CINCINNATI BENGALS
12/12/2025

So you are telling me there is still a chance?

Yes, the Bengals have a chance to make the playoffs but their wiggle room decreased with that excruciating loss last week to the Bills.

This week the Bengals face the Ravens with kickoff set for 1 pm Sunday at Paycor Stadium.

It will be extremely cold Sunday and the expectation is the Ravens, featuring QB Lamar Jackson and RB Derrick Henry, will run all over the porous Bengals defense.

A successful Ravens run game could shorten the game and reduce the chances for the Bengals high-powered offense.

Despite that, QB Joe Burrow is a must start. Burrow was exceptional last week against Buffalo and has been very good since his return from injury. This week should be no different. The Ravens defense has given up two top 12 finishes two quarterbacks over the last four weeks and Burrow has had some big games against the Ravens.
RB Chase Brown faced a Ravens defense that has surrendered four top 24 finishes to running backs the last four weeks. Brown is a volume hog and a must-start on your fantasy team. He slipped a bit in terms of success last week but still had plenty of volume to be a great start.
RB Samaje Perine also is a solid start, a good flex play in our lineups. Cold weather may mean more of a rotation in the backfield.

WR Ja’Marr Chase is a must-start with or without WR Tee Higgins in the lineup. This week, Higgins is out as he is still dealing with concussion symptons.
WR Andrei Iosivas and WR Mitchell Tinsley are next in line for the Bengals at the wideout position with Higgins out but I am fearful of either in my lineup. Iosivas is touchdown dependent. For that matter, Tinsley is as well but he could hit for a 60-yard strike and that would be like a 12 point play. Not saying Tinsley over Iosivas because if you are relying on one play to put you over then you are likely in trouble.

The Ravens have allowed three top 24 finishes to wide receivers over the last four weeks. That number could be zero and Chase is still in my lineup.He is going to be double covered or bracketed but he is still in my lineup if I have him.

At tight end, TE Mike Gesicki is most likely the third option in terms of volume behind Chase and Brown. In terms of tight ends, the Ravens have not allowed a top 12 finish over the last four weeks.

If you feel Gesicki is more like a third wideout than true tight end, disregard that note and play him. TE Noah Fant is likely not going to get major volume and would therefore be a touchdown dependent play. TE Tanner Hudson also is touchdown or bust.
PK Evan McPherson continues to be a must play, even in brutally cold weather like that which is expected in Cincinnati Sunday.

On defense, the unit is out, has been for some time. Individually there is hope. DB Jordan Battle, LB Demetrius Knight, DB Geno Stone are very solid plays.
DE Shemar Stewart is likely to be back and could be a decent shot in the dark along the defensive line. DE Joseph Ossai and DE Myles Murphy have played better of late, though Murphy was blanked last week.

End.

Mark Huber

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INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
12/10/2025

Hey there Colts’ fans! Here are my thoughts as the reeling Colts head to the Pacific northwest to face the red hot 10-3 Seattle Seahawks:

LAST WEEK: The Colts lost their third straight game, getting curb-stomped 36-19 by the Jaguars in Jacksonville as has been the case for over a decade. This game was not really that close. They ere already getting pushed around, and once Jones went down, the wheels came off. The rookie Leonard actually did not play terribly in his emergency role, but the overall game was not pretty in any capacity. About the only good thing is that Pittman was very solid in PPR leagues.

INJURIES: Wow – what a week for this team. Already playing with a fractured fibula, QB Daniel Jones suffered a season-ending Achilles tear, also rupturing the Colts’ floundering playoff chances. Just to make matters worse, the only other active passer was rookie QB Riley Leonard who now also is “week to week” with a knee injury; despite this label, he did practice in full on Wednesday. Former starter QB Anthony Richardson is still out (for the season, likely) with a broken facial bone. It is such a bad situation that the team signed QB Philip Rivers to their practice squad this week, causing more than a few head-scratches plus a plethora of memes about grandfathers in the NFL. Stud CB Charvarius Ward suffered his third concussion of the year and was placed on season-ending IR today, and splashy acquisition CB Sauce Gardner was a no-go as he has been every practice since his calf injury. Joining Ward in concussion protocol is starting RT Braden Smith, further weakening an O-line whose play has been erratic of late. About the only good news is that DL DeForest Buckner was a limited participant in practice after being on IR since week 10.

