an update on quarterback Deshaun Watson (Achilles), and the team has yet to open his 21-day practice window as he continues to rehab while on the Physically Unable to Perform list. The 30-year-old is making progress from a torn right Achilles that he re-ruptured in January, but he's still not ready to practice with the rest of the team and is a long shot to take any snaps under center for the Browns this year. Watson will be in the final season of a five-year, $230 million guaranteed deal in 2026, but the expectation is that he won't play for the Browns again. Cleveland started the year with veteran Joe Flacco under center before trading him to the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals. Rookie Dillon Gabriel got his chance as the starting QB before suffering a concussion, opening the door for Shedeur Sanders to take the gig the last two weeks. If he plays well enough, Sanders could finish the year as the Browns' QB.
From RotoBaller
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said on Monday that wide receiver Tee Higgins (concussion) is still in the league's concussion protocol, according to Ben Baby of ESPN. Higgins suffered a concussion late in the Week 12 loss to the New England Patriots and was ruled out on a short week in last Thursday night's Thanksgiving Day win over the Baltimore Ravens. The 26-year-old is still in the concussion protocol, but that doesn't mean he won't be cleared later this week in order to play on Sunday, Dec. 7, versus the Buffalo Bills. Fantasy managers will want to keep a close eye on Higgins' practice status from Wednesday through Friday. If Higgins is forced to miss a second straight game, both Andrei Iosivas and Mitchell Tinsley will take on elevated roles in the passing game again behind target hog Ja'Marr Chase. Higgins has 40 receptions (70 targets) for 575 yards and seven touchdowns this year.
From RotoBaller
Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said on Monday that running back Justice Hill (neck) will be out three to four weeks with a disc issue in his neck, but there's still a chance that he will return this year, according to Jonas Shaffer of The Baltimore Sun. Hill injured his neck in practice early last week and landed on Injured Reserve before the Thanksgiving Day loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday night. The 28-year-old pass-catching back will miss at least three more games, but he will be eligible to return from IR in Week 17 on the road at Lambeau Field against the Green Bay Packers. Keaton Mitchell was starting to take on a bigger role behind starter Derrick Henry even before Hill was injured, so if he does return before the end of the 2025 regular season, Hill could be Baltimore's RB3 on passing downs. He only has 18 rushing attempts on the year for 93 yards and two TDs, adding 169 receiving yards and one score.
From RotoBaller
Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry carried the ball only 10 times in a primetime Thanksgiving loss to the Bengals. In a season that has not played out as most had prognosticated for the Ravens, this marked the fourth time that Henry was held to 12 carries or fewer. While it was the first such occurrence since a Week 4 loss to the Chiefs, head coach John Harbaugh stressed on Monday that he wants the Ravens to be a running team. With quarterback Lamar Jackson clearly hampered by a growing list of ailments, much of that identity will presumably fall on Henry's shoulders. Henry himself has also visibly lost a step from his fantasy MVP days, but he has still been a serviceable RB1 for most of the season, and if given a full workload, especially as temperatures drop and the frequency of on-field business decisions increases, he remains one of the safest plays in fantasy.
From RotoBaller
Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said on Monday that wide receiver Drake London (knee) is moving to "day-to-day" this week and "certainly has a chance" to play this weekend against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 14, according to Tori McElhaney of AtlantaFalcons.com. London has missed the team's last two games due to a PCL sprain in his knee, but the 24-year-old is making progress and could be active this weekend if he can do enough in practice this week to be cleared. It would be a huge boost for the 4-8 Falcons, but considering they aren't in playoff contention, it doesn't make sense for the team to rush their best receiver back. London will be a must-start in fantasy football when he returns, but his ceiling will be lowered with veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins running the offense for the rest of the year. London has a 60-810-6 line on 94 targets in nine games played in 2025.
From RotoBaller
Still in the NFL's concussion protocol, Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (concussion) is symptom-free, according to head coach Kevin O'Connell. McCarthy will need to log a full practice on Wednesday to clear the league's protocol, but barring unforeseen circumstances, O'Connell has said he will start the team's Week 14 game against the Commanders. McCarthy reported concussion symptoms following a Week 12 loss to the Packers, and in his absence, the Vikings turned to undrafted rookie Max Brosmer, who led them to a disastrous loss to the Seahawks. Brosmer threw for under 130 yards with zero touchdowns and four interceptions. While the subpar play of McCarthy has had a profoundly negative impact on Justin Jefferson and the rest of the Vikings' pass catchers, Sunday represented rock bottom. Jefferson's four receiving yards marked a career low that was undoubtedly felt by fantasy managers fighting for a playoff spot, but with McCarthy expected back under center for Week 14, Jefferson slots back in as a low-end WR2/Flex, far from the must-start status he generally carries into the fantasy playoffs.
