Fantasy Football Heat Index: Buy or Sell Surprise Performances

Every Monday of the NFL regular season, we look at breakout performances from the weekend and analyze their potential for sustained success. We will rank these performances from 1-5 based on whether we believe they are momentary or long-term options for your fantasy football teams.

Fantasy Football Heat Index

Quarterback

Kirk Cousins (QB – ATL)

Stats:

21-of-35 for 197 Passing Yards
2 Passing Touchdown
5 Rushing Attempts
-3 Rushing Yards
1 Rushing Touchdown

Position Rank (pre-MNF): QB11 (18.6 fantasy points)

Analysis: Kirk Cousins followed up last week’s QB3 finish with another strong outing, checking in as the current QB11 on the week. He continues to steady the Atlanta Falcons’ offense and provide the kind of dependable, steady‑floor production fantasy managers expect from a solid QB2.

That keeps Cousins firmly in play as a 2-QB/Superflex starter in championship week, especially with a favorable setup ahead and his offense getting healthier around him. The upcoming matchup with the Los Angeles Rams may look tough on paper, but their defense has quietly allowed 20+ fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks in four straight contests.

Heat Index: 3

Running Back

Kenneth Gainwell (RB – PIT)

Stats:

9 Rushing Attempts
50 Rushing Yards
5 Receptions
78 Receiving Yards
1 Touchdown

Position Rank (pre-MNF): RB8 (21.3 fantasy points)

Analysis: Kenneth Gainwell continued his late-season surge in the fantasy football semi-finals, piling up 128 total yards and delivering his fourth RB1 finish in the past six weeks. He has averaged 16.2 half-PPR fantasy points per game over that stretch and has settled into a steady, reliable role at the exact time fantasy managers need it most.

Gainwell draws a tougher matchup against Myles Garrett and the Cleveland Browns defense in Week 17, but the setup could still work in his favor. A pass-heavy game script may keep him active as a receiver and give him enough volume to remain a viable starting option. With seven targets in each of the past three games and five or more receptions in five of the past six games, his outlook remains strong even in a difficult spot.

Heat Index: 4

Wide Receiver

Parker Washington (WR – JAC)

Stats:

6 Receptions
145 Receiving Yards
1 Touchdown

Position Rank (pre-MNF): WR3 (23.5 fantasy points)

Analysis: Parker Washington delivered a career day in Week 16, erupting for 145 yards and a touchdown against the Denver Broncos. The performance vaulted him into the current WR3 slot on the week and offered a clear glimpse at the playmaking ability he brings when opportunities come his way.

Even with the breakout, Washington is not on the Flex radar in most formats. He remains behind Brian Thomas Jr., Jakobi Meyers, Travis Etienne Jr. and Brenton Strange in the target pecking order, leaving his weekly volume too inconsistent to trust in championship week.

Heat Index: 1

Tight End

Taysom Hill (TE – NO)

Stats:

12 Rushing Attempts
42 Rushing Yards
4 Receptions
36 Receiving Yards

Position Rank (pre-MNF): TE4 (13.3 fantasy points)

Analysis: It wouldn’t be the fantasy football playoffs without the Taysom Hill experience. The New Orleans Saints leaned on their swiss‑army knife in Week 16, and he finished with 12 rush attempts for 42 yards and four catches for 36 yards. That hybrid workload has him sitting as the current TE4 on the week and highlights how valuable he can be when injuries force the Saints to get creative.

Whether that usage carries into next week will depend largely on the Saints’ backfield health. If Alvin Kamara remains out, Hill could once again see expanded touches and profile as a desperation tight end play for managers chasing upside. His role is always volatile, but when New Orleans is thin at playmakers, the path to meaningful volume becomes much clearer.

Heat Index: 3