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
Baker Mayfield (Cle, 48%), Kirk Cousins (Min, 60%), Matthew Stafford (Det, 54%)
Top Targets
Jalen Hurts (Phi, 38%) — 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 pulled the plug and named Hurts the starter in Week 14. The decision has paid immediate dividends with Hurts posting 20.3 and 37.8 FP in his first two starts. He completed 24/44 passes for 338/3 passing and he added 11/63/1 rushing in a loss to the Cardinals in Week 15. Hurts is the QB2 the last two weeks and will be starting the rest of the season, including this week in a great matchup against the Cowboys. He’s now squarely in the mid to low-end QB1 conversation since he’s going to run 10+ times per game.
Going Deeper
Mitchell Trubisky (Chi, 13%) — The Bears have a sliver of hope to make the postseason in the final two weeks of the season, and Trubisky is playing well enough to give this offense a fighting chance. Trubisky attempted just 21 passes in their victory over the Vikings in Week 15, which limited him to 202 yards (9.6 YPA) and one touchdown but he at least added 34 rushing yards. Trubisky, who is now 5-2 as a starter this season, has a great chance to succeed against the weak Jaguars defense this week if you’re looking for a QB2. The downside with Trubisky is if David Montgomery bogarts all the TDs, which he’s done in two of their last three games.
Philip Rivers (Ind, 45%) — The Colts are airing it out more than they were early in the season, and it’s helped Rivers to 17+ FP and multiple TD passes in five straight games. He completed 22/28 passes for 228 yards (8.1 YPA) and two TDs against the Texans in Week 15 as he’s now averaged 7.9 YPA or better in five of his last six 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 has one of the tougher matchups in the league against the Steelers this week, or else he’d be higher on this list. It also doesn’t help that Jacoby Brissett has been vulturing some goal-line snaps and touchdowns in recent weeks so Rivers isn’t a lock to get to 17+ FP for a sixth straight game.
Teddy Bridgewater (Car, 31%) — Bridgewater hasn’t thrown a TD pass in his last two games and he has just one TD pass in his last three games, but he’s been supplementing his fantasy production with his legs recently. He’s run for four touchdowns in his last five games after posting 258 passing yards and 4/26/1 rushing against the Packers in Week 15. Bridgewater will be a back-end QB2 option in a tough matchup against the Football Team this week, a defense that gave Russell Wilson some problems last week.
Tua Tagovailoa (Mia, 21%) — Tua has strung together three consecutive games with 16+ FP, which includes 19+ FP in his last two games. He mustered just 145 passing yards on 26 attempts (5.8 YPA) against the Patriots in Week 15, but he added a pair of short rushing TDs to boost his fantasy production. Tua really needs to get DeVante Parker (hamstring) and Mike Gesicki (shoulder) back in the lineup to maximize his fantasy potential as QB2 in a juicy matchup against the Raiders this week.
Andy Dalton (Dal, 13%) — 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 completed 19/33 passes for 209 yards and two TDs for 17.2 FP against the 49ers in Week 15. 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. Dalton isn’t exactly an upside option with his O-line falling apart, but he’ll get a date with a banged-up Eagles secondary this week so he could have some success.
Drew Lock (Den, 12%) — Lock went back to disappointing in Week 15 after he played his best game as a pro against the Panthers in Week 14. He completed 20/32 passes for just 132 yards (4.1 YPA) and one TD while losing a fumble-six to the Bills last week. Lock has now failed to reach 13+ FP in four of his last five starts so he’s impossible to trust in fantasy playoffs against the Chargers this week. Lock at least has a lot to play for in the final two games as he auditions to be the starter in 2021. He has a lot of motivation to close out this season but it didn’t matter against the Bills last week.
