According to Scott Abraham of 7News DC, Washington Commanders defensive tackle Jer'Zhan Newton is expected to have a more significant role with Daron Payne (finger) sidelined. Payne sustained this finger injury during their wild-card victory over the Buccaneers but faced a setback during their upset victory over the Detroit Lions last weekend. As a result, fantasy managers should expect Newton to start alongside Jonathan Allen on the Washington defensive line. During the regular season, Newton tallied 44 tackles, two sacks, and forced a fumble. Newton and the Commanders will have a tall task ahead of them, facing Saquon Barkley, who has tallied 148 rushing yards per game with four scores against them this season. As a result, the Washington defense should be viewed as a high-risk option in DFS formats.

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According to the team, Philadelphia Eagles rookie wide receiver Ainias Smith is inactive for Sunday's NFC title game against the Washington Commanders. The rookie wideout will be a healthy scratch. The Texas A&M product was also inactive during the first two games of the playoffs. Throughout the regular season, Smith saw a limited role as he caught just three passes through the first 17 weeks. However, in Week 18, Smith caught all four of his targets for 35 yards and a score. Fantasy managers should expect A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Jahan Dotson to operate as the top wideouts in the Philadelphia offense in this contest.

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According to the team, Washington Commanders quarterback Jeff Driskel (illness) is listed as the team's emergency quarterback for the NFC Championship game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Driskel carried a questionable tag on the team's final injury report with an illness. He was unable to practice on Thursday and Friday. The Louisiana Tech product will only be able to enter this contest if both Jayden Daniels and Marcus Mariota suffer an injury during the game. Driskel logged just one offensive snap for the Commanders this season and did not attempt a pass.

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According to the team, Washington Commanders defensive end Javontae Jean-Baptiste (shoulder) is officially active for Sunday's NFC Championship game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Jean-Baptiste was a limited participant during practice throughout the week and carried a questionable tag on the final injury report. However, the 24-year-old lineman was able to turn the corner. Jean-Baptiste has been deployed as a rotational piece on the defensive one throughout the regular season but could have a slightly increased role in this contest with defensive tackle Daron Payne (finger) inactive. During the postseason, Jean-Baptiste has tallied three tackles and one assist.

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According to the team, Washington Commanders wide receiver K.J. Osborn and Chris Rodriguez Jr. are both inactive for Sunday's NFC title game against the Philadelphia Eagles. They are healthy scratches. Both players were inactive during the first two rounds of the playoffs and will sit out again. Osborn has played in just one game since joining the Washington Commanders off waivers in December. Rodriguez has operated in a depth change-of-pace role during the regular season and averaged a solid 4.9 yards per carry. As a result, fantasy managers should expect Terry McLaurin, Dyami Brown, and Olamide Zaccheaus to operate as the top wideouts while Brian Robinson Jr., Austin Ekeler, and Jeremy McNichols to be deployed out of the backfield.

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According to the NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, the Dallas Cowboys requested to interview Atlanta Falcons tight ends coach Kevin Koger for their offensive-coordinator job, according to a source. The Cowboys are looking for a new offensive coordinator after promoting previous OC Brian Schottenheimer to head coach this week. Koger was the tight ends coach for the Los Angeles Chargers from 2021-23 before joining the Falcons this past season. It's unclear if Schottenheimer will still be in charge of calling plays for the Cowboys offense in 2025 now that he's in the head-coach role, but we should have more clarity on that once Dallas chooses their new offensive coordinator. If it's Koger, it's unlikely he'd be the one calling plays since he has no previous experience as an OC in the NFL.

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According to CBS Sports' Jonathan Jones, Ohio State offensive coordinator Chip Kelly is considered a top candidate for the open offensive-coordinator roles for the Jacksonville Jaguars and Houston Texans. Kelly could also get looks for the same job with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The 61-year-old former head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles just won the collegiate national championship with the Buckeyes but has been interested in returning to the NFL ranks for the last several years. Kelly was the head coach of the Eagles for three seasons and then coached the San Francisco 49ers for a year before going back to the college ranks at UCLA in 2018. According to sources, the Jaguars have interest in pairing new head coach Liam Coen with Kelly, although it's unclear how involved Kelly would be in calling plays. Kelly was the coach when DeMeco Ryans played in Philly, so a pairing in Houston could also make sense.

