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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Player Notes
Jerry Jeudy Sep 20 8:20pm CT
Jerry Jeudy

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy has emerged as one of Deshaun Watson's favorite targets through the first two weeks of the season as his 98 receiving yards lead the team thus far. Jeudy will look to keep it going at home against the New York Giants in Week 3. The Giants have been solid against receivers through two weeks, allowing just the 19th-most fantasy points per game to the position. Jeudy has worked his way into the conversation as a weekly flex moving forward and could continue to climb the fantasy ranks if Amari Cooper continues to struggle. Treat Jeudy as a flex option heading into Week 3.

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Jaleel McLaughlin Sep 20 8:20pm CT
Jaleel McLaughlin

Denver Broncos second-year running back Jaleel McLaughlin actually out-touched Javonte Williams in the Week 1 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. However, McLaughlin took a step back in the Week 2 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, carrying the ball only three times for six yards and not drawing a single target after catching all five targets in Week 1. Rookie quarterback Bo Nix has led the offense to one touchdown drive through two weeks, while McLaughlin has averaged a measly 2.5 yards per carry alongside an ineffective Williams. The Broncos will be facing a banged-up Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense that has allowed the fourth-most half-PPR fantasy points to RBs through two games, but until Denver's offense shows some punch, McLaughlin will be hard to trust as a flex option, even in deeper fantasy leagues. He's currently rostered in only 27% of Yahoo leagues.

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Elijah Moore Sep 20 8:20pm CT
Elijah Moore

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Elijah Moore has been busy through the first two weeks of the season, drawing 14 targets which he has turned into nine catches for 53 yards. Moore will look to stay involved in the offense as the Browns take on the New York Giants at home in Week 3. The Giants represent a tough matchup for Moore as they are allowing the 19th-most fantasy points per game to opposing wide receivers through two games. Moore hasn't shown much in the way of long plays but he has been heavily targeted, making him a low-end flex option in PPR leagues heading into Week 3.

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Jayden Daniels Sep 20 8:20pm CT
Jayden Daniels

Washington Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels looks to continue his strong start to his professional career on Monday evening as he travels to Cincinnati on Monday night. After throwing just 186 yards in his debut, Daniels improved his total to 226 yards last week and completed six more passes in the process. While he did not run as much as in the opener, he still used his legs ten times and tallied an additional 44 yards. Even though it slightly lowered his fantasy production last week, it was promising to see him use his arm more than his legs. The former LSU Tiger should be viewed as a QB1 going forward, even though he faces a tough Bengal defense that has allowed an average of 21 points each game.

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Brian Robinson Jr. Sep 20 8:20pm CT
Brian Robinson Jr.

Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. is coming off an excellent game where he ran for a career-high 133 yards against the New York Giants. In this game, he ran the ball 17 times and saw three targets in the passing game but could only catch one of them. Robinson earned 15 touches for 89 total yards in the opening week and found the end zone. The Alabama product has established himself as the lead runner in the Washington backfield, while Austin Ekeler was essentially deployed in passing situations. Despite the limited opportunities, Robinson has been a very efficient runner by averaging six yards per carry and posting a robust 4.2 average yards after contact. On Monday night, Robinson will face a Cincinnati defense that has surrendered a hefty 159.9 rushing yards per game, making him a strong RB2 with upside.

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Dustin Hopkins Sep 20 8:20pm CT
Dustin Hopkins

Cleveland Browns kicker Dustin Hopkins is a perfect 4-for-4 on his field goals and has hit all three of his extra points through two games in 2024. He will look to stay hot in a home matchup against the New York Giants in Week 3. The Giants have been generous to opposing kickers thus far, allowing the eighth-most fantasy points per game through two games. Hopkins settles in as a top-12 fantasy kicker heading into the Week 3 slate of games.

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Austin Ekeler Sep 20 8:20pm CT
Austin Ekeler

Washington Commanders running back Austin Ekeler has typically been deployed as a pass-catcher through his first two weeks in Washington. He should be viewed as an RB3/flex option with a higher potential in PPR formats this weekend as he will face the Cincinnati Bengals. Last weekend, Ekeler saw eight attempts on the ground but ran for just 38 yards. However, the former Charger caught all three targets for 47 yards in the passing game. In the opening week, Ekeler ran the ball twice but reeled in all four of his targets for a combined 62 yards. Even though the 29-year-old has only found fantasy value in the passing game this season, he is being targeted on 20.6% of his routes, which is a promising sign. However, Ekeler is best left for deeper PPR formats as a flex option due to the low projected rushing volume.

