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FFL: Playoff Week 2 | NFL: Week 16

Dan Campbell: Loss 'exactly what Lions needed' to flush 'filet' mindset

Tue Dec 17 12:13pm ET
Field Level Media

Contrary to near-unanimous NFL coaching opinion, maybe there is such a thing as a good loss.

Lions coach Dan Campbell was open to considering the merit of a quality defeat based largely on the timing of Detroit dropping Sunday's game to the Buffalo Bills, 48-42, to snap an 11-game winning streak that began Sept. 22.

"What happens is, you get used to eating filet. And I'm talking all of us. And everything's good," Campbell said Tuesday morning in a gravelly, gavel-pounding reply to how the Lions respond to losing to Buffalo. "Life's good, you know?

"But you forgot what it was like when you had nothing and you ate your (expletive) molded bread. And it was just fine. And it gave you everything you needed. And sometimes you gotta get punched in the mouth and remember what it used to be like to really appreciate where you are. And we'll do that."

It was a loss in the standings and for a roster decimated by injuries. Running back David Montgomery, cornerback Carlton Davis III and defensive tackle Alim McNeill suffered season-ending injuries against the Bills. Campbell said Davis, who broke his jaw and required surgery, might be a candidate to return in the postseason, but any timeline would be determined during his active recovery.

"And so, we got bad tastes in our mouth, we got kicked around the other day. We lost a few guys. And you know what? It's exactly what we needed," Campbell continued.

"This is exactly what we needed. So we're going to bounce back. We're going to respond. We got guys who are about to have an unbelievable opportunity here. And we will play the game any way needed to win. We still got a good offense. We got plenty of defensive players. I can go rattle them off right now. We're gonna put the best 11 on the field, we're gonna freakin' cut it loose, we're gonna play with our special teams.

"And I don't give a crap if we have to win by one point for the rest of the year, that's what we're gonna do. And I'm gonna be happy about it. We come out of the game with 50 yards of total offense and we win by one, you're gonna see smiles on my face, I promise you. If it's the other way defensively, we give up 700 yards and we win by one point, you're gonna see a (expletive) smile from my ear to ear. I promise you."

The Lions (12-2) take their rage on the road this week to play at Chicago in the rematch of a Thanksgiving Day game likely to be remembered for a long time in both cities. The Bears currently are in the midst of an eight-game losing streak that includes the 23-20 holiday setback at Ford Field that resulted in the firing of head coach Matt Eberflus.

Detroit clinched a playoff spot and can still finish first in the NFC to receive a bye and home-field advantage. The Lions travel to San Francisco for a Monday night game on Dec. 30 before what could be a trophy game deciding the North division when the Vikings visit Ford Field in Week 18.

Campbell said there is no proxy for the hard-nosed, red-zone machine Montgomery sitting on the practice squad with the Lions or elsewhere.

But Detroit might have trained reinforcements at cornerback in the near future. Ifeatu Melifonwu hasn't played this season due to an Achilles injury and a broken finger, but Campbell implied his return-to-practice window would open this week. Rookie cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. remains sidelined with a hamstring injury and his return, while not this week at Chicago, could be near.

"We're gonna find a way," Campbell said, "and we're gonna get it done."

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Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 16

Player Notes
Derek Carr Dec 17 11:10am CT
Derek Carr

New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (concussion, hand) underwent more testing recently and is at least a few weeks away from being able to withstand contact, according to sources. With only three weeks remaining in the regular season (two weeks in most fantasy leagues), it's unlikely that we'll see Carr on the field again for the Saints this year. In addition to a concussion that he sustained in the Week 14 win over the New York Giants, Carr fractured his left (non-throwing) hand in two places. New Orleans is currently 5-9 and is a long shot to make the postseason. Jake Haener got the start in place of Carr in the Week 15 loss to the Washington Commanders and went 4-for-10 for 49 yards and an interception before being benched for rookie Spencer Rattler. The Saints haven't announced a starter for Week 16 against the Packers on Monday night, but it's expected they'll stick with Rattler.

From RotoBaller

Patrick Mahomes Dec 17 11:10am CT
Patrick Mahomes

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport says there is a "possibility" that Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (ankle) is unavailable to play this coming Saturday in Week 16 action against the Houston Texans after suffering what the team is calling a mild high-ankle sprain in the Week 15 win over the Cleveland Browns. Mahomes is being considered week-to-week with an injury that can sideline some players anywhere from four to six weeks. The two-time MVP, though, has a reputation as a very quick healer, so he's not being ruled out for Saturday's game, although on a short week with the Chiefs up two games over the Bills for the top spot in the AFC playoff picture, it won't surprise anyone if Carson Wentz makes the start under center for KC against Houston. And with the Chiefs facing another quick turnaround in Week 17 on Christmas Day next Wednesday, it's possible Mahomes misses two games.

