2025 Washington Commanders Fantasy Preview
2025 Washington Commanders Fantasy Preview If one needs an example of the impact that changing toxic culture can have, reference the 2024 Washington Commanders. In the first full year (second season) away from Dan Snyder, the Commanders took astonishing steps, going 12-5 and reaching the NFC championship game. After inheriting Snyder’s last staff, new owner Josh Harris hired GM Adam Peters, went against the grain and gave Dan Quinn another shot, and nabbed Kliff Kingsbury to run the offense. The results speak for themselves. Paramount for Washington’s turnaround was hitting on QB Jayden Daniels with the No. 2 pick of the 2024 NFL Draft. Daniels was sensational in Year One, throwing for 3,568 yards, tossing 25 touchdowns, and accumulating the second-most QB rushing yards (891) with an additional six scores. Daniels is firmly in the top tier of signal-callers and has vaulted to the head of the Dynasty class. The Commanders did not draft a running back before Round 7, so Brian Robinson Jr. looks like a good value pick. Robinson posted his usual numbers in 2024, but saw an increase in rushing touchdowns (8) while missing three games. Robinson ceded a lot of targets to Austin Ekeler, who is back in his age-30 season. Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez also return as reserves. In all, Washington ranked third with 154.1 rushing yards per game. Robinson and Ekeler are fine middle-round targets. Daniels formed a formidable connection with WR Terry McLaurin, who broke out with 13 touchdown receptions. What’s scary for Scary Terry is that there is still room for more. McLaurin dipped below 120 targets for the first time since his rookie campaign. Even a 10 percent boost would put McLaurin in the top five of fantasy wideouts. However, we don’t expect a repeat of those gaudy TD numbers. He’s closer to WR10 than WR6, where he finished last season. The Commanders acquired Deebo Samuel from San Francisco. Samuel adds a new wrinkle to Kingsbury’s offense and is a massive upgrade over Olamide Zaccheaus. It will be interesting to see how Samuel is employed in the attack and how many touches he takes away from McLaurin and the backs. Noah Brown returns as WR3, but keep an eye on fourth-round Virginia Tech rookie Jaylin Lane, a twitchy speedster with massive potential. Washington re-signed TE Zach Ertz after his impressive TE8 showing. Eriz ranked second on the team with 91 targets. He’ll be 35 in December, but Ertz ran a route on a career-high 92.2 percent of his snaps. His ADOT and contested catch rates also increased. Father Time is looming, but Ertz still looks like a solid TE1. Fantasy Grade: B+ QB Daniels, Jayden, WAS [QB1] In last year’s preview, we mentioned Daniels had top 5 upside. That’s precisely what happened, as Daniels showcased his immense, dual-threat value. Washington ranked 4th in pace of play, and Daniels posted 12 QB1 weekly finishes. He ranked 2nd at the position in rushing (891) and red-zone totes (39). However, he also proved to be a legitimate passing weapon, boasting a 25-to-9 TD-to-INT ratio and leading the entire NFL in completion rate versus man coverage (78 percent). Daniels was a league-winning mid-to-late round pick last season, but the price has risen significantly. Still, he’s one of the top QBs to target. ADVICE: Firmly in elite tier and worth targeting early. RB Robinson, Brian, WAS [RB1] Washington is running it back in 2025. Having added no competition before Round 7, Brian Robinson’s role as the Commanders’ lead back keeps him in the RB3 conversation. Robinson will cede some change-of-pace work to Austin Ekeler, but he will take the majority of early-down carries. He ranked 20th with 44 red-zone touches, resulting in eight scores. Also, Robinson chipped in 20 receptions with only one drop. Washington was 5th in the league with 30.8 rushes per game, so B-Rob will have ample opportunities to contribute RB3/flex numbers. ADVICE: Middle-round RB3/flex option with plus touchdown potential. RB Ekeler, Austin, WAS [RB2] The days of Austin Ekeler earning 20 touches are over, but he can still contribute as an RB3/4. Metrics highlight a decline in his efficiency: a 2.55 yards after contact per attempt and 10 forced missed tackles on 77 carries. His opportunity share stood at 41 percent, with a snap share of 55.6 percent, indicating a reduced role in the Commanders’ backfield. Despite these changes, Ekeler’s receiving prowess remained evident, maintaining a significant role in the passing game. However, with the emergence of Brian Robinson Jr. as the primary rusher, Ekeler’s fantasy value has shifted. ADVICE: Decent flex option, particularly valuable in PPR leagues due to his receiving capabilities. WR McLaurin, Terry, WAS [WR1] Terry McLaurin put together his most productive season yet in 2024, ending the year as the WR6 overall with 82 receptions, 1,110 yards, and a career-high 13 touchdowns. He flourished with rookie