CJ Beathard (SF, 0%) — The 49ers activated Jimmy Garoppolo on 12/22, but he will not play Week 16. Nick Mullens suffered an elbow injury that will require surgery, so Beathard will get the start. He may or may not be an upgrade over Mullens, but they have a decent matchup this week against the Cardinals, and he does have Brandon Aiyuk at his disposal, and George Kittle is trending toward playing. Beathard will take off and run at times, so he may provide a bonus 2-3 points with his legs. UPDATED: 12/23
Running Backs
Higher-owned Options
Gio Bernard (Dal, 53%), Jeff Wilson (SF, 56%), Zack Moss (Buf, 52%),
Top Targets
Le’Veon Bell (KC, 53%) and Darrel Williams (KC, 2%) — Clyde Edwards-Helaire’s rookie regular season is over after he suffered a high ankle sprain and a strained hip in Kansas City’s Week 15 victory over the Saints. CEH may return for the postseason, but HC Andy Reid will be rolling with Bell and Williams for the rest of the regular season. Bell is a top priority off of the waiver wire as he could be a high-end RB2 against the Falcons as the lead runner in this potent offense. Bell posted 15/62/1 rushing and he caught his only target for 14 yards on 32% of the snaps for his best performance of the season against the Saints in Week 16. Williams played 22% of the snaps and will also see his role grow as a passing-down receiver and as a change-of-pace runner. He’ll be in play in deeper formats as a risky RB3 against the Falcons.
Tony Pollard (Dal, 45%) — We’ve been calling for more Pollard in this Cowboys offense for half of the season and it finally happened in Week 15 with Ezekiel Elliott sitting out with a calf injury. Pollard played 90% of the snaps and didn’t disappoint as the bell-cow back against the 49ers as he posted 12/69/2 rushing and 6/63 receiving on nine targets for 31.2 FP. Pollard clearly gives this offense their best chance at success right now and the Cowboys would be wise to ride him as they try to keep their slim playoff hopes alive. However, Zeke worked on 12/23, which is a strong sign that he’s back. He’s probably worried about his job after seeing Pollard last week. So Pollard can’t even be counted on for 10 FP, but it could certainly happen so he’s a viable reach play. UPDATED: 12/23
Salvon Ahmed (Mia, 34%) — The Dolphins backfield has been a major headache in recent weeks with Myles Gaskin unable to play in Weeks 14-15 after landing on the COVID-19 list. Ahmed returned to the lineup in Week 15 for the first time since suffering his shoulder injury in Week 11, and he paced Miami’s backfield with 60% of the snaps and 23/122/1 rushing against the Patriots. Gaskin will return this week, though, and Miami has mostly used one primary back, and that back this week is Gaskin. It makes Ahmed a desperation play only. Check our projection for your best WW options. UPDATED: 12/23
Going Deeper
Gus Edwards (Bal, 44%) — The Ravens made Mark Ingram a healthy scratch in Week 15, which paved the way for J.K. Dobbins and Edwards to dominate the work in the backfield. Ingram has been an afterthought in this backfield even before his benching and it should stay that way with Dobbins posting 15/81/1 scrimmage and Edwards adding 11/78/0 against the Jaguars. Gus underwhelmed a bit but he did catch 2 balls to give him just under 10 FP and he played 41% of the snaps. He should be good for double-digit touches once again this week with the Ravens’ offense starting to peak in the final weeks of the season. The Ravens will be big home favorites against the Giants so he should get a healthy serving of carries this week.
Benny Snell (Pit, 20%) — James Conner‘s injured quad kept him out of Week 15 and Snell came up with his best showing in months with 18/84/1 on the ground and 3/23 on 4 targets with 78% of the snaps. HC Mike Tomlin said after the game Monday night that Conner may be available in Week 16, so we’ll see. Snell, as usual, would be a mostly TD-dependent reach play with a tougher matchup in Indianapolis. But Tomlin was impressed with Snell, so his Week 15 performance may have opened up a path to fantasy relevancy for Snell even if Connor is active. But clearly, the best scenario for Snell is if Conner is inactive or if they proclaim the starter and top back. If that’s the case, Snell’s a low-end WR2 with 15+ touches likely. But Conner isn’t even on the injury report, so he’s presumably good to go. Check our projections all week for the latest on this backfield. UPDATED: 12/23
Ito Smith (Atl, 3%) — Todd Gurley the fantasy asset may have finally died in Week 15, as he was limited to only 16 snaps (25%). Ito played 31 (48%) with 8 touches and 9 opportunities. It’s a decent enough matchup this week in KC if you’re desperate and it looks like Smith will continue to lead the backfield and/or get a bigger opportunity. HC Raheem Morris on Monday said that Smith is now his lead back.
