Arizona Cardinals kicker Matt Prater (knee) has been ruled out for Week 16 against the Carolina Panthers. The veteran kicker had his 21-day practice window opened earlier this week, but the Cardinals have determined he's not quite ready to return from injured reserve yet. In the meantime, Chad Ryland will continue to handle kicking duties for Arizona. Through 10 games this year, he has gone 18-for-18 on extra points and 22-for-26 on field goals.

From RotoBaller

Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams has a difficult matchup in Week 16 at the Chicago Bears and makes for a risky play in the fantasy playoffs. The Bears defense allows the second-fewest fantasy points to opposing wide receivers and Williams was held to five catches for 28 yards when the teams played in Detroit in Week 13. The speedy wide receiver has the big-play ability to make one play account for a large chunk of a productive day. Against a good pass defense with other options in the Lions' passing offense like Amon-Ra St. Brown, Tim Patrick, and Sam LaPorta, Williams could be a bit overlooked in this game. Look for other more steady options to fill in the receiver spots for fantasy playoff lineups.

From RotoBaller

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen is expected to be quarterback Bryce Young's top option again in the Week 16 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. His fellow receiver's statuses are as follows: Xavier Legette (hip) is out, David Moore (concussion) is questionable, and Jalen Coker (quadriceps) is questionable. Thielen has produced for fantasy managers who kept him on their rosters following his Week 12 return from a hamstring injury. The 34-year-old has reeled in 25 of 32 targets for 309 yards and a touchdown over his last four games. Thielen continues leading Carolina in targets and receptions, making him a mid-range WR3/FLEX play this week, especially in PPR leagues. RotoBaller has Thielen WR29 in the latest wide receiver rankings for this week.

From RotoBaller

Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown is coming off a monster performance against the Buffalo Bills in Week 15. He faces a tough test in Week 16 at the Chicago Bears but should produce for fantasy managers in the fantasy playoffs. The Bears' defense allows the second-fewest fantasy points to opposing wide receivers this season. Chicago held St. Brown in check in Week 13 in Detroit as the talented receiver hauled in five passes for 73 yards on seven targets. Last week, St. Brown had a season-high 18 targets in the team's loss to Buffalo. The volume will not be as heavy in Week 16 but look for St. Brown to be involved as the team's biggest target in the passing game. If the Lions find success on the ground, they could lean into the rushing attack in this game so the game script could be very different from last week. It doesn't figure to be a huge breakout game for St. Brown for the second week in a row but look for a solid performance in this game.

From RotoBaller

Detroit Lions running back Craig Reynolds is a popular waiver-wire addition ahead of Week 16 against the Chicago Bears but it might be best to check on his role and usage before plugging him into lineups. With David Montgomery (knee) out, it is natural to think that Reynolds could step into the tandem running back role with Jahmyr Gibbs and produce numbers that could be useful for fantasy. But Gibbs could dominate the backfield and be in line for expanded usage and a more featured role with Reynolds and Sione Vaki giving him rest spells. Reynolds could factor into the Lions game plan but in the fantasy playoffs this week it is risky to take that chance and would be better to trust a more reliable option at the position.

From RotoBaller

Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs is the clear-cut number-one option in the team's backfield now that David Montgomery will miss time with a knee injury. The versatile running back has a nice matchup in Week 16 at the Chicago Bears. The Bears allow the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing running backs and Gibbs should have a strangle-hold on carries for the Lions. Craig Reynolds and even Sione Vaki could factor in a bit in the backfield but Gibbs should get a heavy workload against a beatable defense. Everything is lining up for a big day for Gibbs who should be heavily involved in the passing game as well. Count on the talented running back for big numbers in the fantasy playoffs.

From RotoBaller

Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff is coming off his best game of the year in a loss to Buffalo. He will try to continue that positive momentum in a Week 16 matchup at the Chicago Bears. The Bears' defense is tops in the NFL in allowing the fewest fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. It's a tough road tilt for Goff but the quarterback still sets up well from a fantasy perspective and should continue his hot stretch for fantasy managers needing a good playoff performance. With David Montgomery out, the Lions offense will lean on Jahmyr Gibbs in the backfield but the passing game should be more featured without the team's big bruiser. Goff will likely not throw as much as he did against Buffalo, but even with reduced volume, he should put up nice numbers on the road.

