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Broncos-Chargers in, Browns-Bengals out in 'TNF' flex

Fri Nov 22 11:59am ET
Field Level Media

The Week 16 contest between the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers is moving game days and into prime time, the first-ever flex on the "Thursday Night Football" schedule on Amazon Prime Video.

Making way for the AFC West clash, which could have a bearing on the postseason schedule, is the AFC North game between the Cleveland Browns and the host Cincinnati Bengals. The two sub-.500 teams now will play Dec. 22 at 1 p.m. ET, flexed out of the Dec. 19 slot, giving the Broncos and Chargers the Thursday night spotlight from Inglewood, Calif.

The league announced the switch on Friday.

In May 2023, NFL owners approved moving a maximum of two Thursday night games scheduled in Weeks 13 through 17. It was to be a trial program for the 2023 season but extended to 2024 if no games were flexed in the earlier year. None were.

Entering Week 12 play, both the Chargers (7-3) and the Broncos (6-5) sit in wild-card position, with the Kansas City Chiefs (9-1) penciled into a spot as well as leaders of the AFC West.

The Bengals (4-7) have a playoff probability of 13 percent, while the chances of the Browns (3-8) stand at less than 1 percent, according to the NFL.

Both teams already have played a Prime Video game this season. The Bengals lost to the Baltimore Ravens 35-34 in a Lamar Jackson vs. Joe Burrow classic on Nov. 7, while the Browns beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 24-19 after scoring a touchdown on a snow-covered field in Cleveland on Thursday.

Under the agreement struck with owners, the NFL can flex games by giving teams at least 28 days' notice.

The leaves only the Week 17 game scheduled between Seattle and Chicago on Dec. 26 eligible to be flexed. Entering Week 12 play, the Seahawks are 5-5 and the Bears sit 4-6.

The most attractive option on the schedule for a potential flex is the showdown between NFC North rivals Green Bay and Minnesota. The Packers (7-3) and Vikings (8-2) currently are in wild-card position.

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The Paur Report

Hot Plays, Fades and Sleepers: Week 12

Player Notes
Nick Herbig Nov 22 11:00am CT
Nick Herbig

The Pittsburgh Steelers recorded one sack, three forced fumbles, and an interception while surrendering 24 points to the Cleveland Browns in a Week 12 loss. It was a quiet night for DPOY candidate T.J. Watt, but linebacker Nick Herbig and defensive back Donte Jackson stepped up to make big plays in critical moments. Still, Pittsburgh's defense came up short in stopping the Browns from scoring a go-ahead touchdown with less than a minute remaining in the contest. The Steelers DST has nonetheless been consistent for fantasy purposes for much of the season and can remain in lineups against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 12.

From RotoBaller

Brock Purdy Nov 22 11:00am CT
Brock Purdy

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (shoulder) received positive results from an MRI, according to Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group. Inman noted that general manager John Lynch expressed that the team feels "good" about where he currently is, but both Brandon Allen and Joshua Dobbs would be ready to suit up in case Purdy cannot play on Sunday. Fantasy managers should continue monitoring Purdy's status during Friday's practice as it would likely clarify his status heading into the weekend. If Purdy cannot suit up, Brandon Allen would be in line to see first-team reps and would be viewed as a low-end QB2 in Superflex formats facing the Green Bay Packers.

From RotoBaller

Chris Boswell Nov 22 10:50am CT
Chris Boswell

Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell connected on two of his three field goal attempts and drilled his lone extra-point try in a 24-19 loss to the Cleveland Browns. Boswell's 58-yard attempt on Pittsburgh's first possession of the contest was just his second missed field goal of the season. He later found success from 48 and 28 yards out despite consistent winds and snowfall in Cleveland. Although fantasy managers who were treated to Boswell's superb Week 11 performance may be disappointed in his showing on Thursday night, the 33-year-old proved that he can still offer a solid floor for fantasy in poor weather conditions. He'll continue to project as a high-end option heading into a Week 13 meeting with the Cincinnati Bengals.

From RotoBaller

Calvin Austin III Nov 22 10:40am CT
Calvin Austin III

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III logged three receptions for 78 yards and a touchdown on three targets in a Week 12 loss to the Cleveland Browns. He was a bright spot for a Pittsburgh offense that otherwise struggled on Thursday night. He made an impact early on by catching a 46-yard deep ball in the second quarter that set up an eventual field goal. Austin's third touchdown of the campaign, a 23-yard strike over the middle of the field, was quarterback Russell Wilson's first touchdown pass in nearly eight quarters and gave Pittsburgh a 19-18 lead with just over six minutes remaining. The 25-year-old has flashed some potential this season working opposite George Pickens. While he is not on the fantasy radar in most redraft formats, Austin is worth stashing in deeper dynasty leagues. A matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals is on tap for Week 12.