QUARTERBACK: While Leonard is preparing to start this week, I would not be surprised to see veteran QB Brett Rypien get the nod by week’s end or to get into the game. Heck, Rivers might even be activated to serve as backup, and Steichen has not ruled out his starting on Sunday even. In any case, you would have either a rookie in his first start, or a career backup with no success in the NFL, or a grandfather that has not seen an NFL locker room since COVID. None inspire confidence for fantasy on their own….and when one considers a trip to face the 12th Man in Seattle and the ferocious Seahawks defense, this is a no-=brainer “non starter” for your fantasy team.

RUNNING BACK: If given a choice, the Colts will give the ball to RB Jonathan Taylor 137 consecutive times on Sunday. The problem is that the Seahawks defense also knows this so running lanes could be few and far between. They have been very stingy, allowing the 3rd fewest rushing yards and only four rushing scores al season. I like Taylor’s volume (at least in game plan and intent), but I seriously doubt that this will turn into a high-end #1 running back sort of game unless he busts a long TD. Cautiously start him, but start him.

WIDE RECEIVER: About the only thing I did notice about Leonard under center is that he locked onto WR Michael Pittman. If Leonard starts this week, Pittman makes a solid PPR play, although with limited TD potential. Plus, the Seahawks have allowed the fewest receiving yards to the wide receiver all season at just a skosh over 100 YPG. Pittman in a PPR is a low-end #2 and Pierce could surprise, but all in all, I don’t see a lot of excitement here this week.

TIGHT END: TE Tyler Warren has a very favorable matchup this week. In addition to the game script likely favoring a passing offense more than usual, The Seahawks also have been #2 most generous to the tight end all season, giving up the 2nd most yards and receptions to the position. As long as he is on the field, he is a solid play in any TE-required leagues with low end #1 potential in most scoring systems.

KICKER: Not until I see more. The offense could struggle to provide scoring chances of any kind this week. PK Blake Grupe was elevated to the active roster, so he surely will be kicking this weekend. But…the Seahawks have only allowed the 2nd fewest points to the kicker and have allowed the fewest PATs and among the fewest FGAs. Just never mind.

DEFENSE: The defense is hemorrhaging playmakers and front-line starters and simply does not have enough oomph to make a blip on the fantasy radar right now. The ‘Hawks offense hums a bit, especially at home, and there is no way the depleted secondary can contain JSN and K-9. Just stay away…moving on…..

OVERALL: This one should be a laugher. The Seahawks at home should light up and run down the Colts in all phases of the game as they seek the #1 seed and the advantages it brings. Let’s say that the Seahawks win this one by a 25 point margin. They will try to run Taylor all day but ultimately get sucked into a game script and situation that reduces his impact. There is simply no way a team can cross half the country, lose their top 2-3 quarterbacks, bring in a 45-year old dude and go into Seattle and win a game. Unbelievable. And if Rivers sees action? Forget it.

That is all for this week from the Crossroads of America. For virtually all leagues, you are entering your playoffs, so I wish good luck to all of you in win-or-go-home games this weekend!

End.

Chris Rito

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DENVER BRONCOS
12/9/2025

Denver 24 Las Vegas 17

Denver’s victory over the Raiders gives them an advantage over the Patriots as strong as a head-to-head win at the end of the season. The Broncos dominated the game which wasn’t as close as the score would indicate. For the second week in a row after the bye, Broncos' QB Bo Nix was just outstanding. Nix led the offense on some monster drives that bled nearly half the entire game off the clock. The Broncos had three separate drives of at least 14 plays and 80 yards, which ate up nearly 30 minutes of game clock. But the team also had eight penalties and dropped/bobbled passes. Denver’s defense had to move past their first-quarter jitters, but got the job done although leaks persisted. At least, Edge Nik Bonitto was a constant force. WR Marvin Mims Jr. broke out for a 49-yard punt return touchdown, the first of his career. Eleven different players caught passes from Nix and the team running backs averaged 4.0+ yac.

