B/R Fantasy Football's Game-by-Game Guide to Winning Week 16
And then there were four.
In most fantasy football leagues, that's all that remains. Four teams. Two weeks. There may be six in some leagues that play into Week 18, but in any event the playoffs are here.
All the teams left standing are good. All the matchups from here out will be tough. Stumble once, and the season's over. Win twice, and jackpot—a championship.
This time of year, every lineup decision can be the difference between moving on or packing it in. Every point matters. So does every bit of information that will help fantasy managers set a lineup that will max out on the scoreboard.
That's what this column is all about—information.
Here you'll find a game-by-game guide containing everything you need (coupled with our weekly Big Board) to get the win in Week 16--injury news, players to start and sit, sleepers and stats to know.
Let's get some teams into the Championship Game.
Fantasy points allowed and scored data courtesy of My Fantasy League.
New Orleans Saints at Los Angeles Rams
1 of 16
Key Injuries
The first game of Week 16 features a pair of teams fighting for their playoff lives. What it doesn't feature is a lot of injuries.
The only fantasy-relevant player of note banged up heading into Week 16 is Saints receiver Chris Olave, who missed Week 15 with an ankle injury. However, Olave is off the injury report and will play Thursday night.
Start of the Week
Derek Carr, QB, New Orleans Saints [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,400]: Carr is coming off arguably his best start as a Saint with three passing scores a week ago against the New York Giants. The Rams have allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season.
Sit of the Week
Puka Nacua, WR, Los Angeles Rams [DraftKings DFS Value: $7,200]: Nacua's meteoric rise has been one of the stories of 2023. But the sledding won't be easy this week against the Saints, who have given up the third-fewest PPR points to wide receivers this year.
Sleeper
Taysom Hill, TE, New Orleans Saints [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,000]: Hill can be a boom/bust fantasy play given his inconsistent usage, but he's always just one short-yardage rushing touchdown away from being a decent fill-in start at tight end.
Stat to Know
52. The red-zone percentage of the Saints, which ranks 21st in the NFL. That number is actually way up relative to earlier in the season, when the team struggled that much more to convert drives into touchdowns. However, the Saints have had trouble finishing drives away from the Superdome—just 45.8 percent of their red-zone drives have resulted in touchdowns on the road, which is the fifth-worst mark in the NFL.
Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers
2 of 16
Key Injuries
The Cincinnati Bengals have spent most of the season dealing with major injuries on offense, and Week 16 is no different. Star wideout Ja'Marr Chase has been sidelined by a separated shoulder and was ruled out for Week 16. Running back Chase Brown has been limited in practice by a sternum setback, but he's no longer listed on the injury report.
The Steelers won't get quarterback Kenny Pickett back this week—he's been ruled out with the ankle injury that sidelined him a week ago. Tight end Pat Freiermuth was also limited by a knee injury, while running back Najee Harris has been sidelined by a knee injury of his own. But the latter duo is off the injury report.
Start of the Week
Joe Mixon, RB, Cincinnati Bengals [DraftKings DFS Value: $6,600]: Mixon only had 47 rushing yards in Week 15, but he's scored on the ground in three straight games. The Steelers are 22nd in the NFL against the run, allowing just over 121 yards per game on the ground.
Sit of the Week
Diontae Johnson, WR, Pittsburgh Steeelers [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,200]: The Bengals are just a middle of the pack matchup for wide receivers, but given the quarterback situation in the Steel City, trusting any Steelers wideout isn't easy.
Sleeper
Pat Freiermuth, TE, Pittsburgh Steelers [DraftKings DFS Value: $3,800]: Provided that Freiermuth plays on Saturday, he'll take the field against a Bengals team that has surrendered the second-most PPR points to tight ends this year.
Stat to Know
287.1. That's the number of yards the Steelers are averaging per game, which ranks 27th in the NFL. The Steelers are also 28th in scoring, averaging just 15.9 yards per contest. The ground game has been inconsistent. The passing game has all but vanished at times. Long story short, the more Steelers players who are in the starting lineup, the harder it is to build confidence that it's going to be a successful week.
