2025 Los Angeles Rams Fantasy Preview
2025 Los Angeles Rams Fantasy Preview 2024 was projected to be a rebuilding year for the Rams. Instead, they went 10-7 for the second consecutive year and captured the NFC West crown. L.A. regressed on offense, falling from 8th in 2023 to 20th in scoring. The defense also slipped to 26th, but Sean McVay overcame obstacles and seized a weak division. Armed with a full allotment of draft picks for a change, McVay and GM Les Snead focused on reinforcing the offense to take advantage of QB Matthew Stafford’s closing window. Speaking of Stafford, his days as a quality fantasy option appear behind him. Stafford struggled under pressure and no longer has the mobility to help his own cause. Stafford ranked middle-of-the-pack in most analytics measures. His 47.3 percent red-zone completion rate ranked 25th and played a big part in the touchdown regression. At this stage in his career, Stafford is much more valuable in the NFL than in fantasy. He should be viewed as a middling QB2 who may have a handful of usable games to stream. The fantasy metrics crowd sure wants to get rid of Kyren Williams. However, Sean McVay feels differently. Williams was a tremendous value last season, as many fantasy analysts projected a breakout for Blake Corum. Corum barely played, and Williams led all running backs with an 88.4 percent snap share, ranked 3rd in carries, and produced 16 more touchdowns. Fourth-round Auburn RB Jarquez Hunter is this year’s Corum. But we will stick with what works, and that’s Kyren Williams as a workhorse RB1. Davante Adams, acquired to replace Cooper Kupp, brings elite production to McVay’s passing attack. In 2024, he posted 85 catches, 1,063 yards, and 8 TDs in a bad spot. His 2.6 yards per route run and 22 percent target share fit McVay’s motion-heavy scheme. And his red-zone prowess should be a big help for Stafford, who struggled in that area. Puka Nacua remains a co-WR1. Nacua’s 43.6 percent target rate and 4.07 yards per route run led all wideouts. The Rams boast two fantasy WR1s but have little depth. Tutu Atwell projects as the WR3 but is well off the fantasy radar. TE Tyler Higbee missed the first 15 games recovering from a knee injury but made an impact late. However, Higbee, 32, is nearing the end, which necessitated the Rams using their first pick (Round 2 after trading down) on standout Oregon TE Terrance Ferguson. Ferguson (6-5, 247) is uber-athletic with a 90th percentile catch radius and 94th percentile Speed Score. He’s a deep sleeper with breakout potential. Fantasy Grade: B- QB Stafford, Matthew, LAR [QB1] Entering his age-37 season, Matthew Stafford remains a quality fit in Sean McVay’s offense. But Stafford has become a middle-of-the-road fantasy starter who no longer adds rushing production. Stafford hasn’t posted QB1 numbers since 2021 and has settled in as a mid-range QB2. He only produced four top-10 weekly performances last season, making him a poor best as a streamer and in Best Ball. Perhaps the addition of Davante Adams, who replaces Cooper Kupp, will help resurrect Stafford’s wanining red-zone efficiency (31st in accuracy inside the 20). ADVICE: Aging veteran in a decent offense, but his days as a QB1 are over. RB Williams, Kyren, LAR [RB1] Last year, Blake Corum was going to eat into Kyren Williams’s touches. This year, sixth-rounder Jarquez Hunter is being anointed as the threat. While Hunter projects to be a solid fit in Sean McVay’s scheme, we’re still in on Williams as a solid value. He led all running backs with an 88.2 percent snap share and handled a league-high 77 red-zone touches. Williams has found pay dirt 31 times in the last two seasons, tied with Jahmyr Gibbs for most in football. McVay prefers to lean on one featured runner, and Williams has performed extraordinarily well in that role. ADVICE: Once again being overlooked as a strong RB1. RB Hunter, Jarquez, LAR [RB2] ADVICE: Hunter blazed a 4.44 and has a lot of burst paired with plus pass-catching skills. He’s a popular sleeper target, but as long as Kyren Williams is commanding a league-leading 88.2 percent snap share, Hunter will struggle to earn touches. RB Corum, Blake, LAR [RB3] Not us, but other places were advocating Corum as a potential league-winning sleeper last year. Instead, he barely played and wasn’t effective when he did. The Rams also used a middle-round pick on Jarquez Hunter, which all but tells us they don’t believe in Corum. Neither should you. WR Nacua, Puka, LAR [WR1] Puka Nacua continued to build on his dominant rookie season with a record-setting 2024, leading the NFL with a 37.1 percent target rate, the highest ever recorded. He also led in yards per route run at 3.23. Puka injured his knee in Week 1 and missed the next 5 weeks, but dominated after he returned. WR Davante Adams has replaced Cooper Kupp as the veteran WR, but Stafford is a WR kingmaker who assures his top