The Vibe: The fantasy playoffs are a graveyard, and Milton is the latest victim, buried alive by Kyle Pitts' historic 3-TD explosion on TNF. A painful reminder that in the playoffs, anyone can rise from the dead to end your season. Vivian enjoys a peaceful bye week.
TNF Recap: The Falcons stunned the Bucs 29-28 in a meltdown for the ages. Kyle Pitts delivered the greatest TE fantasy performance since 1997 (11-166-3). Meanwhile, Baker Mayfield kept overthrowing Emeka Egbuka, and a healthy Mike Evans (12 targets) returned just in time for Tampa's heartbreaking collapse.
The News:Â A legend returns, and the injury list grows.
The Ageless Wonder:Â Philip Rivers, older than 12 current head coaches, is on track to start for the Colts, getting his number back with Daniel Jones on IR.
Major Absences: Tee Higgins, Alvin Kamara, David Njoku, and Tyrod Taylor/Justin Fields are all ruled out.
Questionable Stars: Davante Adams (hamstring) is expected to play. Christian McCaffrey is ill but likely fine. CeeDee Lamb has cleared concussion protocol.
Scary Injury: Steelers' T.J. Watt suffered a "tiny" hole in his lung during treatment but is expected to be okay, though he's unlikely to play Monday.
The Game Script:Â Survival guide for the playoff bloodbath.
Bills at Pats (+1.5): Could this be the "Game of the Week" in a massive AFC showdown?
Jets at Jags (-13.5):Â A get-right spot for Jacksonville against a Jets offense averaging 146.5 passing yards per game.
SNF: Vikings at Cowboys (-5.5): Can Justin Jefferson finally explode, or is JJ "Nine" McCarthytoo much of an anchor?
MNF: Dolphins at Steelers (-3.5): A sneaky-good game with major playoff implications, especially with T.J. Watt out.
The Depth Chart:Â Finding life after the Pitts-pocalypse.
WR: Wan'Dale Robinson (NYG - top target with Nabers out), Christian Watson (GB - smashing man coverage, emerging WR1)
RB: Chris Rodriguez (WSH - lead back vs. NYG's 2nd-worst RB defense), Devin Neal (NO - lead back if Kamara is out again)
TE: Isaiah Likely (BAL - vs. CIN's historically terrible TE defense), Harold Fannin (CLE - top-5 TE with Shedeur Sanders)
QB: Marcus Mariota (WSH - mobile QB vs. NYG's soft defense), Jaxson Dart (NYG - get-right spot vs. WSH's 29th-ranked pass D)
DEF/K: Stream the Dolphins (vs. PIT), Jaguars (vs. NYJ), or 49ers (vs. TEN). For kickers, target Cameron Dicker or Andre Szmyt.
Tune in for the full, desperate strategy to claw your way out of the playoff grave. Light a candle for your lineup. And just like Mike Evans storming off the field last night, we are DONE!
