December 20, 2025
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver
CeeDee Lamb (illness) missed the team's first two practices of the week, but he was able to log a full participation on Friday and is a locked-in WR1 for Sunday's fantasy semifinal matchup with the Chargers. Los Angeles has boasted one of the strongest pass defenses in the league, but the Cowboys' explosive offense, coupled with their own porous defense, has superseded matchups all year long. We see evidence of this once again with Sunday's 50.5 point over/under, the second-highest total of the week. Lamb has averaged 104.8 receiving yards over his last four games, despite facing three of the league's best pass defenses in the Eagles, Chiefs, and Vikings. He is RotoBaller's WR4 for the week and is a must-start along with the rest of the Cowboys' offensive pieces.
--Patrick McGrathSource: RotoBaller
December 20, 2025
The Carolina Panthers' Defense is a deeper streaming option for Week 16 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The unit has held opposing teams to 20 or fewer points in four of their last six games. The Carolina D/ST has given up the ninth-fewest fantasy points to opposing QBs overall this year. Since Week 7, Carolina has allowed one QB to finish top-12 at the position. In Week 16, Carolina will face
Baker Mayfield, who has registered fewer than 15 PPR points in three of his last four games. The Tampa Bay QB has been sacked multiple times in three of the last four games, including five times last week against the Falcons. Fantasy players can consider starting the Panthers' defense as a deeper option in this important game against their NFC South rivals!. Last week against the Saints, linebacker D.J. Wonnum registered two sacks. CB Jaycee Horn remains the only player in the NFL with two games of two-plus interceptions, and he leads the team with five overall. The Panthers D/ST unit ranks 16th this week on RotoBaller.com. Carolina has scored 26.0 fantasy points over the last four weeks, which ranks 12th among all teams. They have five sacks during that span, which is tied for fifth in the league.
--Sean Engel - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
December 20, 2025
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver
Brian Thomas Jr. is a tough player to trust, but he does have upside in Week 16 against the Denver Broncos. The offense is clicking at the right time, making his upside intriguing. However, Thomas Jr. remains a flex option given his struggles this season and a tough matchup. The Broncos are a top team in the AFC mainly because of their defense. Denver is the third-best scoring defense in the NFL, but it is better against the run than the pass. If the Jaguars decide to go pass-heavy, that could mean a big day for Thomas Jr. He is a risky start, but certainly worth consideration in Week 16.
--Seth Quinn - RotoBallerSource: Brian Thomas Jr. RotoBaller
December 20, 2025
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver
Drake London (knee) has missed the last four weeks with a knee injury, and despite a questionable tag after being limited in practice all week, he is expected to suit up for Sunday's road matchup against the Cardinals. The 24-year-old was rolling before going down with the injury, recording five 100-yard receiving games in his last six contests, along with six touchdowns to boot. Those games all featured
Michael Penix Jr. (knee) under center, though, so there is some uncertainty whether or not
Kirk Cousins will display the same affinity for the team's No. 1 receiver. Cousins showed a penchant for targeting his tight end,
Kyle Pitts Sr., the most during London's absence. Nevertheless, London slots right back in as a mid-range WR1 for Week 16's road matchup against an Arizona defense that is middle of the road in terms of fantasy points allowed to opposing wideouts, but that has been hemorrhaging points over the last three weeks, giving up 35 points per game over that stretch (second most). Managers should just make sure to double-check his status on Sunday to make sure he is playing.
--Jarod RuppSource: ESPN
December 20, 2025
The San Francisco 49ers D/ST allowed 24 points to the Titans in Week 15 and failed to record a turnover or a sack, even though
Cam Ward is tied with two others as the most-sacked quarterback in the league. The 49ers have now recorded an interception in only three games, have 16 sacks on the season, and own the league's second-lowest pressure rate. In Week 16, San Francisco will take on the Colts, led by 44-year-old
Philip Rivers. The rust was evident in Rivers' first game in five years when he faced the Seahawks last week, but Indy's strong offensive line should have no problem protecting him from the 49ers' impotent pass rush. Despite an inviting matchup due to the Colts' quarterback situation, the 49ers' track record in 2025 makes them hard to trust in the semi-final round of the fantasy football playoffs.