Buffalo Bills at Los Angeles Chargers
3 of 16
Key Injuries
The Bills are coming off a huge win over the Cowboys, but the team is dealing with a pair of injuries. Tight end Dalton Kincaid was limited in practice with a shoulder injury, while running back James Cook sat out Wednesday's practice with an illness. However, both practiced in full Thursday and are off the injury report.
The Chargers were all kinds of short-handed in last week's loss to the Las Vegas Raiders, and the team will be in a similar bind come Saturday. Veteran wide receiver Keenan Allen missed last week's game with a heel injury, and will miss Week 16 as well..
Start of the Week
James Cook, RB, Buffalo Bills [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,400]: Cook piled up over 220 yards of offense with a touchdown last week and draws a Chargers defense surrendering the fifth-most PPR points to running backs. Don't worry too much about the illness—yet.
Sit of the Week
Joshua Palmer, WR, Los Angeles Chargers [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,000]: Palmer topped 100 yards with a touchdown last week with Allen on the shelf. But the Bills haven't been kind to opposing wideouts, giving up the ninth-fewest PPR points to wide receivers.
Sleeper
Buffalo Bills Defense [DraftKings DFS Value: $3,500]: The Chargers are down their starting quarterback and potentially their No. 1 receiver, while the Bills just put the clamps on a Dallas offense that had been rolling. What's not to like here?
Stat to Know
257. The number of passing yards that Easton Stick of the Chargers had in his first start last week. He also completed almost 72 percent of his pass attempts and tossed three touchdowns with a passer rating of 113.7. The Chargers got blasted by the Raiders, but strictly from a fantasy perspective Stick wasn't half bad—he finished the week with more fantasy points than Josh Allen of the Bills or Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs.
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Indianapolis Colts at Atlanta Falcons
4 of 16
Key Injuries
The Indianapolis Colts roll into Sunday's game all kinds of banged up. After being forced from last week's win over the Steelers with a shoulder injury, running back Zack Moss missed practice Wednesday and Thursday and is questionable. However, fellow running back Jonathan Taylor will play after missing time with an injured thumb. The status of wide receiver Michael Pittman is less certain—he remains in the NFL's concussion protocol after a limited practice on Friday.
The Atlanta Falcons are in better shape, at least health-wise—no prominent offensive players are on the injury report, so the biggest concern for fantasy managers remains head coach Arthur Smith's baffling play-calling.
Start of the Week
Bijan Robinson, RB, Atlanta Falcons [DraftKings DFS Value: $6,300]: Robinson's lack of touches last week makes the rookie a hard back to trust, but he does draw a matchup with a Colts team allowing the fourth-most PPR points to running backs in 2023.
Sit of the Week
Drake London, WR, Atlanta Falcons [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,100]: The Colts haven't been as favorable a matchup for wide receivers—23rd in PPR points allowed to the position, Throw in London's erratic usage, and he's a pass in Week 16.
Sleeper
Indianapolis Colts Defense [DraftKings DFS Value: $3,800]: The Colts are among the league leaders in both sacks and takeaways, and thanks to that they rank fifth in fantasy points at the position. The Atlanta offense is scaring exactly zero people right now.
Stat to Know
15. That's how many touches Falcons backup running Tyler Allgeier had in last week's loss to the Carolina Panthers—two more than Robinson, London and tight end Kyle Pitts had combined. Reserve tight end Jonnu Smith also had as many receiving yards as London and Pitts combined. Shock and amazement, that brilliant offensive game plan led to all of seven points. Smith's usage of his offensive stars has been confusing all season long—and it has rightfully made fantasy managers leery of trusting anyone on the team.