Green Bay Packers @ Denver Broncos

No Broncos series has been more tied to home-field advantage than the one with the Packers. Denver is 7-1(OT loss) all-time against Green Bay in Denver but is 0-6-1 against the Packers in Wisconsin. The Broncos catch Green Bay in the middle of its series with its arch-rivals, the Chicago Bears (game after and game before. Former Broncos K Brandon McManus returns to Denver for the first time. Payton-led teams are 6-2 against Green Bay. Green Bay is back in first place in the NFC North. Vegas expects a close game (-1.5 Packers). This is a classic “chip on the shoulder” game for the Broncos. Expect a physical, low scoring, field position game. Packers 17 Broncos 20 behind their defense.

Transactions

Released WR Kyrese Rowan from practice squad. Signed RD Sincere McCormack to the practice squad.

Quotes of the Week

Payton: “Number one, let’s just talk about assets or strengths. When you can climb and gain 11 yards, some people have that; some don’t. In other words, we can’t go work on that on Field B [in practice]. So, he has that. And a lot of times in those situations you’re getting some zone coverages. Sometimes teams will play a spy. And then I think the ability to throw the ball — not only from the pocket, but I would say a strength of his going right or left is throwing it off-schedule. And I think some people can work on that, but aren’t as effective as others. [Those are] the first two things that come to mind.”

Tony Dungy: "They're the best in the AFC right now. Outstanding defense and they're clutch on offense. The defense feels like all they have to do is keep it close, and Bo Nix will win it for us. They used to say that about [Patrick] Mahomes in Kansas City."

Defense

The Broncos have rotated their cornerbacks to some extent which has clearly caused chaos within the defense. The pass rush has been decent, but not dominant the past couple of weeks, as they had been for most of the season. Teams have figured out Joseph's simulated-pressure look and how to attack it. The defense has had their hands on the football a lot, but only have seven interceptions. The next four opponents, with the quality of the offenses and the weapons they have, are a threat. The Broncos need their defense to be that standout top-three unit that it was for the first 12 weeks. And, the whole team needs to clean up the penalties.
Orangeman’s Take

Payton used the Raider game to get the running game going, planning for the offense to be an effective balanced offense for the stretch run. The Broncos keep finding ways to win, and they deserve all the credit for that, but they continue to leave a lot of yards and points on the field. The little lapses of the defense are a concern for the stretch run. Nix is Josh Allen in the final two minutes of each half and overtime and 2022-model Russell Wilson (84.4-year passer rating) the rest of the game. Nix is exactly what you want when it matters most and figuring out the rest of the game is the missing piece for Nix. Denver's late-game heroics are a feature, not a bug, of the team.

2026 offensive skill position free agents: 1. WR George Pickens (24 years old) $30m/$100m guaranteed. Could be a #1 WR in Denver as Sutton ages. 2. RB Breece Hall top 5 RB money=questionable financial fit. 3. WR Wan’Dale Robinson sizable deal; true high-volume slot. 4. TE Kyle Pitts Falcons never unlocked him as playmaker (could Payton/Nix?)

2026 draft power backs to compliment bell cow Harvey: 1. Caleb Johnson, Iowa, 6’0, 225. 2. Jonah Coleman, Washington, 5’9, 225.

Fantasy outlook

Quarterbacks PPR Points
Bo Nix 15-17

Running Backs
RJ Harvey 11-17
Jaleel McLaughlin 4-6
Tyler Baddie 0-4
Adam Prentice 0-2

Wide Receivers
Courtland Sutton 11-17
Marvin Mims, Jr 4-7
Pat Bryant 5-12
Troy Franklin 8-10
Lil’Jordan Humphrey 2-4

Tight ends
Evan Engram 6-10
Adam Trautman 2-4
Nate Adkins 0-2

Kicker
Wil Lutz 7-9

DST 5-10

Good luck this week!

End.

Charles Rives

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LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
12/10/2025

Last week, on MNF, the Chargers defeated the Eagles by the score of 22-19. While the Chargers didn’t play amazingly well, it was good enough to win. This week, the 9-4 Chargers face the 6-7 Chiefs in KC, which should be another tough game. This report will be a review of last week’s win, and a preview of the upcoming Chargers at Chiefs game.