Jayden Daniels at quarterback, finishing as a top-24 fantasy wideout in 69 percent of his games, tied for third-best among all receivers. His breakout campaign was fueled by exceptional touchdown efficiency, and he posted the highest contested catch rate of any WR in the past six seasons. While some regression in scoring is expected, McLaurin remains a steady option in an improved Washington offense. He’s a reliable WR2 with top-20 upside. ADVICE: Stable WR2 with proven volume and ADP in the late 3rd round. WR Samuel, Deebo, WAS [WR2] As more time passes, Deebo Samuel’s breakout 2021 campaign looks like an outlier. Samuel finished as the WR3 that season with 1,405 receiving yards and 14 total TDs. His 2023 season was also strong, but Samuel has battled nagging injuries and a decreased involvement as a rusher. Now, he’s dealing with a new team, system, and quarterback. Granted, Washington isn’t a downgrade, but the Commanders funneled their offense through Terry McLaurin. And with Jayden Daniels, Samuel would, at best, be fourth in line for carries. Kliff Kingsbury is creative enough to utilize Samuel as a weapon, but can he get back
Injury Report: Conference Championship (Updated)
Injury Report: Conference Championship We are down to the final four, so the reported injuries have cooled significantly. However, with so much on the line playing Playoff Fantasy Football, monitoring injuries is as important as ever. Our Injury Report: Conference Championship will update you on the latest from around the NFL. Also, don’t forget to check out weekly rankings before you finalize this week’s lineups. Bookmarking our NFL Injury Report is also a great way to stay updated on the latest injuries. Finally, FullTime Fantasy Members will get the latest NFL injury news and advice live each Sunday and Thursday in the FullTime Fantasy Discord. Click below to join us today! Jalen Hurts (QB) Philadelphia Eagles – There was no setback last week for Hurts (knee), who participated in Wednesday’s walk-thru practice. He will be good-to-go against Washington. UPDATE: Hurts will start. A.J. Brown (WR) Philadelphia Eagles – Listed as limited, but it was a veteran rest day. No concerns. UPDATE: Brown will start, as expected. Dallas Goedert (TE) Philadelphia Eagles – Goedert missed a pair of practices with an ankle ailment. However, he will start on Sunday. Zach Ertz (TE) Washington Commanders – Veteran rest day on Wednesday. UPDATE: Ertz is good to go. Dalton Kincaid (TE) Buffalo Bills – Kincaid (knee) participated fully in Wednesday’s walk-through. Olamide Zaccheaus (WR) Philadelphia Eagles – No injury designation. Britain Covey (WR) Philadelphia Eagles – Covey (neck) returned to practice, opening the 21-day window in which he can be activated from IR. Mecole Hardman (WR) Kansas City Chiefs – Andy Reid said that Hardman (knee) will not play again this season. Every other Kanas City player practiced in full. Christian Benford (CB) Buffalo Bills – Benford is in the NFL’s concussion protocol but was able to practice in a limited capacity Wednesday. That’s a good sign that he is trending toward playing this week. LB Matt Milano (hamstring) and S Taylor Rapp (hip) are also questionable. Sam Cosmi (RG) Washington Commanders – Big loss for Washginton’s offensive line. Cosmi tore his ACL in Detroit and will miss the rest of the season. Sam Cosmi suffered a torn ACL in last night’s game Here’s to a quick recovery, 76 💪 pic.twitter.com/xobue5uupy — Washington Commanders (@Commanders) January 19, 2025 Quinyon Mitchell (CB) Washington Commanders – Mitchell is dealing with a shoulder injury but is expected to play. Dion Dawkins (LT) Buffalo Bills – Missed Wednesday’s walk-through with an undisclosed illness. Bobby Wagner (LB) Washington Commanders – Missed Wednesday’s practice with an ankle ailment. However, there is no concern he will miss Sunday’s game. FullTime Fantasy’s Playoff Fantasy Football Contests Play 1 or play all 3! YOU decide! Emil Kadlec Memorial Playoff Pick ‘Em — A FREE Single-Entry Contest. Maui Madness Playoff Pick’Em — ($25 or a 5-pack for $100) Playoff Draft World Championship $229 with NEW and improved league prizing! Maui Madness is still accepting entries until Conference Championship Weekend. The contest determines the winner by using your highest two weekly scores. While most fantasy football leagues have already concluded, that does not mean the fun is over. In fact, the best is yet to come for one skilled fantasy player! That person who can build the best fantasy lineup for the playoffs will win the grand prize of: A Trip for Four to Maui! The Grand Prize includes: • Resort Accommodations for 6 nights in Maui’s Five-Star Kaanapali Alii Resort (2BR-2BA) • Airfare for Four anywhere in the continental U.S. (up to $1000 for each person roundtrip airfare* • Grand Prize package worth an estimated $10,000! *certain date restrictions may apply 1 ENTRY = $25 5-PACK = $100 (that’s a $25 savings!) Find full scoring here.
