The Atlanta Falcons didn't need to throw the ball much to defeat the lowly Las Vegas Raiders 15-9 on Monday Night Football to close out Week 15 action. On a night where quarterback Kirk Cousins attempted only 17 passes and threw for 112 yards, wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud III caught one of his three targets for a gain of 14 yards. It was a disappointing performance in a great matchup after McCloud set season-highs across the board in catches (eight), targets (11) and receiving yards (98) in the Week 14 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. He also had 95 receiving yards the week prior. The 28-year-old is Atlanta's clear No. 3 wideout behind Drake London and Darnell Mooney, but with the way the Falcons' offense has struggled this year, he's not a realistic weekly flex play for fantasy managers. Keep in mind that Cousins has thrown one touchdown in the last five games.

From RotoBaller

After being benched in the Week 15 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday following three interceptions, Cleveland Browns quarterback Jameis Winston will lose the starting job to Dorian Thompson-Robinson for the upcoming Week 16 contest against the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. Winston gave the Browns offense a notable jolt after Deshaun Watson (Achilles) went down with a season-ending injury in Week 8. The 30-year-old veteran signal-caller threw for 2,038 yards and 12 touchdowns in his seven starts, but he also added 12 picks and two fumbles. Winston will be a free agent after the season, and the Browns understandably prefer to get a look at the younger Thompson-Robinson for the final three games of the year. With a great matchup against Cincy, DTR will be in play as a QB2 for those desperate in superflex leagues this week.

From RotoBaller

Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet once again was an afterthought in the team's lackluster offense in the Monday night loss to the division-rival Minnesota Vikings, catching his only target for a pickup of 14 yards. Kmet was on the field plenty -- he played 93 percent of the offensive snaps on the evening -- but rookie quarterback Caleb Williams continued to rely mostly on his three receivers in Keenan Allen, DJ Moore and rookie Rome Odunze. In the last three games, Kmet has just four receptions on four targets (he didn't have a target in Week 14 against the San Francisco 49ers) for 40 yards and no touchdowns. He hasn't scored a touchdown since a two-TD performance in Week 6 and has 16 receptions for 159 yards and no TDs in six games since the team's bye. Fantasy managers still alive in the playoffs should look for a better TE option in Week 16 when Chicago faces the division-rival Detroit Lions.

From RotoBaller

The Cleveland Browns are making a change at quarterback heading into their Week 16 divisional contest against the Cincinnati Bengals and will go with Dorian Thompson-Robinson after benching Jameis Winston in the Week 15 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, according to league source. The Browns benched Winston after more turnover issues, as he tossed three interceptions and was pulled in the fourth quarter. Thompson-Robinson also threw a pick of his own against a tough Chiefs defense and finished 4-for-9 for 18 yards passing late in the game. The Browns will hope DTR can take better care of the football in a plus-plus matchup against a soft Bengals defense this weekend. It will be the 25-year-old's fourth NFL start. While the matchup is a nice one, fantasy managers shouldn't consider Thompson-Robinson as anything more than a low-end QB2 with a bit of upside in superflex leagues in Week 16.

From RotoBaller

Chicago Bears running back Travis Homer had very minimal involvement on offense in the team's 30-12 loss to the division-rival Minnesota Vikings on Monday Night Football in Week 15. Homer had an increased role again with Roschon Johnson still out with a concussion, but it didn't amount to much in a Bears offense that once again was unable to move the football with much consistency. As the backup to D'Andre Swift, Homer had only three carries and gained seven yards. He was not targeted in the passing game. Homer played 25 percent of the offensive snaps on Monday, compared to a 69 percent snap share for Swift. Even if Johnson remains out for Week 16 versus the division-rival Detroit Lions, fantasy managers shouldn't have Homer anywhere near a starting lineup, let alone even on a roster in the fantasy playoffs. The 26-year-old has six carries for 23 yards in 10 games in 2024.

From RotoBaller

New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (concussion, hand) underwent more testing recently and is at least a few weeks away from being able to withstand contact, according to sources. With only three weeks remaining in the regular season (two weeks in most fantasy leagues), it's unlikely that we'll see Carr on the field again for the Saints this year. In addition to a concussion that he sustained in the Week 14 win over the New York Giants, Carr fractured his left (non-throwing) hand in two places. New Orleans is currently 5-9 and is a long shot to make the postseason. Jake Haener got the start in place of Carr in the Week 15 loss to the Washington Commanders and went 4-for-10 for 49 yards and an interception before being benched for rookie Spencer Rattler. The Saints haven't announced a starter for Week 16 against the Packers on Monday night, but it's expected they'll stick with Rattler.