Sony Michel (NE, 19%) — Damien Harris missed Week 15 with an ankle injury, which opened the door for Michel’s first major action since Week 3. He posted 10/74 rushing and he caught his only target for eight yards against the Dolphins while playing on so-so 42% of the snaps. With New England’s offense stuck in the mud, Michel would be an uninspiring RB3 option against the Bills this week if Harris misses once again. At least the Bills did give up two rushing scores to Melvin Gordon last week to give him a sliver of hope.
Devontae Booker (LV, 27%) — Josh Jacobs has been able to get healthy for most of the season, which continued in Week 15 when he left for a stretch of time late in the game with a knee injury after coming into the game with an ankle injury. Jacobs eventually returned to action in overtime and he’s mostly played through his injuries this season so he’ll likely try to suit up in a must-win game for the Raiders this week against the Dolphins as they look to keep their slim playoff hopes alive. Still, Jacobs’ owners add Booker if they haven’t already done it just in case the second-year RB can’t play with nine days of rest. Just don’t expect Booker to dominate snaps and touches as we found out the last time Jacobs sat out in Week 13 against the Jets when Jalen Richard and an active role next to Booker.
Frank Gore (NYJ, 24%) and Ty Johnson (NYJ, 15%) — HC Adam Gase won’t let Gore go away as the 37-year-old back is still soaking up touches in this Jets backfield. Gore posted 23/59/1 rushing (2.6 YPC) with a six-yard catch on his only target in New York’s unlikely victory over the Rams in Week 16. Johnson also found the end zone as he caught all six of his targets for 39/1 receiving and 5/18 rushing. Gore has just two TDs this season, but he’s scored double-digit FP in three of his last five games if you’re really scraping the bottom of the barrel for help in the fantasy finals this week with the Jets set to take on Cleveland.
Peyton Barber (Was, 7%) — Antonio Gibson never really had a chance to play in Week 15 because of his toe injury, which means Barber could get another chance to vulture a touchdown against the Panthers in Week 16. Barber played only 16% of the snaps but managed just 4/5/1 rushing against the Seahawks last week, but he’s now scored in two of the three games since Gibson went down with his toe injury. Barber is going to have to stumble into the end zone to pay off a fantasy starting spot if Gibson continues to miss time. Gibson, though, has not been ruled out and in fact has a chance to play after he practiced early in the week. Check out projections for the latest all week. UPDATED: 12/23
Devine Ozigbo (Jax, 0%) and Dare Ogunbowale (Jax, 0%) — James Robinson has been dealing with a knee injury in recent weeks before he left their Week 15 blowout loss early with an ankle issue. Ogunbowale (24% of the snaps) got most of the work after Robinson left with the Jaguars trailing by multiple scores, but Ozigbo could get lead-runner snaps if Robinson missed this week against the Bears. Ogunbowale would also factor in as the change-of-pace/passing back if Robinson misses this week, and he held the advantage in snap share over Ozigbo (24% to 5%) with the Jaguars trailing by 26 points at the time of Robinson’s injury. You may want to pick up Ozigbo or Ogunbowale. It doesn’t look like these two are priority adds with Robinson still in play for Week 16 and just resting in practice. As usual, check our projections all week for the latest recommendations. UPDATED: 12/23
Wide Receivers
Higher-owned Options
Curtis Samuel (Car, 63%), Emmanuel Sanders (NO, 56%), Nelson Agholor (LV, 52%), Sammy Watkins (KC, 51%)
Top Targets
Rashard Higgins (Cle, 25%) — It took a little bit of time after Odell Beckham’s season-ending injury, but Higgins has clearly emerged as the top perimeter WR for a scorching hot Baker Mayfield. Higgins played 73% of the snaps and posted 4/76 receiving on five targets against the Giants in Week 15, which gives him 68+ yards and 11+ FP in three straight games. Higgins will be a high-end WR4 option against the hapless Jets this week as the #2 receiver behind Jarvis Landry. It helps that Mayfield has attempted 32+ passes in three straight games after failing to hit that mark in six straight games in Weeks 6-12.
