DFS Alerts
Report: Jordan Matthews "more to the doubtful side" for Sunday
ESPN’s Adam Caplan reports Matthews was “very limited” at Friday’s practice and it doesn’t appear like he’ll suit up tomorrow when the Eagles take on the Cowboys. The last time Matthews missed a game, tight end Zach Ertz led the team with 15 targets, while Dorial Green-Beckham received ten, and rookie Paul Turner had eight. Those numbers are a bit inflated as Carson Wentz threw 60 passes in that game, well above his 37.6 average. Since Matthews returned, DGB has disappeared – he’s averaged 2.5 targets the past two games – and Paul Turner was inactive for Weeks 15 and 16. Nelson Agholor actually led the team in receiving yards against the Giants last game and caught Wentz’s lone touchdown ball. It will be tough to predict how Wentz distributes his passes among the wide receivers this week since they’ve all been pretty ineffective this season. The safest bet on the Eagles is Zach Ertz, who should be Wentz’s favorite target. At full strength, Dallas ranks 30th in TE DVOA and they may rest some of their defensive starters. Ertz projects as a top 5 tight end in Week 17.
As reported by: Adam Caplan Other tagged players: Zach Ertz, Dorial Green-Beckham, Paul Turner, Nelson Agholor
Jacquizz Rodgers expected to get a heavy workload Sunday
Rodgers will get the start at running back and the bulk of the touches with Doug Martin and Charles Sims out. He’s a player to target in fantasy in a week where plenty of teams and players will lack the playing time or motivation. Tampa Bay is still technically alive in the playoff hunt (although they need five specific teams to win and two to tie) and Rodgers has a lot on the line. The 6th-year player, who was cut by the Bears this preseason, will have one final chance to prove his worth to the Buccaneers organization. He’s set to become a free agent, so this is also an opportunity to get paid by another team, should the Bucs pass. Rodgers had one of the best games of his career the last time he played Carolina, racking up 129 yards on 35 touches. He’s a solid receiver and excellent in pass protection, which means he’ll be an every-down player once again. The Panthers will be without their star linebacker, Luke Kuechly. Without him, they’ve allowed the 12th-most fantasy points per game to running backs over the past four weeks, despite ranking 10th in rush DVOA on the season (they were ranked as high as 6th with Kuechly in the lineup). With many unproven value backs available in Week 17, Rodgers is a more reliable option. Plus, he’s in ideal Week 17 situation: he has a secure workload, he’s motivated, his team is motivated, and his opponent isn’t playing for anything. Rodgers projects as our RB3 on FanDuel in terms of points-per-dollar.
As reported by: ESPN Jordan Matthews questionable for Sunday
After being held out of practice Wednesday and Thursday, Matthews had a limited session on Friday. He’s officially considered questionable for their final game of the season against Dallas. It’s a decent spot for him; the Cowboys struggle to defend slot receivers – he had 11 receptions and a touchdown against them in Week 8 – and they may rest their starters at some point in the game. Of course, there’s the risk Matthews gets pulled early due to his injury, but if he starts, he’ll be an interesting tournament option. He’s cheap on DraftKings ($4.7k), where he projects as our WR2 in terms of points-per-dollar.
As reported by: Jeff McLane Donte Moncrief doubtful for Sunday
Moncrief will miss the Colts’ final game. Coach Chuck Pagano has been adamant that the Colts will play to win on Sunday. Andrew Luck and T.Y. Hilton are both expected to start against the Jaguars, who have had a solid pass defense all season. Jacksonville has allowed the 7th-fewest fantasy points per game to wide receivers and the 6th-fewest to quarterbacks in 2016. Even so, Luck remains an elite option; he projects as our QB5. Based on Hilton’s expected volume and the fact that he scores more when Moncrief is inactive, he comes in as our WR4 this week.
As reported by: Indianapolis Colts Other tagged players: Andrew Luck, T.Y. Hilton Martellus Bennett questionable for Sunday
While he’s expected to play, it’s possible he ends up seeing a limited workload as he’s still dealing with ankle and shoulder injuries. Bennett, who has a team-high six receiving scores, Malcolm Mitchell (doubtful, knee), and Danny Amendola have accounted for 48.3% of New England’s touchdowns this season. Given the circumstances surrounding that trio, Julian Edelman and Chris Hogan both have a higher touchdown expectation than normal in Week 17.
As reported by: Christopher Price Other tagged players: Julian Edelman, Chris Hogan Malcolm Mitchell doubtful for Sunday
With Mitchell very unlikely to play, Michael Floyd will be New England’s third receiver behind Julian Edelman and Chris Hogan on Sunday. Floyd still won’t be a very good fantasy option with the extra playing time; Mitchell’s absence should mainly provide a bump in usage for Edelman and Hogan. Edelman had five straight weeks with more than ten targets prior to receiving eight in a blowout victory over the Jets last weekend. He should return to double-digits this week. He’s only scored two touchdowns on the season, but he leads the team in red zone targets. Although he’s only had one game with more than 100 yards, he’s 7th in the league in total receptions (90). Overall, he’s a better play on full PPR sites. Fortunately, the Patriots can clinch home-field advantage with a win, so we can expect them to play hard in Week 17.