targets always eat. Even with Davante Adams joining the fold, Nacua remains the primary offensive weapon. ADVICE: Elite WR1 with proven volume; His ADP sits in the mid-first round. WR Adams, Davante, LAR [WR2] Even after splitting the 2024 season between the Raiders and Jets, Davante Adams secured his fifth consecutive 1,000-yard campaign and finished as the WR14 overall. He maintained elite efficiency with over 2.0 yards per route run and ranked top five in red-zone looks and target share (27 percent), proving he still plays at a high level at age 32. Now paired with WR kingmaker Matthew Stafford in Los Angeles, Adams joins an efficient passing attack led by Sean McVay. While Puka Nacua remains the top option, there are plenty of targets to sustain Adams’s fantasy relevance. With five top-10 weekly finishes in 2024, he remains a strong bet for high-end production. One of the best values on draft day. ADVICE: Veteran WR2 with weekly WR1 upside—great value in Round 4. WR Atwell, Tutu,
Cooper Kupp Landing Spots
Cooper Kupp Landing Spots On Monday, February 3rd, Cooper Kupp revealed on X that the Rams intended to trade the seventh-year pro. I was informed that the team will be seeking a trade immediately and will be working with me and my family to find the right place to continue competing for championships. I don’t agree with the decision and always believed it was going to begin and end in LA. Still, if there’s… pic.twitter.com/XWmbGVscGy — Cooper Kupp (@CooperKupp) February 4, 2025 If his time in LA is done, Kupp will go down as one of the great draft picks in the Sean McVay era. A 2017 third-rounder, Kupp is a two-time All-Pro with 634 receptions for 7,776 yards and won a ring with the 2021 Rams However, Kupp hasn’t been healthy since that season and is seeing his efficiency metrics start to slide. Additionally, with a 2025 cap hit of over $29 million, the Rams will have a difficult time finding any trade suitors. Instead, it is more likely that Kupp will be released with a post-June 1st destination. That would allow the Rams to spread out that dead money hit over multiple league years. Regardless, if Kupp is indeed finished in Los Angeles, there will be plenty of WR-needy teams interested in acquiring his services. Looking at our 2025 NFL Team Needs, a dozen NFL teams have wide receiver as one of their top two needs ahead of free agency and the 2025 NFL Draft. Playing for a contender seems like an important factor for Kupp, so these are the top potential Cooper Kupp Landing Spots. Cincinnati Bengals – The Bengals just led the league in passing However, Tee Higgins is set to test free agency, which opens up a massive opportunity in Cincinnati. Also, the Bengals still need to extend Ja’Marr Chase, so waiting for Kupp to be released would be an important factor for the salary cap. Houston Texans – Stefon Diggs is a free agent and the Texans have almost no qualified depth behind Nico Collins. Houston also just signed former Rams’ assistant Nick Caley to be their offensive coordinator, which could go a long way toward attracting Kupp to a contender with a serious need. Washington Commanders – Fresh off an NFC title game appearance, the Commanders are a young team ready to take the next step. They also have one of the league’s thinnest receiver rooms outside of Terry McLaurin. Finally, Washington has a ton of cap space, which could come into factor if any team considered acquiring Kupp’s substantial salary. Pittsburgh Steelers – The Steelers also have little WR talent. And promising younger George Pickens could also be on his way out. However, the Steelers need to settle their more pressing quarterback position first. Having a dependable veteran like Cooper Kupp would be an attractive addition for the next signal-caller. Los Angeles Chargers – Perhaps staying home in Los Angeles could work? The Chargers certainly have a need and have an excellent young quarterback. However, they ranked just 19th in passing. New England Patriots – The Patriots aren’t contenders and ranked dead last in the league in passing in 2024. However, they have a hodge-podge receiving corps that could use the presence of a proven veteran safety valve. Kupp would be a superlative option for Drake Maye, who heavily relied on his tight ends in his promising rookie campaign. The 2025 NFL season is just getting started and it’s time to get access to the best help out there! All FullTime Fantasy members get exclusive access to our 24/7 Chat Room on Discord! All morning on Sunday, Senior Analyst Jody Smith will be standing by to answer all your crucial start/sit and keep you updated with all the latest news and injury updates. JOIN OUR MAILING LIST! GET THE LATEST ARTICLES AND UPDATES Subscribe to our FREE newsletter – Breaking Fantasy news & site updates! Like and share our new Facebook page! Be sure to pay attention to our giveaways for your shot at some sweet prizes!