From RotoBaller

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport says there is a "possibility" that Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (ankle) is unavailable to play this coming Saturday in Week 16 action against the Houston Texans after suffering what the team is calling a mild high-ankle sprain in the Week 15 win over the Cleveland Browns. Mahomes is being considered week-to-week with an injury that can sideline some players anywhere from four to six weeks. The two-time MVP, though, has a reputation as a very quick healer, so he's not being ruled out for Saturday's game, although on a short week with the Chiefs up two games over the Bills for the top spot in the AFC playoff picture, it won't surprise anyone if Carson Wentz makes the start under center for KC against Houston. And with the Chiefs facing another quick turnaround in Week 17 on Christmas Day next Wednesday, it's possible Mahomes misses two games.

From RotoBaller

New Orleans Saints QB Derek Carr (hand) underwent further examination recently, and he's unlikely to return this season. His left hand is fractured in multiple places, and he's unable to withstand contact.

Fantasy Spin: Spencer Rattler was 10-for-21 for 135 yards, one touchdown and no INTs after he replaced Jake Haener in a putrid performance last year.

From TheHuddle

Las Vegas Raiders running back Sincere McCormick (ankle) carried the rok seven times for eight rushing yards and caught two passes for 17 yards against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 15 before having his leg trapped under a defender's tackle and awkwardly bending enough to cause an injury. He was initially said to be questionable, but was subsequently ruled out. He didn't return to the contest. His status for Week 16 is now up in the air, and fantasy managers will need to stay updated on the situation. It doesn't seem like a good idea to start him against the Jacksonville Jaguars next week, though, as he may deal with the lingering effects of the ailment for some time. In his place, RBs Ameer Abdullah and Alexander Mattison should split most of the backfield work if McCormick can't go. Abdullah seems like the guy to start in fantasy, since he's maintained a solid pass-catching role when he gets significant playing time.

From RotoBaller

Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze caught 2-of-7 targets for 39 yards in his team's 30-12 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Monday Night Football. The rookie again saw a decent amount of work but continues to play third fiddle in Chicago's air attack behind veteran wideouts Keenan Allen and DJ Moore. On the bright side, Odunze recorded at least six targets for the seventh time in eight games. However, he's averaging just 3.75 receptions and 47.25 yards in that frame. Better days are ahead for the 22-year-old, and his future appears bright as long as long as quarterback Caleb Williams continues to develop at the pro level. For now, though, he'll be tough to trust as a viable option in Week 16 despite squaring off against a depleted Detroit Lions defense.

From RotoBaller

Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier carried the ball 12 times for 43 yards in Monday's 15-9 win over the Raiders. Bijan Robinson was given 22 carries, so Allgeier was spelling his backfield mate at times throughout the game and helping to kill the clock late when it seemed clear that the Falcons did not want Kirk Cousins throwing the ball if he didn't need to. It was the first time since Week 10 that the 24-year-old earned double-digit carries, but without finding paydirt, it was an unremarkable fantasy performance. Without a consistent workload or goal line role, the former fifth-round draft pick is hard to justify as even a flex option, more so now that we're in the fantasy playoffs. The Falcons get the Giants at home next Sunday and Allgeier will probably again only be used sporadically, especially given how good Robinson has looked this season.

From RotoBaller

Las Vegas Raiders RB Ameer Abdullah ran seven times for 21 yards in Week 15 against the Atlanta Falcons, but he had seven receptions for 58 yards and a touchdown on seven targets.

Fantasy Spin: Abdullah had 2.7 rushing yards per carry to 3.0 for Alexander Mattison and 1.1 yards per tote for Sincere McCormick. With his good work catching the ball out of the backfield, he is worth a look as a RB3 in PPR fantasy formats, with lesser appeal in standard play. The Raiders host the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 16.

From TheHuddle

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney garnered a single target in Monday's 15-9 win over the Raiders, but failed to haul it in, finishing with zero catches on the night. Mooney had been limited in practice by a foot injury earlier in the week but was cleared to play, so the dud seemed to be more a result of Kirk Cousins lobbing up just 17 passes on the night and completing only 11 of them. It is a punch in the gut for managers who were relying on the wideout in the fantasy playoffs after he'd received six targets in 10 of Atlanta's prior 13 games coming into Monday night and caught at least three passes in 11 of 13. For fantasy managers that were able to survive this showing, the fifth-year pro will be hard to trust in next week's home matchup versus the Giants, especially given how poorly Kirk Cousins looked in Week 15 against a softer pass defense.

