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NFL roundup: Commanders head to playoffs for first time since 2020

Mon Dec 30 1:41am ET
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Jayden Daniels hit Zach Ertz for a 2-yard touchdown with 2:42 left in overtime as the Washington Commanders beat the Atlanta Falcons 30-24 on Sunday night in Landover, Md., to secure their first playoff berth since the 2020 season.

The Commanders (11-5) clinched a wild-card berth with their fourth straight win and could finish as high as the sixth seed in the NFC. In the NFC South, Atlanta (8-8) sits behind the first-place Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who can clinch the division by defeating the New Orleans Saints in Week 18.

Washington took the opening kickoff of the extra session, and Daniels later ran for 16 yards on third-and-2 at midfield, then passed to Chris Rodriguez Jr. two plays later for a 12-yard gain and another first down. Daniels eventually added a pair of 6-yard runs that got him in position to find Ertz for the game-winning points.

Daniels completed 24 of 36 passes for 227 yards, three touchdowns and one interception and ran for 127 yards on 16 attempts. Ertz caught two touchdown passes, and Olamide Zaccheaus had eight catches for 85 yards and a score.

Bijan Robinson ran for two touchdowns and finished with 90 yards on the ground for Atlanta. Michael Penix Jr. was 19-of-35 passing for 223 yards, one touchdown and one interception, and Drake London had seven catches for 106 yards. Riley Patterson came up short on a 56-yard field-goal attempt as time expired in regulation.

Eagles 41, Cowboys 7

Saquon Barkley rushed for 167 yards to join the 2,000-yard club and Philadelphia clinched the NFC East title with a lopsided victory against visiting Dallas.

The Eagles (13-3) swept the season series with the rival Cowboys (7-9) for the first time since 2011 and locked up at least the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoffs. With his 11th 100-yard game of the campaign, Barkley became the ninth player in NFL history to rush for 2,000 yards in a season. Starting under center for Philadelphia with Jalen Hurts in the concussion protocol, Kenny Pickett tallied a touchdown pass and a touchdown run before exiting early in the third quarter with a rib injury.

The Cowboys turned the ball over four times. Cooper Rush threw two interceptions and one touchdown pass and Rico Dowdle rushed for 104 yards to record his first 1,000-yard season (1,007).

Bills 40, Jets 14

Josh Allen passed for two touchdowns and rushed for one more as Buffalo clinched the No. 2 seed in the AFC by clobbering New York in Orchard Park, N.Y.

Allen was showered with "M-V-P" chants after putting the game away with a pair of third-quarter touchdown passes -- a 30-yard connection with Amari Cooper and a 14-yard strike to a leaping Keon Coleman with 12 seconds left in the frame. Those scores sandwiched a 1-yard touchdown run by James Cook for Buffalo (13-3).

The Bills' defense forced three turnovers and racked up four sacks. Aaron Rodgers struggled under center for New York (4-12), completing 12 of 18 passes for 112 yards. He was picked off twice. Second-string signal-caller Tyrod Taylor broke the shutout with a 9-yard touchdown pass to Garrett Wilson with 6:59 left in the game.

Jaguars 20, Titans 13

Mac Jones threw two touchdown passes and Jacksonville earned a season-series sweep of visiting Tennessee.

Jones connected on 15 of 22 passes for 174 yards, finding Parker Washington and rookie Brian Thomas Jr. for scores, as Jacksonville (4-12) left Tennessee (3-13) behind in the AFC South cellar. Cam Little booted field goals of 48 and 44 yards.

Mason Rudolph hit on 19 of 31 pass attempts for 193 yards with a touchdown and an interception for the Titans, who dropped their fifth consecutive game. Tyjae Spears rushed for 95 yards on 20 carries, taking on lead running back duties in place of Tony Pollard (flu/ankle).

Raiders 25, Saints 10

Brock Bowers set a pair of rookie receiving records and Ameer Abdullah notched the first 100-yard rushing game of his 10-year career in Las Vegas' win over host New Orleans.

