Studs and Duds: Divisional Round

Mon Jan 22 9:38am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer

Related photo caption below

Kelce comes up big for Chiefs


Well, that was a lot better. The games were really good this weekend. Even the first one that ended up pretty lopsided. It was still good for the half. The rest of the games were really entertaining, though. Most of them were really back and forth, and could have gone to either team in the end. It made for some great entertainment. And the fantasy numbers weren’t too bad, either. There were some really big games this weekend. Hopefully, you were able to take advantage of some of those big games on all your playoff fantasy teams.

Ravens 34, Texans 10

Fantasy Stud: Lamar Jackson. Jackson proved why he is the front runner for MVP this year. He had a great game, going 16-of-22 for 152 yards and two touchdowns without a turnover. He also led the team in rushing, hitting the 100-yard mark. Jackson ran 11 times for 100 yards and two touchdowns. Jackson scored 37.6 fantasy points. He has 35-plus fantasy points three of five games

Fantasy Dud: C.J. Stroud. The Ravens did a great job of holding the impressive rookie in check. He did not score a touchdown in the game and failed to hit 200-passing yards. Stroud was 19-of-33 for 175 yards without a score or turnover. He still had a monster rookie season and is going to be one of the best fantasy quarterbacks for years to come.

Game Notes: Justice Hill had 13 carries for 66 yards, leading the Ravens in rushing for ar running back. He also caught two passes for 11 yards, finishing with 77 total yards.

Dalvin Cook made his Ravens debut and ran eight times for 23 yards. He got nearly all his work with the Ravens up big late in the game.

49ers 24, Packers 21

Fantasy Stud: Christian McCaffrey. McCaffrey had his usual huge fantasy game. He ran 17 times for 98 yards and two touchdowns. He also had seven receptions for 30 yards. McCaffrey had 31.8 fantasy points. This was his fourth game this season with 30-plus fantasy points. McCaffrey just keeps posting huge numbers on a weekly basis

Fantasy Dud: Brandon Aiyuk. With Deebo Samuel sidelined much of the game, you thought Aiyuk might get a little more work. Well, that didn’t happen. Aiyuk was a disappointment to fantasy teams, catching just three passes for 32 yards. It was a down game for the star receiver.

Game Notes: Deebo Samuel injured his shoulder early in the game and was unable to return. He had two receptions for 24 yards. This is an injury to watch going forward. Samuel is a huge part of the 49ers offense.

Aaron Jones hit the 100-yard rushing mark. He had 18 carries for 108 yards. Jones finishes the season with five straight 100-yard games.

Lions 31, Bucs 23

Fantasy Stud: Jahmyr Gibbs. Gibbs had a big game rushing and receiving, showing his dual threat ability. He ran nine times for 74 yards and a touchdown. He also had four receptions for 40 yards, giving him 114 total yards and a score. Gibbs outproduced starter David Montgomery running the ball despite having one less carry.
  
Fantasy Dud: Chris Godwin. Godwin had one of his down games this week, catching four passes for 40 yards. He was up and down all season, so this shouldn’t be a huge surprise. Godwin still had a fine season but here is to hoping he can produce more consistent numbers next year.

Game Notes: Mike Evans had eight receptions for 147 yards and a touchdown. This was his fourth 100-yard game of the season. Evans had a huge season and shows few signs of slowing down.

Jared Goff continued his great play in the playoffs, going 30-of-43 for 287 yards and two touchdowns without a turnover. He has 275-plus passing yards each of his two playoff games without a turnover.

Chiefs 27, Bills 24

Fantasy Stud: Travis Kelce. Kelce showed he can still play a big role in the playoffs. He had five receptions for 75 yards and two touchdowns. This was his first two-touchdown game of the entire season. It was the fourth time he topped 20 fantasy points in a game, though. Kelce scored 24.5 fantasy points in this one.
  
Fantasy Dud: Stefon Diggs. Diggs was held in check once again, catching three passes for just 21 yards. It was kind of the theme of the second half of his season. Diggs really disappeared down the stretch, causing some concern for next season.

Game Notes: Josh Allen was huge in defeat, especially as a runner. He ran 12 times for 72 yards and two touchdowns. He also was 26-of-39 for 186 yards and a touchdown.

Isiah Pacheco had a solid game, rushing 15 times for 97 yards and a touchdown. He had a catch for 14 yards, giving him 111 total yards.