NFC Championship Preview
NFC Championship Preview We are down to the final four. FullTime Fantasy‘s NFC Championship Preview breaks down the slate from a fantasy football and sports betting perspective for Sunday’s Commanders vs. Eagles showdown. 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! Washington Commanders (14-5) at Philadelphia Eagles (15-3) Time: 3:00 Eastern Line: Eagles -6 Total: 48.5 Money Line: Commanders +230, Eagles -280 Commanders Offense Jayden Daniels is already setting records. However, with one more win, Daniels would become the first rookie quarterback in NFL history to start in a Super Bowl. The Eagles and Commanders split their season series. In those two games, Daniels averaged 224.5 passing yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. However, five of those six TD tosses came in Washington’s 36-33 Week 16 win. Daniels also ran for 99 yards against the Eagles this season. Philadelphia ranked first against the pass in 2024. Additionally, the Eagles allowed the second-fewest points. However, Daniels was electric against them last month and fantasy managers need not shy away from paying up to start him in a game that has a fantasy-friendly over/under. RB Brian Robinson Jr. has a rushing prop of 36.5 yards. He previously ran for 63 yards and a score in Philly but didn’t do much in the high-scoring rematch. Only Kansas City allowed fewer fantasy points to running backs than Philadelphia, but our RDA* projections have him clearing that total by 10 yards. Austin Ekeler won’t see as many carries but will absorb plenty of targets. He reeled in 8-0f-9 for 89 yards in Week 16 and was very good last week in Detroit. In PPR scoring, he’s our RB6 for the week. WR Terry McLaurin‘s current Vegas receiving line is five grabs for 64 yards with a +140 line to score. However, the Eagles shut McLaurin down in both games, limiting him to 10 and 60 yards with a TD in Week 16. McLaurin lines up on the left 63 percent of the time, so he’ll mostly avoid Darius Slay. RDA* projections have McLaurin at 67.8 yards. Outside McLaurin, the remainder of Washington’s receiving corps should be viewed only as DFS longshots. However, Dyami Brown is interesting in that capacity. He’s come on during the postseason run, catching 11 balls for 187 yards and a touchdown. His receiving prop sits at 44.5 yards, which is respectable for a player who only topped that twice in the regular season. Olamide Zaccheaus and Jamison Crowder will split slot duties. These two veterans combined to score five touchdowns all season. However, four of those came against the Eagles in Week 16. TE Zach Ertz had one good game (6/47/1) against his former team and one atrocious outing (1/12/0) in Philly. Overall, the Eagles allowed the third-fewest fantasy points to the position, so not a great matchup for Ertz. However, he is the best bet to command the second-most targets and there aren’t many dependable fantasy options at tight end this week. Eagles Offense The Eagles are 14-1 in their last 15 games. And that one L came in Week 16 against these Washington Commanders, 36-33. The deciding game will be played at Lincoln Financial Field and the Eagles are favored by six. In Jalen Hurts‘s last meeting with the Commanders, his passing yardage prop was 196.5. He got injured that week but he’s fully healthy now. However, this week’s passing yardage prop has dipped to 182.5, which is right in line with our RDA* projections. Of course, Hurts is -115 to rush for a TD with 31.5 as the yardage prop. Washington ranked 30th in run defense this season so prime matchup for Saquon Barkley. Barkley scored 31.8 and 27 fantasy points versus the Commanders this season. His Week 21 yardage prop of 130.5 is unheard of. Pay up. With Hurts having depressed passing projections, Philaelphia’s receivers bear the brunt. A.J. Brown‘s Vegas totals are below 60 yards with a lowly +155 mark to score. Our RDA* projections, however, are more bullish. DeVonta Smith‘s lines (47.5, +190) are even lower. However, Smith is our WR3 for the week, so there is a lot of value in targeting him in DFS lineups. Before last week, Smith had topped 50 receiving yards in four straight, including 6/51/0 against Washington in Week 16. Jahan Dotson will be the WR3. However, Dotson is likely to spend more reps lined up on the left to free up Brown and Smith to avoid Marshon Lattimore’s RCB coverage. TE Dallas Goedert has been on a bit of a heater since returning from IR. He’s caught four passes in each of his three games and he posted a solid 5/61/0 line on this secondary in Week 11. Notable NFC Championship Preview betting takeaways per Ben Fawks and ESPN Bet: 68% of bets and 53.7% of handle are on Commanders (+6.5, opened +5) 39.9% of bets and 58.1% of handle are on Eagles ML (-280) 83.4% of bets and 77.9% of handle are on OVER (47.5, opened 47.5) FullTime Fantasy’s Playoff Fantasy Football Contests Play 1 or play all 3! YOU decide! Emil Kadlec Memorial Playoff Pick ‘Em — A FREE Single-Entry Contest. Maui Madness Playoff Pick’Em — ($25 or a 5-pack for $100) Playoff Draft World Championship $229 with NEW and improved league prizing! Maui Madness is still accepting entries until Conference Championship Weekend. The contest determines the winner by using your highest two weekly scores. While most fantasy football leagues have already concluded, that does not mean the fun is over. In fact, the best is yet to come for one skilled fantasy player! Sunday Playoff Preview. That person who can build the best fantasy lineup for the playoffs will win the grand prize of: A Trip for Four to Maui! The Grand Prize includes: • Resort Accommodations for 6 nights in Maui’s Five-Star Kaanapali Alii Resort (2BR-2BA) • Airfare
