2 weeks agoBuffalo Bills linebacker Baylon Spector (calf) has been downgraded to out for Sunday's Conference Championship clash with the Kansas City Chiefs. The Bills opened Spector's practice window on Wednesday, and he logged three straight full sessions before being deemed questionable in Friday's injury report. However, he won't be activated off injured reserve before this weekend's tilt. It's unfortunate news for the 26-year-old, as he'd played significant snaps for Buffalo earlier in the year and still ranks third amongst Bills linebackers in total snaps played despite missing nine outings. Teammate Dorian Williams will continue to swap in behind Matt Milano and Terrel Bernard at linebacker against Kansas City.
--Alex CiullaSource: Buffalo Bills
2 weeks agoPer Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team, the Kansas City Chiefs are elevating wide receiver
Justyn Ross from their practice squad to the active roster ahead of their meeting with the Buffalo Bills this Sunday. The former Clemson Tiger was promoted twice earlier this season in Weeks 9 and 10, logging a total of 14 snaps and commanding just one target. Since then, though, Ross had been nothing more than a practice squad stash for the team. However, he'll get another shot at in-game action against the visiting Bills in the Conference Championship round. While the 25-year-old's path to targets is unclear, it appears he's likely to get at least some playing time in Kansas City's most pivotal contest of the year. Expect him to work in behind fellow wideout
Justin Watson.
--Alex CiullaSource: Ari Meirov
2 weeks agoThe New Orleans Saints have interviewed Mike Kafka for their vacant head-coaching position. Kafka has served as the offensive coordinator on the New York Giants for each of the last three seasons. He was a popular head coaching candidate last offseason before deciding to stay in New Orleans. Now Kafka appears to be one of the top choices for the Saints job, but there's plenty of other competition. The Saints are also considering both Kellen Moore and Mike McCarthy for their head coaching job. Kafka is a smart offensive mind, so he should get his chance eventually.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: New Orleans Saints
2 weeks agoThe Buffalo Bills will keep their offensive coordinator going into next season, as Joe Brady has decided to remain with the organization. Brady was in the running to be the head coach of the New Orleans Saints along with Kellen Moore. Both coaches were expected to get second interviews, but Brady has decided to remain in Buffalo. Brady took over as the offensive coordinator with the Bills in 2023 and he previously worked as the OC with the Carolina Panthers in 2021. The Saints will likely now shift their focus to Moore and possibly Mike McCarthy, while Brady looks to win a Super Bowl in Buffalo.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Ian Rapoport
2 weeks agoThe New York Jets have hired Darren Mougey as their new general manager. As expected, Mougey will get the job after getting multiple interviews with the team. Mougey has been the assistant general manager of the Denver Broncos since 2022. However, Mougey has been with the Broncos organization for over a decade. This will certainly be an interesting situation for Mougey given the Jets roster seems ready to compete, but they lack a legitimate franchise quarterback. It remains to be seen if
Aaron Rodgers is going to come back with Mougey in charge now.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Ian Rapoport
2 weeks agoThe Detroit Lions have promoted Kelvin Sheppard from linebackers coach to defensive coordinator on Saturday. This comes after former defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn left Detroit for the New York Jets heading coaching position. Sheppard has been the linebacker coach in Detroit for the past four years. That doesn't seem surprising given the fact that Sheppard was a linebacker in the NFL for eight years. Now, the 37-year-old will get a chance to prove he's ready for a bigger role. It'll be big shoes to fill given Glenn's success, but it looks like the Lions believe he's ready for the job.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Ian Rapoport
2 weeks agoWashington Commanders defensive tackle Daron Payne (knee, finger) has been downgraded to out ahead of Sunday's NFC Championship Game against the Philadelphia Eagles. This is a tough break for the Commanders who have struggled to contain the running game all season long. Now, their All-Pro tackle is sidelined which could be a problem against star running back
Saquon Barkley. The absence of Payne means that rookie second-round pick Jer'Zhan Newton will likely see an increased role. It's probably going to be difficult for the Commanders to stop the running game without Payne, so Barkley is looking like a must-start DFS option.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Ian Rapoport
2 weeks agoAccording to Mike Vorel of the Seattle Times, the Seattle Seahawks may entertain trade offers for wide receiver
DK Metcalf during the offseason. Vorel noted that even though Metcalf is still under contract, he suggests the team may look to move his contract to open cap space to improve their offensive line, which allowed the third-most sacks this season. In addition, Vorel noted that ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler believes the Los Angeles Chargers could be a potential destination for Metcalf. Metcalf struggled to find consistency throughout the 2024 season. Metcalf averaged 81.1 yards per game during the first seven games with three scores. However, Metcalf averaged just 53.0 yards per game over the final eight games. With the emergence of young wideout
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Metcalf will likely draw significant interest on the trade market during the offseason.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Mike Vorel
2 weeks agoAccording to Ed Werder, the Dallas Cowboys have hired former Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus as their new defensive coordinator. Eberflus worked under head coach Jason Garrett in Dallas as their linebackers and passing game coordinator from 2011 through 2017. Eberflus was hired as Chicago's head coach in 2022 and was eventually relieved of his duties following Week 13 of this season. During his tenure with Chicago, Eberflus held a 14-32 record. This past season, he won just four games. Eberflus will join newly hired head coach Brian Schottenheimer and bring a sense of experience, given his previous tenure with the Dallas Cowboys. This past season, the Dallas defense took a significant step back, allowing the second-most points-per-game (27.5) under Mike Zimmer. Eberflus will look to bring the Dallas defense back to their 2023 form when they allowed the fifth-fewest points-per-game (18.5).
