Beyond the numbers: Just how good is Davante Adams in the red zone?

Everything that happens in the NFL has additional context when viewed from a fantasy football perspective. From position battles to injuries and so much more, the news cycle will constantly affect player values in fantasy football.

Our Fantasy Football Buzz file, with contributions from our ESPN fantasy writers and our NFL Nation reporters, aims to provide fantasy managers with the intel they need as news breaks around the league.

Key links: Fantasy depth charts | Weekly rankings
Scoring leaders | Projections | Strength of schedule

Beyond the numbers: Just how good is Davante Adams in the red zone?

By Tristan H. Cockcroft

Davante Adams' prowess in scoring situations is stunning.

With his two receiving touchdowns in Week 13, marking the sixth consecutive game in which he has scored a touchdown, he extended his league lead in the category (14) and narrowed the gap behind the overall touchdown leader, Jonathan Taylor (17). Adams' total isn't an outrageous output, nor is it significantly driven by good luck, as he has scored only 2.4 touchdowns more than expected thus far.

Adams' 23 end zone targets, seven more than the next-closest player and already tied for the eighth-largest single-season total this century, explain his touchdown production. They reaffirm his status as one of the greatest receivers in the game's history, as he has totaled 144 end zone targets for his career, converting 68 touchdowns on those throws, the second most of any player this century (Mike Evans, 78).

Consider Adams a top-10 fantasy wide receiver for the season's duration, with the possible exception of his Week 16 road matchup against the Seattle Seahawks, against whom he scored only 7.1 fantasy points in Week 11.

Here are some other statistically oriented insights to consider for Week 14:

play

Where does Davante Adams stand among fantasy WRs?

Tristan H. Cockcroft explains why Davante Adams' recent performances should keep him among the top 10 wide receivers in fantasy.

• Joe Burrow's healthy return to the Cincinnati Bengals' lineup could be the biggest boon for his running back, Chase Brown. Brown has played the past 20 Bengals regular-season games as their lead back, and in the 10 of those that Burrow fully played, Brown has averaged six more fantasy points than he has in the other 10. Brown has also scored 21 fewer fantasy points than expected in 2025, the largest differential in that direction among any of the position's top 20 in scoring, and his Bengals have the fifth-most favorable schedule the rest of the way.

• Speaking of favorable schedules, particularly relevant to fantasy managers in a critical Week 14 in which four teams are on bye, the Washington Commanders are in an awfully good spot the rest of the way. They are the only team with a top-eight schedule at each of the quarterback, running back and wide receiver positions over the season's final five weeks. While Commanders players might not strike you as trustworthy weekly fantasy plays, their matchups do make players like Marcus Mariota, Chris Rodriguez Jr., Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel viable options if you're seeking depth.

• Somewhat obscured in the shadows of big seasons by the top two scoring running backs, Christian McCaffrey (328.5 fantasy points) and Jonathan Taylor (297.6), De'Von Achane has put forth an impactful 2025 for his fantasy managers. Along with McCaffrey, Achane is one of only two players to have been worthy of your start in every one of his team's games. But unlike McCaffrey, who finished 25th among running backs in Week 8, Achane has finished no lower than 17th at the position in any week. The Miami Dolphins running back finds himself on pace for 360.4 points, an astonishing total for a player on a losing team (the Dolphins are 5-7). That would be the ninth-best single-year total by any running back to play for a losing team, and the common thread between Achane and the previous eight is that all derived a good share of their production in the receiving game. Of Achane's 254.4 points to date, 45% have come on catches, while the previous eight to do it scored a combined 47% of their fantasy points in the receiving game.

• Week 13 represented the first time all season that Travis Etienne Jr. fell short of the top 50 at his position in scoring. The No. 14 running back in fantasy points for the season (168.6) despite the down week, Etienne was been a top-25 running back in scoring in nine of his previous 11 games, making him the latest-selected running back in the preseason to have at least that many (he was picked 36th on average).

• Credit second-year wide receiver Troy Franklin with one of the year's bigger, and more beneath-the-radar, breakthroughs. Now 29th at the position in scoring for the season (135.9), Franklin has actually underperformed according to his underlying metrics by 26 fantasy points, meaning he should rank within the top 15 at the position, going by opportunity.

• If this is indeed the week that Trey Benson (knee, IR) returns to action, he's timing his comeback right. The Arizona Cardinals running back faces the 10th-most-favorable schedule the rest of the way, and it's a path that only increases in appeal with each passing week: LAR, @HOU, ATL, @CIN, with the latter a dream matchup for championship week. Benson remains available in more than 40% of ESPN leagues, so be sure to scoop him up if he's out there in yours.

