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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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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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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Per Matt McMullen of the team, Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman Chris Jones (calf) returned to practice on Friday. The 30-year-old picked up a calf injury in Kansas City's Week 16 win over the Houston Texans that would force him to miss the ensuing two contests. It's excellent news for the Chiefs, as Jones was listed as a non-participant for the entire lead-up to their loss to the Broncos last weekend. However, the extra week of rest has been a boon for him, as he's taken a positive step toward being active for next weekend's Divisional round. The tenth-year pro failed to reach double-digit sacks for the first time since 2022 but remained a critical piece of the team's defense -- anchoring Kansas City's defensive line.

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The Green Bay Packers defense and special teams unit will have their hands full during their playoff matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles in the Wild-Card round. The Eagles will have Jalen Hurts (concussion/finger), DeVonta Smith (back), and A.J. Brown (knee) all playing as they were removed from Friday's injury report for Sunday afternoon's game. Add 2,000-yard rusher Saquon Barkley to the mix and the Packers have a lot to contend with. Luckily, the Packers allow the fourth-fewest fantasy points against wide receivers and the ninth-fewest rushing yards to opposing quarterbacks. Against fantasy running backs, the Packers are below average, allowing the 14th-most fantasy points. With the Packers' defense not playing at a high level in their final two games against the Vikings and Bears, the Packers are hard to trust on the road against a full-strength Eagles' offense. It's best to play another team for DFS or in playoff contests that use team defenses.

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The New York Jets interviewed Maryland head coach Mike Locksley for their head-coaching position on Friday, according to sources. Locksley was previously the offensive coordinator for Alabama and will get another head-coaching interview, although he should be considered a long shot for the job with the Jets leaving no stone unturned in their search. Locksley has gone 35-67 as a head coach at the collegiate level, although he's gone 32-36 over the last seven seasons for the Terps. The 55-year-old interviewed for the Miami Dolphins' head-coach opening back in 2022 before the Dolphins hired Mike McDaniel. He's the only one of the Jets' candidates that comes from the college ranks, but Locksley has developed a reputation for being a culture-builder. As the offensive coordinator in Alabama in 2018, the Crimson Tide set single-season records for points scored and total offense with a stacked roster.

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Philadelphia Eagles backup quarterback Kenny Pickett (ribs) was limited in practice all week but was removed from the final injury report on Friday and will be available for Sunday's wild-card matchup against the visiting Green Bay Packers. Jalen Hurts (concussion, finger) was also cleared from the league's concussion protocol after he missed the final two games of the regular season, so Pickett will be back as Hurts' backup this weekend. Obviously, Pickett won't have any fantasy value whatsoever in the playoffs unless Hurts is injured again. The 26-year-old former Pittsburgh Steelers QB suffered broken ribs in Week 16's loss to the division-rival Washington Commanders and was pulled from his start in the Week 17 blowout win over the division-rival Dallas Cowboys before not playing in Week 18. In his five games (one start) in 2024, Pickett went 25-for-42 with 291 yards, two TDs and one interception.

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Green Bay Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs (illness) practiced in full all week and was removed from Friday's final injury report. After sitting out for rest purposes in the Week 18 loss to the division-rival Chicago Bears in the regular-season finale, Doubs will be ready to play on Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles on the road on wild-card weekend. And with Christian Watson (knee) now done for the year with a torn ACL, the 24-year-old Doubs will have a higher fantasy ceiling, albeit against an Eagles secondary that won't be an easy matchup. And while Doubs should have slightly more opportunities, he will still be battling for targets with Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks. During the regular season, Doubs was outside the top-50 wideouts in half-PPR points per game with a 46-601-4 line in 13 games. Consider him a boom/bust WR2 sleeper in DFS and playoff formats this weekend.

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Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed looks to right the ship following a backslide in regular season production as the Packers head to Philadelphia to play the Eagles in their Wild-Card game on Sunday afternoon. Reed's skills weren't utilized much after the Packers' Week 10 bye as he put up just one fantasy finish among the top 30 wide receivers. In the final eight games of the season, Reed averaged 3.5 targets, 2.4 receptions, and 36 total yards per game as the Packers leaned heavily on the run game. With Christian Watson (knee) out for the season with a torn ACL, there could be more opportunities for targets for the Packers' pass-catchers. Still, Reed is a high-ceiling option that comes with a shockingly low points floor. For playoff contests and DFS, Reed is a boom-or-bust sleeper option during Wild Card Weekend.