Sunday Playoff Preview
Sunday Playoff Preview The Divisional Round continues Sunday with a pair of games. FullTime Fantasy‘s Sunday Playoff Preview breaks down the slate from a fantasy football and sports betting perspective. And just because the fantasy regular season has ended doesn’t mean the fun is over. FFWC Playoff Fantasy Football is a great way to extend the fantasy fun and win amazing prizes! Los Angeles Rams (11-7) at Philadelphia Eagles (14-3) Time: 3:00 Eastern Line: Eagles -6 Total: 44 Money Line: Rams +233, Eagles -273 Rams Offense The Rams pulled off the “home” upset last week in Arizona, but traveling into freezing Philadelphia is different. Stafford has been significantly better since getting Puka Nacua back into the lineups. However, a forecast of sub-freezing temperatures and a 70% chance of snow doesn’t bode well. Therefore, Stafford’s RDA* projections aren’t favorable. Matthew Stafford outdoors in the rain or snow: 1-8 54.6 completion % 14 TD 11 INT 76.0 rating (via @TBagleySports) pic.twitter.com/Cp17f3IkDt — SPORTSRADIO 94WIP (@SportsRadioWIP) January 16, 2025 Only Kansas City allowed fewer fantasy points to running backs than Philadelphia. However, Kyren Williams remains a good play due to his position-leading snap-share. Additionally, Williams is a three-down back and a dependable short-yardage option with a nose for the stripe. Puka Nacua caught 9-of-13 targets for 117 scoreless yards against the Eagles in Week 12. He remains the focal point of LA’s offense but should expect more intense coverage from an improving Philly secondary. However, with the volume potential is this game as the Rams’ only reliable pass-catcher, Nacua tops our RDA* projections. Back in the day, Cooper Kupp was that dependable, volume-driven option in LA’s offense. However, his efficiency eroded to the point that Kupp barely factored into the Rams’ offense over the past month. With a tough matchup and adverse conditions, I wouldn’t bet on a rebound here. Demarcus Robinson will be the main WR3 and offers some DFS appeal. At tight end, Tyler Higbee is rounding into shape. Higbee was the TE13 in the final three regular-season weeks. Additionally, he reeled in all five of his targets for 58 yards in the Wild Card win. Conversely, this is a tough matchup for Higbee, as the Eagles allowed just 9.3 fantasy points per game to the position–second-fewest in the league. Eagles Offense Jalen Hurts essentially missed Philadelphia’s final three regular-season contests and looked rusty last week. That said, no Eagles fans are complaining about a 22-10 victory. That same formula worked in Week 12 when Hurts and the Eagles beat the Rams 37-20 despite modest numbers from Hurts. Also, weather could force the Eagles to a more ground-based approach. Especially considering they posted 314 rushing yards against this opponent in Week 12. Saquon Barkley was the main catalyst of that thrashing, running for 255 yards and two touchdowns. We’re projecting about half of that production in the rematch. However, Barkley still tops our Week 20 RDA* projections. Despite destroying the Rams on the ground, A.J. Brown still caught six balls for 109 yards and a TD in his previous outing with the Rams. Brown remains an elite option against a secondary that ceded 20 touchdowns to wideouts in 2024. DeVonta Smith missed Week 12 but has been heating up. Smith has topped 50 yards in four consecutive games, including a pair of outings with 100-plus and three combined TDs. In a game where weather could hamper downfield attempts, Smith’s underneath role could be key. Dallas Goedert is a sneaky pick to have a big game. The Rams allowed 15.2 fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends–the third-highest mark in the NFL. Baltimore Ravens (13-5) at Buffalo Bills (14-4) Time: 6:30 Eastern Line: Ravens -1 Total: 51..5 Money Line: Bills -106, Ravens -114 Ravens Offense Sunday’s Main Event takes place in the late window, as the Bills and Ravens square off to earn a trip to next week’s AFC title game. Buffalo has not won in the Divisional round since 2020 and will be home underdogs to a Ravens squad that humbled them 35-10 back in Week 4. In that game, Lamar Jackson only threw for 156 yards and two scores. However, he ran for 54 and another score en route to a weekly QB6 finish. The forecast calls for 13 degrees with a 50/50 shot at snow but that won’t necessarily be a hindrance to Jackson and company. Vegas set a line of 278.5 total yards with a lean on three total scores. Fantasy’s overall RB1, Derrick Henry ran for 199 and scored two total touchdowns in Week 4 against this defense. The Bills have shored up that run D since September but still surrendered the sixth-most fantasy points to the position. Henry is -200 to revisit the end zone in this game a yardage prop of 106.5 