The Dallas Cowboys defense has taken a major step forward over the past month as they have become healthier. In last week's win over Tampa Bay, they totaled four sacks, three forced fumbles, and an interception. This week, they get the luxury of facing turnover-prone quarterback Kenny Pickett. With the unit looking a lot more like 2023's version of the Dallas defense in recent weeks, they are a startable option against the Eagles in fantasy championship week.

From RotoBaller

Dallas Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey remains one of the hottest kickers in the league following an impressive Week 16 performance in which he drilled three field goals from beyond 50 yards. Aubrey's leg has kept Dallas in many games this season and more of the same should be expected this week against a tough Philadelphia defense. The matchup could not be tougher, as Philadelphia has allowed the least amount of points to opposing kickers this season. Aubrey can be started given his ability to consistently drill 50+ yard field goals, but beware that this is a tough matchup and that there are safer options out there.

From RotoBaller

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Jalen Tolbert (finger) was a limited participant in practice all week, entering Sunday's matchup with a questionable status. Given that he was able to practice all week, Tolbert should be good to suit up for the shorthanded Cowboys who will be missing star receiver CeeDee Lamb (shoulder) for the remainder of the season. With Lamb out, the pecking order in the receiving room is questionable. Tolbert likely slots in behind veteran Brandin Cooks and tight end Jake Ferguson, putting him back on the fantasy radar. With that being said, he is a desperation flex option against Philadelphia's seventh-ranked secondary.

From RotoBaller

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver/return specialist KaVontae Turpin has gotten involved on the ground in recent weeks, carrying the ball three times in last week's win over Tampa Bay. Given the lack of playmakers with CeeDee Lamb (shoulder) now sidelined, Mike McCarthy may scheme up more creative ways to get the ball into the hands of the speedster. The 28-year-old has caught 27 balls for 351 yards and two touchdowns while rushing 13 times for 69 yards on the season. Against Philadelphia's seventh-ranked secondary, Turpin is no more than a desperation dart throw with a very low floor. His usage will be worth monitoring.

From RotoBaller

Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson is now the top receiving option on the team with wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (shoulder) ruled out for the remainder of the season. Ferguson has yet to score a touchdown in the 2024 season, limiting his ceiling, but should see enough usage to be a safe start at tight end despite a tough matchup on tap against Philadelphia. He grades as a low-end TE1 this week with a safe projected target share in a game that should be low-scoring.

From RotoBaller

Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle rushed for just 23 yards last week after a three-week stretch of 100+ yards on the ground. The 26-year-old out of South Carolina has generally performed better when facing easier matchups, and this week's matchup against Philadelphia's top-ranked defense against running backs is far from easy. Dowdle will see heavy volume per usual as the workhorse in Dallas' offense, but his production may not be as strong as it has in recent weeks due to the tough matchup. He is a low-end RB2 solely based on projected volume.

From RotoBaller

Dallas Cowboys veteran wide receiver Brandin Cooks should see more volume over the next two weeks due to the absence of star receiver CeeDee Lamb (shoulder). The 31-year-old has seen 4.5 targets per game over the past four weeks, while Lamb has absorbed 8.5 targets per game in the same span of games. Cooks will compete with tight end Jake Ferguson and third-year receiver Jalen Tolbert (finger) for opportunities. Facing Philadelphia's seventh-ranked defense against receivers, the matchup is less than ideal. Cooks can be started as a flex option in desperation, but has a low floor this week.

From RotoBaller

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush has had an up-and-down season, typically stringing together stronger performances against weaker defenses. Philadelphia boasts the eighth-strongest defense against opposing quarterbacks fantasy-wise, making a tough matchup for the career backup. To make matters worse, CeeDee Lamb (shoulder) has been ruled out for the remainder of the season. Rush will now rely on a makeshift receiver room of Jake Ferguson, Brandin Cooks, and Jalen Tolbert against one of the best secondaries in the league. Look elsewhere for quarterback production during fantasy championship week.

From RotoBaller

The Jacksonville Jaguars defense/special teams unit is a decent streaming option in Week 17 against the Tennessee Titans. Last time they faced the Titans in Week 14, they only gave up 6 points and got two sacks. The Titans offense has been one of the friendliest to fantasy defenses this season, so the Jaguars D/ST is a better option than usual for fantasy championships. Unfortunately the defense is one of the worst in the NFL, so their upside is limited, but against the Titans turnover-prone offense, anything is possible. As long as they can stop the running game and force Mason Rudolph to beat them, they have a good shot of at least producing a solid fantasy day. However, there are definitely better defenses to start in fantasy championships in Week 17.

