Kansas City Chiefs DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (shoulder) was listed as a full participant in the team's first practice of the week on Tuesday. Pacheco didn't practice in full at all last week but was active for the Week 18 regular season finale against the Los Angeles Chargers. However, with the Chiefs already locked into the No. 3 seed, Pacheco didn't play any snaps as a precaution. The 24-year-old missed three of the team's final five games, although he did go off for 18 carries for 130 yards in Week 17. At his $6,400 price tag on DraftKings for wild-card weekend, Pacheco will be an attractive DFS play while going up a Dolphins defense that has been decimated by injuries at the tail end of the 2023 season. Pacheco was one of KC's primary offensive weapons during the regular season and should continue to be so in the playoffs as the Chiefs look to defend their Super Bowl title.

Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt (groin) is not participating in practice on Tuesday leading up to the postseason matchup with the Houston Texans due to a groin injury. The 28-year-old has been listed with a groin injury for several weeks and has often missed practice, so it's not a concerning development as of now. Hunt has compiled 411 rushing yards, nine rushing touchdowns, 15 receptions, and 84 receiving yards in 15 games this season while sharing a backfield with Jerome Ford. As a part-time back, he's not a favorable fantasy playoff league target, but he could be a sleeper pick in DFS contests. That said, Houston is just a neutral matchup for fantasy running backs.

San Francisco 49ers running back Elijah Mitchell led the team in carries and rushing yards in Sunday's 21-20 home loss to the Los Angeles Rams. With All-Pro Christian McCaffrey inactive, Mitchell outcarried fellow backup Jordan Mason 14 to 6 and outgained him in rushing yards, 52 to 36. He also added two receptions on two targets for 15 yards. Mitchell finishes the year with 75 carries for 281 yards and two touchdowns. Barring any unexpected roster moves, Mitchell is likely to reprise his role as McCaffrey's backup in 2024 and remain a popular fantasy stash and handcuff for McCaffrey managers.

New England Patriots quarterback Bailey Zappe completed just 12 of 30 passes (40 percent) for 88 yards, zero touchdowns, and two interceptions during Sunday's loss to the New York Jets. He also rushed for 13 yards. Snow and wind contributed to a very shaky game for Zappe, who took over as the Patriots' starting quarterback during the second half of the season. He finishes 2023 having amassed 1,272 passing yards, seven total touchdowns, and nine turnovers. Key questions face the Patriots this offseason, especially at quarterback and head coach. Both Zappe and Mac Jones find themselves on the hot seat as the Patriots, who have clinched a top-three draft pick, could look to select a new signal-caller.

Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt caught his lone target for a five-yard gain in a 31-14 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 18. Hunt and Jerome Ford were both very lightly used as the Browns opted to rest several key players ahead of their Wild Card showdown against the Houston Texans next week. Hunt will return to his goal-line and short-yardage role for that matchup next weekend, making him a touchdown-or-bust option in playoff leagues and DFS contests.