Who Should I Start? Isaiah Davis or Phil Mafah

Friday, January 2, 1:31 PM

New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn announced on Friday that running back Isaiah Davis (concussion) will not play in the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday versus the division-rival Buffalo Bills. Breece Hall (knee) is trending towards being a game-time decision this weekend, so the Jets could be down to Kene Nwangwu and Khalil Herbert in their backfield against the Bills. The 23-year-old Davis took on a bigger role behind Hall this year with Braelon Allen (knee) landing on Injured Reserve. He'll finish his second year in the NFL with 43 rushing attempts for 236 yards and a touchdown while adding 21 receptions on 28 targets for 186 yards through the air in 16 games played. Davis could have an even bigger role for the Jets in 2026, depending on where Hall ends up in free agency.

Sunday, January 4, 12:04 PM

Dallas Cowboys running back Phil Mafah (shoulder) is officially active for Sunday's Week 18 contest against the New York Giants. He had been listed as questionable but was widely expected to play after being activated from injured reserve on Saturday. The 23-year-old will make his NFL debut at the perfect time, as Dallas will be without running backs Javonte Williams (shoulder, neck) and Malik Davis (calf, eye). Jaydon Blue is projected to operate as the Cowboys' No. 1 running back on Sunday, but he has just 23 touches in his rookie season, so we wouldn't be surprised to see Mafah get involved, too. Mafah is also a rookie and should play a key role against a Giants defense that has allowed the second-most rushing yards and fifth-most fantasy points to running backs in 2025.