The Denver Broncos defense/special teams was the top unit in fantasy through 18 weeks thanks to a league-high 63 sacks (and franchise record), 10 fumble recoveries, 15 interceptions, three defensive touchdowns, two safeties and 311 points against. They also allowed the third-fewest points per game (18.3). However, fantasy managers will want to fade them in playoff DFS lineups against the Buffalo Bills and MVP candidate Josh Allen on Sunday in the wild-card playoff contest. Allen and the Bills offense put up 30.9 points per game, the second-most in the league behind only the Detroit Lions, with Allen taking care of the football more than ever before in his career; the Bills had the fewest giveaways in 2024 with only eight. On the road against one of the best teams in football as nearly 10-point underdogs, Denver's D will be hard-pressed to hold Buffalo's adaptable offense down.

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Denver Broncos kicker Wil Lutz was one of the most consistent fantasy kickers in 2024, making 31 of his 34 field-goal attempts and all 46 of his extra-point tries in 17 games to put him as the No. 7 fantasy kicker. Since having the potential game-winning kick blocked in Week 10 against the Kansas City Chiefs, Lutz has gone 13-for-13 on field goals and 27-for-27 on his extra-point attempts in seven games, so he's bringing a nice perfect streak into the wild-card playoff game in Buffalo against the Bills on Sunday. While the 30-year-old has been money for the Broncos, we'd suggest fading him on the road in frigid temperatures at Orchard Park in a game in which Denver is nearly 10-point underdogs. In addition, Buffalo allowed the third-fewest fantasy points per game (5.9) to opposing kickers in 17 games this season.

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Denver Broncos rookie wide receiver Devaughn Vele isn't going to be in many DFS or playoff lineups on wild-card weekend when the Broncos head to Orchard Park to take on the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. In his first 13 NFL games in 2024, Vele averaged 6.6 half-PPR points per game on 41 receptions, 475 yards and three touchdowns, putting him tied for 77th among all pass-catchers. Going into the postseason, Vele is essentially Denver's WR3 behind Courtland Sutton and Marvin Mims Jr. That won't give anyone confidence to use him this weekend, but the Broncos should be in pass-first mode as nearly 10-point underdogs, and the Bills defense has allowed the most half-PPR points per game in the last five weeks, including over 1,000 yards receiving and eight touchdowns. If Denver is forced to air it out on Sunday, Vele could be a sneaky flex play with more volume.

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Denver Broncos rookie running back Audric Estime is hard to recommend for fantasy lineups against the Buffalo Bills on wild-card weekend this Sunday as part of a three-man RB committee in Denver that also includes Jaleel McLaughlin and Javonte Williams. Estime did have 12 carries in the Week 18 win over the Kansas City Chiefs -- his second-highest total of the year -- but most of his work came in garbage time in a 38-0 blowout. In his first 13 NFL games in 2024, Estime averaged 4.1 yards per carry and only 5.8 rushing attempts per game. Opportunities are surely to be limited again this weekend in a game the Broncos are nearly 10-point underdogs on the road. The 21-year-old will probably only pay off as a flex play for fantasy managers if he finds the end zone, which he was only able to do twice this year. Estime has little upside as long as he's sharing touches with McLaughlin and Williams.

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Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley heads into Sunday's wild-card matchup against the Green Bay Packers fresh after sitting out the regular-season finale. Barkley was just 101 yards shy of breaking Eric Dickerson's single-season rushing record, finishing with 2,005 rushing yards in 2024. The Eagles have relied heavily on Barkley all season, with the star back accounting for 36.6% of the team's scrimmage yards, the highest percentage in the NFL this year. In Week 1, Barkley torched the Packers for 132 yards and three touchdowns, taking full advantage of Green Bay's frequent use of light boxes. With Jalen Hurts recently cleared from a concussion, expect Philadelphia to lean on Barkley and their top-ranked rushing attack, which averaged 36.5 rushing attempts per game this season. Barkley remains a must-start in all formats this week.

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Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts has cleared concussion protocol and is set to start Sunday's wild-card matchup against the Green Bay Packers. Hurts missed the final two games of the regular season, but his return is a massive boost for Philadelphia's offense. Despite the Packers allowing the third-fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks this season, their defense has struggled against dual-threat QBs. Hurts' rushing ability remains his most valuable asset, with a league-high 14 rushing touchdowns in 2024, including numerous scores via the Eagles' trademark "tush push." While his rushing volume could be slightly tempered following his concussion, Hurts' combination of passing and goal-line prowess makes him a top-tier fantasy play. Expect Hurts to anchor the Eagles' offense in their quest for playoff success.

