December 19, 2025
Las Vegas Raiders head coach Pete Carroll said quarterback
Geno Smith (shoulder, back) will start on Sunday against the Houston Texans, according to Ryan McFadden of ESPN. Smith practiced in full every day this week and will return in Week 16 after sitting out last week's blowout loss to the Philadelphia Eagles due to a right shoulder injury. The 35-year-old has struggled this season, with the second-most interceptions and tied for the most sacks taken, but he is an upgrade over
Kenny Pickett, who led the Raiders to the lowest total yards (75) in any NFL game this season last week against the Eagles. Smith will return for another brutal matchup in Week 16 against the vaunted Houston Texans defense, and profiles only as a desperation play in superflex leagues.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Ryan McFadden
December 19, 2025
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver
Marquise Brown missed Week 15 and was listed on this week's injury report with a personal issue, but practiced fully and does not have a designation for this week. Brown should step into a larger role with
Rashee Rice and
Tyquan Thornton ruled out with concussions this week. While
Xavier Worthy should be the featured player in the wide receiver room, Brown may still be able to find success against the Tennessee Titans in Week 16. The Titans have allowed the seventh-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers this season, so Brown is set up with an advantageous matchup. The veteran receiver has had some good fantasy performances this season, but now he will have to do it with
Gardner Minshew leading the offense. Brown is ranked WR54 in our RotoBaller Half-PPR rankings, making him a desperation flex option in the fantasy playoffs.
--Joshua CostelloSource: Chiefs.com
December 19, 2025
Miami Dolphins quarterback
Tua Tagovailoa was benched as the team's starting quarterback on Wednesday this week and has "in all likelihood played his final down in Miami," according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. Rookie QB
Quinn Ewers is in line to start the rest of the season for the Dolphins as they prepare to move off of Tagovailoa in the future. The 2020 fifth overall pick has struggled this season, leading the league with 15 interceptions and posting the worst QBR of his career (36.7). Tagovailoa signed a four-year, $212.4 million contract during the 2024 off-season and carries a total of nearly $100 million of dead cap that the Dolphins would have take on over the next two seasons if they decide to move on. The 27-year-old quarterback can safely be dropped in all redraft leagues.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Tom Pelissero
December 19, 2025
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver
Xavier Worthy caught two passes for 35 yards in last week's loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, but he should step into the lead role for the Chiefs this week. With fellow receivers
Rashee Rice and
Tyquan Thornton ruled out with concussions, there should be plenty of opportunities for Worthy to shine against the Tennessee Titans in Week 16. The Titans have given up the seventh-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers this season, which means this could be a smash spot for Worthy if he hits. Worthy has had an up-and-down season, but he should be able to produce with the runway cleared for him. That said, he does have a quarterback downgrade, going from
Patrick Mahomes to
Gardner Minshew this week. Minshew has proven capable in the past and should be able to deliver the ball to Worthy. Worthy is ranked WR39 in our RotoBaller Half-PPR rankings, making him a low-end WR3/flex option this week.
--Joshua CostelloSource: ESPN.com
December 19, 2025
The NFL has fined Los Angeles Rams wide receiver
Puka Nacua $25,000 for his comments about officiating, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network. Nacua compared NFL officials to lawyers and said they make calls to be on TV during a recent social media livestream. The star wide receiver also tweeted about the officials directly after the Rams' loss to the Seahawks on Thursday night. Nacua's off-field antics have somewhat overshadowed how dominant he's been on the field lately, posting a career day with 12 catches for 225 yards and two touchdowns on 16 targets against Seattle. The 24-year-old wideout is in the midst of a ridiculous three-game span, recording 28 catches (38 targets) for 573 yards and four touchdowns. The only other wide receivers to tally 573 yards or more over a three-game span are
Josh Gordon, Calvin Johnson, and Chad Johnson, according to Stathead.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Mike Garafolo
December 19, 2025
Kansas City Chiefs running back
Isiah Pacheco led the backfield in the Week 15 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. Pacheco handled 11 carries for 21 yards and did not earn a single target. The 26-year-old supplanted
Kareem Hunt as the back with the most opportunities, but Pacheco only averaged 1.9 yards per carry with those opportunities. That said, he should retain the lead role in Week 16 against the Tennessee Titans. The Titans have allowed the 11th-most fantasy points to opposing running backs this season, so Pacheco should have an easier time finding success on the ground. The Chiefs could also lean on the run game more with
Patrick Mahomes out for the season. Minshew will step into the lead role at quarterback, which could decrease the overall efficiency of the offense. So, Pacheco may end up getting more work, but the scoring opportunities could be less frequent. Pacheco is ranked RB40 in our RotoBaller Half-PPR rankings, making him a low-end flex option this week.
