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PFF's fantasy football recap focuses on player usage and stats, breaking down all the vital information you need to achieve fantasy success in 2025.
Dallas Cowboys @ Washington Commanders
Miscellaneous Notes
- Cowboys running back Javonte Williams was limited in practice due to a neck injury, and he left this week early due to a shoulder injury. Malik Davis took over as the primary running back for the rest of the game, while fullback Hunter Luepke also played more than usual at halfback.
- Wide receiver Ryan Flournoy was inactive due to a knee injury. Jalen Tolbert had been a healthy inactive each of the last three games, but he was active and leaped ahead of KaVontae Turpin and Jonathan Mingo to be the third receiver this week.
- Tight end Jake Ferguson left early due to a calf injury. Brevyn Spann-Ford was Ferguson’s primary replacement, but Luke Schoonmaker played more in third-down situations.
- Commanders starting running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. was added to Washington’s injury report due to an illness on Thursday morning and was ultimately inactive. Jacory Croskey-Merritt took over as the early-down back. Croskey-Merritt played 89.3% of the early-down snaps, the highest rate of any Commanders running back in a game this season.
- Tight end Ben Sinnott’s playing time on third downs in 11 personnel has increased each week since Zach Ertz’s season-ending injury. He played 14.3% in Week 15, 66.7% in Week 16 and 83.3% in Week 17. He played over 50% of the early-down snaps for the second straight week.
Detroit Lions @ Minnesota Vikings
Miscellaneous Notes
- Vikings backup running back Jordan Mason was inactive due to an ankle injury.
- Ty Chandler was activated off injured reserve from his knee injury. He played his first game since Week 1, overtaking Zavier Scott on the depth chart to be the primary backup. He played slightly less than Mason would typically play. C.J. Ham also played more on third downs than usual, so Aaron Jones Sr. didn’t see a dramatic change in snaps with Mason out.
- Starting T.J. Hockenson was inactive due to a shoulder injury. Josh Oliver took over as the primary tight end, playing 87.5% of the 11-personnel snaps on early downs, 90% on third downs, and all of the snaps in two- and three-tight-end sets.
- Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs had played over 80% of Detroit's offensive snaps each of the two previous weeks, but he was back down to 68.8% for this game. That was slightly better than his season average.
- Rookie wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa played 96.3% of the snaps in 11 personnel, his best rate in a game this season when Kalif Raymond was also healthy.
Denver Broncos @ Kansas City Chiefs
Miscellaneous Notes
- Broncos wide receiver Troy Franklin played a season-low 41% of the 11-personnel snaps. He did this despite Pat Bryant being inactive due to a concussion.
- Courtland Sutton, Lil’Jordan Humphrey and Marvin Mims Jr. were the primary wide receivers in 11 personnel. Mims’ 74.4% snap rate in 11 personnel was his highest rate in a game since Week 1.
- Kansas City placed Rashee Rice (concussion), Tyquan Thornton (concussion) and Nikko Remigio (knee) on injured reserve before this game. This left JuJu Smith-Schuster, Xavier Worthy and Hollywood Brown as the Chiefs‘ top three receivers.
- Fourth-round rookie Jalen Royals only played five offensive snaps as the Chiefs' fourth receiver, despite this game being a perfect opportunity to get him more involved.
- Tight end Travis Kelce played 97.7% of the Chiefs' offensive snaps. It was his second-highest rate in a game this season and the second time he was above 92% in a game this season.
Houston Texans @ Los Angeles Chargers
Miscellaneous Notes
- Texans running back Woody Marks returned after missing Week 16 due to injury. He played 67% of the team's offensive snaps, which is roughly in line with his average game from Weeks 10-14, after he became the starter and before he suffered the ankle injury in Week 15.
- Jawhar Jordan was the primary backup on early downs ahead of Nick Chubb, suggesting Chubb is third on the depth chart. This will probably be his only season with the team.
- Chargers backup running back Kimani Vidal was inactive due to a neck injury. This led Omarion Hampton to play 81% of the Chargers' offensive snaps, his second-best rate of the season.
- Rookie tight end Oronde Gadsden played 73.0% of the Chargers' offensive snaps, his highest rate in a game since Week 11.
Baltimore Ravens @ Green Bay Packers
Miscellaneous notes
- Packers running back Josh Jacobs was limited in practice all week due to knee and ankle injuries. He finished third in the running back room in offensive snaps. He played half of the snaps on the first six drives but not at all on the final three drives.
- Wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks was limited to three snaps before being evaluated for a concussion. He didn’t return.
- The Packers rotated their other top wide receivers more than in past weeks. This included Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs getting rotated out half the time in 12 personnel, while Jayden Reed was rotated out in 11 personnel more than usual. Rookie Matthew Golden played over 50% of the Packers' offensive snaps for the first time since Week 8.
- Tight end Josh Whyle returned after missing last week due to a concussion. He led the tight end room in routes run.
- Ravens running back Derrick Henry played 63.2% of the Ravens' offensive snaps, his most in a game since Week 10. He played over 70% of the early-down snaps for the second time since Week 10. He also played 40% of the third-down snaps, his most in a game this season.