From RotoBaller

Derek Carr Dec 17 9:33am CT
Derek Carr

New Orleans Saints QB Derek Carr (hand) underwent further examination recently, and he's unlikely to return this season. His left hand is fractured in multiple places, and he's unable to withstand contact.

Fantasy Spin: Spencer Rattler was 10-for-21 for 135 yards, one touchdown and no INTs after he replaced Jake Haener in a putrid performance last year.

From TheHuddle

Sincere McCormick Dec 17 2:10am CT
Sincere McCormick

Las Vegas Raiders running back Sincere McCormick (ankle) carried the rok seven times for eight rushing yards and caught two passes for 17 yards against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 15 before having his leg trapped under a defender's tackle and awkwardly bending enough to cause an injury. He was initially said to be questionable, but was subsequently ruled out. He didn't return to the contest. His status for Week 16 is now up in the air, and fantasy managers will need to stay updated on the situation. It doesn't seem like a good idea to start him against the Jacksonville Jaguars next week, though, as he may deal with the lingering effects of the ailment for some time. In his place, RBs Ameer Abdullah and Alexander Mattison should split most of the backfield work if McCormick can't go. Abdullah seems like the guy to start in fantasy, since he's maintained a solid pass-catching role when he gets significant playing time.

From RotoBaller

Rome Odunze Dec 17 1:10am CT
Rome Odunze

Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze caught 2-of-7 targets for 39 yards in his team's 30-12 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Monday Night Football. The rookie again saw a decent amount of work but continues to play third fiddle in Chicago's air attack behind veteran wideouts Keenan Allen and DJ Moore. On the bright side, Odunze recorded at least six targets for the seventh time in eight games. However, he's averaging just 3.75 receptions and 47.25 yards in that frame. Better days are ahead for the 22-year-old, and his future appears bright as long as long as quarterback Caleb Williams continues to develop at the pro level. For now, though, he'll be tough to trust as a viable option in Week 16 despite squaring off against a depleted Detroit Lions defense.

From RotoBaller

Tyler Allgeier Dec 17 1:10am CT
Tyler Allgeier

Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier carried the ball 12 times for 43 yards in Monday's 15-9 win over the Raiders. Bijan Robinson was given 22 carries, so Allgeier was spelling his backfield mate at times throughout the game and helping to kill the clock late when it seemed clear that the Falcons did not want Kirk Cousins throwing the ball if he didn't need to. It was the first time since Week 10 that the 24-year-old earned double-digit carries, but without finding paydirt, it was an unremarkable fantasy performance. Without a consistent workload or goal line role, the former fifth-round draft pick is hard to justify as even a flex option, more so now that we're in the fantasy playoffs. The Falcons get the Giants at home next Sunday and Allgeier will probably again only be used sporadically, especially given how good Robinson has looked this season.

From RotoBaller

Ameer Abdullah Dec 17 1:03am CT
Ameer Abdullah

Las Vegas Raiders RB Ameer Abdullah ran seven times for 21 yards in Week 15 against the Atlanta Falcons, but he had seven receptions for 58 yards and a touchdown on seven targets.

Fantasy Spin: Abdullah had 2.7 rushing yards per carry to 3.0 for Alexander Mattison and 1.1 yards per tote for Sincere McCormick. With his good work catching the ball out of the backfield, he is worth a look as a RB3 in PPR fantasy formats, with lesser appeal in standard play. The Raiders host the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 16.

From TheHuddle

Darnell Mooney Dec 17 1:00am CT
Darnell Mooney

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney garnered a single target in Monday's 15-9 win over the Raiders, but failed to haul it in, finishing with zero catches on the night. Mooney had been limited in practice by a foot injury earlier in the week but was cleared to play, so the dud seemed to be more a result of Kirk Cousins lobbing up just 17 passes on the night and completing only 11 of them. It is a punch in the gut for managers who were relying on the wideout in the fantasy playoffs after he'd received six targets in 10 of Atlanta's prior 13 games coming into Monday night and caught at least three passes in 11 of 13. For fantasy managers that were able to survive this showing, the fifth-year pro will be hard to trust in next week's home matchup versus the Giants, especially given how poorly Kirk Cousins looked in Week 15 against a softer pass defense.

