Vikings' Cook, Rams' Kupp among best bets to score
Because of COVID-19, chaos is reigning in the fantasy playoffsDECEMBER 22, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
LOS ANGELES RAMS 5-5 · 2ND IN NFC WEST
5-5 · 2ND IN NFC WEST
Next Game vs Eagles · Mon 1:20AM
LAR +3.0 TOTAL 49
AP Sources: NFL discussed cancellations due to COVID-19
With a surge of COVID-19 cases threatening to disrupt the NFL season, the league discussed canceling three games last week for the first time since the pandemic beganDECEMBER 22, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Rob Havenstein - Clears COVID-19 list Havenstein was activated off the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday, Lindsey Thiry of ESPN.com reports.
Impact Despite the game being pushed back two days, Havenstein was still unable to clear protocols in time and was sidelined for Week 15. However, a day after the contest, he has cleared protocols and will likely assume his usual spot at right tackle against the Vikings in Week 16.
DECEMBER 22, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Terrell Burgess - Activated off COVID-19 list Burgess was activated off the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday, Lindsey Thiry of ESPN.com reports.
Impact Barring an occasional absence in the secondary, Burgess hasn't been a usual fixture of the Rams' defensive game plan this year. However, Jordan Fuller (illness) still remains in COVID protocols, so if he's unable to be cleared by Sunday, then Burgess is likely to see a rare chance at extended playing time against the Vikings in Week 16.
DECEMBER 22, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Ogbonnia Okoronkwo - Removed from COVID-19 list Okoronkwo was activated off the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday, Lindsey Thiry of ESPN.com reports.
Impact Okoronkwo has played at least 13 defensive snaps in every game in which he's been active this season. He'll likely have a similar role Sunday against the Vikings. Across 10 appearances, the third-year linebacker has totaled 15 tackles and two sacks.
DECEMBER 22, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Skip Bayless: Odell Beckham Jr. Was Most Overhyped Free Agent in NFL History Odell Beckham Jr.'s career with the Los Angeles Rams has been... fine thus far. In five games he has notched 16 catches on 28 targets for 21...
DECEMBER 22, 2021 • THEBIGLEAD.COM
Rob Havenstein, two other Rams cleared to return from COVID-19 reserve The Rams are getting three players back from the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday, including Rob Havenstein.
DECEMBER 22, 2021 • USATODAY.COM
Cooper Kupp hace historia y ayuda a los Rams a empatar el liderato del Oeste Tras una semana repleta de adversidad, Los Ángeles viene de atrás para ganar 20-10 y enviar a Seattle a su primera temporada perdedora en 10...
DECEMBER 22, 2021 • THERAMS.COM
Ben Skowronek - Busy in win over Seahawks Skowronek caught four of five targets for 42 yards during Tuesday's 20-10 win over Seattle.
Impact The rookie's four receptions for 42 yards were both career-high marks, and for what it's worth, Skowronek's stat line was higher than the combined numbers of Odell Beckham and Van Jefferson through the air Tuesday. Still, Skowronek mainly worked underneath, and it's unlikely he leapfrogs either Beckham or Jefferson in fantasy value in the foreseeable future. Additionally, Tyler Higbee's eventual return from the reserve/COVID-19 list should also cut into Skowronek's target share.
DECEMBER 22, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Van Jefferson - Quiet in Week 15 win Jefferson caught both his targets for 23 yards and added a 10-yard rush during Tuesday's 20-10 win over Seattle.
Impact This was a disappointing showing for fantasy managers and it also snapped a three-game touchdown streak for Jefferson. Overall, it's been a respectable season for the sophomore. He's up to 43 receptions for 702 yards and six touchdowns, however, there have been a lot of weekly peaks and valleys along the way. While there's potential for Jefferson to take another step forward next season, the Rams do have a crowded receiving corps, which has also contributed to his inconsistency this year.
DECEMBER 22, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Brycen Hopkins - First career reception in win Hopkins caught his lone target for nine yards during Tuesday's 20-10 win over Seattle. He played 22 of 66 offensive snaps.
Impact With this being Hopkins' first career reception, it's unlikely it made a fantasy ripple. He's only played 55 offensive snaps this season, after all. Additionally, with Tyler Higbee potentially returning from the reserve/COVID-19 list next week, it's likely Hopkins reassumes a tertiary role in the offense.
