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Playoff-clinching scenarios for Bills, Chiefs and Lions

Wed Nov 27 11:39am ET
Field Level Media

Buffalo, Kansas City and Detroit have a chance to punch their playoff tickets in Week 13.

The Bills (9-2) have the least complicated scenario. They can clinch the AFC East by beating the San Francisco 49ers at home on Sunday night, paired with a loss Thursday night by the division rival Miami Dolphins (5-6) at Green Bay.

The Chiefs (10-1) can clinch a playoff berth with a victory on Friday against the Las Vegas Raiders plus one of three other outcomes: a Miami loss or tie on Thursday; a loss by the AFC West rival Denver Broncos (7-5) Monday against Cleveland; or a loss by the division rival Los Angeles Chargers (7-4) Sunday at Atlanta plus a Denver tie.

Two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City can also clinch with a tie against Las Vegas and a Miami loss.

The NFC North-leading Lions (10-1) have six potential pathways, each of them requiring a win on Thursday at home against the division rival Chicago Bears.

The Lions would also need a San Francisco loss or tie plus one of the following scenarios:

--Arizona loss or tie plus Seattle loss plus Tampa Bay loss or tie

--Arizona loss plus Seattle tie plus Tampa Bay loss or tie

--Arizona loss or tie plus Seattle loss plus Washington loss or tie plus Atlanta loss

--Arizona loss or tie plus Seattle loss plus Washington loss plus Atlanta tie

--Arizona loss plus Seattle tie plus Washington loss or tie plus Atlanta loss

--Arizona loss plus Seattle tie plus Washington loss plus Atlanta tie

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Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 13

Player Notes
Jalen Tolbert Nov 28 12:00am CT
Jalen Tolbert

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Jalen Tolbert is likely headed for a reduced rule in Week 13 now that Brandin Cooks (knee) is healthy and returning to the lineup. Tolbert had previously been operating as the Cowboys' No. 2 receiver, delivering modest production at best, and now he's dropping to the No. 3 role behind CeeDee Lamb and Cooks. The 25-year-old has two touchdowns over his last four games but hasn't surpassed three catches in a single contest since Week 6. He can be avoided in most leagues as he takes on the New York Giants this Thursday.

From RotoBaller

Micah Parsons Nov 28 12:00am CT
Micah Parsons

The Dallas Cowboys' defense should be started in most leagues ahead of their Week 13 matchup against the New York Giants. While the unit did get out to a slower start during the first half of the season, they have found new life with Micah Parsons (ankle) healthy and a more favorable schedule on tap. Dallas has forced a turnover in each of its last four games, and the unit boosted its value with a pair of late kick return touchdowns in Week 12. This week, fantasy managers should be excited about the Cowboys' ability to force turnovers and limit points against a poor New York Giants offense led by either Tommy Devito (forearm) or Drew Lock. The Cowboys D/ST is a top-five fantasy option this week.

From RotoBaller

Emari Demercado Nov 27 11:50pm CT
Emari Demercado

Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado (back) was a limited participant during practice on Wednesday. The 25-year-old has mostly operated as the Cardinals' No. 3 running back this season, but he's still been efficient and productive, totaling 211 rushing yards, 86 receiving yards, and one touchdown through 11 games so far. He's not a dependable redraft option as long as both James Conner and Trey Benson are healthy.

From RotoBaller

Ezekiel Elliott Nov 27 11:20pm CT
Ezekiel Elliott

Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott remains off the fantasy radar heading into Thursday's game against the New York Giants. The veteran has appeared in 10 games this season and has been held to single-digit fantasy points in all but one of his performances since Week 1. His role was minimal last week as he rushed for just six yards on three carries and was not involved in the passing game. Even against a Giants defense allowing the ninth-most fantasy points to opposing running backs, Elliott should be avoided in all leagues.

From RotoBaller

Daniel Jones Nov 27 10:21pm CT
Daniel Jones

Dynasty | The Vikings have signed quarterback Daniel Jones. Dynasty Analysis: The signing makes sense after Jones said he was looking to sign with a contender and not necessarily need a starting job. It's a solid signing for the Vikings, who have Sam Darnold at the helm but little behind him with JJ McCarthy out for the season. If Darnold was to get hurt, Jones would immediately become dynasty relevant again considering his supporting cast. This move is likely a temporary one and won't stop his dynasty value plunge, however.

Tucker Kraft Nov 27 9:10pm CT
Tucker Kraft

Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft is a high-end TE2 for his outing against the visiting Miami Dolphins on Thanksgiving. Kraft had a stretch earlier this season between Weeks 4-8, where he was the TE4, but has seen his production tick down a bit as quarterback Jordan Love's pass attempts have scaled back amid a string of tough matchups. With wide receiver Romeo Doubs (concussion) ruled out for the matchup, Kraft and fellow pass-catchers Jayden Reed and Christian Watson should all get a slight bump in target share. However, fantasy managers can likely do better than the 24-year-old, as he's little more than a touchdown-dependent option unless the game evolves into a shootout. With two defensive units solid against the pass, it seems unlikely. He's RotoBaller's PPR TE14 in Week 13's ranks.

