O.J. Howard

With Mike Evans leaving the game early on, the Bucs allowed Howard to play 68-of-78 snaps, his second-highest total of the season. He's seen 11 targets over the last two weeks and turned them into a rock-solid nine receptions for 134 yards. Among the 36 tight ends who've seen at least 30 targets this season, Howard ranks fourth in yards per target (9.4) behind only George Kittle, Darren Waller, and Jared Cook. He's been sucked into the Arians risk category with Ronald Jones. The Lions just happen to allow the fifth-most yards per target (8.52) to tight ends, as well as a 72.7 percent catch-rate and a touchdown every 15.4 targets to them. The only tight end who saw more than five targets and didn't finish as a top-12 tight end was Jason Witten, who's averaging 6.4 yards per target on the season. Knowing Evans will be on the shelf and that the Bucs can't run the ball; Howard should be on your low-end TE1 radar as someone who just might help when it matters most.

O.J. Howard goes for 73 yards in Week 14

Buccaneers TE O.J. Howard caught 4-of-5 targets for 73 yards in Sunday's Week 14 win over the Colts.

Fantasy Impact

Amidst a dismal season, Howard has now accumulated at least four receptions and 61 yards in back-to-back games. While Cameron Brate scored, Howard is not going away barring another benching. Howard gets the Lions in Week 15.