Saturday Playoff Preview
Saturday Playoff Preview The NFL Divisional Round kicks off Saturday with a pair of high-profile matchups. FullTime Fantasy‘s Saturday 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! Houston Texans (11-7) at Kansas City Chiefs (15-2) Time: 4:30 Eastern Line: Chiefs -9 Total: 41.5 Money Line: Houston +395, Kansas City -500 Texans Offense Houston’s offense has been stagnant for a while. However, DeMeco Ryans’s D stepped up huge in the Wild Card round, leading the Texans to a 20-point victory. Things won’t be as easy in the Divisional round, as a trip to frigid Missouri to face the defending champs is on deck. It will take a near-perfect game from C.J. Stroud to give the Texans any chance. Stroud and company played in this building five weeks ago, and Stroud threw a pair of interceptions in a 27-19 loss. His play has regressed in Year Two, and facing a well-rested KC defense will be tough in freezing conditions. Although there is some optimism about Houston covering, Stroud is a lesser option in this four-game slate. RB Joe Mixon has cooled after a torrid start. He did rush for 106 yards and a score last week against a formidable Chargers defense. However, facing the Chiefs will be much more difficult. Opposing running backs averaged a league-low 16.2 fantasy points per game versus Kansas City. Mixon will play a high snap share and can contribute as a receiver but he’ll have to score a touchdown to pay off as a DFS option. It’s Nico Collins or bust at receiver for Houston. Collins has an over/under of 83.5 yards and is +180 to score per Vegas. However, our RDA* projections have Collins as the WR3 in this slate thanks to volume. Also, if Houston falls behind by multiple scores, that only favors Collins. Additionally, the Chiefs were below average in terms of surrendering fantasy points to enemy wideouts, so we’re signing off on Nico. After that, Houston offers up little more than DFS dart throws. Robert Woods caught three balls for 19 yards against KC in Week 16. John Metchie and Xavier Hutchinson also don’t inspire a ton of confidence and Jared Wayne was just called up from the practice squad. At tight end, Dalton Schultz had a nice game against KC, snagging five balls for 45 yards and a touchdown. And only three teams allowed more fantasy points to the position than the Chiefs, so our RDA* projections (4.6/43/.33) have Schultz as a top-4 PPR option in Week 20. Chiefs Offense Houston ceded the sixth-fewest passing yards in 2024 and they did a solid job on Patrick Mahomes in Week 16. In that contest, Mahomes threw for 260 yards and one touchdown. However, Mahomes did run for 33 and an additional score to post good fantasy numbers. Vegas has Mahomes projected to total 277.5 yards (23.5 rushing) and he’s -144 to go OVER 1.4 touchdowns. KC’s backfield has resolved into a frustrating committee. However, there is a chance that the club has been saving Isiah Pacheco for another Super Bowl run. Vegas has Pacheco projected to produce 51.5 scrimmage yards and he’s +150 to score. However, our RDA* projections have Pacheco at 62 yards with a 37% chance of hitting pay dirt. Kareem Hunt will also be involved. However, the question remains how much? Hunt out-touched Pacheco against Houston previously and found the end zone. But Vegas has Hunt projected to have fewer yards and be less likely to score than Pacheco. Xavier Worthy has been Kansas City’s leading receiver, including catching a team-high seven balls (11 targets) for 65 and a TD versus Houston last month. Our RDA* projections are just under that but Worthy remains a solid start in Playoff Fantasy Leagues. Week 16 was Hollywood Brown’s first game with the club and he immediately commanded a healthy eight targets. As good as Houston’s pass defense was, they did allow opposing wideouts to score 21 touchdowns, so we like Brown and DeAndre Hopkins as quality options. Houston also allowed eight touchdowns to tight ends. While Travis Kelce has been quiet of late (at least by his standards), he tends to show up big in the postseason. Our RDA* projections have Kelce posting 14.2 PPR points, putting his as the TE2 in the slate. Washington Commanders (13-5) at Detroit Lions (15-2) Time: 8:00 Eastern Line: Detroit -9 Total: 55.5 Money Line: Washington +400, Detroit -550 Commanders Offense The AFC kicks off the day but it’s the NFC game that has the fantasy appeal. The upstart Commanders fly into Detroit to take on the conference’s top seed. And Vegas is expecting fireworks with that outrageous 55.5-point total. That puts Jayden Daniels near the top of the Week 20 QB rankings. However, that is not exactly new territory for Daniels, who finished his rookie season as fantasy’s QB5. Detroit has had issues slowing down opposing QBs all season. The Lions allowed the 10th-most fantasy points to the position, including the fourth-most rushing yards (454) and second-most rushing TDs (6). Therefore, Daniels is our QB3 for the week and worth every bit of his lofty DFS price tag. The matchup for the ground game isn’t as appealing. Detroit surrendered the fourth-fewest fantasy points to running backs even with myriad injuries. Washington will utilize two backs, but it’s Austin Ekeler who leads the way in RDA* projections, mainly due to his pass-catching prowess. Brian Robinson can also factor in as a receiver and is just as likely to punch in a short-yardage score. However, Vegas projects Ekler to have one more scrimmage yard, 51-50. Proceed with caution. As explosive as Washington’s offense is, Terry McLaurin has been the only reliable wide receiver. McLaurin posted WR7 numbers in the regular season, averaging 15.9 PPR points per contest.