From RotoBaller

Christian Watson Nov 27 9:00pm CT
Christian Watson

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson will line up against the Miami Dolphins this Thursday in an intriguing matchup. The North Dakota State alum has a chance to be more involved in Week 13, as the Packers will be without fellow wideout Romeo Doubs (concussion) on Thanksgiving Day. Two weeks ago, he set a career-high with 150 receiving yards in the team's win over the Chicago Bears. However, he promptly followed that up with a zero-catch three-target outing in Week 12 against the 49ers. While Watson projects to see an uptick in usage, he'll still be challenging to trust this Thursday. The Dolphins have allowed some big performances to pass-catchers this season but have generally been strong against opposing quarterbacks. Jordan Love will be one of their most significant tests yet, but the third-year WR's fantasy value heavily hinges on his quarterback. With a wide range of potential fantasy outcomes, the 25-year-old finds himself as RotoBaller's PPR WR50 in this week's ranks.

From RotoBaller

Jordan Love Nov 27 8:50pm CT
Jordan Love

Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love gets an unfavorable matchup on Thanksgiving Day in a home tilt against the Miami Dolphins. The Utah State product has been a bit spotty this year while dealing with multiple injuries (knee, groin) and will line up against a Dolphins defensive unit that has been staunch against opposing fantasy quarterbacks this season. However, they haven't precisely hosted a who's who of premier NFL quarterbacks. Love has a chance to produce as he is one of the better signal-callers Miami has faced, though the Packers' propensity to run the ball (fifth-highest rush percentage in the league [50.95%]) could get in the way if they build an early lead. Still, if Tua Tagovailoa -- who has been hot -- starts to put up points, the 26-year-old will be deployed at a higher frequency. Love is RotoBaller's QB14 ahead of Week 13's slate of action.

From RotoBaller

Marquise Brown Nov 27 8:50pm CT
Marquise Brown

The Kansas City Chiefs are optimistic that wide receiver Marquise Brown (shoulder) will rejoin his teammates in practices in mid-December, according to multiple sources. Brown suffered a dislocated collarbone on the opening snap of the preseason and needed surgery a month later to fix a dislocated SC joint, which pushed his possible return date back. He posted a video of him making one-handed catches off the Jugs machine at practice on Tuesday. It's good news for Brown and the injury-riddle Chiefs, but there's no guarantee that the 27-year-old will be able to return late in the regular season or even for a playoff run as KC seeks an unprecedented third straight Super Bowl title. With Rashee Rice (knee) also out for the year, the Chiefs have had to trade for DeAndre Hopkins and reunite with JuJu Smith-Schuster for additional receiver depth.

From RotoBaller

Tyler Higbee Nov 27 8:40pm CT
Tyler Higbee

Los Angeles Rams tight end Tyler Higbee (knee) had his 21-day practice window opened this week and was listed as a limited practice participant on Wednesday. Higbee remains on the Physically Unable to Perform list after tearing his ACL and MCL on Jan. 14 in a postseason loss to the Detroit Lions. The 31-year-old is back at practice, but that doesn't mean the Rams will activate him to make his 2024 debut this Sunday against the New Orleans Saints. In fact, it's unlikely that Higbee will return in Week 13, but he could make enough progress to play for a Week 14 showdown against the Buffalo Bills. Whenever he returns, Higbee will likely be eased back into the offense while sharing snaps with fellow TEs Colby Parkinson and Davis Allen. In single-TE fantasy leagues, managers can probably leave Higbee on the waiver wire.

From RotoBaller

Jayden Reed Nov 27 8:30pm CT
Jayden Reed

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed will draw a tough matchup this Thursday when Green Bay hosts the visiting Miami Dolphins. The second-year wideout is the thirteenth-overall scorer at his position in PPR formats this season, but five of his 11 performances have resulted in single-digit outings. He'll have his hands full this Thanksgiving with a Dolphins defense that's allowed the seventh-fewest receptions to wide receivers in 2024 (118). Though unfortunate news for Green Bay, with teammate Romeo Doubs (concussion) ruled out for the contest, Reed figures to see an uptick in usage. While Miami has been stingy, they've afforded several big performances to tight ends and top-flight wide receivers. Pencil reed in as a WR2 with what should be a higher-than-usual fantasy floor with a more concentrated target share. He's RotoBaller's PPR WR23 for this week's rankings.

