RADIO
Dante Pettis Paces Niners Pass Catchers
12/16:San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Dante Pettis snatched all five of his targets for 83 yards in Week 15 against the Seattle Seahawks. Pettis once again operated as the Niners No. 1 receiver, using excellent technique and making chain-moving plays. His longest grab on the day was an impressive 30-yard contested catch in the second half. In the four games since the team’s bye week, the second-round rookie has 26 grabs for 338 yards and four touchdowns. Pettis’ strong play has earned him every-week WR3 consideration but he’ll get a tough test in Week 16 against a suffocating Chicago Bears secondary.Source: ESPN.com
Matt Breida Aggravates Ankle Injury Against Seattle
12/16:San Francisco 49ers running back Matt Breida (ankle) aggravated his ankle injury in the fourth quarter of the Week 15 overtime win over the Seahawks. Breida was the lead back for most of this game over Jeffery Wilson, which was a good sign for Breida's owners after he sat out in Week 14. He totaled 17 carries for 50 yards and also caught all five of his targets in the passing game for an extra 46 yards. Breida's ankle has caused him issues off and on almost all year, so his status might be in question for Week 16 in a tough matchup with Chicago. If he's forced to miss another game, Wilson would be in play as an RB3/flex as the lead ball carrier.Source: NBC Sports Bay Area - Matt Maiocco
Robbie Gould Plays The Hero
12/16:San Francisco 49ers kicker Robbie Gould converted all four of his field goal attempts in Week 15, including a game-winning 36-yarder in overtime. Gould also chipped in two extra points for 14 total points on the day. The 36-year-old is now 29-for-30 on field goals this season and continues to be a reliable boot for the 49ers. Despite his consistency, Gould and the Niners offense could struggle for scoring opportunities in Week 16 against the top-ranked Chicago Bears defense.Source: ESPN.com
Sony Michel Grinds Out 59 Rushing Yard In Loss
12/16:New England Patriots running back Sony Michel carried the ball 13 times for 59 yards in the Patriots 17-10 loss to the Steelers. Michel averaged 4.5 yards per carry but his snap-count went down with James White and Rex Burkhead also sharing time in the backfield. The rookie running back put together some solid runs but his fantasy value is being held back by the Patriots running back time-share. Michel is averaging 78 rushing yards a game over his last four contests and will maintain his low-end RB2 status next week against a Bills defense that has allowed 14 rushing touchdowns to opposing running backs this season.Source: New England Patriots
Nick Mullens Mistake-Free In Victory
12/16:San Francisco 49ers quarterback Nick Mullens went 20-for-29 with 275 yards and one touchdown in Week 15’s upset victory against the Seattle Seahawks. Mullens found tight end Garrett Celek for a 41-yard score in the second quarter for the team’s only offensive touchdown on the day. Playing on a rainy field, Mullens kept the chains moving and made several impressive throws. He was an efficient game manager, committing no turnovers and keeping the Niners in control for most of the game. Mullens future is uncertain in 2019 with quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (knee) returning, but he’s demonstrated he could be a capable NFL signal-caller. Mullens has put together some solid fantasy performances but will be a last-ditch QB2 in Week 16 against the Chicago Bears shutdown defense.Source: ESPN.com
James White Held In Check By Steelers
12/16:New England Patriots running back James White totaled only 37 yards from scrimmage in the Patriots loss to the Steelers in Week 15. White lost snaps to running back Rex Burkhead and the Steelers defense has been fantastic at stopping running backs in the passing game. Both of these factors led to another down performance for White. The veteran got off to a fantastic start this season but has really tailed off over the past few games. Over his last five games, White has 20 receptions but for only 168 yards and has not scored a touchdown since Week 9. At this point, White should only be started in PPR-formats and will go up against a Bills defense that he posted 94 total yards with 10 receptions against in Week 8.Source: New England Patriots
Rob Gronkowski Totals Only 21 Yards In Loss
12/16:New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski caught only two passes for 21 yards in the team's 17-10 loss to the Steelers in Week 15. One week after playing his best game of the season, the Steelers did an admirable job of bottling up Gronk. He saw five targets in the game, especially on the final drive as the Patriots tried to find the end zone in the closing seconds. Gronkowski had enjoyed plenty of previous success against the Steelers defense that gave fantasy owners plenty of hope coming into the game. Unfortunately, one of the most dynamic tight ends in football has been a major fantasy disappointment this season with only 637 yards and three touchdowns in 11 games. It may be time to bench Gronk next week against a Bill defense that is allowing the third fewest fantasy points to opposing tight ends this season.Source: New England Patriots