From RotoBaller

New Orleans Saints running back Kendre Miller was the odds-on favorite to assume the role as the team's featured back after Alvin Kamara (groin) was declared out before Week 16. Unfortunately for Miller, that game turned into a blowout early on and the coaching staff pivoted to a two-minute offense that involved a surprisingly heavy dose of Jordan Mims. Miller finished the game with a 40% snap share to Mims' 43% and logged just 10 touches for a total of 31 yards from scrimmage. Miller is expected to sit atop the depth chart again in Week 17 but seeing how quickly the Saints moved away from him last week should give fantasy managers pause before entrusting him with a starting spot in the final week of fantasy football. Additionally, New Orleans will be missing starting linemen Erik McCoy (elbow) and Lucas Patrick (knee). Managers hoping to lock up a championship this weekend should weigh their alternatives before locking Miller in.

From RotoBaller

New Orleans Saints running back Jordan Mims was the team's unexpected leader in targets in Week 16, seeing eight passes come his way. That translated to merely 16 yards on five catches as rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler could do little but check down to the backup to spot starter Kendre Miller. Alvin Kamara (groin) is out another week, meaning Miller is likely to be in the RB1 slot once again with Mims and Jamaal Williams as the alternatives out of the backfield. Despite outsnapping Miller in Week 16, Mims can't be counted on to do the same on Sunday in the Saints' game against the Las Vegas Raiders. Interim head coach Darren Rizzi clarified that Mims' involvement was due to the game getting out of hand so early, forcing the team to run a two-minute offense to give themselves a chance at keeping up. The Raiders don't pose the same threat which means we should see less of Mims in Week 17. He can remain on the wire.

From RotoBaller

The New Orleans Saints have listed wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling (chest) as questionable for their Week 17 meeting with the Las Vegas Raiders. If he misses the game then the Saints' motley crew of other receivers including Kevin Austin Jr., Dante Pettis, and tight ends Juwan Johnson and Foster Moreau are among the contenders to see some extra targets. Chris Olave (concussion) is also listed as questionable and if he makes his return on Sunday then he would immediately retake his position at the top of the depth chart. If MVS does play, he offers little upside for fantasy teams looking to lock up a championship this weekend. Spencer Rattler will get another start as Derek Carr (hand) is listed as out for the second straight week. Rattler's erratic performance in his handful of starts this year makes it hard to trust any of the Saints receivers in Week 17. Valdes-Scantling is an easy sit in the final week of the fantasy season.

From RotoBaller

New Orleans Saints tight end tied for the team lead in receptions in Week 16. That he did so with all of two catches should say something about how the offense fared last week. Moreau also led the team outright in receiving yards with 33, giving him roughly one-third of quarterback Spencer Rattler's 153 passing yards in the 34-0 loss at the hands of the Green Bay Packers. With Derek Carr (hand) out for another week, Rattler will draw another start on Sunday against Moreau's former team, the Las Vegas Raiders. In Rattler's five starts this season, Moreau has averaged two catches for 32.8 yards on 2.4 targets per game, leaving little hope that the rookie will look to his tight end for anything more than an occasional chunk gain. While this may be a "revenge game" for Moreau, he is unlikely to make an impact in fantasy. Managers vying for a championship this weekend would be wise to look elsewhere if they are in need of a tight end.

From RotoBaller

New Orleans Saints tight end Juwan Johnson (foot) carries no designation heading into the team's game against the Las Vegas Raiders. Johnson was a limited participant in practice on Thursday and listed as such in Wednesday's estimated report. He was able to participate in full on Friday. Quarterback Derek Carr (hand) will miss another week meaning rookie Spencer Rattler will be back under center. The inexperienced signal-caller might be expected to use his tight end as a safety net but in Rattler's five starts this year Johnson has averaged 2.6 receptions for 30.6 yards on 3.6 targets per game. The Raiders have given up the fifth-most yards and touchdowns to opposing tight ends in 2024 but the Saints' inability or unwillingness to work Johnson into a more consistent role makes him hard to trust as a starter in the final week of fantasy football.