Bowers caught seven passes for 77 yards, giving him 1,144 yards on the season to surpass Mike Ditka's 63-year-old rookie tight end record. He also eclipsed the rookie reception record with his 106th catch, besting Puka Nacua's mark from last season. Abdullah finished with 115 yards on 20 carries as the Raiders (4-12) won their second straight game.

Aidan O'Connell threw two touchdown passes for Las Vegas, while Spencer Rattler passed for 218 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions and fell to 0-5 as the starter for the Saints (5-11).

Giants 45, Colts 33

Drew Lock matched his career high of four touchdown passes and also rushed for a score and New York snapped its franchise-record 10-game losing streak by outlasting Indianapolis in East Rutherford, N.J.

Malik Nabers had seven receptions for a career-best 171 yards and two touchdowns to exceed 100 receptions and 1,000 receiving yards during his strong rookie campaign. Lock completed 17 of 23 passes for 309 yards, and Ihmir Smith-Marsette returned a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown for the Giants (3-13).

The Colts (7-9) were eliminated from the AFC playoff race. Joe Flacco started at quarterback with Anthony Richardson (back/foot) sidelined and completed 26 of 38 passes for 330 yards and two touchdowns. But he was also intercepted twice and lost a fumble. Jonathan Taylor rushed for 125 yards and two touchdowns on 32 carries.

Buccaneers 48, Panthers 14

Baker Mayfield threw for five touchdowns and Tampa Bay stayed atop the NFC South title race by pounding visiting Carolina.

Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan each caught two TD passes and Bucky Irving rushed for 113 yards as Tampa Bay's second victory of the month against Carolina came much easier than the road version in overtime. Mayfield completed 27 of 32 passes for 359 yards. The Buccaneers (9-7) collected 551 yards of total offense.

The Panthers (4-12) have lost five of their past six games despite Bryce Young throwing two touchdown passes to Adam Thielen (five catches, 110 receiving yards). Young finished 15-for-28 passing for 203 yards, but Carolina managed only 39 rushing yards as it played without injured running back Chuba Hubbard.

Dolphins 20, Browns 3

Tyler Huntley completed 22 of 26 passes for 225 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions and ran for another score to lead Miami past host Cleveland.

The Dolphins (8-8) kept their playoff hopes alive and must beat the Jets next week and hope the Denver Broncos lose to the Kansas City Chiefs to secure the AFC's final wild-card playoff berth. Huntley started in place of injured starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (hip).

Dorian Thompson-Robinson started at quarterback for the Browns (3-13) but completed only 24 of 47 passes for 170 yards, no touchdowns and an interception. Jerry Jeudy made a career-high 12 catches for 94 yards. Cleveland lost its fifth game in a row.

Vikings 27, Packers 25

Sam Darnold completed 33 of 43 passes for a career-best 377 yards to go with three touchdowns and one interception and Minnesota escaped with a win over Green Bay in Minneapolis.

Justin Jefferson had eight catches for 92 yards for Minnesota (14-2), which won its ninth game in a row. Jalen Nailor, Jordan Addison and Cam Akers had one touchdown reception apiece for the Vikings.

Jordan Love completed 19 of 30 passes for 185 yards and one touchdown for Green Bay (11-5). Josh Jacobs and Emanuel Wilson each rushed for a touchdown and Malik Heath had a touchdown catch for the Packers, who lost to the Vikings for the second time this season.

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Bender's Starts/Sits: Week 17

Player Notes
Brian Thomas Jr. Dec 30 10:00am CT
Brian Thomas Jr.

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. was stellar once again in a 20-17 victory over the Tennessee Titans. He finished with seven catches for 91 yards and a touchdown. The rookie receiver has been a WR1 fantasy option over the back half of the season despite some more difficult matchups. It is a common trope among rookie receivers that they play better towards the end of the season, but the level BTJ is playing at is incredible for a rookie. He has earned double digit targets each of the last five weeks and has scored four touchdowns over the last three weeks. On an offense that has been one of the worst in the league, it is amazing BTJ is producing the way he is. The Jags finish the season facing the Indianapolis Colts in Week 18.

