Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely should be considered a very high-risk bet in the fantasy playoffs with the Ravens playing host to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 16. The third-year tight end's ups and downs have been wild this season, ranging from a TE1 showing in Week 1 to a zero-target performance despite playing more than half of Baltimore's offensive snaps in Week 12. With receivers Rashod Bateman (foot) and Nelson Agholor (concussion) questionable and Pittsburgh ranking a middling 17th against tight ends, Likely certainly could find himself drawing more targets. But betting on which weeks Likely will pop is like a scratch-off lottery ticket. Tread carefully.

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Denver Broncos fullback Michael Burton got into the action in the 34-27 loss to the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday night at SoFi Stadium on a short touchdown pass from rookie quarterback Bo Nix in the second quarter. Burton is not a big part of Denver's offense, but he caught one of Nix's two touchdown passes on the evening for his second touchdown in the last three games. He also fell into the end zone on a goal-line carry in the Week 13 win over the Cleveland Browns. The 32-year-old veteran has mostly served a blocking role for Denver's struggling ground game this year, but he'll occasionally get a touch or two. On the year as a whole through 15 games, Burton has only six rushing attempts for five yards and a touchdown while adding 10 catches on 10 targets for 65 yards and another score. He should continue to be ignored for fantasy purposes.

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Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Mike Williams has both opportunity and a great matchup in Week 16 against the Baltimore Ravens, but starting him at this stage of the fantasy playoffs is not advised. Pittsburgh will again be without top receiver George Pickens (hamstring) and Baltimore has been unusually poor against the pass, ranking 31st against fantasy receivers. However, it's awfully difficult to start a receiver that played only 29% and 35% of the team's snaps without Pickens the past two weeks. Williams may see a slight uptick in production against Baltimore, but he's just not getting enough run in the Steelers' offense to gamble on this week.

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Now that Baltimore Ravens running back Justice Hill (personal) is slated to play in Week 16 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, he can be considered a fringe flex option for managers in PPR formats. The veteran back hasn't done much as a change-of-pace rusher behind starter Derrick Henry, but has been an effective receiver by drawing 50 targets and turning them into 42 catches and three touchdowns. The Steelers rank ninth against fantasy running backs, though Hill logged a top-30 finish among running backs in the first meeting. He's a low-ceiling option, but his receiving floor makes him playable, especially in formats with more than one flex spot.

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Despite what could be additional opportunity, managers should steer clear of Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Van Jefferson in a Week 16 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. Top Pittsburgh receiver George Pickens (hamstring) missed the previous two contests and is out again against Baltimore, but that hasn't really led to much for Jefferson, who had two catches for 10 yards and a touchdown in those two games despite playing the majority of snaps. The Ravens rank 31st against fantasy wide receivers, but it's tough to trust the journeyman to be the benefactor. Managers holding Pickens should look elsewhere for a backup plan.

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Dallas Cowboys edge rusher Micah Parsons is heading into the fifth-year option of his rookie contract in 2025 but is hoping to get a long-term deal done before free agency opens in March. That fifth-year option is worth $21.4 million, but Parsons doesn't seem to be worried about securing the largest contract in the league. He said "It would be nice to be surrounded by good players," and went on to say that making more money to have a harder time winning doesn't sound fun. The Cowboys have yet to be mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, so Parsons could have a chance to build his contract case even further after registering 8.5 sacks, 32 total tackles (21 solo), eight tackles for loss, and 19 QB hits through 10 games.

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Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander (knee) was back at practice on Thursday and considered a full participant during a snowy session. The two-time pro bowler hasn't played since Week 11 and has only logged a total of 10 snaps after Week 8. Getting one of their top defensive backs would do wonders for the Packers defense, especially against a New Orleans Saints team that's hurting and may need to go to their rookie quarterback. This season, Alexander has registered two interceptions (one pick-six), seven passes defended, and 16 total tackles (15 solo).

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New England Patriots defensive lineman Christian Barmore (illness) has been placed on the non-football illness list after a statement from the team was released on Thursday. The Patriots stated that Barmore "experienced some recurring symptoms that required further evaluation." Barmore will have to sit out for the rest of the season so that he can hopefully return next year symptom-free. He finishes with 1.0 sacks, six total tackles, one tackle for loss, and one QB hit across four appearances.

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Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy will face the Houston Texans on Saturday in Week 16. Worthy is coming off arguably the best game of his young career, catching six passes for 46 yards and converting rush attempts into 30 yards and a touchdown. The rookie receiver led the Chiefs pass catchers last week, so it will be interesting to see if that trend continues this week against Houston. The Texans rank 24th in fantasy points allowed to opposing wide receivers this season, making them one of the more advantageous matchups. Worthy will also have to compete with Marquise Brown, who is returning from an injury, for pass-catching opportunities moving forward. Worthy is ranked WR45 in our RotoBaller Half-PPR rankings, making him a flex option for Week 16. Fantasy managers may be better off looking in another direction for the fantasy playoffs.

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Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker will face the Houston Texans on Saturday in Week 16. Butker returned from injured reserve in Week 15 against the Cleveland Browns and showed some signs of rust. The Chiefs kicker knocked through all three extra-point attempts but missed his only field goal attempt from 29 yards away. Butker will look to improve this week, another week removed from the injury. The 29-year-old is ranked as the ninth-best kicker in our RotoBaller rankings, making him a start-worthy asset this week. Fantasy managers should be able to trust Butker in the fantasy playoffs.

