Championship Sunday: Stidham Steps In, Bears Face Seahawks in Seattle
Bo Nix is out, and Jarrett Stidham is in for the AFC Championship. We analyze the massive downgrade for Broncos pass catchers and why Kenneth Walker III is the RB1 this weekend.
AFC Championship: Patriots @ Broncos (Stidham Starts)
The Jarrett Stidham Effect With Bo Nix out, Jarrett Stidham takes the reins against a Patriots defense that just forced five turnovers against C.J. Stroud.
Fantasy & Dynasty Impact:
- Courtland Sutton / Marvin Mims / Troy Franklin: MASSIVE DOWNGRADE. Stidham is a game manager at best. In DFS Showdown slates, fade the Broncos passing attack. In Dynasty, this might be a sell window for Sutton if you can find a believer in the "system."
- Broncos RBs (Javonte Williams): Expect a heavy box. The Patriots will dare Stidham to beat them. Volume might be there, but efficiency will tank.
Patriots Outlook:
- Drake Maye: He's playing with house money. The rookie has shown composure. His Dynasty Arrow is pointing strictly UP. A win here vaults him into the legitimate QB1 conversation for 2026.
NFC Championship: Bears @ Seahawks
The Immovable Object vs The Unstoppable Force The Bears defense vs the Seahawks offense is the marquee matchup.
Kenneth Walker III (SEA)
- Status: RB1 Overall. Even against the Bears, Walker is the engine. He gets the red zone work and the explosive play potential.
- Strategy: In DFS, he will be high-owned, but fading him is terrifying after last week's 3-TD explosion.
Dynasty Sleepers to Watch
- Rome Odunze (CHI): Returns to Washington (college roots). Narrative street? Perhaps, but keep an eye on his usage in this high-stakes environment.
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba (SEA): If the Bears bracket Metcalf, JSN becomes the safety valve. He is a PPR glue guy for this slate.
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