Jeff Paur is a two-time finalist for FSWA Fantasy Football Writer of the Year and won the FSWA award for Best Fantasy Football Article on the Web in 2011. He also was the most accurate expert in 2012, winning the FSTA Fantasy Football Accuracy Award. If you have any questions for Jeff, email him at [email protected]. Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffpaur.

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Hot Plays, Fades and Sleepers: Week 3

Player Notes
CeeDee Lamb Sep 20 11:30am CT
CeeDee Lamb

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (ankle) is expected to play on Sunday, according to Jon Machota of The Athletic. Machota reports that Dallas owner Jerry Jones spoke on 1053 The Fan and expressed high confidence that his star wideout will be available on Sunday when the Cowboys face the Baltimore Ravens. Lamb did not practice in practice on Wednesday and was a limited participant on Thursday. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to Friday's injury report just in case, but Lamb is trending in the right direction. Last week, the Oklahoma product caught four of his seven targets for 90 yards and a score and should be locked into all lineups as a high-end WR1 this weekend.

From RotoBaller

Jaylen Waddle Sep 20 11:30am CT
Jaylen Waddle

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle will be tough to trust as a high-end fantasy option in Week 3 when the team takes on the Seattle Seahawks in a road matchup. He will look to build an affinity between himself and quarterback Skylar Thompson over the next few weeks with the news that Tua Tagovailoa (concussion) has been placed on injured reserve. Waddle -- like his teammate Tyreek Hill -- has the rare ability to turn any touch into points, so look for head coach Mike McDaniel to get his wideouts going early and often this Sunday. Still, expectations must be kept in check for him and the Miami offense. Seattle has allowed the second-fewest passing yards (257) through two weeks this season. However, they have yet to play a duo like Waddle and Hill. The Alabama product is RotoBaller's WR34 this week.

From RotoBaller

Raheem Mostert Sep 20 11:20am CT
Raheem Mostert

Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert (chest) remains in questionable status for Week 3. On Friday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reported that head coach Mike McDaniel stated he was "pessimistic" about Mostert's status on Sunday. While this did not rule the 32-year-old out for Sunday, it does not bode well for his potential status. Mostert missed their Week 2 game against the Buffalo Bills due to a chest injury he sustained in their season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor Mostert's status during Friday's practice as it should provide more clarity on his viability for Sunday. If Mostert misses his second-straight game, fantasy managers should expect sophomore De'Von Achane to be the lead-back.

From RotoBaller

Tyreek Hill Sep 20 11:20am CT
Tyreek Hill

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill garners discussion as a WR2 ahead of the team's Week 3 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. He and the other Dolphin wideouts will all get a demotion in the rankings, with quarterback Skylar Thompson set to lead the offense in Tua Tagovailoa's (concussion) stead. It's impossible to know what kind of rapport he and Hill have, as the two did not see action together this preseason despite Thompson seeing extended playing time. However, the 30-year-old speedster is still a threat to turn any pass into a house call. Expect head coach Mike McDaniel to put the veteran wideout in a spot to make his QB look good this weekend -- though, fantasy managers must temper expectations regarding him for the time being. Hill is RotoBaller's WR15 in Week 3 ahead of his road matchup.

From RotoBaller

Jacoby Brissett Sep 20 11:10am CT
Jacoby Brissett

New England Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett was given a vote of confidence from his head coach, Jerod Mayo, on Friday morning, according to Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald. Mayo expressed, "Jacoby is our quarterback until I say he's not our quarterback." This is a good sign for the 31-year-old veteran, as he was lifted from Thursday's game late in the game in favor of rookie Drake Maye. Brissett struggled against a tough New York defense on Thursday, throwing for just 98 yards and completing 12 of his 18 passes. Maye went 4-for-8 with 22 yards in his short-lived professional debut late in the fourth quarter. Fantasy managers in 1QB leagues should continue to leave Brissett on the waiver wire for the time being.

From RotoBaller

Bo Nix Sep 20 11:00am CT
Bo Nix

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense has been a popular waiver wire transaction this week. That is due to the fact the Bucs are heading into a matchup against the Denver Broncos in Week 3. An offense that is led by rookie quarterback Bo Nix. The young signal-caller has thrown zero touchdowns with four interceptions through two games. The defensive unit has done a solid job for Denver, but Nix and the offense look lost. That being said, the Bucs defense shouldn't have many problems trying to contain this offense. The Bucs are missing multiple a few players on defense, but they should still remain one of the better streaming options for Week 3.