Sunday Playoff Preview
Sunday 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! Denver Broncos (10-7) at Buffalo Bills (13-4) Time: 1:00 Eastern Line: Bills -8 Total: 47.5 Money Line: Denver +375, Buffalo -465 Broncos Offense Sean Payton’s offense made huge strides in 2024. Most of that can be attributed to landing Bo Nix in the 2024 NFL Draft. Nix proved to be the perfect fit in Payton’s short-passing attack. The results were the Broncos’ first post-season appearance in eight seasons. However, as eight-point dogs, the run could be brief. Per ESPN, rookie QBs are 0-5 in road playoff games over the last 10 seasons. Speaking of Bo Nix, the matchup is neutral. However, the atmosphere will be inhospitable. Buffalo allowed the 14th-most fantasy points to quarterbacks, allowing 28 TD passes and an additional 263/2 on the ground. Nix has the athleticism to escape the pocket against a subpar pass rush, but questions remain about Denver’s supporting cast. Denver employs a full-on committee backfield that is fantasy-unfriendly. Our RDA* projections favor Jaleel McLaughlin to lead the way in touches. However, in a game where the Broncos are 8-point underdogs, McLaughlin and Javonte Williams will be involved as receivers. Rookie Audric Estime came on down the stretch and has a 34% chance of punching in a short-yardage score per our Week 19 rankings. The Bills excel at shutting down slot receivers and are vulnerable on the outside. That favors Courtland Sutton (17% slot rate) well. Sutton (81/1081/8) posted WR15 numbers this season and remains a solid Week 19 start in a game with a positive game script. Marvin Mims became a bigger factor in Denver’s offense as the season developed. Mims is Payton’s big-play threat who can make an impact downfield, out of the backfield, and as a returner. Our RDA* projections like Mims this week. However, slot receiver Devaughn Vele is a fade. Also, fantasy footballers should avoid Denver’s messy tight-end rotation. Payton will use Lucas Krull, Adam Trautman, and Nate Adkins indiscriminately. Additionally, Buffalo allowed just five touchdowns to opposing tight ends all season. Bills Offense Josh Allen is 4-1 in the Wild Card round. And as a sizable home favorite, Allen and the Bills were 6-2 against the spread at home this season. Although Denver’s defense ranks as a top-10 unit against opposing quarterbacks, they allowed an enemy QB to surpass 25 fantasy points in three of their final five games. Therefore, Allen remains the top signal-caller to target in Fantasy Playoff Drafts. RB James Cook was tied for the NFL lead with a Buffalo team-record 16 rushing scores. Conversely, Denver allowed 13 total scores to backs in 17 games. Our RDA* projections have Cook as the RB4 in this slate, with a 65-percent chance of finding the end zone. Ray Davis and Ty Johnson will fill in behind Cook. Johnson offers more pass-catching upside, while Davis will see 5-10 carries. Both have some DFS appeal. Khalil Shakir ran 75% of his routes out of the slot, so he’ll mostly avoid Denver CB Pat Surtain. However, Shakir still has a subpar matchup against Denver slot CB Ja’Quan McMillian. Surtain could potentially shadow Keon Coleman, seriously hampering the rookie’s appeal. Additionally, Amari Cooper has been a non-factor in multiple games and missed practice time due to personal reasons. If the Broncos can contain Buffalo’s wideouts, the tight ends stand to benefit. Dalton Kincaid is our No. 3 tight end in PPR scoring. Also, teammate Dawson Knox has some DFS appeal. I think Denver can hang around in this game, which will benefit the offense. Green Bay Packers (11-6) at Philadelphia (14-3) Time: 4:30 Eastern Line: Eagles -5 Total: 45.5 Money Line: Packers +200, Eagles -240 Packers Offense Game No. 2 is projected to be closer but lower scoring. This is a rematch of a Week 1 contest that Philadelphia won 34-29. The Eagles have won three straight against Green Bay, scoring over 30 points in each contest. There were some questions about the health of both quarterbacks. However, both signal-callers will start. Speaking of Jordan Love, his passing yardage prop is 222.5 yards, and a big lean (-149) on the UNDER 1.5 touchdown passes. Love threw for 260 with a pair of TD strikes in Week 1. However, this is a different Philly defense. The Eagles allowed the third-fewest fantasy points to opposing passers, putting Love near the bottom of our Week 19 quarterbacks. Expect RB Josh Jacobs to get plenty of touches as a runner and receiver. Jacobs had 18 touches for 104 scrimmage yards versus Philly in Week 1. Our RDA* projections see a similar result with a roughly 70-percent shot at hitting pay dirt. Things are more difficult to project for the passing attack. Christian Watson tore his ACL last week and will miss the rest of this season. Subsequently, Jayden Reed is Green Bay’s unquestioned No. 1 wideout. Reed was huge in Week 1, snagging four balls for 138 yards and a score. However, he’s cooled off. Reed hasn’t surpassed 100 yards since Week 9 and has failed to score in his last five. Romeo Doubs is the next man up. Doubs scored nine fantasy points in the season-opening loss to Philadelphia. However, Doubs is a streaky player, with two touchdowns in two games and single-digit PPR points in eight others. Dontayvion Wicks will move up to the WR3 role, giving him some sleeper appeal. No team allowed fewer receiving yards to tight ends (591) than Philadelphia, so it’s a sub-optimal situation for Tucker Kraft. And our RDA* projections agree, projecting Kraft to score an innocuous 6.2 fantasy points. Eagles Offense Jalen Hurts cleared the NFL concussion protocol and practiced in
Thursday Night Football Preview: Week 11
Thursday Night Football Preview: Week 11 Last week’s AFC North Thursday night shootout more than lived up to the hype. Conversely, this week’s NFC East tilt looks like a worthy successor. The upstart Washington Commanders travel to Philadelphia to take
Last week’s AFC North Thursday night shootout more than lived up to the hype. Conversely, this week’s NFC East tilt looks like a worthy successor. The upstart Washington Commanders travel to Philadelphia to take on the Eagles. Our Thursday Night Football Preview: Week 11 has everything you’ll need to know about this intriguing battle for the division lead.
