👋 Welcome back! Championship Week is in full swing. We already have two games in the books, another tonight and three on Saturday, so we need you to LOCK IN. It's time to win a trophy.

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We sincerely hope you didn't get Lamar'd on Christmas (29.42 fantasy points!). But even if you did, there are still plenty of yards and touchdowns available, yet to be unwrapped.

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In this edition: We'll tackle the latest news, reveal some financial motivation that could have a fantasy impact and preview TNF.

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Today's Get to the Points! is written by Andy Behrens. For the web version, click here. To sign up for free, click here.

Drew Lock likely to start vs. the Colts: We have chosen to lead with this information because it’s actually the most important nugget of the week, assuming your league uses team defenses. Indianapolis is tied for fourth in the NFL in interceptions (15), and Lock has thrown four in his last three games, including a pair of pick-sixes last week. The Colts D has a real shot to decide fantasy titles, and they remain available in roughly one-third of Yahoo leagues.

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Kenneth Walker III ruled out for TNF. Walker picked up a fresh ankle injury on Sunday, so it’s no great surprise that he won’t play four days later. Fire up Zach Charbonnet against Chicago’s vulnerable defense.

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Hope for veteran RBs: James Conner was limited to open the practice week, Alvin Kamara reportedly wants to play. File this news under “things we love to see.” Conner tweaked his knee last week and Kamara is battling a groin issue. Both players have motivation to return, despite the fact that their respective teams have been eliminated from the postseason chase. Conner is just two games away from making it through a full season for the first time in his eight-year career and Kamara needs only 50 more rushing yards for his first 1,000-yard campaign. It’s worth noting, however, that Kamara was an estimated DNP to begin the week.

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Jalen Hurts estimated as DNP on Wednesday: Philadelphia’s quarterback was sidelined early last Sunday by a concussion, which almost certainly ended his managers' fantasy playoff runs. Still, if you’re invested in any Eagles receivers, you need to track the participation of Hurts on Thursday and Friday. 

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Chris Olave listed as an estimated full participant: We haven’t seen Olave in action since his Week 9 concussion, so this is tremendous news. Here’s hoping he can return to the field before the end of the season, even if his team’s quarterback situation is less than ideal. 

Kansas City clinches AFC's top seed: Yesterday’s win at Pittsburgh locked up home field advantage for the Chiefs, so we can expect Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, DeAndre Hopkins and other high-value vets to sit in Week 18. As ever, it is an absolutely terrible idea to settle fantasy championships in the regular season’s final week.

Championship Week is underway in fantasy, which of course means incentive season is now upon us in reality. 

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It’s always reassuring to know that a player on your virtual roster is chasing a potential six- or seven-figure payday tied to statistical milestones. Let’s take a look at five notable fantasy assets who should be highly motivated to achieve individual success in the closing weeks:

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Baker Mayfield and Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

It should go without saying that team goals will supersede contract incentives for these two, because A) both of them are already stupid-rich and B) Tampa Bay is battling for the division title. 

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We will simply note that Mayfield has five distinct $500,000 regular season carrots ahead of him, based on finishing inside the top-five or 10 in the league in passer-rating, completion percentage, yards per attempt, passing TDs and yardage. As of this writing, heading into matchups with the Panthers and Saints, he is well-positioned to perhaps collect the full $2.5 million. 

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Evans will need to average 91 receiving yards over his final two games to keep his streak of 1,000-yard seasons alive. His contract also reportedly includes three million reasons to reach 70 receptions, 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns. With two games to play, he needs 13 catches, 182 yards and one additional TD to reach all three marks. 

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J.K. Dobbins, Los Angeles Chargers

It’s no great surprise that Dobbins signed a deal loaded with incentives, given his injury history. He’s already cleared two milestones triggering $150,000 bonuses at 600 and 750 rushing yards. Another $150K arrives if he hits 900, which would require an additional 134 yards over the season’s final two weeks. He’s eligible to return from IR against New England on Saturday, and was an estimated limited participant Wednesday, so this bonus is clearly in play.