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Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, the son of former NFL cornerback Deion Sanders, said on Saturday that he's unsure if he will throw at this year's NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis in February. Sanders will attend the East-West Shrine Bowl but will not practice or play in the game this Thursday. Although Sanders doesn't have elite athleticism and is more of a pocket passer, he's fully expected to be a top-three selection in the 2025 NFL draft with plenty of teams searching desperately for a franchise signal-caller. He met with the Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns and New York Giants on Friday, teams that hold the top three picks in the draft. Sanders and Miami's Cam Ward are considered two of the best QB prospects this year in what is generally viewed as a very weak class at the position.

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NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers is open to returning to the team in 2025 after they hired Aaron Glenn as their next head coach this week. However, Rodgers has made it clear that the ultimate decision on whether he returns will be up to Glenn and new general manager Darren Mougey. It helps, though, that Glenn is reportedly open to Rodgers returning as well, but the organization will now have conversations about whether a reunion is in the cards for the 2025 season. The 41-year-old has one more deal left on the three-year contract he signed with the Jets before the 2023 season. He's obviously not the long-term answer, but the Jets might be willing to run it back with the future Hall of Famer for one more year while a rookie QB sits on the sidelines and learns from him. If Rodgers returns, he'll be an injury risk as a QB2 in fantasy with limited upside.

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Kansas City Chiefs tight end Noah Gray is a low-floor desperation play in this Sunday's Conference Championship bout with the Buffalo Bills. Gray had a stretch of four games in the middle of the season when he snagged four touchdowns and nabbed at least four passes per contest. However, he's since caught just eight balls while seeing his snap percentage drop roughly 10-20% per outing. The drop in playing time coincides with the return of wide receiver Marquise Brown, so it makes sense that the 25-year-old has had his work cut some. He'll still be eligible to catch a short-area TD or two, but by and large, is tough to trust from a volume standpoint in a passing attack that hasn't been all that effective this season. Gray can be safely avoided for fantasy purposes, even in a game that should feature a healthy amount of points.

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Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Marquise Brown is an intriguing flyer for Sunday's meeting with the Buffalo Bills. The 27-year-old has seen his snap share elevate each week he's been active since working back from a preseason shoulder injury, building up to 34 (67%) in Kansas City's Divisional win over the Houston Texans. Though he got his most work on the field, Brown garnered just two targets and didn't record a catch. However, it's worth noting there were four other Chiefs pass-catchers to notch a target and nary a reception. Before his most recent goose egg, the Oklahoma product racked up at least four catches and 45 yards in his other two appearances, so he could see more work in a competitive game. Fortunately, he'll get just that, as this matchup brandishes a robust 48-point over/under with the Chiefs a slim 1.5-point home favorite.

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Buffalo Bills linebacker Baylon Spector (calf) has been downgraded to out for Sunday's Conference Championship clash with the Kansas City Chiefs. The Bills opened Spector's practice window on Wednesday, and he logged three straight full sessions before being deemed questionable in Friday's injury report. However, he won't be activated off injured reserve before this weekend's tilt. It's unfortunate news for the 26-year-old, as he'd played significant snaps for Buffalo earlier in the year and still ranks third amongst Bills linebackers in total snaps played despite missing nine outings. Teammate Dorian Williams will continue to swap in behind Matt Milano and Terrel Bernard at linebacker against Kansas City.

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Per Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team, the Kansas City Chiefs are elevating wide receiver Justyn Ross from their practice squad to the active roster ahead of their meeting with the Buffalo Bills this Sunday. The former Clemson Tiger was promoted twice earlier this season in Weeks 9 and 10, logging a total of 14 snaps and commanding just one target. Since then, though, Ross had been nothing more than a practice squad stash for the team. However, he'll get another shot at in-game action against the visiting Bills in the Conference Championship round. While the 25-year-old's path to targets is unclear, it appears he's likely to get at least some playing time in Kansas City's most pivotal contest of the year. Expect him to work in behind fellow wideout Justin Watson.