Jeffery Wilson Plays Up-And-Down Game
12/16:San Francisco 49ers running back Jeffery Wilson rushed seven times for 46 yards in Week 15 against the Seattle Seahawks. With Matt Breida (ankle) healthy, Wilson returned to a complementary role. Despite some flashes, he hurt his own cause by coughing up a fumble, dropping an easy pass and committing an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. Wilson redeemed himself in overtime by ripping a 16-yard carry to set up the game-winning field goal. With the Niners evaluating all their young players, Wilson will likely maintain a role in the offense but needs to reduce the costly mistakes. Reports indicate Breida aggravated his ankle injury late in the game. If he misses time, Wilson would be in play as a volume-based RB3 in Week 16 against a stifling Chicago Bears defense.Source: ESPN.com
Chris Hogan Catches 63-Yard Touchdown Pass
12/16:New England Patriots wide receiver Chris Hogan caught two passes for 68 yards, including a 63-yard touchdown, in the Patriots Week 15 loss to the Steelers. Hogan sprung free on a broken play in the first quarter and easily scored to put the Patriots on the board. From there Hogan would see only two more targets in the game and the receiver hasn't produced more than two receptions in a game since October 21. Despite coming through with a big play, Hogan has been a disaster as a fantasy prospect this year. He should not be added heading into Week 16 against a tough Bills defense.Source: New England Patriots
Josh Gordon Disappears In Loss
12/16:New England Patriots wide receiver Josh Gordon caught only one pass for 19 yards in the team's Week 15 loss to the Steelers. Gordon was practically non-existent in the game and saw only two targets in a game where the Patriots struggled to move the ball in the air. Gordon had strung together some promising performances before this game, posting at least 50 receiving yards in seven of his last nine games. Gordon has fit in nicely in the Patriots offense but hasn't had a real opportunity to take off. He will be a tough sell in Week 16 for fantasy owners against a tough Bills secondary that Gordon posted only 42 yards against in Week 8.Source: New England Patriots
Julian Edelman Leads Patriots With 90 Receiving Yards
12/16:New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman recorded a team-high seven receptions for 90 yards in the Patriots 17-10 loss to the Steelers. Edelman enjoyed an active game as he saw 11 targets and came up with a huge 34-yard reception late to give the Patriots a chance to possibly tie the game in the closing minutes. Edelman has produced solid numbers this season but struggles to get open in the red zone. The veteran receiver has a tough matchup next week against the Bills but Edelman caught nine passes for 104 yards in Week 8 against them.Source: New England Patriots
Matt Breida Retakes Lead Role
12/16:San Francisco 49ers running back Matt Breida (ankle) grinded out 50 yards on 17 carries and caught five passes for 46 yards in Week 15 against the Seattle Seahawks. After missing one game with a nagging ankle injury, Breida did not appear limited and led the backfield in snaps and touches by a wide margin. Rookie runner Jeffery Wilson committed some costly errors which probably contributed to Breida retaking the reigns. The Niners and Seahawks played between the 20s all day so Breida did not have any red zone opportunities. With double-digit touches in 10 contests this year, Breida will remain a volume-based RB2 in Week 16 for a tough matchup at home against the Chicago Bears.Source: ESPN.com
Tom Brady Comes Up Short In Loss
12/16:New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady completed 25 of 36 passes for 279 yards, one touchdown and one interception in the Patriots 17-10 loss to the Steelers. This mediocre fantasy performance for the future Hall of Famer can mostly be chalked up to missed opportunities. Bradyread more...
Mason Crosby Perfect In Week 15
12/16:Green Bay Packers kicker Mason Crosby made all three of his field goals against the Chicago Bears. The Packers went for two, so Crosby didn't have any extra-point attempts. The Packers are out of playoff contention and may rest starters. Don't expect the offense to score a lot, but Crosby could still put up good numbers if they can get into scoring range. The Packers might be more willing to go for it on fourth downs to get their young players more experience, so Crosby may be a riskier play the next two weeks.Source: NFL.com
San Francisco 49ers Defense And Special Teams Scores Touchdown
12/16:The San Francisco 49ers defense and special teams recorded three sacks and returned a kickoff for a touchdown in Week 15’s upset win over the Seattle Seahawks. The return score came courtesy of Richie James Jr. in the first quarter while the defense registered multiple stops against the Seahawks offense. Coming into the game with a league-low five turnovers, the Niners were again unable to make any game-changing plays on the day. However, the defense was good enough and contributed to the team’s second straight victory. Without many playmakers, the 49ers DST unit won’t be a serious fantasy candidate in Week 16 against the Chicago Bears.Source: ESPN.com
