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Dynasty $125 - FFL: Playoff Week 3 | NFL: Week 17

Colts coach Shane Steichen feeling heat after playoff elimination

Sun Dec 29 8:49pm ET
Field Level Media

Indianapolis Colts coach Shane Steichen seemed to sense the question might arise after his club was eliminated from playoff consideration Sunday with a ghastly 45-33 loss to the host New York Giants in East Rutheford, N.J.

The Giants were 2-13 and had lost a franchise-record 10 straight games entering the contest and their season-high point total Sunday more than tripled their season average of 14.3 points per game.

It was the type of bad loss that leads to head coaches being asked about their job security.

"I control what I can control," Steichen said of the employment situation.

The Colts (7-9) were outplayed all contest by the team that entered the day with the worst record in the NFL -- and with their playoff hopes on the line.

Last season, Steichen's first as Indianapolis coach, the Colts also fell short, losing to the Houston Texans in the final week of the season to miss the playoffs.

"It was as disappointing as it gets," Steichen said of the setback against the Giants. "As the leader of a football team, shoot, I always say I've got to be better, we've all got to be better. That's a group effort, everyone's got to chip in and do their part, so stuff like that doesn't happen."

Giants quarterback Drew Lock passed for 309 yards and tied his career high of four touchdowns while also running for a score.

Meanwhile, the Colts also went with a reserve quarterback in veteran Joe Flacco and he turned the ball over three times on two interceptions and a fumble. He also passed for 330 yards.

Flacco started because rookie Anthony Richardson couldn't play due to back and foot injuries.

Indianapolis completes the season next weekend at home against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

"I know it's a tough situation, obviously, when you're out of the playoff hunt, but again, I told (the team) we've got to be professional about it," Steichen said. "That's the biggest thing. We've got to show up and do our job still with one week left."

The Colts last made the playoffs in the 2020 season. Their last playoff win was two seasons earlier.

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Bender's Starts/Sits: Week 17

Player Notes
Rico Dowdle Dec 29 8:50pm CT
Rico Dowdle

Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle was one of the lone bright spots in the Week 17 blowout loss against the Philadelphia Eagles. The fifth-year running back carried the ball 23 times for 104 yards while catching his lone target for four yards. Dowdle also lost a fumble, his second lost fumble of the year. The South Carolina product has come along nicely down the stretch for the Cowboys, rushing for over 100 yards in four of his last five outings. He will look to extend that streak in the season's finale against the Washington Commanders next week. The running back has earned himself a solid payday this upcoming offseason after a strong first year as a starter.

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Elijah Moore Dec 29 8:50pm CT
Elijah Moore

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Elijah Moore caught one of his five targets for one yard in a 20-3 loss to the Miami Dolphins in Week 17. Moore tied for third on the Browns in targets in the low-scoring loss but he only managed one receiving yard as his late-season swoon continued. The veteran receiver has now only caught eight passes for 55 yards over his past four games. He will finish up his 2024 campaign with a matchup against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 18.

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Brandin Cooks Dec 29 8:50pm CT
Brandin Cooks

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brandin Cooks led the team in all receiving metrics in the Week 17 blowout loss against Philadelphia. Cooks was targeted eight times, securing four catches for 52 yards. The veteran led the way with CeeDee Lamb (shoulder) on the shelf, and should remain the top receiving option for Dallas heading into Week 18 against Washington.

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Jordan Akins Dec 29 8:50pm CT
Jordan Akins

Cleveland Browns tight end Jordan Akins caught six of his eight targets for 49 yards in a 20-3 loss to the Miami Dolphins in Week 17. Akins took on a main role in the Cleveland offense with David Njoku (knee) inactive, finishing second on the team in catches, targets, and receiving yards in the loss. The veteran tight end will presumably fill a similar role in the season finale against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 18 if Njoku's injury holds him out another week.

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Jalen Tolbert Dec 29 8:50pm CT
Jalen Tolbert

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Jalen Tolbert scored the team's lone touchdown in Sunday's 41-7 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Tolbert saw four targets in the contest, catching three balls for 30 yards and the score. He operated as a starter with CeeDee Lamb (shoulder) on the shelf and should start again in Week 18 against the Washington Commanders.

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Dustin Hopkins Dec 29 8:50pm CT
Dustin Hopkins

Cleveland Browns kicker Dustin Hopkins made his lone field-goal attempt, a 25-yarder, in a 20-3 loss to the Miami Dolphins in Week 17. Hopkins was not given many chances to kick with the Browns offense struggling to move the ball against Miami as he only had the one field-goal opportunity in the second quarter. It has been a rough season for Hopkins as he has now made 17 of his 26 field goals on the year. He will take on the Baltimore Ravens in the season finale next week.