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Javonte Williams Sep 20 8:10pm CT
Javonte Williams

If there was a game for the Denver Broncos ground game to get going early in the year, it would be for their Week 3 matchup on the road against a Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense that has allowed the fourth-most half-PPR fantasy points to opposing RBs through the first two weeks. Tampa's D will also most likely be missing both defensive tackles Vita Vea (knee) and Calijah Kancey (calf) in this one. Running back Javonte Williams has done little to warrant confidence from fantasy managers so far, averaging 2.1 yards per carry on 19 attempts through two games. The 24-year-old did salvage his fantasy day in the Week 2 loss to the Steelers by catching all five targets for 48 yards. Williams will be an RB3/flex sleeper because of the matchup against the Bucs, but rookie quarterback Bo Nix and the rest of the offense will need to do its part to sustain more drives.

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Bo Nix Sep 20 8:00pm CT
Bo Nix

Things haven't gone swimmingly in Denver Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix's first two career regular-season starts, as he's completed 59.7% of his 77 pass attempts for 384 yards, no touchdowns and four interceptions in losses to the Seahawks and Steelers. On the ground, he's run the ball nine times for 60 yards and one touchdown. Nix will be on the road in Tampa to face the Buccaneers in Week 3, and while this is probably his best matchup of the year so far -- the Bucs D has allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing QBs through two weeks -- fantasy managers should still consider the 12th overall pick out of Oregon as a QB3. Head coach Sean Payton has had a very conservative game plan so far to help ease the young signal-caller in at the next level. Nix is averaging just 5.0 yards per attempt and 8.3 yards per completion, and the ground game hasn't helped him at all.

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Devaughn Vele Sep 20 7:50pm CT
Devaughn Vele

Denver Broncos rookie wide receiver Devaughn Vele (ribs) practiced in full on both Thursday and Friday and was removed from the final injury report. Vele will be active for the Week 3 matchup on Sunday on the road against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after he was inactive for the Week 2 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The 26-year-old's return on Sunday is bad news for Courtland Sutton and the team's leading receiver, Josh Reynolds, after Vele caught all eight of his targets for 39 yards in the Week 1 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. The seventh-round selection out of Utah played 49% of the snaps in Week 1 and could immediately return as the WR3 and push fellow rookie Troy Franklin back to being a healthy scratch. While Vele appears to have some chemistry with rookie quarterback Bo Nix, he's nothing more than a deep-league stash for the time being in what has been an ugly offense through two games.

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Travis Homer Sep 20 6:40pm CT
Travis Homer

Chicago Bears running back Travis Homer (finger) underwent surgery on his finger and will be placed on Injured Reserve, meaning he will be out for at least the next four games. The Bears have their bye in Week 7 as well, so the earliest Homer will be able to return will be for a Week 8 tilt versus the Washington Commanders. The 26-year-old isn't at all on the fantasy radar after seeing just three carries for 16 yards in the first two weeks of the season. With Homer now out for the foreseeable future, it means that Roschon Johnson should see more involvement on passing downs alongside D'Andre Swift in a Bears offense that has been stuck in the mud early on behind rookie quarterback Caleb Williams. In his first year in Chicago in 2023, Homer was used exclusively on special teams and didn't see a single touch on offense. He was targeted once in the passing game in 16 games.

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Myles Garrett Sep 20 6:30pm CT
Myles Garrett

Cleveland Browns All-Pro defensive end Myles Garrett (foot) was limited in practice on Friday and was removed from the final injury report, meaning he will be active in Week 3 on Sunday versus the New York Giants. There was some concern as to whether Garrett could play this weekend after he missed practices on Wednesday and Thursday. The 28-year-old pass-rusher said he's feeling better after practice on Friday and needs to remain in all starting IDP lineups now that he's locked in to play. There's the risk of the Browns limiting Garrett's defensive snaps if he's not 100 percent, but Garrett is a talent that needs to be starting if he's active. The five-time Pro Bowler has two sacks, five solo tackles and two forced fumbles through two weeks in 2024 after winning Defensive Player of the year for the first time in his career in 2023.

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D'Onta Foreman Sep 20 6:30pm CT
D'Onta Foreman

Cleveland Browns running back D'Onta Foreman saw a major uptick in playing time from Week 1 to Week 2. After playing just one snap in Week 1, Foreman led the team with 14 carries in their Week 2 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 2. Foreman could see another hefty workload at home in his team's Week 3 showdown against the New York Giants. The Giants have struggled to slow down opposing running backs in 2024, allowing the eighth-most fantasy points per game to the position thus far. The Browns are installed as 6.5-point favorites, so Foreman could see plenty of clock-killing carries in the second half if this game goes as expected. Foreman settles in as a decent flex option heading into Week 3.