'Monday Night Football' reaction: What to make of the Patriots' RBs, Diggs' usage and Singletary's performance

By Eric Moody

The New England Patriots defeated the New York Giants 33-15 on Monday night in a game that wasn't close and underlined how far apart the two teams are. The Patriots became the first team to reach 11 wins, and the Giants have lost seven straight. Still, there were a few takeaways that managers can use to help guide their lineup decisions going forward heading into the fantasy playoffs.

• Rhamondre Stevenson, to many managers' surprise, regained his starting role, but he and TreVeyon Henderson ultimately finished with a similar number of snaps, routes and touches. Stevenson stockpiled 15 touches and 11.0 points, while Henderson had 14 touches and 11.6 points. That kind of split makes it difficult to trust either running back as anything more than a flex option in lineups. Plus, the Patriots face the Buffalo Bills, Baltimore Ravens and New York Jets coming out of their Week 14 bye. All three rank inside the top 10 in fewest points allowed to running backs.

• Hunter Henry led the Patriots with six targets and 11.3 fantasy points, but it was Kayshon Boutte and Kyle Williams who scored the receiving touchdowns. The more surprising development was that Stefon Diggs played under 50% of offensive snaps for a second straight game. Diggs has just seven targets and 9.6 points over that span, which is especially concerning because the Patriots have the sixth-easiest remaining schedule for fantasy wide receivers. It will be difficult to have confidence starting Diggs moving forward.

• Devin Singletary's roster percentage is about to surge after finishing with 15 touches and 19.2 fantasy points. Singletary and Tyrone Tracy Jr. played a similar number of snaps, but Tracy exited in the fourth quarter after taking a hard hit and struggling to put weight on his left leg. He was helped to the sideline and then quickly carted to the locker room with a hip injury. The Giants face the Washington Commanders, Minnesota Vikings, Las Vegas Raiders and Dallas Cowboys coming out of their Week 14 bye, which is a very favorable schedule. If Tracy is out, Singletary should see enough volume to capitalize on those matchups.

Justin Herbert to undergo surgery, could still play in Week 14

By Stephania Bell

The Los Angeles Chargers QB will undergo surgery on Monday to address a broken bone in his left hand, and he told reporters on Sunday night that he is approaching the team's Week 14 game as if he is playing.

According to Herbert, he initially hurt his left hand in the first quarter of Sunday's game when it made contact with Las Vegas Raiders safety Jeremy Chinn's helmet. He stayed in the game briefly but ultimately left to have his hand examined and eventually returned wearing protection over the area (a hard cast, per Herbert) -- the bulk of it visible underneath a glove. He made it through to the end of the game but afterward told reporters he will need a procedure "to stabilize it."

A hand fracture refers to a break of one of the metacarpal bones, the long bones of the hand that serve as the bridge between the fingers and the wrist.

When a fracture is a small, stable crack, there is sometimes an opportunity for it to heal on its own over four to six weeks, although surgery may still be recommended. However, if the bones are out of alignment or if there are multiple fragments, surgery is required to restore proper alignment and insert stabilizing hardware. The advantage to hardware placement is that it allows for early range of motion without fear of displacing the fracture or disrupting the healing process. It also allows for sooner return to play with less risk of reinjury.

If all goes well with the procedure and the early wound healing goes as planned, it is not out of the question that Herbert could return to play next week (the Chargers play on Monday night in Week 14). He would likely wear some splint or shield as protection over the incision and might work more out of the shotgun initially to avoid taking direct snaps to the left hand. It shouldn't affect his ability to throw and, as long as he can demonstrate good ball control, he should be able to function.

Herbert reminded reporters that he has been through "similar things" -- he fractured a finger in his left hand two years ago -- which he believes will be helpful in navigating his current injury. Pain tolerance has never been an issue in terms of holding Herbert back, and based on the fact that he completed Sunday's game despite the fracture, it is hard to imagine that it will hold him back once it is fixed.

Addendum 12/2: Herbert underwent successful surgery in Los Angeles on Monday and is officially considered day-to-day by the Chargers

Monday morning breakdown: Who's getting the ball?

by Eric Moody

Running backs

• Chuba Hubbard of the Carolina Panthers took on a larger role against the Los Angeles Rams, playing over 50% of snaps for the first time since Week 8 and finishing with 19 touches -- his most since Week 3 -- along with a season-high 20.4 fantasy points. Rico Dowdle had surged following Hubbard's Week 4 injury with two straight games of at least 26 touches and 32 fantasy points, eventually taking over as the lead back in Week 9. However, Dowdle's efficiency has dipped, and Hubbard regained traction by handling third downs and mixing in more on early downs. With the bye ahead, Dowdle is no longer a must-start as Hubbard reenters the conversation.

play

Will Jordan Mason step in for Aaron Jones if he's unable to return?

