Daily Email Update • Vol. 22, #280 • Jan. 22nd, 2021
Free Monkey Knife Fight Content, Survey and MORE
Howdy Folks,
We're almost to Championship Weekend.
Before we get there, will you take a few minutes to let us know what you think about Footballguys? We're giving away 2021 All-Pro Subscriptions to some people who complete the survey. It's our way of saying thanks for letting us know what you think.
Check the Site News below for the survey. And sorry if you had trouble with the link below yesterday, should be good to go.
Now let's get to it.
J
SITE NEWS
A.
Free Content - Monkey Knife Fight Player Props Week 20
Our friends at Monkey Knife Fight are killing it with the Player Prop games. And our Dan Hindrey's put together a sweet article for you with the edge you need. Check it out and sign up and have a blast.
B.
Survey Time - Win Footballguys All Pro Subscription For 2021
I've long said there's not a smarter group of Fantasy GMs on the planet than our Footballguys Subscribers. Every year we give you folks the opportunity to tell us what you love, hate and want to see more or less of. It's a detailed survey, but if you've got an opinion, we want to hear it. And to say thanks, we'll draw 5 winners at random for a 2021 All-Pro Footballguys Subscription from completed surveys. Thanks.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1. TB - WR Antonio Brown to miss game
2. KC - QB Patrick Mahomes clears protocol
3. WAS - Martin Mayhew to WAS GM
4. PIT - TE Vance McDonald retires
5. WAS - Marty Hurney named EVP of WAS
6. TB - WR Mike Evans ready for NFCCG
7. BUF - WR Cole Beasley cleared to play
8. KC - WR Tyreek Hill could return punts
9. GB - Allen Lazard not on injury report/
10. GB - RB Jamaal Williams on track to play
11. BAL - WR Deon Cain catches on with Baltimore
12. CLE - WR Ryan Switzer sticking with Cleveland
13. NE - Matt Patricia headed back to New England
14. TB - RB Ronald Jones comes off the injury report
15. BUF - Gabriel Davis deemed questionable for AFCCG
1. TB - WR Antonio Brown to miss game
Source: The Athletic - Greg Auman
Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Antonio Brown (knee) will miss the NFC Championship Game on Sunday, Jan. 24, due to a knee injury, head coach Bruce Arians said Friday.
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Brown was going to be a game-time decision but he's just not close enough. Without him, the Buccaneers can turn to Scotty Miller and Tyler Johnson to do more behind Mike Evans and Chris Godwin.
2. KC - QB Patrick Mahomes clears protocol
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Updating previous reports, Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes (toe) on Friday, Jan. 22, announced he has cleared the league's concussion protocol and is set to start in Sunday's AFC Championship Game.
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That's what the Chiefs were planning on this whole time. He'll do his best against a Bills defense that will be charged with stopping him. We'll see how that toe injury impacts Mahomes and his ability to keep plays alive with his feet.
3. WAS - Martin Mayhew to WAS GM
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
San Francisco 49ers vice president of player personnel Martin Mayhew was named the general manager of the Washington Football Team Friday, Jan. 22.
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Mayhew used to be the GM of the Lions, but that was some time ago. He's most recently helped the 49ers turn things around under GM John Lynch. Mayhew will work closely with head coach Ron Rivera to get the Football Team a stronger core to build on.
4. PIT - TE Vance McDonald retires
Source: Steelers.com - Teresa Varley
Pittsburgh Steelers TE Vance McDonald announced his retirement Friday, Jan. 22. McDonald, 30, had 181 receptions for 2,036 yards and 15 touchdowns in his career.
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McDonald was a second-round pick out of Rice for the 49ers in the 2013 NFL draft. He had an athletic profile but injuries and inconsistencies kept him from truly playing up to his potential as a pro. The Steelers save around $5 million in cap space with McDonald hanging up his cleats.
5. WAS - Marty Hurney named EVP of WAS
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Former Carolina Panthers general manager Marty Hurney was named Executive Vice President of Football/Player Personnel for the Washington Football team Friday, Jan. 22.
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Hurney was in line for the GM job but gets this high-ranking title, behind new Washington GM Martin Mayhew. Both men will work with head coach Ron Rivera to strengthen the core of the Football Team.
6. TB - WR Mike Evans ready for NFCCG
Source: Buccaneers.com
Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Mike Evans (knee) was limited in practice all week but no longer appears on the injury report for the NFC Championship game against the Green Bay Packers.
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Evans has a tough time shaking free against Saints CB Marshon Lattimore. He'll have a better time this week against the Packers, but the last time these two teams played (Week 6 2020) Evans only had one catch for 10 yards. Let's see if he can do more with a trip to the Super Bowl...in Tampa...on the line.
7. BUF - WR Cole Beasley cleared to play
Source: BuffaloBills.com
Buffalo Bills WR Cole Beasley (knee) practiced in full Friday, Jan. 22, and no longer appear on the injury report practiced in full Friday for the AFC Championship game versus the Kansas City Chiefs.
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Beasley has not been himself this entire postseason. He won't have Marlon Humphrey covering him like he did in the Divisional Round against the Ravens, so that means he could shake free more often on his option routes.