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Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce will take on the Houston Texans on Saturday in Week 16. Kelce is coming off a down game against the Cleveland Browns in Week 15. The 35-year-old had four catches for 27 yards in the contest. Kelce will try to top those numbers this week against the Texans, who rank fourth in fantasy points allowed to opposing tight ends this season. Despite having an injury scare in last week's game, Patrick Mahomes practiced fully all week and is good to go for Saturday. Mahomes' health significantly impacts Kelce's fantasy production, so it's a good sign that he's off the injury report. Kelce is ranked TE7 in our RotoBaller Half-PPR rankings this week, making him a solid TE1. Fantasy managers will hope for a vintage Kelce performance in the fantasy playoffs this week.

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Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco will face the Houston Texans on Saturday in Week 16. Pacheco appeared to emerge as the lead back in Week 14, earning 16 touches compared to six for Kareem Hunt, but that changed in Week 15. The two running backs each handled 13 carries last week against the Cleveland Browns, and Hunt outproduced Pacheco. It will be interesting to see how the backfield split shakes out this week against the Houston Texans, who rank fourth in fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs this year. The 25-year-old is ranked RB25 in our RotoBaller Half-PPR rankings, making him a low-end RB2/Flex option this week. Fantasy managers will have a tough time trusting Pacheco in the fantasy playoffs, especially with Hunt stealing touches.

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Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt will take on the Houston Texans in Week 16. Hunt was nearly phased out of the Chiefs backfield with Isiah Pacheco returning from injury, but his usage ramped back up in Week 15. The 29-year-old handled 13 carries last week against the Cleveland Browns, earning the same number of touches as Pacheco. It will be interesting to see how many opportunities Hunt receives this week against the Texans, who rank fourth in fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs this season. Hunt is ranked RB46 in our RotoBaller Half-PPR rankings, making him a desperation flex option this week. With the two Chiefs running backs splitting touches in a poor matchup, it will be difficult for fantasy managers to trust either of them in the fantasy playoffs.

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Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins will face the Houston Texans on Saturday in Week 16. Hopkins had five catches for 36 yards in last week's win over the Cleveland Browns. The 32-year-old has been consistently involved in the Kansas City offense due to his reliability and route-running. Hopkins will look to stay involved this week against the Texans, who rank 24th in fantasy points allowed to opposing wide receivers this season. Although the matchup is juicy, Hopkins must contend with Marquise Brown returning from injury this week. The veteran receiver is ranked WR37 in our RotoBaller Half-PPR rankings, putting him in the WR3/Flex range this week. With numerous available pass catchers in the Kansas City offense, it will be difficult for Hopkins to receive a large workload. Hopkins is a tough player for managers to trust in the fantasy playoffs.

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Green Bay Packers tight end Luke Musgrave (ankle) was a limited participant in practice on Thursday. The 24-year-old remains on injured reserve, but it looks like he's gradually getting closer to returning given that he was able to practice in a limited capacity. He has been sidelined since Week 4, leaving Green Bay's tight end room in the more-than-capable hands of Tucker Kraft, who is the overall TE8 in fantasy football this year. Even when he's cleared to return to play, Musgrave will be off the fantasy radar in all leagues.

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The Green Bay Packers are not ready to rule out the possibility of running back MarShawn Lloyd (appendix) returning to action this season. When discussing Lloyd with the media on Thursday, head coach Matt LaFleur said, "I never want to shut the door on that. ... He's just going to focus on continuing to get better and when he can go, he'll go." The 23-year-old has endured a frustrating start to his NFL career, appearing in just one game so far. The rookie played back in Week 2, rushing six times for 15 yards on the ground while adding a three-yard reception. Lloyd remains a key part of the Packers' future plans, but the chances of him getting back on the field before fantasy playoffs conclude are slim. He should be dropped in all redraft formats and stashed in dynasty leagues.

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Denver Broncos WR Courtland Sutton had five receptions (on six targets) for 50 yards against the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday, Dec. 19.

Fantasy Spin: Make it back-to-back frustrating weeks from Sutton, who has a combined eight catches, 82 yards, and one TD in his last two games. It's certainly bad timing for fantasy owners as Sutton had been on a heater, racking up 42 receptions, 569 yards, and 3 TDs in his previous six games. He has a nice matchup in Week 17 against a Bengals defense that has struggled throughout 2024. Sutton absolutely belongs in your lineup next weekend.

From TheHuddle

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (ankle) has been removed from the injury report and will play in Week 16 against the Baltimore Ravens. The 30-year-old has not yet missed a game this season, registering 54 tackles, 11.5 sacks, six forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries through 14 games this season. Having their star defender available will be key for the Steelers as they look to slow down an impressive Ravens offense on Saturday.

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Tennessee Titans wide receiver Tyler Boyd (foot) did not participate in practice on Thursday. The 30-year-old receiver will likely need to log a limited or full practice on Friday in order to have any chance of playing against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 16. Boyd has delivered modest production through 14 games in 2024, catching 35 passes for 356 yards but failing to find the end zone. He should be left on waivers in most fantasy leagues heading into this week's divisional battle.

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Los Angeles Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker had an exciting and productive game in a Week 16 win over the Denver Broncos. Dicker made all four of his kicks, including an extremely rare fair catch free kick field goal from 57 yards out to end the first half. Dicker made both of his extra point tries, the 57-yarder, and added a 37-yard kick as well. The Bolts went for two on two of their touchdowns which limited Dicker's opportunities, but he was still nails every time he was called upon. He should remain one of the league's most consistent kickers in Week 17 as the Chargers will face the Patriots on Saturday.

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