yards. While the rushing attack is locked in, things are more uncertain through the air. Mainly because of the health of Zay Flowers, who missed the Wild Card game with a knee injury. Flowers hasn’t practiced all week and is doubtful to play. Even if he does, he would be limited. Our RDA* projections are modest, mainly because of the baked-in risk. Rashod Bateman will see an increase in targets and remains the best bet to score. However, his volume is fairly modest, so Bateman is rather TD-dependent. Still, the Bills were below-average defending wideouts, and the 51.5-point total indicates a solid game script. All other Baltimore wideouts are relegated to low-cost DFS dart throws. Mark Andrews is our TE3 for the week, projected to score 11.9 PPR points. Additionally, the Ravens will also use Isaiah Likely liberally in place of the aforementioned ancillary wide receivers. Likely didn’t do much against Buffalo (1/26/0) previously, but has a Vegas yardage prop of 36.5. Bills Offense After a brutal start, Baltimore’s pass defense has greatly improved. Josh Allen can supplement that with plenty of rushing production, but the Ravens have allowed the fifth-fewest rushing yards to quarterbacks. This seems like a
Monday Playoff Preview
Monday Playoff Preview The 6-game NFL Wild Card Weekend continues Sunday with a full day of games. FullTime Fantasy‘s Sunday Playoff Preview breaks down the slate from a fantasy football and sports betting perspective. And just because the fantasy regular season has ended doesn’t mean the fun is over. FFWC Playoff Fantasy Football is a great way to extend the fantasy fun and win amazing prizes! Minnesota Vikings (14-3) at Los Angeles Rams (10-7) Time: 8:00 Eastern from Glendale, Arizona Line: Vikings -2.5 Total: 47.5 Money Line: Minnesota -145, Los Angeles +125 Vikings Offense This is another rematch of a regular-season game. In Week 8, the Rams defeated Minnesota 30-20 at SoFi Stadium. For the Vikings to even the score, they can’t allow Matthew Stafford to sit in the pocket and pick them apart for another four scores. Sam Darnold was fine in that game, throwing for 240 yards and two touchdowns. Vegas is predicting Darnold will be better in the rematch. His Week 19 passing yard prop is 265.5 yards and he’s -168 to be OVER 1.5 touchdowns. The Rams allowed the seventh-most fantasy points to quarterbacks, so this looks like a plus matchup for Darnold and company. RB Aaron Jones was held to 58 yards on 19 rushes in Week 8. However, he did catch a pair of passes for 37 yards. Jones’s yardage prop of 82.5 with +125 odds of finding pay dirt looks promising but the Rams were above-average against running backs in the regular season. LA allowed only 10 total RB touchdowns in 17 games. Cam Akers will mix in behind Jones and will have some drives to himself. Additionally, Jones was dealing with a quad injury down the stretch that could result in more opportunities for Akers. However, Jones is not listed on the injury report. Los Angeles wasn’t as good against the pass, which bodes well for Minnesota’s receivers. Justin Jefferson caught eight for 115 yards in Week 8. Meanwhile, the Rams allowed an opposing receiver to surpass 90 receiving yards nine times in the regular season. Additionally, LA surrendered 20 touchdown receptions to the position. Our RDA* projections favor another huge outing for Minnesota’s superstar WR1. Jordan Addison didn’t do much (2/22/0) in the previous game. However, Addison has been hot, scoring seven of his nine touchdowns since Week 11. He also averaged 8.25 targets per game during that stretch. Our RDA* projections view Addison as a solid option in this slate, projected to catch 4.2 balls for 58.7 yards, and a 50/50 shot at scoring. We don’t have much interest in Minnesota’s ancillary wideouts. However, TE T.J. Hockenson looks like a good target. In PPR leagues, the Rams allowed the third-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends, who averaged a healthy 15.2 fantasy points per game. Rams Offense Although this is a Rams’ “home” game, the NFL moved it to State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, due to the destructive wildfires in and around the LA area. Since getting picked apart by Matthew Stafford in Week 8, the Vikings have shored up their pass defense. In fact, the Vikings allowed the third-fewest fantasy points to enemy signal-callers in the final five weeks of the regular season. This game’s 47.5-point total looks inviting. However, our RDA* projections are cool on Stafford. Only the Ravens allowed fewer rushing yards than Minnesota, so it’s a lousy matchup for RB Kyren Williams. However, Williams led all running backs with an 87% snap share, assuring he’ll have ample opportunities to contribute on the ground, via the pass, and in short yardage. He’s -125 to