From RotoBaller

Skylar Thompson Sep 20 11:00am CT
Skylar Thompson

Miami Dolphins quarterback Skylar Thompson will not be a viable fantasy option when the team faces the Seattle Seahawks on the road in Week 3. He will man the helm in Miami for at least the foreseeable future, with starter Tua Tagovailoa (concussion) on injured reserve. Thompson saw extended play this preseason and regularly hooked up with the tight ends and running backs in the passing game. However, not much can be gleaned from his rapport with the wideouts, as Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle did not appear in preseason action. The Dolphins' offensive skill players will get a downgrade across the board, with the 27-year-old under-center. That's reflected in the 41-point combined-point total in their tilt against Seattle. The former Kansas State quarterback is not a suggestion outside of a desperation play in 2QB formats with passing numbers down league-wide thus far in 2024.

From RotoBaller

Chase McLaughlin Sep 20 10:50am CT
Chase McLaughlin

Tampa Bay Buccaneers kicker Chase McLaughlin is quietly putting together a strong start to the 2024 season. McLaughlin has yet to miss any kicks as he's a perfect 5-for-5 on field goals and 6-for-6 on extra point attempts heading into Week 3. The preseason struggles have gone away as McLaughlin looks like a viable option now. The Bucs have enough offensive firepower to continue giving McLaughlin work on a weekly basis. The Denver Broncos defense has done a nice job this season, but McLaughlin still remains a decent streaming option for fantasy managers looking for help.

From RotoBaller

Brandon Aubrey Sep 20 10:50am CT
Brandon Aubrey

Dallas Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey has been a weapon in fantasy football so far this season, as he has drilled 8-of-8 field goals and 4-of-4 extra points. Three of his made field goals have come from beyond 50 yards, and he currently ranks as the number one kicker in fantasy. Aubrey will look to remain perfect this week against Baltimore in a game that is projected to be high-scoring. Do not hesitate to insert him into your lineup this week.

From RotoBaller

Lamar Jackson Sep 20 10:30am CT
Lamar Jackson

The Dallas Cowboys defense/special teams unit has been one of the most boom-bust units in fantasy over the past few seasons, and that is no different heading into Week 3 against the Baltimore Ravens. One week removed from getting shredded for 44 points against New Orleans, Dallas will look to rebound against Lamar Jackson's 0-2 Ravens team. Despite the winless start, Baltimore leads the league in total offensive yards through the first two games. In this potential shootout, avoid the Cowboys' defense in fantasy lineups.

From RotoBaller

Jalen McMillan Sep 20 10:30am CT
Jalen McMillan

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Jalen McMillan has been quiet through the first two weeks of the season. The rookie wideout won the No. 3 role in camp, but that doesn't come along with much attention. Through two games, McMillan has hauled in two of his five targets for 53 yards and a touchdown. Often times, McMillan is the third or fourth passing option, which isn't resulting in a ton of action. The assumption is that McMillan will get more value later on once he builds more chemistry with quarterback Baker Mayfield. For now, McMillan is a dynasty stash and remains avoidable for Week 3.

From RotoBaller

Cade Otton Sep 20 10:30am CT
Cade Otton

Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton has been barely involved through the first two games of the season. The third-year tight end has seen only four targets as the Bucs head into a Week 3 matchup against the Denver Broncos. A defensive unit that has struggled to contain the tight end, which should be good news for Otton. However, it's uncertain how many targets will be available for Otton with wide receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin both healthy. Running back Rachaad White (groin) is uncertain for Week 3, so his absence could mean more targets for Otton. Regardless, fantasy managers can't trust Otton right now as he looks like a desperation option for TE-needy fantasy managers for Week 3.

From RotoBaller

Rico Dowdle Sep 20 10:20am CT
Rico Dowdle

Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle has seen an even split in both rushing and receiving work with Ezekiel Elliott through the first two weeks of the season. The fifth-year back has seen a more consistent workload this season than he ever has, but he still is not a reliable fantasy option due to the workload split with Elliott. This week against the Baltimore Ravens, Dowdle grades as an RB4. Baltimore has allowed the least amount of rushing yards in the league through the first two games, creating a negative matchup for the Dallas running back. Look elsewhere for a running back option this week, as Dowdle will need a touchdown to pay off in fantasy.

