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Rome Odunze is among the young weapons on the Chicago Bears offense that could form an elite unit with the potential return of HC Ben Johnson and QB Caleb Williams. His involvement could be key to the team's offensive development.
Head Coach Ben Johnson's potential return could lead to improvements for the Bears offense. With young weapons like Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III, D.J. Moore, and Colston Loveland, the team could form an elite unit for QB Caleb Williams.
Luther Burden suffered a left hamstring injury on the final play of the 42-38 loss to the 49ers. He had a career-high eight catches for 138 yards and a touchdown on nine targets prior to the injury. Burden is part of a young Bears receiving corps that could form an elite unit.
D'Andre Swift scored two rushing touchdowns in the 42-38 loss to the 49ers, tying the game twice. He had nine carries for 54 yards and two TDs, adding two receptions for 25 yards. Swift averaged 6.0 yards per carry and has scored multiple rushing TDs in two of his last three starts. He and Kyle Monangai split work evenly.
Christian McCaffrey had a season-high 140 rushing yards and a touchdown on 23 carries in the 49ers' 42-38 win over the Bears. He also caught four passes for 41 yards. With George Kittle sidelined, McCaffrey saw an increased role in the passing offense. His touchdown run marked his 10th rushing score of the season. Fantasy managers can expect a heavy workload against the Seahawks in Week 18.
Patriots QB Drake Maye delivered an MVP-caliber performance in Week 17, throwing five touchdown passes and completing 19-of-21 attempts for 256 yards, plus 22 rushing yards, achieving a near-perfect 157 passer rating. He became the first QB since 1981 with five TDs and over 90% completion, connecting with Austin Hooper, Rhamondre Stevenson (22-yard TD), Stefon Diggs, Hunter Henry (13-yard TD), and Efton Chism. The 42-10 win over the Jets clinched the AFC East title, earning him a spot on the NFL Week 17 Team of the Week.
Ravens RB Derrick Henry delivered a dominant performance in Week 17, logging a career-high 36 carries for 216 yards and four touchdowns in the team's win over the Packers. This marks the most carries by any NFL running back in two years. Following his stellar outing, Henry expressed he'll be praying for the Browns to upset the Steelers, as a Cleveland win is crucial for the Ravens to keep their playoff hopes alive. His performance earned him a spot on the NFL Week 17 Team of the Week.
Philip Rivers, 44, reflected on his 'AWESOME' three-game return to the NFL, despite the Colts' 23-17 loss to the Jaguars, which eliminated them from playoff contention. He completed 17-of-30 passes for 147 yards, one touchdown to Mo Alie-Cox, and one interception. Rivers, now 0-3 since his return, expressed no regrets, calling them 'three bonus games.' With rookie Riley Leonard expected to start Week 18, this was likely Rivers' final NFL appearance. He finished his 2025 season with 63% completion, 5.9 YPA, 4 TDs, and 3 INTs, a remarkable feat for a 44-year-old after a five-year layoff.
Seahawks QB Sam Darnold completed 18 of 27 passes for 147 yards, one touchdown, and one interception in Sunday's 27-10 win over the Panthers, adding two rushing yards and losing a fumble. Despite not his 'best game,' he made key third-down throws, including a 17-yard TD to AJ Barner, bringing his season total to 25 TD passes. With 13 wins this season, Darnold is now preparing for a Week 18 'win-and-you're-No. 1' game against the 49ers, needing 150 passing yards to reach 4,000 for the second straight campaign. He is the only QB to win 12+ games with different teams in consecutive seasons.
Giants RB Devin Singletary rushed eight times for 45 yards and a touchdown, adding four receptions for 25 yards, in Sunday's 34-10 win over the Raiders. He ripped off a 29-yard run before scoring a one-yard touchdown early. Singletary was more involved as a pass-catcher with a season-high four receptions and topped 80 yards from scrimmage for the second time in four games. He is expected to finish the season strong in a favorable Week 18 matchup against the Cowboys.
