Team Profile
Philadelphia Eagles
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5.9% 13thOff DVOA
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18.3% 18thPassing DVOA
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9.7% 6thRushing DVOA
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-5.6% 11thDef DVOA
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-1.4% 9thDef Passing DVOA
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-11.5% 12thDef Rushing DVOA
2024 Team Stats
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Points For25.9 7th
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Points Against17.9 3rd
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Yards Per Game381.0 4th
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Yards Allowed Per Game275.0 2nd
Washington Commanders wide receiver Jahan Dotson offers little intrigue during Week 18. This week, the Commanders will be taking on the Dallas Cowboys. While that is a tough opponent for Washington, the matchup doesn't matter for Dotson, as he's not seeing much opportunity in this offense, anyway. Despite appearing in four more games this year than he did as a rookie, the second-year receiver still hasn't surpassed his receiving yardage total from last season. Maybe he'll bounce back next year, but for now, Dotson is not a player who should be trusted for the final week of the regular season.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett (ankle) was a full participant during Thursday's practice session and doesn't carry an injury designation into the Week 18 regular season finale on Saturday against the Baltimore Ravens. Despite Pickett looking healthy, the Steelers will stick with Mason Rudolph in a must-win game in Week 18. Rudolph has led this team to a 2-0 record with 564 yards and two touchdowns in his two starts. Pickett struggled throughout most of the season before going down with an ankle injury that required surgery. It's not shocking to see head coach Mike Tomlin sticking with the hot hand in Rudolph. The good news is that Pickett doesn't appear to be injured anymore, but he's going to have to win back the starting job in 2024.
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (ankle) didn't take part in the team's walkthrough on Wednesday and is not practicing on Thursday, either. Smith sprained his right ankle in the Week 17 loss to the Arizona Cardinals and is in jeopardy of being rested for the Week 18 regular season finale on Sunday against the New York Giants. The most likely scenario is that the 25-year-old is rested for a likely wild-card matchup in the first round of the postseason next week for the Eagles. The 25-year-old was on crutches and in a walking boot after Sunday's game, which obviously doesn't bode well for his chances of playing this weekend. If Smith is ruled out, receivers Julio Jones, Quez Watkins and Olamide Zaccheaus could have much bigger roles as the Eagles play out the string of the regular season.
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley indicated on Wednesday that he'd like to remain with the team for the rest of his career. However, Barkley also said, "I just want something that's fair and that makes sense. That's really it. if it's not here, hopefully it's some other place," when discussing his next contract. The Giants and Barkley weren't really seeing eye to eye in 2023 before he was given the franchise tag and then ultimately a one-year deal. New York could use the franchise tag on the 26-year-old again in 2024, but he's clearly looking for a multi-year deal, even if it means leaving the Big Apple. Barkley didn't have much of a chance to be an RB1 for fantasy managers this year behind a terrible offensive line, but he made the most of his opportunities and is sitting on 916 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 229 attempts through 13 games, adding 39 catches for 229 yards and four more scores.
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (ankle) was listed as a non-participant in Wednesday's walkthrough practice estimation. Smith injured his right foot in the Week 17 loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday and was seen in a walking boot while using crutches after the game. The Eagles still have a chance to win the NFC East in Week 18, but they'll need a win over the New York Giants and for the Dallas Cowboys to lose to the Washington Commanders. The primary concern for Philadelphia, a team already playoff bound, is that Smith can get healthy for the wild-card round next week. Fantasy managers should consider it likely that Smith doesn't play this Sunday versus the Giants. There's a chance Philly could rest other offensive starters as well, which would give receivers Quez Watkins, Julio Jones and Olamide Zaccheaus more playing time.