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Dynasty $125 - FFL: Offseason | NFL: Divisional

Bears interview three more for head coaching vacancy

Sat Jan 18 2:01pm ET
Field Level Media

The Chicago Bears have interviewed three candidates for their head coaching position since Friday.

The Bears announced Saturday they had met with with Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores. On Friday, they confirmed interviews with Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady and Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken.

The Bears (5-12) fired head coach Matt Eberflus on Nov. 29 after a 4-8 start.

Flores, 43, has been with the Vikings for two seasons after serving as linebackers coach and senior defensive assistant with Pittsburgh in 2022. He was 24-25 as head coach of the Miami Dolphins from 2019-21.

Brady, 35, was officially named the Bills' offensive coordinator last January after holding the interim tag since Ken Dorsey's firing in mid-November 2023. He was the OC for the Carolina Panthers from 2020-21.

Monken, 58, is in his second season with Baltimore. He also was an OC with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2016-18) and Cleveland Browns (2019) and was the head coach at Southern Miss from 2013-15.

The Bears have cast a wide net in their search, including an interview with interim coach Thomas Brown. Other names linked to the vacancy include former NFL head coaches Pete Carroll, Mike McCarthy, Ron Rivera and Arthur Smith, and coordinators Aaron Glenn, Ben Johnson, Mike Kafka, Drew Petzing and Anthony Weaver.

The Bears reportedly were rebuffed when they asked the Pittsburgh Steelers to discuss a potential trade for head coach Mike Tomlin, ESPN reported Saturday.

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Bender's DFS Pickem Plays: Divisional Round

Player Notes
Jaylen Watson Jan 18 2:20pm CT
Jaylen Watson

According to the team, Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Jaylen Watson (leg) is active for Saturday's playoff game against the Houston Texans. Watson has been sidelined since suffering a fractured fibula during their Week 7 victory over the San Francisco 49ers. Watson was able to log three straight full practice sessions leading up to this game suggesting he will be a full go in this contest. During the first six games of the season, Watson tallied 29 tackles (19 solo) with ten assists and six deflections. Fantasy managers should expect Watson to have a key role in this contest as the Chiefs begin their playoff march.

From RotoBaller

Joe Mixon Jan 18 2:10pm CT
Joe Mixon

According to the team, Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon (ankle) is officially active for Saturday's playoff game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Mixon popped up on the injury report as a limited participant on Wednesday and was downgraded to a non-participant on Thursday. However, the top running back was able to turn the corner in time for Saturday's game. Last weekend, during their wild-card victory over the Los Angeles Chargers, Mixon ran for 106 yards and a score on 25 attempts. Through 14 regular season games, Mixon averaged a strong 17.1 PPR points per game and remains a top play in DFS competitions despite the tough matchup in Kansas City.

From RotoBaller

Azeez Al-Shaair Jan 18 2:10pm CT
Azeez Al-Shaair

According to the team, Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair (knee) is officially active for Saturday's tilt against the Kansas City Chiefs. Al-Shaair opened the week as a non-participant but was able to upgrade to limited participation on Thursday and Friday. The 27-year-old saw his typical workload last weekend during their victory over the Los Angeles Chargers and tallied six tackles and three assists. During 11 regular season games, Al-Shaair tallied 70 tackles (45 solo) with two sacks, two forced fumbles, and four pass deflections. Al-Shaair should be expected to have a key role in the defensive gameplan against the reigning champions.

From RotoBaller

Robert Woods Jan 18 2:10pm CT
Robert Woods

According to the team, Houston Texans wide receiver Robert Woods (hip) is officially active for Saturday's playoff game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Woods was unable to practice all week due to a hip injury but was able to turn the corner in time to face the reigning champions. Last weekend, during their wild-card victory over the Los Angeles Chargers, Woods caught four of his two targets for 22 yards. Over his previous four contests, the veteran wideout has begun to find a role in the Houston passing attack with Tank Dell (knee) sidelined. During this stretch, he has seen 3.8 targets per game and has been deployed as the clear No.3 wideout on the depth chart. Woods is worth a look as a WR3 in DFS formats in this contest.