--Dan StephensSource: NFL.com
December 20, 2025
Ja'Tavion Sanders finished Week 15 against the Saints with two receptions for five yards. Sanders was mainly utilized as a blocker and played on 53% of the snaps. In 11 games played this season, Sanders has averaged 4.1 PPR Points Per Game. The Panthers will take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 16. The Buccaneers rank 27th in Fantasy Points Per Game allowed to the TE position this year. Despite a great matchup, Sanders is still not worthy of a roster spot during the fantasy playoffs. Sanders has totaled 5+ targets in a game only twice this season, and he has no receiving touchdowns.
--Sean Engel - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
December 20, 2025
Dallas Cowboys running back
Javonte Williams (neck) was able to log a full practice session on Friday, and he looks to be a locked-in RB1 option for Sunday's Week 16 matchup with the Chargers. Los Angeles' defense has been strong against the pass all season, forcing most opponents into a run-heavy game plan, but the Cowboys also boast one of the few offenses in the league capable of turning any game into a shootout. Sunday's 50.5 point over/under is the second-highest of the week, implying that both teams will see plenty of scoring opportunities, and with the Cowboys a slight favorite at home, Williams should be in line for his normal bellcow workload. His 230 carries on the season were the seventh most in the league coming into Week 16, and he ranks in the top six in both rushing yards and touchdowns. Williams is RotoBaller's RB12 against the Chargers' league-average run defense.
--Patrick McGrathSource: RotoBaller
December 20, 2025
Xavier Legette caught two passes for 39 yards and totaled 5.9 PPR points in Week 15 against the New Orleans Saints. The Carolina WR remains mostly irrelevant in fantasy football right now. He has logged three consecutive games with under 6.0 PPR points. In Week 16, Legette has a decent matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Buccaneers rank 17th in Fantasy Points Per Game allowed to the WR position this year, but he is still not playable for fantasy purposes. Since Week 5, Legette has seen inconsistent volume. He had 5+ targets in only three games since then. Due to his varying volume and underwhelming fantasy output for the season, Legette is not worth rostering for the fantasy football playoffs.
--Sean Engel - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
December 20, 2025
Jacksonville Jaguars running back
Travis Etienne Jr. should be in many starting lineups despite a tough Week 16 matchup with the Denver Broncos. He mustered three receiving touchdowns in a huge passing day for the Jaguars' offense last week. That receiving work gives Etienne Jr. a high floor. With backup running back
Bhayshul Tuten (finger) out with a finger injury, Etienne Jr.'s upside increases. That floor and upside combination makes Etienne Jr. a great starting option this week, even though the Broncos are second-best in the NFL in rushing yards allowed. While he should be slightly downgraded, managers should feel comfortable starting Etienne Jr. in their Week 16 playoff matchups.
--Seth Quinn - RotoBallerSource: Travis Etienne Jr. RotoBaller
December 20, 2025
San Francisco 49ers kicker
Eddy Pineiro returned to action in Week 15 after missing two games due to a hamstring injury. Pineiro was money against the Titans, nailing every one of his attempts in the game. Pineiro was 3-for-3 on field goals, with makes from 33, 37, and 40 yards out, and was 4-for-4 on extra points. He has missed four PATs in 2025, but remains perfect on field goal tries. In Week 16, Pineiro has the benefit of playing inside a dome when the 49ers travel to Indianapolis to face the Colts. Over the last four weeks, the Colts have allowed more fantasy points per game (12.8) to opposing kickers than any team in the NFL. Pineiro makes for a solid choice in Week 16.