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Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert (knee) showed no signs of rust in his Week 18 return from Injured Reserve, catching four of six targets for 55 yards despite playing just 13 snaps. His efficiency in limited action against the Giants highlighted his readiness to contribute as the Eagles prepare to host the Green Bay Packers in the wild-card round. Green Bay has been strong against wide receivers this season, but their defense has been more vulnerable to tight ends, allowing 93 receptions for 970 yards and four touchdowns to the position. Goedert posted four catches against the Packers in their Week 1 clash and has proven reliable in high-stakes games. Reunited with quarterback Jalen Hurts for the first time since Week 13, Goedert is positioned to play a pivotal role in Philadelphia's air attack on Sunday.

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Philadelphia Eagles kicker Jake Elliott wrapped up the regular season with a mixed performance, converting two of three field-goal attempts and nailing both extra points in the Week 18 victory over the Giants. Elliott's lone miss was from 39 yards, marking his first misstep inside 50 yards all season. As the Eagles prepare for the playoffs, Elliott's fantasy relevance will remain tied to the effectiveness of Philadelphia's high-powered offense. The more opportunities the offense creates, the greater Elliott's potential for meaningful production. With the Eagles boasting one of the league's most potent attacks, Elliott could find himself in key scoring situations against the Packers in the Wild Card round. Count on him as a reliable option if Philadelphia's offense is clicking.

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Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams doesn't have much upside at all while involved in a three-man RB committee as the Broncos head to Buffalo on Sunday to face the Bills at Orchard Park in the wild-card round of the playoffs. Especially if the Broncos are forced to throw the ball often -- they are nearly 10-point underdogs in this one -- Williams' workload will most likely be light. It means that he'll probably need to find the end zone, which he's done only four times this season, in order to pay off for fantasy managers using him as an RB2 in DFS or playoff leagues. The 24-year-old had a mediocre 3.7 yards per carry on 139 rushing attempts in 2024 and just did not have the burst he showed early in his career. Williams had only five carries to Jaleel McLaughlin's 16 and rookie Audric Estimes's 12 in the Week 18 win over the Chiefs. Opportunities will be limited for Williams to do damage against Buffalo.

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San Francisco 49ers TE George Kittle led all tight ends with 14.2 yards per reception this season.

Fantasy Spin: Kittle also finished third at the position in receiving yards and tied for second in touchdowns. He doesn't pile up receptions like some of the other top tight ends, but his explosiveness allows for excellent production on lower usage. He remains a high-end TE1.

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Denver Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin has been the slight favorite in a three-man committee backfield late in the season in a Broncos backfield that also involves Javonte Williams and rookie Audric Estime. It's really anyone's guess who might get into the end zone for Sunday's wild-card matchup against the Buffalo Bills on the road. McLaughlin is the slight favorite to lead the backfield in touches, though, after seeing 18 touches for 41 scrimmage yards in the Week 18 blowout win over the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs. The 24-year-old's 16 carries were a season-high. The Bills defense has allowed the eighth-most half-PPR points per game to RBs this year, but negative game script could limit opportunities for Denver's entire backfield with the Broncos being near 10-point underdogs. In 16 games, McLaughlin ranked 59th among RBs with 5.5 half-PPR points per game.

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Cincinnati Bengals DE Trey Hendrickson led the NFL with 17.5 sacks and 92 pressures, and his 12 games with at least five pressures were the most of any player.

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Denver Broncos wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. is one of the hottest wideouts in the league heading into a wild-card playoff matchup on Sunday in Orchard Park against the hosting Buffalo Bills. The Broncos made it a point to get Mims more involved in the offense late in the year, and it's really paid off, as the big-play second-year wideout caught all 13 of his targets for 154 yards and four touchdowns in the final two regular-season games. He has essentially become Denver's No. 2 behind target hog Courtland Sutton. Nobody is expecting Mims to score another two times against the Bills this weekend, but given his elevated usage in recent weeks, he's worth eyeing as a fantasy sleeper with WR2 upside against a Bills defense that allowed the most half-PPR points per game in the last five weeks. As nearly 10-point underdogs, the Broncos are expected to throw the ball plenty on Sunday.

