Here are this week’s top Waiver Wire players who are owned in less than 50% of Yahoo leagues. Our favorite players are broken down in Top Targets and the best secondary options are in our Going Deeper sections. We’ll also list any players at the top of each position who are above the 50% threshold — or are household names — and are still widely available for those who might be in smaller leagues.
Be sure to check out our weekly Waiver Wire podcast and our Waiver Wire Livestream for more analysis. We’ll also have Streaming articles every Tuesday that will focus on the top quarterbacks, tight ends, and defenses for the upcoming week(s).
Note: The initial Waiver Wire article writeup will be posted every Monday night, followed by in-depth updates Tuesday, and continued additions/updates Wednesday.
Quarterbacks
Higher-owned Options
Taysom Hill (NO, 64%), Drew Brees (NO, 66%), Derek Carr (LV, 47%), Matthew Stafford (Det, 58%),
Top Targets
Jalen Hurts (Phi, 17%) — Add Hurts to the list of young, running QB who immediately excelled for fantasy. With Carson Wentz and the Eagles offense in the wilderness for most of the season, HC Doug Pederson finally pulled the plug and named Hurts the starter in Week 14. The decision immediately paid dividends for the Eagles as they climbed back into the NFC East race with a much-needed victory. Hurts posted 18/106 rushing while completing 17/30 passes for 167 yards and one TD in their victory over the NFC-leading Saints. Hurts will be starting the rest of the season (@Ari, @Dal) after his performance in Week 14, and he’s now squarely in the low-end QB1/high-end QB2 conversation if he’s going to run 10+ times per game going forward, which he will. He was a QB1 in Week 14.
Philip Rivers (Ind, 41%) — The Colts are airing it out more than they were early in the season, and it’s helped Rivers to 17+ FP in four straight games. He completed 19/28 passes for 244 yards (8.7 YPA) and two touchdowns against the Raiders in Week 14 as he’s now averaged 7.9 YPA or better in four of his last five games. Michael Pittman has stepped up as a rookie while T.Y. Hilton has officially rounded into form and now looks like a solid WR2 for the final weeks of the season. Rivers is in the midst of a fantasy-friendly schedule (Hou, @Pit) if you’re looking for a streaming option. Just be aware that Jacoby Brissett has been vulturing some goal-line snaps and touchdowns in recent weeks with 2-4 carries in each of the last four weeks.
Going Deeper
Mitchell Trubisky (Chi, 10%) — The Bears have a sliver of hope to make the postseason in the final three weeks of the season, and Trubisky is playing well enough to give this offense a fighting chance. He completed 24/33 passes for 267 yards (8.1 YPA) and three TDs and he added 4/23 rushing against the Texans in Week 13. Mitch now has 21+ FP in two of his first three starts since taking back over as the starter in Week 12, and he played well in Week 13, the one so-so fantasy game for him the last three weeks. Trubisky has a great chance to succeed in the fantasy playoffs (@Min, @Jax) if you’re looking for a QB2 in the final weeks of the season.