From RotoBaller

Arizona Cardinals rookie wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. is a flex play with great potential in Week 16. He and the Cardinals will travel to Carolina to face a defense that ranks 16th in fantasy points allowed to opposing receivers. Harrison Jr. has been boom or bust all season, and this week, he's presented with an opportunity to boom. He has been somewhat touchdown-dependent for fantasy production this season, and he will be facing a defense that has allowed the most passing touchdowns in the NFL. Despite not fully living up to the high expectations that come with being a top-five pick to this point, he has received over 90 targets this season and will be involved in Sunday's game plan. Harrison Jr. should be considered a flex play this week, with managers trusting him in their lineups.

From RotoBaller

The New York Giants defense heads into Week 16 with a prime opportunity to capitalize on a favorable matchup against the Atlanta Falcons and rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr., who will be making his first NFL start. The Giants' pass defense ranks 7th in the league, allowing just 200.4 yards per game and boasting 38 sacks (7th-most in the NFL), which could disrupt the Falcons' 6th-ranked passing attack. However, their 31st-ranked run defense (143.7 yards per game allowed) remains a major liability against Atlanta's 12th-ranked rushing offense (and starter Bijan Robinson). With the Falcons averaging only 20.9 points per game (21st in the NFL), the Giants' strong red-zone efficiency (15th, 53.7% TD rate) gives them deep sleeper appeal this week.

From RotoBaller

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker hasn't made much of an impact this season, but he has a chance to have a solid day against one of the NFL's worst pass defenses. Vegas will take on the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 16, who allow a ludicrous 7.9 yards per pass attempt to opposing teams this season. For context, the gap between JAX and the second-worst team, the Dallas Cowboys, is 0.6 yards. That's the same as the gap between the Cowboys and the 17th ranked pass defense. So the Jags are not only the worst in the league at stopping passers, they're worse by a long shot. With QB1 Aidan O'Connell (knee) expected to return, we could see a few plays where Tucker beats the soft defense deep and AOC chucks it to him downfield. That's worth taking a shot on in very deep fantasy football leagues.

From RotoBaller

The Las Vegas Raiders will clash with the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 16. Though the Jags are missing their starting quarterback, one of their best receivers, and their top TE, it's still tough to trust the Raiders defense to do anything fantasy-wise. With star defensive end Maxx Crosby (ankle), fellow DE Malcolm Koonce (knee), and another stellar defender in defensive tackle Christian Wilkins (foot) all on injured reserve, an already weak defense is plenty banged-up. This D simply does not produce enough turnovers, hold opponents to low scoring totals, or rack up enough sacks to make a difference. They rank near the bottom of the league in every major defensive category, including points allowed, sacks, and takeaways. Don't consider starting them in fantasy football this week.

From RotoBaller

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Jakobi Meyers will face what is easily his softest matchup of the season in Week 16, when the Raiders face the Jacksonville Jaguars. The opposing team has a patented Swiss-cheese secondary, without much cheese and with mostly holes. They're the worst team at defending against wide receivers in the league, and with quarterback Aidan O'Connell returning from an injury, it's a smash spot for Meyers. He's one of the more underrated WRs in the league, probably because he's been on bad offenses his whole career outside of his rookie season. His upside in PPR fantasy football leagues is massive this week, and he should be started in all of them. He was cleared from the injury report, so he's healthy and ready to go. Don't leave him on your benches.

From RotoBaller

Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson has mostly done a solid job making field goals, and his offense will face one of the worst defenses in the league when they take on the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 16. His accuracy on FGs under 50 yards has been impressive, though he's faltered numerous times on the long-range shots. He's made 83.6% of his field goal tries this season, though if you remove those attempts over 50 yards, he's nailed over 95% of the others. He's 95% on extra point tries as well. This week should finally see him getting more opportunities, at least in a way we can predict, so he's a decent option at kicker in deep fantasy football leagues.

From RotoBaller

Las Vegas Raiders running back Alexander Mattison (neck) is expected to play in Week 16, when his team will take on the Jacksonville Jaguars. We're just a few games away from finally wrapping up the rollercoaster of misery that has been the Raiders backfield in 2024. With RB Zamir White (quad) still on injured reserve and Sincere McCormick (ankle) out for the season, it looks like Mattison will split touches with fellow RB Ameer Abdullah. It's hard to say which one will out-snap the other, but having watched the Raiders this season, it will probably be some kind of committee. We don't expect Mattison to have a ton of fantasy value, as it appears Abdullah is the better pass-catcher, and neither will have a ton of TD upside. The former Minnesota Viking should probably be left on the bench.

