Welcome to game day.
The Baltimore Ravens strap in for rookie quarterback Lamar Jackson's second career start. Jackson lifted the Ravens a week ago in his first start in relief of veteran Joe Flacco, and the latter's lingering hip injury gives the team an extended preview of its future.
As always, keep your internet machines tuned here throughout Sunday for the latest fantasy news and developments. For a running list of inactives, make sure to stop by NFL.com/inactives and visit our rankings page to find your replacement options.
Note: All times listed in pacific.
4:18 p.m. - The Mariotaissance continues against the Jets
Marcus Mariota has battled poor coaching and injuries throughout his NFL career, but the pieces have begun to fall into place late in the 2018 season. Down late against the Jets, Mariota led the Titans down the field with his arm and legs, using the former to connect with Corey Davis for the go-ahead score. Mariota still has to play well more consistently, but the high ceiling remains for the former No. 2 overall pick.
Marcus Mariota. @TheCDavis84. Clutch. pic.twitter.com/NgC7VOajM0
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) December 3, 2018
4:06 p.m. - Packers fire head coach Mike McCarthy, name Joe Philbin as interim replacement
In a stunning decision, the Packers have made an in-season coaching change, relieving headman Mike McCarthy of his duties and promoting offensive coordinator Joe Philbin to the top job on an interim basis. Green Bay has struggled offensively for a team that has Aaron Rodgers at quarterback. This change won't alter the Packers' 2018 outlook, but it could potentially mean different usage for their offensive skill positions.
3:34 p.m. - Josh Gordon gets on the board late in third quarter
Josh Gordon nearly made it three quarters through Sunday's Vikings-Patriots game without a catch, but he made two on his team's final drive of the quarter. The second of those, a 24-yard reception, ended past the goal line to give New England a 17-10 lead.
Got 'em!
— NFL (@NFL) December 2, 2018
TB12 to @JOSH_GORDONXII for the @Patriots TD!
📺: FOX #GoPats pic.twitter.com/mleMHZ4Kkb
3:10 p.m. - Spencer Ware scores his first touchdown as Chiefs' starter
Spencer Ware became a sudden starting running back this week after the Chiefs released Kareem Hunt. Ware reached paydirt during the third quarter, running a wing-T-esque play near the goal line.
.@spenceware11 is IN.
— NFL (@NFL) December 2, 2018
Touchdown, @Chiefs!
📺: CBS #ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/4AAo3r21Zr
2:48 p.m. - Doug Baldwin reaches the end zone
Injuries have limited Doug Baldwin's impact all season, but he has started to turn the corner recently. Baldwin scored on a slant-flat route combination near the goal line, extending the Seahawks' lead to three scores. Baldwin now has two touchdowns over his last three games, a positive development for fantasy managers as the fantasy playoffs near.
Doug On The Scene! @DougBaldwinJr | #SFvsSEA pic.twitter.com/cRia9WXK9B
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) December 2, 2018
2:11 p.m. - Don't cover Tyler Lockett with a linebacker
Tyler Lockett has enjoyed a breakout season of sorts, reaching career highs in receiving yards and touchdowns with several weeks left to play. The wideout hauled in his ninth touchdown of the year during the first half of Sunday's game against the 49ers:
.@TDLockett12 goes 52 yards to the house! #SFvsSEA pic.twitter.com/PvQOAaYul3
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) December 2, 2018
The lesson for defenses: Don't try to cover Lockett with a linebacker.
1:47 p.m. - Tom Brady (finally) reaches 1,000 career rushing yards
Tom Brady has made a big deal of his near two-decade pursuit of 1,000 career rushing yards, posting updates about it on his social media accounts. Today, the future Hall of Famer finally reached his goal.
HE DID IT. #TB1K pic.twitter.com/OCIdhXf9gR
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) December 2, 2018
A 5-yard gain = 1,000 career rushing yards. #TB1K | #MINvsNE | #GoPats pic.twitter.com/1yfOgeOTpO
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) December 2, 2018
By reaching the mark, Brady now ranks 98th in career rushing yards by a quarterback.
1:36 p.m. - Greg Olsen's season is over
Greg Olsen's injury earlier today seemed ominous from the start, but now the tight end has confirmed that his season is over. That further shrink's the Panthers' playoff outlook as well as the tight-end pool for fantasy players.
1:17 p.m. - Matt Nagy flexes on the Giants
Chase Daniel had cost the Bears several times Sunday with turnovers and poor decisions. So, with a chance to force overtime on the line, head coach and play-caller Matt Nagy pulled out the perfect play.
THE CHICAGO SPECIAL.
— NFL (@NFL) December 2, 2018
We're all tied up.