Baker Mayfield (Cle, 41%) — Mayfield has played in good conditions the last two weeks, and he’s been a viable fantasy option with 18.4, 30.5, and 31 FP in his last three games. He torched the Titans for 334/4 passing while averaging 10.1 YPA in Week 13 and then, despite some inconsistent play, he crushed the Ravens with 343/2 with 5/23/1 added on the ground. Mayfield now has 935/8 passing in his last three games, so it’s fair to believe HC Kevin Stefanski will continue to keep the passing game heavily involved along with Nick Chubb and this potent rushing attack. Mayfield has a tougher matchup against the Giants in Week 15 before closing with a tasty matchup with the Jets. He’s certainly earned some trust as a QB2 with his performances the last three weeks. UPDATED: 12/15
Teddy Bridgewater (Car, 32%) — Bridgewater played undermanned against the Broncos in Week 14 with D.J. Moore (COVID-19 list) out of the lineup, but he still reached 20+ FP for the third time in his last four starts thanks to rushing production. He completed 30/40 passes for 283 yards (7.1 YPA) while adding 3/31/1 rushing, which gives him three rushing TDs in his last four games. Bridgewater doesn’t have the best fantasy playoff schedule (@GB, @Was) but it’s certainly not a slate to shy away from as a mid-range QB2. He could certainly use a healthy Moore at his disposal to give him a better chance to max out his fantasy production. Moore is on track to play in Week 15 after their first practice of the week. UPDATED: 12/16
Tua Tagovailoa (Mia, 20%) — Tua returned to his starting QB spot in Week 13 after missing a game for his throwing-thumb injury, and he’s strung together his two best starts as a pro in the last two weeks. Tua completed 28/48 passes for 316 yards, two TDs, and one INT and he added 6/24/1 rushing against the Chiefs in Week 14 even with DeVante Parker and Mike Gesicki joining Myles Gaskin on the sideline. Tua is in a tough spot with his limited receiving corps against a solid schedule (NE, @LV) so he’s just a low-end QB2 down the stretch unless we see Gesicki and Parker back for Week 15. Parker’s hamstring isn’t considered ultra-serious, and he did some limited work on 12/16, a good sign. But he’s not yet a lock to play in Week 15 and Gesicki is not expected to play. UPDATED: 12/16
Andy Dalton (Dal, 15%) — Dallas’ offense has shown signs of life lately and Dalton has been a part of that as a distributor to his great cast of receivers. He didn’t have to do too much against his old team in a 30-7 victory as he completed 16/23 passes for 185 yards and two touchdowns against the Bengals in Week 14. Dalton still has top-20 potential with an excellent supporting cast of receivers, and Dallas’ poor defense is going to have this offense playing in shootouts most weeks. His schedule isn’t the best in the fantasy playoffs (SF, Phi), and Dalton isn’t exactly an upside option with his O-line falling apart.
Drew Lock (Den, 11%) — Lock is coming off the best game of his career in Week 14 as he completed 21/27 passes for 280 yards (10.4 YPA) and four TDs for 26.6 FP against the Panthers. Lock had failed to reach 13+ FP in each of his last three starts prior to Week 14 so he’s impossible to trust in fantasy playoffs against a solid schedule (Buf, @LAC). On the positive side, Lock has a lot to play for in the final three games as he auditions to be the starter in 2021 so he at least has a lot of motivation to close out this season. So he’s a viable play with some upside if you’re desperate.
Gardner Minshew (Jax, 10%) — Minshew Mania is back for the final three weeks of the season after HC Doug Marrone benched an ineffective Mike Glennon in Week 14. Minshew came on in the middle of the third quarter and he completed 18/31 passes for one TD and 2/22 rushing against the Titans. Minshew is certainly risky down the stretch (@Bal, Chi) since they were actively benching him up until Week 14 for the likes of Jake Luton and Glennon, but it’s clear he gives this offense the best chance at success. He’s back on the radar for those in two-QB leagues but, beware, they could bench him at any point as Marrone did to Glennon in Week 14.