score and has a scrimmage yard prop of 97.5 yards. WR Puka Nacua returned to the lineup against Minnesota in Week 8 and made an immediate impact. As good as the Vikings have been against the run, they’ve struggled versus the pass. Minnesota allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to wide receivers. Additionally, we see a favorable game script for Nacua, who comes in as our No. 1 wide receiver in this slate. Cooper Kupp’s play tailed off down the stretch. He only had three targets in each of LA’s final three contests and never topped 30 receiving yards. Kupp caught five balls for 51 yards and a score against this secondary in Week 8. However, our RDA* projections (5/62/.33) are quite a bit higher than Vegas projects. WR3 Demarcus Robinson had a DUI arrest this week. There’s no indication if that will impact his role in this game but we recommend avoiding the Rams’ ancillary receivers. That includes the tight end position. Tyler Higbee is still working his way back and should lead the way. However, the Rams don’t feature the position prominently and will use multiple players. 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Thursday Night Football Preview: Week 15
Thursday Night Football Preview: Week 15 Last week’s NFC North showdown lived up to the hype, although the game wasn’t as high-scoring as we expected. FullTime Fantasy‘s Thursday Night Football Preview: Week 15 breaks down an NFC West rivalry with
Last week’s NFC North showdown lived up to the hype, although the game wasn’t as high-scoring as we expected. FullTime Fantasy‘s Thursday Night Football Preview: Week 15 breaks down an NFC West rivalry with even more at stake.
Staying alive in a tightly-packed division is at stake as the 6-7 San Francisco 49ers host the surging 7-6 Los Angeles Rams. The second-place Rams have won three of four since getting healthier. They also beat the Niners back in Week 3, 27-24.
Meanwhile, San Francisco has no margin for error. Kyle Shanahan’s squad is in must-win territory and views all their remaining games as playoff contests. For the reigning NFC champs to keep their postseason hopes alive, they must even the score with a Rams team that just put up 44 points on the Bills.
This game is about as close as one would expect. San Fran is favored by 2.5 points and the total of 49.5 invites plenty of fantasy action.
Matchup
| TEAM | OFFENSE | PASS | RUSH | YDS/PLAY | POINTS |
| Los Angeles Rams | 15 | 9 | 25 | 15 | 16 |
| San Francisco 49ers | 4 | 7 | 7 | 2 | 11 |
Sean McVay has done a masterful job rallying his troops. The Rams have been devastated by injuries on both sides of the ball. After starting the season 1-4, the Rams have won 6-of-8 to climb into second place in the wide-open NFC West.
After hovering near the bottom of the league, LA is now an average offense that has looked formidable over the last six weeks. Getting key players back has been paramount.
Speaking of injuries, San Francisco has had their share. The 49ers have been missing Brandon Aiyuk and Christian McCaffrey for the majority of the year. And McCaffrey isn’t the only running back to go down. In fact, the team may be down to their fourth starting running back to open Week 15.
However, the team continues to overcome adversity on offense. The Niners are one of the most balanced attacks in the league that continues to create chunk plays and produce points.
The atmosphere for this contest will mimic a playoff game. And that includes the pressure and ramifications for the loser. This should be another intriguing watch.
Los Angeles Offense
After struggling through the first half of 2024, Matthew Stafford has…
How will Thursday’s Rams vs. 49ers game go?
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Thursday Night Football Preview: Week 8
Thursday Night Football Preview: Week 8 Welcome to the midway point of the 2024 NFL season which is flying by. Kicking things off in Week 8 is an NFC showdown between the Minnesota Vikings and Los Angeles Rams. The FullTime
Welcome to the midway point of the 2024 NFL season which is flying by. Kicking things off in Week 8 is an NFC showdown between the Minnesota Vikings and Los Angeles Rams. The FullTime Fantasy Thursday Night Football Preview: Week 8 has all the insight you’ll need to win your fantasy football matchups and bets.
The Vikings are coming off their first loss of the season. They won’t have much time to prepare traveling to Los Angeles on short rest. However, LA’s struggles on both sides of the ball make a good rebound spot.
Meanwhile, the Rams just got their second win of the season and are 2-1 at home. Additionally, key reinforcements will give Sean McVay and his staff a better shot at hanging around in a game where they are home dogs.
Minnesota is a 3-point favorite and the total has risen 1.5 points up to 48.
