December 20, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback
Aaron Rodgers has been solid over his past two games and will look to carry that momentum into a Week 16 meeting with the Detroit Lions. Although the Lions are favored by a touchdown at home, this contest is projected to have the highest point total of the week. The main reason is Detroit's struggling pass defense, which has surrendered the most fantasy points, the most yards, and the third-most passing touchdowns to opposing signal-callers over the past four weeks. Given the inconsistencies of Pittsburgh's banged-up defense, there should be no shortage of offense in this one. Rodgers will need to throw the ball early and often to keep pace and will have a full allotment of weapons at his disposal, including a surging
DK Metcalf. While he's not an ideal fantasy option in single-quarterback formats, Rodgers is firmly on the streaming radar and should be viewed as a solid QB2 this week.
--Jorden HillSource: RotoBaller
December 20, 2025
Dallas Cowboys tight end
Jake Ferguson has cooled off in the second half of the season after ranking as the TE1 in Weeks 1 through 9. Ferguson caught just two of four targets for 16 yards in last week's loss to the Minnesota Vikings and hasn't scored in four consecutive games, his longest drought of the season. The 26-year-old draws another tough matchup on Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers, who have held opponents under 20 points in three straight games. The Chargers are giving up the fifth-fewest receptions and seventh-fewest PPR points per game to tight ends. Ferguson has fallen to TE14 in RotoBaller's rankings for the second round of the fantasy playoffs.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Pro Football Reference
December 20, 2025
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver
George Pickens is coming off his worst two-game stretch of the season and faces a Chargers defense in Week 16 that has been the sixth-toughest matchup for opposing receivers. In spite of that, he ranks as RotoBaller's WR12 for the week and should be a reliable play for the fantasy semifinals. The Cowboys are slight home favorites in a game that features the second-highest over/under of the week. Prior to his mini-slump, Pickens faced two of the league's stingiest pass defenses in the Eagles and Chiefs, and was able to put up a combined 234 yards with a receiving touchdown. And despite failing to crack a 20% target share in either of the past two games, with Dallas' high-volume passing attack, that has still been enough for a healthy 15 targets over that span. With
Javonte Williams (neck) limited to begin the week and
CeeDee Lamb (illness) unable to practice until Friday, it would not be surprising to learn that this week's install featured a healthy dose of Pickens, and he remains a trustworthy start despite his last two lackluster efforts.
--Patrick McGrathSource: RotoBaller
December 20, 2025
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver
Jakobi Meyers seems to be the primary benefactor of the Jaguars' offense clicking heading into Week 16. The team also just extended him to a three-year contract, so Meyers should be feeling good heading into a tough matchup with the Denver Broncos. Meyers seems especially useful in PPR given his skillset, which could come in extra handy this week, given the Broncos' elite pass rush. The Jaguars' offense as a whole should struggle compared to last week's beatdown of the New York Jets, which shouldn't limit Meyers too much. Fantasy managers should be happy starting Meyers as he comes in as RotoBaller's WR18 in Week 16.
--Seth Quinn - RotoBallerSource: Jakobi Meyers RotoBaller
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
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