From RotoBaller

Tyler Bass Jan 18 1:50pm CT
Tyler Bass

Buffalo Bills kicker Tyler Bass is a solid option in DFS competitions on Sunday evening when he faces the Baltimore Ravens. Last weekend, during their wild-card victory over the Denver Broncos, Bass went 3-for-3 on attempts and 2-for-2 on extra points. Over his previous five games, Bass has missed just one field goal attempt and has averaged a solid 8.2 fantasy points per game. During this stretch, he has been perfect on attempts from 40+ yards. On Sunday, he will face the Ravens who have allowed the 13th-fewest fantasy points to opposing kickers this season. Despite this, given Bass's recent stretch of performances, he is a top option in all DFS competitions on Sunday.

From RotoBaller

Justin Tucker Jan 18 1:40pm CT
Justin Tucker

Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker is a low-end play in DFS competitions in the divisional round when he faces the Buffalo Bills on Sunday evening. Last weekend, during their wild-card victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, Tucker went 4-for-4 on extra-point attempts. He did not attempt a field goal. Despite holding a shaky 70.4% FG conversion rate during the first 13 games of the regular season, the veteran kicker has begun to turn the corner as he has gone perfect on all attempts over his previous five contests. However, the Bills have done well limiting the opposing kickers to the fifth-fewest fantasy points this season. As a result, Tucker is a low-end play this weekend.

From RotoBaller

Jeff Ulbrich Jan 18 12:10pm CT
Jeff Ulbrich

The Atlanta Falcons announced on Saturday that they interviewed former Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus for their vacant defensive-coordinator position. Eberflus becomes the seventh candidate interviewed for the job after the team fired Jimmy Lake after one season in the role in 2024. In addition to Eberflus, the Falcons have interviewed Jeff Ulbrich, Don "Wink" Martindale, Lou Anarumo and Steve Wilks. Eberflus went 14-32 in his three seasons as the Bears head coach but was fired after the team's Thanksgiving Day loss to the division-rival Detroit Lions. Before becoming Chicago's head coach, Eberflus was the Indianapolis Colts' defensive coordinator from 2018-21. Before coming to the NFL, he was Missouri's defensive coordinator from 2001-08. Eberflus got his start in the NFL in 2009 as the linebackers coach for the Cleveland Browns.

From RotoBaller

Mike Tomlin Jan 18 12:00pm CT
Mike Tomlin

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the Chicago Bears recently reached out to the Pittsburgh Steelers to see if they could swing a trade for long-time head coach Mike Tomlin, according to league sources. However, the Steelers rebuffed the Bears' request. When asked this week about the idea that a team would inquire about his availability, Tomlin simply said, "Save your time." One other team asked about Tomlin's availability, and the Steelers informed them that Tomlin has a full no-trade clause in his contract. Despite the Steelers' fifth straight loss in the first round of the playoffs, the team has no interest in trading him. There are plenty of frustrations with Pittsburgh's fan base, but they just signed Tomlin to a three-year extension last offseason that made him one of the NFL's highest-paid head coaches. The Steelers have also had just three head coaches since 1969.

From RotoBaller

Dennis Allen Jan 18 11:50am CT
Dennis Allen

Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore is interviewing for the New Orleans Saints' vacant head-coaching position on Saturday, one day before his Eagles take on the Los Angeles Rams in a Divisional Round playoff game. Moore is a popular head-coaching candidate this cycle after leading the Eagles to the No. 2 seed in the NFC this year. He also interviewed for the Jacksonville Jaguars head-coaching position on Friday and could be the favorite to return to the Dallas Cowboys to become their next head coach as well. Under the 36-year-old, the Cowboys led the league in total yards in both 2019 and 2021. This year under Moore, the Eagles ranked seventh in points per game (27.2) and eighth in total yards per game (367.2). The Saints are looking for a new head coach after firing Dennis Allen in the middle of the 2024 season.

