🏈 Merry (belated) Christmas

Emmanuel Sanders, Tyler Johnson, DEEP league winners, D'Andre Swift might play and AJ Brown went off...

Good morning, especially to those in the fantasy playoffs. Even if you’re not, you are all 10s in my book. Trust that you’re winning these matchups. COVID sure is…

Kill 🙏🏽⚡️ @_Rashad25

Covid really went back watched film and got better

The longest season ever continues:

Deep League Winners

With COVID decimating teams, the waiver wire grows in importance. Here are five very under-the-radar players who might just lead you to a title.

1. Emmanuel Sanders: This isn’t a deep dive, but please check if Sanders is available. He’s borderline must start in a depleted Buffalo passing-offense missing the WRs 3 and 4.

2. Jaret Patterson: Almost all year, we’ve been banging the Patterson drum. Is this the week? Not sure, but Antonio Gibson (toe) missed practice all week. Even if Gibson suits up, Washington should lighten his load and Patterson’s 6.1 yards-per-carry gives Ron Rivera another reason to lean on the rookie.

3. Josh Palmer: With Mike Williams and Jaylen Guyton out, Palmer becomes the Chargers WR2. The only time Palmer played 80%+ of snaps, he caught 5 passes for 66 yards and a TD. He’s a strong route runner facing a weak Texans secondary.

4. Laquon Treadwell: Operating as a full-time outside WR for the Jags (97% of snaps Week 15), Treadwell has almost 10+ PPR points in 4-straight games. He’s more of a PPR play - but should be a safe start if you’re favored.

5. Tyler Johnson: It’s Johnson vs Antonio Brown for the WR1 spot. Look, AB is the better WR - we get it. But what if Tyler Johnson takes the Chris Godwin role? What if he claims the lead spot? Upside wins championships…

Scott Barrett @ScottBarrettDFB

Top WR Prospects Since 2015 + Per the Pre-Combine WR Model 1. Ja'Marr Chase* 2. Amari Cooper 3. DeVonta Smith** 4. CeeDee Lamb 5. Tyler Johnson** 6. Justin Jefferson 7. Jerry Jeudy 8. Elijah Moore *18th most athletic WR since 2000 (98.0 SPORQ) **Fell precipitously post-Combine

Avoid: Braxton Berrios - The Jets #1 WR saw 10 targets in Week 14 but only one last week, all while never playing more than 41% of snaps. Idc how many WRs are out, avoid starting Berrios.

Who’s OUT

Todd Olszewski/Getty Images

This list should include Brandin Cooks and Mike Williams, both on the COVID list. Miracle RB Cam Akers is back, but should be considered out - he was only activated now because a player needs to be on the active roster for three games to receive his pension credit. Austin Ekeler is also OUT with COVID.

Adam Schefter @AdamSchefter

Players out for Sunday include Leonard Fournette, Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Antoine Winfield, Andy Dalton, Jakeem Grant, Rhamondre Stevenson, Nelson Agholor, Gabriel Davis, Cole Beasley, Lamar Jackson, Tyler Huntley, Pat Freiermuth, Teddy Bridgewater, Landon Collins, Tyron Smith.

Who’s IN

REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

Tyreek Hill is playing, while Schefter reported there is "still a shot" Travis Kelce clears the league's COVID protocols for Week 16 against the Steelers, but be ready to pivot. See deep dives below.

• With Mike Evans (hamstring) out and Chris Godwin (knee) on injured reserve, a healthy Antonio Brown is suddenly the No. 1 receiver in an offense featuring Tom Brady. That makes AB a locked-in WR1

• D’Andre Swift was limited in practice all week and appears to have a real shot of starting against the Falcons.

• Josh Johnson is the only QB who made the trip to Cincy after Ravens announced that QB Lamar Jackson is not traveling.

Josh Johnson

What a story - Josh Johnson has been on 20 teams…

Field Yates @FieldYates

Josh Johnson’s football journey is something else. Since being drafted in the fifth round in 2008, he’s changed teams 20 times (including his stints in the AFL, AAF and XFL). Now he may step in as a starter in what would immediately become the biggest game of his career.

Jamison Hensley @jamisonhensley

Tyler Huntley is being placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list today, a source confirmed. NFL Network first to report. Josh Johnson is Ravens' only healthy QB heading into Sunday's game in Cincinnati. Lamar Jackson (ankle) hasn't practiced in two weeks.

Quick Slants

Tampa Bay WR Mike Evans was named the Week 16 NFLPA Community MVP after he donated more than $30,000 to support Tampa Bay kids in need while also providing four-year college scholarships for six local high school students.

• A.J. Terrell hasn’t allowed over 35 yards in a game this season. Terrell lines up against the Lions Josh Reynolds today.

• Packers coach Matt LaFleur became the first head coach NFL history with at least 12 wins in each of his first 3 seasons.

• The Saints tried to lure Drew Brees out of retirement for Monday night’s game with Miami. Coach Sean Payton called Brees, according to Duncan, who gave it "serious thought."

• Nick Foles will start in Week 16 against the Seahawks.

• Darren Waller hasn't practiced since injuring his knee in Week 12. Yeah, you can consider his season done.

• Good day to remind that you certainly wouldn’t have gone broke betting on modern medicine over the last 20 years in dynasty (thread)

Tweet of the Day

Andrew Erickson™ @AndrewErickson_

How it feels to slide AJB back into the WR1 slot in the #fantasyfootball playoffs

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Goodluck today. Merry Christmas and happy holidays to you and yours. All the best.

- Jake