NFL Player News

Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill will be trying to accomplish a career first when he takes on the Jets this Sunday. The second-year signal caller has yet to throw a touchdown against this AFC East foe, a trend he will look to change in Week 13.

Tannehill left one of the team's games against the Jets last season due to a leg injury, be he made it through the entirety of another without a touchdown. If he is to turn things around this week, he will do so against a team that has not been particularly strong against quarterbacks.

Opposing passers averaging 19.8 Fantasy points per game against the Jets this season, and have topped 20 points in three of the last four games. The Jets' stout run defense has pushed teams into plenty of passing situations, and they allow the 22nd-most passing yards in the league.

Tannehill is coming off his third 300-yard passing performance of the season, and should have a good opportunity to put up numbers. Unfortunately, with bye weeks in the past, Tannehill is more of a No. 2 Fantasy option at quarterback for Week 13. 

Jets quarterback Geno Smith is stuck in a rut in a bad way, and a Week 13 matchup against the Dolphins isn't likely to change things for the better. The Dolphins hold quarterbacks to the sixth-fewest Fantasy points per game this season.

Smith has just one overall touchdown over the last four games, a rushing score in Week 9. He has seven interceptions in that same span without a passing touchdown, and has completed fewer than 45 percent of his passes in each of the last three games.

The Dolphins are coming off a two-touchdown performance allowed to Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, the first time in six games any quarterback has managed more than one touchdown or 15 Fantasy points against them.

Smith has yet to get a taste of these team's divisional rivalry, but his recent play suggests things might not go well for him this week. Smith should not be started in any Fantasy formats for Sunday's game. 

Matthew Stafford had a fantastic Thanksgiving game despite three turnovers on Thursday. In a victory, Stafford carved the Packers for 330 yards on 22 of 35 passing with three touchdowns. The turnovers were a couple of interceptions and a fumble when he was hit while attempting a pass.

Stafford's first score was on a 5-yard post route to little-used receiver Jeremy Ross, his first career receiving touchdown. He then hooked up with Calvin Johnson on a crossing route that Johnson ran into the end zone with. Finally he was the benefactor of a neat one-handed grab by Kevin Ogletree in the front right corner of the end zone for his third score. 

It's Stafford's first-ever win over the Packers in seven tries. He'll aim to upend the Eagles in Philadelphia in Week 14 in what could be a matchup of two playoff teams.

The Packers will play their Thanksgiving afternoon game without Aaron Rodgers, who was expected to miss the game. Matt Flynn will start in his place, Scott Tolzien will back him up.

There is a sense that Rodgers could play in the Packers' Week 14 game vs. the Falcons.

Andy Dalton will take on the Chargers' suspect secondary in Week 13 just two weeks removed from a game where he scored three touchdowns but failed to throw for even 100 yards. 

But don't shy away from him because of that abnormal stat line. Dalton has thrown two or more scores in five of his last six games, four of which included at least three touchdowns. Dalton is sixth in the NFL in passing touchdowns with 21 thanks to his recent surge. He'll take on a Chargers defense that has allowed eight passing touchdowns over their last three games. In two of those three games an opponent threw three or more touchdowns. 

San Diego has especially had a hard time with tight ends recently -- one has scored in each of its last three. Fortunately for Dalton he has three tight ends he can go to for a touchdown when they get near the end zone. That's something that should help push Dalton to at least two touchdowns -- the favorable matchups A.J. Green will have against this sagging defense will also come in handy. 

I like Dalton as a start-worthy Fantasy quarterback ahead of guys like Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III and pretty much every underachieving quarterback you might have doubts about. 

Packers QB Aaron Rodgers, RB Johnathan Franklin LB Jamari Lattimore and DE C.J. Wilson are out Week 13 against the Lions.

Rodgers was able to return to practice Tuesday for individual drills, but isn't ready to return. Franklin is still dealing with a concussion.

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Lions.

Rodgers was able to go through individual drills Tuesday, which led some to believe he had a chance to play Thursday. Rodgers has now missed four straight games due to a broken collarbone. 

The 49ers waived third-string quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson to clear a roster spot Tuesday for wide receiver Michael Crabtree, who was activated off the PUP list.

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (collarbone) went through individual drills Tuesday, but his chances to play Thursday at Detroit (Week 13) remain slim.

"It was a good day for throwing and he feels good, but I don't feel he's going to make it this week," Packers coach Mike McCarthy said of Rodgers. "Chances are closer to none that he will play. This is a medical decision, and he's not quite ready."

McCarthy still didn't name a starting quarterback for Thursday's game. Matt Flynn took the first-team reps, but McCarthy reiterated he is getting Scott Tolzien ready for Week 13 as well.

Raiders rookie quarterback Matt McGloin will be playing on a national stage Week 13, as Oakland travels to Dallas for a Thanksgiving showdown. McGloin fell short of improving to 2-0 as a starter Sunday, as Oakland lost 23-19 vs. Tennessee, so he now focuses on getting win No. 2 Thursday.

From a Fantasy standpoint, this is a favorable matchup for McGloin on paper. The Cowboys are yielding 24.1 Fantasy points per week to quarterbacks, which is the highest average. Quarterbacks have totaled 22 passing touchdowns in 11 games against Dallas, including six in the last two games.

Another bonus for McGloin is that the Dallas secondary is expected to be without cornerback Morris Claiborne because of a hamstring injury and linebacker Sean Lee might also be out again because of a hamstring injury.

The bad news for McGloin, however, is he could be down two top targets in wide receiver Denarius Moore (shoulder) and tight end Mychal Rivera (concussion) due to injuries.

It's definitely a favorable matchup on paper and McGloin is just two weeks removed from throwing three touchdowns. But unless you are looking for a Hail Mary play at quarterback Week 13, it's probably best to consider other Fantasy options over McGloin.