Kansas City Chiefs tight end Noah Gray is a low-floor desperation play in this Sunday's Conference Championship bout with the Buffalo Bills. Gray had a stretch of four games in the middle of the season when he snagged four touchdowns and nabbed at least four passes per contest. However, he's since caught just eight balls while seeing his snap percentage drop roughly 10-20% per outing. The drop in playing time coincides with the return of wide receiver Marquise Brown, so it makes sense that the 25-year-old has had his work cut some. He'll still be eligible to catch a short-area TD or two, but by and large, is tough to trust from a volume standpoint in a passing attack that hasn't been all that effective this season. Gray can be safely avoided for fantasy purposes, even in a game that should feature a healthy amount of points.

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Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Marquise Brown is an intriguing flyer for Sunday's meeting with the Buffalo Bills. The 27-year-old has seen his snap share elevate each week he's been active since working back from a preseason shoulder injury, building up to 34 (67%) in Kansas City's Divisional win over the Houston Texans. Though he got his most work on the field, Brown garnered just two targets and didn't record a catch. However, it's worth noting there were four other Chiefs pass-catchers to notch a target and nary a reception. Before his most recent goose egg, the Oklahoma product racked up at least four catches and 45 yards in his other two appearances, so he could see more work in a competitive game. Fortunately, he'll get just that, as this matchup brandishes a robust 48-point over/under with the Chiefs a slim 1.5-point home favorite.

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Buffalo Bills linebacker Baylon Spector (calf) has been downgraded to out for Sunday's Conference Championship clash with the Kansas City Chiefs. The Bills opened Spector's practice window on Wednesday, and he logged three straight full sessions before being deemed questionable in Friday's injury report. However, he won't be activated off injured reserve before this weekend's tilt. It's unfortunate news for the 26-year-old, as he'd played significant snaps for Buffalo earlier in the year and still ranks third amongst Bills linebackers in total snaps played despite missing nine outings. Teammate Dorian Williams will continue to swap in behind Matt Milano and Terrel Bernard at linebacker against Kansas City.

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Per Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team, the Kansas City Chiefs are elevating wide receiver Justyn Ross from their practice squad to the active roster ahead of their meeting with the Buffalo Bills this Sunday. The former Clemson Tiger was promoted twice earlier this season in Weeks 9 and 10, logging a total of 14 snaps and commanding just one target. Since then, though, Ross had been nothing more than a practice squad stash for the team. However, he'll get another shot at in-game action against the visiting Bills in the Conference Championship round. While the 25-year-old's path to targets is unclear, it appears he's likely to get at least some playing time in Kansas City's most pivotal contest of the year. Expect him to work in behind fellow wideout Justin Watson.

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The New York Jets have hired Darren Mougey as their new general manager. As expected, Mougey will get the job after getting multiple interviews with the team. Mougey has been the assistant general manager of the Denver Broncos since 2022. However, Mougey has been with the Broncos organization for over a decade. This will certainly be an interesting situation for Mougey given the Jets roster seems ready to compete, but they lack a legitimate franchise quarterback. It remains to be seen if Aaron Rodgers is going to come back with Mougey in charge now.

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The New Orleans Saints have interviewed Mike Kafka for their vacant head coaching position. Kafka has served as the offensive coordinator on the New York Giants for each of the last three seasons. He was a popular head coaching candidate last offseason before deciding to stay in New Orleans. Now Kafka appears to be one of the top choices for the Saints job, but there's plenty of other competition. The Saints are also considering both Kellen Moore and Mike McCarthy for their head coaching job. Kafka is a smart offensive mind, so he should get his chance eventually.

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The Buffalo Bills will keep their offensive coordinator as Joe Brady has decided to remain with the organization for next season. Brady was in the running to be the head coach of the New Orleans Saints along with Kellen Moore. Both coaches were expected to get second interviews, but Brady has decided to remain in Buffalo. Brady took over as the offensive coordinator with the Bills in 2023 and he previously worked as the OC with the Carolina Panthers in 2021. The Saints will likely now shift their focus to Moore and possibly Mike McCarthy, while Brady looks to win a Super Bowl in Buffalo.