From RotoBaller

Josh Jacobs Nov 27 8:10pm CT
Josh Jacobs

Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs could be in store for a huge day in Week 13 when he lines up against the Miami Dolphins on Thursday. The Oklahoma native has been running hot since Week 7, averaging 22.1 fantasy points per game over the five outings. Additionally, while Miami's D may seem like a bad matchup on paper -- allowing the eleventh-fewest rushing yards through 11 games (1,176) -- they've been a favorable spot for fantasy RBs, letting up 19.1 fantasy points per game to the position. The Dolphins have been solid against their opponents' passing attacks, and Green Bay totes the rock 50.95% of the time -- the fifth-highest in the league. The Pack may lean on Jacobs again as they did last week in their win over San Francisco, which could lead to a lucrative fantasy day. The 26-year-old is RotoBaller's PPR RB11 for this week's slate.

From RotoBaller

Fred Warner Nov 27 8:03pm CT
Fred Warner

San Francisco 49ers LB Fred Warner (ankle) said he suffered a fractured ankle during the Week 4 game but has continued to play despite the injury.

From TheHuddle

Brandin Cooks Nov 27 8:00pm CT
Brandin Cooks

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brandin Cooks (knee) was activated from Injured Reserve on Wednesday and was also removed from the final Week 13 injury report, suggesting that he'll be active for the Thanksgiving game on Thursday versus the division-rival New York Giants. Cooks was limited on Monday and Tuesday before upgrading to full participation on Wednesday. The 31-year-old veteran pass-catcher needed surgery for a knee infection earlier this year and hasn't played since the first meeting against the Giants on Sept. 26, when he went for only one catch on four targets for 16 yards. Cooks' return is good news for Dallas' offense, but with quarterback Cooper Rush now running the show, he'll have even less fantasy appeal for the rest of 2024 and could operate as the No. 3 wideout on Thursday behind CeeDee Lamb and Jalen Tolbert.

From RotoBaller

Eli Apple Nov 27 7:53pm CT
Eli Apple

Los Angeles Chargers CB Eli Apple (hamstring) was placed on the Reserve/Injured list Wednesday, Nov. 27.

From TheHuddle

Tank Bigsby Nov 27 7:50pm CT
Tank Bigsby

Coming off the bye week, Jacksonville Jaguars running back Tank Bigsby (ankle) was able to put in a full practice on Wednesday. Bigsby was held out of the Week 11 loss to the Detroit Lions but had last week's bye to rest his injured ankle, and now it looks like he'll be able to return this Sunday to face the division-rival Houston Texans. The 23-year-old second-year back has been much more efficient than Travis Etienne Jr. in Jacksonville's backfield this year and is averaging a healthy 5.5 yards per carry for 519 rushing yards and four rushing scores in 10 games in 2024. It's been hard to trust Jacksonville's offensive pieces in fantasy ever since quarterback Trevor Lawrence's shoulder injury. Lawrence could be back this weekend against Houston, but Bigsby could yield more carries in the backfield to Etienne following a two-week absence. If Bigsby returns, he'll be a volatile RB3/flex for fantasy managers in a tough matchup.

From RotoBaller

Brandin Cooks Nov 27 7:43pm CT
Brandin Cooks

Dallas Cowboys WR Brandin Cooks (knee) was activated from the Reserve/Injured list Wednesday, Nov. 27.

Fantasy Spin: Cooks may not see a normal workload right away and can be avoided in fantasy leagues.

From TheHuddle

Zach Cunningham Nov 27 7:43pm CT
Zach Cunningham

Denver Broncos practice squad LB Zach Cunningham was signed to the 53-man roster Wednesday, Nov. 27. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.

From TheHuddle

Tyjae Spears Nov 27 7:40pm CT
Tyjae Spears

Tennessee Titans running back Tyjae Spears (concussion) is working his way through the league's concussion protocol and was listed as limited for the first practice of the week on Wednesday. Spears suffered a concussion in Week 11 and didn't play in the Week 12 win over the division-rival Houston Texans. The 23-year-old has already missed games in 2024 due to ankle and hamstring issues, but he could get cleared by an independent neurologist later this week to play this Sunday against the Washington Commanders if he avoids setbacks. That would be bad news for Tony Pollard's fantasy ceiling in Week 13, even though he's been the Titans' lead back all year, even when Spears has been healthy. In terms of average half-PPR points per game in 2024, Spears isn't even in the top 50 among RBs. If he returns to face the Texans on Sunday, he'll be a low-upside RB3/flex, at best.

From RotoBaller

Marcus Maye Nov 27 7:33pm CT
Marcus Maye

Former Miami Dolphins S Marcus Maye was claimed off waivers by the Los Angeles Chargers Wednesday, Nov. 27.

From TheHuddle