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FFL: Playoff Week 2 | NFL: Week 16

Raiders QB Geno Smith back as starter vs. Texans

Fri Dec 19 8:03pm ET
Field Level Media

Quarterback Geno Smith will return to the starting lineup for the Las Vegas Raiders after a one-game absence, coach Pete Carroll said Friday.

Smith missed last Sunday's 31-0 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles due to shoulder and back injuries. He returns to face the Houston Texans, who feature the NFL's top defense.

Smith sat out the final quarter of a 24-17 loss to the Denver Broncos on Dec. 7 due to the right shoulder injury and a cut on his throwing hand.

Kenny Pickett replaced Smith in the Denver contest and started against the Eagles. Things didn't go well against Philadelphia as Las Vegas managed just 75 total yards and seven first downs. Pickett was 15-of-25 passing for 64 yards and one interception and he was sacked four times.

Smith has thrown for 2,648 yards, 16 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. He also has been sacked 49 times in 13 games.

The Texans feature two of the best pass rushers in the NFL in defensive ends Danielle Hunter (12 sacks) and Will Anderson Jr. (10.5). Houston leads the league in scoring defense (16.3 points per game) and total defense (269.2 yards per game) and also has intercepted 16 passes.

The Raiders (2-12) have lost eight straight games while Houston (9-5) has won six in a row.

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Starts, Sits, Sleepers: Week 16

Player Notes
C.J. Stroud Dec 20 8:10am ET
C.J. Stroud

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud has helped the Texans to six straight wins and is coming off one of his best games of the season. He'll look to keep rolling in a favorable spot against the visiting Raiders on Sunday in the late wave of games. Stroud threw for three touchdowns and 260 yards last week against the Cardinals and has posted over 250 passing yards in three of his last four full games (not counting his early exit due to a concussion). Stroud is up to 15 touchdowns on the season, and he's been especially sharp at home with eight touchdowns and just one interception. The Texans' backfield is banged up with both Woody Marks (ankle) and Nick Chubb (ribs) questionable for this contest, so Stroud may have to pass a little more even if the Texans play from ahead. In this favorable spot, Stroud is ranked the No. 13 QB in RotoBaller's Week 16 rankings, making him a great start in two-QB leagues but a low-end option in single-quarterback formats.

From RotoBaller

Malik Washington Dec 20 8:00am ET
Malik Washington

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Malik Washington has shown flashes of play-making ability and good upside, and he has clearly been the team's second receiver behind Jaylen Waddle. However, his production has been inconsistent overall, and he'll be working with a new QB in a tough matchup this week, so he's not a strong fantasy option in most standard formats. Washington only had one catch on one target last week and has yet to reach 50 receiving yards in any game this season. With the whole passing game stuck in neutral, the Dolphins are changing from Tua Tagovailoa to Quinn Ewers for this week's matchup, which could jump-start the offense, or the team's passing game could continue to scuffle. With so much uncertainty and a low floor, Washington is only the No. 69 WR in RotoBaller's rankings, meaning he should be on the bench or on the waiver wire in most leagues.

From RotoBaller

Darren Waller Dec 20 8:00am ET
Darren Waller

Miami Dolphins tight end Darren Waller caught a pair of touchdown passes in his team's Monday Night Football loss to the Steelers, giving him six touchdowns in just six full games this season. He's in a great matchup this week against the Bengals, who allow more fantasy points to tight ends than any other team in the NFL by a wide margin. Waller has shown he can still be a key contributor, especially near the end zone, but he will be working with a new quarterback this week as the Dolphins turn to rookie Quinn Ewers under center instead of Tua Tagovailoa. Ewers could look to Waller even more, especially in such a juicy matchup, but there's also a chance that the rookie can't get much going or focuses on other options. He's a volatile play, but he has enough upside to still be a solid starting option, so he's ranked as the No. 9 TE in RotoBaller's Week 16 rankings.

From RotoBaller

Jaylen Waddle Dec 20 7:50am ET
Jaylen Waddle

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle has clearly been the Dolphins' go-to wide receiver since Tyreek Hill (knee) sustained a season-ending injury, but this week against the Bengals, he'll be working with a new QB, which makes him much higher risk. Last week against the Steelers, Waddle only managed two catches for 26 yards in the Dolphins' defeat. Since that loss eliminated the team from playoff contention, it was also likely the end of the season for Tua Tagovailoa, who will be replaced by Quinn Ewers for this week's matchup. Waddle has turned his 90 targets into 59 catches for 838 receiving yards and six touchdowns this season, and he should remain the focus of the passing game with a high ceiling. The rookie QB taking over does raise Waddle's risk, though, which is why he's slid to no. 24 in RotoBaller's WR rankings this week, making him a WR3 or flex play in standard leagues, instead of a reliable WR2.