From RotoBaller

Alexander Mattison Dec 17 12:50am CT
Alexander Mattison

Las Vegas Raiders running back Alexander Mattison showed the world why he was benched for Sincere McCormick (ankle) by fumbling the ball into the end zone in his team's Week 15 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. The opposing defense wasn't able to recover the loose ball, but it still counted for a safety. Mattison ended the night with seven carries for 21 yards (good for three yards per carry) and two catches on four targets for an absolutely whopping, gob-smacking, earth-shattering three yards. He'll have an easier matchup next week against the Jacksonville Jaguars. If McCormick doesn't play, it's still questionable if Mattison have much value, considering the presence of fellow RB Ameer Abdullah, who scored the team's only TD.

From RotoBaller

Ameer Abdullah Dec 17 12:50am CT
Ameer Abdullah

Las Vegas Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah got a bigger role due to the injury to RB Sincere McCormick (ankle) in his team's loss to the Atlanta Falcons in Week 15. He carried the ball three times for just eight yards, but his seven catches on seven targets for 58 yards and a touchdown helped him tally 19.2 PPR fantasy points on the night. Should McCormick miss Week 16, Abdullah has flex appeal if he continues to have such a big receiving role. It's likely that the absence of starting QB Aidan O'Connell (knee) contributed to this, though -- backup signal-caller Desmond Ridder leaned more on dump-off passes than the team's QB1 usually does. This backfield has been an absolute mess this season, and it won't get any easier to evaluate as the team faces the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 16. They do have a poor defense, though, so Abdullah has appeal in deeper PPR leagues as a FLEX option if he ends up starting.

From RotoBaller

D.J. Moore Dec 17 12:50am CT
D.J. Moore

Chicago Bears wide receiver DJ Moore hauled in all eight of his targets for 46 yards in Monday night's 30-12 defeat at the hands of the Minnesota Vikings. He added 24 yards on three carries. The 27-year-old's yardage output was down again after a two-game stretch in which he recorded 203 yards and 15 receptions on 23 targets. However, Moore was still productive, putting together his fifth-straight double-digit fantasy point outing. Quarterback Caleb Williams' pass quality is suspect, but it hasn't stopped the veteran from being effective. While fellow wideouts Rome Odunze and Keenan Allen feature sub-55% catch rates, the seventh-year WR holds a near-68% mark. Moore has a meeting with the Detroit Lions on tap for Week 16 and could be primed for another productive day with their division rivals reeling from injuries.

From RotoBaller

Ray-Ray McCloud Dec 17 12:43am CT
Ray-Ray McCloud

Atlanta Falcons WR Ray-Ray McCloud III managed just a single 14-yard reception on three targets in Week 15 against the Las Vegas Raiders.

From TheHuddle

Keenan Allen Dec 17 12:40am CT
Keenan Allen

Chicago Bears wide receiver Keenan Allen caught six of 13 targets for 81 yards and a touchdown in his team's 30-12 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. The veteran was Chicago's lone bright spot on Monday night and has been superb over his last few outings. After a horrendous start to the year, Allen has had four TDs in his previous four outings, and at least 73 yards, and eight targets in three of them. Since Week 9, the 32-year-old has racked up 65 targets to fellow wideout DJ Moore's 61. However, the latter has out-caught him 43-36. With quarterback Caleb Williams chucking it all over the yard on nearly 60% of Chicago's plays (59.03), there will surely be plenty of opportunities to go around. Still, they're not of the highest quality. Allen and the Bears will square off against the Detroit Lions in the fantasy semi-finals next Sunday.

From RotoBaller

Tre Tucker Dec 17 12:40am CT
Tre Tucker

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker caught two of his three targets for 18 yards and didn't record a rush in his team's loss to the Atlanta Falcons in Week 15. He's becoming an afterthought in this offense, though the offense was mostly an afterthought anyway overall. Without QB Aidan O'Connell (knee) leading the offense, things were mostly ugly in the passing attack, and the Raiders didn't get a lot going on the ground either. It wasn't until the team was down by two scores late in the fourth quarter that they got into a rhythm, but it was too late, and Tucker wasn't much of a part of it. Though he gets an easy matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 16, he's still not worth starting moving forward. Tight end Brock Bowers and wide receiver Jakobi Meyers should continue to dominate the receiving work for the team.