QB: 10.76. Those are the number of weekly fantasy points that QB Justin Herbert has put up in my league over the past 4 weeks. And of course, those numbers suck. While we all know that Herbert is playing with a broken left non-throwing hand, certainly it hasn’t been broken for 4 weeks. And as Herbert’s numbers suffer, so do the numbers of many other Chargers players, particularly his receivers. Looking at the numbers last week, Herbert was 12 for 26 for 138 passing yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 2 fumbles (1 lost), 66 rushing yards (team leader), and a 59.6 quarterback rating. Not good. Despite their record, the Chiefs are tough, Herbert is hurt AND has been performing poorly and he is one hit on that surgically repaired left hand from exiting the game. I don’t like the risk/reward ratio. Unless you have a clearly better choice, bench him. Don’t get me wrong, he could light it up, but again, risk vs. reward at a critical time in your fantasy season.

RB: Last week, RB Omarion Hampton returned with 13 carries for 56 yards and no TDs. Hampton also had 2 receptions for 11 yards and a receiving TD. He’s a solid RB2 this week. There’s no question that the return of Hampton hurts RB Kamini Vidal’s fantasy value a lot. Against the Eagles, he had 14 carries for 44 yards, no TDs, and 1 reception for 60 yards but no receiving TDs. I would expect Vidal to remain heavily involved in the game and he looks like a decent FLEX option this week.

WR: When Herbert suffers, so do his receivers. Last week, WR Keenan Allen caught only 3 for 22 yards and no TDs. WR Ladd McConkey caught but 1 for 12 yards and no TDs. Boom/bust WR Quentin Johnston caught 2 for only 8 yards and no TDs. So less than 50 receiving yards between the 3 of them. I lowered their outlook last week and I’ll do the same this week, rating McConkey and Allen as iffy WR3s (McConkey is the better option). I’d probably bench Johnston, as he hasn’t been getting the looks or numbers and an injured Herbert with a porous O-Line (7 sacks last week), doesn’t seem attractive to me.

TE: For the same reasons discussed (poor play & injuries) I don’t consider Oronde Gadsen to be an attractive option. There’s no doubt in my mind that the talent is there, but he’s averaging 2.2 fantasy points per game in my league over the last 4 games, and again, that just doesn’t cut it. Is it possible that any of these guys light up the scoreboard? Of course, but we’re dealing in probabilities here. TE2 or bench.

PK: I feel as if PK Cameron Dicker is solid to the point that he’s a must start regardless of opponent. He may well be the NFL’s best kicker. Last week, he was a machine, going 5-5 on FGs (long of 54 yards) and 1-1 on extra points. If you own him, start him.

DEF: The Chargers defense has been playing great. That said, I think KC’s mediocre record hides the fact that this is still a very solid team, and they’ll have something to prove in a tough home game. So given that, I feel like the Chargers defense is average to a bit above fantasy option this week.

Happy Holidays and good luck with your fantasy games!

End.

Brad Willis

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DALLAS COWBOYS

The report for this week has not yet been released.

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NEW YORK GIANTS
12/12/2025

WAS @ NYG:

Giants rookie QB Jaxson Dart is a solid QB1 for fantasy this week against the Commanders due to his talent.

RB Tyrone Tracy (hip) and RB Devin Singletary both have flex/RB3 value for fantasy in a time-share situation.

WR Wan'Dale Robinson is a high-end WR3 in PPR leagues this week. WR Darius Slayton has some flex value for owners in need this week, but also a fairly low floor for fantasy. WR Isaiah Hodgins and the rest of the WR corps should be ignored due to low target shares.

TE Theo Johnson is a borderline TE1 this week against the Commanders. He could easily score in this game.

Good luck to all this week!

End.

Michael Nazarek

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WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM

The report for this week has not yet been released.

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CHICAGO BEARS
12/11/2025

Week 14: Too Little, Too Late. Packers 28, Bears 21
Over the past several weeks, I had gotten so used to watching the Bears find ways to win late that I fully expected it to happen again last Sunday evening. When it didn’t happen, I was not happy. Extremely not happy. Yes, the Bears went toe to toe with them, but there are no moral victories in this rivalry, and I can’t wait for the rematch.

Quarterback QB Caleb Williams completed 19 of 35 passes for 186 yards and two TDs with one INT and ran four times for 15 yards. After a pretty awful first half, he was nearly flawless in the second half until the fateful final play. I would’ve preferred a run on that play, despite the fact that RB Kyle Monangai got hammered for no gain on the previous play, because I trust the Bears’ running game a lot more than I trust Caleb.

If they were going to call a pass play, I would’ve preferred a play where Williams could roll to his right and have a better chance of running for the first down himself if the primary read wasn’t open. As it was, TE Cole Kmet was open, but Caleb underthrew it (despite seeing the defender sprinting back to Kmet) and threw it late (like many of his other throws).