From RotoBaller

Ricky Pearsall Dec 20 6:20am ET
Ricky Pearsall

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (knee/ankle) missed his second consecutive practice on Friday, after aggravating his PCL injury last week. With the 49ers squaring off against the Colts on Monday night, the 25-year-old gets an extra day to get onto the practice field before his game status is determined. Should Pearsall be unavailable, Kendrick Bourne could step up to fill the void after reclaiming his role as San Francisco's WR3 last week. Christian McCaffrey's target share would rebound from his season-low in Week 15, and Jauan Jennings might see a few extra targets. Head coach Kyle Shanahan has expressed optimism about Pearsall's availability in Week 16, but fantasy football managers will want to keep a close watch for the final injury report before deciding what to do.

From RotoBaller

Kendrick Bourne Dec 20 6:20am ET
Kendrick Bourne

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Kendrick Bourne slipped behind Demarcus Robinson on the depth chart in recent weeks, but reclaimed the WR3 role against the Titans in Week 15. Robinson did end the game with more receiving yards, but Bourne logged a higher snap share between the two for the first time since Week 10. Ricky Pearsall (knee/ankle) missed the first two practices of Week 16 after aggravating his PCL injury last week. If Pearsall is unavailable, then Bourne is presumed to be the next man in line to fill in for him, though that may not amount to much in fantasy value. Pearsall's six-catch, 96-yard game last week aside, quarterback Brock Purdy's main focus has been getting the ball to Christian McCaffrey, Jauan Jennings, or George Kittle. Bourne is a desperation flex at best, and only if Pearsall is out for Monday's game against the Colts.

From RotoBaller

Brock Purdy Dec 20 6:10am ET
Brock Purdy

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy is in line for another strong showing in Week 16 when he takes on the Indianapolis Colts on Monday night. The Colts' defense will be a tougher test than he saw against Tennessee last week, but there is room for optimism. Indianapolis has allowed the third most passing yards this season, and over their last four games, they have given up an average of 286.5 yards per game. Purdy may be missing a weapon if Ricky Pearsall (knee/ankle) is held out, but he will have the trio of Christian McCaffrey, Jauan Jennings, and George Kittle at his disposal. Purdy projects as a QB1 for the semifinal round of the fantasy football playoffs and can be plugged into starting lineups.

From RotoBaller

Christian McCaffrey Dec 20 6:10am ET
Christian McCaffrey

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey will put a four-game touchdown streak on the line in Week 16 against the Colts. Last week, Indianapolis held Seahawks running backs Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet out of the end zone, but had given up at least one rushing touchdown to a running back in each of their six previous games. McCaffrey appears to be clear of the back injury that made him a surprising late addition to the 49ers' injury report last week, and should see plenty of work on Monday night. If Ricky Pearsall (knee/ankle) is unable to play, then CMC would likely reemerge as a candidate to lead the team in targets, as he has done six times already in 2025. Fantasy football managers should watch for the 49ers' final injury report, but assuming McCaffrey is fully healthy, he has the potential for a top-3 finish at his position.

From RotoBaller

Jauan Jennings Dec 20 6:10am ET
Jauan Jennings

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings tallied two more touchdowns in Week 15 but again turned in a low-yardage game with just 37 yards against the Titans. Jennings has at least one touchdown in five of the 49ers' last six games, but is averaging 47.2 yards per game during that stretch. He could be in store for a more productive day in Week 16, when San Francisco faces the Indianapolis Colts, which has surrendered more receiving yards to slot targets than any other team. Jennings has played out of the slot more frequently than any other receiver for San Francisco this season. If Ricky Pearsall (knee/ankle) is unable to play, then Jennings would likely see a slight bump in targets on Monday, as well. Jennings projects as a WR2 and can be plugged into starting lineups in Week 16.

From RotoBaller

Hunter Henry Dec 20 1:20am ET
Hunter Henry

New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry is coming off one of his worst games of the season: a one-catch, 18-yard outing against the Buffalo Bills. On one hand, it seems like Henry can only go up from here. On the other hand, he could struggle in a very challenging Week 16 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens' defense has allowed the third-fewest touchdowns and fourth-fewest fantasy points to opposing tight ends in 2025. Just last week, they limited Cincinnati's Mike Gesicki to just one catch for 11 yards. In addition to the tough matchup, Henry will face competition for targets from wide receivers Stefon Diggs, Kayshon Boutte, and Mack Hollins, especially with Baltimore struggling against perimeter receivers. He'll also lose opportunities to fellow tight end Austin Hooper and the Patriots' backfield. If this were a more favorable matchup, managers could feel good about Henry's potential to separate himself from the rest of the pass-catchers and turn in a big week. However, the Ravens don't offer much of a chance for the veteran tight end to get right. He's borderline benchable this week and ranks as the overall TE13 in RotoBaller's latest fantasy football rankings.

