New Orleans Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler finished his rookie season with another up-and-down performance in the team's 27-19 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The fifth-rounder out of South Carolina went 21-for-28 in the first half, completing a pass to 10 different receivers and throwing a touchdown to Dante Pettis along the way. However, he completed just five more passes after halftime, finishing 26-for-42 for 240 yards and the score. To his credit, he stayed free of any turnovers after throwing three picks and fumbling twice in his previous two starts. In his first year as a pro, Rattler saw far more playing time than expected when he was drafted while covering for Derek Carr's (hand) pair of multi-week absences due to injury. The rookie finishes with 1,317 passing yards, four touchdowns, and five interceptions with a 57% completion rate.

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New Orleans Saints running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire needed all of 26 rushing yards to lead the team in the category in Sunday's 27-19 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He added another 14 yards on his only catch of the game. With Alvin Kamara (groin) and Kendre Miller (concussion) sidelined for the season finale, backfield reps were split up among Edwards-Helaire, Jamaal Williams, and Jordan Mims. Williams got the start and out-snapped Edwards-Helaire 24-18, but the backs drew an equal share of carries out of the backfield. The Saints signed the Louisiana native and LSU alum in mid-December after he was released from the Chiefs. Inactive for all of 2024 save the last two games of the Saints' schedule, Edwards-Helaire finishes the year with 46 rushing yards on 13 carries and three receptions for 24 yards. In his previous four years in Kansas City, he had 1,845 rushing yards and 745 receiving.

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New Orleans Saints wide receiver Dante Pettis caught two of his six targets for 16 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 27-19 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Pettis was the only Saint to find the end zone in the season finale with the rest of New Orleans' points provided by the leg of kicker Blake Grupe. Pettis was signed to the Saints practice squad partway through the season and was added to the active roster in December to accommodate for the team's lack of depth at wide receiver. Over the course of the season, Rashid Shaheed (knee) and Bub Means (ankle) were lost to season-ending injuries and Chris Olave (concussion) missed a total of nine games after suffering two separate concussions. Pettis will finish the season with 10 receptions for 120 yards in his limited role.

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Detroit Lions running back Craig Reynolds rushed eight times for 39 yards during Sunday's Week 18 win over the Minnesota Vikings. He also commanded two targets but was unable to haul in either pass. The 28-year-old has looked like a solid change-of-pace option in three games since David Montgomery (knee) went down, bringing his season totals to 139 rushing yards and 40 receiving yards. He remains a valuable backup for the Lions and handcuff for fantasy managers, but he can't be started in fantasy football as long as Jahmyr Gibbs is healthy. The highly anticipated return of Montgomery soon would also impact Reynolds, dropping him to third on the depth chart. At the moment, he's not on the fantasy radar for the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs.

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Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams caught six of his eight targets for 34 yards during Sunday's Week 18 win over the Minnesota Vikings. The former Ohio State star saw his three-game touchdown streak come to an end in the season finale, but he still salvaged his showing with a half-dozen receptions and modest yardage. Williams wraps up his second pro season with 58 catches, 1,001 receiving yards, and seven touchdowns. Although the Lions' offense places a lot of emphasis on Amon-Ra St. Brown, Sam LaPorta, and Jahmyr Gibbs, players like Williams should be celebrated as flashy WR3/FLEX options in most leagues. He will generate plenty of interest in the early to middle rounds of 2025 fantasy drafts.

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Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown caught six of his seven targets for 77 yards during Sunday's Week 18 win over the Minnesota Vikings. St. Brown had been riding a three-game touchdown streak, so fantasy managers will be understandably disappointed he didn't find the end zone on Sunday night despite leading the Lions in receiving yards. He finished the regular season as the overall WR3 in PPR leagues, and he was just 1.3 points behind the No. 2 wide receiver, Justin Jefferson. All in all, it was an impressive year for the 25-year-old, who totaled double-digit touchdowns for the second year in a row and set a career-high for number of visits to the end zone. Even with the Lions' offense placing attention on Jameson Williams, Sam LaPorta, Jahmyr Gibbs, and David Montgomery, fantasy managers were able to enjoy the fact that St. Brown carved out an enormous role for himself and delivered a terrific season once again, playing in all 17 games. He should be a mid-first-round pick in 2025 fantasy drafts, and managers could absolutely justify making him the second wide receiver off the board after Ja'Marr Chase.

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Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff completed 27 of 33 pass attempts for 231 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions during Sunday's Week 18 win over the Minnesota Vikings. He also took two sacks in the victory. Goff has seven interceptions through two Sunday Night Football games in 2024, but he has just 12 turnovers on the season in total. The veteran quarterback finished this year as the overall QB6 in fantasy football, finishing ahead of notable signal-callers like Bo Nix and Jalen Hurts. His final stats for the season include 4,629 passing yards, a career-high 37 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. Additionally, for the first time in his career, he went a full season without losing a fumble. Goff certainly benefitted from having one of the NFL's best supporting casts around him, but it was also clear that he made his weapons better. The connections between Goff and players like Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Sam LaPorta, and Jahmyr Gibbs help make the Lions such a dominant team offensively, and they should keep Goff in the mid-range QB1 tier for fantasy football in 2025.

