Fantasy Football Player Notes

It has been a disappointing season all around for Saquon Barkley as the RB15 in fantasy points per game. He has only one week with at least 100 rushing yards (vs. NYG) and only three games with at least 80 rushing yards. Barkley has averaged 19.4 touches and 83.3 total yards per game. Among 55 qualifying backs, he ranks 26th in explosive run rate, 35th in missed tackle rate, and 43rd in yards after contact per attempt. He's a volume play weekly, but he could have a nice game this week. The Bolts' run defense has been dramatically overrated all season. Since Week 9, they have allowed the fourth-highest missed tackle rate, the tenth-highest rushing success rate, and had the ninth-lowest stuff rate.

The Eagles have finally admitted that their run game is not working. It only took over 10 games and losing their Hall of Fame tackle, Lane Johnson to get there, but they are officially a pass-first team. It's no surprise that with this change, Brown has had two of is best games of the season. With 22 targets, 18 receptions, 242 yards, and three scores over his last two games, Brown is back to being a fantasy star. Thankfully, their matchups into the fantasy playoffs are very friendly to receivers. However, they start with the Chargers this week, who have allowed the fewest fantasy points to the position on the season. It's a tough matchup for the Eagles' passing offense, however, Brown has been on fire and has the physical ability to turn any play into a house call. Continue riding his resurgence into the fantasy playoffs.

DeVonta Smith is the WR20 in fantasy points per game with a 25.4% target share, 66.8 receiving yards per game, 2.13 yards per route run, and a 31.9% first-read share. Smith is second on the team in red zone targets (seven) and leads Philly in deep targets (18). Since Week 6, the Bolts have had a second-highest two high rate (62.7%). Against two high, Smith has had a 25.7% target share with 2.15 yards per route run and a 32% first-read share. He leads the team in each of those categories. Smith should lead the way for Philly's passing attack this week. Since Week 9, the Bolts have allowed the 13th-fewest PPR points per target to slot receivers while also giving up the 14th-highest passer rating to slot receivers. Since Week 9, they have faced the second-fewest slot targets in the NFL, so we're working with a small sample here and differing info. This should be viewed as a neutral matchup for Smith.

Dallas Goedert is the TE10 in fantasy points per game, but he hasn't finished as a TE1 in weekly scoring since Week 8. Goedert has a 17.2% target share with 36.6 receiving yards per game, 1.33 yards per route run, and an 18.8% first-read share. He is tied for second on the team with seven red zone targets while kicking in six deep targets. Since Week 6, the Bolts have had a second-highest two high rate (62.7%). Against two high, Goedert has seen his numbers climb with an 18.6% target share, 1.62 yards per route run, and a 21.1% first-read share. The Chargers have held tight ends to the sixth-fewest receiving yards per game, but that is more related to them facing the fourth-fewest targets per game to the position. Los Angeles has also given up the 12th-highest yards per reception and the eighth-most receiving touchdowns per game to tight ends. This is a plus matchup for Goedert.