--Joshua CostelloSource: ESPN.com
December 19, 2025
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver
Marvin Harrison Jr. (heel) is listed as questionable for Week 16's matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. Harrison was a limited participant every day in practice this week and should have a solid chance of returning on Sunday after missing the last two games and four of the past five games. Head coach Jonathan Gannon said that the second-year wideout has "looked pretty good" in practice this week and that the team "will have a plan for him" when asked if there was any concern about his conditioning for a potential return on Sunday against the Falcons. The Ohio State product has averaged 4.0 receptions for 59.4 yards on 6.9 targets with four touchdowns in 10 games this season, ranking as the WR28 in PPR points per game (12.3). If he's active, Harrison will compete with
Michael Wilson and
Trey McBride for targets and profiles as a WR3 for the second round of the fantasy playoffs.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Jonathan Jones
December 19, 2025
For fantasy managers still playing into the money weeks of the season, the decision to start or sit Minnesota Vikings wide receiver
Justin Jefferson against the New York Giants might come with a bit of heartburn. A prolonged slump has Jefferson in risky WR2 territory, which sounds baffling, given his past production. The former LSU Tiger has just six catches for 37 yards in the past three weeks, has not scored a touchdown since Week 9, hasn't eclipsed 80 yards since Week 5, and missed out on two touchdowns last week -- one called back because of a penalty and one he dropped. Overall, however, the Vikings and quarterback
J.J. McCarthy have played significantly better during the past two weeks with back-to-back wins in which the offense scored more than 30 points. Additionally, the matchup is great, as the Giants have surrendered the fourth-most air yards and rank 30th against half-PPR receivers. Managers have surely been burned, but Jefferson still has an ever-present week-winning potential that figures to eventually make an appearance again.
--Nick PiotrowiczSource: RotoBaller
December 19, 2025
Kansas City Chiefs running back
Kareem Hunt took a backseat to
Isiah Pacheco in last week's loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, and his value should also decrease without
Patrick Mahomes leading the offense. Hunt rushed six times for 12 yards and caught one pass for eight yards in Week 15. Hunt handled five fewer carries than Pacheco, but neither back was able to average more than 2.0 yards per carry in the contest.
Gardner Minshew is now set to be the starting quarterback for the Chiefs for the rest of the season, which could decrease the number of scoring opportunities in this offense. Since most of his value is tied to finding the endzone, Hunt will be very difficult to trust this week. That said, Hunt will have a softer matchup in Week 16 against the Tennessee Titans. The Titans have given up the 11th-most fantasy points to opposing running backs this season. Hunt is ranked RB33 in our RotoBaller Half-PPR rankings, making him an RB3/Flex option this week. Given his reduced role last week and fewer expected scoring opportunities moving forward, Hunt is a tough player to project.
--Joshua CostelloSource: ESPN.com
December 19, 2025
In the midst of the best stretch of his young career, Minnesota Vikings quarterback
J.J. McCarthy can be considered a high-potential QB2 option for managers in Superflex leagues as the Vikings look to continue their winning streak in Week 16 at the New York Giants. He'll see another good matchup against the 2-12 Giants, who rank 27th in scoring percentage and 30th in turnover percentage, but could see a patchwork Minnesota offensive line. The Vikings will be without left tackle Christian Darrisaw (knee) and could also be missing right tackle Brian O'Neill (heel), who is questionable. McCarthy, who has been limited to eight starts in two years due to injuries, looked significantly improved during the past two games, in which he completed 66% of passes, accounted for six touchdowns, committed only one turnover, and finished among the top 10 fantasy quarterbacks both times. McCarthy is still raw and prone to volatility, but the past two weeks vindicated managers who kept the faith, giving them a quality option with a favorable matchup deep in the fantasy playoffs.
