Fantasy Football News
Wil Lutz Looking To Keep Perfect Streak Alive Versus Bengals
Denver Broncos kicker Wil Lutz enters the team's Week 17 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday on a streak of five straight games without missing a single kick. Since having a potential game-winning field goal blocked against the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs in Week 10, Lutz has made all 11 of his field-goal attempts and all 19 of his extra points in the last five games. He's currently the No. 5 fantasy kicker in 2024 and has made 90.6% (29-for-32) of his field-goal tries over 15 games for the Broncos. He's been as reliable as they come and has pretty much been in the mix as a weekly top-12 kicking option for fantasy managers since midway through the season. The Bengals defense allows the fifth-most points per game (26.2), but they're also allowing only 6.7 fantasy points per game to kickers. Lutz may not be the best fantasy option in Week 17, but he should have a high floor.
1 hour ago
Michael Carter A Wait-And-See Play In Week 17
With injuries ahead of him on the depth chart, Arizona Cardinals running back Michael Carter has a huge range of possibilities in Week 17 against the L.A. Rams that varies from remaining on the practice squad to being the team's starter. Both James Conner (knee) and Trey Benson (ankle) are questionable to play in the game, and with Arizona officially eliminated from playoff contention, the team doesn't have much incentive to rush two players under contract next year back into action now. Last week, Carter earned 10 touches after Conner's injury, five of which were catches. He holds some streaming appeal, particularly for managers relying upon Conner, but they'll have to check in before game time Saturday to see who is active for Arizona.
1 hour ago
Michael Wilson A Desperation Option Against Rams
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Wilson is a low-end WR5 option with his team set to take on the Los Angeles Rams in Week 17. The sophomore has been one of the middle-ground receivers who is just productive enough to hold onto in deeper leagues, but without the breakout potential to warrant starting on a weekly basis. Wilson ranks 55th among PPR receivers, doesn't have a top-25 finish this year, and is now on a team playing meaningless games to close out the season. The Rams rank 24th against fantasy receivers, so there is some matchup potential, but mostly in formats with three-plus flex spots.
1 hour ago
Devaughn Vele Shouldn't Be In Starting Lineups In Week 17
Denver Broncos rookie wide receiver Devaughn Vele scored his second touchdown of the year in last Thursday night's loss to the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers, but fantasy managers should have more reliable options to choose from for their flex spot this Saturday when the Broncos take on the Cincinnati Bengals on the road. The Bengals defense is ripe for the picking -- they allow 26.2 points per game -- but Vele's lack of consistent opportunities in Denver's passing attack make him far too risky to rely on with championships on the line in most fantasy leagues in Week 17. While the 27-year-old seventh-round selection did find paydirt in LA last week, he only caught two passes for 21 yards. The previous week in the win over the Colts, Vele failed to catch his lone target, and the week before that against Cleveland he caught only one pass for 16 yards.
1 hour ago
Marvin Mims Jr. A Risky Flex Option Despite Plus Matchup
Denver Broncos wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. has been more productive in recent weeks but will still be hard to trust in fantasy championship matchups in most leagues in Week 17 when the Broncos travel to Cincinnati to face the Bengals on Saturday in a game with huge playoff implications for both teams. Mims has scored both of his touchdowns on the year in the last five games and also has at least 40 yards in four of his last five games, including a 100-yard performance in Week 13 against the Cleveland Browns. However, the 22-year-old second-year wideout played a season-high 47% of the snaps in last week's loss to the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers, and the most targets he's seen in a game in 2024 is five. Mims has plenty of big-play ability with the ball in his hands and will be facing a vulnerable Bengals defense, but his lack of consistent involvement in the offense makes him a flex play to avoid in most leagues.
1 hour ago
DeeJay Dallas Not A Recommended Option In Week 17
Arizona Cardinals running back DeeJay Dallas may see some added snaps on Saturday since James Conner (knee) and Trey Benson (ankle) are both considered questionable. Dallas received one target and no carries in their last game against the Panthers, but he did turn it into a touchdown. That was his first offensive touchdown since 2021. The last time he started a game was in 2020 with the Seahawks, and his two starts produced mixed results. The Los Angeles Rams are in the middle of the pack against the opposing backfields as they allow 20.0 fantasy points per game in half-PPR formats. Dallas, even if he gets extra opportunities, isn't a reliable option for fantasy managers looking to win their championship.
1 hour ago
Chad Ryland Outside Starting Range In Week 17
For at least another week, Chad Ryland will maintain the starting kicker role with the Arizona Cardinals, but managers should still look for another option with the Cards playing the Los Angeles Rams in Week 17. The second-year kicker has filled in nicely for the injured Matt Prater (knee), connecting on 25 of 29 field-goal attempts and all 21 extra points. Though Ryland's performance hasn't been the issue, Arizona is beaten up at running back with both James Conner (knee) and Trey Benson (ankle), and now that they're officially eliminated from the playoffs, this is a meaningless game for them. For managers still playing, seeking a better kicker situation is the smart move.