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Washington Commanders defensive tackle Daron Payne (knee, finger) has been downgraded to out ahead of Sunday's NFC Championship Game against the Philadelphia Eagles. This is a tough break for the Commanders who have struggled to contain the running game all season long. Now, their All-Pro tackle is sidelined which could be a problem against star running back Saquon Barkley. The absence of Payne means that rookie second-round pick Jer'Zhan Newton will likely see an increased role. It's probably going to be difficult for the Commanders to stop the running game without Payne, so Barkley is looking like a must-start DFS option.

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The Detroit Lions have promoted Kelvin Sheppard from linebackers coach to defensive coordinator on Saturday. This comes after former defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn left Detroit for the New York Jets heading coaching position. Sheppard has been the linebacker coach in Detroit for the past four years. That doesn't seem surprising given the fact that Sheppard was a linebacker in the NFL for eight years. Now, the 37-year-old will get a chance to prove he's ready for a bigger role. It'll be big shoes to fill given Glenn's success, but it looks like the Lions believe he's ready for the job.

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According to Mike Vorel of the Seattle Times, the Seattle Seahawks may entertain trade offers for wide receiver DK Metcalf during the offseason. Vorel noted that even though Metcalf is still under contract, he suggests the team may look to move his contract to open cap space to improve their offensive line, which allowed the third-most sacks this season. In addition, Vorel noted that ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler believes the Los Angeles Chargers could be a potential destination for Metcalf. Metcalf struggled to find consistency throughout the 2024 season. Metcalf averaged 81.1 yards per game during the first seven games with three scores. However, Metcalf averaged just 53.0 yards per game over the final eight games. With the emergence of young wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Metcalf will likely draw significant interest on the trade market during the offseason.

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According to Ed Werder, the Dallas Cowboys have hired former Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus as their new defensive coordinator. Eberflus worked under head coach Jason Garrett in Dallas as their linebackers and passing game coordinator from 2011 through 2017. Eberflus was hired as Chicago's head coach in 2022 and was eventually relieved of his duties following Week 13 of this season. During his tenure with Chicago, Eberflus held a 14-32 record. This past season, he won just four games. Eberflus will join newly hired head coach Brian Schottenheimer and bring a sense of experience, given his previous tenure with the Dallas Cowboys. This past season, the Dallas defense took a significant step back, allowing the second-most points-per-game (27.5) under Mike Zimmer. Eberflus will look to bring the Dallas defense back to their 2023 form when they allowed the fifth-fewest points-per-game (18.5).

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According to the team, Philadelphia Eagles rookie defensive back Quinyon Mitchell (shoulder) is off the injury report and cleared to face the Washington Commanders on Sunday afternoon. Mitchell suffered this shoulder injury last weekend during their victory over the Los Angeles Rams. Mitchell opened the week as a limited participant during practice but was able to log two full sessions to conclude the week. The Toledo product has had a key role in the secondary throughout his rookie season. The former 22nd overall selection in last year's draft has logged 53 tackles (44 solo) with nine assists, 14 pass deflections, and one interception across 18 contests. Mitchell will likely be tasked with covering Dyami Brown as No.1 defensive back Darius Slay will likely shadow Terry McLaurin.

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NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports that the San Francisco 49ers officially hired former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh as their defensive coordinator on Friday, according to sources. Saleh also interviewed for three head-coaching jobs this cycle but will ultimately return to a familiar place after serving in the same role for San Francisco from 2017-20. If things go well again in the Bay Area for Saleh in 2025, he'll have the opportunity to become a head coach again in 2026. Saleh will run the defense after the Niners decided to move on from previous defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen, although he could remain with the organization in a different role. During his previous run with the 49ers, Saleh turned their defense into one of the best and most productive units again, so they'll be hoping he can do something similar in 2025.

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New England Patriots safety Jabrill Peppers was acquitted by a jury on Friday in his trial for assault and battery. Peppers testified by denying that he choked or shoved the woman that was accusing him of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. Peppers said he "knew eventually the truth would come to light" after being acquitted on Friday. He also admitted to cocaine possession ahead of his domestic-violence trial, but if he stays out of trouble over the next four months, the charges will be dropped. Peppers was put on the commissioner exempt list on Oct. 9 and miss seven games as a result. He was taken off the list on Nov. 25 but appeared in just two of the team's final five games in 2024 due to foot and hamstring ailments. He was signed to an extension by New England before the 2024 season, with his new contract expiring after the 2027 season.