From RotoBaller

Kayshon Boutte Dec 20 1:10am ET
Kayshon Boutte

New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte had a disappointing performance last Sunday against the Buffalo Bills (one catch for 30 yards), but he should bounce back against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday Night Football in Week 16. Despite his reduced volume and productivity lately, Boutte has played at least 75% of the offensive snaps in each of his last three games. He consistently gets onto the field and runs routes. Now, he just needs a steadier target share. That could come to fruition this week against the Ravens. Of all the fantasy points that Baltimore has surrendered to wide receivers in 2025, 69% of those points have been recorded by receivers who play on the perimeter. That mark ranks ninth-highest in the NFL, and it bodes well for Boutte, who almost always operates out wide. He and Mack Hollins, who also frequents the perimeter, should benefit from this matchup. Boutte currently ranks as the WR55 in RotoBaller's Week 16 fantasy football rankings, but managers in leagues with 14+ teams could certainly justify starting him as a low-floor, high-ceiling WR3 or flex on Sunday night.

From RotoBaller

Mack Hollins Dec 20 1:10am ET
Mack Hollins

New England Patriots wide receiver Mack Hollins has another opportunity to produce as a solid flex play in fantasy football ahead of Sunday Night Football against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 16. Hollins has been heavily involved in the Patriots' offense, averaging six targets and 9.2 full-PPR fantasy points over his last seven contests. During that span, he ranks as the overall WR40. He has also played at least 75% of the offensive snaps in each of his last five games. As a result, he has been getting more involved than Stefon Diggs and has similar participation to Kayshon Boutte. Last week against the Buffalo Bills, Hollins totaled 136 air yards, which ranked eighth-most among all NFL receivers. Quarterback Drake Maye trusts Hollins as one of his most reliable receivers, and his specific role bodes well for his Week 16 outlook. Of all the fantasy points that Baltimore has surrendered to wide receivers in 2025, 69% of those points have been recorded by receivers who play on the perimeter. That mark ranks ninth-highest in the NFL, and it bodes well for Hollins, who has played 77.3% of his snaps out wide. Hollins isn't the flashiest name, but his role, consistency, reliability, and involvement make him a solid WR3/flex play for Week 16. He ranks as the overall WR46 in RotoBaller's latest fantasy rankings.

From RotoBaller

Stefon Diggs Dec 20 1:00am ET
Stefon Diggs

New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs will look to get back on track in Week 16 against the Baltimore Ravens following a disappointing three-game stretch. Over his last three contests, Diggs has played fewer than half of the offensive snaps with just 11 targets, eight catches, 72 yards, and zero touchdowns. He ranks as the overall WR82 in full-PPR fantasy points per game during that span. It has been a frustrating stretch for a veteran receiver who had previously strung together five consecutive contests with double-digit fantasy points. This week, he'll take on a Ravens secondary that has allowed the ninth-fewest fantasy points to slot receivers in 2025. That doesn't bode well for Diggs, who has played 49.8% of his snaps in the slot and has the 19th-most slot snaps in the NFL this year. Managers can absolutely justify benching the 32-year-old in fantasy leagues with 12 or fewer teams. He ranks as the overall WR31 in RotoBaller's latest fantasy football rankings for Week 16.

From RotoBaller

Ja'Marr Chase Dec 20 12:50am ET
Ja'Marr Chase

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase has certainly had his share of ups and downs throughout the 2025 campaign. He hasn't scored a touchdown in weeks. Still, the wideout remains involved at a high level, most recently catching 10 of his 16 targets for 132 yards in the Week 15 AFC North clash with the Baltimore Ravens. The Bengals aren't going to the postseason. However, as long as Chase is active, there's no way fantasy managers can keep him on the bench and feel good about it. That applies to Sunday's meeting with the Miami Dolphins, even more so if Tee Higgins (concussion) misses another contest.

From RotoBaller

Chase Brown Dec 20 12:40am ET
Chase Brown

Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown struggled on the ground in the last three games. However, he at least made up for it by catching 17 passes during that span. Without question, fantasy managers were expecting more from the 25-year-old after a quality 2024 campaign. Still, the upside is there, as evident by his two-touchdown effort in the Week 14 loss to the Buffalo Bills. The Bengals have already been eliminated from postseason contention. While that could result in Brown and some of the other starters shutting it down before the end of the regular season, he should handle his usual workload versus Miami in Week 16, keeping him in the must-start conversation. That applies even more for PPR participants if Tee Higgins (concussion) can't suit up, considering Brown will presumably remain in line for additional pass-catching opportunities.