As reported by: Christopher Price Other tagged players: Julian Edelman, Michael Floyd, Chris Hogan Jay Ajayi questionable for Sunday
Ajayi (shoulder) is fully expected to play but he’s dealing with an AC sprain. Miami has already clinched a wild card spot in the playoffs, a win could move them up to the five seed, but that’s not a huge prize. Should Ajayi feel soreness, or if the Patriots (or Dolphins) get up big, he may be taken out of the game. That means he should only be used in tournaments. He had 206 rushing yards last week but that was against a Buffalo defense that ranks dead last in rush DVOA. New England ranks 5th, so it’ll be a much tougher matchup this time around.
As reported by: Joe Schad Kenny Britt doubtful for Sunday
Britt, who’s nursing a shoulder injury, is not expected to play in the Rams’ finale. That means rookie quarterback Jared Goff will be without his number one receiver against a tough Cardinals defense in Week 17. Needless to say, he’s not expected to do well. Goff has thrown multiple interceptions in three of his six games this season and he’s been sacked at least three times in all but one. It’s probably best to target the Cardinals DST and avoid the Rams’ offense.
As reported by: Mike Jurecki Other tagged players: Jared Goff Stefon Diggs doubtful for Sunday; Adrian Peterson ruled out
This is on par with what we expected. Diggs (hip), who’s 97 receiving yards short of 1,000, said he wants to play, but it’s looking very unlikely. Adam Thielen should get a ton of targets against Chicago if Diggs ends up out. Thielen is coming off a monster 12/202/2 game. While we can’t expect a repeat performance, the Bears rank 26th in WR1 DVOA, so he’ll have another nice matchup.
As reported by: Larry Mayer Other tagged players: Adrian Peterson, Adam Thielen Randall Cobb will be a game-time decision Sunday; James Starks ruled out
Cobb(ankle) is going to push to play despite missing practice all week. He’s not a viable fantasy option as it seems like he’ll be limited if he plays. Jordy Nelson and Davante Adams will pick up some extra looks against Detroit’s 32nd-ranked pass defense. Nelson projects as our WR2 this week. Ty Montgomery will continue to lead the backfield, while Christine Michael will take some snaps from him. Detroit ranks 22nd against the rush and 29th against receiving running backs, which sets up a nice spot for Montgomery. He projects as our RB13 on DraftKings.
As reported by: ESPN Other tagged players: James Starks, Jordy Nelson, Ty Montgomery Theo Riddick ruled out for Sunday
Zach Zenner will likely draw the start against the Packers this weekend with Dwayne Washington working in behind him. Zenner had a nice two-touchdown game against Dallas in Week 16. Green Bay has done pretty well against the rush this season, ranking 12th in DVOA. Over the past four weeks they’ve allowed the 5th-most receiving yards to running backs though, and Zenner should get work in the passing game on Sunday. Although he’s a risky bet, he has some PPR tournament appeal in a must-win game with a 49.5-point total.
As reported by: ESPN Other tagged players: Zach Zenner, Dwayne Washington Julio Jones will not be monitored on Sunday
Coach Dan Quinn said Jones looks good and he’s not too worried about his star receiver’s sprained toe at this point. While he added that he’ll take Jones out if he gets sore, he won’t keep him on any type of snap count. This is great news from a fantasy perspective as the Falcons’ matchup with the Saints has a very high 56.5-point total. Of course, there’s always the risk he comes out early, which means he may not be safe enough for cash games. However, his ceiling will be super high and we’re currently projecting him as our WR1, making him an exciting tournament option.
As reported by: ESPN Lamar Miller ruled out for Sunday
This was expected as Miller (ankle) is banged up and the Texans have already clinched their division. Alfred Blue will get the start against the Titans. Tennessee has been much better defending the rush than the pass recently. They’ve only allowed one running back (Chis Ivory) to score over the past five games, and RB’s have averaged just 63.4 yards per game during that stretch.
As reported by: Aaron Wilson Other tagged players: Alfred Blue Bilal Powell, Brandon Marshall, and Robby Anderson all questionable for Sunday; Matt Forte ruled out
ESPN’s Rich Cimini believes Powell (knee, illness) and Marshall (hip, shoulder) are going to “try to play.” It appears Anderson (hamstring) is closer to doubtful, as Cimini said it would be surprising if he suits up. Backup running back Brandon Wilds is also questionable with a hamstring injury. Overall, it’s probably best to avoid the Jets, but there are some scenarios where Powell or Quincy Enunwa would be in play. Should Wilds sit, Powell has a better shot at getting a full complement of snaps, for example. Behind Wilds is rookie Brandon Burks, who’s hasn’t played a snap in the regular season yet. If Marshall and Anderson are both ruled out, Enunwa would become the de facto number one receiver and quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick would not have many other options to throw to. However, no matter how the injuries shake out, targeting any Jets in Week 17 will be risky; they’re best used on tournament rosters, if anything.
As reported by: ESPN Other tagged players: Brandon Marshall, Robbie Chosen, Brandon Wilds, Matt Forte, Quincy Enunwa Melvin Gordon ruled out for Sunday
Gordon (hip, knee) pushed to play this weekend but the organization informed him that he’ll be inactive for the Chargers’ season finale. He’ll end his sophomore campaign three rushing yards shy of 1,000. With backup Kenneth Farrow also out, Ronnie Hillman will get the start for San Diego. He won’t be a great fantasy option as he’s struggled all season. He’s averaging 2.6 yards per carry on the year and only managed six yards on nine carries last week against a horrible Browns defense.
As reported by: Michael Gehlken Other tagged players: Ronnie Hillman