The Commanders have done a 180. It’s funny how competent ownership and a terrific rookie quarterback can turn a franchise around seemingly overnight. At 7-3, Dan Quinn’s club is 3-2 on the road and 2-0 in division play.
Meanwhile, the Eagles (7-2) sit atop the division standings with a slim half-game lead. Nick Siriani has led Philly to five consecutive wins after destroying the Cowboys last week 34-6.
This game opened with the Eagles as touchdown favorites. However, a ton of action on the Commanders has driven the line down from Philadelphia -7 to just 3.5. Conversely, the total has jumped up two points to 48.5.
Matchup
| TEAM | OFFENSE | PASS | RUSH | YDS/PLAY | POINTS |
| Washington Commanders | 4 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| Philadelphia Eagles | 6 | 24 | 2 | 11 | 9 |
Looking at the above stats, these teams are as evenly matched as the standings indicate. However, on defense, it is a different story.
The Eagles allow 274.1 yards per game, which ranks second overall. Philadelphia has surrendered the fifth-fewest points. They also rank second against the pass and fifth versus the run. This will be a tough matchup for Washington, who has had no problems moving the ball.
Nick Siriani’s crew doesn’t pass a ton but they don’t have to. The Eagles are content to use their ground game and take play-action shots downfield. While the Commanders have vastly improved defensively, they still allow the fourth-most rushing yards (142.7 per game).
That plays right into Philly’s hands.
This looks like a promising watch, with both teams mounting top-6 offenses that are top-10 in scoring. Therefore, the fantasy points should pile up.
Washington Offense
Jayden Daniels has more than lived up to the hype. The No. 2 pick enters Week 11 as fantasy football’s…
How will Thursday’s Commanders vs. Eagles game go?
To get Jody’s BEST BET and finish reading this content…
USE CODE: BLITZ50 FOR 50% OFF your first TWO MONTHS! —OR— Use save20 for 20% off our 6-month package!
DEADLINE THIS FRIDAY.
GO PRO! Join FullTime Fantasy.
2024 Washington Commanders Fantasy Preview
2024 Washington Commanders Fantasy Preview The Commanders were a disaster but they are making progress after finishing last in the NFC East in 2023. After selecting Jayden Daniels with the No. 2 pick in the draft, Washington will look quite
Click Here to subscribe to FullTime Fantasy
Click here to subscribe to FullTime DFS
If you have an active subscription, please log in
Thursday Football Preview: Week 12
Thursday Football Preview: Week 12 Happy Thanksgiving! Week 12 is always a special holiday slate. And 2023 is no different. We’ve got a full day’s worth of NFL and fantasy football action with three games. Additionally, the first Black Friday
Happy Thanksgiving! Week 12 is always a special holiday slate. And 2023 is no different. We’ve got a full day’s worth of NFL and fantasy football action with three games. Additionally, the first Black Friday game is one day away. The FullTime Fantasy Thursday Football Preview: Week 12 previews all three Thanksgiving games from a fantasy, DFS, and sports betting perspective.
Green Bay at Detroit
| TEAM | OFFENSE | PASS | RUSH | YDS/PLAY | POINTS |
| Green Bay Packers | 22 | 19 | 21 | 13 | 20 |
| Detroit Lions | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 6 |
Open: DET -7.5, 44.5
Current: DET -8, 47
As always, the Detroit Lions kick off the holiday festivities. However, these aren’t the hapless Lions of years past. Dan Campbell’s squad has the second-best record in football and boasts a balanced, top-5 offense.
QB Jared Goff plays his best football at home and will be amped to rebound off of a subpar Week 11 showing. Meanwhile, Detroit has a pair of elite fantasy running backs primed to feast off of Green Bay’s 28th-ranked run defense.
The matchup isn’t as great for the pass catchers. However, Goff does have 10 TD strikes in six career games against the Packers. WR Amon-Ra St. Brown has scored a touchdown or exceeded 100 receiving yards in all nine games this season. However, Green Bay allows the fourth-fewest fantasy points to wideouts, so it may take double-digit targets for that streak to continue.
For the Packers, Jordan Love is coming off of his two best games. Facing a Lions’ secondary that has yielded the ninth-most fantasy points to the position puts Love in a favorable spot to deliver another week of high-end QB2 numbers.