From RotoBaller

Jason Sanders Dec 30 10:00am CT
Jason Sanders

Miami Dolphins kicker Jason Sanders had a perfect day on Sunday against the Cleveland Browns, hitting both field goal attempts and both extra points in a 20-3 victory that kept Miami's playoff hopes alive for another week. The kicker crushed a 54-yarder in the first quarter, no small feat given the muddy field conditions in rainy Cleveland. He also hit a 39-yarder on the last play of the first half that gave Miami a lead it kept the rest of the way. Managers who started Sanders despite the Dolphins being without quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (hip) were rewarded with a performance befitting a top-10 fantasy kicker. The Dolphins will conclude the regular season in Week 18 at the New York Jets.

From RotoBaller

Parker Washington Dec 30 10:00am CT
Parker Washington

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington salvaged a quiet fantasy day with a short touchdown in Week 17 in a 20-13 victory over the Tennessee Titans. The young receiver finished with three catches for 31 yards and a touchdown from two yards out in the second quarter. With Mac Jones under center, the offense has struggled overall, especially with Brian Thomas Jr. stealing all of the targets. Washington had just three targets in this game but made the most of them. For anyone who started Washington in fantasy championships, they got a solid outing likely meeting expectations. Washington has been solid filling in for injured receivers Christian Kirk and Gabe Davis this season. With better quarterback play, he could develop into a more consistent receiver. The Jags face the Indianapolis Colts in Week 18.

From RotoBaller

Tyler Allgeier Dec 30 10:00am CT
Tyler Allgeier

Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier was firmly in the back seat behind Bijan Robinson in the team's Week 17 loss to the Washington Commanders. The former fifth-round pick finished the game with three carries for 19 yards and was not involved in the passing game. The Falcons dropped to 8-8 but still have a chance to win the division as they go up against the Carolina Panthers in Week 18. Allgeier should be able to find some more running room against the league's worst run defense.

From RotoBaller

Tyreek Hill Dec 30 9:50am CT
Tyreek Hill

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill looked like his old self Sunday at Cleveland, catching all nine of his targets for 105 yards in a 20-3 victory. The veteran receiver was a critical part of the win for a Miami team playing without injured starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (hip). With quarterback Tyler Huntley filling in, Hill accounted for nearly half of Huntley's passing yards and helped the Dolphins do enough to keep their playoff hopes alive for another week. Given the downgrade at quarterback, Hill still delivered for managers who started him in the championship round. The Dolphins, who don't yet know who will start at quarterback, finish the regular season against the New York Jets.

From RotoBaller

KaVontae Turpin Dec 30 9:50am CT
KaVontae Turpin

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver KaVontae Turpin saw his largest snap share of the season but couldn't turn it into much as the team fell to the Eagles by 34 points. The TCU product finished with one reception for 16 yards on four targets and two carries for 18 yards with a 53% snap share. The Cowboys' offense was mostly shut down as Cooper Rush threw two interceptions and the pass-catchers finished with 148 yards on 29 combined targets. He'll go up against the Washington Commanders in another divisional game for the regular season finale.

From RotoBaller

David Moore Dec 30 9:40am CT
David Moore

Carolina Panthers wide receiver David Moore was unable to get much going in the team's 48-14 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. The 29-year-old registered one catch for 17 yards on one target while playing 32% of the offensive snaps. This was the first game he saw fewer than three targets since Week 7 when he didn't get targeted at all. Moore's next chance to bounce back will be against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 18.

From RotoBaller

Devon Achane Dec 30 9:40am CT
Devon Achane

Miami Dolphins running back De'Von Achane finished with his second-worst fantasy output of the season Sunday at Cleveland, gaining 25 rushing yards and catching only two passes for another 13 yards in the 20-3 victory. The electric back was a victim of circumstances outside of his control, as the Miami offense shifted into survive-and-advance mode without starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (hip). Cleveland keyed on Achane and dared quarterback Tyler Huntley to beat them, and the backup did just that, completing 22 of 26 passes, leading the team with 52 yards rushing, and accounting for two second-half touchdowns. Unfortunately for managers who relied up Achane in the championship round, the quarterback change was awful timing. Miami has not yet revealed which quarterback will start in Week 18 against the New York Jets.