Running Backs
Higher-owned Options
Jamaal Williams (GB, 62%), Zack Moss (Buf, 52%), Adrian Peterson (Det, 53%), Le’Veon Bell (KC, 56%)
Top Targets
Jeff Wilson (SF, 19%) — HC Kyle Shanahan is splitting carries between Raheem Mostert and Wilson now that his backfield is back to full strength, and Wilson appears to be the preferred goal-line option. He punched in a one-yard TD against Washington in Week 14 after getting two cracks inside the five-yard line in Week 13. Wilson finished with 11/31/1 receiving and 1/13 receiving while Mostert managed 14/65 rushing and 2/5 receiving against the Football Team — Mostert did leave for a stretch to be evaluated for a concussion. Wilson played one fewer snap than Mostert (48% vs. 49%) in Week 14 and he will get a glorious matchup against the Cowboys this week before a showdown with the Cardinals in Week 16. There are worse places to look for help this week, especially with Mostert on the injury report with a knee. UPDATED: 12/16
Miami Dolphins RBs (Mia) — The Dolphins backfield has been a major headache in recent weeks with Myles Gaskin unable to play in Week 14 after landing on the COVID-19 list. With Salvon Ahmed out of the lineup, DeAndre Washington became the featured back in Week 14 ahead of Patrick Laird. Washington posted 13/35 rushing and 2/17 receiving on four targets against the Chiefs. Lynn Bowden has also seen his role grow over the last two weeks as he’s posted 11/123 receiving on 13 targets in that span. Bowden, who is listed as RB/WR on Yahoo, should stay involved as a receiver going forward with DeVante Parker (leg) and Mike Gesicki (arm) joining Preston Williams (foot) on the sidelines. We’ll see which backs are available for the next two weeks (NE, @LV) but, if everyone is available, the fantasy priorities in this backfield are Gaskin followed by Bowden, Ahmed, Washington, and Breida. Breida was activated from the Covid list, so he should be available, but you don’t want to use him. It looks like it’ll be Washington leading the way again, but Ahmed is in play. Check projections all week for the latest ranking. UPDATED: 12/16
Going Deeper
Peyton Barber (Was, 9%) — Antonio Gibson never really had a chance to play in Week 14 because of his toe injury, and it’s looking like he could be looking at a multi-week absence. Barber, who played a solid 48% of the snaps, is the next man up as the team’s lead runner, but the role didn’t produce any results in Week 14. He finished with 12/37 rushing (3.1 YPC) and 2/1 receiving while J.D. McKissic out-played him with 13/86 scrimmage against the 49ers. Barber is going to have to stumble into the end zone to pay off a fantasy starting spot over the next two weeks (Sea, Car) if Gibson continues to miss time. Barber is questionable and limited in practice this week, FYI. UPDATED: 12/16
Trayveon Williams (Cin, 0%) — The Bengals finally gave their second-year RB a chance to play in Week 14 after Giovani Bernard lost an early fumble against the Cowboys and played only 24% of the snaps. Of course, Williams (38% of the snaps) also lost a fumble, but he got the most touches in this backfield with 12/49 rushing and 3/14 receiving. Bernard finished with 6/23 scrimmage while Samaje Perine (39% of the snaps) posted 12/41 scrimmage. Williams is hardly a lock to remain the top option in this backfield in arguably the league’s worst offense, but he could be worth a look if you’re really digging deep for RB help, since he’s the best long-term option on the team. Just be prepared to be disappointed if you use any of these Bengals RBs in the final weeks of the season.
Carlos Hyde (Sea, 27%) — Hyde has moved back into a secondary role in this backfield in the last two weeks with Chris Carson rounding back into form. Hyde got a little extra run with the Seahawks blowing out the Jets in Week 14 as he posted 15/66 rushing with most of his work coming in the second half. Hyde is the handcuff for Carson for the time being, but he doesn’t necessarily need to be rostered with Rashaad Penny joining the active roster and potentially jumping into the lineup soon. But he can be picked up and use if desperate for now, since him getting the leftover scraps in this backfield has given him a chance to be fantasy relevant.
Tony Pollard (Dal, 21%) — The Cowboys are poorly managed and that includes in their backfield with Ezekiel Elliott continuing to far out-touch the more explosive Pollard. He got a little more run in a blowout victory in Week 14 as he posted 11/39 rushing and 2/9/1 receiving against the Bengals. The Cowboys are paying Zeke a lot of money and they seem content to stick with him as their bell-cow back, making Pollard nothing more than a stash-and-hope option or desperation play just in case Mike McCarthy finally decides to give Pollard a bigger role to spark the offense.
Benny Snell (Pit, 20%) — No one would blame you if you said “Snell no,” but James Conner is dealing with an injured quad and he’s been nowhere in this backfield the last two weeks. If he’s out or limited, Snell, as usual, would be a TD-dependent but viable reach play. UPDATED: 12/15
Rashad Penny (Sea, 0%) — Penny is closing in on a return off of his catastrophic knee injury from last season so he’s worth a look as a stash-and-hope option. Our Adam Caplan has told us the coaches have raved about how well Penny is moving and they can’t wait to get him on the field. His role would be minimal, but it’s possible Penny will be their third-down back in the playoffs, and they’d like to get him some reps now, so he’ll be playing very soon.