1 hour ago
Marvin Harrison Jr. Remains A Flex Play In Week 17
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. has had quite the rollercoaster ride of a rookie season, especially in terms of fantasy football. He's finished as a WR3 or better in six weeks this season but has finished outside of the top 50 in seven weeks. Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals aren't going downfield very often, which directly affects Harrison's value. In Week 17, they'll try to play spoiler against the Los Angeles Rams. While the Rams allow an average of 27.8 fantasy points per game to wideouts, their defense has improved in the second half of the season. They've only allowed one touchdown in the last two games, which leaves Harrison as a flex play in this matchup.
1 hour ago
Trey McBride Remains A TE1 Value In Week 17
Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride may still be looking for his first receiving touchdown of the season, but he sits at the TE4 on the year in half-PPR formats. In Week 16, he posted his first finish outside of TE1 territory since Week 7. After some strong words about how his team played that week, McBride is sure to bounce back against the Los Angeles Rams who give up an average of 10.5 fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends. He's received around a 25% target share through this season, and there isn't any reason for that to change. Fantasy managers can still consider McBride a must-start, especially in PPR leagues.
2 hours ago
Kyler Murray A Riskier Start In Week 17
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray has had quite the rough stretch over his past seven games and is currently the QB11 on the season. Since Week 9, he's finished as a QB1 just two times, a QB2 three times, and finished even worse in the other two. They face off against their divisional foe, the Los Angeles Rams, in Week 17, and they've been improving on the defensive side of the ball. Murray finished as the overall QB1 the last time these two teams faced off in Week 2, but the tides have changed considerably. Murray holds QB2 value going into this matchup.
2 hours ago
Geno Smith Struggles To Spark Seahawks Offense
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith threw for just 160 yards and no touchdowns in Week 17 against the Chicago Bears. Seattle's offense only scored six points on the day as a result. Smith was 17/23 passing, but three and outs and short drives characterized Seattle's day. Smith also missed several easy throws throughout the game that would have moved the chains. The output was surprising considering Smith came into Week 17 at No. 3 in passing yards in the league. Smith's dud also significantly affected Seattle's pass catchers. No one on the Seahawks surpassed four receptions or 43 receiving yards. Seattle managed to come out of the week with a much-needed win. However, it was an ugly win at that. Smith will look to lead the Seahawks to the playoffs with better numbers in Week 18 against the Los Angeles Rams.
4 hours ago
Jaxon Smith-Njigba With Massive Dud On Thursday Night
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba recorded a huge dud in Week 17 against the Chicago Bears. JSN caught three of six targets for 32 yards. The Seahawks could not get anything going on offense, and JSN suffered as a result. Quarterback Geno Smith only threw for 160 passing yards which limited the output of Seattle's pass catchers. He also missed Smith-Njigba on a couple of easy throws across the middle that would have boosted JSN's output. Smith-Njigba still led the team in targets this week as he continues to operate as the No. 1 in this offense. The dud is not concerning considering how well he had been playing recently and that the Seahawks' offense struggled as a whole. It is disappointing timing in the middle of the fantasy playoffs. For fantasy managers with championships in Week 18, Smith-Njigba should be able to bounce back against the Los Angeles Rams next week.
4 hours ago
DK Metcalf Continues Disappointing End To Season
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf did not carry his momentum from Week 16 into Week 17. Metcalf caught three passes for 42 yards on Thursday night against the Chicago Bears. In Metcalf's defense, Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith did not play well in this game. The offense only scored six points, and Smith only threw for 160 yards. It continued a tough stretch for Metcalf which includes one touchdown since Week 7 and no 100-yard receiving games over that same span. Seattle should generate more fantasy output in Week 18 against the Los Angeles Rams for fantasy managers whose championships go into next week. The conversation about Metcalf is sure to be interesting next season. He started the year hot as a top-10 wide receiver. Upon returning from his sprained MCL in Week 11, Metcalf has been borderline unplayable. The emergence of wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba has tempered Metcalf's output. However, there is plenty of volume in this offense to go around. Perhaps the knee injury hampered Metcalf more than it seemed.
4 hours ago
Noah Fant With Solid Outing On Thursday Night
Seattle Seahawks tight end Noah Fant led the team in receiving on Thursday night against the Chicago Bears. Fant was a considerable safety valve for quarterback Geno Smith all game long. The Seahawks only scored six points en route to an ugly win over the Bears. Fant was the lone bright spot. He delivered near double-digit fantasy points for any fantasy managers that threw a dart at Fant. Even so, throughout this season, Fant has been far more important to the success of the Seahawks as opposed to fantasy managers. It was nice to see him break loose a couple of times in Week 17. However, his final stat line of four receptions for 43 yards was nothing to write home about. Look for Fant's role to remain significant in Week 18. Still, Fant's touchdown upside is severely capped and Week 17 marked just his fifth-highest yardage total on the season.