Seattle Seahawks at Tennessee Titans
5 of 16
Key Injuries
When the Seahawks and Titans meet this week in Nashville, the two teams may be headed in different directions under center—Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith is practicing and expected to make his return in Week 16, but Titans signal-caller Will Levis missed practice Thursday with an ankle injury that puts his status for Sunday's game in question.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker was a no-show at practice Wednesday and Thursday with a shoulder injury, but while he's listed as questionable he's expected to play coming off a big Week 15 against the Eagles.
Start of the Week
Tyler Lockett, WR, Seattle Seahawks [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,600]: DK Metcalf is an easy "yes" against Tennessee's 22nd-ranked pass defense, but Lockett could also shine against a Titans team allowing the sixth-most PPR points to wide receivers this season.
Sit of the Week
DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Tennessee Titans [DraftKings DFS Value: $6,100]: At first glance. Seattle might appear to be a good fantasy matchup for wide receivers. But there's hope that Devon Witherspoon will be back Sunday, and the Seahawks just held the Philadelphia Eagles passing game relatively in check.
Sleeper
Tyjae Spears, RB, Tennessee Titans [DraftKings DFS Value: $4,700]: Spears has at least 10 touches in three straight games, and with the season winding down and Derrick Henry set to fit free agency, it makes sense for the Titans to see what they have in the speedy rookie.
Stat to Know
9. That's how many yards Henry gained on 16 carries against the Houston Texans last week. Henry had an amazing run in Tennessee that included over 9,200 rushing yards and two rushing titles. But Henry will turn 30 next month, has almost 2,000 career carries and has an expiring contract. It's been a wild ride—but that ride looks to be three games from coming to a close.
Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings
6 of 16
Key Injuries
The Detroit Lions will roll into US Bank Stadium for this NFC North clash in relatively good shape in regard to injuries. No offensive players of note are on the injury report.
The Minnesota Vikings are in similar shape, with one notable exception—running back Alexander Mattison missed Week 15 with an ankle injury, and he's questionable after missing practice most of the week.
Start of the Week
Jared Goff, QB, Detroit Lions [DraftKings DFS Value: $6,900]: The Lions are still in the mix for not just the NFC North but the NFC's No. 1 seed. The Vikings aren't terrible against the pass, but they are significantly better against the run.
Sit of the Week
Ty Chandler, RB, Minnesota Vikings [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,600]: Chandler was fantastic last week against the Bengals, tallying 157 total yards and a score. But no team in the NFL has allowed fewer fantasy points per game to running backs this year than the Lions.
Sleeper
K.J. Osborn, WR, Minnesota Vikings [DraftKings DFS Value: $3,900]: Osborn isn't the No. 1 target in the Vikings passing attack. Or No. 2. Or No. 3. But that means single coverage against a Lions team that ranks ninth in PPR points allowed to wide receivers this year.
Stat to Know
140.9. That's how many yards the Lions are averaging on the ground this season, which leads the NFC. That second-ranked run game will take on the NFL's fifth-ranked run defense in the Vikings, who are allowing 92 yards per game. David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs have earned every-week starter status, but there's more risk than usual involved in rolling them out in Week 16.
Washington Commanders at New York Jets
7 of 16
Key Injuries
As the Washington Commanders head down the stretch of another disappointing season, the team is short its lead running back. After missing last week's loss to the Los Angeles Rams, Brian Robinson (hamstring) didn't practice all week and has been ruled out.
With the Jets eliminated from postseason contention, we won't be seeing any miracle return to the field for Aaron Rodgers this season—he's been shut down for the season. The team will be without Zach Wilson under center Sunday as well—he remains in the NFL's concussion protocol and is expected to miss Week 17 as well.
Start of the Week
Garrett Wilson, WR, New York Jets [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,800]: I don't know if this is a recommendation or just wishful thinking. But Wilson faces a Commanders pass defense this week that has surrendered more passing yards per game than any team in the league.
Sit of the Week
Terry McLaurin, WR, Washington Commanders [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,700]: None of the Commanders receivers have been especially impressive from a fantasy perspective this year, and the Jets are dead last in PPR points allowed to wideouts this season.