Sony Michel (NE, 10%) — He’s now in the mix behind Damien Harris with 25% of the snaps in Week 14 with 7/22 rushing and 1 target and 0 catches. Harris has been dealing with a variety of bumps and bruises, so Michel has some upside if he’s pressed into the featured role.
Ito Smith (Atl, 4%) — Ito ended up playing in Week 14, and he actually led the backfield in opportunities (12) and snaps (44%). Todd Gurley played only 33% of the snaps with only 6/19 rushing and 2/12 receiving. On the chance Gurley falls completely off the cliff in the next 2-3 weeks, Ito isn’t a terrible stash-and-hope option.
Wide Receivers
Higher-owned Options
Curtis Samuel (Car, 59%), Keke Coutee (Hou, 45%), Michael Pittman (Ind, 54%), Sterling Shepard (NYG, 49%), Emmanuel Sanders (NO, 40%)
Top Targets
Lynn Bowden (Mia, 1%) and Mack Hollins (Mia, 0%) — Bowden has dual eligibility as a WR/RB on Yahoo, and he’s looking like a viable fantasy option at both spots with DeVante Parker (leg) and Mike Gesicki (arm), and Jakeem Grant (hamstring) joining Preston Williams (foot) on the sidelines. Bowden’s role has grown over the last two weeks as he’s posted 11/123 receiving on 13 targets over that span as he led the Dolphins with 7/82 against the Chiefs in Week 14. Hollins has also been more involved than the Dolphins would like after posting 5/66 receiving on nine targets against the Chiefs with Parker leaving early. We’ll see about the extent of the injuries for Parker, Grant, and Gesicki, but Bowden could be a weekly factor going forward while Hollins’ fantasy potential will be tied to Parker’s availability. UPDATED: 12/15
Chad Hansen (Hou, 2%) — Hansen has come out of nowhere to post consecutive games with 12+ FP after Will Fuller’s season-ending suspension before Week 13. Hansen caught all seven of his targets for 56 yards against the Bears in Week 14, which came a week after posting 5/101 receiving on seven targets against the Colts. Hansen has been on the Texans’ practice squad since last season in part because of Deshaun Watson’s affinity for him — the two spent time in the off-season working with each other. Watson is playing well this year and Brandin Cooks is also dealing with a neck injury right so it’s wise to grab Keke Coutee and/or Hansen for the final weeks of the season. Hansen can literally be added in just about every league, and it wouldn’t be shocking if he helps some fantasy playoff teams as WR4 over the final two weeks (@Ind, Cin). Cooks, though, is expected back in Week 15, but Hansen still looks like one of their top three WRs. UPDATED: 12/15
Tim Patrick (Den, 28%) — Patrick put up 14+ FP in three straight games from Weeks 3-6 before suffering a hamstring injury. He returned to the lineup in Week 9 and he was back to posting double-digit FP production before the Broncos were forced to play a practice squad WR in Week 12. He returned to form in Weeks 13-14 with 12+ FP in each game with a combined 7/80/3 receiving on nine targets. Playing 82% of the snaps, he put up 3/36/1 on 5 targets as he continues to get red zone love. Patrick is locked into the X receiver spot, and he’s the most-seasoned receiver for Drew Lock in his fourth season at 26 years old. He’s been an excellent red-zone threat and he’s playing well enough to stick in the WR4 conversation. Patrick will duke it out with Jerry Jeudy and Noah Fant for the most targets the rest of the way (Buf, @LAC).
