Good morning. We've got some great matchups today - Chiefs v Bengals, Dolphins v 49ers, my liver v Philly tailgate. 

We’re just two weeks from playoffs - these weeks matter more than ever. 

Content

Three nuggets from Twitter: 

Najee Harris status is TBD. Lean towards playing. These injuries don't affect per-play stats. Re-injury rates = elevated (~15%). Backups often see more touches. Would start in season-long. 

The Steelers have mishandled Najee's injuries all year. He was hospitalized on Monday night. Now he's a lock to play on Sunday?!? Why force it when he's not healthy? Same thing happened with his Lisfrance injury, per Andrew Fillipponi. 

D'Andre Swift's health is influencing his usage but he's likely nearing full strength. Look for increases in passing. Seems like Jamaal Williams in control of running but this is the first week I've felt confident starting Swift.

Tampa Bay is likely down both starting safeties and a veteran corner on MNF, making Saints WR Chris Olave a potential smash and Jarvis Landry a sleeper play.

Two highlights from @DwainMcFarland's great Utilization Report on FantasyLife.com: 

Cordarrelle Patterson registered a season-high 62% route participation and a salivating 22% target share in Week 12. It looks like the Falcons could finally get him more involved in the passing attack after the loss of Kyle Pitts. In 2021, Patterson eclipsed 40% route participation in eight games and averaged 15.5 fantasy points. The veteran RB should approach 15-plus opportunities per game with an expanded role.

Chris Godwin has a 26% target share over the last six games and ranks 11th in the NFL in TPRR (24%). Production is starting to follow, as he has WR13 and WR2 finishes in his last two outings, with 181 receiving yards and two TDs. Godwin is a mid-range WR2 the rest of the way.

Godwin has been WR11 overall ever since returning from his hamstring strain from Wk4-12.

From PFF's Rest of season fantasy football rankings following NFL Week 12:

Josh Jacobs joins the top 10 overall: Jacobs gained 229 yards on the ground and 74 yards in the air against the Seattle Seahawks, which moves him into the top 10. But a tough remaining schedule doesn’t push him above the top few running backs.

Who’s Out?

Jets coach Robert Saleh says RB Michael Carter is doubtful for Sunday's game. If this holds, James Robinson and Deep Dives candidate Zonovan Knight would be expected to handle RB touches for the Jets.

Doctors still have not cleared Bengals’ RB Joe Mixon to play Sunday vs. the Chiefs, per source. Mixon remains in concussion protocol and would have to be cleared Sunday to play vs. the Chiefs. 

Browns ruled out TE David Njoku (knee) for Deshaun Watson's return to the field Sunday.

• The Texans ruled out WR Brandin Cooks with a calf injury - @AdamSchefter.

• John Harbaugh said RB J.K. Dobbins will not play this weekend - @Ravens.

It looks like Deebo Samuel is more likely to miss Week 13 than to suit up for a meaningful role. Shanahan also noted Samuel's thigh has been bothering him and "hasn't loosened up" the way they wanted it to. It sounds like Deebo will be a game-time decision.

The Rams placed QB Matthew Stafford (concussions) on injured reserve. The move should end Stafford's season.

Keep an eye on Broncos WRs. If Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton (both questionable) can't go, the Broncos' top WR would be Kendall Hinton, AKA the guy who started as an emergency QB in 2020 because everyone else on Denver had COVID. But if we have to resort to Hinton, we are probably down bad. Or just the Broncos. 

Who’s In?

Christian McCaffrey will be a "full-go" this weekend. Coach Shanahan said the team was "just trying to be smart" with him in practice this week.

McCaffrey will be on the RB1 line against the Dolphins with no Elijah Mitchell to demand touches behind him. If San Francisco doesn't trust their other backs, it could be a big day for McCaffrey, per Rotoworld. If Niners up big, expect CMC to rest to keep tendinitis under control.

Bengals coach Zac Taylor said Ja'Marr Chase is on track to play this weekend. However, RB Joe Mixon remains in concussion protocol.

Tyrion Davis-Price could take Elijah Mitchell’s role (most likely case) and potentially take early down reps from CMC (unlikely but best case) and vulture goal line TDs. Or it could be Tevin Coleman, my bet to fill that role.

Aaron Rodgers (thumb/rib) is not on Green Bay's final Week 13 injury report against the Bears. He'll be a low-end QB1 in a cake matchup against a Bears defense.

JuJu Smith-Schuster (illness) is not on Kansas City's final Week 13 injury report against the Bengals. He'll be locked and loaded as a high-end WR3 against the Bengals.

Start Lamar Jackson. Obviously. 

Najee Harris said he is good to go and will play against the Falcons on Sunday. He is not listed on the Steelers' injury report. Backup RB Jaylen Warren is questionable.

Bears QB Justin Fields carries no injury designation and is in line to start against division rival Green Bay.

Jaguars coach Doug Pederson said RB Travis Etienne (foot) is "good to go" and he's optimistic that he'll play against the Lions.

Lions activated WR Jameson Williams from injured reserve. The move paves the way for the dynamic rookie to make his season, and career, debut in Week 13 against the Jaguars. 

And start Dameon Pierce this week…

QUICK SLANTS

• Lions coach Duce Staley says this is the best RB D'Andre Swift has felt in a few weeks noting, "He's starting to feel better. He's starting to see it." - @E_Woodyard 

• There's a belief that Odell Beckham Jr wants to be a member of the New York Giants after his visit, per @JordanRaanan

• Pittsburgh’s D was dropped in a lot of leagues while T.J. Watt was out and they’ve got a couple of mouth-watering matchups (Week 15: @CAR; Week 16: vs LV) coming up in the fantasy playoffs, per ETR.

Thanks joining us, let’s have an epic Sunday. 

Jake, Eddie, Matt & Coach Wehler.

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