Sleeper
New York Jets Defense [DraftKings DFS Value: $3,100]: The Jets defense has been hung out to dry far too often this season by the offense, but the Commanders have allowed 59 sacks and committed 24 giveaways on the way to allowing the most fantasy points to defenses in the NFC over the past four weeks.
Stat to Know
170. That's how many passing yards the Jets have averaged this season—last in the AFC. Whether it has been Zach Wilson, Tim Boyle or Trevor Siemian, the aerial "attack" in New York has been mostly grounded—and it has made for a miserable season for fantasy managers who spent an early-round pick on Garrett Wilson.
Green Bay Packers at Carolina Panthers
8 of 16
Key Injuries
The Packers head into Week 16 with a few offensive players beat up. Running back A.J. Dillon (thumb) is questionable but there's optimism he'll play. Wide receivers Jayden Reed (toe) and Christian Watson (hamstring) are even iffier—neither wideout was on the practice field at all this week.
The Carolina Panthers have just two wins for the season, but the team is physically OK entering the week—no notable offensive players are on the injury report.
Start of the Week
Chuba Hubbard, RB, Carolina Panthers [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,700]: Hubbard has emerged as the clear-cut No. 1 running back for the Panthers. This week he faces a Packers team surrendering the eighth-most PPR points to running backs over the last month.
Sit of the Week
Jordan Love, QB, Green Bay Packers [DraftKings DFS Value: $6,500]: Love has come back down to earth a little after something of a hot streak. Believe it or not, as bad as the Panthers are, no team in the league has given up fewer fantasy points to quarterbacks in 2023.
Sleeper
Green Bay Packers Defense [DraftKings DFS Value: $3,900]: It should surprise exactly zero people that a 2-12 Panthers team is an opponent to target with team defenses. The Panthers are 30th in total offense, 29th in scoring offense and have allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to defenses.
Stat to Know
31.9. That's the QBR of Panthers quarterback and No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young. That ranks 29th in the league among qualifying quarterbacks and behind the likes of Josh Dobbs of the Vikings, Aidan O' Connell of the Raiders and Mac Jones of the Patriots. Young's supporting cast admittedly hasn't done him any favors, but after watching C.J. Stroud have one of the best rookie seasons in NFL history, it's not hard to imagine some buyer's remorse in Charlotte.
Cleveland Browns at Houston Texans
9 of 16
Key Injuries
The hometown Texans have been dealing with injuries at wide receiver for some time, and Week 16 is no exception. Both Noah Brown (knee) and Nico Collins (calf) were limited in practice Wednesday and Thursday, with Collins carrying questionable tag. Whoever plays receiver will be catching passes from Davis Mills--rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud has been ruled out with a concussion.
The Cleveland Browns know all about injuries at quarterback, and now Joe Flacco is nicked up with a calf injury. The veteran was limited in practice Wednesday, as were running backs Kareem Hunt (groin) and Jerome Ford (wrist). On Thursday, only Hunt remained limited and all are off the injury report.
Start of the Week
David Njoku, TE, Cleveland Browns [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,300]: Since Joe Flacco entered the picture, Njoku has become one of his favorite targets. Now he draws a Houston Texans defense that has surrendered the fourth-most PPR points to tight ends this year.
Sit of the Week
Noah Brown, WR, Houston Texans [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,200]: Brown had a big game a week ago against the Titans. But Nico Collins could be back this week, and the Browns have been a lousy fantasy matchup for wide receivers—31st in PPR points allowed to the position.
Sleeper
Houston Texans Defense [DraftKings DFS Value: $3,600]: The Texans aren't exactly a defensive powerhouse, But the Browns are a favorable fantasy matchup—Cleveland leads the NFL in giveaways and ranks seventh in PPR points given up to team defenses this year.