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Ed Werder
2 weeks agoAccording to the team, Philadelphia Eagles rookie defensive back Quinyon Mitchell (shoulder) is off the injury report and cleared to face the Washington Commanders on Sunday afternoon. Mitchell suffered this shoulder injury last weekend during their victory over the Los Angeles Rams. Mitchell opened the week as a limited participant during practice but was able to log two full sessions to conclude the week. The Toledo product has had a key role in the secondary throughout his rookie season. The former 22nd overall selection in last year's draft has logged 53 tackles (44 solo) with nine assists, 14 pass deflections, and one interception across 18 contests. Mitchell will likely be tasked with covering
Dyami Brown as No.1 defensive back Darius Slay will likely shadow
Terry McLaurin.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Philadelphia Eagles
2 weeks agoNew England Patriots safety Jabrill Peppers was acquitted by a jury on Friday in his trial for assault and battery. Peppers testified by denying that he choked or shoved the woman that was accusing him of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. Peppers said he "knew eventually the truth would come to light" after being acquitted on Friday. He also admitted to cocaine possession ahead of his domestic-violence trial, but if he stays out of trouble over the next four months, the charges will be dropped. Peppers was put on the commissioner exempt list on Oct. 9 and miss seven games as a result. He was taken off the list on Nov. 25 but appeared in just two of the team's final five games in 2024 due to foot and hamstring ailments. He was signed to an extension by New England before the 2024 season, with his new contract expiring after the 2027 season.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com
2 weeks agoNFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports that the San Francisco 49ers officially hired former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh as their defensive coordinator on Friday, according to sources. Saleh also interviewed for three head-coaching jobs this cycle but will ultimately return to a familiar place after serving in the same role for San Francisco from 2017-20. If things go well again in the Bay Area for Saleh in 2025, he'll have the opportunity to become a head coach again in 2026. Saleh will run the defense after the Niners decided to move on from previous defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen, although he could remain with the organization in a different role. During his previous run with the 49ers, Saleh turned their defense into one of the best and most productive units again, so they'll be hoping he can do something similar in 2025.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
2 weeks agoWashington Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu (shoulder) was removed from the final injury report on Friday and will be available to play in the NFC Championship against the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles this Sunday. Luvu practiced in full on Wednesday and was limited on both Thursday and Friday. The 28-year-old injured his shoulder in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Dallas Cowboys but has held an every-down role for Washington in their two playoff wins over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Commanders will surely need him to be at the top of his game this weekend to try and slow down the NFL's leading rusher in 2024 in
Saquon Barkley. During the regular season, Luvu was the No. 16 fantasy linebacker in IDP formats, collecting 53 tackles, eight sacks, an interception, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries in 17 games played.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Washington Commanders
2 weeks agoThe Kansas City Chiefs defense took care of business last week in their Divisional Round matchup against the Houston Texans, holding them to 12 points on offense. Despite finishing the game without a takeaway, the Chiefs sacked
C.J. Stroud eight times and walked away with the victory. The Chiefs will have a more challenging time in the AFC Championship game against
Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills. Josh Allen had the lowest percentage of plays resulting in a turnover in NFL history this season. If Kansas City wants to avoid a repeat of their Week 11 loss to Buffalo, they will need to slow the pace and force Allen to make mistakes. It will be difficult to trust the Kansas City defense in DFS and playoff leagues, considering the potency of the Bills offense.
--Joshua Costello - RotoBallerSource: NFL on CBS - Twitter
2
weeks
agoKansas
City
Chiefs
kicker
Harrison
Butker
will
be
relied
upon
in
the
AFC
Championship
game
against
the
Buffalo
Bills
this
Sunday.
Butker
was
perfect
on
five
kicks
against
the
Texans
last
week,
knocking
through
three
field
goals
and
two
extra-point
attempts.
The
veteran
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