Keke Coutee (Hou, 41%) and Chad Hansen (Hou, 2%) — We’ve listed these Texans WRs at the top of our waiver wire for three straight weeks, but the masses refuse to believe in them despite their strong connections with Deshaun Watson. Both Coutee and Hansen have reached double-digit FP in three straight games since it was announced that Will Fuller was done for the season with his six-game suspension for PEDs. Coutee posted 5/53/1 receiving on seven targets against the Colts in Week 15 while Hansen added 2/55/1 on three targets. Coutee and Hansen have a great chance to keep the momentum going as high-end WR4s this week against a bad Bengals team. The better matchup this week is for Hansen, by the way. Bengals slot CB Mackensie Alexander has been good this year and he just shut JuJu Smith-Shuster down in Week 15.
Russell Gage (Atl, 24%) — 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. Gage has posted 12+ FP in four of his last five games after recording 5/68/1 receiving on 10 targets against the Buccaneers in Week 15. Gage is now averaging 8.4 targets per game over his last five contests, and he’s now proven he can be trusted without Julio (which previously was a concern). He should stay active against the Chiefs this week with Julio potentially done for the year and since the Falcons have a non-existent running game.
Going Deeper
John Brown (Buf, 40%) and/or Gabriel Davis (Buf, 5%) — Brown is nearing a return after the Bills designated him to return from the injured reserve last week, which opened up his practice window. He wasn’t quite ready to play in Week 15 against the Broncos, but there’s a good chance he’ll be ready to play against the Patriots this week. Davis would continue to fill in for Brown if he’s unable to return this week. He’s coming off his first disappointing game (2/18 receiving) as Brown’s replacement in Week 15. There’s also a chance Stefon Diggs misses this week after he picked up a foot injury against the Broncos, which is something to monitor during Week 16. Brown had just a 21-yards catch on two targets against the Patriots back in Week 8.
Lynn Bowden (Mia, 27%) — 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 (hamstring) and Mike Gesicki (shoulder), and Jakeem Grant (hamstring) joining Preston Williams (foot) on the sidelines. Bowden’s role has grown over the last three weeks as he’s posted 17/160 receiving on 20 targets and 3/22 rushing in Weeks 13-15. Bowden can be considered as a WR4 floor option in PPR formats against the Raiders this week if the Dolphins are once again undermanned at receiver. He played a whopping 90% of the snaps in Week 15, a good sign for his role to remain large no matter what.
Allen Lazard (GB, 32%) and Marquez Valdes-Scantling (GB, 24%) — 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 has posted zero points or worse in three of his last four games while Lazard had his best game since September with 5/56 receiving on six targets against the Panthers in Week 15. Lazard and MVS are in the WR4/5 picture with an excellent matchup against the Texans looming. It doesn’t hurt that Rodgers is playing at an elite level with 3+ TDs in seven of his last nine games, but Lazard and MVS have posted spotty production recently. One or two drops from either in a game, and Rodgers may stop throwing to them.
Tyron Johnson (LAC, 8%) and Jalen Guyton (LAC, 1%) — The Chargers seemingly had some of the worst WR depth behind Keenan Allen and Mike Williams heading into the season, but both Johnson and Guyton have been revelations as the secondary options in this passing attack. With Allen (hamstring) and Williams (back) limited in Week 15, Johnson posted 3/61/1 receiving on five targets while Guyton did his typical lid-lifting with 4/91 receiving on six targets. Johnson now has 50+ receiving yards in four of his last five games while Guyton is averaging 18.7 YPR on his 25 catches. Johnson and Guyton are the handcuffs for Allen and Williams this week if the Chargers decide to play it safe with one or both of these WRs down the stretch against the Broncos. Johnson would be the safer WR4 option while Guyton would be the boom-or-bust WR4 if Allen and/or Williams misses this week. Allen was out of practice early in the week, so check our projections all week for the latest. UPDATED: 12/23
Jakobi Meyers (NE, 31%) — Meyers has been the top option for Cam Newton since the middle of the season as he’s reached 45+ receiving yards in seven of his last nine games. He posted his second 100+ yard game of the season in Week 15 as he finished with 7/111 receiving on 10 targets against the Dolphins. Meyers is tough to completely trust as WR4 since he’s anchored to Cam, but at least the Patriots could be forced to throw it a little more against the Bills this week. And there is also hope for Myers in the form of Jarrett Stidham, who may get a start or two before the seasons’ over. Stidham at this point is an upgrade over Cam, who can get Meyers the ball but just not consistently.
