Who Should I Start? A.J. Brown or Rome Odunze

Sunday, January 11, 3:55 PM

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown got off to a slow start to the 2025 season, recording just one game with double-digit PPR fantasy points through Week 5. However, the 28-year-old closed the season looking like his old self. From Week 12 onwards, Brown hauled in 40 receptions for 546 yards and four touchdowns on 56 targets across six games played. In the Wild Card round, Philadelphia is set to host the San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers' defense struggled to defend the pass for much of the regular season, finishing the year ranked 23rd among NFL defenses in total passing yards allowed (4,110) and tied for 21st in passing touchdowns allowed (29). San Francisco also recorded the fewest sacks (20) of any team in the NFL, so Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts should have time to target Brown down the field. Between the matchup and his strong finish to the regular season, Brown profiles as a high-end wide receiver option for fantasy managers in the Wild Card round.

Tuesday, January 13, 6:21 PM

After missing his team's final five games of the regular season due to a foot injury, Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze returned to the field for Chicago's Wild Card Weekend win over the Green Bay Packers. However, the 23-year-old recorded just two catches for 44 yards and played only 69% of Chicago's offensive snaps. On the bright side, Odunze was targeted six times by Bears quarterback Caleb Williams. Still, Williams attempted 48 total passes, his most in any game this year. As a result, Odunze finished the game with fewer targets than fellow wideouts DJ Moore and Luther Burden III, as well as tight end Colston Loveland. With another week to recover, Odunze could be a larger part of the Bears' game plan in the Divisional round against the Los Angeles Rams. However, his lingering injury uncertainty and Chicago's depth of quality pass-catchers make Odunze difficult for fantasy managers to trust.