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Jake Ferguson Dec 29 8:50pm CT
Jake Ferguson

Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson was targeted five times in Sunday's 41-7 loss against the Philadelphia Eagles. Ferguson caught three balls for just 18 yards despite star receiver CeeDee Lamb (shoulder) missing the contest. It has been a disappointing season for Ferguson, who has not scored a touchdown in 2024 after leading the tight end position in red zone targets in 2023. He will look to bounce back in the season's finale next week against the Washington Commanders.

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Grant Calcaterra Dec 29 8:40pm CT
Grant Calcaterra

Philadelphia Eagles tight end Grant Calcaterra recorded one reception on two targets for 34 yards in the team's dominant 41-7 victory over the Dallas Cowboys. Calcaterra flashed his ability with a big gain, but his opportunities remain limited in an offense heavily focused on wide receivers DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown. With the receivers commanding the majority of targets, Calcaterra remains a lower option in the passing game and a tough sell as a consistent fantasy contributor. The Eagles wrap up their regular season in Week 18 against the New York Giants, and Calcaterra's role is unlikely to expand significantly.

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Jerome Ford Dec 29 8:40pm CT
Jerome Ford

Cleveland Browns running back Jerome Ford carried the ball six times for 22 yards and was not targeted in the passing game in a 20-3 loss to the Miami Dolphins in Week 17. Ford injured his ankle during the second quarter of the contest but was cleared to return to action in the third quarter. That being said, he did not record a touch in the second half as the Browns stuck with D'Onta Foreman and Pierre Strong Jr. in their backfield. Ford's status for Week 18 against the Baltimore Ravens is in question and it will be worth monitoring his participation in practice throughout the upcoming week.

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D'Onta Foreman Dec 29 8:40pm CT
D'Onta Foreman

Cleveland Browns running back D'Onta Foreman carried the ball 13 times for 49 yards but failed to corral either of his two targets in a 20-3 loss to the Miami Dolphins in Week 17. Foreman was pressed into service with Jerome Ford injuring his ankle during the second quarter. While Ford was ultimately cleared to return to the game after halftime, he did not record a touch as the Browns stuck with Foreman as their lead running back for the remainder of the contest. Foreman would theoretically be in line to lead the backfield in Week 18's season finale against the Baltimore Ravens if Ford's ankle keeps him out of action. Stay tuned.

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Jake Elliott Dec 29 8:40pm CT
Jake Elliott

Philadelphia Eagles kicker Jake Elliott capitalized on the team's offensive dominance in their 41-7 victory over the Dallas Cowboys, hitting both his field goal attempts and all five extra points. Elliott's consistency continues to pay off for fantasy managers, as he delivered his seventh double-digit performance of the season and his third in a row. Philadelphia's high-powered offense has consistently provided him with ample scoring opportunities, keeping him in the conversation as one of the most reliable kickers in fantasy football. Elliott will look to carry this momentum into the Eagles' Week 18 matchup against the New York Giants.

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Jerry Jeudy Dec 29 8:40pm CT
Jerry Jeudy

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy caught 12 of his 18 targets for 94 yards in a 20-3 loss to the Miami Dolphins in Week 17. Jeudy bounced back from a slow two-catch, 20-yard performance in Week 16 to lead the Browns in all receiving categories in the home loss to Miami, although it is worth mentioning that he did so with David Njoku (knee) inactive. Njoku has been Dorian Thompson-Robinson's favorite target in the games the two have played together. Jeudy has enjoyed a career year in his first season with the Browns, setting career bests in catches and receiving yards, and will look to put the finishing touches on it in Week 18's season finale against the Baltimore Ravens.

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Aaron Jones Dec 29 8:40pm CT
Aaron Jones

Per head coach Kevin O'Connell, Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones (quad) suffered a quad contusion in Sunday's 27-25 win over the Green Bay Packers. The 30-year-old was apparently stepped on, forcing him to miss a stretch before halftime. He'd return to the game in the third quarter but sat out again in the fourth with the outing seemingly safely at hand. That he could return initially is excellent news for him, though it's worth mentioning that he remained on the sidelines even when the Packers brought the game within one score late. With a crucial matchup on deck with their division-rival Detroit Lions in Week 18, the Vikes will need all the help they can get as they attempt to clinch the division and secure the conference's top seed. Keep an eye on Jones' practice status this week ahead of the season's final slate of action.

