The first and most important thing to know about the NF...

Dec 14, 2011

The first and most important thing to know about the NFC wild-card standings is that the Detroit Lions control their chances with three games to go.

If the Lions win out, there’s nothing that can prevent them from making the playoffs.

If they win two of their next three — they play the Oakland Raiders this weekend, then host the San Diego Chargers on Christmas Eve and close the season at the Green Bay Packers on Jan. 1 — they’re in pretty good shape, too.

The Lions (8-5) currently own the tiebreaker over both 7-6 teams chasing them. They beat the Dallas Cowboys head-to-head and have a better record against common opponents than do the Chicago Bears.

But if the Lions stumble down the stretch and win one or none of their final games, they could miss out on the playoffs to the Cowboys, Bears or one of two NFC West teams lurking in the standings.

Fantasy Impact:

today

Buccaneers WR Mike Evans practices for second straight day

Greg Auman

0 minutes ago

Cooler weather for Bucs practice today -- Wirfs and Evans practicing again. Still no Zyon McCollum, but Troy Hill and Greg Gaines were practicing today.

Related Players: Sterling Shepard, Jalen McMillan, Trey Palmer

Fantasy Impact:

Fantastic news for fantasy managers hanging on to Mike Evans: he should be considered a WR1 option immediately.

yesterday

49ers TE George Kittle "good to go" for Week 12

KNBR

yesterday · 5:34 PM EST

“I will be playing on Sunday. Very excited, can’t pass up playing the Packers. I will be out there for sure.”

George Kittle says he’s good to go for Sunday

Related Players: Eric Saubert

Fantasy Impact:

Kittle returns to a great matchup against a Packers defense that ranks 26th in TE aFPA. He should be fired up as a high-end TE1 once again.

Bears RB D'Andre Swift misses Wednesday practice

Kevin Fishbain

yesterday · 1:29 PM EST

Per Bears head coach Matt Eberflus: Ryan Bates remains in the concussion protocol. Elijah Hicks (ankle) and D'Andre Swift (groin) won't practice.

Teven Jenkins will be limited.

Related Players: Roschon Johnson, Travis Homer

Fantasy Impact:

This is definitely a situation to keep an eye on, as Johnson would have a huge workload if Swift were to miss Week 12. Homer has three rush attempts and zero targets on the year.