From RotoBaller
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (ankle) was not present for the team's Monday practice after exiting early from a Thanksgiving loss to the Packers. He has since been diagnosed with a low-ankle sprain, casting doubt on his availability for a Week 14 matchup with the Cowboys that now carries heavy playoff implications. With only one week remaining in most fantasy regular seasons, the extra rest after Thursday night's game could put him back in play for another must-win Week 15 affair with the Rams. St. Brown's rare combination of consistency and ceiling has once again made him one of the most valuable fantasy assets of 2025, so any missed time in the fantasy playoffs would be a difficult blow to overcome. With St. Brown sidelined for nearly the entire game on Thursday, Jameson Williams recorded a career-high 144 receiving yards, and although much harder to trust than his All-Pro teammate, he remains a must-start for as long as St. Brown is out.
From RotoBaller
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders threw for 149 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions in a Week 13 loss to the 49ers, and head coach Kevin Stefanski is pleased with the progress of his rookie signal-caller. In speaking with the media on Monday, Stefanski said that Sanders had some really good moments but also some plays he would want back. Sunday marked Sanders' second career start and his third appearance of the season. While his yards per attempt were down considerably from his Week 12 win over the Raiders, it was the first time he completed more than 60% of his passes, while also avoiding a turnover for the first time in his young career. Sanders has already been named the starter for the Browns' Week 14 matchup with the Titans, and though he is still far from consideration in most fantasy formats, a promising showing against a struggling Tennessee squad could help to cement his role and boost his dynasty value, especially in Superflex leagues.
From RotoBaller
Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales was really impressed with how running back Chuba Hubbard looked in Sunday's upset victory over the visiting Los Angeles Rams, according to Joe Person of The Athletic. "I just love the way Chuba went right back to work. He looked amazing," Canales said. Hubbard led the Panthers with 83 rushing yards (4.9 yards per carry) on one fewer rushing attempt (17) than Rico Dowdle, and he also caught both of his targets for 41 yards and a touchdown. The 26-year-old's 59% snap share was his highest number since back in Week 3, before he missed time due to injury and lost RB1 duties to Dowdle. It was the first time that Hubbard had over 100 scrimmage yards this year and the first time he scored since Week 8. Hubbard's TD came on a 35-yard screen pass in the first quarter. The Panthers will be on bye in Week 14, but it's possible Hubbard shares more of the backfield with Dowdle for a Week 15 divisional date with the Saints.
From RotoBaller
Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said on Monday that rookie running back Dylan Sampson (calf) is being considered day-to-day after suffering a calf injury in Sunday's loss to the San Francisco 49ers in Week 13, according to Zac Jackson of The Athletic. Sampson was injured in the third quarter of the 26-8 loss and never returned, giving way for Jerome Ford to see more work as the RB2 behind rookie starter Quinshon Judkins. Before leaving, the 21-year-old had four carries for 23 yards on the ground. It sounds like Sampson will have a chance to play in Week 14 against the Tennessee Titans, but it will depend on how much he's able to do in practice this week. Sampson doesn't have any standalone fantasy value while working behind Judkins in Cleveland's backfield, but he's a viable handcuff in deeper leagues. The Tennessee product has averaged just 2.7 yards per carry on 42 rushing attempts in his first 12 NFL games and has yet to score a rushing touchdown in 2025.
From RotoBaller
Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald said on Seattle Sports on Monday that quarterback Sam Darnold (ankle) had a little bit of an ankle issue during Sunday's blowout win over the Minnesota Vikings, but that he "should be good to go" for Week 14 against the Atlanta Falcons, according to Gregg Bell of The Tacoma News Tribune. Darnold was seen going into the medical tent on the sideline several times on Sunday, but the injury wasn't serious, and it shouldn't keep the 28-year-old from playing this weekend. He didn't need to do much in the easy 26-0 win over the Vikings, as Darnold went 14-for-26 passing for a season-low 128 yards, no touchdowns, and no interceptions in Week 13. Darnold should be able to bounce back against Atlanta and will be in play as a QB streamer in fantasy football as long as he doesn't aggravate his ankle issue.
