Who Should I Start? Rashod Bateman or Rome Odunze

Friday, January 2, 9:28 PM

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman (illness) is listed as questionable but is expected to suit up for Sunday's Week 18 contest against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Bateman is likely to play despite missing practice all week due to a lingering illness. The Ravens are likely going to wait and see how Bateman feels closer to game time before making a final decision. Even if he's active, Bateman isn't a reliable fantasy option. Since Week 11, Bateman has hauled in three receptions for 30 yards. Fantasy managers should look elsewhere for help, even if Bateman is active. The absence of Bateman would mean slightly increased value for DeAndre Hopkins and Tylan Wallace in a must-win game that will decide the AFC North division.

Wednesday, January 7, 4:47 PM

Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze (foot) said he plans to play in Saturday's Wild-Card matchup against the division-rival Green Bay Packers, according to Adam Hoge of AllCHGOcom. Odunze has missed the past five games due to a stress fracture in his foot, but he appears set to make his return in the playoffs. The second-year wideout has cooled off considerably since the Bears' Week 5 bye, recording three or fewer catches in six of eight games, with only one touchdown after finding the end zone five times in the first four weeks of the season. It's tough to trust Odunze as anything more than a low-end flex option for fantasy in the playoffs, with Chicago's pair of rookies in Colston Loveland and Luther Burden III emerging as go-to targets down the stretch.