DECEMBER 22, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Matt Gay - Streak extends to 20 straight FGs Gay connected on both of his field-goal kicks and both extra-point attempts during Tuesday's 20-10 win over Seattle.
Impact Now that Gay is 28-for-29 on field-goal kicks for the campaign and leads the league in field-goal percentage, it's hard to overlook Gay's high-fantasy floor and respectable ceiling. Additionally, he's now hit at least two field goals and two extra points in each of the last four games, so Gay's also contributing when it matters most for fantasy managers.
DECEMBER 22, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Rams PFF grades: Best and worst performers in Week 15 win vs. Seahawks Cooper Kupp and Von Miller were among the Rams’ highest-graded players by PFF in Tuesday’s win over the Seahawks.
DECEMBER 22, 2021 • USATODAY.COM
Kendall Blanton - Quiet in second start Blanton started and played 43 of 66 offensive snaps but failed to secure his only target during Tuesday's 20-10 win over Seattle.
Impact This was the second consecutive start for Blanton with Tyler Higbee on the reserve/COVID-19 list the past two weeks. When Higbee returns, Blanton's fantasy value will take a notable hit. Furthermore, Blanton did little with his increased opportunity the past two weeks. He caught two of four targets for 29 yards. There aren't many fantasy formats where Blanton warrants a roster spot.
DECEMBER 22, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Rams display resiliency again: Five takeaways from their win over Seattle Despite a COVID outbreak that moved the game to Tuesday, the Rams defeated the Seattle Seahawks 20-10 to move into a first-place tie in the...
DECEMBER 22, 2021 • LATIMES.COM
Cooper Kupp shines, sets franchise bar while defense holds Rams steady in must-win: The Pile Cooper Kupp caught nine passes for 136 yards and two touchdowns and the Rams improved to 10-4 and are tied for the NFC West lead.
DECEMBER 22, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM
Vamos Ramos: Los Rams consiguen importante victoria en la división Troy Santiago y Ricardo López nos explican todo lo ocurrido en la victoria de los Rams sobre los Seattle, desde las grandes jugadas defensiv...
DECEMBER 22, 2021 • THERAMS.COM
Resilient efforts all week culminate with more of them in Rams' Week 15 victory over Seahawks In a week that required adaptability and stepping up to fill vacated roles, the Rams capped it off with both to earn their third-straight wi...
DECEMBER 22, 2021 • THERAMS.COM
It wasn't pretty, but 20-10 win over Seahawks is important for Rams LOS ANGELES — It probably was too much to ask for high artistry.
DECEMBER 22, 2021 • SACBEE.COM
It wasn't pretty, but 20-10 win over Seahawks is important for Rams LOS ANGELES — It probably was too much to ask for high artistry.
DECEMBER 22, 2021 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM
Hernández: Kupp like Kobe and Brady? Rams receiver close to elite comparison Cooper Kupp is having a record-breaking season and the Rams wide receiver's big game against the Seahawks proves he's truly a top-level athl...
DECEMBER 22, 2021 • SANDIEGOUNIONTRIBUNE.COM
From the Podium: Sean McVay, Cooper Kupp, Jalen Ramsey, Matthew Stafford, Von Miller react to Week 15 win over Seahawks Key quotes and notes from Rams head coach Sean McVay, wide receiver Cooper Kupp, quarterback Matthew Stafford, cornerback Jalen Ramsey and o...
DECEMBER 22, 2021 • THERAMS.COM
Odell Beckham Jr. - Just one catch in win Beckham (illness) had one reception (three targets) for seven yards in Tuesday's 20-10 win over the Seahawks.
Impact Beckham was activated promptly after being placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Dec. 14. It is unclear if the star wideout was limited following his absence, but the end result was poor from a fantasy perspective. Beckham was beginning to roll to the tune a 13-186-3 combined receiving line over the last three weeks, so Tuesday's showing appears to be an outlier. That said, Cooper Kupp (9-136-2 on Tuesday) is clearly Matthew Stafford's first option in the passing game. Beckham will look to get back on track against the Vikings on Sunday.
DECEMBER 22, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