From RotoBaller

The Las Vegas Raiders will take on the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 16 in what is an easy matchup for running backs in fantasy. Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah will probably split volume with RB Alexander Mattison (neck), and Abdullah presents the more interesting option in fantasy football, since he seems to have more pass-catching upside. The 31-year old rushed three times for just eight yards in Week 15, but caught all seven of his targets for 58 yards and a touchdown. JAX has one of the league's most porous defenses. These factors make the 10th-year pro an intriguing option in deeper PPR leagues as an RB3/FLEX, but starting anyone from this backfield in fantasy football carries plenty of risk.

From RotoBaller

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers will face the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 16. They have one of the worst pass defenses in the last 25 years in terms of passing Expected Points Added per play allowed. That statistic attempts to measure how impactful each play is for the opposing offense. JAX thus allows a ton of big and crucial plays, and does that often. With the team's QB1, Aidan O'Connell (knee) set to return from injury, Bowers will have his preferred signal-caller back in the lineup, and should be fed a healthy dose of targets. This will be another chance for the stellar rookie to shine, and fantasy managers should not leave him out of their lineups in any leagues with tight end slots in starting lineups. He should be started in all leagues this week, as he's primed for a monster game.

From RotoBaller

New York Giants kicker Graham Gano looks to get going in Week 16 against the Atlanta Falcons after a quiet showing in Week 15, where he had no field goal attempts but made both PATs in a 35-14 loss to the Ravens. On the season, Gano has converted 6 of 8 field goals (75%) with a long of 50 yards. The Falcons' defense allows 24.4 points per game, ranking 25th in the league, which could create scoring opportunities if the Giants' offense can sustain drives.

From RotoBaller

New York Giants tight end Daniel Bellinger heads into Week 16 against the Atlanta Falcons looking to build on steady production as the team's lone starting tight end since Theo Johnson's season-ending injury. Over the past two games, Bellinger has tallied eight receptions on 10 targets for 80 yards, averaging 10 yards per catch but has yet to find the end zone. The Falcons' defense has been tough on tight ends recently, ranking 4th in fewest fantasy points allowed to the position over the past four weeks. However, Atlanta's overall struggles against the pass (225.9 yards allowed per game, 27 passing touchdowns surrendered) leave a glimmer of upside for Bellinger, giving the Giants hope in favorable game scripts.

From RotoBaller

The San Francisco 49ers defense/special teams unit will face the Dolphins in Miami on Sunday. Last week, San Francisco's D did well to keep the Los Angeles Rams to 12 points, allowing four field goals but no touchdowns. However, they did not force any turnovers and recorded no sacks. Miami's offense is ranked in the bottom half of the league by yardage, although Miami suffered through four games of sub-par quarterback play while starter Tua Tagavailoa was recovering from a concussion. The Dolphins have some health questions on offense, as receiver Tyreek Hill (wrist) and two starting offensive linemen are questionable, while receiver Jaylen Waddle (knee) is doubtful. The 49ers are relatively healthy on defense, with two big exceptions: DE Nick Bosa (hip, oblique) and LB Dre Greenlaw (Achilles, knee). San Francisco's D/ST is RotoBaller's 17th-ranked unit in Week 16, with boosts or downgrades depending on the health of Miami's O-line, Hill, Waddle, Bosa, and Greenlaw.

From RotoBaller

New York Giants wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson enters Week 16 against the Atlanta Falcons looking to improve on a rocky performance in last week's loss to the Ravens, where he posted four receptions on nine targets for 38 yards. Robinson has been a reliable short-yardage option this season with 71 receptions on 111 targets but averages just 7.4 yards per catch. The Falcons' defense, ranked 27th in fantasy points allowed to wide receivers over the past four weeks, presents an opportunity for Robinson to exploit, particularly in PPR formats. While his lack of big-play ability caps his ceiling, Robinson's volume and the Falcons' struggles on defense (24.4 points allowed per game) might give him an opportunity for a decent game.

From RotoBaller