Matchup
| TEAM | OFFENSE | PASS | RUSH | YDS/PLAY | POINTS |
| Minnesota Vikings | 24 | 20 | 21 | 10 | 11 |
| Los Angeles Rams | 26 | 21 | 29 | 20 | 25 |
Despite the records, these teams are similar offensively. The biggest difference is in scoring efficiency. Minnesota scores 23.6 points per contest. Conversely, the Rams only score 19.
Defensively, the Vikings allow 340.3 yards per game compared to LA’s 364.3. The Vikings are worse against the pass and the Rams allow 151.7 on the ground- third-worst in the league.
Cooper Kupp is expected to return, which will boost LA’s middling passing attack. But trade rumors persist. Fantasy managers are concerned with usage and potential.
For Kevin O’Connell and Brian Flores, the Vikings will try to keep the Rams guessing with stunts and pressure. Reaching a multiple-possession lead would lead to a favorable game script to run the ball.
Minnesota Offense
We’ve seen this out of Sam Darnold before. A hot September is followed up with…
How will Thursday’s Broncos vs. Saints game go?
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2024 Los Angeles Rams Fantasy Preview
2024 Los Angeles Rams Fantasy Preview The 2023 Los Angeles Rams surprised many by winning 10 games and clinching a spot in the postseason after finishing the previous season with a disappointing 5-12 record. It didn’t hurt that the Ram’s
The 2023 Los Angeles Rams surprised many by winning 10 games and clinching a spot in the postseason after finishing the previous season with a disappointing 5-12 record. It didn’t hurt that the Ram’s offense finished in the top 12 in passing yards, rushing yards, and points per game.
One of the biggest reasons the Rams doubled their win total was Matthew Stafford’s health. Stafford (3,965/24/11) managed to play in 15 contests after playing in just nine the season before. Only Lamar Jackson completed more “Hero” throws among quarterbacks who attempt at least 275 passes.
Last year during the draft, the Rams selected Puka Nacua (105/1486/6) in the fifth round, and all he did was put together the most outstanding season a rookie wide receiver has ever had. Nacua accounted for a 32.9% air yards share and a target of 26.8% (11th-most) last season as Cooper Kupp missed five games. He also averaged 2.75 yards per route run in 2023, the ninth most among receivers. It’s hard to imagine Nacua repeating those numbers, especially with a healthy Kupp, but he is still worthy of being a WR1 this season.
Despite Kupp only playing in 12 contests, the former triple-crown winner still finished the 2023 fantasy season as the WR39 and was 25th in fantasy points per game in PPR formats. Father time remains undefeated; maybe it was the injuries, or perhaps it’s part of turning 30, but Kupp saw a career low in his yards per route run (1.77) last season, something worth monitoring.
If Puka Nacua was the biggest surprise for fantasy managers, what do we call Kyren Williams? Williams (228/1,144/12) finished as the RB5 in PPR formats with 255 fantasy points despite missing four games. Only Christian McCafferys 24.5 fantasy points per contest were more than Williams 21.3.
Williams was a bell-cow for the Rams, accounting for nearly 48% of all the touches in the run game. One reason for concern is that the club did draft Blake Corum, who had also proven to be a workhorse over his last two seasons at Michigan with more than 500 carries and 2,700 rushing yards.
Tyler Higbee (47/497/2) isn’t going to move the needle much in fantasy. Sure, he’ll give you some TE1-type weeks this season, but the volume is not going to be there to make him much more than a TE2 on your roster.
Quarterbacks
QB MATTHEW STAFFORD – QUALITY BACKUP
Now 36, Stafford has settled in as a reliable streaming option but is unlikely to revert back to his high-volume role from yesteryear. Last season, the Rams were top-10 in points and offense but Stafford was firmly outside the top-12 fantasy ranks. The emergence of WR Puka Nacua helped Stafford rebound from a down 2022 showing. Nacua and Cooper Kupp give the Rams a formidable duo and help ensure that Stafford’s floor remains safe. He offers nothing as a runner and tends to turn the ball over a tad much, but Stafford can be a reliable source of points as a bye-week fill-in or as a QB2 in Superflex leagues….