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Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans

Pollard seems to be running on fumes right now while managing an ankle injury — an unfortunate situation given how near he is to a pair of attainable incentives. He can collect $250K if he rushes for 1,100 yards on the season, plus another $250K if he delivers seven rushing TDs. Even at something less than full health, he definitely has a shot at the 83 rushing yards and two scores needed to hit those marks. Pollard is gonna need the surging Tyjae Spears to calm down, however. 

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Zach Ertz, Washington Commanders

Ertz is just 5 receptions, 62 yards and 2 touchdowns away from earning three separate $250,000 bonuses. If he truly feasts over the final two weeks, he has a shot at additional quarter-mil windfalls. Ertz had reached the end zone in three consecutive games before suffering a concussion in Week 15 against the Saints. He has a pair of beatable matchups ahead with Atlanta and Dallas, so he remains a viable fantasy option. 

And so ends our streak of scorching hot Thursday night matchups. 

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Seattle travels to Chicago this week coming off back-to-back home losses, both to NFC North opponents. While the Seahawks are not technically eliminated from the postseason, they are mostly doomed. It’s not looking great. 

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Incredibly enough, the Bears actually had a 4-2 record at one point, but they are now 4-11 and something of a civic embarrassment. However, not everything connected to this franchise is hopeless. Let’s hit a few TNF storylines, beginning with the home team…

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🔥 Lately, Keenan Allen is producing like vintage Keenan Allen. He certainly had several rough moments in the season’s first half, dropping a few passes along the way. Allen was outrageously good last Sunday, however, catching 9 balls for 141 yards and a score on 13 targets, with multiple degree-of-difficulty receptions included. Over his last five games, Allen has hauled in 32 passes for 412 yards and 5 spikes. He’s become a circle-of-trust receiver for a quarterback who’s playing better than anyone wants to admit. 

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📰 The dominant national narrative regarding Caleb Williams has almost no relationship to reality. Fair or unfair, he is clearly viewed through a first-overall-pick filter that does not apply to other QBs in this rookie class. Also, it’s pretty clear that many people are anxious to spin a familiar story about the Bears getting it wrong again at the game’s most important position. 

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Williams has definitely had his share of misfires, and, unfortunately, he’s become a member of the 60-sack club, which isn’t great (and for which he shares blame). But he’s also the guy who made this throw and this throw and this throw. Williams has only tossed five interceptions all season and none since October. He’s been clean in the red zone, throwing 13 touchdown passes and zero picks. If he can average 283.5 yards per game over the final two weeks, he will break the franchise single-season passing record (which, to be fair, is scandalously low). 

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Not a perfect rookie season, clearly, but one that’s full of promise. It’s OK to simply allow talented young players to develop without immediately making best/worst declarations. 

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As for Seattle…

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📈 Jaxon Smith-Njigba may have played his way into next year’s second round. If you never doubted JSN, congrats. He’s a star. Last week’s game was not statistically his best of the season, although it was pretty great (8-95-1), but it was one of his most impressive. He’s cooking people at all levels, on any route, in all game situations. Ever since the calendar flipped to November, JSN has been unstoppable, averaging 100.1 yards per game and catching a ludicrous 78.1% of his targets. 

👀 Geno Smith could be headed for a monster game. He’s coming off a quality fantasy effort in last week’s loss to Minnesota, a game in which he threw for 314 yards, 3 TDs and 2 picks. Chicago’s defense has been truly dreadful lately, a fact you might have missed because all national discussion of the team is focused on Caleb. Over the past five weeks, the Bears have allowed the most passing yards (1,457) and second-most passing scores (10) to opposing QBs. If it becomes necessary to do so, Smith shouldn’t have much trouble clearing 300 yards for the second time in five days.