From RotoBaller

Mike Evans Sep 20 10:20am CT
Mike Evans

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans is coming off a dud performance against the Detroit Lions. The veteran wideout hauled in three of his six targets for 42 yards in the win. It was a quiet game for Evans as he watched fellow wideout Chris Godwin tear up the Lions defense. Now, Evans will draw a tough matchup against Denver Broncos star defensive back Patrick Surtain. Evans always has big-play explosiveness, but could be held in check once again. Throughout the years, Evans has proven to be mostly reliable, so fantasy managers should feel comfortable with him as a WR2 for Week 3.

From RotoBaller

Brandin Cooks Sep 20 10:20am CT
Brandin Cooks

Dallas Cowboys receiver Brandin Cooks was limited in practice on Wednesday due to rest, but fully participated in Thursday's practice ahead of the Week 3 matchup with Baltimore. Cooks is not injured and should enter the game as the healthiest pass-catcher for Dallas with CeeDee Lamb (ankle) and Jake Ferguson (knee) battling injuries. The veteran is a WR4 option this week, as both Lamb and Ferguson are trending towards playing. The Cowboys should lean on the pass against a softer Baltimore secondary, making Cooks a potential flex option in deeper leagues.

From RotoBaller

Jalen Tolbert Sep 20 10:20am CT
Jalen Tolbert

Dallas Cowboys receiver Jalen Tolbert is coming off of a career-best performance in which he secured six receptions for 82 yards in the blowout loss to New Orleans. However, Jake Ferguson (knee) is expected to return this week, which could limit Tolbert's role in the offense. Ferguson and CeeDee Lamb (ankle) are both banged up but expected to play, limiting Tolbert's short-term usage. The third-year receiver is an intriguing stash in deep leagues with the offense searching for a tertiary playmaker behind Lamb and Ferguson, but cannot be trusted in lineups with an unproven workload this week against Baltimore.

From RotoBaller

Chris Godwin Sep 20 10:20am CT
Chris Godwin

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin has been impressive early on in the season. Through two games, Godwin has 15 receptions for 200 yards and two touchdowns. It looks like moving Godwin back to the slot position has worked out well for the Bucs. The veteran wideout should continue having success in Week 3. He'll draw a Denver Broncos defense that has surprisingly done well against the pass this season. However, fellow wideout Mike Evans figures to draw star defensive back Patrick Surtain, which should open up more chances for Godwin. The Bucs pass-heavy offense should give both wideouts plenty of targets, so Godwin should be considered a high-end WR2 for Week 3.

From RotoBaller

Dak Prescott Sep 20 10:10am CT
Dak Prescott

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott has had a slow start to the 2024 fantasy season. He didn't have to do much in a dominant Week 1 win, and struggled in last week's blowout loss. Week 3 presents an opportunity for the 31-year-old to put it all together as the 0-2 Baltimore Ravens come to town. Baltimore has allowed the most passing yards in the league through two weeks while being stronger against the run, matching up well with what Dallas likes to do offensively. Despite Prescott's slow start, he grades as a low-end QB1 this week and should be inserted into lineups in most formats.

From RotoBaller

Ezekiel Elliott Sep 20 10:10am CT
Ezekiel Elliott

Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott has seen an even split in workload with Rico Dowdle thus far in 2024. The veteran has carried the ball 16 times for 56 yards and a touchdown while reaching up four catches for 25 yards through two games. This week's matchup with Baltimore is not favorable, as the Ravens have surrendered the least rushing yards in the league through two games. Elliott will likely split work with Dowdle again, and will need a touchdown to pay off in fantasy. Look elsewhere for a running back option this week.

From RotoBaller

Bucky Irving Sep 20 10:00am CT
Bucky Irving

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving hasn't seen too big of a workload early in the season, but that could change in Week 3. Starting back Rachaad White (groin) has been limited in practice and remains uncertain for this weekend's matchup against the Denver Broncos. That being said, Irving could be asked to step into a bigger role. Through two games, Irving has rushed for 84 yards on 16 attempts, which is 5.3 yards per carry. He certainly has the ability to be a playmaker in the league, but has a limited ceiling with White being the lead back. That being said, Irving could make for an intriguing fantasy option if White is held out on Sunday. Irving could make for a low-end flex option or RB3 as the lead back. The rookie back should be stashed as the primary handcuff to White.

From RotoBaller