Fri Dec 19 10:10am ET
Field Level Media
Capsules for NFL Week 16 Sunday games are below.
Buffalo Bills (10-4) at Cleveland Browns (3-11)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Bills -10.5, Total 41.5
Series Rewind: The Browns have the 13-10 edge all-time (counting playoffs), but Buffalo has won three of the past four and five of seven in the series. However, it's been since 2012 that the Bills won in Cleveland, falling short there in 2013 and 2019.
The Bills have at least 10 wins for the seventh straight season, the longest streak in franchise history. Next in their sights is seven straight years with a playoff trip; the Bills need one more win along with a loss by either Houston or Indianapolis in order to punch their ticket. Reigning NFL MVP Josh Allen leads the league's top rushing offense (158.5 yards per game) and third-best scoring offense (29.4 ppg), as he has totaled 37 touchdowns to this point, 25 passing and 12 rushing. Dawson Knox had two touchdown receptions in last week's crucial win over AFC East leader New England, and he could see additional playing time if fellow tight end Dalton Kincaid is hindered by his knee injury. Browns rookie QB Shedeur Sanders will face a tall task in challenging the Bills, who boast the second-stingiest passing defense (169.5 yards per game) in the NFL. Sanders' fifth career game and fourth start was his worst so far, with 177 yards and three picks in last week's 31-3 loss at Chicago. The Browns are not playoff-bound, but one storyline worth watching is Myles Garrett's shot at breaking the single-season sacks record. He collected 1.5 sacks last week to boost his season total to 21.5, one shy of the record shared by Michael Strahan (in 2001) and T.J. Watt (in 2021).
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-7) at Carolina Panthers (7-7)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Buccaneers -3, Total 48.5
Series Rewind: The Buccaneers walloped Carolina 48-14 last December and swept the 2024 season series to run their dominance in the series to nine wins in the past 10 games.
Since the start of the 2021 season, the Buccaneers can claim ownership of the South, holding at least a share of the division lead for 73 of the 87 weeks with four consecutive division titles. Carolina last won the division in 2015 but the Panthers share first place in the NFC South, matching Tampa Bay's current 7-7 record with three weeks -- and two games against the Buccaneers -- left in the regular season. "We're in the same position we've been in the past two or three years," Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles said of a tight race. "We have an opportunity. We still have everything right in front of us. ... We're playing meaningful games in December." The Panthers might be early arrivals to the postseason conversation under second-year coach Dave Canales. Wins over NFC contenders -- most recently beating the Los Angeles Rams, 31-28, on Nov. 30 -- has helped shift the narrative. Canales and the Panthers are well aware of the final step necessary to realize a postseason goal: beat the division champs. The Buccaneers have won five consecutive meetings and during their 9-1 string over the past five years, Tampa outscored Carolina by 124 points (287-163). The Buccaneers have won only once since October, so their 1-5 record coming down the stretch has been troublesome. They've lost to NFC South rivals New Orleans and Atlanta in their past two games. Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield, a former Panther, was coached by Canales in Tampa before the Panthers hired him away in 2024. Mayfield should have a nice selection of weapons to work with after last week's return of wide receiver Mike Evans. Coming back from a collarbone injury, Evans hauled in six catches for 132 yards in the Atlanta game and already had the Panthers' full attention.
Los Angeles Chargers (10-4) at Dallas Cowboys (6-7-1)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Cowboys -1.5, Total 49.5
Series Rewind: The Chargers have won their past three road games in the series. Their last road loss against Dallas came in 1990 when the Cowboys played in Irving.