Liz Loza breaks down why Jordan Mason could be next up for the Vikings in their matchup vs. the Commanders.

• Quinshon Judkins led the Cleveland Browns' backfield in snaps, touches (26), and fantasy points (15.9). Dylan Sampson suffered a calf injury in the third quarter against the San Francisco 49ers and did not return. If Sampson misses time, Judkins could see an even larger workload in Week 14 against a Tennessee Titans defense that allows the fifth-most RB fantasy points per game.

• The New York Jets' Breece Hall set a season high in snaps played against the Atlanta Falcons and finished with 21 touches and 15.6 fantasy points. He's highly capable both as a between-the-tackles runner and as a receiver out of the backfield, which keeps his volume strong even if the Jets' bottom-tier offense caps his fantasy ceiling. Over his past four games, Hall has averaged 19.7 touches and 14.3 fantasy points per contest. He remains a reliable RB2 for fantasy managers, though he does face one of the toughest remaining schedules for a fantasy running back.

• Kenneth Walker III has now played in over 50% of the Seattle Seahawks' snaps for two straight weeks. He has logged at least 14 touches in back-to-back games, and his receiving involvement and increased goal-line usage are encouraging. Walker remains a low-end RB2 in fantasy.

• Ashton Jeanty set a career high in offensive snaps for the Las Vegas Raiders against the Los Angeles Chargers. Las Vegas does have a new offensive coordinator and ran a limited number of plays, but the usage is still encouraging. Jeanty finished with 21 touches and 12.1 fantasy points. However, the Raiders are not an offensive juggernaut, which diminishes some of his fantasy appeal.

• Woody Marks' foot injury early in the first quarter had fantasy managers holding their breath, but he was able to return. The good news is that he led the Houston Texans' backfield in snaps, routes run and touches (20). Marks finished with only 7.7 fantasy points because Nick Chubb scored the team's rushing touchdown, but he has logged at least 16 touches in four straight games and remains firmly on the RB2 radar.

• Devin Neal led the New Orleans Saints' backfield in snaps, routes run, touches and fantasy points (9.9) against the Miami Dolphins, which shouldn't come as a surprise with Alvin Kamara sidelined by an MCL sprain. It's an encouraging sign, especially given Taysom Hill's limited involvement. Kamara's status remains worth monitoring, as the Saints' remaining schedule is the third easiest for fantasy running backs.

• Jacksonville Jaguars RB Travis Etienne Jr. didn't play on as many snaps as usual against the Titans, but that was because of the blowout, rather than a change in the team's RBBC. He dominated touches in the first half and finished the game with 13 touches and 5.1 fantasy points. As a reminder, over the previous four games Etienne had averaged 20.5 touches and 18.0 fantasy points per contest.

play

Is Devaughn Vele a future fantasy star for the Saints?

Is Devaughn Vele a future fantasy star for the Saints?

• Aaron Jones Sr. left in the third quarter with a shoulder injury after having led the Minnesota Vikings' backfield for three straight weeks. Jordan Mason replaced him and ran well. He would become fantasy-relevant if Jones misses time. The Vikings face the Washington Commanders, Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants over the next three games. Both Dallas and New York rank among the four teams that allow the most fantasy points to RBs.

• Rams running back Blake Corum has played between 30% and 40% of his team's offensive snaps in each of the past four games, averaging 9.0 touches per contest. He posted a season-high 81 rushing yards and 14.1 fantasy points against the Panthers. Corum remains one of the top insurance backs in the league.

Wide receivers/tight ends

• Emeka Egbuka led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' wide receiver group in snaps, routes run and targets, while Chris Godwin Jr. paced the team with 78 receiving yards and continues to take snaps away from Tez Johnson and Sterling Shepard. The rotation could get even more crowded if Mike Evans returns next week. Jalen McMillan's expected return to practice would complicate things further.

• Jacksonville TE Brenton Strange's snaps, routes run and targets all trended up for the second straight week. This is encouraging as he returns from hip and quad injuries suffered in Week 5 that landed him on IR. Strange has scored at least 13 fantasy points in back-to-back games and recorded his first touchdown of the season against the Titans. He now faces a Colts defense in Week 14 that has allowed the fourth-most TE fantasy points per game.