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Tyler Huntley Dec 29 8:30pm CT
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The New York Jets defense struggled in a 40-14 loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 17. New York allowed the Bills to rack up 348 yards of total offense including a 21-point third quarter in the blowout loss. The Jets failed to record any sacks or force any turnovers as they offered little resistance to their division foes. New York has a shot at bouncing back in Week 18 against a Tyler Huntley-led Miami Dolphins offense.

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Saquon Barkley Dec 29 8:30pm CT
Saquon Barkley

Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley dominated in the team's 41-7 victory over the Dallas Cowboys, carrying the ball 31 times for an incredible 167 yards. He also added two receptions for two yards. Despite not finding the end zone, Barkley's performance was enough to place him in the Top-5 fantasy running backs of Week 17 heading into Sunday night. Barkley etched his name into the history books during this game, becoming only the ninth player in NFL history to surpass 2,000 rushing yards in a single season. He now sits just 101 yards shy of breaking Eric Dickerson's all-time single-season rushing record. This game was also Barkley's 11th 100-yard rushing performance. The Eagles will rely on Barkley's brilliance again in Week 18 when they host the New York Giants, with a chance to make history on the line.

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Devin Singletary Dec 29 8:30pm CT
Devin Singletary

New York Giants running back Devin Singletary rushed for 21 yards on five carries during Sunday's Week 17 win over the Indianapolis Colts. He also converted his lone target into a nine-yard reception. Singletary was more efficient than teammate Tyrone Tracy Jr., but he had 15 fewer touches and played just 26.8 percent of offensive snaps compared to Tracy's 66.1 percent. Singletary remains the No. 2 option out of the backfield in New York, so he'll remain off the fantasy radar as long as Tracy stays healthy heading into Week 18 against the Philadelphia Eagles.

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A.J. Brown Dec 29 8:30pm CT
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Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown had a modest showing in the team's 41-7 victory over the Dallas Cowboys. Brown caught three passes for 36 yards but salvaged his fantasy output with a touchdown, marking his third consecutive game finding the end zone. This week, Brown took a backseat to fellow wideout DeVonta Smith, who led the Eagles in targets, receptions, yards, and touchdowns. While Brown's yardage total was underwhelming, his consistent presence in the red zone has been a bright spot for fantasy managers. The Eagles will look to close the regular season strong in Week 18 when they host the New York Giants.

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Tua Tagovailoa Dec 29 8:30pm CT
Tua Tagovailoa

According to Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel, surgery is "not currently on the table" regarding quarterback Tua Tagovailoa's (hip) hip injury. The 26-year-old picked up the ailment in their loss to the Texans two weeks ago and was able to play through it in Week 16. However, that was not the case Sunday after a week of limited sessions. It's reportedly the same hip that required surgery during his collegiate days at Alabama but in a different "spot." Per Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN, McDaniel was noncommittal on whether Tagovailoa would play in Week 18's divisional clash against the New York Jets. If the former first-round pick can't suit up for the contest, teammate Tyler Huntley figures to again get a go at manning the helm. With Miami still fighting for a playoff spot, expect an update on him shortly.

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Dorian Thompson-Robinson Dec 29 8:30pm CT
Dorian Thompson-Robinson

Cleveland Browns quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson completed 24 of his 47 passes for 170 yards and one interception while adding 10 yards on four carries and losing a fumble in a 20-3 loss to the Miami Dolphins in Week 17. Thompson-Robinson struggled to move the ball on a rainy, windy afternoon in Cleveland as he has failed to throw a touchdown pass in either of his two starts this season. The Dolphins defense didn't help matters as they sacked him once and forced three intentional grounding penalties in the contest. Head coach Kevin Stefanski was non-committal about who would be his quarterback in the regular-season finale against the Baltimore Ravens next week, although it would be a mild surprise if the team goes away from DTR as they are attempting to tank for the best possible draft pick this offseason.

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Josh Downs Dec 29 8:30pm CT
Josh Downs

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs was limited to just three catches on four targets for 22 yards and no scores in Sunday's 45-33 loss to the Giants. After showing a rapport earlier in the season with Joe Flacco under center, the veteran looked at both Michael Pittman Jr. and Alec Pierce more often with a combined 15 targets between them. Seemingly the No. 1 option around midseason, the 23-year-old has fallen out of favor regardless of who has been at QB, now with four straight contests with exactly three catches for a total of 142 yards and one touchdown over that stretch. The Colts, although eliminated from playoff contention, will get a favorable matchup in the final week of the season in a home contest against the Jaguars and Downs will look to finish the season on a high note.

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