The Cowboys must win their three remaining regular-season games and have the NFC East-leading Philadelphia Eagles lose all three of theirs to avoid missing the playoffs for the second straight season. The outlook isn't looking good after Dallas allowed 78 total points while losing back-to-back games to the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings. Dak Prescott leads the NFL with 3,931 passing yards while closing in on his fourth career 4,000-yard campaign. Tony Romo is the only Cowboys quarterback currently with four such seasons. Prescott ranks third with 26 touchdown passes, and he has been intercepted 10 times. Wideout CeeDee Lamb is 24 yards shy of his fifth straight 1,000-yard season. The Chargers are red-hot with six wins in their past seven games. Los Angeles can clinch a playoff spot with a win over the Cowboys along with some help from either the Las Vegas Raiders (against the Houston Texans) or San Francisco 49ers (vs. the Indianapolis Colts). The Chargers allowed just 239 yards in last week's 16-13 road win over the Kansas City Chiefs. It marked the third straight game and sixth in the past seven that the Chargers gave up 20 or fewer points. Justin Herbert (3,191 yards) will play for the third straight week after undergoing left hand surgery.
Kansas City Chiefs (6-8) at Tennessee Titans (2-12)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Chiefs -3, Total 37.5
Series Rewind: Andy Reid is 3-9 all-time against the Titans. Tennessee interim head coach Mike McCoy is 2-6 all-time against the Chiefs.
Chiefs coach Andy Reid isn't in a tinsel-tossing mood days after losing Patrick Mahomes to a season-ending knee injury last Sunday. While Mahomes gets busy attacking post-surgery rehabilitation with a goal of getting on the field in September, the Titans are eager for any advantage to help further rookie QB Cam Ward's development. Tennessee has been outscored by a league-worst 169 points with 24 fewer touchdowns than its opponents. The Chiefs have a three-game losing streak and lug the emotional letdown of losing Mahomes and what was left of faint playoff hopes last week in a 16-13 heartbreaker to the Chargers. Gardner Minshew takes the reins for the Chiefs with questions around the formation due to injuries at the wide receiver position. He went to TE Travis Kelce consistently in his cameo subbing for Mahomes last week. Kelce is 203 yards shy of 1,000 yards for the season and 13 receptions away from hitting 80 for the 10th year in a row. The Titans have their highest two-game point total of the season -- 55. Kansas City put up 23 total points the past two weeks and was held under 275 total yards by the Chargers and Texans.
Minnesota Vikings (6-8) at New York Giants (2-12)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Vikings -2.5, Total 43.5
Series Rewind: What a difference a year makes. Minnesota opened the 2024 season with a 28-6 win against the Giants at MetLife Stadium when the starting QBs were Sam Darnold (Vikings) and Daniel Jones (New York).
A couple of 22-year-old quarterbacks go head-to-head as Minnesota's J.J. McCarthy makes his ninth NFL start and New York's Jaxson Dart makes his 10th. The Vikings have followed up a four-game losing streak with two straight wins against the NFC East, with McCarthy throwing five touchdowns and just one interception in victories against the Commanders and Cowboys. The Giants have lost eight in a row and are 0-2 against the NFC North with losses to the Bears and Packers. Dart leads all rookie QBs in TD passes (13) and ranks second in passing yards (1,802). Vikings star Justin Jefferson hasn't caught a touchdown pass since Week 9 and hasn't topped 100 yards since Week 5. New York first-round pick LB Abdul Carter is coming off a monster game vs. Washington and is looking for his third straight game with a sack. Giants LB Brian Burns is second in the NFL with 13 sacks. McCarthy has been sacked 24 times in eight games.
Cincinnati Bengals (4-10) at Miami Dolphins (6-8)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Bengals -4.5, Total 47.5
Series Rewind: The Dolphins lead the all-time series 18-8, but the Bengals won the most recent game in the series (27-15 in 2022) and have won three of the past five over Miami.
While Cincinnati and Miami were both eliminated from playoff contention with their losses last week, they're approaching that news in vastly different ways. The Dolphins are benching starting QB Tua Tagavailoa, who has a league-leading 15 interceptions and had just 65 passing yards through three quarters of Monday's 28-15 loss at Pittsburgh. Quinn Ewers, a seventh-round pick in April's draft, will make his first career start against the Bengals. He came off the bench to complete 5 of 8 passes for 53 yards in his first career appearance Oct. 19 at Cleveland. He'll likely be helped by breakout running back De'Von Achane, who has 105-plus scrimmage yards in six straight games and a touchdown in 10 of his last 11 home games. The Bengals, on the other hand, are sticking with quarterback Joe Burrow despite not having any remaining postseason stakes. Cincinnati was shut out for the first time in a Burrow start last week, falling 24-0 at home to the Ravens. In his first three starts back from a toe injury that sidelined him for nine games, Burrow has 770 passing yards, six touchdowns and four interceptions. With 132 yards last week, receiver Ja'Marr Chase became just the second player in NFL history (along with Randy Moss) to amass 6,500 receiving yards and 50 touchdown catches in his first five seasons.