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Amari Cooper Sep 20 6:30pm CT
Amari Cooper

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Amari Cooper is off to an extremely slow start in 2024, posting just five catches for 27 yards with a handful of bad drops. He will look to turn things around at home in Week 3 against the New York Giants. The Giants have been solid against receivers so far this season, allowing just the 19th-most fantasy points per game to the position. Cooper is tough to trust based on his first two games and could soon be passed by Jerry Jeudy as the team's No. 1 receiver, who has handily outproduced him this season. Treat Cooper as a low-end WR3 in fantasy heading into Week 3.

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Deshaun Watson Sep 20 6:20pm CT
Deshaun Watson

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson has thrown for 355 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions through two games thus far this season. He will look for his first multi-touchdown game at home in Week 3 against the New York Giants. The Giants have been decent against quarterbacks this season, allowing the 18th-most fantasy points per game to the position. The main concern with Watson here is that the Browns could get out to an early lead which would allow Watson to spend much of the afternoon handing the ball off to his running backs. Due to pass volume concerns and general mediocre play from Watson this season, he settles in as a mid-range QB2 heading into Week 3.

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Trevon Diggs Sep 20 6:20pm CT
Trevon Diggs

Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs (foot) was removed from the Week 3 injury report on Friday after putting in a full practice. Diggs was held out on Wednesday before being upgraded to a limited session on Thursday. He will be active on Sunday to face the visiting Baltimore Ravens and will likely be tasked with trying to slow down Ravens top receiver Zay Flowers. The ball-hawking defensive back already has one interception through two games to go with 10 total tackles (eight solo) and two pass breakups. It's great news for Dallas' defense/special teams unit that Diggs will be able to play this weekend, but the Cowboys D/ST is a clear fade in DFS and season-long formats this weekend against a Ravens team that has their back against the wall and is desperately trying to avoid going 0-3 early on. Baltimore's offense has averaged 21.5 points through the first two weeks of 2024.

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Jerome Ford Sep 20 6:20pm CT
Jerome Ford

Cleveland Browns running back Jerome Ford saw D'Onta Foreman steal away a large chunk of his workload in a Week 2 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. After Ford saw all but two running back carries in Week 1, Foreman out-carried him 14 to seven last week. The Browns will now welcome the New York Giants to Cleveland in Week 3. The Giants have struggled this season and the game script could favor Foreman, who presumably would be on the field for the majority of the second half if the Browns can build a lead and go into clock-killing mode. Ford still can do damage in the passing game but he settles in as an RB3 due to volume concerns in Week 3.

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Matt Gay Sep 20 6:10pm CT
Matt Gay

Indianapolis Colts kicker Matt Gay (quadriceps) has been removed from the final injury report on Friday and will kick in Week 3 at Lucas Oil Stadium against the visiting Chicago Bears. Gay missed the season-opening loss to the division-rival Houston Texans after having sports-hernia surgery but returned in last week's loss to the Green Bay Packers. The 30-year-old made his only extra-point try while going 1-for-2 on his field-goal attempts at Lambeau Field. Gay missed practice on Wednesday due to a new quad injury but practiced in full on both Thursday and Friday, assuring he will play on Sunday. Going up against a stout Bears defense and potentially without their top receiver in Michael Pittman Jr. (back, calf), Gay isn't a recommended fantasy streamer for Week 3.

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Evan Engram Sep 20 6:00pm CT
Evan Engram

Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Evan Engram (hamstring) missed a second straight practice this week on Friday and appears to be trending toward missing a second straight game in Week 3 on Monday night against the Buffalo Bills. Engram injured his hamstring during pre-game warmups before the Week 2 loss to the Cleveland Browns. He will likely need to return to practice on Saturday to avoid being ruled out on the final injury report of the week. As of right now, fantasy managers should plan to be without the 30-year-old veteran. With Engram out last Sunday, Brenton Strange stepped up as the top pass-catching TE and played 68% of the offensive snaps, catching three of his six targets for 65 yards. The Bills defense has been vulnerable so far through two games to the TE position, but Strange will still be only a TE2 sleeper for fantasy lineups if Engram misses a second straight game.

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Romeo Doubs Sep 20 6:00pm CT
Romeo Doubs

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs travels with the Packers to Nashville to take on the Titans in Week 3, where he'll be considered a flex option for fantasy managers. Doubs led the Packers in receiving yards with 62 in Green Bay's 16-10 win, but overall, the passing game was a distant second in importance to the run game. With just 14 pass attempts, passing volume was extremely hard to come by as the Packers employed a very conservative run-heavy approach to the game plan against the Colts in Week 2. That's the likely game plan in Week 3 should Willis get the starting nod. Starting quarterback Jordan Love (knee) has left the door open a crack with his availability this week, entering the weekend on the injury report with a questionable designation. If Love does end up playing, the offense is immediately upgraded. If Willis is starting, then consider Doubs a low-end flex option in Week 3.

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