From RotoBaller

Pat Freiermuth Nov 22 10:40am CT
Pat Freiermuth

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth finished with four receptions for 59 yards on four targets in a Week 12 loss to the Cleveland Browns. Although he didn't have a great fantasy performance, Freiermuth managed his highest yardage total of the campaign and was more involved offensively than in previous contests with Russell Wilson under center. The 26-year-old cannot be relied upon in most redraft leagues but could be an interesting streaming candidate down the stretch with plenty of enticing matchups coming up. He'll look to earn more opportunities against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 12.

From RotoBaller

Daniel Jones Nov 22 10:40am CT
Daniel Jones

According to Ari Meirov of the 33rd Team, the New York Giants are releasing quarterback Daniel Jones. Meirov noted that Jones asked for his release and that both sides are moving on. This is a surprising move, even after the Giants demoted Jones from his starting role. The New York Giants drafted the 27-year-old with the sixth overall selection in the 2019 draft from Duke. Throughout his time in the Big Apple, Jones won one playoff game and held an overall 24-44-1 record with a 64.1% completion rate. He averaged 2,430.3 yards per season with 11.7 passing and 2.5 rushing scores per season. Fantasy managers should expect Tommy Devito to operate as the team's starting quarterback going forward, with Drew Lock serving as his backup. Jones will now look for a new home in free agency and can be safely dropped from your fantasy roster in all redraft leagues.

From RotoBaller

George Pickens Nov 22 10:30am CT
George Pickens

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens came down with four of his seven targets for 48 yards in a 24-19 loss to the Cleveland Browns. Outside of a 31-yard deep ball he caught in the first quarter, it was a relatively quiet night for Pickens, who had four straight showings with over 70 yards heading into Thursday night. The weather conditions in Cleveland weren't ideal for big plays downfield and surely impacted Pickens' performance. While Pickens has been incredibly productive with yardage this season, his touchdown upside is limited in this Steelers offense that has struggled to find the end zone over the past two weeks. He'll look to get back on track against another divisional opponent in the Cincinnati Bengals next week.

From RotoBaller

Jordan Akins Nov 22 10:20am CT
Jordan Akins

Cleveland Browns tight end Jordan Akins brought in three of his four targets for 38 yards in their victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday evening. Akins has now seen at least four targets in each contest with Jameis Winston under center. Despite operating as the No. 2 tight end behind David Njoku, Akins is still showing some fantasy relevance, even in a reserve role. His longest reception of the evening came for 18 yards. Fantasy managers in deeper 14+ team formats should continue monitoring Akins' usage down the stretch, as he could be a viable bench option if the Cleveland offense continues to grow. For now, fantasy managers should not rely on Akins as a starter heading into his Week 13 tilt against a tough Denver Broncos defense.

From RotoBaller

Jaylen Warren Nov 22 10:00am CT
Jaylen Warren

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren handled 11 carries for 45 yards and a touchdown while adding three receptions for 19 yards on six targets in a Week 12 loss to the Cleveland Browns. Not only did Warren find the end zone for the first time in 2024, but he also took the field for a season-high 57% of snaps. He ran hard throughout the contest and fought to gain extra yardage numerous times. The third-year pro has likely earned himself a larger role in the offense and could push for a 50-50 split with Najee Harris. He'll look to continue trending positively in a Week 13 meeting with the Cincinnati Bengals.

From RotoBaller

Kyler Murray Nov 22 9:50am CT
Kyler Murray

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray should be viewed as a high-end QB1 in fantasy football for Week 12. The Cardinals are coming off a bye week and will travel to Seattle to take on the Seahawks in an important divisional matchup. Murray has been playing some of his best football recently, and the Cardinals' offense is operating at one of the highest levels in the NFL. The Seahawks' defense has been inconsistent this season and ranks in the middle of the pack, 19th, against opposing fantasy quarterbacks. The Cardinals are coming off two impressive blowout victories, where Murray's rushing ability wasn't needed to secure the win. However, in what should be a closely contested divisional game, you can expect the Cardinals to give Murray more rushing responsibilities. Fantasy managers should have full confidence in Murray as their starting quarterback this week.