--Nick PiotrowiczSource: RotoBaller
December 19, 2025
In four games since returning from Injured Reserve, Jacksonville Jaguars tight end
Brenton Strange has totaled 12 catches for 191 yards and a touchdown on 18 targets. Over that stretch, the 24-year-old ranks second on the team in targets, yards, and receptions, trailing only
Jakobi Meyers. The third-year tight end has established himself as a reliable target for
Trevor Lawrence and remains a higher-floor tight end option heading into Week 16. The Jaguars' offense has been rolling lately, but faces a tough matchup on Sunday against the vaunted Denver Broncos defense. Strange is coming off his lowest yardage output since Week 2, with one catch for 26 yards on three targets last week against the Jets, and could be in line for another down week given the opponent.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Pro Football Reference
December 19, 2025
As the Minnesota Vikings' offense has looked markedly improved during the past two weeks, an increased commitment to the running game offers great potential for running back
Aaron Jones Sr. in Week 16 against the New York Giants. The Vikings ran the ball on nearly 57% of snaps the past two games, did damage with play-fakes, and saw quarterback
J.J. McCarthy play his best football of the year. Jones has 15 touches in back-to-back weeks, which could mean good things against a Giants defense that ranks dead last in yards per carry allowed. Additionally, New York ranks a lowly 30th against half-PPR running backs and has allowed the fifth-most rushing touchdowns, presenting a terrific matchup at a great time for managers who roster the veteran running back. Jones can be considered a solid RB2 with the potential for more in Week 16.
--Nick PiotrowiczSource: RotoBaller
December 19, 2025
Minnesota Vikings running back
Jordan Mason should be considered an RB3/flex option when his team takes on the porous run defense of the New York Giants in Week 16. The Vikings have found an excellent run-pass balance in victories the past two weeks that has been a positive development overall, but also has led to more work for Mason. The former San Francisco 49er drew double-digit carries in both games, and even more notably, earned six carries and a touchdown in the red zone. The Giants have allowed the fifth-most rushing touchdowns and rank dead last in yards per carry allowed, which bodes well for the Minnesota running game. Though he is touchdown-dependent and still behind fellow running back
Aaron Jones Sr., Mason's workload and quality matchup are enough to consider for a flex spot.
--Nick PiotrowiczSource: RotoBaller
December 19, 2025
For managers still playing, the decision to start or sit Minnesota Vikings wide receiver
Jordan Addison against the New York Giants is a riddle. This week, the former USC and Pitt standout qualifies as an ultimate high-risk, high-reward WR3/flex option. He has an outstanding matchup against a poor Giants pass defense that has allowed the fourth-most points to half-PPR receivers and fourth-most air yards, both great signs for a home-run hitter like Addison. Additionally, the Vikings' offense has been markedly better during the past two weeks, during which the offense scored 30-plus points, and Addison recorded more than 60 yards both times. But there is also the downside: Minnesota still ranks among the league's worst in turnover percentage, sacks allowed, and scoring percentage. In the six games preceding back-to-back wins, Addison averaged a paltry 27.5 receiving yards. Managers in the fantasy playoffs will have to evaluate the full picture of their roster to gauge whether the possibility of Addison having a big game is worth the risk of a dud.
--Nick PiotrowiczSource: RotoBaller
December 19, 2025
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback
Gardner Minshew replaced
Patrick Mahomes after he suffered his season-ending knee injury against the Los Angeles Chargers last week. Minshew completed three of his five pass attempts for 22 yards and an interception in the loss. It was a difficult spot for the backup to be thrust into, but he should have the opportunity to bounce back this week against the Tennessee Titans. The Titans have given up the seventh-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks this season, putting Minshew in an advantageous situation this week. The last time Minshew started a game was over a year ago when he was a member of the Las Vegas Raiders. The 29-year-old completed 25 of 42 pass attempts (60%) for 230 yards, a touchdown, and an interception in a loss to the Denver Broncos. Minshew has proven to be a capable starter when given the opportunity, but the Kansas City offense should still take a hit without Mahomes at the helm. Minshew is ranked QB26 in our RotoBaller rankings, making him a backend QB2 option in Superflex and 2QB leagues this week.
--Joshua CostelloSource: ESPN.com
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