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Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta caught all seven of his targets for 63 yards during Sunday's Week 18 win over the Minnesota Vikings. LaPorta played a large role in helping the Lions secure the NFC's top seed, both this weekend and over a greater stretch of games. In fact, over the final six weeks of the regular season, he ranked first among tight ends in fantasy points (tied with Trey McBride). It was impressive to watch the 23-year-old overcome a tough start to 2024 and finish the season as one of fantasy football's most productive, impactful tight ends. He should remain in the mid-range TE1 tier for 2025, and this season should serve as a reminder to fantasy managers that LaPorta is a top fantasy option regardless of whether his role in the Detroit offense takes a little while to develop.

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Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs totaled 139 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns on 23 carries during Sunday's Week 18 win over the Minnesota Vikings. He also caught all five of his targets for 31 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown. When all was said and done, Gibbs totaled 170 scrimmage yards and four touchdowns while leading the Lions to a division title and the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoff picture. The 22-year-old running back was terrific while playing alongside David Montgomery (knee) for most of the 2024 season, and he has jumped to the elite tier ever since his backfield-mate went down with a knee injury. Even if Montgomery returns for the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs, Gibbs will remain a high-end RB1 for fantasy purposes thanks to his nearly unparalleled rushing, receiving, and touchdown upside.

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Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel and general manager Chris Grier will both return for the 2025 season, according to an announcement from owner Stephen Ross. There had been speculation about a potential leadership shakeup in Miami, and while Ross did acknowledge that he's actively looking for ways to improve the organization, he won't be parting ways with McDaniel or Grier. The Dolphins went 8-9 this past season, but they faced significant obstacles as quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (hip) missed six games with numerous injuries. If Miami can solidify its defense this offseason and keep its playmakers healthy next year, they could secure a playoff berth. With that being said, it's fair to wonder if McDaniel's and Grier's jobs could be on the line if the Dolphins finish with a worse record in 2025. That conversation could all be moot, of course, if Miami strengthens its roster this offseason and makes a playoff push next year.

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Denver Broncos rookie running back Audric Estime wasn't very effective on the ground with double-digit carries but managed to find the end zone in the 38-0 win on Sunday in Denver against the visiting division-rival Kansas City Chiefs in the Week 18 regular-season finale. Estime was afforded 12 carries -- his second time all year with double-digit carries -- with the Broncos offense moving the ball mostly at will against backups on defense for the Chiefs. The 21-year-old only gained 34 yards on his 12 carries (2.8 yards per tote) but found the end zone late for his second TD of the year (and second in the last three weeks). Still, most of Estime's work came late in the second half with the game already decided, working behind Jaleel McLaughlin and Javonte Williams early on. There will be minimal fantasy upside for the rookie in the first round of the playoffs against the Bills in Denver's committee backfield.

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Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (wrist) played through a torn ligament this season despite doctors recommending that he undergo surgery to repair the tear, agent Drew Rosenhaus told Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. Rosenhaus' reference to Hill's injury came during a conversation with Jackson regarding the receiver's apparent displeasure with the Dolphins after he hinted at a trade request on Sunday. The agent wouldn't disclose much about Hill's status in Miami without talking to him first, but he did share that the 30-year-old receiver played through a torn ligament for several months. This explains why Hill repeatedly appeared on the Dolphins' injury report in 2024, and it could also help to justify why the former superstar had one of the worst seasons of his career. In fact, for the first time since his rookie campaign in 2016, Hill had fewer than seven touchdowns and 1,000 receiving yards. Dolphins fans and fantasy managers should buckle up for a potentially hectic offseason if Hill confirms his desire to leave Miami. A new team and a full offseason to recover could be exactly what Hill needs if he wants to return to Pro Bowl form next season.

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Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (knee) underwent a full workout on Saturday, according to NBC Sports' Sunday Night Football broadcast. This was Montgomery's first full workout since suffering an MCL sprain in Week 15, and it indicates that the veteran running back could be nearing a return to the field. Head coach Dan Campbell wouldn't comment on his timetable, though, and when NBC Sports' Melissa Stark asked Campbell if Montgomery could play next week, he said, "I'm excited. I'll just say that." That question is moot now that Detroit has clinched a bye through Wild Card Weekend, but the bottom line is that Montgomery might have a real chance to play in the Lions' next game during the Divisional Round. He and Jahmyr Gibbs arguably form the best one-two punch in the NFL, so having both backs healthy for the playoffs would give the Lions an enormous boost.

