Fantasy Football Matchups We Love - Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Picks for Week 16 (2025)

December 20, 2025

Quincy's top fantasy football matchups for Week 16 of 2025. His favorite start 'em, sit 'em picks and predictions -- strong start/sit matchups that he loves.

Congratulations to everyone who moved on in their fantasy playoffs this week. Hopefully, you rostered players such as TreVeyon Henderson or Puka Nacua. The week-winning performances of Week 15 were exciting and exactly what you want to see in the fantasy playoffs.

As we head into Week 16, the stakes will only continue to get higher. Many fantasy managers are battling for a spot in their fantasy championship. Duds are not an option at this point in the season. You need your team to continue to deliver in fantasy as we approach the end.

With that in mind, RotoBaller is here to help you find your way into championship weekend. Week 16 features a handful of tough defenses matching up with hot offenses. Who will bend in those situations? Let's jump in and find out.

Quarterback Matchups We Love

Jalen Hurts - Philadelphia Eagles
Opponent: at WAS
Opponent Rank vs. QB: 30th

Unless your league has fewer than four teams, it is unlikely that you have benched Jalen Hurts at any point this season. However, you have experienced a couple of rough games this year, including a Week 14 stinker against the Chargers. We are here to let you know that you should expect a massive outing from Hurts in Week 16.

Jalen Hurts to A.J. Brown. Ya love to see it.#ProBowlVote pic.twitter.com/0dcsxWVmUa

— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) December 14, 2025

The Commanders continue to be a defense to target for fantasy. They have no pass rush, and their secondary is terrible. Hurts should run and throw all over this team all game long. He may very well give you a week-winning performance in Week 16.

Jared Goff - Detroit Lions
Opponent: PIT
Opponent Rank vs. QB: 25th

Jared Goff, at home, in a must-have game, against one of the worst pass defenses in the league? Sign us up. Goff has delivered as a fantasy starter when you would most expect him to this season. Additionally, the Lions find themselves on the outside of the playoffs, looking in. The aggressiveness of head coach Dan Campbell is going to translate to a great day for Goff.

Barring another Jahmyr Gibbs three-touchdown game, expect Goff to throw for multiple touchdowns and approach 300 passing yards for the third game in a row. If you lost Patrick Mahomes in Week 15, check your waiver wire to see if Goff is available.

Quarterback Matchup to Temper Expectations

Trevor Lawrence - Jacksonville Jaguars
Opponent: at DEN
Opponent Rank vs. QB: 7th

Trevor Lawrence may have been a hero on this list last week, but proceed with caution in Week 16. This game between two of the AFC's best teams figures to be a slugfest. Both the Broncos and the Jaguars boast excellent defenses. This game could come down to the legs of the kickers rather than the arms of the quarterbacks.

The Broncos have a knack for forcing errant throws and turnovers due to their top-tier pass rush and secondary. Lawrence has been protecting the football over the last few weeks, but you never know when he could relapse and start throwing the ball to the defense, especially in a tough matchup.

Running Back Matchups We Love

Michael Carter - Arizona Cardinals
Opponent: ATL
Opponent Rank vs. RB: 20th

Michael Carter appears poised to lead the Cardinals' backfield once again following the season-ending injury to Bam Knight. Carter has been effective for fantasy when given the opportunity this year. He could be a nice boost to any playoff team struggling at the running back position.

Michael Carter Leads Cardinals in Carries in Week 15 Loss https://t.co/2SPK908syQ

— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) December 16, 2025

Atlanta's defense has been getting progressively worse as the season wears on. Their running defense was never particularly stout this season, either. Look for the Cardinals to be in a more competitive game this week than they have been in recent weeks. Carter should see plenty of rushing volume and receive a couple of looks in the passing game.

Omarion Hampton - Los Angeles Chargers
Opponent: at DAL
Opponent Rank vs. RB: 27th

Omarion Hampton continues to ramp up in the Chargers' offense. However, Week 16 feels like the week in which Hampton will really get going. Although the Cowboys' defense was playing better for a stretch, it is back to being the defense that cures all woes. They are allowing 4.56 yards per carry to opposing running backs. Although Hampton's volume has been low since his return to the lineup, his efficiency has remained high.

With the Chargers likely playoff-bound, they will likely continue to limit Hampton's playing time. However, with the Cowboys boasting an excellent defense, expect the Chargers to employ Hampton's services much more often in Week 16 than in Weeks 14 and 15 out of necessity. Hampton should deliver RB2 value in Week 16.

