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Bijan Robinson An Elite RB Play Against Porous Panthers Run Defense
Friday, January 3, 2025 10:46 PM
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson is expected to get a full workload on Sunday as his team still has designs on making the playoffs. If the Falcons win and the Saints beat the Buccaneers, Atlanta is in. Robinson is having a fantastic season, now top 5 in fantasy scoring for RBs with over 1700 all-purpose yards and 13 total TDs. Not to mention, the last time these two teams met, the 22-year-old stampeded his way to 95 yards and two scores on 15 carries (6.3 YPR), adding three catches for 10 yards as well. The Panthers have been run on all season, allowing the most fantasy points to running backs in all of football. With the playoffs in sight, look for Robinson to rumble his way to top-tier RB1 status on Sunday.
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Jaleel McLaughlin On RB2/3 Borderline In Denver's Committee Backfield
Friday, January 3, 2025 10:39 PM
Denver Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin will be on the RB2/3 borderline for the team's Week 18 regular-season finale against the visiting division-rival Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. After missing the Week 16 loss to the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers with a quadriceps injury, McLaughlin returned in last week's overtime loss to the Cincinnati Bengals to narrowly lead what has become a three-man committee in Denver with 12 touches for 76 scrimmage yards. He did have an impressive 6.9 yards per carry on 10 rushing attempts, although it was his second straight game seeing fewer than 30% of the offensive snaps. The Chiefs defense has allowed the fewest half-PPR points per game to RBs this year, but they will also be resting key starters for the playoffs. The Broncos need to win to get in. In a three-man committee, McLaughlin will likely need to score to pay off as an RB2.
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Michael Penix Jr. Draws Favorable Matchup In Week 18 Versus Panthers
Friday, January 3, 2025 10:30 PM
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. just needs to take care of the football -- and get some help from the Saints -- in order to send his team to the playoffs. The 24-year-old is 37-for-62 (59.7%) in his two games as starter, with two touchdowns and one interception (that was not his fault). But with a strong ground game that rushed for 200 yards and three scores the last time Atlanta faced Carolina in October, Penix Jr. should be handing the ball off much more than he should be passing it. Not that the Panthers can stop the passing attack, allowing the third-most fantasy points to opposing QBs including five TDs last week to Baker Mayfield and even three TDs to Cooper Rush in Week 15. With the friendly matchup and some likely volatility at the QB position in the final week of the regular season with some starters sitting or seeing only limited playing time, the former first-round draft pick sets up as a high-end QB2 on Sunday.
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Isaac Guerendo A Healthy RB1 In Arizona
Friday, January 3, 2025 10:24 PM
San Francisco 49ers rookie running back Isaac Guerendo (foot, hamstring) is off the injury report and ready to roll for a Week 18 matchup with the Cardinals in Arizona. Last week at home versus Detroit, Guerendo took just nine carries for 34 yards but snagged all four targets in the passing game for 65 yards. Arizona's defense represents a favorable opportunity for Guerendo to finish his first NFL campaign on a high note -- they have allowed the 10th-most half-PPR points per game (21.9). Last week, they allowed 14.7 points to Kyren Williams of the Los Angeles Rams. With the 49ers having been eliminated from playoff contention weeks ago and playing their final game of 2024, head coach Kyle Shanahan should give Guerendo his classic heavy lead-back usage while assessing Guerendo's role in 2025. This could be especially true with the 49ers injury issues -- backup Joshua Dobbs is starting for an injured Brock Purdy (right elbow), wideout Deebo Samuel Sr. (rib, wrist) is out, and tight end George Kittle (ankle, hamstring) is questionable. Guerendo is a back-end RB1 in Week 18.
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Greg Joseph A Low-End Option In Week 18
Friday, January 3, 2025 10:23 PM
New York Jets kicker Greg Joseph will make his debut for the team in a Week 18 home matchup against the Miami Dolphins. Joseph was added to the team's roster from the practice squad earlier in the week and will serve as the Jets' fifth kicker this season. The Dolphins have been generous to kickers this season, allowing the fourth-most fantasy points per game to the position but Joseph should not be considered a starting option for fantasy gamers still vying for a title in Week 18.
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Tyler Conklin A TE2 In Week 18
Friday, January 3, 2025 10:20 PM
New York Jets tight end Tyler Conklin (calf) is listed as questionable heading into his team's season finale against the Miami Dolphins in Week 18. Assuming Conklin is able to play through his calf injury he draws a plus matchup against a Dolphins defense that is allowing the 12th-most fantasy points per game to tight ends this season. Conklin turned in his best fantasy performance of the season in a Week 17 loss to the Buffalo Bills and will be worth a look as a TE2 in fantasy this Sunday if he ultimately suits up on Sunday.
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Bo Nix Set Up To Produce In Week 18 Against Division Rivals
Friday, January 3, 2025 10:19 PM
Denver Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix has several factors working in his favor to produce as a strong QB1 in fantasy football in the Week 18 regular-season finale at home against the visiting Kansas City Chiefs. First off, Denver can lock up their first playoff berth since the 2015 Super Bowl-champion team with a win over a division rival in front of the home crowd. That's reason enough in a Week 18 with many teams across the league resting starters. But the 24-year-old from Oregon has also continued to get better throughout his first year in the NFL, throwing for three touchdowns just last week in a near-miraculous comeback win against the Bengals. Nix is the QB11 in overall fantasy points on the year through 17 weeks and will be taking on a Chiefs defense that will be resting some of their best players, including pass-rusher Chris Jones. Nix has a clear path to high-end QB1 numbers in fantasy this week.
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Allen Lazard Not A Strong Fantasy Option In Week 18
Friday, January 3, 2025 10:15 PM
New York Jets wide receiver Allen Lazard will finish up his 2024 season with a home matchup against the Miami Dolphins in Week 18. The Dolphins have been tough on wide receivers this season, allowing the fewest fantasy points per game to the position. Lazard has not been a significant part of the Jets passing offense since the team acquired Davante Adams at the trade deadline and is not a recommended fantasy option heading into the season finale on Sunday.
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Brock Bowers Chasing More History In Season Finale
Friday, January 3, 2025 10:14 PM
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers will be a top option at his position despite a stiff test in the Los Angeles Chargers. In Week 17's win over the New Orleans Saints, the rookie sensation broke Mike Ditka's rookie receiving yardage record and Puka Nacua's rookie reception record (in one fewer game). With one game remaining, the 22-year-old could make even more history as he closes in on Zach Ertz's single-season TE reception record set in 2018. The veteran notched 116 that season, meaning Bowers needs eight more catches to tie him. The Chargers aren't the most favorable of matchups, but with the Georgia product playing the role of the clear No. 1 option on his team, he still stands a chance to challenge an impressive mark. He'll come in as RotoBaller's PPR TE1 in this week's ranks.
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Davante Adams A Low-End WR1 In Week 18
Friday, January 3, 2025 10:13 PM
New York Jets wide receiver Davante Adams was quiet in a Week 17 loss to the Buffalo Bills, catching just five passes for 47 yards. He needs just 25 receiving yards for his fifth straight 1,000-yard season. The team standing in the way of that milestone for Adams in Week 18 is a Miami Dolphins defense that is allowing the fewest fantasy points per game to wide receivers this season. Just like when they were together in Green Bay, Adams has been Aaron Rodgers' favorite target since joining the Jets at the trade deadline. He is a low-end WR1 for fantasy this weekend while also being in play as a tournament option in DFS contests.
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