Running back
RB D’Andre Swift had 13 carries for 63 yards and caught three of his four targets for 19 yards. Monangai had 14 carries for 57 yards and caught one of his two targets for no gain. The yards/carry average wasn’t too bad, but neither back had a ten-yard run.

Wide receiver WR D.J. Moore caught one of his three targets for a four-yard loss and got blown up a couple times. With WR Rome Odunze out, you would’ve thought that this could’ve been a big game for Moore, but for whatever reason he still hasn’t been able to find his feet in HC Ben Johnson’s offense and with Williams. WR Luther Burden III caught four of his six targets for 67 yards and had a run for three yards. You could almost say that Burden is becoming WR2 in this offense. He’s had at least five targets in each of his last four games. WR Olamide Zaccheaus caught two of his three targets for seven yards and a TD. WR Devin Duvernay caught his lone target for 24 yards.

Tight end TE Colston Loveland hauled in four of his five targets for 29 yards and a TD. Kmet reeled in two of his three targets for 42 yards. TE Durham Smythe caught his only target for two yards.

Defense/Special teams CB Kyler Gordon injured his groin again in pregame warmups, and that had a huge impact on the game as backup slot CB C.J. Gardner-Johnson didn’t have the speed to keep up with the Cheeseheads’ receivers. The defense couldn’t rush the passer and gave up way too many explosives in this game, and that was the difference.

Kicker PK Cairo Santos hit both of his field goal attempts and his lone extra point.

Week 15: Browns at Bears
The Bears will now host the Browns on Sunday afternoon at a frigid Soldier Field. Windchills are expected to be around 0 to minus-5 degrees for the game.

Quarterback
The Browns have allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points/game to signal callers. They have the top-ranked pass defense in the league (165.2 yards allowed/game). They also have Myles Garrett, who is seeking the single-season sack record. I would advise you to stay away from Williams this weekend.

Running back
Cleveland has allowed the 12th-fewest fantasy points/game to tailbacks. The Titans’ Tony Pollard lit up the Browns for 161 yards on 25 carries with two long TDs last weekend, though that was a bit of an anomaly. I have Swift and Monangai as solid flex plays this weekend. Considering the frigid conditions and the Browns’ tough pass defense, I think the running game will be Johnson’s primary focus on Sunday.

Wide receiver
The Browns have allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points/game to wideouts. Odunze has a stress fracture in his foot that he’s been dealing with for a few weeks now. He was limited on Wednesday (estimated, walkthrough) and Thursday. Even if he’s active, I wouldn’t expect much from him, and there would be a risk of re-injury. Moore’s fantasy owners are probably ready to disown him right about now, but Johnson did say earlier this week that, “I thought going into the [Packers] game we might’ve had more for him than any other player in the offense. And so was a little surprised at the end when I saw the stat sheet for one catch. That was disappointing.”

Moore had been trending upward a bit until duds in the last two games. As for Sunday, I have him as an average play at best, with Burden a bit higher than him and Zaccheaus (hamstring, limited on Wednesday and Thursday) only a deep league option if he’s active. Johnson can call plays that feature Moore, but it’s up to Caleb to get the ball to him, and there’s still something of a disconnect there.

Tight end
Cleveland has allowed the 11th-fewest fantasy points/game to tight ends. I have Loveland as an average play this weekend, with Kmet a bit lower than him.

Defense/Special teams
Gordon is out for the foreseeable future with his groin injury. CB Tyrique Stevenson (hip) was limited on Wednesday and Thursday, while CB Jaylon Johnson fully practiced both days. Shedeur Sanders has thrown three picks in four games, so I think there’s a pretty good chance that the rookie will throw at least one or two to the Bears. I have this unit as an above average play this weekend.

Kicker
The Browns are middling (17th) against kickers. I have Santos as an average play this week.

Good luck this week!

End.

