Who Should I Start? Michael Pittman Jr. or DeVonta Smith

Friday, January 10, 12:10 PM

Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard said that wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (back) will not require surgery for the fractured back that he played through late in the 2024 season. "One tough dude. Example of what you want," Ballard said. It's a testament to Pittman's toughness that he missed just one game due to his back injury. But the 27-year-old's back issues and inconsistent play from the quarterback position in Indianapolis in 2024 led to Pittman posting only 808 receiving yards -- his fewest since his rookie season in 2020 -- to go with 69 receptions (also his lowest mark since 2020) and only three touchdowns in 16 games. Better health will give him a chance to rebound in 2025, but his overall upside might be dependent on quarterback Anthony Richardson's health and his ability to improve as a passer.

Monday, January 13, 9:59 AM

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith stepped up in Sunday night's 22-10 win against the Green Bay Packers, leading the team with four receptions for 55 yards. While Jalen Hurts didn't air it out much, Smith made the most of his opportunities, showcasing his reliability and playmaking ability when targeted. With the Eagles relying on their running game and dominant defense, Smith's contributions in the passing game provided timely support. As Philadelphia prepares to host the winner of Minnesota Vikings/Los Angeles Rams in the Divisional Round, Smith remains a key offensive weapon capable of delivering clutch plays when needed.