Stat to Know
685. The number of passing yards that Flacco has amassed over the past two weeks. Flacco has also thrown five touchdown passes, although he's been picked off four times. Flacco is no Patrick Mahomes—he's not even Joe Flacco circa 2012. But he's given Cleveland a semblance of competent quarterback play—and it may well save the Browns' season.
Jacksonville Jaguars at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
10 of 16
Key Injuries
There's one injury looming over the Jaguars as they head cross-state. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence is in the concussion protocol and is questionable. Neither has wide receiver Zay Jones, who is considered "week to week" with a pulled hamstring despite a questionable tag of his own
For the Buccaneers, wide receiver Chris Godwin was limited with a knee injury Wednesday before missing Thursday's practice altogether. However, he doesn't carry an injury designation into the weekend.
Start of the Week
Chris Godwin, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers [DraftKings DFS Value: $6,200]: As a matter of fact, that injury didn't stop Godwin from catching 10 passes and surpassing 150 receiving yards. The Jaguars have surrendered the 10th-most PPR points to wide receivers in 2023.
Sit of the Week
Travis Etienne, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars [DraftKings DFS Value: $6,600]: This is the last thing Etienne managers want to see. But the young running back draws a bottom-10 matchup for his position and could see stacked fronts all day if Trevor Lawrence sits.
Sleeper
Parker Washington, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars [DraftKings DFS Value: $3,800]: The Jaguars are definitely going to be short Christian Kirk and will probably be down Zay Jones in Week 16 as well. That should mean a solid target share for Washington in a favorable fantasy matchup.
Stat to Know
3.8. That's the yards per carry that Rachaad White of the Buccaneers has averaged in 2023, However, despite those pedestrian per-touch rushing numbers, White has been a top-five fantasy option this season—largely because he has 50 receptions and eight total touchdowns. White may not be a long-term answer for the Buccaneers in the backfield, but he's been one heck of a short-term fix for fantasy managers this year.
Arizona Cardinals at Chicago Bears
11 of 16
Key Injuries
The Arizona Cardinals are having a miserable season, and they head to Chicago with issues at receiver—wide receivers Greg Dortch (shoulder) and Marquise Brown (heel) missed practice Wednesday and Thursday, and Brown has been ruled out.
The Bears are pretty healthy outside No. 1 wide receiver Darnell Mooney, who missed Wednesday's practice session with an illness. Being sick on Wednesday shouldn't affect his availability for Sunday, however. Tight end Cole Kmet sat out Thursday with a quad ailment and is questionable after a limited session Friday.
Start of the Week
Justin Fields, QB, Chicago Bears [DraftKings DFS Value: $7,100]: These next three games may be the most important of Fields' career as the Bears make a decision whether or not he's a quarterback to build around or one to replace.
Sit of the Week
Cole Kmet, TE, Chicago Bears [DraftKings DFS Value: $4,400]: Kmet has been something of a high-variance fantasy option this year, but he ranks inside the top-10 tight ends for the season. The issue here is a bottom-five fantasy matchup for tight ends with the Cardinals.
Sleeper
Chicago Bears Defense [DraftKings DFS Value: $2,800]: No one is going to confuse the 2023 Bears with the 1985 iteration of the team. But the Cardinals are a plus fantasy matchup—10th in points allowed to defenses so far this season.
Stat to Know
8-27. That's Fields' record as the starter for the Bears over the past three seasons. The losses are hardly all his fault, Fields' scrambling ability is elite and he's shown flashes of plus arm talent. This analyst believes that Fields has the potential to be a quality NFL starter. But he also believes the odds of that happening are greater if he's playing elsewhere in 2024.
Dallas Cowboys at Miami Dolphins
12 of 16
Key Injuries
All 53 members of the Dallas Cowboys are suffering from bruised egos after they were walloped by the Buffalo Bills last week. But where the injury report is concerned, the Cowboys are essentially 100 percent as they head to Miami.