New York Jets (3-11) at New Orleans Saints (4-10)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Saints -5.5, Total 40.5
Series Rewind: These teams have faced off just five times in the past 20 years. New Orleans has won four of those games, including the past two, to claim an 8-6 lead in the all-time series.
While both New York and New Orleans are nearing the end of underwhelming seasons, they probably feel a bit differently about the rookie quarterbacks they'll start in this week's matchup. Saints second-round pick Tyler Shough enters coming off back-to-back wins over division opponents, the team's first multiple-game winning streak of the season. After rushing for 55 yards and two scores Dec. 7 vs. Tampa Bay, Shough completed a career-high 75% of his passes for 272 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 20-17 win over Carolina. New Orleans is 3-4 when Shough starts after it was 1-6 with Spencer Rattler at the helm. With 52 more receiving yards, Saints running back Alvin Kamara would become the fifth player in NFL history with 5,000 rushing and receiving yards in his career. Jets rookie QB Brady Cook has been forced into action due to injuries to Tyrod Taylor and Justin Fields. He had a touchdown and three interceptions in his first career start last week vs. Jacksonville and has thrown 339 yards and five interceptions in his first two games. Jets coach Aaron Glenn fired defensive coordinator Steve Wilks this week after the defense allowed 48 points in the loss to the Jaguars. New York is 30th in scoring defense (28.4 points per game) and last in takeaways (three), with no interceptions this season.
Jacksonville Jaguars (10-4) at Denver Broncos (12-2)
Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Broncos -3.5, Total 46.5
Series Rewind: The Broncos have won four of the past five games to take an 8-6 lead in the series. The road team has won the past four times Denver and Jacksonville faced off.
The Broncos became the first AFC team to punch their playoff ticket with last week's 34-26 win over Green Bay, their 11th straight to tie the franchise record. Things don't get easier from here with a Jacksonville team that has won five straight games coming to town this week. Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence threw a career-high five touchdowns and ran for a sixth in last week's 48-20 beatdown of the Jets. After he had 11 interceptions in the first 11 games of the season, Lawrence has nine TDs and no picks in the past three games. Jacksonville has scored 35-plus points in three of its last five games. While the Jaguars have a one-game cushion in the AFC South, Denver has a one-game cushion in the race for the AFC No. 1 seed with its win last week paired with New England's loss to Buffalo. Broncos QB Bo Nix tied his career high with four touchdowns last week, as Denver outscored the Packers 20-3 over the final 25 minutes of the game. The Broncos' defense leads the league with 58 sacks, 10 more than any other team and just off the pace of breaking the Bears' NFL record of 72 sacks in 1984. Jacksonville's defense had three interceptions last week to bring its season tally to 18, second in the league.
Atlanta Falcons (5-9) at Arizona Cardinals (3-11)
Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Falcons -2.5, Total 47.5
Series Rewind: The Falcons are 1-9 in the desert, including a wild-card playoff loss in the 2008 season. Since the Cardinals left St. Louis in 1988, Atlanta's lone win at Arizona was a 34-14 victory on Sept. 30, 2001.