Nelson Agholor (LV, 35%) — Agholor has revived his career in the desert, but he’s been a frustrating player to handicap as an all-or-nothing option. He’s at least hit double-digit FP in seven of his last 10 games after posting 5/100/1 receiving on nine targets against the Colts in Week 14 (66% of the snaps). Darren Waller is the only receiver guaranteed to see targets in this passing attack every week, but Agholor has edged ahead of the likes of Henry Ruggs and Hunter Renfrow as the #1 WR option for Derek Carr. Agholor is on the radar as a WR4 in the final weeks of the season (LAC, Mia), and he’s been useful for fantasy more often than not in recent weeks. Obviously, no Ruggs (Covid list) will help for Week 15. UPDATED: 12/16
Going Deeper
Rashard Higgins (Cle, 8%) — Higgins exploded for 6/95/1 receiving against a hapless Titans secondary in Week 13 with a healthy 68% of the snaps, and he followed that up with a 6/68/1 performance with 10 targets and 83% of the snap in Week 14 in a tougher matchup against the Ravens. He’s tough to completely trust in the fantasy playoffs (@NYG, @NYJ) as a WR4/5, but he is clearly second in line for targets each week as a distant #2 receiver behind Jarvis Landry, and they are throwing the ball a lot more lately with Baker Mayfield playing better. UPDATED: 12/15
Gabriel Davis (Buf, 5%) — The fourth-round pick out of UCF has flashed a couple of times in this potent Bills passing attack, and the rookie stepped into a prominent role the last three weeks with a touchdown and 10+ FP in each of those contests. Playing 83% of the snaps, he caught only 3 of his 8 targets for 19 yards, but he did score. He has a large role locked up while John Brown (ankle) is on the injured reserve, but Brown is eligible to be taken off the IR starting this week, so we’ll see about this week @Den and next (@NE). Davis had some value even with Brown around. For now, he’s still on the radar as a WR4 option for as long as he’s in the starting lineup in this pass-heavy attack.
Kendrick Bourne (SF, 3%) — Deebo Samuel aggravated his hamstring injury, which means his season could be over with the 49ers in no rush to bring him back with their playoff hopes dashed. Bourne stepped into the #2 WR role behind Brandon Aiyuk for the rest of Week 14, and he posted 3/42 receiving on seven targets (15.6% share) against the Football Team with 89% of the snaps. Bourne will immediately be in play as a WR4 option this week in a great spot against the Cowboys before finishing with the Cardinals in Week 16. He’s really the second-best option here for now after Aiyuk with Ritchie James next in line after Bourne. UPDATED: 12/15
Allen Lazard (GB, 38%) and Marquez Valdes-Scantling (GB, 20%) — Davante Adams, Aaron Jones, and Jamaal Williams are the only Packers weapons guaranteed to see weekly touches with Lazard, Robert Tonyan, and Marquez Valdes-Scantling battling it out for scraps in this potent offense. MVS (70% of the snaps) went from posting negative points in Weeks 12-13 to posting 6/85/1 receiving against the Lions while Lazard (69%) managed just 2/19 receiving on three targets. Lazard and MVS are in the WR4/5 picture going forward with an excellent closing schedule (Car, Ten). It doesn’t hurt that Rodgers is playing at an elite level right now with 3+ TDs in seven of his last eight games.
Russell Gage (Atl, 11%) — Julio Jones has been dealing with a hamstring injury for most of the season while Calvin Ridley continues to play through ankle and foot issues. Olamide Zaccheaus also landed on the injured reserve with a toe injury, leaving Gage with a decent role in this offense. P;aying 72% of the snaps, Gage posted 5/82 receiving on seven targets against the Chargers in Week 14, and he added a 39-yard touchdown pass to Ridley for a cherry on top. Gage can be considered in the deepest of PPR formats since he’s averaging 7.6 targets per game over his last five games.