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. Patrick disappointed against a tough Bills secondary with just 3/14 receiving on four targets with Drew Lock struggling in Week 15. Patrick is locked into the X receiver spot, and he’s the most-seasoned receiver for 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 (@LAC). Fant is Lock’s guy, but Patrick is second on that pecking order.
Laviska Shenault (Jax, 16%) and Keelan Cole (Jax, 24%) — HC Doug Marrone finally inserted Gardner Minshew back into the lineup in Week 14, which gives this entire passing game some life. Shenault finished with 5/43 receiving on a team-high six targets against the Ravens in Week 15 with a healthy 74% of the snaps. Cole (75%) caught both of his targets for 22 yards. The Jaguars don’t have an easy matchup against the Bears this week, but at least Collin Johnson (hamstring) may be out of the picture this week. Minshew’s presence also gives these WRs a chance as WR4/5s.
Jalen Reagor (Phi, 21%) and Greg Ward (Phi, 3%) — Reagor has been Jalen Hurts’s favorite WR target while Ward has quickly developed into his favorite option around the end zone. Reagor (55% of the snaps) matched Dallas Goedert with a team-high eight targets (18.2% share) in Week 15, which he turned into 5/49 receiving. Meanwhile, Ward turned his five targets into 4/15/2 receiving against the Cardinals, which gives him three TDs in two-plus games with Hurts. The Eagles have a great fantasy matchup with the Cowboys this week so Reagor and Ward are live as deep dart throws. Reagor is also their shotplay guy, so he has the upside to make a big play at any point these last two games.
Kendrick Bourne (SF, 7%) — 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 bailed out anyone who played him with his 49-yard Hail Mary touchdown reception against the Cowboys in Week 15 as he caught all four of his targets for 86/1. Bourne is in play as a WR5 option this week against the Cardinals as he will battle with Ritchie James for secondary targets behind Brandon Aiyuk. Bourne did play only 50% of the snaps in Week 15 and would lose some appeal if George Kittle (foot, IR) is able to return to the lineup this week.
Darnell Mooney (Chi, 10%) — The rookie Mooney is still hanging around with touchdowns in consecutive games after posting 4/49/1 receiving on five targets against the Vikings in Week 15. Mooney is averaging 5.5 targets per game over his last four games and there will be worse dart throws this week with Mooney getting an exploitable matchup against the Jaguars this week.
Tight Ends
Higher-owned Options
Logan Thomas (Was, 63%), Austin Hooper (Cle, 48%), Tyler Higbee (LAR, 50%), Zach Ertz (Phi, 52%)
Top Targets
George Kittle (SF, 79%) — This is a friendly reminder to check your waiver wire to see if Kittle is available. He has league-winning potential if he returns to action against the Cardinals this week after he started ramping his work in practice last week as he eyes a potential return to action off of his foot injury that landed him on the injured reserve. As of Tuesday, Kittle was expected to return, so monitor his projection all week for insight on whether or not he’s startable (most likely, he is). UPDATED: 12/22
Going Deeper
Irv Smith (Min, 20%) — Smith will once again be a streaming option this week if Kyle Rudolph (foot) is unable to play in Week 16 against the Saints. With Rudolph out of the lineup, Smith posted 3/37 receiving on four targets against the Bears in Week 15, but his one failed connection was a heartbreaking drop on an easy touchdown in the end zone. Rudolph never really came close to playing in Week 15 because of his foot injury so Smith could be the main option at TE again — Tyler Conklin did vulture a TD last week. Smith gets a tough matchup against the Saints this week if you’re considering him as a streamer.
Jordan Akins (Hou, 4%) — Akins is impossible to trust since he’s mostly failed to deliver with increased opportunities since Will Fuller went down for the season with his suspension. He finally delivered on his targets against the Colts as he posted 5/50 receiving on six targets in Week 15. Akins has a chance to keep his momentum going in a juicy matchup with the Bengals in Week 16.
Cole Kmet (Chi, 12%) — Kmet, a 2020 second-round pick, has been trending upward for the last month, but, despite playing 100% of the snaps, he laid an egg in Week 15 with Mitchell Trubisky attempting just 21 passes. Kmet caught both of his targets for just 12 yards against the Vikings, which ended his two-game run with seven targets in consecutive games. It’s tough to trust any receiver in this passing attack outside of Allen Robinson, but Kmet has been involved and he has a friendly fantasy matchup with the Jaguars this week.