Arizona is on a six-game losing streak and hasn't won a home game since Week 2 against the Panthers. Atlanta has won two of its last three road games, including a 29-28 win at Tampa Bay in Week 15. Both teams are playing out the string with backup quarterbacks, with 37-year-old Kirk Cousins leading the Falcons against journeyman Jacoby Brissett and the Cardinals. Cousins turned back the clock with a season-high 373 yards and three TDs against the Bucs, while Brissett leads the NFL with 2,708 passing yards since replacing Kyler Murray in Week 6. Bijan Robinson has been a bright spot for Atlanta, leading the NFL with 1,858 yards from scrimmage, and TE Kyle Pitts is coming off an epic 11-catch, 166-yard, three-touchdown game at Tampa. Cardinals counterpart Trey McBride just became the first tight end in NFL history with back-to-back 100-catch seasons. Falcons edge James Pearce has recorded a sack in six straight games, two shy of the NFL rookie record (Jevon Kearse, 1999).
Las Vegas Raiders (2-12) at Houston Texans (9-5)
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Texans -14.5, Total 37.5
Series Rewind: The Raiders routed Houston 38-20 in 2022 when they had Derek Carr (241 passing yards, one TD), Josh Jacobs (143 rushing yards, three TDs) and Davante Adams (eight catches, 95 yards) on the roster.
The Texans are currently in possession of the final AFC wild-card spot but have their eyes on overtaking the Jacksonville Jaguars and winning the AFC South. Houston has rattled off six straight wins and registered a season high for points last week with a 40-20 rout of the Arizona Cardinals. C.J. Stroud passed for 260 yards and three touchdowns with Nico Collins collecting two of the scoring receptions. The Texans also have allowed 20 or fewer points in five straight games behind the best all-around defense in the NFL. Defensive ends Danielle Hunter (12 sacks) and Will Anderson Jr. (10.5) are each enjoying big campaigns. The Raiders have been big disappointments in Pete Carroll's first season as coach and are tied with the Tennessee Titans and New York Giants for the league's worst record. Las Vegas has dropped eight consecutive games, twice losing 31-0, first to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 7 and to the Philadelphia Eagles last Sunday. Kenny Pickett passed for just 64 yards and the Raiders had just 75 total yards and seven first downs. Rookie Ashton Jeanty has rushing outputs of 31, 30 and 35 yards over the past three games. Linebacker Devin White (149 tackles) and defensive end Maxx Crosby (10 sacks) have been shining standouts during the dismal campaign.
Pittsburgh Steelers (8-6) at Detroit Lions (8-6)
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Lions -6.5, Total 51.5
Series Rewind: The Steelers have won five of the past six meetings, but the most recent game in 2021 went to overtime and ended in a 16-16 tie.
The rapid release of Rams veteran QB Matthew Stafford stunted the Lions' pass rush last week, prompting similar concerns for head coach Dan Campbell as the Lions hit Week 16 knowing there's only one possible way into the postseason: win three consecutive games and hope for chaos to strike the seven teams ahead of them in the NFC playoff picture. Both coaches referenced expectations for a physical game won in the trenches this week. The Lions put up 34 points in a loss to the Rams last week and there's as much power as there is pomp in the Detroit scheme. Pittsburgh gears up for Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs, who has 1,100 rushing yards, 494 receiving yards and 16 total touchdowns in 2025. The Lions average 131.1 yards per game on the ground and the Steelers are giving up 120.9 rushing yards per game as part of the league's 28th-ranked defense in total yards allowed (383.3 per game). Aaron Rodgers and his snappy delivery make pressuring the pocket a long day's work but Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson leads the NFL in pressures. He's getting help from a group he dubbed "castoffs," which includes the team's leader in catches, No. 2 running back Kenneth Gainwell. The Steelers are likely to emphasize Jaylen Warren and Gainwell due to the balance they can bring an inconsistent offense. Gainwell had 126 yards from scrimmage Monday in the Steelers' win over the Miami Dolphins on Monday.
New England Patriots (11-3) at Baltimore Ravens (7-7)
Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Ravens -3, Total 48.5
Series Rewind: The teams have split the past eight meetings after the Patriots won seven of the first eight (including playoffs).