--Dan StephensSource: NFL.com
December 20, 2025
Jalen Coker delivered one of his better fantasy outings in Week 15 against the Saints. The Carolina WR caught four passes for 60 yards and a touchdown. He finished with 14.0 PPR points, marking the third time in the last four weeks that he posted double-digit PPR points. Carolina will take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 16 in a showdown for the NFC South lead. Tampa Bay ranks 17th in Fantasy Points Per Game to WRs this season. Although Coker has a decent matchup, his overall volume is a concern. Only once has Coker been targeted 5+ times in a game this year, and he averages 3.6 targets per game. Still, fantasy players can consider Coker in Week 16 if they need a flex streamer. He has caught a touchdown pass in each of his last two games, and
Bryce Young may have to throw frequently to keep pace with the Tampa Bay offense. Considering the magnitude of this matchup for the Panthers, Coker is more likely to stay involved in the passing game this week. He is not an upside play, but can provide a decent statistical floor again.
--Sean Engel - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
December 20, 2025
Tetairoa McMillan will play in Week 16 after missing practices earlier in the week due to foot/ankle concerns. Last week against the Saints, McMillan had two receptions for 25 yards and finished with 4.5 PPR points, his lowest total this season. It was the third straight game in which McMillan had fewer than three receptions, and it was also the first time he did not catch a touchdown pass since Week 10. In Week 16, the Panthers will face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Tampa Bay ranks 17th in Fantasy Points Per Game allowed to the WR position in 2025. McMillan has been Carolina's top overall receiver for the year, averaging 12.9 PPR points per game, but has been unreliable in recent weeks. The Carolina rookie has logged less than 12 PPR points in five of his last six starts, including each of his last three. This is a very crucial game for Carolina in the NFC South race this week, so McMillan should provide double-figure PPR totals, but he is certainly not an upside play.
--Sean Engel - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
December 20, 2025
Chuba Hubbard posted underwhelming numbers in Week 15 against the Saints. The Carolina RB had eight carries for 29 yards. He also added nine receiving yards on one reception to total just 4.8 PPR points. Hubbard has registered less than 5.0 PPR points in three of his last five games. The Panthers will face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 16. Tampa Bay ranks 23rd in Fantasy Points Per Game allowed to the RB position this year. Although Hubbard has a good matchup this week, he has not seen enough consistent volume to warrant a roster spot on most fantasy playoff teams. Outside of Week 13, Hubbard has not posted double-digit rushing attempts since Week 8. He should only be rostered as a handcuff to
Rico Dowdle.
--Sean Engel - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
December 20, 2025
New Orleans Saints tight end
Juwan Johnson hauled in all four of his targets for 30 yards in Week 15's victory over the Panthers. It marked Johnson's second straight game with exactly four receptions and his fourth consecutive contest without finding the end zone. He ranks second on the team in receptions, targets, and receiving yards behind
Chris Olave. With injuries piling up and the Saints set to be without
Devaughn Vele (shoulder),
Alvin Kamara (knee), and
Devin Neal (hamstring), Johnson's already steady role in the passing game could grow. The Jets allow the 13th-fewest PPR points to tight ends, placing Johnson in the TE1/TE2 mix this week.
--Dakota Legg - RotoBallerSource: NFL.com
December 20, 2025
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback
Trevor Lawrence had a breakout game last week, but fantasy managers shouldn't overreact for a tough Week 16 matchup with the Denver Broncos. He put up six total touchdowns last week against the New York Jets, but the Broncos are on the opposite end of the AFC standings for a reason. Denver's defense leads the NFL in sacks, ranks fourth in total yards allowed, and third in points allowed. The Jaguars' offense may be clicking at the moment, but it should have a much harder time thriving against the stout Broncos defense. Just like the rest of the offense, fantasy managers should think twice about automatically inserting Lawrence into lineups despite last week's performance.
--Seth Quinn - RotoBallerSource: Trevor Lawrence RotoBaller
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