However, things look lousy for the ground game. Aaron Jones won’t play, leaving the backfield to A.J. Dillon. Dillon has dominated the backfield snaps and touches when Jones has been sidelined. But he’s been ineffective in that role, averaging just 3.6 yards per carry and just one total reception in the three games Jones has missed.
Detroit is also allowing the 12th-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers. Romeo Doubs and Christian Watson topped double-digit fantasy points against this secondary back in Week 4. Also, Jayden Reed has developed into a solid WR3/4 option who went 3/55/0 in that game.
TE Luke Musgrave is injured and will be replaced by a committee led by Tucker Kraft. The rookie is a cheap DFS option, only.
Green Bay is 2-5 straight up and against the number since opening the season 2-1. They’ve struggled on the road, losing four straight after winning in Chicago to open the 2023 campaign. And it’s been particularly tough against Detroit, who has covered the spread in 11 of the last 13 matchups with Green Bay.
Detroit has won four of their last five against Green Bay. Also, the Lions have covered in five straight Ford Field matchups hosting the Packers. Detroit beat Green Bay by 14 back in Week 4, but I’m not sure it will be that easy in the rematch. The UNDER has hit in five of Green Bay’s last…
How will Thursday’s games go?
To get Jody’s BEST BET and finish reading this content…
USE CODE: BLITZ50 FOR 50% OFF your first TWO MONTHS! —OR— Use save20 for 20% off our 6-month package!
DEADLINE THIS FRIDAY.
GO PRO! Join FullTime Fantasy.
NFL Week 1 Cardinals at Commanders: DFS & Fantasy Preview
NFL Week 1 Cardinals at Commanders: DFS & Fantasy Preview Betting Line: Commanders – 7 Over/Under: 39.0 The Cardinals are the favorites to finish last in the NFL in wins based on their over/under betting line (3.5). Kyler Murray is
Betting Line: Commanders – 7
Over/Under: 39.0
The Cardinals are the favorites to finish last in the NFL in wins based on their over/under betting line (3.5). Kyler Murray is on the PUP list with no clear timetable to return to the starting lineup. Incoming rookie Clayton Tune looks poised to start in Week 1 after getting drafted in the fifth round this year. James Conner is the lead back with minimal competition for snaps. Zack Ertz is trending toward a sit in Week 1. Arizona will feature Marquise Brown and Rondale Moore in the passing game. They hope Michael Wilson can handle their WR3 role at some point in the season.
Washington has a top defense with a developing quarterback (Sam Howell) who will be making his second career start. The change at offensive coordinator could lead to a bump in production at running back in the passing game, rewarding Antonio Gibson. Brian Robinson is their power running with the inside track to score in close. A turf toe issue may keep Terry McLaurin on the sideline in Week 1. For now, Jahan Dotson assumes the lead wide receiver role, and Curtis Samuel gets a bump in chances.
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).
Arizona Cardinals
Clayton Tune
- Clayton Tune was Arizona’s shot at a future quarterback. His mechanics need work to improve his accuracy under duress and on the move. He can read defenses, but his arm doesn’t always have the fire to win in tight coverage.
- Over five seasons in college, Tune passed for 11,996 yards with 104 touchdowns and 41 interceptions. He was also active in the run game (412/1,256/15). In his senior year, Tune gained 4,618 combined yards with 45 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. His production rushing the ball peaked in 2022 (128/544/2).
- I don’t know if he will start with the Cardinals signing Joshua Dobbs and releasing Colt McCoy.
- Washington had a league-average defense vs. quarterbacks in 2022 (18.84 FPPG).
- Tune has to walk before being considered to start any format. I have a feeling he will make progress as the season moves on if Arizona gives him starting snaps.
James Conner
- Conner finished 19th in running back scoring (201.20) in PPR formats while playing in 13 games last season. A rib issue knocked him out for three weeks early in the year, and in Week 18, he had a shin injury.
- From Week 10 to Week 17, Conner delivered seven productive games (23.60, 13.40, 22.00, 23.40, 18.10, 25.00, and 14.00 fantasy points). He rushed for more than 100 yards in one matchup (25/120 with three catches for 20 yards and one score).
- The Cardinals will give him 15+ touches with some value in catches. The lack of quarterback play is a significant concern for…
To finish reading this in-depth fantasy and DFS breakdown of Week 1…
USE CODE: BLITZ50 FOR 50% OFF your first TWO MONTHS! —OR— Use save20 for 20% off our 6-month package!
DEADLINE THIS FRIDAY.
GO PRO! Join FullTime Fantasy.
2023 Washington Commanders Outlook
2023 Washington Commanders Outlook The 2023 NFL season is right around the corner and that means fantasy football drafts are underway. Before you assemble your championship dynasty, redraft, or high-stakes squad, FullTime Fantasy members will have an in-depth, player-by-player preview
2023 Washington Commanders Outlook
The 2023 NFL season is right around the corner and that means fantasy football drafts are underway. Before you assemble your championship dynasty, redraft, or high-stakes squad, FullTime Fantasy members will have an in-depth, player-by-player preview of all 32 teams from football legend Shawn Childs.
Also, check out Jody Smith’s NFL offensive line rankings and exclusive 2023 Strength of Schedule analysis.
