Fantasy News

Devonta Freeman catches a touchdown in playoff loss to the Eagles.

Freeman couldn’t find much room to run against Philadelphia, but he did do some damage through the air including catching Atlanta’s only touchdown of the game. Overall, Freeman had ten carries for seven yards and added five receptions for 26 yards and the touchdown. The score came on a play near the end zone where Matt Ryan made a spectacular play to get out of a sack and found Freeman open in the end zone. As of now, Freeman is the highest paid running back in the NFL, and it’s a good bet for Atlanta to give him the ball a lot in 2018—even if backfield mate Tevin Coleman is an extremely dynamic player in the offense.

1/13/18 - 08:06 PM ET

The Patriots are releasing Martellus Bennett, according to ESPN’s Field Yates.

This shouldn’t be a surprise, and could mean the end of Bennett’s career if New England doesn’t bring him back on a cheaper deal. Other teams probably won’t think he’s worth the headaches after an inexplicable situation with Green Bay that led to his release last season. Bennett turns 31 in a few days.

Via: Field Yates 3/7/18 - 04:12 PM ET

Tevin Coleman plays well in Falcons’ playoff loss.

Coleman worked in tandem with Devonta Freeman in Atlanta’s backfield, but he far outproduced his teammate on the ground versus the Eagles, carrying ten times for 79 yards while adding one reception (on one target) for 14 yards. Next season, Coleman will be entering the final year of his contract, but Devonta Freeman won’t be going anywhere, which limits his overall season upside a bit. However, Coleman is still an electric player that has a ton of weekly upside, and he will be one of the better mid-round targets in 2018 fantasy drafts.

1/13/18 - 08:02 PM ET

Jesse James catches one pass in playoff loss.

James caught a pass in the flat that he took up the sideline for 12 yards. Vance McDonald was the clear top tight end in the loss to the Jaguars, and he’ll probably enter 2018 as the top option. James will be entering the final year of his contract next season.

1/14/18 - 04:46 PM ET

Matt Ryan and the Falcons fall to the Eagles in the Divisional Round.

Ryan was 22/36 for 210 yards and one touchdown in the loss in Philadelphia, as the Falcons were shutout in the second half. To start the game, the Falcons came out hot and moved the ball pretty easily against the Eagles, but the Eagles held the ball in the second half and didn’t give Atlanta many opportunities. The touchdown for Matty Ice was on a spectacular play where Ryan spun out of a sack and flipped the ball to Devonta Freeman. At the end of the game, Ryan led his team down the field for a potential go-ahead touchdown, but a jump ball to Julio Jones fell incomplete and the Falcons never got the ball back. Overall, Ryan played a fine game, but this is a disappointing end to the season for him considering the Super Bowl aspirations. Looking ahead to next season, Ryan and the offense should enter the year more comfortable with offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian, and the 2016 NFL MVP is a good bet to have a better statistical season after having his lowest touchdown total since his rookie season.

1/13/18 - 07:55 PM ET

Marcus Mariota plays well, but the Titans lose to the Patriots in the Divisional Round.

Mariota and the Titans got off to a hot start on offense, driving for a 95-yard touchdown drive in the first quarter that was capped by a 15-yard touchdown to Corey Davis on a dime to the end zone. Tennessee’s only other touchdown of the game was to Davis toward the end of the fourth quarter to make the game 35-14. In between it all, the Patriots did a great job of limiting the Titans offense, and they got a lot of pressure on Mariota, sacking him eight times. Overall, Mariota was 22/37 for 254 yards and two touchdowns along with four carries for 37 rushing yards. This offseason, Mariota will look to get fully healthy, as he is reportedly set to get ankle surgery; and remember, this was his first season after coming off his broken leg suffered in Week 16 last season. Mariota is a good bet to put up much better numbers next season, but ideally there will be some changes on offense. He’ll probably be a selection at the end of 2018 fantasy drafts, and it’s possible he goes undrafted in many leagues, but he has obvious QB1 upside.

1/13/18 - 11:46 PM ET

James White (ankle) is officially active for the Divisional Round.

After missing the last two games of the regular season, White is back in the lineup for New England for their first playoff game this year. Rex Burkhead and Mike Gillislee are both inactive with knee injuries, so White will be the clear number two behind Dion Lewis in the backfield. The Super Bowl LI hero will look to have a big impact on another postseason run for the Patriots.

1/13/18 - 06:55 PM ET