The Patriots are 6-0 on the road this season and stand one game behind the Denver Broncos in the battle for the No. 1 seed in the AFC. New England will know when it takes the field Sunday night whether it can clinch a playoff spot with a win. Results involving the Indianapolis Colts (vs. San Francisco 49ers) and Houston Texans (vs. Las Vegas Raiders) are in play. Drake Maye passed for a season-low 155 yards in last week's 35-31 loss to the Buffalo Bills. The setback ended a 10-game winning streak. Rookie TreVeyon Henderson rushed for 148 yards -- one more than his previous high -- and two touchdowns. Baltimore is two games behind the Texans in the wild-card chase so its best bet to reach the playoffs is overtaking the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC North. Baltimore is one game behind but will play at Pittsburgh in the final week of the season. The Ravens halted a two-game losing streak with a strong 24-0 win over the Cincinnati Bengals last week. The Bengals had clobbered Baltimore 17 days earlier. Derrick Henry rushed for 100 yards on just 11 carries and ranks fifth in the NFL with 1,125 yards. Linebacker Roquan Smith racked up 14 tackles and leads the squad with 114.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (heel) has "looked pretty good" in his return to practice this week, according to head coach Jonathan Gannon. "Getting his wind back a little bit. That's a tough injury, but particularly (for) a skill guy that runs fast and has to decelerate and accelerate. Our staff has done a good job with him. He's done a good job pushing through. We'll see how he does today," Gannon said. The head coach added that the team "will have a plan for him" when asked about any extra concern about getting his conditioning back for a return this Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons. After missing the last two weeks with a heel injury and four of the last five weeks due to an appendectomy, Harrison looks primed to return in Week 16. However, he could take a back seat to Michael Wilson, who has gone nuclear for fantasy managers in Harrison's absence. If Harrison is active, treat him as a low-end WR2 in fantasy football.
From RotoBaller
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said on Friday that he would like to re-sign running back Javonte Williams, according to Jon Machota of The Athletic. "He's had an outstanding season," Jones said on 105.3 The Fan. "I love the way he brings the wood, so to speak, when he runs. Looking forward to him hopefully being a Cowboy for a time to come." Williams is having his best NFL season in his first year in Dallas, as he enters Week 16 with career-highs in carries (230), rushing yards (1,113), and touchdowns (10) in 14 starts for the Cowboys. The 25-year-old former Denver Broncos RB has added 33 catches on 46 targets for 128 yards and another two TDs through the air. Williams suffered a neck injury in Week 15 in the first quarter, but he returned in the second half and should be good for Sunday's matchup against the Chargers. He'll be a low-end RB1 for fantasy managers this weekend.
From RotoBaller
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said on 105.3 The Fan on Friday that cornerback DaRon Bland (foot) will likely need surgery and miss the rest of the 2025 season, according to Joseph Hoyt of The Dallas Morning News. Bland injured his foot in the Sunday night loss to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 15 and will now miss the final three games of the regular season. The Cowboys have an extremely slim chance of making the postseason, but losing the 26-year-old defensive back is a big loss for the Cowboys as they head into a Week 16 matchup this Sunday against the visiting Los Angeles Chargers. If Bland is officially ruled out for the year, he'll finish his fourth year in the NFL with a career-high 73 tackles (45 solo), three tackles for loss, one interception returned for a touchdown, and six pass breakups in his 12 starts.
From RotoBaller
Carolina Panthers rookie first-round wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (ankle, foot) has been cleared from the final Week 16 injury report and will suit up on Sunday for a big divisional matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. McMillan sat out of Wednesday's practice with ankle and foot injuries, but he returned to a full practice a day later and is ready to roll this weekend. The 22-year-old from Arizona has been the Panthers' clear WR1 all year after being selected in the first round back in April, and he's produced 59 receptions, 851 receiving yards, and six touchdowns on his 102 targets through 14 games. McMillan doesn't have more than two catches in any of the last three games, but he's also scored twice and has four total touchdowns in the last four games. Coming off a two-catch, 25-yard dud last week against the Saints, fantasy managers are counting on a bounce-back performance in a big contest in Week 16.