Up next in our extensive NFL and fantasy football preview series is Shawn’s deep dive into the 2023 Washington Commanders Outlook.
— Quarterback —
Sam Howell
Howell threw 92 touchdowns over three seasons at North Carolina while gaining 9.2 yards per pass attempt. In 2021, he improved dramatically in the run game (183/828/11 – 4.5 yards per rush). Howell finished his college career with 10,283 passing yards, but his passing touchdowns declined each season (38, 30, and 24) while only tossing 23 interceptions.
Despite success running the ball in his final year in college, Howell didn’t win with his speed. He showed the ability to take a hit and stay upright with the vision to make extra yards. This style of play won’t translate well in the NFL, meaning that Howell will need to pick his spots better in the run game and know when to slide.
On the positive, he will be a dual threat to score near the goal line. The Tarheels lined him out of the shotgun almost exclusively. Howell has the arm to fire deep downfield on time. He was willing to use his tight ends. Also, some speedy wideouts helped his success in big plays. His next step is removing some wasted motion in his release (ball taps) on some plays. Howell handles himself well in the pocket, thanks to his legs.
In his rookie season, The Commanders only had Howell on the field for one game (204 combined yards with two touchdowns and one interception). Four of his 11 completions gained 20 yards or more.
Fantasy Outlook: The keys to Washington’s offense are in the hands of Howell. First, he has a slickness to his movements with the look of a competitive passer in the NFL. Secondly, the Commanders have three viable options at wide receiver, and Dyami Brown had his best seasons (51/1,034/12 and 55/1,099/8) at college with Howell throwing him the ball. He projects as a backend QB2 in the fantasy market. Finally, I’m intrigued, but Washington will taper his passing chances in his rookie season. With a 75/300/2 line in the run game, Howell should gain more than 4,000 combined yards with only a league-average ceiling in touchdowns.
Other Options: Jacoby Brissett, Jake Fromm, Tim DeMorat
— Running Backs —
The running back position had a significant part of the Commanders’ offense in 2022. They set three-year highs in rushing attempts (483), and rushing yards (1,926), leading to 2,552 combined yards with 10 touchdowns and 89 catches (23.79 FPPG in PPR formats) on 572 touches. The offensive philosophy change led to a pullback in the passing chances (89/626/3).
Brian Robinson
Robinson worked his way into a high-volume role in his fifth season at Alabama. He finished with 306 touches, leading to 1,639 combined yards with 16 touchdowns and 35 catches. Over his first four years, Robinson gained a combined 1,511 yards with 15 touchdowns and 17 catches. In 2021, he didn’t score a touchdown over his final five games while struggling in three matchups (16/71, 16/55, and 22/68) in the run game.
There is something to be said for a running back gaining experience in touches. Robinson is a power back with the ability to make yards after contact. He runs with patience while having the drive to cut fast into daylight at the line of scrimmage. When asked to pass block, Robinson understands his role and stays in tune with his quarterback to become a late passing option out of the backfield. Also, his improved opportunity in 2021 should only make him better in the NFL.
An unfortunate gunshot injury led Robinson missing on the first four games with Washington. By his second game, the Commanders gave him a bulk of carries, leading to a productive final 11 weeks (196/775/2 with nine catches for 60 yards and one score). He gained more than 100 yards in three consecutive starts from Week 12 to Week 14. His season ended with a knee injury in Week 18.
Fantasy Outlook: Washington will rotate two running backs in 2023. Robinson had nine catches for 60 yards and one score last year, with higher usage in the passing game (35/296/2) in his final year at Alabama. The Commander should give him between 17 to 20 touches this year, pointing to 1,200 combined yards, six to eight touchdowns, and about 20 catches. As the 36th running back drafted, Robinson is on a path to post an RB2 season in PPR formats.
Antonio Gibson
In his sophomore year with the Commanders, Gibson gained 1,331 combined yards with 10 scores and 42 catches on 300 touches over 16 games. However, he missed Week 17 with Covid-19. On the downside, Gibson gained only 4.0 yards per carry. Also, only four of his 258 rushes gained 20 yards or more. Washington gave him a high-volume opportunity (23.4 touches per game) in seven of his final eight starts, leading to 687 yards with five touchdowns and 23 catches. His only two games with over 100 yards rushing came in Week 12 (29/111 with seven catches for 35 yards) and Week 18 (21/146/1 with one catch for five yards).
Gibson failed to take advantage of the four games (56/179/2 – 3.2 yards per rush with 16 catches for 134 yards) missed by Brian Robinson to start 2022, leading to him working as Washington’s RB2 over his final 11 matchups (missed Week 17 and 18 with knee and foot issues). He finished the year with 899 combined yards with five touchdowns and 46 catches (28th in running back scoring in PPR leagues). Also, Gibson had foot surgery after the season.
Fantasy Outlook: With J.D. McKissic no longer on the roster…
WHAT CAN WE EXPECT OUT OF THE COMMANDERS IN 2023?
To finish reading Shawn’s in-depth 2023 team outlook, with in-depth offseason reports, projections, and fantasy outlooks for all players
GO PRO! Join FullTime Fantasy.