From RotoBaller

Kyle Pitts Dec 17 12:40am CT
Kyle Pitts

Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts recorded his first multi-catch performance since Week 10 on Monday night, catching all four of his targets for a modest 28 yards in the 15-9 win over the Raiders. On a night when Kirk Cousins completed just 11 passes, Pitts' four targets and four catches were both a team-high. It was good to see the 24-year-old involved again, although the Raiders had been poor against TEs this year and Cousins wasn't looking downfield much in this one so it's not all that surprising to see him resurface. Between Pitts disappearing from the passing attack most weeks and Cousins looking dysfunctional at quarterback over the last several games, fantasy managers vying for playoff championships will want to look elsewhere next Sunday. The Falcons take on the Giants who have allowed the third-fewest fantasy points to TEs on the season, and the former first-round pick figures to be a low-end TE2 in that matchup.

From RotoBaller

Jakobi Meyers Dec 17 12:30am CT
Jakobi Meyers

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers simply wasn't thrown the ball enough by quarterback Desmond Ridder in the team's 15-9 loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Monday night. Though Meyers ended up with nine targets, Ridder took too long to start getting the ball into one of his best playmaker's hands. Meyers is a fantastic receiver in fantasy football and a good playmaker on the field, but he'll need his QB1 back in Week 16 to realize his potential. It's not that he wasn't getting open, but there's only so much you can do on your own. Luckily, Aidan O'Connell (knee) could have a shot to return in Week 16, and the team will face the awful Jacksonville Jaguars pass defense, so Meyers could have a big day coming up soon.

From RotoBaller

Bijan Robinson Dec 17 12:30am CT
Bijan Robinson

Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson carried the offensive load in Monday's 15-9 win over the Raiders, racking up 125 yards on 22 rush attempts and he caught one pass for 10 yards. The 22-year-old's rushing total was more than Kirk Cousins' passing yards total of 112 yards. Unfortunately, the second-year back wasn't afforded the opportunity to punch one in for a score as the Falcons never really got down close to the end zone in this one. It was the fourth time in the last five games that the former first-round draft pick recorded 20 carries or more, however, he's seen less work in the passing attack the last two weeks, catching just three passes during that time after logging at least three receptions in nine straight games before that. Regardless, Robinson will once again be a high-end RB1 in next Sunday's home matchup against the Giants who are bottom-third in terms of fantasy points allowed to running backs.

From RotoBaller

Daniel Carlson Dec 17 12:30am CT
Daniel Carlson

Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson nailed a 52-yard field goal with 11:44 left in the second quarter in his team's loss to the Atlanta Falcons in Week 15. He didn't get another chance to kick until an extra point attempt late in the fourth quarter, but that try was blocked. That's not 100% his fault, and neither is the fact that he still barely gets chances to attempt kicks and extra points. He's still not a great option in fantasy football because the offense he's a part of simply does not get into scoring range often. Opportunity is king for kickers in fantasy football, and there just isn't enough of it. If you're on Sleeper you might be reading this, so here's a tip: the Raiders will face the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 16, who have an awful defense, so in very deep leagues, Carlson might actually be a solid start! That's right, you finally read some good news about the Raiders kicker this season. What a miracle.

From RotoBaller

Brock Bowers Dec 17 12:20am CT
Brock Bowers

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers was targeted just six times and caught three passes for 35 yards. Quarterback Desmond Ridder, who was starting in place of the injured Aidan O'Connell (knee), simply did not look the rookie sensation's way many times. Ridder has struggled throughout his career, and one way he could have had a better game is if he had thrown it to his TE more. Bowers is still elite, and fantasy managers will look for AOC to return to action in Week 16. He shouldn't be benched for any reason, but obviously, his ceiling is much lower without his starting quarterback. The Raiders will face the Jacksonville Jaguars, who have the second-worst overall pass defense in the last 25 years (seriously), so the freshman TE should bounce back next week.

From RotoBaller

Desmond Ridder Dec 17 12:20am CT
Desmond Ridder

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Desmond Ridder attempted 39 passes and completed 23 throws for 208 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. Unsurprisingly, he didn't throw his first TD pass until the game was nearly out of reach -- it happened with under three minutes left in the fourth quarter. He attempted to lead a futile comeback, but it was too little, too late. His second interception was on a Hail Mary attempt that failed, but he was mostly ineffective against one of the league's worst pass defenses. He'll likely not start next week anyway. Starting QB Aidan O'Connell (knee) is expected to make his return in Week 16, and Ridder will be sent back to the bench.

From RotoBaller