From RotoBaller
Miami Dolphins kicker Jason Sanders (hip) is unlikely to return in Week 16 against the Cincinnati Bengals, but it's possible that he could come off Injured Reserve to kick in Week 17 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers or for the regular-season finale in Week 18 against the division-rival New England Patriots, according to Travis Wingfield of MiamiDolphins.com. The 30-year-old's 21-day practice window was opened on Wednesday, but he's not ready to return yet from a hip injury that has kept him out all season. With only two games left after this week and the Dolphins eliminated from the playoffs, it's unclear why Miami would even consider bringing Sanders back, but it appears that's still a possibility. Riley Patterson will kick for at least one more week against Cincy on Sunday, and he'll be a deep-league streaming option at the position in a plus matchup.
From RotoBaller
As expected, Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon confirmed on Friday that running back Michael Carter will be the starting RB in Week 16 against the Atlanta Falcons with Bam Knight (ankle) done for the season, according to Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic. After Knight was carted off with a season-ending ankle injury in last week's loss to the Houston Texans, Carter had 18 touches for a season-high 94 scrimmage yards. The 26-year-old will be Arizona's lead back for the final three games of the 2025 season, and he'll have immediate RB2 upside this weekend as the primary RB in the desert against the visiting Falcons. However, Emari Demercado should see plenty of work as well as the expected passing-down back in an offense that loves to throw the football. Carter has averaged a mediocre 3.3 yards per carry on 67 rushing attempts for 221 yards and one rushing touchdown in his 10 games played for the Cards this year.
From RotoBaller
Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton hinted earlier this week that more work could be on the way for running back Jaleel McLaughlin, according to Jon Heath of Broncos Wire. "We're doing it in third-down situations with Tyler Badie and Adam Prentice," Payton said. "Jaleel, I probably need to get him a little bit more touches. I made that note after the game. Again, RJ Harvey is built in a way where he can handle a good dose of running." Harvey injured his ribs late in Sunday's win over the Green Bay Packers, but he's fine and ready to go for Week 16 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Harvey has had as many as 23 touches in a game since J.K. Dobbins' season-ending injury, while McLaughlin has had a high of seven. He had only two carries in Week 15. McLaughlin will probably be a little more involved to close out the season, but make no mistake, Harvey is Denver's RB1.
From RotoBaller
According to Jonathan M Alexander of the Houston Chronicle, Houston Texans running back Woody Marks (ankle) has returned for the team's final practice of the week. Alexander notes that Marks and defensive back Derek Stingley Jr. (oblique) will be limited participants as they work with trainers. It's excellent news for the team and fantasy managers, as the USC product played only 15 snaps last Sunday as he dealt with an ankle injury in Houston's 40-20 win over Arizona. As it stands, it's still unclear if he'll be able to suit up for Week 16's home meeting with the Las Vegas Raiders, but it's at least a step in the right direction. Owners should continue monitoring his status over the next 48 hours or so, as it would be some combination of backfield mates Nick Chubb (ribs), Dare Ogunbowale, and Jawhar Jordan working in Marks' stead if he's ruled inactive.
From RotoBaller
Houston Texans rookie running back Woody Marks (ankle) is present for Friday's practice with a helmet and a trainer, according to Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle. After missing practice on Wednesday and Thursday, it looks like Marks will be limited on Friday, giving him a chance to play on Sunday versus the visiting Las Vegas Raiders. The 24-year-old has been battling an ankle injury for a while now, and he aggravated it in the first half of the Week 15 win over the Arizona Cardinals. Marks did not return, but head coach DeMeco Ryans said the young RB could have come back into the contest if the game was close. It suggests that Marks' injury isn't serious, but he'll probably at least be questionable for this weekend's game against the Raiders. Marks has clear RB2 upside if he's active, but if he's out or not 100%, veteran Nick Chubb (rib) or Jawhar Jordan could take valuable backfield touches away from him.
From RotoBaller
Buffalo Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid (knee) will return to practice on Friday, according to Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic. Head coach Sean McDermott said the Bills are "just trying to manage the knee injury with reps." The team doesn't think it's something that will keep Kincaid from playing on Sunday against the hosting Cleveland Browns, but they didn't want to commit to it. It sounds like Kincaid will be questionable on Friday's final injury report, but he should be active on Sunday after missing practice on Wednesday and Thursday with a knee injury. The 26-year-old has not had a setback with his knee injury and should be treated as a low-end TE1 in fantasy football unless something changes between now and Sunday. Kincaid's presence this weekend in Cleveland will make Dawson Knox hard to trust as a touchdown-dependent TE2 streamer despite his two-touchdown performance in last week's big win over the Patriots.