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Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton has essentially been a WR1 in fantasy since the midway point of the season, and that shouldn't change on wild-card weekend when the team travels to Buffalo to take on the Bills on Sunday. Buffalo's defense was a middle-of-the-pack matchup for opposing wideouts over the course of the season, but over the last five weeks, they allowed the most half-PPR points per game to receivers, including over 1,000 yards and eight touchdowns. Sutton was the WR14 in half-PPR scoring during the regular season and ranked 13th among all pass-catchers with 135 targets. He's rookie quarterback Bo Nix's go-to target, and he should have a very safe floor this weekend in a game in which the Broncos are nearly 10-point underdogs. In addition to a safe target floor, Sutton has scored three times in the last four games.

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Denver Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix had a pretty special rookie campaign after being taken in the first round last April, helping lead Denver to their first postseason appearance since 2015. He finished as a top-10 fantasy signal-caller thanks to 3,775 passing yards, 29 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 17 games, also adding 430 rushing yards and four TDs on the ground. The Broncos will be on the road on wild-card weekend in Buffalo against the Bills and they'll be almost 10-point underdogs. While nobody is expecting Denver to pull off the upset, positive game script could set Nix up to score nicely for fantasy managers willing to use him as a low-cost sleeper in DFS contests. The Bills defense did allow 226.1 passing yards per game and the fifth-most fantasy points per game in the last five weeks to opposing QBs.

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San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said earlier this week that Klay Kubiak would be given the title of offensive coordinator for the 2025 season, but NFL rules don't permit that. As a result, the 49ers will do an open search for their offensive-coordinator position this offseason. Kubiak has essentially served as the offensive coordinator the last two years without an official title, but the Niners will be forced to conduct a coaching search that will most likely end in them naming Kubiak the OC again. In addition to being Shanahan's top choice for offensive coordinator, the Seattle Seahawks have requested permission to interview Kubiak for their open offensive-coordinator position. This will be only the second time since Shanahan took over head-coaching duties in the Bay Area that he's named someone the OC, with the first coming in 2021 in the form of Mike McDaniel.

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Philadelphia Eagles RB Saquon Barkley led the NFL with 1,245 rushing yards in the second half of games.

Fantasy Spin: Barkley delivered a dominant campaign in his first season in Philadelphia. The Eagles fed him early and often, allowing Barkley to wear out opposing defenses and pile up huge numbers. He should be one of the top options in postseason fantasy contests, and he will enter next season as a top-five pick in drafts.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Mike Edwards (quad) is officially questionable for Sunday's Wild-Card matchup with the visiting Washington Commanders. The Kentucky product sustained a quadricep injury in Tampa Bay's 27-19 win over the New Orleans Saints, logging back-to-back limited sessions to start the week. However, he'd upgrade his participation to a full practice on Friday -- putting himself in an excellent spot to be good to go against the Commanders. With fellow DBs Antoine Winfield Jr. (knee) and Jamel Dean (knee) also questionable for the outing, the Bucs are in danger of having a severely depleted secondary, as Troy Hill (knee, foot) has already been ruled out. Tampa Bay is a three-point favorite in the matchup, with the highest over/under of the first round (51).

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Minnesota Vikings running back Ty Chandler (illness) was listed as a non-participant for Friday's team practice. With the Vikings slated to square off with the Los Angeles Rams on Monday night, their first practice this week was on Thursday. The 26-year-old was a full participant to kick off the week but was tagged as a DNP the following day. Fortunately, he'll have a few more days to rest up before their road tilt at SoFi stadium. However, even if he plays, Chandler figures to serve as more of a reserve player behind backfield mates Aaron Jones (quad) and Cam Akers. Even if he's active, he won't be a recommended option, as the North Carolina product has participated on double-digit snaps just twice since Akers joined the team via trade in mid-October.

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Los Angeles Chargers defensive back Eli Apple (hamstring) was activated from injured reserve on Friday in anticipation of their road tilt with the Houston Texans on Saturday. He is officially questionable. The former Ohio State Buckeye hadn't garnered his first snap this season until Week 9 but was placed on IR after suffering a hamstring injury in the team's 30-23 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 12. Though he would miss more than the minimum stay, Apple's practice window was only just opened this past Wednesday -- suggesting he's poised to contribute immediately if necessary. With fellow DB Ja'Sir Taylor (ribs) transitioning to injured reserve on Friday, the 29-year-old may be thrust into action sooner than initially anticipated. The Chargers are three-point road favorites in a meeting with a 42-point over/under.

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