DFS Alerts
Karlos Williams to start for Bills
The Buffalo Bills have reported that Karlos Williams will get the start at running back today when they host the Jets in Week 17. The Bills will hope to play spoiler against the Jets who are vying for a playoff spot. In a game where weather may be a factor, many teams like to lean on their running game, though the Bills could encounter tough sledding today against a New York Jets defense that comes in ranked #5 against RB’s in DvP rankings and have played great against the run all season long. After naming Mike Gillislee the starter in Week 16, Karlos Williams received the majority of the Bills’ rushing attempts, rushing 17 times for 76 yards and a touchdown, adding two catches for 21 yards.
As reported by: Sal Paolantonio Other tagged players: Mike Gillislee
Matt Forte active for Week 17
Matt Forte is officially active for Week 17 against the Lions, as was expected after Forte tweeted out photos of his game day cleats earlier this morning. In what will most likely be Forte’s last game with the Bears, his usage will be in question as Jeremy Langford waits to take over the Bears’ starting running back role in 2016. Forte missed some time during Week 16, tweaking his back, but his back injury should not hold him back this week. #6 against RB’s in DvP rankings, the Lions do not present an easy match up for the Bears who will be without their other offensive play-makers – Jeffery & Bennett on I.R. / Zach Miller inactive, Josh Bellamy and Marc Mariani starting at WR.
As reported by: Rich Campbell Other tagged players: Jeremy Langford Calvin Johnson active for Week 17
Calvin Johnson was once again limited all week and will play in Week 17 against the Chicago Bears. Calvin Johnson has normally been a target hog, but has been inconsistent much of this year, continuing that streak with 8 or more targets in 3 of his last 5 games and then 5 and 1 target in his other 2 games while posting over 75 yards only twice during his last 5 games. The Chicago Bears come into Week 17 ranked #11 in DvP vs. WR’s.
As reported by: Tim Twentyman Josh Freeman to start for Colts
Reports have speculated Ryan Lindley may also see some playing time against the Tennesee Titans, but Josh Freeman will get the official start for the Colts in Week 17. Freeman last started in 2013, which will downgrade the Colts’ receiving options while the Titans come in susceptible to QB’s and the pass – ranked #24 vs. QB’s, #21 vs. WR’s and #25 vs. TE’s in DvP rankings. Donte Moncrief (toe) and T.Y. Hilton (calf) are both available as Freeman’s weapons despite missing practice time this week.
As reported by: Colts Other tagged players: Ryan Lindley Dwayne Harris inactive for Week 17
Dwayne Harris (shoulder) will miss the Giants’ Week 17 match up against the Eagles who come in ranked 31st vs. WR’s in DvP rankings. Harris being out confirms Odell Beckham and Rueben Randle as Eli Manning’s top receiving options with Will Tye as the TE safety outlet.
As reported by: Giants Other tagged players: Odell Beckham, Rueben Randle Zach Miller inactive for Week 17
Zach Miller missed practice time this week with a toe injury and will be inactive for the Bears’ Week 17 finale against the Lions. Rob Housler will get the start in place of Zach Miller while the Lions come in #26 vs. the TE in DvP rankings. Cutler likes looking towards his TE’s with Miller receiving 6 or more targets in 5 of his last 6 games.
As reported by: Rich Campbell Other tagged players: Rob Housler Bilal Powell inactive for Week 17
Updating a previous alert, Bilal Powell (ankle) is inactive for Week 17 against the Buffalo Bills. Chris Ivory will get the start for the Jets and receive the majority of the work.
As reported by: Manish Mehta Other tagged players: Chris Ivory Danny Amendola active Week 17
As expected, Danny Amendola (knee) is active for today’s game in Miami. The Miami Dolphins come in ranked #27 against WR’s in DvP rankings, though there is some concern that Amendola may not play a full compliment of snaps in Week 17. Those hoping for Amendola to be out in order to roster Keshawn Martin will be disappointed, but Martin could still see plenty of looks today with Amendola possibly not returning in full or needing to play the entire game.
As reported by: Patriots Other tagged players: Keshawn Martin Bilal Powell is unlikely to play Week 17
After missing practice all week, Bilal Powell is doubtful to face the Bills in Week 17. Rich Cimini has reported that Powell will attempt to warm up, but there is “not much optimism” that he will play. Chris Ivory (knee) has been listed as probable this week and should be ready to play against the Bills – Week 10 in their last meeting, Ivory rushed for 99 yards on 18 carries, adding another 36 yards from 2 catches. Chris Ivory comes at a reduced salary across the industry, making him an attractive option in a cold and possibly snowy game that the Jets will be playing to win.