Sunday Playoff Preview
After a two-game slate on Saturday, Sunday offers two more playoff games. Our Sunday Playoff Preview breaks down the fantasy, DFS, and sports betting angles for the Packers at the Cowboys and the intriguing night game between the Rams and upstart Lions. Using our RDA* projections, we can break down each game to find the statistical edge that can give us a leg up in playoff fantasy and daily fantasy lineups. Also, we can determine the best bets to make. Before you place those winning bets, our partner Edge Boost can help you double your entries and payouts! Click below to increase your winnings today. Green Bay Packers (9-8) at Dallas Cowboys (12-5) Time: 4:30 PM Eastern Line: Dallas -7 Total: 50.5 Money Line: Packers +270, Cowboys -340 Green Bay Packers Plenty of scoring is expected indoors between a Packers offense that ranked 12th in scoring and a Dallas unit that led the league. The biggest factor in the Packers’ scoring resurgence was QB Jordan Love. Fantasy football’s No. 5 signal-caller, Love tossed multiple scores in eight of his final nine games. However, things won’t be easy against a Dallas defense that ranked 5th overall and against the pass. With A.J. Dillon doubtful, Aaron Jones is a strong contender to approach 20 touches. Additionally, Christian Watson (hamstring)looks iffy. Jayden Reed and Romeo Doubs remain solid options, as do the Packers’ rookie tight end duo. The Packers have covered nine of their last 10 games against the Cowboys and straight up won 4-of-5 in Dallas. Dallas Cowboys Dallas took control of the NFC East by winning 7-of-9 just as the Eagles were tanking. Much of the success can be attributed to an offense that has steamrolled opponents at home. The Cowboys led the NFL in scoring and were undefeated at AT&T. CeeDee Lamb was fantasy football’s top wideout in 2023 and sits atop our RDA* projection against a Green Bay secondary that ceded 13 scores to opposing wideouts. Green Bay allowed more sores to running backs. Therefore, Tony Pollard comes in as our No. 2 runner for the week. A Dallas stack led by QB Dak Prescott will be a popular DFS entry. The Cowboys are 6-2 ATS at home and the OVER is 10-3 since Week 6. However, Dallas has struggled against the Packers, dropping nine of their last 10 overall. Packers +7 WIN Los Angeles Rams (10-7) at Detroit Lions (12-5) Time: 8:00 PM Eastern Line: Lions -3 Total: 51.5 Money Line Rams +140, Lions -165 Los Angeles Rams Like the second game, Sunday’s finale should feature plenty of scoring. The total of 51.5 points for this game is the highest of the Wild Card slate. For the Rams, QB Matthew Stafford thrived down the stretch as his offense got healthy. Sophomore RB Kyren Williams was a league winner. However, the Lions ranked 2nd in the league against the run. Conversely, Detroit struggled against the pass, ranking 27th. That puts both Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua in play as top-8 wideouts per our RDA* projections. Also, the Rams tend to show up as visitors. LA went 5-3-1 against the spread on the road and the OVER hit in six of nine. Detroit Lions Meanwhile, the Lions are more than capable of running teams out of the building. Detroit ranked 5th in the league in scoring and was an NFL-best 12-5 against the spread this season. QB Jared Goff plays his best ball at home, leading to the Lions covering 10 of their last 13 at Ford Field. Los Angeles allowed the second-fewest fantasy points to running backs. The Lions will heavily feature both Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery. However, the tough matchup favors Gibbs, who has a more prominent role in the passing attack. Speaking of the aerial game, WR Amon-Ra St. Brown should cook against a Rams’ secondary that surrendered the 9th-most fantasy points to wideouts. Our RDA* projections also favor Jameson Williams to be a sneaky start. There is a lot of history of OVERs in this series and with both teams in 2023. However, I think the Rams can hang around and that half-point is big. RAMS +3.5 WIN Sign Up Before the NFL Playoffs & Double Your Bet Instantly With Edge Boost Offer is up for a limited time only! Special Offer For The FullTime Community: Users who sign up within the next 72 hours will start at $500 in advance limit from EDGE Boost (as opposed to $50). Claim this offer using EdgeBoost now if you sign up before the Texans–Browns game kicks off on Saturday! Click on this link Click “Sign Up Today” & Double Your Bet Instantly! What is EDGE Boost? EDGE Boost is the first Bet Now Pay Later (powered by VISA) provider that enables you to take out a responsible, no-interest advance that you can use to bet on games of your choice at any sportsbook, DFS site, or the FFWC! You are then given four weekly installment payments to repay your advance, and if your wager hits, you double your winnings with no fees. 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Thursday Night Football Preview: Week 16
Thursday Night Football Preview: Week 16 Following last week’s blowout between two sub-.500 teams, Week 16 offers a pairing of NFC playoff contenders. The Rams and Saints enter this game at 7-7 and in the thick of the playoff picture.
Following last week’s blowout between two sub-.500 teams, Week 16 offers a pairing of NFC playoff contenders. The Rams and Saints enter this game at 7-7 and in the thick of the playoff picture. FullTime Fantasy’s Thursday Night Football Preview: Week 16 breaks down what is a must-win game for both teams.