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Washington Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu (shoulder) was removed from the final injury report on Friday and will be available to play in the NFC Championship against the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles this Sunday. Luvu practiced in full on Wednesday and was limited on both Thursday and Friday. The 28-year-old injured his shoulder in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Dallas Cowboys but has held an every-down role for Washington in their two playoff wins over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Commanders will surely need him to be at the top of his game this weekend to try and slow down the NFL's leading rusher in 2024 in Saquon Barkley. During the regular season, Luvu was the No. 16 fantasy linebacker in IDP formats, collecting 53 tackles, eight sacks, an interception, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries in 17 games played.

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Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker will be relied upon in the AFC Championship game against the Buffalo Bills this Sunday. Butker was perfect on five kicks against the Texans last week, knocking through three field goals and two extra-point attempts. The veteran kicker had been a bit shaky in his return from knee surgery but was able to quell concerns with his performance in their Divisional Round win. Butker could be counted on late in this contest if the game plays out according to plan for Kansas City. Given the explosive nature of the Bills offense, the Chiefs will try to drag out possessions and rely on touchdowns or field goals at the end of them. Kansas City could also extend a drive in the fourth quarter and end it with a game-winning field goal, as we have seen several times before. Whether the game is a shootout or a closely contested matchup, Butker should be involved. The Chiefs kicker is a solid play in both DFS and playoff leagues this week.

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The Kansas City Chiefs defense took care of business last week in their Divisional Round matchup against the Houston Texans, holding them to 12 points on offense. Despite finishing the game without a takeaway, the Chiefs sacked C.J. Stroud eight times and walked away with the victory. The Chiefs will have a more challenging time in the AFC Championship game against Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills. Josh Allen had the lowest percentage of plays resulting in a turnover in NFL history this season. If Kansas City wants to avoid a repeat of their Week 11 loss to Buffalo, they will need to slow the pace and force Allen to make mistakes. It will be difficult to trust the Kansas City defense in DFS and playoff leagues, considering the potency of the Bills offense.

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Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was on the injury report with an ankle injury but practiced fully all week and does not have an injury designation ahead of Sunday's matchup. Mahomes passed for 177 yards and a touchdown in last week's AFC Divisional Round win over the Houston Texans. The Chiefs quarterback will now be playing in his seventh straight AFC Championship game, with a record of 4-2 in his previous appearances. Mahomes will face off against MVP candidate Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills to see who will represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. The Bills defense is not a shutdown unit, but they did have the fourth-most interceptions in the regular season. The Chiefs will likely try to play a methodical game by slowing the pace on offense, which would be detrimental to Mahomes' numbers. Kansas City has made it their identity to do just enough to win, making it risky to trust Mahomes in DFS and playoff leagues. That said, Mahomes does have boom potential if the Bills can hit the ground running on offense. The Chiefs quarterback is not the no-brainer start he once was, but there is some upside if the game turns into a shootout.

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Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt was the second back on the field for Kansas City, but he proved to be the more reliable option down the stretch. Hunt rushed eight times for 44 yards and a touchdown compared to five carries and 18 yards for Isiah Pacheco. Given his steady performance and Pacheco's inconsistencies, it is likely that the Chiefs lean on him again in this week's contest. Kansas City will face off against the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship game this Sunday. Given the high-powered nature of the Bills offense, Kansas City will try to limit the number of opportunities Josh Allen will have to beat them. Hunt will be leaned on the grind out drives and kill the clock this week. If the veteran running back can remain efficient, he should be in for a heavy workload. Consider starting Hunt in DFS and playoff leagues this Sunday.

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Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco has been a shell of his former self since returning from injury. Even when given the opportunity to start last week's contest, Pacheco remained inefficient and ceded work to veteran Kareem Hunt. The 25-year-old handled five carries for 18 yards against the Texans, compared to eight carries, 44 yards, and a touchdown for Hunt. Given the importance of the matchup and Pacheco's struggles, the Chiefs likely lean on Hunt as their workhorse back in the AFC Championship game this Sunday. Kansas City will face the potent Buffalo Bills in Arrowhead to determine who will represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. With the Chiefs searching for a historic three-peat, the stakes are too high to rely on Pacheco. The second-year back should not be viewed as a start-worthy asset in fantasy playoff leagues and should be considered a dart-throw option in DFS leagues.

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