It's a different story for the Dolphins—running backs De'Von Achane (toe) and Raheem Mostert (knee) and wide receiver Tyreek Hill (ankle) were all spectators at Wednesday's practice. Of the group Hill is the most questionable after sitting out Week 14, but head coach Mike McDaniel expressed optimism that Hill would be available against Dallas, and he got in a limited practice Thursday and Friday. Both backs are off the injury report.
Start of the Week
Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas Cowboys [DraftKings DFS Value: $7,900]: Prescott's performance against the Bills a week ago was 11 kinds of miserable. But the Dolphins aren't as good defensively as the Bills. And Dallas is going to have to throw the ball to keep up with Miami's high-octane offense.
Sit of the Week
Dallas Cowboys Defense [DraftKings DFS Value: $3,000]: For most of the 2023 season, the Cowboys have been the highest-scoring defense in fantasy football. But last week's loss in Buffalo shows that the Cowboys aren't invincible, and the Dolphins are a bottom-10 fantasy matchup for defenses.
Sleeper
Brandin Cooks, WR, Dallas Cowboys [DraftKings DFS Value: $4,900]: Cooks has had a few big games this year, but he's just 44th in PPR points among wide receivers for the season. Still, there's quite a bit of shootout potential here, and shootouts are generally good for wide receivers.
Stat to Know
50. The over/under at DraftKings for one of Sunday's biggest games. That's actually a fair bit lower than the 62.3 points the two highest-scoring teams in the NFL are averaging, although the Dallas offense has looked much different away from AT&T Stadium. If Tyreek Hill plays and these teams start trading haymakers, this contest could produce some gaudy stat lines—and decide quite a few playoff matchups.
New England Patriots at Denver Broncos
13 of 16
Key Injuries
If Wednesday's practice session was any indication, the Patriots will be without running back Rhamondre Stevenson (ankle) again in Week 16—he still hasn't practiced since getting hurt. Tight end Hunter Henry is questionable after a limited practice Friday. Wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (ankle), on the other hand, got in a limited session both days, but has been ruled out.
The Denver Broncos have no such injury issues--at least not yet. Things could change, but as of now no fantasy-relevant players are on the injury report.
Start of the Week
Ezekiel Elliott, RB, New England Patriots [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,800]: Stevenson could return this week and gum this call up, and the Denver defense is playing better now than earlier in the season. But the Broncos still lead the NFL in PPR points surrendered to running backs this year.
Sit of the Week
Russell Wilson, QB, Denver Broncos [DraftKings DFS Value: $6,100]: Wilson is just outside the top-12 in fantasy points for the season among quarterbacks. That's closer to his ceiling than his floor against a Patriots team that ranks 26th in fantasy points allowed to the position.
Sleeper
Jerry Jeudy, WR, Denver Broncos [DraftKings DFS Value: $4,800]: Jeudy is likely playing out his last three games of his tenure with the Broncos. His next three games will be something of an audition for the other 31 teams in the league—and that's all the motivation he should need.
Stat to Know
13.3. That's the number of points per game the Patriots have scored this season, which ranks dead last in the league. There are multiple reasons for this. Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe are most assuredly not the long-term answer at quarterback. The Pats have arguably the weakest wideout corps in the league. And fantasy managers starting anyone but Elliott (or Stevenson, if he plays) in a must-win game are either in desperation mode or looking to get beat.
Las Vegas Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs
14 of 16
Key Injuries
There's only one injury of import to fantasy managers on the Raiders, but it's a big one, Running back Josh Jacobs missed last week's win over the Chargers with a quad injury, but interim head coach Antonio Pierce expressed confidence that Jacobs will return to face the Chiefs despite missing practice Thursday. He's officially questionable after a limited practice Friday.
It's a similar story with Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco—the second-year pro missed two games with an injured shoulder, but head coach Andy Reid told reporters that barring a setback Pacheco will be out there Monday night. However, wide receiver Kadarius Toney (hip) and running back Jerick McKinnon (groin) were spectators at practice Thursday and Friday, so their Week 16 status is in question.