- Devontez Walker was the Ravens' primary wide receiver in single-receiver sets for the second straight week, playing 16 of the 23 snaps in those formations. Baltimore’s 23 snaps in single-receiver sets were a season-high for their offense.
Seattle Seahawks @ Carolina Panthers
Miscellaneous notes
- Panthers running back Rico Dowdle played 82.8% of Carolina’s early-down snaps, his most since Week 11.
- Tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders suffered a broken ankle after just one offensive snap. Tommy Tremble remained the lead tight end as usual, while Mitchell Evans played notably more snaps in 11- and 12-personnel groupings.
- Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed suffered a concussion, causing him to miss most of this game. Jake Bobo was the primary replacement in 11 personnel, while Dareke Young also mixed in.
Arizona Cardinals @ Cincinnati Bengals
Miscellaneous notes
- Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins wasn’t on the injury report, but his playing time remains limited. He played a season-low 57.1% of the offensive snaps, including splitting 12-personnel snaps with Andrei Iosivas. Part of this was due to garbage time.
- Tight end Noah Fant was back in the lineup after missing last week due to an ankle injury, but he was a smaller part of the tight end rotation than usual. Tanner Hudson was often on the field in 11 or 12 personnel in situations where Fant would typically be on the field.
- Cardinals' wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. was limited in practice all week due to a heel injury and was questionable, but he was active. He played 19 of a possible 32 snaps during the first three quarters but was ruled questionable and didn’t play in the fourth quarter. Xavier Weaver became a full-time player, and Jalen Brooks played more snaps after Harrison’s exit.
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Cleveland Browns
Miscellaneous notes
- Browns running back Dylan Sampson was back in the lineup after missing back-to-back games due to a hand injury. Raheim Sanders was the primary early-down back, while Trayveon Williams was the primary third-down back. Sampson mixed in significantly in both situations.
- Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. suffered a groin injury early in the matchup and couldn’t return. Blake Whiteheart and Brenden Bates were typically on the field for 12 personnel and split 11-personnel snaps on early downs, while Sal Cannella was the primary third-down tight end.
- Steelers wide receiver D.K. Metcalf was suspended for two games. Without Metcalf, Pittsburgh had Adam Thielen and Marquez Valdes-Scantling play 100% of the 12-personnel snaps, while Thielen, Valdes-Scantling and Scotty Miller played 100% of the 11-personnel snaps. Roman Wilson was only involved in 13 personnel.
- Tight end Darnell Washington broke his arm early in this matchup. Pat Freiermuth became the primary tight end, playing over 60% of the snaps in 11 personnel on early downs, third downs, 12 personnel and 13 personnel.
Jacksonville Jaguars @ Indianapolis Colts
Miscellaneous notes
- Jaguars halfback Bhayshul Tuten was inactive due to a finger injury, his second straight absence. DeeJay Dallas overtook LeQuint Allen Jr. to become the primary backup to Travis Etienne Jr. with Tuten out.
- Parker Washington finished second among the Jaguars' wide receivers in offensive snaps. While Brian Thomas Jr. typically played ahead of Washington in 12 personnel, Thomas was rotated out of 11 personnel more frequently than Washington, allowing Tim Patrick to play some snaps in 11 personnel.
- The Colts activated Ashton Dulin from injured reserve on Saturday. He was dealing with a hamstring injury. He was back to being the Colts’ primary backup wide receiver.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Miami Dolphins
Miscellaneous notes
- While Bucky Irving remained the Buccaneers' early-down running back, he rotated with Rachaad White more frequently than last week.
- Tampa Bay rotated its wide receivers less often than last week. Mike Evans and Chris Godwin Jr. both played over 70% of the offensive snaps this week while playing less than 70% last week. Those snaps largely came at Tez Johnson‘s expense. Johnson played 16.4% of the Buccaneers' offensive snaps, his lowest rate since Week 1.
- Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle suffered a rib injury, causing him to miss significant time in this game. He returned for a few plays later in the second half. Cedrick Wilson Jr. and Malik Washington were the Dolphins' primary wide receivers throughout the game, while Theo Wease Jr. joined them in 11 personnel.
- Wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine was a healthy inactive, his second straight absence.
- Tight end Darren Waller’s snap rate and route participation rate have declined each of the last two weeks while Miami continues to use a three-man rotation with Waller, Julian Hill and Greg Dulcich.
New England Patriots @ New York Jets
Miscellaneous notes
- The Patriots placed wide receiver Mack Hollins on injured reserve on Saturday due to an abdominal injury. Kayshon Boutte was ruled out on Friday due to a concussion. DeMario Douglas was limited in practice all week due to a hamstring injury. He was active but limited.
- This left Kyle Williams as their X receiver in Boutte's place, while Efton Chism III took over as the Z receiver for Hollins. Stefon Diggs‘ role increased, as he was out-snapping Chism before garbage time. This still suggests Chism could remain a large part of the wide receiver rotation during the playoffs, unless Diggs starts playing more at Z instead of the slot in 11 personnel, allowing Douglas to play more in the slot in 11 personnel.