Tyron Johnson (LAC, 0%) — Mike Williams left in the first quarter of Week 14 with a back injury, which paved the way for Johnson to have his best game of the season. He posted 6/55/1 receiving on seven targets against the Falcons, which included a pivotal 25-yard catch on their game-winning drive. Johnson now has 50+ receiving yards in three of his last four games, and Williams could be facing an uphill battle to play against the Raiders on Thursday Night Football. The Chargers have no reason to push Williams since they’re playing out the string so Johnson could be a plug-and-play option. Williams is looking like a gametime decision on Thursday at worst, FYI. UPDATED: 12/16
K.J. Hamler (Den, 3%) — Hamler had failed to make much of an impact in recent weeks but that changed in Week 14 as he erupted for two long TDs. Hamler played 61% of the snaps in Week 14 and showed off his game-breaking speed against the Panthers as he scored from 37 and 49 yards away. Jerry Jeudy and Noah Fant have both gone into the witness protection program in recent weeks so there’s a chance Hamler could stay active in the final weeks of the season (Buf, @LAC) if you need help in deeper formats.
Keelan Cole (Jax, 24%) and Laviska Shenault (Jax, 16%) — HC Doug Marrone finally inserted Gardner Minshew back into the lineup in Week 14, which breathed some life into Cole (86% of the snaps) and Shenault (75% of the snaps). Cole led the way 7/67/1 receiving on 12 targets (22.2% share) and Shenault followed with 6/49 on 11 targets (20.4%). The Jaguars have some tough matchups coming up (@Bal, Chi) and D.J. Chark and Collin Johnson are still involved in this passing attack, but Minshew’s presence gives these WRs a chance as WR4/5s.
Danny Amendola (Det, 2%) — At this point, we may never see Kenny Golladay again in 2020, and if that’s the case then DA has a chance, since youngster Quintez Cephus hasn’t really stepped up. Amendola in Week 14 had a solid 7 targets and a team-high 6/66 receiving with 51% of the snaps. The problem with DA this week, though, is that QB Matthew Stafford is hurt and may not play. If Stafford is out, it’s tough to trust Amendola, who was not targeted on any of backup Chase Daniel’s throws. UPDATED: 12/15
Tight Ends
Higher-owned Options
Logan Thomas (Was, 57%), Jared Cook (NO, 65%)
Top Targets
George Kittle (Chi, 76%) — He’s still owned in two-thirds of the leagues on Yahoo!, but we’ve added Kittle because he’s been designated to return from IR, so a Week 15 return is in play. A Week 16 return is much more realistic, but Kittle is still among the living for fantasy this year. UPDATED: 12/16
Cole Kmet (Chi, 4%) — Kmet, a 2020 second-round pick, could quietly bust out in the final weeks of the season as the organization has recently decided to give him the reins to the position. He has out-snapped Jimmy Graham in four straight games, and he finished with 4/41 receiving on seven targets (21.2% share) against the Texans in Week 14. Unfortunately, Graham is still a factor with a goal-line TD reception against Houston. It’s tough to trust any receiver in this passing attack outside of Allen Robinson, but Kmet has been the #2 receiver and he has a friendly fantasy schedule (@Min, @Jax) in the final two weeks.
Going Deeper
Irv Smith (Min, 6%) — Smith will once again be a streaming option this week if Kyle Rudolph (foot) is unable to play again in Week 15 against the Bears. With Rudolph out of the lineup, Smith caught all four of his targets for 63 yards against the Buccaneers, which included a 14-yard touchdown. Smith now has three total touchdowns in his last three games, and his groin injury didn’t appear to be an issue in Week 14.
Dalton Schultz (Dal, 21%) — Schultz failed to reach 4+ catches in Week 14 for the first time since Week 7. The Cowboys actually played with a big lead last week so Schultz didn’t get his typical dump-off passes with Andy Dalton attempting just 23 passes. The Cowboys project to play in two tighter games the next two weeks (SF, Phi), which will give him a chance to rebound for those looking for a floor option at tight end in PPR formats.
Jordan Reed (SF, 26%) — San Francisco really needs Reed the rest of the season with George Kittle (foot, IR) potentially done for the year. The 49ers dropped to 5-8 in Week 14 so it’s looking less and less likely that Kittle will return. Reed scored a touchdown in Week 13 but he disappointed in Week 14 with just 2/13 receiving on five targets against Washington. Reed is always an injury risk, but he’s also always been productive for fantasy when he’s given a sizable role in a decent or better offense, and he does have that right now. Reed is averaging 5.3 targets per game since taking over as the starter, but he’s failed to reach 20+ yards in two of his last three games. He’s only a TE2 option in the fantasy playoffs (@Dal, @Ari) but at least he may be needed more with Deebo Samuel (hamstring) potentially done for the season.