Richard Fung

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DETROIT LIONS
12/12/2025

Lions at Rams

QB: The Lions are coming off of that Thursday game against Dallas that turned into a shootout with the Lions winning 44-30. QB Jared Goff ended up with good numbers as you would expect when you score 44 points, going 25 of 34 for 309 yards with one TD pass, no turnovers, and only one sack. It’s fair to say a lot of that yardage was run after the catch but when it comes to fantasy points it’s not about how, it’s about how many. This week the Lions travel to Los Angeles for a showdown against the Rams. Of course that is Goff’s former team but most think that angle along with the Goff vs. Stafford angle are a little played out at this point. This will be the 4th matchup between the teams since the 2021 trade. The bottom line is that the Rams have been playing good football all season long and their defense is solid even if they don’t have a lot of big names. I have watched the Rams a lot this season and I know they can generate pressure with their four man rush. I don’t love the matchup for Goff. He is a middle of the pack option in fantasy this week.

RB: The Lions maximized their backfield production against Dallas. RB Jahmyr Gibbs didn’t rack up huge yardage on the ground with 12 carries for 43 yards but he had 3 TDs, plus he added 7 catches for 77 yards as the Lions seem to finally be unlocking his potential as a receiver instead of just throwing him a bunch of checkdowns. RB David Montgomery added 6 carries for 60 yards which featured a nice 35 yard TD run. He added a catch for 13 yards so if you played him he gave you solid points despite a limited workload. With his touches not likely to increase you just have to hope he scores if you are playing him. Gibbs is likely to continue putting up big numbers as the Lions try to scratch and claw their way back into the playoffs.

WR/TE: The story here was WR Amon-Ra St. Brown, who I didn’t really expect to play last week due to his ankle injury. He didn’t practice all week and the Lions elevated a receiver from the practice squad on the day of the game. But St. Brown played and he wasn’t limited at all as far as playing time, with 57 of a possible 62 snaps. He caught 6 passes for 92 yards. I’m sure he wasn’t 100% but that’s what stud players do. He isn’t listed on the injury report at all this week so we are ready to leave any worries about the ankle in the past. WR Jameson Williams had a nice game as well with 7-96 receiving. WR Kalif Raymond is up to limited practice this week. His return could steal a few targets away but it’s probably safe to play Williams in most formats. Rookie WR Isaac TeSlaa played 48 snaps but only had 3 targets, catching 2 for 20 yards with a TD. The Lions tight end situation is a mess right now due to injuries and other roster needs. TE Anthony Firkser is the only tight end currently on the 53 man roster. TE Shane Zylstra could be activated from IR this week. There are options on the practice squad. And offensive tackle Dan Skipper will probably keep getting snaps as a tight end in the jumbo formation. The bottom line is you can ignore the tight ends as the football will be going to the guys that are in your lineup.

K/DST: Brandon Aubrey put on a show last Thursday with his big leg but PK Jake Bates wasn’t bad either making 5 PATs and 3 of 4 field goals. The miss was partially blocked. You can keep starting Bates of course. The Lions defense allowed Dak to throw for 376 yards but they sacked him 5 times and forced 3 turnovers so it was a better effort than you might have guessed from the score. The injuries keep coming though with S Brian Branch going down with an Achilles. With S Kerby Joseph still likely to be out the Lions are very thin at safety. The Rams have developed a nice 1-2 punch at running back but I feel like the Lions have been pretty good against the run. I would expect Stafford to attack the Lions secondary early and often.

Good luck to everyone with their fantasy teams this week.

End.

James Hintz

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ARIZONA CARDINALS

The report for this week has not yet been released.

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SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
12/11/2025