As reported by: Rich Cimini Other tagged players: Chris Ivory Michael Floyd expected to play Week 17
Updating yesterday’s report, Michael Floyd (questionable) is still expected to play Week 17 against the Seahawks, but he may be limited in his role today – Bruce Arians mentioned Floyd was visibly limping on Friday.
As reported by: Kent Somers Redskins / Chiefs offenses may not play full games
Reporting on NFL Network, Adam Schefter has confirmed that the Washington Redskins and Kansas City Chiefs may wind up resting offensive players in their games today. Washington has nothing to play for in their game against the Cowboys, while Kansas City will have nothing to play for if they notice at half time that the Broncos have a large lead on the Chargers, which would make their game against the Raiders meaningless. This makes players on both teams questionable plays, though the Chiefs’ players have better odds at playing longer today. Ryan Grant and Jamison Crowder could see a lot more playing time today, making them possible tournament options to save salary while Pierre Thomas will see some work out of the backfield with Matt Jones out for the rest of the regular season.
As reported by: Adam Schefter Other tagged players: Jordan Reed, DeSean Jackson, Alex Smith, Jeremy Maclin, Charcandrick West, Spencer Ware, Travis Kelce, Pierre Garcon, Ryan Grant, Jamison Crowder, Pierre Thomas, Chris Conley Josh Freeman expected to start for Colts
With Matt Hasselbeck injured, the Colts will likely turn to Josh Freeman today to take on the Tennessee Titans. This will be a downgrade for the Colts’ offensive weapons after Hasselbeck had been a competent back-up option with Andrew Luck (kidney) out of action. Tennessee comes in susceptible to the pass and QB’s, ranked #24 vs. QB’s, #21 vs. WR’s and #25 vs. TE’s while they rank #8 vs. RB’s in DvP rankings. Donte Moncrief (toe) and T.Y. Hilton (calf) are both expected to play despite missing practice time this week. Josh Freeman last started as a quarterback in the NFL in 2013 for the Vikings, so the Colts may attempt to lean more on their running game and an aging Frank Gore this week – Gore is 109 yards away from another 1,000 yard season and both he and coach Chuck Pagano have acknowledged the desire to reach the milestone.
As reported by: Adam Schefter Other tagged players: T.Y. Hilton, Donte Moncrief, Frank Gore Michael Floyd expected to play Week 17
Michael Floyd (knee) was able to get in a limited practice on Friday, which appears to be enough for Cardinals coach Bruce Arians to remark to reporters that Floyd will likely play in Sunday’s game against the Seahawks. Seattle will come into Arizona tomorrow ranked #7 vs. WR’s in DvP rankings. However, Michael Floyd should have a nice match up, running the majority of his routes against Deshawn Shead – rated as PFF’s 5th-worst in coverage. Both the Cardinals and Seahawks will be playing for the win with seeding in the NFC still up for grabs, so we should not see key players rested in this game. Back in Week 10 Floyd had 7 catches for 113 yards and 2 touchdowns against these same Seahawks and has had a consistent volume of targets, receiving 8 or more targets in 6 of the last 7 weeks (8, 9, 2, 12, 9, 8, 8).
As reported by: Kent Somers Rishard Matthews lands on I.R.
The Miami Dolphins have placed Rishard Matthews on injured reserve, ending his 2015 season. The beneficiary of Matthews missing time will once again be DeVante Parker, who has moved into Miami’s #2 WR spot with Matthews out. The New England Patriots will be coming into Miami ranked #15 in DvP against WR’s with a banged-up secondary – though reports out of New England suggest Patrick Chung could return this week. With Jarvis Landry commanding the respect of top opposing defensive backs, Parker has received consistent looks from Ryan Tannehill with 7, 10, 5, 5, 6 and 10 targets his last 6 games and 63 or more receiving yards in 4 of his last 5 games.
As reported by: Armando Salguero Other tagged players: DeVante Parker Danny Amendola expected to play Week 17
The Patriots will once again be without one of their top weapons in Julian Edelman (foot) this week, but they should be getting back the services of Danny Amendola (knee), who has told reporters he expects to play this week against the Dolphins in a game the Patriots need to win in order to secure the #1 seed in the AFC. Amendola should safely slide back into Brady’s #2 receiving target role with a high floor for targets after receiving 11, 12, 13 & 8 targets in the 4 weeks prior to his injury in Week 15. This week Amendola faces off against the Dolphins, who seem to have given up and have the DvP rankings to show for it – #22 vs. QB’s, #31 vs. RB’s, #27 vs. WR’s and #31 vs. TE’s. Amendola provides more value on sites with PPR scoring as he only has 3 TD’s and 2 games with over 100 receiving yards this season.
As reported by: Adam Lichtenstein