### Commanders Set to Challenge Cowboys Despite Favoritism Disparity

The upcoming face-off between the Washington Commanders and the Dallas Cowboys, once touted as a potentially thrilling late-season game, is now seen as a one-sided contest with Dallas as the heavy favorite. Nevertheless, there’s considerable optimism surrounding the Commanders' ability to contribute significantly to the scoreboard. The Commanders’ rapid pace of play stands out; they rank 4th in neutral-script seconds per play and lead the league in no-huddle rate. Despite a minor decline in offensive performance, Washington remains 5th in early down success rate. This consistency should enable them to sustain drives against a Cowboys defense that has struggled, currently 26th in early down success rate allowed.

Interestingly, while Dallas maintains a fast pace, their offense, led by Cooper Rush, has had difficulty moving the ball efficiently. This inefficiency could afford the Commanders additional scoring opportunities, especially given Washington’s advantage of extra rest compared to Dallas, who are on a short week.

In Seattle, the Seahawks have undergone a notable shift from one of the league's most pass-heavy teams to a more balanced approach. Initially, they posted a PROE of at least +8% in four of their first five games but have since seen a negative PROE in four of their last five. This transition has impacted Tyler Lockett, whose targets have declined, while Jaxon Smith-Njigba has maintained a steady target volume with at least six targets per game in his last seven outings. Lockett's 80% routes run rate suggests potential for resurgence if Seattle reverts to its earlier pass-heavy strategy.

The Commanders welcomed back Brian Robinson to the starting lineup following a two-game absence, with Robinson achieving a team-high 53% snap share since Week 4. Despite his involvement, Robinson's high-value touches (HVT) remain limited. Conversely, Austin Ekeler has averaged nearly five HVTs per game over his last six games, including eight receptions in the latest Thursday Night Football. With a favorable schedule for running backs moving forward, both Ekeler and Robinson present strong fantasy football options.

The Chicago Bears have transitioned to a backfield committee system between D'Andre Swift and Roschon Johnson following the trade of Khalil Herbert to the Bengals. Johnson's increased involvement, particularly in goal-line scenarios, signals a potential shift in workload distribution. Head Coach Matt Eberflus has endorsed this balanced approach. Swift’s declining routes run rate poses concern, and the change in offensive play-calling offers credible reasons for this adjustment.

In New England, the Patriots’ new starting quarterback, Drake Maye, has invigorated the offense, though this has not significantly benefited the team's wide receivers in fantasy football. Kayshon Boutte and tight end Hunter Henry are the only players consistently involved in more than 60% of dropbacks, while DeMario Douglas averages a respectable 6.6 targets per game in his last five full games.

Denver Broncos’ rookie quarterback has uplifted wide receiver Courtland Sutton, who has delivered consistently high performance with frequent targets. With 100 receiving yards or a touchdown in all but one of his recent games, Sutton's role appears secure. Other Broncos receivers, however, show less clarity in target distribution, making Devaughn Vele a speculative addition for deeper leagues due to his rising participation rate.

Seattle's Will Dissly has emerged as a reliable tight end with robust target numbers despite a dip in route participation. His consistent performance over recent games makes him a worthwhile consideration for sustained fantasy relevance.

In Green Bay, Tucker Kraft's minimal impact post-bye continues a season-long trend of low target volume, partly due to the Packers’ run-heavy strategy. His high routes run rate contrasts sharply with his low targets per route run, decreasing his fantasy appeal.

Meanwhile, Josh Jacobs of the Las Vegas Raiders had a breakout performance with eight high-value touches, showing increased involvement in the passing game. Similarly, Indianapolis Colts' Michael Pittman led with a 29% target share, though consistency remains an issue with Anthony Richardson at quarterback.

Lastly, despite a high routes run rate, Mike Gesicki’s fantasy value diminishes with the return of Tee Higgins, reflecting a continued trend in his on-off splits with Higgins in the lineup.

In summary, strategic adjustments and player performances across these teams highlight the dynamic nature of NFL football, offering pertinent insights for both fans and fantasy football enthusiasts.