- Tight end Hunter Henry didn’t play as much as usual due to garbage time.
- TreVeyon Henderson was active after clearing the concussion protocol. New England continued to use Henderson as its primary early-down back and Rhamondre Stevenson as the primary third-down and short-yardage back.
- New York tight end Mason Taylor was ruled out Friday due to a neck injury, his third straight absence. New York continued to use a three-man rotation to replace him. Jeremy Ruckert and Jelani Woods were the blocking tight ends, while Stone Smartt played on third downs.
- The Jets continued to use Brady Cook at quarterback and their usual wide receivers and tight ends during garbage time, but they switched out their running backs. Breece Hall and Isaiah Davis rotated as usual before garbage time, while Khalil Herbert and Kene Nwangwu split the final 24 snaps of the game.
New Orleans Saints @ Tennessee Titans
Miscellaneous notes
- Saints tight end Taysom Hill went from leading the Saints in carries last week to only playing seven offensive snaps this week. This left Audric Estime as the Saints' lead running back in both early downs and third downs.
- Wide receiver Mason Tipton was inactive due to a groin injury. He was limited all week. He was ruled questionable on Friday. Tipton had worked his way up to second on the depth chart after Devaughn Vele landed on injured reserve.
- Tipton’s absence led Kevin Austin Jr. to be an every-down wide receiver, and Dante Pettis played in 11 personnel.
- The Saints placed tight end Foster Moreau on injured reserve on Friday. This left Moliki Matavao as the Saints’ blocking tight end. This also left Juwan Johnson playing more than he has in recent weeks, including 81.8% of the 12-personnel snaps, his highest rate since Week 4.
- Titans wide receiver Van Jefferson suffered a forearm injury. Coach Mike McCoy said that will end his season. Chimere Dike played more frequently in 12 personnel after Jefferson’s injury, while James Proche II took over as an outside receiver in 11 personnel.
New York Giants @ Las Vegas Raiders
Miscellaneous notes
- Raiders quarterback Geno Smith left the game due to a high-ankle sprain and was unable to return. Kenny Pickett finished the game for Las Vegas.
- Las Vegas wide receiver Jack Bech couldn't play due to a back injury. He was limited on Friday and was ruled questionable. Dont’e Thornton Jr. took over as the team’s X receiver, as he had been on and off this season.
- The Raiders placed tight end Brock Bowers on injured reserve on Wednesday. This left Michael Mayer as Las Vegas’ primary tight end. He was the focal point of the offense, catching nine passes for 89 yards. Ian Thomas was the run-blocking tight end in 12 personnel.
- New York tight end Theo Johnson didn't practice on Friday due to an illness. New York initially didn’t give him a game status but ruled him out on Saturday. Daniel Bellinger took over as the team’s primary tight end, while Chris Manhertz played more than usual in 12 personnel.
Philadelphia Eagles @ Buffalo Bills
Miscellaneous notes
- Eagles' third wide receiver Jahan Dotson played a season-low 63.4% of the offensive snaps in 11 personnel, while Darius Cooper took his place whenever he was off the field. Dotson is a free agent after this season, so it’s possible his time with the Eagles could be coming to an end.
- Buffalo wide receiver Gabe Davis was back in the lineup after back-to-back healthy scratches. He was back to being a big part of the Bills' wide receiver rotation.
- Buffalo tight end Dalton Kincaid couldn't play due to a knee injury. He didn't practice on Wednesday and Thursday but was limited on Friday and was ruled questionable. Dawson Knox was the Bills’ lead tight end, as he was earlier in the season. Practice squad call-up Keleki Latu was also involved in the rotation, including 13 snaps in single-tight-end sets.
Chicago Bears @ San Francisco 49ers
Miscellaneous notes
- San Francisco wide receiver Ricky Pearsall was back in the lineup after missing last week due to knee and ankle injuries. He was back to being a top-two wide receiver on the team, but his playing time was slightly limited compared to when he was fully healthy.
- 49ers' tight end George Kittle sat out due to an ankle injury. He didn't practice all week. He was ruled questionable on Friday. Similar to earlier in the season, Jake Tonges took over as the receiving tight end ,while Luke Farrell remained a blocking option.
- Chicago's wide receiver Rome Odunze was ruled out due to a foot injury, his second straight absence, while Olamide Zaccheaus was out due to an illness. Chicago primarily replaced them with more two- and three-tight-end sets. Jahdae Walker was often on the field in 11- and 12-personnel sets.
- Luther Burden III didn’t play significantly more, but his target rate improved. It was his second time with over 110 receiving yards and a touchdown.
Los Angeles Rams @ Atlanta Falcons
Coming soon!
Table Notes
- Snaps include plays called back due to penalties, including offensive holding or defensive pass interference. The other three stats have these plays removed.
- Targets may differ from official NFL sources. The most likely discrepancy would be from a clear thrown-away pass, where the NFL may give the target to the nearest receiver, while this data will not.
- Carries are only on designed plays. Quarterback scrambles won’t count for the total number of carries in the game.