From RotoBaller
ESPN's Rich Cimini reports that New York Jets tight end Mason Taylor (neck) is expected to return for Week 17's home matchup with the New England Patriots. The 21-year-old has been labeled as a non-participant at practice ever since injuring his neck during New York's 34-10 loss to the Dolphins in Week 14. It's unfortunate news for Taylor, who has been decent in his first season despite a mostly dysfunctional offense around him. With the rookie missing another contest, teammate Jeremy Ruckert will assume duties as Jets' TE1, and Jelani Woods, Andrew Beck, and Stone Smartt will mix in behind him. As it stands, Ruckert shouldn't be considered for fantasy, even in a decent outing with the hosting New Orleans Saints.
From RotoBaller
According to head coach Aaron Glenn, New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson (knee) will be shut down for the remainder of the season as he recovers from a hyper-extended knee. Wilson initially injured his knee in New York's Week 6 loss to the Broncos. After two games and a bye week's worth of rest, the 25-year-old returned to the field. However, he'd reaggravate the ailment, be placed on IR, and is now set to miss the remaining three games. Despite the Jets' offensive woes, Wilson was a bright spot, but he'll now set his sights on 2026. With the news, fantasy managers can expect Adonai Mitchell and John Metchie III to continue playing prominent roles in the team's aerial attack. Isaiah Williams has carved out a role as the third wideout working in behind them.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Chargers running back Kimani Vidal may still be a viable fantasy play in Week 16 if the team continues featuring him as they have, despite teammate Omarion Hampton's return to the field. Hampton missed a massive chunk of the season with an ankle injury. While he's been back for a few weeks now and saw a modest increase in snaps during his second game, Vidal has handily out-snapped him 93-47 over that time frame. The actual touch distribution has been much closer, with the rookie leading 31-28, although it's possible LA will still lean on the former at times, considering he was an excellent stand-in while Hampton was shelved. Vidal should have some decent flex appeal for fantasy until (unless) he's phased out of the game plan in his backfield mate's favor. They'll get an improved Dallas rush defense on the road this Sunday.
From RotoBaller
Kansas City Chiefs second-year wide receiver Xavier Worthy could be in store for an elevated target share in Week 16's road outing with the Tennessee Titans, depending on the health of his running mates. It's been a strange season for the former Texas Longhorn. Worthy essentially missed the first three weeks of the campaign with a shoulder injury, and before he could really get his year on track, teammate Rashee Rice (concussion) returned from a suspension to act as KC's WR1. In the eight games together since, the 22-year-old has played a clear second fiddle. Still, there's some hope he'll see a substantial uptick in work this weekend, particularly with Rice and Tyquan Thornton (concussion) in danger of missing the game. For now, the situation is worth monitoring, as Worthy, Marquise Brown (personal), and JuJu Smith-Schuster (rib) would operate in three-wide-receiver sets if the duo mentioned above is inactive.
From RotoBaller
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Gardner Minshew has spent most of 2025 serving as his team's backup QB behind star signal-caller Patrick Mahomes (knee). However, with Mahomes suffering a season-ending knee injury in Week 15, Minshew is in line to finish the 2025 season as the starter in Kansas City. Across 62 career NFL games (46 starts), Minshew has completed 63.3% of his pass attempts for 11,972 yards, 68 touchdowns, and 35 interceptions. His most recent run as a starter came in 2024 for the Las Vegas Raiders, where he threw for 2,013 yards, nine touchdowns, and 10 interceptions across 10 games (nine starts). With a career average of 6.9 yards per pass attempt, Minshew carries limited upside. Still, he's had competent stretches of NFL quarterback play at various points in his career and will face a favorable matchup in Week 16 against the Tennessee Titans. Given his newfound playing time outlook, Minshew could be a low-end streaming option in two-quarterback fantasy formats.