4 hours ago
Zach Charbonnet Delivers Flex Value In Week 17
Seattle Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet delivered a solid floor in Week 17 against the Chicago Bears. Seattle could not get much going on offense all night long. After a fast start from Charbonnet, the Bears started to figure out Seattle's running game and limited him to just 57 rushing yards on 3.8 yards per carry. Charbonnet salvaged his fantasy day by adding three receptions for 19 yards. It was not the day many fantasy managers were hoping for. Charbonnet was in a great position to deliver RB1 value this week. His struggles were a microcosm of The Seahawks' struggle as a whole. Despite the offensive struggles, Charbonnet was the lone bright spot of the Seahawks offensive players who were likely to start in fantasy lineups this week. None of either quarterback Geno Smith or wide receivers Jaxon Smith-Njigba or DK Metcalf were usable fantasy assets this week. Charbonnet projects to remain heavily involved in Week 18 against the Rams. If running back Kenneth Walker III (ankle) were to miss another game, Charbonnet could bounce back in a big way next week.
4 hours ago
Joey Slye Not A Factor As Fantasy Playoffs Continue
New England Patriots kicker Joey Slye should be avoided in fantasy football ahead of Saturday's Week 17 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers. Slye ranks 24th among kickers in fantasy points this year, and he has gone just 1-for-2 on field goals over his last two contests. Opportunities have been somewhat hard to come by for the veteran kicker as New England isn't a major scoring threat. He does have impressive leg power, but as long as the Patriots' offense lacks dependability, its veteran kicker will stay off the fantasy radar. That's especially true this week against a Chargers squad allowing the eight-fewest fantasy points to kickers in 2024.
10 hours ago
Hunter Henry Trending Up Ahead Of Revenge Game
New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry remains a reliable fantasy option heading into Saturday's Week 17 matchup against his old team, the Los Angeles Chargers. Henry has been quite productive in his age-30 season, ranking as the overall TE9 ever since Drake Maye took over as the starting quarterback in Week 6. Even as he shares some opportunities with Austin Hooper, Henry has remained a startable tight end in most fantasy leagues. That trend should continue this week as he's coming off an impressive four-catch, 39-yard, and one-touchdown showing against the Buffalo Bills. Henry ranks as a low-end TE1 for this week's revenge game, despite Los Angeles surrendering the fourth-fewest fantasy points to opposing tight ends.
11 hours ago
Austin Hooper Carries Streaming Appeal Into Week 17
New England Patriots tight end Austin Hooper remains a viable streaming option heading into Saturday's Week 17 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers. Hooper has been one of the NFL's better backup tight ends this season, totaling 22 catches, 293 yards, and two touchdowns over his last six contests. In each of those six games, he has finished with at least three catches and at least 35 receiving yards. Since Week 10, he ranks 10th among tight ends in fantasy points per game (half-PPR), which is actually six slots higher than teammate Hunter Henry. Hooper's floor is a little lower against a Chargers defense allowing the fourth-fewest fantasy points to opposing tight ends, but his track record and usage will keep him in the mid-range TE2 tier for Week 17. Managers could justify plucking him off waivers and starting him in leagues with at least 12 teams.
11 hours ago
Kendrick Bourne Off Fantasy Radar In Most Leagues For Week 17
New England Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne has maintained a steady role within the offense, but he remains off the fantasy radar heading into Saturday's Week 17 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers. Bourne has just 11 catches for 131 yards over his last four games, and he hasn't found the end zone since Week 11 against the Los Angeles Rams. He and DeMario Douglas have played a similar number of snaps lately, but they both rank a significant distance behind Kayshon Boutte in terms of usage. That's particularly unfortunate for Bourne because he operates out wide, which is where Boutte has played 89.9 percent of his snaps. Therefore, even against a Bolts defense allowing the sixth-most fantasy points to perimeter wide receivers, Bourne can't be trusted in lineups as long as Boutte remains a top option in New England's passing attack.
11 hours ago
Kayshon Boutte Gets Favorable Matchup At The Perfect Time
New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte is a high-ceiling option for Saturday's Week 17 contest against the Los Angeles Chargers. The second-year receiver is coming off the best game of his career, catching five passes for 95 yards and a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills while playing 88 percent of the offensive snaps. Boutte continues to lead all Patriots wide receivers in snaps ever since Drake Maye took over as the starting quarterback, emphasizing the coaching staff's interest in developing (or perhaps forcing) a Maye-Boutte rapport. This approach has produced mixed results in 2024, but it worked last Sunday, and it could pay off again this week against Los Angeles. The Bolts' defense has allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to receivers who operate out wide, which is where Boutte has played 89.9 percent of his snaps. Managers must remain aware that Boutte will still have to compete for targets with Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper, DeMario Douglas, and Kendrick Bourne this week. However, last week's big showing and this week's favorable matchup bode well for the LSU product as he teeters on the border of WR3/FLEX territory in fantasy football.
11 hours ago
