Quarterback
Justin Fields (at Seattle)
Fields wasn’t a smashing success against the Vikings, but he is gradually improving his output as a passer, and could get Allen Robinson back this week. The Seahawks pass defense has been lagging lately and Fields threat as a runner ups both his floor and ceiling. Hopefully Matt Nagy can see the error of ways as a playcaller and loosen things up now that the season (and his job) is lost.
Ben Roethlisberger (at Kansas City)
Roethlisberger will likely be forced to his limits as a passer against the Chiefs. Even if Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill sit with covid, Patrick Mahomes II was a massive success in his only matchup with the Steelers, throwing six scores. Sure it was in 2018, but the Steelers defense certainly isn’t better than it was back then. Roethlisberger may have a shot to go back to basically calling the plays in a hurry up offense if the Steelers fall far enough behind.
Ryan Tannehill (vs San Francisco) **Thursday**
Tannehill will have Julio Jones, who isn’t carrying an injury designation despite leaving Week 15 with a hamstring issues, and he may get back A.J. Brown, who is eligible to return from injured reserve. The 49ers cornerback group is thin and easy to pick on, so it’s just a matter of Tannehill having his top targets, although he’ll also be without Taylor Lewan and Rodger Saffold, so he’ll have to overcome playing with backups on the offensive line.
Cam Newton (vs Tampa Bay)
Newton is a box of chocolates, but sometimes they are fantasy treats. He has run in a score in every game he has played in this year, and he’ll be facing a Tampa defense this week that will likely force the Panthers to rely on the passing game to move the ball. The Bucs defense was strong against Taysom Hill, but he was able to be conservative because his team was playing with the lead. The Panthers may not have that same luxury and could be forced to open up the offense and raise Newton’s fantasy ceiling this week.
Running Back
Ronald Jones II (at Carolina)
Jones isn’t so much a sleeper as he is a must play for Week 16. He looked swift and strong last week in relief of Leonard Fournette, and his fresh legs against a weary Panthers defense that just had to stop Devin Singletary on 22 carries, allowing 86 yards and a score last week. The Bucs offense should give him multiple scoring opportunities and he has the speed to break a long touchdown run.
Devin Singletary (at New England)
The Bills shouldn’t go away from Singletary after he proved to be up to establishing the run against the Panthers las week. The Bills inability to credibly threaten the defense with balance hurt them in the earlier loss to the Patriots, so Singletary should have a larger role and could be a more frequent short range target with Cole Beasley out due to a covid infection.
Justin Jackson (vs Houston)
Jackson is a must start if Austin Ekeler remains on the covid list on Sunday, but he’s a solid flex or emergency RB2 even if Ekeler plays because of the matchup. Jackson was explosive on productive on his touches in Week 15 and he should get a lot of work in the second half if the Chargers open a lead since the team is trying to limit Ekeler’s workload,
Jordan Howard (vs New York Giants)
Howard looks like the designated closer for the Eagles. They should get to the endgame quickly against the Giants, who will trot Jake Fromm or Mike Glennon out there to start in Week 16. Howard has been running strong and he also has better ball security than Miles Sanders, so he might be a better bet to score a touchdown or more.
Ameer Abdullah (vs Tampa Bay)
Abdullah is the better Panthers running back to play this week, coming off of a performance that featured four receptions and a score as the Panthers played from behind against the Bills in Week 15. Carolina won’t be running the ball much against the elite Bucs run defense, and they are likely to fall behind against Tom Brady even without his three of his top targets because Antonio Brown is going to return this week.
Darrel Williams (vs Pittsburgh)
Williams could be a sneaky play this week if Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill both remain on the covid list for Week 16. He has the best chemistry with Patrick Mahomes II of the running back group, and the Steelers just allowed nine receptions to running backs against the Titans last week. Williams could also score on a short yardage carry and will be a more important player if the top two targets are out.
Wide Receiver
Russell Gage (vs Detroit)
Gage isn’t a sleeper so much as he’s a player we didn’t expect to count on in the fantasy playoffs, but he has earned our trust, especially in PPR leagues. Gage has been a hit two of the last three weeks and the one week he didn’t put up good numbers, it was because the Falcons blew out the Panthers, but Gage had gotten off to a hot start. The Lions are a good matchup that should encourage you to play break close calls in favor of Gage.
Allen Lazard (vs Cleveland) **Christmas**
Lazard is set up for a big game against the Browns with Marquez Valdes-Scantling on the covid list and Aaron Rodgers still playing very well heading into a Christmas showdown with the depleted Browns lineup including a hobbled Myles Garrett. Lazard had two end zone targets last week, but both were just off, or he would have had a much better Week 15.
Jakobi Meyers (vs Buffalo)
Meyers is set up for a ton of targets against a Bills defense that should see more than three pass attempts from Mac Jones this time around. Kendrick Bourne is on the covid list and Nelson Agholor could miss the game as he’s in concussion protocol. Meyers is the safest short range target and Jones' decisions skew to the conservative side of passer mentality. Meyers deserves more consideration in PPR leagues.
Mecole Hardman, Byron Pringle, Demarcus Robinson (vs Pittsburgh)
We’ll see if Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce can get off of the covid list before this game, but if one or both can’t, that will free up a lot of targets for the ancillary receivers. Hardman has the best chance of breaking a big play with his speed, Pringle has been the #2 wide receiver at times this year, and Robinson might be the best red zone target of the three. Josh Gordon could also figure into this picture as he came off of the covid list. Be willing to take a chance on a Chiefs receiver if Mahomes has no choice but to throw to them as he lit up the Steelers for six scores the only he faced back them back in 2018.
Laquon Treadwell (at New York Jets)
Treadwell has actually leveled off to be a relatively safe play as of late, with at least 4 catches and 53 yards in each of the four weeks. The matchup against the Jets should be a good one for the Jaguars passing game, insomuch as the Jaguars passing game has any potential to overcome itself. Hopefully with a full week to prepare without Urban Meyer, the team can have more of a semblance of order on offense and Treadwell can benefit.
Braxton Berrios (vs Jacksonville)
Jamison Crowder missed practice on Wednesday with a calf injury. While he could play this week, he’s usually not the type to play through injuries or play well through them. Berrios has been surprisingly productive this year and his number was called successfully at the goal line last week. He could be a PPR special with no reliable outside receiver on the field for the Jets right now.
Tight End
Albert Okwuegbunam (at Las Vegas)
Okwuegbunam has been coming on lately, but there’s even more reason to give the athletic marvel a shot in Week 16. His college teammate, Drew Lock, is the quarterback, and we saw last year that Lock will force the ball to Okwuegbunam, including the red zone, where he and Lock were always on the same page at Missouri. Broncos tight ends had 12-120-1 in the first matchup with the Raiders.
Jared Cook (at Houston)
Donald Parham is thankfully going to be ok after suffering a scary head injury in Week 15, but he is unlikely to play, which could open up more opportunity for Cook at tight end. Austin Ekeler is also on the covid list, so if he is out for Week 16, Cook could be a favored red zone target on top of the extra targets he might get from Parham’s absence. The Texans have given up seven touchdowns to tight ends this year despite not facing George Kittle, Travis Kelce, or Mark Andrews.
C.J. Uzomah (vs Baltimore)
Uzomah had two scores on three catches in the big Week 7 win over the Ravens, going for 91 yards total. The Bengals would be smart to go pass heavy against the Ravens because their secondary is depleted and Joe Mixon is less than 100%, which could also help fill Uzomah’s cup in Week 16. The Ravens have allowed touchdowns to six tight ends other than Uzomah this year.