From RotoBaller
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy's struggles this season have been well-publicized, as the 22-year-old has thrown 11 interceptions across eight starts. However, McCarthy has shown signs of improvement since returning from a concussion that forced him to miss a game in late November. Over his last two starts, McCarthy has completed 66% of his pass attempts for 413 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception. He also remains a threat with his legs, rushing for 34 yards and a score on 10 attempts over that stretch. McCarthy has had favorable matchups over the past two weeks against the Washington Commanders and Dallas Cowboys. However, his schedule remains on the lighter side over Minnesota's next two games, as they will face the New York Giants in Week 16 and the Detroit Lions in Week 17. If McCarthy can hold some of the gains he's made since returning from the concussion, he profiles as a solid fantasy QB2.
From RotoBaller
New York Giants second-year running back out of Purdue, Tyron Tracy Jr., piled up 97 total yards (70 rushing and 27 receiving) in Week 15 and punched in two touchdowns, good for 23.20 points in half PPR formats. Since the injury to Cam Skattebo (ankle) in Week 8, the backfield snaps have been relatively split between Tracy and Devin Singletary. However, in Week 15 we saw Tracy take a majority of the snaps for the first time since Skattebo's injury (76% compared to Singletary's 24%), and out touch him 19 to six, which is an excellent sign for Tracy fantasy managers as we head into the semi-finals of the fantasy football playoffs, as he now provides managers with the confidence to start him as an RB2/flex option against the Minnesota Vikings due to his projected opportunities. The Vikings have been middle-of-the-pack against opposing running backs, allowing the 15th fewest points to the position; however, given Tracy's projected volume after what he earned in Week 15, he can be started in most 12-team or larger formats.
From RotoBaller
Since taking over as his team's starting quarterback in Week 9, New Orleans Saints signal-caller Tyler Shough has shown flashes of production upside. The 26-year-old is averaging 226 passing yards per start and is coming off a 272-yard performance in his team's Week 15 win over the Carolina Panthers. Shough has also shown a willingness to use his legs, as he's collected 127 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 28 attempts over his last four games. The Saints as a team have been far more competitive since he took over under center, posting a 3-3 record with Shough as the starter after opening the season by losing nine out of their first 10 games. New Orleans should have an opportunity to do more damage down the stretch of the season, as they will host the New York Jets in Week 16 before a trip to Tennessee to take on the Titans in Week 17. Shough profiles as a solid fantasy QB2 given the favorable matchups and his recent run of improved play.
From RotoBaller
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins has struggled for much of the 2025 season, completing 62.6% of his pass attempts for 1,218 yards, six touchdowns, and three interceptions across seven games (five starts). However, the 37-year-old posted a monster performance in his team's Week 15 upset of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, throwing for 373 yards and three scores. At this point in his career, Cousins should not be expected to post big numbers every week. Still, his showing against Tampa Bay proves that the veteran still carries some production upside in the right matchups. The Falcons will face another favorable opponent in Week 16 against the Arizona Cardinals, followed by a far more difficult test in Week 17 against the Los Angeles Rams. For fantasy managers in two-quarterback formats, Cousins could be a solid streamer at the position, particularly in Week 16.
From RotoBaller
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy's season-long numbers don't jump off the page, as he's completed 67.9% of his pass attempts for 1,442 yards, 12 touchdowns, and seven interceptions across six starts. However, the 25-year-old is coming off one of his best performances of the season, throwing for 295 yards and three touchdowns in a Week 15 win over the Tennessee Titans. Purdy also rushed for a season-high 44 yards against Tennessee, which may be an indication he's finally regaining full health after missing nearly two full months in the middle of the year with a lingering toe injury. The 49ers travel to Indianapolis to face the Colts in Week 16 before returning home to host the Chicago Bears in Week 17. Purdy has solid fantasy QB1 upside for the final weeks of the season, particularly if he continues to weaponize his rushing ability.
From RotoBaller