From RotoBaller

Jonnu Smith Dec 30 9:30am CT
Jonnu Smith

Miami Dolphins tight end Jonnu Smith hit pay dirt against the Cleveland Browns, hauling in a game-clinching touchdown to cap a day with three catches and 26 yards in the Dolphins' 20-3 win at Cleveland. All things considered, it wasn't a bad day for the veteran tight end, who saw a major downgrade at quarterback with Tua Tagovailoa (hip) unable to play, thrusting backup Tyler Huntley into a must-win game. Bad weather and two backup quarterbacks led to ugly offensive football on both ends, but Smith still scratched out some fantasy value with Miami's lone receiving touchdown. He ended up being one of the best fantasy values at any position this year, and will conclude the regular season Sunday at the New York Jets.

From RotoBaller

Mac Jones Dec 30 9:30am CT
Mac Jones

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones led the team to their fourth win of the season over the Tennessee Titans on Sunday. He finished the game with 174 yards and two touchdowns on 15-for-22 throwing while adding six carries for 22 yards. Brian Thomas Jr. continues to be his favorite pass-catcher after receiving another 10 targets, but Jones spread the ball to six different people throughout the game. He'll likely remain under center for their final game against the Indianapolis Colts as he continues to audition for a bigger role in the future.

From RotoBaller

Tyler Huntley Dec 30 9:30am CT
Tyler Huntley

Miami Dolphins backup quarterback Tyler Huntley did the job Sunday at Cleveland, completing 22 of 26 passes for 225 yards, leading the team in rushing, and accounting for two touchdowns without a turnover in the 20-3 victory. The journeyman ran for a game-best 52 yards on just seven carries, which included a 13-yard scramble for a touchdown in the third quarter, then sealed the victory with a seven-yard strike to tight end Jonnu Smith in the fourth. Managers who took a risk by starting Huntley in Superflex formats were rewarded with the performance, which wasn't perfect, but certainly good enough to fill in for the injured Tua Tagovailoa (hip). The Dolphins have not yet revealed who will start in Week 18 against the New York Jets.

From RotoBaller

Drake Maye Dec 30 9:00am CT
Drake Maye

New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye has appeared in 12 games while starting in 11 of them during his rookie season. The team was eliminated from playoff contention a while back as they sit at 3-13 heading into the final week of the regular season. Head coach Jerod Mayo said "All possibilities are under consideration" when asked if they'll be resting Maye to avoid injury risk. If that's the case, Jacoby Brissett would go under center one more time, but fantasy managers will want to check back closer to kickoff.

From RotoBaller

Spencer Rattler Dec 30 2:40am CT
Spencer Rattler

It was a tale of two halves for New Orleans Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler in Sunday's 25-10 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. Before halftime, Rattler was 11-for-13 with his only incompletions being a drop on his first pass attempt of the game and a throwaway at the end of the second quarter. In the second half, he completed just nine of his 23 pass attempts, threw two interceptions, and was sacked three times. His final result for the day was a 20-for-36 effort for 218 yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions. Rattler also led the Saints in rushing yards with 46 on three carries. Rattler's lone touchdown pass came on a trick play at the start of the second quarter that culminated in a 30-yard bomb to tight end Foster Moreau. He nearly had another long score later in the second quarter, but a holding penalty negated his 40-yard pass to Juwan Johnson. If Derek Carr (hand) is held out of the Saints' season finale then Rattler will likely get the start against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