Running Back Matchup to Temper Expectations

Kyren Williams - Los Angeles Rams
Opponent: at SEA
Opponent Rank vs. RB: 9th

You may be riding high on Kyren Williams' touchdown streak, but there is a good chance that Williams will be stymied in Week 16. Williams' fantasy value of late has been buoyed by his scoring a touchdown in six of the past seven games. However, Seattle boasts an excellent running defense that is playing lights out at home.

Additionally, Williams continues to cede snaps to teammate Blake Corum. Williams' snap share is down to hovering around 50%, while Corum played a season-high 46% of the snaps in Week 15. With Williams not receiving the volume that once made him so invincible as a fantasy asset, you may be disappointed in Week 16 in a game that could be a heavyweight battle between two excellent defensive fronts.

Wide Receiver Matchups We Love

Jayden Higgins - Houston Texans
Opponent: LV
Opponent Rank vs. WR: 25th

Jayden Higgins just gave you a serious dud in Week 15. Do not expect the same in Week 16 against a Raiders defense allowing 34.9 PPR fantasy points per game to opposing wide receivers. The Texans handled the Cardinals with ease this past week and did not need Higgins' services very much. The team should have no problem with Las Vegas in Week 16, but the secondary is so bad that Higgins should be able to do damage before the game is out of hand.

Perhaps most encouraging about Higgins' poor Week 15 performance is that he played 72% of the snaps, which was good for his second-highest percentage of the season. As such, Higgins is cemented as the No. 2 wide receiver in this offense, and he should get his looks in Week 16.

Justin Jefferson - Minnesota Vikings
Opponent: at NYG
Opponent Rank vs. WR: 29th

Yes, we are going there. If not now, then when? Justin Jefferson continues to be a frustrating fantasy asset despite the Vikings' offense and quarterback J.J. McCarthy continuing to improve. However, the Vikings clearly made it a point to feed Jefferson in Week 15. He earned eight targets, and he had a touchdown called back due to a penalty.

You cannot keep this guy down forever. If his volume can remain high, Jefferson will break through eventually. The Giants are a great matchup for McCarthy to continue the momentum he has built over the last couple of weeks. You may be in a position where you need to start Jefferson in your fantasy football semi-final. He has a great chance of being a WR2 with upside this week.

Wide Receiver Matchup to Temper Expectations

George Pickens - Dallas Cowboys
Opponent: LAC
Opponent Rank vs. WR: 2nd

Ever since George Pickens seemed to quit on his team in Week 14, he has not been the same. His volume remains high, but he has not been the same explosive athlete that we are accustomed to. The struggles may continue in Week 15 against a Chargers defense that has done well to shut down opposing passing offenses.

You can expect Pickens' running mate, CeeDee Lamb, to get his in this game. Unfortunately, Pickens' effort level, combined with the Chargers' defense, makes him a risky start. Should you need to start Pickens, you may want to adjust the rest of your lineup to find more upside.

Tight End Matchup We Love

Colby Parkinson - Los Angeles Rams
Opponent: at SEA
Opponent Rank vs. TE: 27th

Unless you are rostering one of the top-3 tight ends in fantasy, then you should be trying to go get Colby Parkinson off the waiver wire. This is the hottest tight end in the league right now. He has scored in five of his last six games. The Rams will travel to play Seattle in Week 16. Seattle has a great defense, but it is vulnerable to tight ends in fantasy.

That's two touchdowns for @colbyparkinson!!

📺 @NFLonFOX | #ProBowlVote pic.twitter.com/KE647ZoRUx

— x - Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) December 15, 2025

Additionally, the Rams seem likely to be without wide receiver Davante Adams this week. Adams has been a huge presence for Los Angeles around the goal line. Parkinson could slide into that role as a player the Rams can target on play-action passes near the goal line. Also, who doesn't like a little revenge game storyline for Parkinson, who spent his first four seasons in Seattle?

Tight End Matchup to Temper Expectations

Harold Fannin Jr. - Denver Broncos
Opponent: BUF
Opponent Rank vs. TE: 1st

Harold Fannin Jr. has been fantastic for fantasy of late. Unfortunately, the Bills are a different beast. This is a squad that continues to allow low single-digit point totals to opposing tight ends in fantasy weekly. It is frankly impressive what this team has been able to accomplish in the middle of the field on defense.

The Browns could be in for a long day in Week 16. Fannin will earn his targets, but do not expect much in the way of yards after the catch. You will be happy if he finds the end zone, but otherwise, Fannin is a risky play this week.

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