Dan Arnold (Ari, 2%) — Arnold is obviously a low-end option, but he does have four touchdowns in his last five games as he heads into a matchup with the 49ers. He’s also coming off a season-high five targets (13.9% share) in Week 15, which he turned into 3/54 receiving. Arnold is a big-play threat in the middle of the field and Murray is looking for him in the red zone as well, so he’s a threat to turn his few looks into 7+ FP as he has in five of his last seven games. Maxx Williams also left Week 15 early with an ankle injury, which means Arnold snaps could see an uptick this week against the 49ers.
Dalton Schultz (Dal, 21%) — Schultz has failed to reach 4+ catches in consecutive weeks after reaching that mark in five straight games in Weeks 8-13. On the bright side, Schultz scored his fourth touchdown of the season in Week 15 as he caught both of his targets for 14/1 receiving. The Cowboys have actually won consecutive games, which has limited Schultz’s garbage-time production with Andy Dalton attempting just 56 passes in Weeks 14-15. The Cowboys project to play in a tight game against the Eagles this week, which will give him a chance to rebound for those looking for a floor option in PPR formats.
Dawson Knox (Buf, 2%) — Knox has been a disappointment so far in his near-two year career, but he is very talented and he’s trending upward as Buffalo heads into the playoffs. He’s been good for 7+ FP in four straight games with either four catches and/or a TD in each of those contests with John Brown out of the lineup. Knox will get a tougher matchup against the Patriots this week, and he’ll have some appeal as a streaming option if Brown is unable to return to the lineup this week.
Place Kickers
Higher-owned Options
Jason Sanders (Mia, 81%) Wil Lutz (NO, 93%)
Top Targets
Greg Zuerlein (Dal, 40%) - This should have been a division-deciding matchup. Unfortunately, it is not. Still, these offenses are hit-or-miss and this should be a close game. Zuerlein has attempted multiple field goals in six of his seven home games. In fact, he has attempted three or more field goals in four home games and in five straight outings.
Ka’imi Fairbairn (Hou, 18%) - We know what you are thinking… Fairbairn? Consider their opponent. Cincinnati is allowing around 26 points per game this year. On the road, the Bengals allow over 27 points per game and have not won any of their seven road contests. Fairbairn should get two or so field goal attempts along with three or so extra points at home.
Going Deeper
Mike Nugent (Ari, 1%) - With PK Zane Gonzalez on injured reserve with a back injury, Nugent has taken over the placekicking duties. All he has done in his two games with the Cardinals is convert on all five field-goal attempts and six extra points. Only one of his five field-goal conversions has come from the bonus range, but the team is not afraid to go to him when the offense stalls.
Cairo Santos (Chi, 1%) - When you think of high scoring offenses, Chicago does not come to mind. Nonetheless, Santos has been a consistent and reliable PK option. He has converted on multiple field goals in two consecutive outings and is coming off a four field goal game. Santos is a perfect 21-for-21 on field goals since Week 4. He has multiple field goals in six of his last ten outings and at least one field goal in every game this year.
Defense/Special Teams
Higher-owned Options
Browns (Cle, 72%)
Top Targets
Football Team (Was, 34%) — Washington’s dominant D-line never got to Russell Wilson, as Seattle re-committed to the run game, but still held the 4th-highest scoring offense to just 20 points. In fact, no one has put up more than 20 points on Washington in the last five weeks. For Championship week, they welcome a Carolina team that is in the bottom half of the league in scoring and yardage. The Panthers average 22 points per game and give up 2 sacks and 0.8 INTs per game, while the Football Team averages almost 3 sacks and an INT per game. If you play in Week 17, they’ll face a Philly team that allowed 6 sacks in Week 15, so even with Jalen Hurts, they’re still vulnerable to big plays.
Going Deeper
Texans (Hou, 18%) — I mentioned stashing Houston last week, and that’s because Houston draws the best card of the week, as they host the inept Cincinnati offense. While we were recently reminded of the “any given Sunday” adage thanks to the Week 15 performance of the Jets (who upset the Rams), even the Jets’ stunning performance netted just 23 points against. Cincinnati plays their Week 15 game tonight, but barring a colossal turnaround, the Bengals will still be below 20 points per game (18.8) and will be leading the league in sacks allowed per game (3.5). J.J. Watt must be salivating.