📺: FOX #DaBears pic.twitter.com/yzbZhN19Lh
After the successful PAT, the game has gone into overtime.
12:56 p.m. - Larry Fitzgerald still has amazing hands
Presented without comment:
He caught that?
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) December 2, 2018
Of course he did.
He's @LarryFitzgerald. pic.twitter.com/wTIm5NN7AO
12:29 p.m. - Lamar Jackson returns to the game
After a trip to the locker room for a concussion evaluation, rookie quarterback Lamar Jackson has returned to the field. Jackson made his second NFL start today and has accounted for 117 passing yards as well as 35 yards and a touchdown on the ground.
12:16 p.m. - Let's get weird, NFC North
On the same day that Akiem Hicks rushed for a touchdown, Lions left tackle Taylor Decker took his talents to the skill positions, catching a short pass for a score. The touchdown cut the Detroit deficit to three points.
TOUCHDOWN @__taylordecker!
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) December 2, 2018
*No, you did not read that wrong. #OnePride pic.twitter.com/rKaA2RPKs9
12:00 p.m. - Lamar Jackson in the concussion protocol
The second start for rookie quarterback Lamar Jackson had gone well until the third quarter when a possible concussion has forced him to the sidelines. Robert Griffin III has entered the game for Baltimore.
11:51 a.m. - Odell throws his second passing touchdown of the season
No one debates whether Odell Beckham Jr. has talent, but his penchant for long touchdown throws suggest the Giants have only begun to tap into his skill set.
DID. YOU. SEE. THAT!?! @OBJ launches one 49-yards to Russell Shepard and the #NYGiants take the lead!#ProBowlVote #ProBowlVote #ProBowlVote pic.twitter.com/W1a22KYuFV
— New York Giants (@Giants) December 2, 2018
11:14 a.m. - Bears re-enact the Fridge's Super Bowl touchdown
The Bears decided to go for it on fourth-and-goal from just beyond the goal line. Lacking their usual starting quarterback, head coach Matt Nagy decided to get creative:
Hmmm... Where have we seen this before?? 🤔
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) December 2, 2018
Touchdown, @The_Dream99. #ProBowlVote pic.twitter.com/lKiA5DNRpw
11:00 a.m. - Peyton Barber fumbles at terrible moment
Peyton Barber just needed to beat one man in order to extend the Bucaneers' lead. Unfortunately for Barber, that man was Thomas Davis. The veteran linebacker forced a fumble and, after a Carolina recovery, created a seven-point swing.
Fumble recovery confirmed!#KeepPounding pic.twitter.com/bvIFV6lRSk
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) December 2, 2018
10:54 a.m. - Davante Adams somehow gets two feet down on touchdown
While the Packers' season looks all but over, Davante Adams offers hope for their future. Adams scored his 11th touchdown of the season Sunday, beating Cardinals defensive back Budda Baker in the back of the end zone and somehow getting both of his feet down before momentum carried him out of bounds.
.@AaronRodgers12 ➡ @tae15adams for SIX! 🙌#AZvsGB #GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/ZYs8ChcZvd
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) December 2, 2018
10:50 a.m. - A.J. Green ruled out with a foot injury
A.J. Green, who had just returned from a toe injury, didn't last long before leaving Sunday's game against the Broncos. The Bengals have already ruled Green out.
10:44 a.m. - Greg Olsen ruled out with a foot injury
A star-crossed season for Greg Olsen has taken another unfortunate turn when the star tight end limped off the field with a foot injury. The Panthers have already ruled out a return which doesn't bode well for Olsen's immediate future. Of course, Olsen missed a chunk of the early season with a foot injury, so this situation merits considerable attention in the coming days.
10:31 a.m. - Christian McCaffrey shows his explosiveness
Christian McCaffrey's breakout sophomore season continued unabated Sunday. On a designed rollout, Cam Newton found McCaffrey open in the flat and the running back did the rest. Note the way McCaffrey doesn't even load up on his leap and still hits the pylon. Perfect execution like that will help Carolina break out of its funk.
That's six for 2⃣2⃣ pic.twitter.com/eghMZxgDIK
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) December 2, 2018
10:25 a.m. - Lamar Jackson + option = touchdown
Hear me out. Lamar Jackson, one of the most prolific quarterbacks in college football history with an extensive skill set, can do significant damage when he doesn't have to fight his play calls. The Ravens appear to have learned as much Sunday, allowing Jackson to run the option inside the red zone. The rookie quarterback should receive opportunities to show off his passing abilities today as well, but Baltimore should continue making life easy for Jackson.
Action Jackson.@Lj_era8 pic.twitter.com/J2SSeN0Woz
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) December 2, 2018