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Washington Commanders wide receiver Jamison Crowder (hamstring) was limited in practice all week and is questionable to suit up on Sunday night in the wild-card playoff meeting with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Even if Crowder is available this weekend, fantasy managers setting DFS lineups or playing in playoff leagues should have much better flex options with upside than the 31-year-old. He only played 20 snaps on offense and didn't see a single target in the Week 18 win over the division-rival Dallas Cowboys in the regular-season finale. Despite Noah Brown being out for the year, Crowder's role in the offense hasn't really grown, and he's been the WR4 behind Terry McLaurin, Olamide Zaccheaus and Dyami Brown. Crowder has only nine receptions all year for 72 yards and two scores on 13 targets through six games played.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton (knee) practiced in full on both Thursday and Friday but is listed as questionable to play on wild-card weekend for Sunday night's matchup versus the visiting Washington Commanders. Rookie Devin Culp (ribs) was also on the injury report this week but he practiced in full all three days and has been cleared to play. Despite being questionable to play on Sunday and after missing the final three games of the regular season, the 25-year-old is trending in the right direction to suit up for the first round of the postseason. If Otton does return to the field on Sunday night, he should be considered a touchdown-dependent, low-end TE1 for fantasy lineups. Otton's best performances in 2024 all came with receiver Mike Evans sidelined due to injuries. The Commanders weren't the greatest matchup for TEs this year, but they did allow eight touchdowns to the position.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Sterling Shepard (foot) upgraded to a full practice on Friday and was removed from the final injury report for wild-card weekend. Shepard was limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday but will be active on Sunday evening to face the visiting Washington Commanders. The 31-year-old veteran pass-catcher will be looking for a better performance after catching one of his two targets for 11 yards in the Week 18 win over the division-rival New Orleans Saints. Although the Bucs had one of the best passing offenses in the league in 2024, Shepard has struggled to maintain any kind of fantasy value with limited targets on a weekly basis. He'll continue to serve as the No. 3 behind Mike Evans and rookie Jalen McMillan, giving him minimal upside as a flex play in postseason leagues. Shepard's only touchdown of the year came back on Oct. 3.

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Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft has a tall task ahead of him when the Packers head to Philadelphia to take on the Eagles on Wild Card Weekend. Kraft had a solid 2024 season, piling up 707 receiving yards and seven scores while finishing seventh amongst tight ends in both categories. With Christian Watson (knee) out for the season with a torn ACL, Kraft should find a few more opportunities to catch some passes from Jordan Love (elbow), who is off the injury report following a Week 18 injury. The Eagles have been tough on opposing tight ends this season as Philadelphia is third in DVOA against tight ends and give up the fourth-fewest fantasy points to tight ends in the regular season. Despite the tough matchup, Kraft is a decent play in playoff contests and a mid-range play for DFS for this weekend's slate.

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For the second straight day this week, Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones (quadriceps) was limited in practice on Friday. Jones was also on last week's injury report with the quad issue before suiting up and playing 62 percent of the offensive snaps in the Week 18 loss to the division-rival Detroit Lions in the regular-season finale. Jones had 15 touches for 75 scrimmage yards. The 30-year-old should be available on wild-card weekend for the Monday night matchup against the Los Angeles Rams, although he could carry a questionable tag into that one if he's limited again on Friday. As Minnesota's backfield leader in a high-scoring offense, Jones should at least be considered a low-end RB1 for fantasy managers in playoff leagues. The Rams defense was in the middle of the pack in terms of points allowed to RBs in 2024, while Jones had 19 carries for 58 yards in the loss to LA back on Oct. 24.

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Green Bay Packers wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks will step up into a starting wide receiver spot as the Packers head east to Philadelphia to take on the Eagles in the Wild Card round. With Christian Watson (knee) suffering a season-ending ACL tear, Wicks is the next man up for the Packers as he will line up opposite Romeo Doubs for a prime opportunity in the playoffs. Despite Wicks' WR3 or WR4 status for much of the season, Wicks led the Packers in targets this season with 76. In fact, there were only two Packers who put up a game with 10 or more targets this season: Doubs and Wicks. Wicks earned 13 targets in Week 4 against Minnesota and scored two touchdowns, so it's clear Wicks has immense target-earning capability. He could prove to be a huge low-cost sleeper in DFS and in weekly playoff contests as well for this week's action.

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