From RotoBaller

Najee Harris Nov 22 9:50am CT
Najee Harris

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris was held to 41 rushing yards on 16 carries in a Week 12 loss to the Cleveland Browns. He hauled in both of his targets for an additional 13 yards through the air. For the first time since Week 5, Harris failed to score double-digit fantasy points as he found very little running room on Thursday night. Backfield mate Jaylen Warren was far more efficient and found the end zone in the contest. While it's highly unlikely Harris will lose his job at any point this season, it's certainly possible that he and Warren split touches fairly evenly going forward. This would make him a bit more difficult to trust for fantasy, especially if Pittsburgh's offense continues to struggle in the red zone. The 26-year-old will hope to bounce back in a slightly more appealing matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals next week.

From RotoBaller

Hunter Henry Nov 22 9:40am CT
Hunter Henry

New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry has formed a strong rapport with rookie quarterback Drake Maye, which bodes well for the veteran pass-catcher heading into Week 12 against the Miami Dolphins. Henry is averaging five catches, 51.8 receiving yards, 0.2 touchdowns, and 11.2 fantasy points (half-PPR) through Maye's six games as the Patriots starter. He has been the overall TE12 during that six-week stretch, leading the team in catches. This week, Henry faces the Dolphins, who rank near the middle of the league in terms of production allowed to opposing tight ends. However, that number is likely skewed from the four-game stretch for which Tua Tagovailoa was sidelined; during that span, opponents adopted a run-heavy approach against the Dolphins and did not have to develop an overly aggressive passing attack. Looking at recent context, this Miami defense allowed a record-breaking game from Brock Bowers last week; the rookie tallied 13 catches, 126 yards, and one touchdown. Henry isn't necessarily on the same level as Bowers, but the bottom line is that the Dolphins have shown they aren't going to shut down every tight end they face. Henry should be deployed as a low-end TE1 in leagues with 10-plus teams.

From RotoBaller

Russell Wilson Nov 22 9:40am CT
Russell Wilson

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson completed 21 of his 28 pass attempts for 270 yards and a touchdown in a 24-19 loss to the Cleveland Browns. He added 10 rushing yards on three carries but lost a fumble. Although Wilson completed his first 11 passes and made some impressive deep throws, he struggled to get the ball into the end zone for a second consecutive week. Pittsburgh's first touchdown, a 3-yard run by Jaylen Warren, came in the fourth quarter with Justin Fields in at quarterback near the goal line. The Steelers experimented with Fields throughout the contest, but it was Wilson who managed to hit Calvin Austin III for a 23-yard score that gave the team a 19-18 lead with just over six minutes remaining. Wilson is now 4-1 as a starter this season and will hope to get back on track in Week 13 against the Cincinnati Bengals.

From RotoBaller

Joey Slye Nov 22 9:40am CT
Joey Slye

New England Patriots kicker Joey Slye should be viewed as a dependable top-10 fantasy option heading into Sunday's game against the Miami Dolphins. The veteran has posted inconsistent results this season, but he's coming off a pair of strong showings over which he has gone 7-for-7 on field goals and 2-for-3 on extra points. Slye has been the overall K2 during that two-game span, and although it's a small sample size, fantasy managers should feel good about his productivity going forward. Boosting his value is a favorable matchup against the Dolphins, who have allowed the most fantasy points to opposing kickers in 2024. Miami allows a league-high 2.4 field goals per game, and they're also the only team to surrender an average of at least one field goal per game from beyond 50 yards. Managers should feel good about Slye's chances of kicking far and often with significant success.

From RotoBaller

Kayshon Boutte Nov 22 9:30am CT
Kayshon Boutte

New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte hasn't quite cracked the top 40 fantasy options since Week 6, but he has been one of the more consistent pass-catchers over the last four weeks. During his most recent four-game stretch, Boutte has six targets in every contest, totaling 13 catches, 144 yards, and zero touchdowns. When he last faced Miami in Week 5, he caught two passes for 34 yards. The second-year receiver out of LSU is widely regarded as a deep-threat receiver, boasting a low floor and high ceiling. Miami has allowed the fewest fantasy points to wide receivers this year, but that number is likely skewed from the four-game stretch for which Tua Tagovailoa was sidelined; during that span, opponents adopted a run-heavy approach against the Dolphins and did not have to develop an overly aggressive passing attack. This Miami team allowed Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp to combine for 16 catches and 178 yards just two weeks ago. Boutte isn't on the same level as either Rams receiver, nor does he play the same role, but the bottom line is that the Dolphins have shown they aren't going to shut down every pass-catcher they face. Boutte checks in as a low-end WR4 in deeper formats, such as 14-team leagues.