From RotoBaller

Josh Allen Jan 18 11:40am CT
Josh Allen

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that the Buffalo Bills could restructure quarterback Josh Allen's contract in the offseason. The MVP candidate has four years left on his current deal and received a $5 million pay bump before the start of the 2024 campaign. He's scheduled to make only $14.5 million next season on a front-loaded contract. Rapoport says that the Bills and Allen have an excellent relationship, so he would not be surprised if the team looks to adjust his contract after their season is over. The 28-year-old former seventh overall pick in 2018 out of Wyoming has become one of the best QBs in the NFL, even though he failed to reach 4,000 passing yards in 2024 for the first time since his second year in the league in 2019. Allen more than made up for it with his rushing prowess with 531 rushing yards and 12 rushing TDs while also throwing a career-low six interceptions.

From RotoBaller

Najee Harris Jan 18 11:30am CT
Najee Harris

Pittsburgh Steelers running backs Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren will both be free agents in March, and Cordarrelle Patterson has one year left on his two-year deal. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Gerry Dulac expects only one of those three RBs to return in 2025. Harris' return could be in jeopardy despite the fact that he's just one of 14 players in NFL history to start their career with four straight 1,000-yard seasons. The writing was on the wall when the team didn't pick up his fifth-year option last spring, and bringing him back on the franchise tag would cost $13.6 million. Dulac suggests the Steelers would prefer to look for a replacement in the NFL draft, which should have a deep class at the position. Warren is a restricted free agent, so he has a greater chance to return. While Harris did have 1,000 yards rushing in 2024, it was the second straight season he went without a TD reception.

From RotoBaller

Zay Flowers Jan 18 11:30am CT
Zay Flowers

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers (knee), who is doubtful to play in Sunday's Divisional Round game against the Buffalo Bills, had a positive workout on Friday and could return to action next weekend if the Ravens advance to the AFC Championship. Flowers suffered a sprained knee in the Week 18 win over the division-rival Cleveland Browns and hasn't practiced since. He was unable to suit up for the team's win over the division-rival Pittsburgh Steelers in the wild-card round last Saturday. It's good news for Baltimore, but they must first take down the Bills in Buffalo this weekend to give Flowers a shot at coming back next week. Without Flowers again this week, Rashod Bateman and tight end Mark Andrews will most likely be quarterback Lamar Jackson's most-targeted pass-catchers in what could be a shootout at Orchard Park.

From RotoBaller

Justin Fields Jan 18 11:20am CT
Justin Fields

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Gerry Dulac writes that in all likelihood, the Pittsburgh Steelers will start the 2025 season with a new starting quarterback, and he thinks that Justin Fields will be given the job. It's the third time in the last four years that the Steelers head into the offseason with uncertainty at the most important position. Both Fields and Russell Wilson will be free agents, and it's highly unlikely the Steelers will bring them both back. With the way the season ended with five straight losses and a disconnect with offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, Dulac believes the Steelers will let Wilson walk. Fields, meanwhile, is only 25 and showed improvement in his 10 games played (six starts), completing a career-high 65.8% of his passes for 1,106 yards, five TDs and one interception while adding 289 rushing yards and five more scores.

From RotoBaller

Joe Mixon Jan 18 11:10am CT
Joe Mixon

Houston Texans Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon (ankle), who is questionable to play in the Divisional Round on Saturday against the Kansas City Chiefs after being limited in practice this week, will play, according to sources. Mixon was limited in practice on Wednesday and did not practice on Thursday, leading to his questionable tag. However, the Texans said on Friday that the 28-year-old was expected to play, and now it's official that he'll be active to kick off the Divisional Round of the postseason as the Texans look to pull a huge upset on the road in KC. The two-time Pro Bowler ran for 1,016 yards and scored 12 total touchdowns in the regular season and also had over 100 yards rushing and a TD in last week's win over the Chargers. However, his ankle could limit him somewhat on Saturday against a Chiefs defense that allowed the fewest PPR points to RBs all season long.