From RotoBaller

New Orleans Saints kicker Blake Grupe was blanked in Week 16. It wasn't that he missed any kicks, it was the fact that the offense was never in a position to get him on the field in a 34-0 shellacking at the hands of the Green Bay Packers. When Grupe last saw scoring opportunities, in Week 15, he went two-for-two on field goals (from 41 and 51 yards out) and nailed his lone extra point. In Week 17, Grupe and the Saints face the Las Vegas Raiders, who have given up the second-most fantasy points per game to opposing kickers. Still, Grupe remains a risky option in fantasy football's championship round. With Derek Carr (hand) and Alvin Kamara (out) the Saints' offense could still be stuck in the mud come Sunday. New Orleans has averaged 12.8 points per game in rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler's five starts thus far. With most fantasy leagues whittled down to their final two teams, there should be safer alternatives on the wire to stream in Week 17.

From RotoBaller

With Derek Carr (hand) out another week, rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler has been named the starter by the New Orleans Saints for their Week 17 meeting with the Las Vegas Raiders. In five starts this season, Rattler has two touchdowns to three interceptions and has averaged 171.8 passing yards per game. He has also lost three fumbles. Rattler clearly needs more seasoning before he can truly take the reins of an NFL offense and the Saints are using this opportunity to get him some live reps. Despite a matchup against one of the worst teams in the league and the potential return of Chris Olave (concussion), there is no reason to roll the dice on Rattler suddenly putting it together. Even in two-QB leagues, Rattler should be avoided in fantasy football's championship round.

From RotoBaller

Jacksonville Jaguars kicker Cam Little should not be heavily considered by managers in fantasy championships in Week 17 against the Tennessee Titans. The rookie kicker has had a solid season, but his fantasy output has been greatly limited by the Jaguars offense. When the Jaguars faced the Titans back in Week 14, they only scored 10 points, leading to a middling fantasy output for Little. He just lacks the proper upside fantasy managers should be looking for in a kicker. He has only hit double digits in three weeks, which came in Weeks 4, 5, and 15. While fantasy kickers are generally not taken seriously, every player matters when trying to win a fantasy championship. Given the inconsistent offense with Mac Jones under center and a tough defensive divisional matchup, there are many better options than Little in Week 17.

From RotoBaller

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington does not get the targets or have the big-play ability to be considered a reliable fantasy option in Week 17 against the Tennessee Titans. The young receiver flashed back in Week 13 against the Houston Texans with a six catch, 103 yard, and a touchdown performance. Other than that, he hasn't done much this season even with injuries to Christian Kirk, Gabe Davis, and Evan Engram. Last week, Washington did put up six catches for 54 yards, but he isn't relied on enough by the already underwhelming Mac Jones. Washington seems to be competing for the second passing option behind Brian Thomas Jr. with Brenton Strange and Travis Etienne Jr. In an already limited offense, Washington lacks the consistent volume and upside to be worthy of starting in fantasy championships in Week 17.

From RotoBaller

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. is a decent start, but not ideal in Week 17 against the Tennessee Titans. The 25-year-old back gets a slight boost in PPR, as his role while playing with Tank Bigsby seems to be the passing down back along with a random number of carries. Given how the Jaguars have oscillated between who gets more touches out of the backfield, it is hard to trust both Etienne Jr. or Bigsby. For example, when the Jaguars faced the Titans in Week 14, Etienne Jr. only got four carries, but the following week he got 14. The volume just isn't there for him to have much upside, making him not a great option for teams competing for a championship. While he has a chance for a decent fantasy day, Etienne Jr. is not an ideal flex option in Week 17.

From RotoBaller

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Tank Bigsby has decent potential as a flex option, but is a bit touchdown reliant in Week 17 against the Tennessee Titans. The second-year back out of Auburn has had an up-and-down season, having some big games and some letdown games. The main road block he has faced, besides small injuries, is the presence of Travis Etienne Jr. Bigsby has been the more explosive back and better by the goal line, but Etienne Jr. eats into his carry total and passing work. Bigsby has gotten double digit carries in each of his last three games, including 18 against the Titans in Week 14. He only averaged 3.1 yards per carry that game, but he did find the endzone. If Bigsby can improve his efficiency and find the endzone again, he could make for a decent flex in Week 17.

From RotoBaller