The Seahawks are coming off a resounding 37-9 road victory over Atlanta. The first half looked like the past few games ending in a tie, but then all sides clicked Seattle’s way. After an interception return for a touchdown and a kickoff return for a touchdown gave the Seahawks a cushion, QB Sam Darnold led the offense to 31 points in the second half, hopefully slowing the roll on the media pundits that are sure he is seeing ghosts again. The question for Week 15 is simple: can the offense carry that momentum home, or will the #1 DVOA defense continue to steal the spotlight against a deeply hobbled Colts team?
QB - Darnold’s second half seems to have been his response to the "Game Manager" narrative. Darnold bounced back from his Week 13 struggles and lackluster first half with an efficient, high-scoring effort against Atlanta, throwing for 249 yards and 3 touchdowns with 1 interception. The previous ankle injury concern seems to have been nothing but noise.
Now he faces a Colts defense that is 29th in passing yards allowed and has been devastated by injuries. Top corner CB Sauce Gardner is on IR, and CB Charvarius Ward has been ruled out (IR), leaving the cornerback room vulnerable with low-graded players.
This is an elite fantasy matchup for Darnold, who should be viewed as a high-end option this week, despite any potential inclement weather.
RB - The committee backfield continues, but the fantasy ceiling is rising for both. RB Kenneth Walker III was limited to 29 rushing yards against Atlanta but remains the lead back. RB Zach Charbonnet was more efficient with 46 rushing yards and added 20 receiving yards, maintaining his fantasy value through the passing game.
The Colts' run defense has been respectable this year, but their foundation has cracked. Without defensive anchor DeForest Buckner (progressing, but likely out), Indianapolis has allowed over 100 rushing yards in their last four games. While the Seahawks' own run DVOA is only 23rd, the Colts' vulnerability up the middle creates a high-volume, high-touchdown opportunity.
Both runners should have a productive day, but Walker remains an RB2 based on sheer volume, while Charbonnet is a strong Flex play with red-zone upside, particularly if Seattle pulls away early. The Colts' defense is 14th against the run, but the interior injuries are key.
WR - After a disappointing Week 13, WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba exploded for 7 catches, 92 yards, and 2 touchdowns against the Falcons. Any fear of shadow coverage is gone, as the volume and usage are elite.
The Colts' cornerback situation makes this a massive positive matchup:
They rank 22nd in DVOA against WR2s.
The absence of their top corners leaves them relying on lower-graded outside corners.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba is a must-start WR2 with WR1 upside this week. He should feast against the depleted secondary. WR Rashid Shaheed remains a legitimate boom candidate. He delivered a stunning 100-yard kickoff return touchdown last week, but also produced 4 catches for 67 yards. The Colts are fifth-best in kick returns allowed, but Shaheed's offensive role is growing, and his deep speed is a threat. WR Cooper Kupp was a small part of the game with only 3 targets, but managed a touchdown and 35 yards. He may duplicate that if Seattle is ahead much of the game, but is a risky start.
TE - The good news is the Colts struggle against the tight end position, ranking 25th in DVOA defending tight ends. With the potential for a rainy game in Seattle, Darnold may lean on short, quick throws to his tight ends to avoid the pass rush, especially from DE Leatu Lu, who leads the Colts in pressures. AJ Barner is probably only a desperation play but has a favorable matchup if he sees the targets.

K - Jason Myers PK Jason Myers was productive again in Week 14, hitting two field goals (22, 48 yards) and four extra points for 10 fantasy points. Heading home to Lumen Field, he remains a safe, high-floor option. The Seahawks are favored by nearly two touchdowns, suggesting they will move the ball easily, leading to plenty of scoring attempts. Myers is a must-start option.

D -
This unit has surfaced as the backbone and identity of the team, ranking #1 in Total DVOA, Defensive DVOA, Run Defense, and Pass Defense. They are arguably the top defense to start in Week 15.
The matchup is a nightmare for the Colts. They are facing a potential start from 44-year-old Philip Rivers or an injured backup, Riley Leonard. And starting Right Tackle Braden Smith is in concussion protocol, creating a target for the elite Seahawks pass rush. The Seahawks have the league's top-ranked rush defense, which will challenge the Colts' best offensive weapon, RB Jonathan Taylor. This is an elite, set-it-and-forget-it start with massive sack and turnover potential.

Prediction:
The Seahawks are playing for playoff position, and their offense found its footing last week. Coupled with a nasty combination of injuries for the Colts, this is a massive mismatch. The Seahawks' defense will dominate the quarterback/offensive line situation, forcing turnovers and stalling drives.

Seattle: 34
Colts: 10

Go Hawks!

End.

Rick Watts

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LOS ANGELES RAMS
12/10/2025

Dominant in the desert! The Rams bounce back from their upset to Carolina and blow out the Cardinals in Arizona45-17. The game was even more lopsided than the score indicates as the Rams pulled their starters early in the fourth quarter. With this victory and the Bears’ defeat, the 10-3 Rams reclaim the number one seed in the NFC. Los Angeles has a tough matchup this week as they host the 8-5 Detroit Lions who are fighting for their playoff lives.Let’s look at the stats for week 14 and Fantasy predictions for week 15.