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The New York Jets have hired Darren Mougey as their new general manager. As expected, Mougey will get the job after getting multiple interviews with the team. Mougey has been the assistant general manager of the Denver Broncos since 2022. However, Mougey has been with the Broncos organization for over a decade. This will certainly be an interesting situation for Mougey given the Jets roster seems ready to compete, but they lack a legitimate franchise quarterback. It remains to be seen if Aaron Rodgers is going to come back with Mougey in charge now.

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The New Orleans Saints have interviewed Mike Kafka for their vacant head coaching position. Kafka has served as the offensive coordinator on the New York Giants for each of the last three seasons. He was a popular head coaching candidate last offseason before deciding to stay in New Orleans. Now Kafka appears to be one of the top choices for the Saints job, but there's plenty of other competition. The Saints are also considering both Kellen Moore and Mike McCarthy for their head coaching job. Kafka is a smart offensive mind, so he should get his chance eventually.

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The Buffalo Bills will keep their offensive coordinator as Joe Brady has decided to remain with the organization for next season. Brady was in the running to be the head coach of the New Orleans Saints along with Kellen Moore. Both coaches were expected to get second interviews, but Brady has decided to remain in Buffalo. Brady took over as the offensive coordinator with the Bills in 2023 and he previously worked as the OC with the Carolina Panthers in 2021. The Saints will likely now shift their focus to Moore and possibly Mike McCarthy, while Brady looks to win a Super Bowl in Buffalo.

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Washington Commanders defensive tackle Daron Payne (knee, finger) has been downgraded to out ahead of Sunday's NFC Championship Game against the Philadelphia Eagles. This is a tough break for the Commanders who have struggled to contain the running game all season long. Now, their All-Pro tackle is sidelined which could be a problem against star running back Saquon Barkley. The absence of Payne means that rookie second-round pick Jer'Zhan Newton will likely see an increased role. It's probably going to be difficult for the Commanders to stop the running game without Payne, so Barkley is looking like a must-start DFS option.

From RotoBaller

The Detroit Lions have promoted Kelvin Sheppard from linebackers coach to defensive coordinator on Saturday. This comes after former defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn left Detroit for the New York Jets heading coaching position. Sheppard has been the linebacker coach in Detroit for the past four years. That doesn't seem surprising given the fact that Sheppard was a linebacker in the NFL for eight years. Now, the 37-year-old will get a chance to prove he's ready for a bigger role. It'll be big shoes to fill given Glenn's success, but it looks like the Lions believe he's ready for the job.

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According to Mike Vorel of the Seattle Times, the Seattle Seahawks may entertain trade offers for wide receiver DK Metcalf during the offseason. Vorel noted that even though Metcalf is still under contract, he suggests the team may look to move his contract to open cap space to improve their offensive line, which allowed the third-most sacks this season. In addition, Vorel noted that ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler believes the Los Angeles Chargers could be a potential destination for Metcalf. Metcalf struggled to find consistency throughout the 2024 season. Metcalf averaged 81.1 yards per game during the first seven games with three scores. However, Metcalf averaged just 53.0 yards per game over the final eight games. With the emergence of young wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Metcalf will likely draw significant interest on the trade market during the offseason.

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According to Ed Werder, the Dallas Cowboys have hired former Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus as their new defensive coordinator. Eberflus worked under head coach Jason Garrett in Dallas as their linebackers and passing game coordinator from 2011 through 2017. Eberflus was hired as Chicago's head coach in 2022 and was eventually relieved of his duties following Week 13 of this season. During his tenure with Chicago, Eberflus held a 14-32 record. This past season, he won just four games. Eberflus will join newly hired head coach Brian Schottenheimer and bring a sense of experience, given his previous tenure with the Dallas Cowboys. This past season, the Dallas defense took a significant step back, allowing the second-most points-per-game (27.5) under Mike Zimmer. Eberflus will look to bring the Dallas defense back to their 2023 form when they allowed the fifth-fewest points-per-game (18.5).

From RotoBaller