Adam Shaheen (Mia, 0%) — Mike Gesicki has been surging in recent weeks playing with Tua Tagovailoa, but he may be unavailable going forward after suffering an arm injury against the Chiefs in Week 14. DeVante Parker also left the game early with a leg injury, meaning Shaheen and Durham Smythe could be more involved going forward with Tua’s weapons dwindling. Shaheen finished with 2/26 receiving on three targets in Week 14, and he’ll be a deep streaming option if Gesicki can’t play in the fantasy playoffs (NE, @LV). As of Wednesday afternoon with a practice for the week in the books, it’s not looking good at all for Gesicki for Week 15. UPDATED: 12/16
Dawson Knox (Buf, 2%) — Knox has been a disappointment so far in his near-two year career, but he is very talented and he might be coming on. He’s been good for 7+ FP in three straight with 4 catches in his last two and a TD in two of his last three.
Dan Arnold (Ari, 1%) — He’s obviously a low-end option, but he does have a TD in three of his last four games with 4 TDs in those last four weeks. He’s a big-play threat who they look up to in the red zone as well, so he’s a threat to turn only 2-4 targets a game into 7+ points and 10+ if he scores.
Place Kickers
Higher-owned Options
Justin Tucker (Bal, 98%) Rodrigo Blankenship (Ind, 60%)
Top Targets
Mason Crosby (GB, 41%) - The Packers offense is clicking and now they face the Panthers at home while holding the #1 seed in the NFC. Carolina has allowed nearly 28 points per game in their last five outings. While that is not a huge amount of points allowed, Crosby has a very strong leg and over half of his field-goal conversions this year have come from the bonus range (40 yards or more). This could be one of the rare games this year in which Crosby gets up to three field-goal attempts (only once back in Week 3 against the Saints).
Daniel Carlson (LV, 59%) - Carlson has three or more field goals converted in ten of his thirteen contests this year and in five of his six home games. Only seven of his 26 field goals made have come from the bonus range, but his only two misses were from 40 yards or more. At the moment, this game has the highest under/over at around 55. So, this could be a shootout and Carlson could continue his trend of multiple field goal conversion in a single game.
Going Deeper
Dustin Hopkins (Was, 2%) - We listed Hopkins here last week and he nailed three out of four attempts. His only miss was a 53 yarder that went wide right. One of his three conversions was a bonus range 51-yarder. Hopkins could get at least two attempts against Seattle, especially if QB Alex Smith is out. The offense could struggle, especially near the red zone, with QB Dwayne Haskins under center.
Nick Folk (NE, 3%) - The 13-year veteran has converted on multiple field goals in a game in over half of his contests this year and in six of his last nine contests. This is a risky play, especially if you consider he had three extra points and missed on his only field goal attempt in the first game against Miami back on opening day. There is a good chance Folk could get a couple of field goal attempts here, though.
Defense/Special Teams
Higher-owned Options
Dolphins (Mia, 62%)
Top Targets
Football Team (Was, 36%) — If you didn’t pick up Washington last week, you missed out on their 2 TD, 4 sack, 15 points allowed masterpiece in Week 14. In fact, they’ve been painting some nice defensive pictures for much of the season. They’ve given up fewer than 20 points six times in their last eight games, and recorded at least 4 sacks in five of their last six games. Their remaining schedule includes one tough matchup and two strong matchups: Sea, Car, @Phi
Going Deeper
Texans (Hou, 18%) — Houston doesn’t have a great matchup in Week 15 (Ind), but they have the best matchup on paper in Week 16 (Cin). So this is a defense you’d preferably stash a week ahead of time. They’ll probably be mediocre this week (they held Indy to 24 points and had 3 sacks back in Week 13), so survive with them this week and go for the kill in the Championship Round.