From RotoBaller

Sam Darnold Jan 18 10:00am CT
Sam Darnold

The Rams defense/special teams put on an impressive show last week against the Vikings, and they'll need to show up again on Sunday in their road game against the Eagles. On Monday, the Rams dropped Sam Darnold nine times for sacks, forced two turnovers and even scored a defensive touchdown while holding the vaunted Vikings' offense to nine points. Not counting the last game of the season when starters rested, they have allowed under ten points in four straight games while recording seven takeaways and 17 sacks. They'll have a tough task against Jalen Hurts and the Eagles this week. Last week, the Eagles did not turn the ball over in their win against the Packers while allowing two sacks. Adverse weather could keep the game low scoring, and the Rams' defense will again look to rise to the challenge and make big plays to help their team advance.

From RotoBaller

Joshua Karty Jan 18 9:30am CT
Joshua Karty

Los Angeles Rams kicker Joshua Karty has a brutal matchup in less-than-ideal conditions this week, so he's probably not the best fantasy option. The rookie did have a strong finish to the season, making 15 straight field goal attempts over the last six games. However, the Eagles have allowed the fewest fantasy points in the NFL to opposing kickers this season, and the weather is expected to be cold and wet. Since most of Karty's recent success has come indoors at SoFi Stadium, it seems like a difficult place to count on him for a big fantasy week in the Divisional Round.

From RotoBaller

Cooper Kupp Jan 18 9:20am CT
Cooper Kupp

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp has struggled down the stretch, but the Rams will need him to step up with a throwback game in Philadelphia if they want to knock off the Eagles. Last week against the Vikings, Kupp played only 55% of snaps and was only targeted one time. He converted that target to a 29-yard catch, but the Rams will need him much more involved this week. Over their last five games, Kupp has totaled just five catches, although he did rest for one of those contests. The drop off has come quickly for Kupp, who had several strong games earlier in the season. He'll remain behind Puka Nacua in terms of workload for this week, but the Rams will need his playmaking abilities if they want to get to the NFC Championship Game. He's a high-risk fantasy play this week given his recent struggles, but Kupp does still have upside as a flier.

From RotoBaller

Demarcus Robinson Jan 18 9:10am CT
Demarcus Robinson

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Demarcus Robinson played 72% of the team's snaps in their Wild Card Round win over the Vikings. He actually played more snaps than Cooper Kupp but only had two targets, one catch, and 23 receiving yards. The Rams passing game could struggle in the weather in Philadelphia, but Robinson is getting enough playing time to deserve consideration as a punt play for DFS contests. He did have some good games earlier in the season and scored seven touchdowns. One of those scores came against the Eagles in their regular season meeting, and he'll have touchdown-dependent upside this week in the rematch.

From RotoBaller

Ronnie Rivers Jan 18 9:00am CT
Ronnie Rivers

Los Angeles Rams running back Ronnie Rivers stepped in as the primary backup for Kyren Williams last week in the Rams' first game of the playoffs. He replaced rookie Blake Corum (forearm) on the depth chart but had a similarly minimal workload. Rivers wasn't targeted and gained eight rushing yards on his three carries. He'll probably get a few touches again this week against the Eagles, but he hasn't had enough of a role to deserve much fantasy attention yet. In Week 18, he did have four catches for 34 yards and 12 carries for 48 yards while Williams was resting, so if there's an injury and he has to step up, there is some potential upside to consider if you're looking for a DFS punt play.

From RotoBaller

Puka Nacua Jan 18 9:00am CT
Puka Nacua

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua is the clear focus of the Rams' passing game and was targeted nine times on Monday Night Football when his Rams knocked off the Vikings, 27-9. He has at least eight targets in each of his last nine games, and the only games this season in which he was targeted fewer times than that he left early due to injury or ejection. Last week, he only had five catches for 44 yards, which was his lowest total for any full game this season. However, his high volume and big-play ability keep him a strong fantasy option against Philadelphia in the Divisional Round. He had nine catches on 13 targets for 117 yards against the Eagles in the regular season, and he'll likely have a good opportunity to post similar totals this week as long as the weather isn't too much of a factor. However, even if conditions are difficult, coach Sean McVay will be able to find ways to get the ball into his hands since he's one of the team's top playmakers.

From RotoBaller