The visiting Saints have won two straight and are tied for the NFC South lead. At +42, New Orleans has the fourth-best points differential in the conference. However, they must contend with traveling on a short week to face an LA squad that has won three consecutive games at home.
Additionally, Los Angeles has averaged 33 points per game in their last four. This Rams offense is now healthy and will pose problems for a New Orleans defense that has struggled when facing teams that are capable of moving the ball up and down the field.
The game opened with the Rams being favored by 4.5 points with a total of 44.5.
Matchup
| TEAM | OFFENSE | PASS | RUSH | YDS/PLAY | POINTS |
| New Orleans Saints | 14 | 14 | 19 | 18 | 12 |
| Los Angeles Rams | 8 | 11 | 11 | 7 | 9 |
On paper, these two teams are more evenly matched than it seems. However, the Saints have an edge defensively. At least they did until recently. The Saints pass rush has slowed and the team has dipped to 24th in run defense.
Meanwhile, the Rams have had issues defending the run. However, the return of Kryen Williams has had a significant impact on the team’s offensive resurgence. Also, in the last five games, Matthew Stafford is the overall fantasy QB5.
For this game, the Saints are looking at their own significant addition with ace No. 1 wideout Chris Olave returning after a 1-game absence.
This is the first away game for New Orleans since dropping a 24-15 game to the Falcons in Week 12. Meanwhile, the Rams have been thriving at home and have not lost to the Saints as hosts since 2009.
How will Thursday’s Saints vs. Rams game go?
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NFL Week 1 Rams at Seahawks: DFS & Fantasy Preview
NFL Week 1 Rams at Seahawks: DFS & Fantasy Preview Betting Line: Seahawks – 6 Over/Under: 46.0 The Rams come into 2023 with a rebuilding feel, and their star wide receiver (Cooper Kupp) is battling a hamstring injury heading into
Betting Line: Seahawks – 6
Over/Under: 46.0
The Rams come into 2023 with a rebuilding feel, and their star wide receiver (Cooper Kupp) is battling a hamstring injury heading into Week 1. Matthew Stafford is a proven quarterback, but his secondary receiving options are below the league average. Cam Akers played well late last season, giving the fantasy market hope that he will build on his success this year. I see risk in the secondary for Los Angeles, pointing to Seattle throwing the ball well if DE Aaron Donald can’t shorten the passing window.
The Seahawks bring a high foundation of the receiving corps, highlighted by DK Metcalf and the exciting Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Tyler Lockett has an excellent resume despite being on the wrong side of 30. Seattle lines two exciting young running backs – Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet. The biggest question for this team is their defense, which is a win for overall scoring by their offense.
Note: The fantasy points per $1,000 are based on the early projections for Week 1.
The above grid shows the top players excepted to contribute in Week 1 in the fantasy games. I listed each player’s salary at DraftKings and FanDuel, plus their fantasy points expected per $1,000 of salary invested. In GPP (grand prize pools) events, the goal is to find players with a chance to score four times their salary at DraftKings ($50,000 salary cap and three times at FanDuel ($60,000 salary cap).
Los Angeles Rams
Matthew Stafford
- Last season, over nine starts, Stafford delivered one playable game (272/3) in the fantasy markets. His completion rate (68.0) was a career-best, but he had a decline in pass attempts per game (33.7 – 35.4) and an increase in his sack percentage (8.7 – 4.8 in 2021).
- In addition, his yards per pass attempt (6.9) declined by 1.2 yards from 2021 (8.1). His year ended after Week 11 with a neck injury.
- With Cooper Kupp trending toward a sit in Week 1, Stafford’s projection will be lowered in the next update.
- The Seahawks ranked 16th in quarterback defense, with one team scoring over 30.00 fantasy points.
- Seattle should score in this game, so a chaser game gives Stafford a chance only if Kupp is a full go.
Cam Akers
- Last season, Akers was a bust in the fantasy market over the first nine games (84/274/1 with two catches for 18 yards) while also missing two games with personal issues (not getting the ball enough).
- From Week 12 to Week 16, he gained 240 combined yards with three touchdowns and five catches.
- The Rams gave Akers a workhorse opportunity over his final three matchups (23/118/3, 19/123, and 21/04 with six combined catches for 63 yards), with the latter coming against Seattle.
- The Seahawks finished 28th in running defense (27.72 FPPG), with five teams scoring more than 35.00 fantasy points.
- There has been talk out of Rams’ camp that Kyren Williams would see more time this season on passing downs. Akers has the tools to rush for 100 yards with a score, putting in range…
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