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Denver Broncos rookie wide receiver Devaughn Vele was productive in the team's 38-0 blowout win over the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs in the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday, catching all four of his targets on the day for 50 yards and a touchdowns, his third of the year. Vele's touchdown catch was an acrobatic grab in the back of the end zone in the second half in which two Chiefs defenders deflected it first. It was an incredible demonstration of concentration for the seventh-rounder out of Utah who has now scored in two of the last three games. The 27-year-old finishes the regular season as Denver's third leading receiver with 41 receptions, 475 yards and three touchdowns. As the No. 3 in the Broncos offense heading into a wild-card matchup against the Buffalo Bills on the road, Vele will merely be a touchdown-dependent WR sleeper in DFS lineups.

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Minnesota Vikings running back Cam Akers rushed six times for 65 yards in Sunday's 31-9 loss to the Detroit Lions. Akers had a long rush of 58 yards -- breaking free early in the third quarter to bring Minnesota inside the Lions' five-yard line. However, the drive would stall, and they'd turn it over on downs. Otherwise, he gained only seven yards on his other five carries against a Lions defense out to prove a point in the season finale. Backfield mate Aaron Jones was sidelined for a bit in this one, but no injury was reported. If Jones is forced to miss time, the 25-year-old would be the next man up, and projects to command the lion's share of the team's backfield touches. It'd be wise to keep an eye on Jones' practice status this week as the team prepares for a Wild Card bout with the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium.

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Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones rushed 10 times for 45 yards in Sunday night's 31-9 loss to the Detroit Lions, adding 30 yards through the air on five of six receiving. The 30-year-old was effective when he touched the rock but did not receive his typical allotment of snaps in this one. Jones was utilized heavily on the Vikings' first drive but saw just one more touch in the quarter before taking off for a few possessions. He'd again be frequently featured on their last drive of the first half, but he saw only five more touches for the rest of the game. The broadcast noted that the eighth-year pro had been on the sideline for an extended period, though no injury designation had been made. He'd also take a shot later in the game and was slow to get up, so that and his previous quad ailment are possibly the culprits for his diminished snaps. Seeing the veteran limited at practice this week wouldn't be surprising. Jones will get an extra day of rest as his team now prepares for their road tilt with the Los Angeles Rams next Monday night to cap off wild-card weekend. Minnesota's first practice report will be out on Thursday.

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Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton not only helped the Broncos reach the playoffs for the first time since 2015 in their 38-0 shutout win over the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday in the Week 18 regular-season finale, but he also reached the 1,000-yard mark in the regular season for only the second time in his career. Sutton finished the day with five receptions for a team-high 98 yards and a touchdown on a team-high seven targets. Half of the 29-year-old's yardage on the day came on his first catch, a 47-yarder in the first quarter. After a slow start with rookie quarterback Bo Nix, Sutton has come on strong in the second half and will finish with eight total touchdowns after scoring 10 in 2023. He's been Nix's go-to receiver all year long, and that should change in the wild-card round on the road in Buffalo against the Bills. Sutton will be a WR1 in DFS contests and playoff leagues.

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Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson brought in 2-of-8 targets for nine yards in his team's 31-9 loss to the Detroit Lions. The Lions weren't messing around on Sunday night and were a brick wall on defense for the first time in a few weeks. Hockenson was consistently targeted on third down by quarterback Sam Darnold, but Detroit was there time and time again to break up the pass. It's the Iowa alum's worst outing since his return from injury in a game when the Vikings scored their fewest points of the season. Darnold had pressure in his face all night, and the Lions' defensive backfield was equally impressive in their coverage. Unfortunately for Minnesota, they'll prepare for a road tilt with the Los Angeles Rams next Monday night in lieu of a week off and home-field advantage. LA allowed the sixth-most fantasy points per game to TEs in the regular season, so Hockenson stands a good chance at a productive day during Wild Card Weekend.

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Denver Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix saved his best performance of an incredible rookie season for the Week 18 regular-season finale in a 38-0 shutout win over the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday that sends the Broncos to the postseason for the first time since they won Super Bowl 50. With the Chiefs resting most of their best players on defense in this one, Nix took advantage to go 26-for-29 for a season-high 321 yards and four touchdowns. He added seven carries for 47 yards on the ground and broke an NFL record for a rookie with 17 straight completions. As he's done all year, the 24-year-old first-rounder from Oregon spread the wealth to three different receivers for his four TD passes. Nix looks like the real deal after his first 17 NFL games, throwing for 3,775 yards, 29 touchdowns and 12 interceptions while adding four rushing TDs. He'll face a challenging matchup in Buffalo against the Bills in his first taste of playoff football next Sunday.

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Denver Broncos wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. is coming alive at the right time for the Broncos. The second-year wideout caught two touchdowns for the second straight week in the 38-0 blowout win over the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday in the Week 18 regular-season finale. Mims came down with all five of his targets for 51 yards to help the Broncos advance to the postseason for the first time since 2015. The 22-year-old scored the first TD of the day on a 32-yard reception and later added a seven-yard plunge in the third quarter. His five targets on the day were second to Courtland Sutton, and Mims has now had at least four targets in six straight games to close the season. Mims will head into a wild-card playoff matchup in Buffalo against the Bills as Denver's No. 2 wideout who relies mainly on big plays and yards-after-the-catch ability to deliver for fantasy managers.

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