From RotoBaller

Rhamondre Stevenson Nov 22 9:20am CT
Rhamondre Stevenson

New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson has posted mixed results this season, ranking inside among the top 10 fantasy running backs in half of his games but also turning in three performances outside the top 40. Stevenson has struggled with efficiency this year, tallying a career-low 3.8 yards per carry. On the other hand, he has developed a nose for the end zone, posting a career-high seven touchdowns through just 10 contests. In addition to his touchdown tally so far, Stevenson's previous matchup against Miami resulted in an overall RB5 finish; he rushed for 89 yards, caught four passes, and scored a touchdown in his last time facing the Dolphins. Miami has been strong against the pass, but they're softer against the run, surrendering the 10th-most fantasy points and fifth-most total touchdowns to opposing running backs. The 26-year-old has a good chance to find the end zone, and he boasts legitimate top-12 upside once again.

From RotoBaller

Kendrick Bourne Nov 22 9:20am CT
Kendrick Bourne

New England Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne has emerged out of nowhere as a potential WR3/FLEX option in fantasy football ahead of this week's game against the Miami Dolphins. He didn't step foot on the field in Week 10, but last Sunday, he played nearly half of the offensive snaps and finished with five catches, 80 yards, and a touchdown. It's unclear which version of Bourne we'll get this week, but it seems likely that he has earned even more opportunities after last week's strong showing. Miami has allowed the fewest fantasy points to wide receivers this year, but that number is likely skewed from the four-game stretch for which Tua Tagovailoa was sidelined; during that span, opponents adopted a run-heavy approach against the Dolphins and did not have to develop an overly aggressive passing attack. This Miami team allowed Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp to combine for 16 catches and 178 yards just two weeks ago. Bourne isn't on the same level as either Rams receiver, but the bottom line is that the Dolphins have shown they aren't going to shut down every pass-catcher they face. Bourne is a viable WR3/FLEX option in fantasy leagues with at least 14 teams.

From RotoBaller

Demario Douglas Nov 22 9:20am CT
Demario Douglas

New England Patriots wide receiver DeMario Douglas remains a viable fantasy football option for Week 12 against the Miami Dolphins. Douglas has maintained a steady role on offense lately, bringing his season totals to 43 catches, 415 yards, and one touchdown. He's on pace to break the statistical marks from his rookie campaign last year, both on a full-season and per-game basis. In addition to Douglas' year-long productivity, he also played quite well in his last matchup against the Dolphins back in Week 5. During that meeting, Douglas turned in one of his better performances of the season, catching six of nine targets for 59 yards. Miami has allowed the fewest fantasy points to wide receivers this year, but that number is likely skewed from the four-game stretch for which Tua Tagovailoa was sidelined; during that span, opponents adopted a run-heavy approach against the Dolphins and did not have to develop an overly aggressive passing attack. This Miami team allowed Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp to combine for 16 catches and 178 yards just two weeks ago. Douglas isn't on the same level as either Rams receiver, but the bottom line is that the Dolphins have shown they aren't going to shut down every pass-catcher they face (including Douglas when they faced him back on October 6.) Douglas is a viable WR3/FLEX option in fantasy leagues with at least 12 teams.

From RotoBaller

Drake Maye Nov 22 9:00am CT
Drake Maye

New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye remains a low-end QB1 option heading into Week 12 against the Miami Dolphins. Outside of an elevated turnover rate, Maye has been everything the Patriots hoped he would be so far. The No. 3 overall pick has been a top-14 fantasy quarterback in three of his six starts, and he has finished within the top 18 in each of the five games that he's played in full. He threw for a career-high 282 yards and two touchdowns last week, and he has continued to produce solid rushing production in each of his appearances so far. This week, he faces the Dolphins, who have statistically fared well against opposing quarterbacks this year, but some of those numbers are skewed from when Tua Tagovailoa was sidelined and opposing teams were able to adopt a run-heavy approach against Miami. Between Weeks 9 and 10, they surrendered a total of 528 passing yards and three touchdowns to opposing signal-callers. If Maye can exceed 250 yards and tally a couple of scores, he'll crack the top 12 for fantasy quarterbacks.

From RotoBaller

Robert Beal Jr. Nov 22 8:30am CT
Robert Beal Jr.

San Francisco 49ers edge rusher Nick Bosa (hip/oblique) was unable to practice on Thursday and his status for Sunday's game against the Green Bay Packers is in serious doubt. Mike Garafalo of NFL Network says that Bosa is "questionable at best" after he was re-injured during their matchup with the Seattle Seahawks. He's played in all 10 games for the 49ers so far this year and has notched 7.0 sacks which leads the defense. If he's unable to suit up, that would leave Robert Beal Jr. as the next man up.

From RotoBaller