8. KC - WR Tyreek Hill could return punts
Source: WGR Sports Radio 550 - Sal Capaccio
Kansas City Chiefs WR Tyreek Hill has been taking some reps returning punts in practice this week in case a key situation arises in the AFC Championship Game, Chiefs special teams coach Dave Toub said Friday, Jan. 22. Toub added that Hill has asked to do so. 'It's just a matter of finding the right time to call his number,' Toub said.
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Just like Dan Fouts said in the Waterboy, 'don't hold anything back!' The Chiefs have to do whatever it takes to get back to the Super Bowl. They are the favorites over the Bills, but it could be close and that's where a player like Hill can break things open on any touch. With a trip to Super Bowl LV on the line, it only makes sense for Hill to be an option as a punt returner.
9. GB - Allen Lazard not on injury report/
Source: Packers.com
Green Bay Packers WR Allen Lazard (back, wrist) was limited during practice Friday, Jan. 22, but is not on the injury report for the NFC Championship game.
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Lazard came through in a big way for the Packers in the Divisonal Round, snaring four catches for 96 yards and a touchdown. He's the no.2 receiver for the Packers behind Davante Adams and could be called upon again to do big things against an aggressive Buccaneers secondary.
10. GB - RB Jamaal Williams on track to play
Source: Packers.com
Green Bay Packers RB Jamaal Williams (ankle) was limited during practice Friday, Jan. 22, but is not on the injury report for the NFC Championship game.
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Good news for the Packers here. They're up against a tough front seven of the Buccaneers defense, so having a battering ram like Williams would greatly help. He'll serve as a power option and sometimes receiving back behind starter Aaron Jones.
11. BAL - WR Deon Cain catches on with Baltimore
Source: BaltimoreRavens.com - Ryan Mink
Free-agent WR Deon Cain (Steelers) signed a Reserve/Future contract with the Baltimore Ravens on Friday, Jan. 22.
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Cain is a player we've always tracked in crazy deep dynasty formats. He's athletic and a former Clemson receiver who has bounced around the league. The Ravens are a team where he could make the 53-man roster but it seems like a pipe dream to expect Cain to do much of anything at this point in his pro career.
12. CLE - WR Ryan Switzer sticking with Cleveland
Source: ESPN.com - Field Yates
Free-agent WR Ryan Switzer (Browns) signed a one-year contract with the Cleveland Browns on Friday, Jan. 22. Financial terms of the deal were not immediately disclosed.
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Switzer is a slot receiver who can do work underneath with his quickness. He's bounced around the league and is not much of a fantasy factor.
13. NE - Matt Patricia headed back to New England
Source: The Boston Globe - Jim McBride
Former Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia was reportedly hired by the New England Patriots to 'assist the coaching staff in a variety of roles' Friday, Jan. 22, according to Jim McBride of the Boston Globe.
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Just like Josh McDaniels years ago when things failed for him as a head coach, you can always go back to the Patriots. We'll see if Patricia can rehab his career and work back to get another head coaching gig like McDaniels is on track to do.
14. TB - RB Ronald Jones comes off the injury report
Source: Buccaneers.com
Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB Ronald Jones (quad, finger) was upgraded to a full practice Friday, Jan. 22, and was removed from the injury report for the NFC Championship game against the Green Bay Packers.
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Jones is going to get out there like he did in the Divisional Round but there's no word on whether or not he's going to start or if Leonard Fournette is going to get that nod. They'll both work in a RBBC against the Packers on Sunday.
15. BUF - Gabriel Davis deemed questionable for AFCCG
Source: BuffaloBills.com
Buffalo Bills WR Gabriel Davis (ankle) was upgraded to a limited practice Friday, Jan. 22, and is listed as questionable for the AFC Championship game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
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Davis being banged up could be a bigger deal than some think. He's been able to catch tough passes in key situations for the Bills in the playoffs, mainly in the Wild Card Round. Davis has earned the trust of QB Josh Allen and could make a big play or two in a limited role behind Stefon Diggs, Cole Beasley and John Brown.
16. KC - Clyde Edwards-Helaire listed as questionable
Source: Chiefs.com
RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire (ankle, hip) practiced in a limited fashion again Friday, Jan. 22, and is listed as questionable for the AFC Championship game against the Buffalo Bills.
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The Chiefs may have their rookie first-round pick available in the AFC Championship Game. Having his speed and big-play ability on the field would greatly help the offense with a chance to go to Super Bowl LV on the line.
17. BUF - WR Stefon Diggs good to go against Kansas City
Source: BuffaloBills.com
Buffalo Bills WR Stefon Diggs (oblique) was upgraded to a full practice Friday, Jan. 22, and was removed from the injury report for the AFC Championship game versus the Kansas City Chiefs.
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Diggs has been limited during the week of practice with this oblique injury for some time. He's good to go for game day and is the player the Chiefs have to concern themselves with the most in the Bills passing attack.
That'll do it for today, Folks. Thanks for reading and thanks for being part of the Footballguys Family. We'll see you tomorrow with the Update.
Peace,
J