Giants RB Tyrone Tracy rushed the ball 14 times for 62 yards, adding one reception for minus-5 yards, in Sunday's 34-10 win over the Raiders. He led the Giants' backfield in rushing attempts and was efficient, with two carries going for at least 10 yards. However, Tracy missed out on opportunities to Devin Singletary as a receiver and near the goal line. He has at least 60 rushing yards in six of his last seven games heading into an exploitable Week 18 matchup against the Cowboys.
Jaxson Dart guided the Giants to a 34-10 victory over the Raiders, completing 22 of 30 passes for 207 yards and adding nine rushes for 48 yards and two touchdowns. After a tough Week 16, Dart bounced back with an efficient performance, earning praise from interim coach Mike Kafka. Dart also dismissed reports about the Giants evaluating quarterbacks for the 2026 NFL Draft, stating his commitment to turning the team around.
Bills WR Khalil Shakir finished with six receptions on seven targets for 35 yards in Sunday's 13-12 loss to the Eagles, leading all Buffalo receivers in targets and receptions. Despite a lack of explosive plays, Shakir has provided value in PPR formats with 72 receptions through 16 starts. His 719 receiving yards and four touchdowns leave more to be desired in standard fantasy leagues. He was the intended target on Josh Allen's final, game-losing two-point conversion attempt.
Bills WR Brandin Cooks corralled four of six targets for 101 yards in Sunday's 13-12 loss to the Eagles, marking his first 100-yard game since 2021. He finished second in targets and receptions for Buffalo, stepping up with TE Dalton Kincaid (knee) out and WR Keon Coleman a healthy scratch. This strong performance may solidify his role as the Bills prepare for a playoff run, making him a viable fantasy option against the Jets in Week 18.
Raiders TE Michael Mayer recorded nine receptions on 10 targets for 89 yards in Sunday's 34-10 loss to the Giants. With WR Jack Bech inactive and Brock Bowers (knee) out, Mayer was expected to be a primary target and delivered his most productive game of the season, leading the team in every receiving statistic. He logged five receptions of at least 11 yards and is expected to be a favorite target of Kenny Pickett in Week 18 against the Chiefs.
Chargers QB Justin Herbert was highlighted as his "own type of MVP" in a big-picture look at Week 17. This observation comes amidst concerns for both the Eagles and Bills, and the Steelers and Panthers, suggesting Herbert's individual performance stands out despite broader team or league issues.
Steelers LB T.J. Watt is considered a "long shot" to play in Week 18's crucial AFC North title game against the Ravens. He had surgery on December 12 to repair a partially collapsed lung and has missed the last three games. Head coach Mike Tomlin stated Watt won't play until he has a week of full practice. Watt's single-season sack record (22.5) remains intact after Myles Garrett failed to break it in Week 17.
Browns DE Myles Garrett did not record a sack in Sunday's win over the Steelers, remaining at 22.0 sacks, a half-sack shy of the NFL's single-season record. Garrett accused the Steelers of being "more worried about keeping me away from Aaron [Rodgers] than getting the win," citing quick releases, rolling away, and double teams. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin denied this, stating they didn't change their approach. Garrett will have one last chance to break the record in Week 18 against the Bengals, an opponent he has 15.0 career sacks against.
Raiders RB Ashton Jeanty rushed 16 times for 60 yards and added 13 receiving yards on two catches in Sunday's 34-10 loss to the Giants, totaling 73 scrimmage yards. Despite an inefficient performance, he delivered long runs of 24 and 14 yards in the second half. Jeanty, who was expected to have an increased role in the passing game, now needs 112 rushing yards in Week 18 against the Chiefs to reach 1,000 for his rookie season.
Eagles WR A.J. Brown hauled in five of seven targets for 68 yards in Sunday's 13-12 win over the Bills, leading the team in targets, receptions, and yardage. Despite missing practice earlier in the week due to wisdom teeth removal, he played without limitations. This performance pushed him over the 1,000-yard mark for the fourth consecutive season. Brown will look for a strong finish to the regular season against the Commanders in Week 18.