From RotoBaller

Las Vegas Raiders running back Alexander Mattison showed the world why he was benched for Sincere McCormick (ankle) by fumbling the ball into the end zone in his team's Week 15 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. The opposing defense wasn't able to recover the loose ball, but it still counted for a safety. Mattison ended the night with seven carries for 21 yards (good for three yards per carry) and two catches on four targets for an absolutely whopping, gob-smacking, earth-shattering three yards. He'll have an easier matchup next week against the Jacksonville Jaguars. If McCormick doesn't play, it's still questionable if Mattison have much value, considering the presence of fellow RB Ameer Abdullah, who scored the team's only TD.

From RotoBaller

Las Vegas Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah got a bigger role due to the injury to RB Sincere McCormick (ankle) in his team's loss to the Atlanta Falcons in Week 15. He carried the ball three times for just eight yards, but his seven catches on seven targets for 58 yards and a touchdown helped him tally 19.2 PPR fantasy points on the night. Should McCormick miss Week 16, Abdullah has flex appeal if he continues to have such a big receiving role. It's likely that the absence of starting QB Aidan O'Connell (knee) contributed to this, though -- backup signal-caller Desmond Ridder leaned more on dump-off passes than the team's QB1 usually does. This backfield has been an absolute mess this season, and it won't get any easier to evaluate as the team faces the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 16. They do have a poor defense, though, so Abdullah has appeal in deeper PPR leagues as a FLEX option if he ends up starting.

From RotoBaller

Chicago Bears wide receiver DJ Moore hauled in all eight of his targets for 46 yards in Monday night's 30-12 defeat at the hands of the Minnesota Vikings. He added 24 yards on three carries. The 27-year-old's yardage output was down again after a two-game stretch in which he recorded 203 yards and 15 receptions on 23 targets. However, Moore was still productive, putting together his fifth-straight double-digit fantasy point outing. Quarterback Caleb Williams' pass quality is suspect, but it hasn't stopped the veteran from being effective. While fellow wideouts Rome Odunze and Keenan Allen feature sub-55% catch rates, the seventh-year WR holds a near-68% mark. Moore has a meeting with the Detroit Lions on tap for Week 16 and could be primed for another productive day with their division rivals reeling from injuries.

From RotoBaller

Atlanta Falcons WR Ray-Ray McCloud III managed just a single 14-yard reception on three targets in Week 15 against the Las Vegas Raiders.

From TheHuddle

Chicago Bears wide receiver Keenan Allen caught six of 13 targets for 81 yards and a touchdown in his team's 30-12 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. The veteran was Chicago's lone bright spot on Monday night and has been superb over his last few outings. After a horrendous start to the year, Allen has had four TDs in his previous four outings, and at least 73 yards, and eight targets in three of them. Since Week 9, the 32-year-old has racked up 65 targets to fellow wideout DJ Moore's 61. However, the latter has out-caught him 43-36. With quarterback Caleb Williams chucking it all over the yard on nearly 60% of Chicago's plays (59.03), there will surely be plenty of opportunities to go around. Still, they're not of the highest quality. Allen and the Bears will square off against the Detroit Lions in the fantasy semi-finals next Sunday.

From RotoBaller

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker caught two of his three targets for 18 yards and didn't record a rush in his team's loss to the Atlanta Falcons in Week 15. He's becoming an afterthought in this offense, though the offense was mostly an afterthought anyway overall. Without QB Aidan O'Connell (knee) leading the offense, things were mostly ugly in the passing attack, and the Raiders didn't get a lot going on the ground either. It wasn't until the team was down by two scores late in the fourth quarter that they got into a rhythm, but it was too late, and Tucker wasn't much of a part of it. Though he gets an easy matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 16, he's still not worth starting moving forward. Tight end Brock Bowers and wide receiver Jakobi Meyers should continue to dominate the receiving work for the team.

From RotoBaller

Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts recorded his first multi-catch performance since Week 10 on Monday night, catching all four of his targets for a modest 28 yards in the 15-9 win over the Raiders. On a night when Kirk Cousins completed just 11 passes, Pitts' four targets and four catches were both a team-high. It was good to see the 24-year-old involved again, although the Raiders had been poor against TEs this year and Cousins wasn't looking downfield much in this one so it's not all that surprising to see him resurface. Between Pitts disappearing from the passing attack most weeks and Cousins looking dysfunctional at quarterback over the last several games, fantasy managers vying for playoff championships will want to look elsewhere next Sunday. The Falcons take on the Giants who have allowed the third-fewest fantasy points to TEs on the season, and the former first-round pick figures to be a low-end TE2 in that matchup.

From RotoBaller