QB: QB Matthew Stafford (22 of 31 for 281 yards with 3 touchdowns)was back to playing MVP caliber football after the Carolina disaster. Stafford leads the league in touchdown passes and is fourth in passing yards. He should continue to lead this potent offense to an MVP award. The Lions allow240.8passing yards per game and have given up 26passing touchdowns in thirteen games. Detroit has 37 sacks and 11 interceptions for the season.Matthew has been on target at home and if he continues to have time, I think he has another big game with 275+ yards and at least 3 touchdowns.

RB: RB Kyren Williams (13 for 84 yards rushing and 1 touchdown and 2 receptions on 2targets for 13 yards) had a productive game, but RB Blake Corum (12for 128 yards rushing and 2 touchdowns and 1 catch on 1 target for 3 yards) had a career day. The Rams have found a nice one-two punch at running back and this tandem should continue to produce. Detroit is giving up 102.7 rushing yards per game and 3.9 yards per carry. Their opponents have scored 9 rushing touchdowns in thirteen games.Williams and Corum have been a lethal combination similar to Detroit’s two running backs. The Rams will continue to use both backs and try to control the clock. Williams is still the lead back and I think he will be more active in the pass game this week. Corum showed last week that he is more than a handcuff. I think Williams gets his usual 80-100 scrimmage rushing yards and at least 1 touchdown. Corum should collect 50-60 yards with a possible touchdown as well.

WR: WR Puka Nacua (7 receptions on 11targets for 167 yards and 2 touchdowns) had a monster game. Surprisingly, this was his first two-touchdown game as a professional. WR Davante Adams (4 receptions on 6 targets for 29 yards) had a quiet game that could have been much more productive as he was open for two touchdown passes that Stafford barely missed. WR Jordan Whittington, WR Xavier Smith, and WR Konata Mumpfield each had one target, which they all caught for a total of 16 yards. Puka should continue to dominate the targets and I am boldly predicting another two touchdown game with 8-10 catches and 100+ yards. I also think Adams gets his usual 5-6 catches for 50-60 yards and also scores a touchdown.

TE: TE Colby Parkinson (3 receptions on 5 targets for 32 yards and a touchdown) filled in nicely as the new starter. TE Davis Allen (2 receptions on 2 targets for 21 yards)made plays when given the opportunity while rookie TE Terrance Ferguson (0 catches on 1 target) continues to work through a challenging rookie season.

K: PK Harrison Mevis (1-1 field goals (26 yards) and 6-6 extra points) had an easy day and appears to have solidified the Rams kicking position. This offense has been very efficient so most of his kicks are extra points or short field goals. Extra points instead of field goals are great for the Rams but not as good for Fantasy teams, which is similar to the running back situation.

DEF: The defense started the game slowly, allowing Arizona to score a touchdown on the opening possession, but they definitely improved as the game went on. DB Kamren Curl (3 solos, 3 assists, and a sack) led the team in tackles, which means the Cardinals did not have many long drives. ED Byron Young (2 solos, 2 assists, and 1 sack) and DL Kobie Turner (1 solo and 1 sack) had the other two sacks for Los Angeles. LB Nate Landman (1solo, 1assist, and 1 interception)had a season low in tackles but made his first interception as a Ram. ED Jared Verse (1 solo)had another quiet game. Detroitaverages256.7passing yards per game. They have thrown 27 touchdowns and only 5 interceptions in thirteen games and have been sacked 27 times. The Lions rushing attackled by superstar Jahmyr Gibbs is averaging 135.8 yards per game. They average5.0yards per carry and have scored 20 rushing touchdowns. Whenever the Rams play the Lions, Jared Goff and Matthew Stafford are highlighted due to their ties the franchises, but Gibbs is the player the defense needs to focus on. The Rams defense played more to their standards against the Cards and should be prepared for the Lions. Landman is an every week IDP but Young and Verse have been hit or miss with their sacks. Hopefully they both sack Goff at least once each.

The 10-3Rams control their destiny for the number one seed in the NFC. Detroit is very talented but has been inconsistent this season. I think the Rams offense continues to score at a high pace and the defense makes big plays when they need to leading the Rams to a31-24 victory over Detroit. I won both my Dynasty League and Keeper league games so I am 9-5 in Dynasty and in first place, while I finished my Keeper league season at 8-6 and out of the playoffs. Shout out to QB Dillon Gabriel. Trust God and keep working my man.Love and blessings to my family. Miss you Pops& Scratch! God Bless!

End.

Layton Pang

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