From RotoBaller

Joe Burrow Dec 20 12:20am ET
Joe Burrow

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (knee) popped up on the injury report to begin the practice week. Fortunately, he logged full sessions and doesn't carry an injury designation for Sunday's game against Miami. The signal-caller completed only 52.2% of his attempts in the Thursday night win over Baltimore in Week 13, although he still tossed two touchdowns to make up for it. However, it was a different story in the Week 15 rematch, with Burrow throwing two picks while failing to connect with any of his receivers in the end zone. The Bengals aren't going to the postseason, but that shouldn't stop the 2020 No. 1 overall pick from trying to lead his squad to wins to close out the 2025 campaign. With the Dolphins also eliminated from playoff contention, both teams have nothing to lose in Week 16. All things considered, as long as Burrow is active, he remains a must-start in any fantasy setup, even if Tee Higgins (concussion), who is questionable, can't suit up.

From RotoBaller

TreVeyon Henderson Dec 20 12:20am ET
TreVeyon Henderson

New England Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson has been one of the most explosive players in football since taking over as the team's primary ball-carrier in Week 9. Since that Week 9 contest, he ranks as the overall RB4 in full-PPR fantasy points per game, and he's averaging a whopping 6.2 yards per carry. He also has 18 catches over his last six games. Most recently, the rookie out of Ohio State gashed the Buffalo Bills for 148 rushing yards and two touchdowns. He should remain an explosive, high-ceiling running back ahead of Sunday Night Football against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 16. The Ravens have been particularly susceptible to pass-catching running backs, which bodes well for Henderson given that he's averaging three catches per game since taking over the reins in New England. Even though Rhamondre Stevenson continues to steal 5-10 touches every week, there's no question that this backfield belongs to Henderson. The 23-year-old should continue to be started in all fantasy leagues. He ranks as the overall RB14 in RotoBaller's Week 16 fantasy rankings, and he has top-10 upside.

From RotoBaller

Isaac TeSlaa Dec 20 12:10am ET
Isaac TeSlaa

After recording touchdown catches in back-to-back games in Weeks 13 and 14, Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa was held without a reception on just one target in Week 15 by the Los Angeles Rams. The 23-year-old saw a reduction in playing time thanks to the return of Lions wideout Kalif Raymond, who had missed each of Detroit's previous two games with an ankle injury. On the bright side, TeSlaa still played 63% of his team's offensive snaps in Week 15, which was his third-highest mark in any game this season. However, he's recorded just eight catches on 15 targets across 14 games in 2025 and has been unable to carve out a consistent role in the Lions' passing game. The Lions have a favorable matchup on paper in Week 16 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, who currently rank 29th in the NFL in total passing yards allowed (3,649). Still, TeSlaa's inconsistency makes him very difficult for fantasy managers to trust, and he should likely remain off fantasy radars in Week 16.

From RotoBaller

Jake Bates Dec 20 12:10am ET
Jake Bates

Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates has been a bit shaky in recent weeks, as he's recorded a missed field goal in each of Detroit's last two games. He's now missed six field goal attempts across 14 games this season after missing just three attempts across 17 games as a rookie in 2024. Still, Bates leads the NFL in both extra-point makes (49) and attempts (51). He remains attached to the Lions offense, which enters Week 16 averaging a league-leading 30.6 points per contest. In Week 16, Detroit will host the Pittsburgh Steelers. Pittsburgh currently ranks just 18th in points allowed per game (23.3), so Detroit could have opportunities to get Bates on the field in point-scoring situations. Additionally, the game will be held indoors at Detroit's Ford Field, so the weather will not be a factor. Bates profiles as a solid starting kicker option for fantasy managers in Week 16.

From RotoBaller

Pat Freiermuth Dec 20 12:00am ET
Pat Freiermuth

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth caught three of his five targets for 45 yards last Monday night against the Miami Dolphins, but he was still out-snapped by tight end Darnell Washington and out-performed by tight end Jonnu Smith. Washington played 73% of the offensive snaps in Week 15, which was the fourth time in his last five games that he saw the field for at least two-thirds of the plays. The 24-year-old is only the TE38 in PPR leagues this year, but he has been a major part of the Steelers' offense with his ability to set huge blocks, catch short passes, and use his physical strength to earn yards after the catch. Meanwhile, Smith only played 29% of the snaps last week, but he continues to get involved in playcaller Arthur Smith's offense. On Monday, the tight end had two catches and a rushing touchdown. There's a role for every tight end in this offense, including Freiermuth, who is the TE25 in PPR leagues with 31 catches, 352 yards, and four touchdowns this year. However, none of the trio can be trusted in fantasy football leagues over the final stretch of the 2025 season. As it stands, Freiermuth is ranked as RotoBaller's TE29 ahead of his Week 16 clash with the Detroit Lions.

From RotoBaller