From RotoBaller
The Minnesota Vikings do not think that running back Aaron Jones Sr. (shoulder) suffered a serious shoulder injury in Sunday's blowout loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 13, and he is likely to be considered day-to-day, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Jones injured his shoulder in the third quarter on Sunday and never returned in the 26-0 loss. Jordan Mason took over the bulk of the backfield duties the rest of the way, with Zavier Scott backing him up. The 30-year-old Jones finished with only six carries for three yards (and a lost fumble) while catching all four of his targets for 22 yards through the air. Jones' injury isn't serious, but fantasy managers will want to keep a close eye on his practice status this week as the team heads into a Week 14 clash against the Commanders. Even if Jones can play against Washington, he could cede more work to Mason in Minnesota's backfield if he's not 100%.
From RotoBaller
Houston Texans rookie wide receiver Jayden Higgins is deserving of more attention off the waiver wire as he cements himself as the team's WR2 behind Nico Collins for the final stretch of the season. In the 20-16 win over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, Higgins caught all five of his targets for 65 yards, which was second behind only Collins. It was another solid showing for the 22-year-old pass-catcher out of Iowa State after he had four catches on a season-high nine targets for 38 yards and his fourth touchdown of the year in last week's win over the Buffalo Bills on Thursday night. It was nice to see Higgins show plenty of chemistry in quarterback C.J. Stroud's first game back from a three-game absence due to a concussion. He now has 32 receptions for 359 yards and four TDs in his first 12 games, and Higgins should be viewed as an ascending WR4/flex option for fantasy managers going into a Week 14 showdown against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday Night Football.
From RotoBaller
Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said on Monday that wide receiver Jalen McMillan (neck) could start doing more in practice this week, according to Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com. McMillan is still on Injured Reserve and has not played at all in 2025 after suffering multiple neck fractures and ligament damage during a preseason game back in mid-August. Fellow wideout Mike Evans (collarbone) could also do more in practice this week and potentially return for a Week 14 divisional clash against the New Orleans Saints. McMillan isn't as far along as Evans, so the 23-year-old probably won't be ready to return from IR this weekend. McMillan was expected to have a role in Tampa's passing attack this year before his serious injury in the summer, but expectations should be tempered for him if he's able to return, especially after the strong contributions from rookies Emeka Egbuka and Tez Johnson in his absence.
From RotoBaller
Rico Dowdle rushed for only 58 yards on 18 carries during Week 13's 31-28 upset win over the Los Angeles Rams. The Carolina RB also added 21 receiving yards on two receptions, totaling 9.9 PPR points. It was the first time since Weeks 7-8 that Dowdle ended back-to-back games with less than 12 PPR points. For the first time since being named the starting RB in Week 9, Dowdle was outplayed by Chuba Hubbard, who registered 20.4 PPR points on 124 scrimmage yards and a receiving touchdown. The workload between the two RBs was split, and Hubbard took the most snaps (59%). In Week 15, Dowdle and the Panthers face the New Orleans Saints for the second time this season after a bye. In the last four weeks leading up to Week 13, the Saints ranked 13th in Fantasy Points Per Game allowed to RBs. During the Panthers' prior game against New Orleans in Week 10, Dowdle finished with 63 scrimmage yards and a rushing TD. With the possibility of Dowdle now being in a timeshare with Hubbard, he cannot be regarded as a must-start player regardless of matchup anymore. But he should still be a good start against the Saints, because the surprising Panthers may totally control the flow of the matchup. If Carolina rolls to a big win, you should see Dowdle get into the end zone at least once.
From RotoBaller
Tetairoa McMillan wasn't very busy in Week 13, but still made a notable impact in the Panthers' stunning 31-28 victory over the Los Angeles Rams. The rookie WR was targeted just twice, his lowest target count of the season. However, McMillan caught a 43-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter that proved to be the game-clinching score. McMillan has now caught TD passes in three consecutive games, and he finished Week 13 with 11.3 PPR points. In Week 15, after a bye, Carolina will face the New Orleans Saints in a Week 10 rematch. In the first meeting against the Saints, McMillan finished with 60 yards on five receptions. New Orleans ranked 20th in Fantasy Points Per Game allowed to WRs in the four weeks leading up to Week 13. Although he did not see much volume in Week 13, McMillan has a favorable matchup in Week 15, where he is likely to see more targets. Due to his solid fantasy floor this season, McMillan is worth considering as a WR3 or flex start.
From RotoBaller