Fantasy News

Wendell Smallwood gets 12 touches in playoff win versus the Bears.

Smallwood carried eight times for 20 yard along with two receptions for 20 yards in the Eagles’ Wild Card Round victory. He started the game and ran hard against a tough defense despite the numbers not showing that. Smallwood received a two-point conversion carry and looked like he might have been in, but he was ruled short and the call on the field stood after a review. Next Sunday against the Saints, Smallwood should remain a top-two back with Darren Sproles in Philadelphia’s backfield.

1/6/19 - 08:02 PM ET

Keith Kirkwood (calf) has officially been ruled out for the NFC Championship Game.

Kirkwood didn’t practice all week, so New Orleans has ruled him out ahead of the weekend. With Kirkwood out, rookie Tre’Quan Smith must step up in a potential shootout against the Rams. Hopefully Kirkwood will be ready to go if the Saints advance to the Super Bowl.

1/18/19 - 05:33 PM ET

Benjamin Watson catches one pass in the Divisional Round.

Watson gained 12 yards, picking up a first down on his lone reception in the Saints’ win versus the Eagles. The veteran tight end’s career will continue, as his final NFL season will at least extend to the NFC title game next Sunday against the Rams.

1/13/19 - 08:05 PM ET

Sammy Watkins (foot) was officially limited in today’s practice.

A full practice would’ve been a better sign obviously, but this isn’t a bad start to the week for Watkins as he looks to return to the field after missing the final five games of the season (and basically the last eight weeks including the Rams game he appeared in for just a few plays). We’ll track Watkins’ practice status the next couple of days leading up to Saturday’s matchup with the Colts.

1/8/19 - 05:02 PM ET

Jordan Howard rushed ten times for 35 yards in Sunday’s loss to the Eagles.

Howard was targeted once in the passing game, resulting in an incompletion. The Bears decided to air it out 43 times in their first playoff game of the Matt Nagy era, and it’s fair to wonder if they would have been better off pounding the ball with their powerful back against a defense that is vulnerable on the ground. Howard was brought up in trade rumors all last offseason, and it’s possible a move becomes a reality before next year. If he remains in Chicago, Howard should be a prime bounce-back candidate and a real threat for 1,000 rushing yards and double-digit touchdowns.

1/6/19 - 08:00 PM ET

Redskins president Bruce Allen says the team is “optimistic” Alex Smith will be able to play again.

Speaking at the Senior Bowl, Allen said Smith is moving around and is “well on his way to a recovery,” adding, “We’ll see how it goes. We’re optimistic. If anyone can come back, it’s Alex. I’m sure he wanted to shoot hoops at the game yesterday, but we’ll see.” Yesterday, Smith was spotted at a Washington Wizards game and had his leg very heavily wrapped, and it certainly appears like this will be a lengthy recovery, as has been expected. We just have to hope and pray the 34-year-old can get back to 100% and back on the football field, hopefully sometime in 2019. The Redskins are likely to target a young quarterback in this year’s draft.

Via: NFL.com 1/22/19 - 05:20 PM ET

Drew Brees throws two touchdowns in Divisional Round win.

Brees was 28/38 for 301 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception in the playoff victory over the Eagles. The future Hall of Fame quarterback didn’t start the game well with an underthrown deep ball to Ted Ginn Jr. that was intercepted, and he also missed another potential deep touchdown to Taysom Hill later in the game; but overall, Brees played another outstanding game, putting throw right on the money—mainly to Michael Thomas, who caught 12 passes for 171 yards and a touchdown. Brees will now remain in the Superdome as the Saints host the Rams in the NFC title game one week from today, and he should be razor-sharp as he looks to get to his second Super Bowl.

1/13/19 - 07:50 PM ET