From RotoBaller

Jamaal Williams Dec 30 2:40am CT
Jamaal Williams

New Orleans Saints running back Jamaal Williams had two carries for 12 yards and caught his lone target for 12 more yards through the air in Sunday's 25-10 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. Williams was largely irrelevant despite the team designating Alvin Kamara (groin) out and losing fill-in starter Kendre Miller (head) to a possible concussion in the second quarter. Williams did see his highest snap count since Week 8 but was outdone in that regard by recent signee Clyde Edwards-Helaire, who was promoted from the practice squad on Saturday. CEH led the Saints' running backs with six total touches for 30 scrimmage yards. If Miller and Kamara are both out for Week 18's matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Williams might see increased usage in a timeshare with Edwards-Helaire. Given his underwhelming production in the Saints' limited utilization, not much should be expected from him in the season finale.

From RotoBaller

Clyde Edwards-Helaire Dec 30 2:40am CT
Clyde Edwards-Helaire

New Orleans Saints running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire led the team in carries in Sunday's loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. Edwards-Helaire needed just five rushing attempts to accomplish the feat in a game where New Orleans all but abandoned the ground game, calling just four run plays in the entire second half. He finished with five carries for 20 yards and caught two of his four targets for 10 receiving yards. Cut by the Chiefs on December 16 and claimed by the Saints two days later, New Orleans elevated the four-year veteran from the practice squad on Saturday after listing Alvin Kamara (groin) out the day before. CEH was involved nearly as much as starter Kendre Miller (head) before Miller left the game in the second quarter due to a possible concussion. Up to that point, Edwards-Helaire had seen five snaps to Miller's seven and three touches to Miller's four. If Miller is forced to miss Week 18 and Kamara doesn't return for a meaningless season finale, Edwards-Helaire could draw the start against the Buccaneers.

From RotoBaller

Juwan Johnson Dec 30 2:40am CT
Juwan Johnson

New Orleans Saints tight end Juwan Johnson led the team in receptions, targets, and yards in Sunday's 25-10 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. Johnson had six catches for 66 yards on 10 targets, establishing new season-highs in each category. His big day could have been a lot bigger had it not been for some miscues. Johnson dropped Spencer Rattler's first pass of the game which would have resulted in a 20-yard gain. Late in the second quarter, Johnson caught a 40-yard pass on the goal line but the play was negated by a holding penalty at the line. Finally, Johnson's own offensive pass interference penalty wiped out a 16-yard reception in the fourth quarter. Injuries have robbed the Saints of several playmakers for much of the season but until today Johnson has had little to show for his constant presence. He should remain a top target in Week 18 assuming New Orleans keeps Chris Olave (concussion) and Alvin Kamara (groin) on the sideline for the season finale.

From RotoBaller

Foster Moreau Dec 30 2:40am CT
Foster Moreau

New Orleans Saints tight end Foster Moreau had caught three of his five targets for 47 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 25-10 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. Quarterback Spencer Rattler hit Moreau in the end zone from 30 yards out to cap off a trick play that involved running back Kendre Miller at the start of the second quarter. Moreau finished with the second-most targets on the team after fellow tight end Juwan Johnson's ten. Perhaps the most surprising thing about the surge in volume is that it hadn't been tried before given the fact that New Orleans has been missing multiple playmakers due to injury for most of the season. Marquez Valdes-Scantling (back) was the latest wide receiver to suffer an injury, leaving in the fourth quarter after getting drilled attempting a catch over the middle. It is too soon to tell his status for Week 18 but if he does miss the season finale, then Moreau might see more attention once again.

From RotoBaller

Zach Ertz Dec 30 2:13am CT
Zach Ertz

Washington Commanders TE Zach Ertz had six receptions for 72 yards and a pair of touchdowns against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Dec. 29. He was targeted seven times.

Fantasy Spin: The veteran tight end put together his best all-around game of the season on Sunday, which included an impressive catch of the game-winning touchdown in overtime. While consistency has been an issue -- Week 17 was his first game of more than 40 yards since Nov. 14 -- he has scored in four of his last six games, including a 6-38-1 effort versus Dallas. Ertz is a serviceable TE1 in the final week of the season.

From TheHuddle