Start of the Week
Isiah Pacheco, RB, Kansas City Chiefs [DraftKings DFS Value: $6,400]: Pacheco was having a solid season before injuring his shoulder, and if he returns in Week 16 it will be in a top-10 fantasy matchup for running backs with the Raiders.
Sit of the Week
Jakobi Meyers, WR, Las Vegas Raiders [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,400]: Meyers has had his moments, but with Aidan O' Connell at quarterback he's a high-variance WR3/4 in a bad matchup with a Chiefs team giving up the seventh-fewest PPR points to wide receivers in 2023.
Sleeper
Justin Watson, WR, Kansas City Chiefs [DraftKings DFS Value: $3,400]: Putting faith in any Chiefs wideout not named Rashee Rice in a must-win game takes a certain amount of, um, courage. The Raiders aren't a great matchup, but if you're going to throw a dart at a Chiefs wideout, Watson's the guy.
Stat to Know
264.5. The number of passing yards per game that Patrick Mahomes has averaged this season. It's easily a career-low, and over 40 passing yards per game lower than a season ago. Rashee Rice has shown genuine promise, but the other receivers around him aren't scaring anyone. With Travis Kelce getting older and Mahomes presently sixth among quarterbacks in fantasy points, Mahomes' status as an elite fantasy option could be in genuine jeopardy.
New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles
15 of 16
Key Injuries
The New York Giants hit their injury quota for the Year by Week 8 or so, and there are no new injuries of note to report so far.
The Eagles are similarly healthy outside wide receiver DeVonta Smith (knee) missing practice Thursday and Friday, although at this point head coach Nick Sirianni probably also has a hyperextended imagination from trying to think of ways to end the team's losing streak.
Start of the Week
Philadelphia Eagles Defense [DraftKings DFS Value: $3,600]: To be brutally honest, the Eagles aren't playing well defensively right now. But a Giants team that has allowed a staggering 76 sacks and the most fantasy points to defenses is just what the doctor ordered.
Sit of the Week
Saquon Barkley, RB, New York Giants [DraftKings DFS Value: $6,800]: Barkley is all but impossible to sit. But the Eagles are surrendering the fourth-fewest PPR points to running backs this season, and the game script for this game will likely fall somewhere between negative and depressing.
Sleeper
Tommy DeVito, QB, New York Giants [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,000]: The Giants will all but certainly be playing from behind in this game, the Eagles pass defense ranks 28th in the league and Philly has given up the second-most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season.
Stat to Know
349.9. The number of total yards that the Eagles' 22nd-ranked defense is allowing this season. That's almost 50 more yards per contest than Philly's second-ranked unit averaged a year on the way to a Super Bowl berth. Philly's linebackers are average at best. The pass rush isn't getting home nearly as consistently as it did a year ago. And the Eagles secondary is just—bad. There isn't a quick fix for this defense—and it's probably going to keep the team short of a second straight Super Bowl.
Baltimore Ravens at San Francisco 49ers
16 of 16
Key Injuries
The Baltimore Ravens roll into this potential Super Bowl preview with some injury issues. Running back Keaton Mitchell was lost to a season-ending knee injury last week, while wide receivers Zay Flowers and Odell Beckham Jr. both missed practice Wednesday, However, both wideouts are expected to play Monday night and aren't listed on the injury report,
The host 49ers are pretty close to 100 percent. Outside reserve running back Elijah Mitchell (who has missed time with a knee injury) no players of note are on San Francisco's injury report so far this week.
Start of the Week
Zay Flowers, WR, Baltimore Ravens [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,500]: There's been nothing to indicate that the Ravens' No. 1 wide receiver won't be on the field. The 49ers are a much easier defense to throw on than run on, although easier and easy aren't necessarily the same thing.
Sit of the Week
Gus Edwards, RB, Baltimore Ravens [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,700]: With Mitchell's season over, Edwards is Baltimore's No. 1 running back again. But only two teams in the league are allowing fewer rushing yards per game this year than the Niners.
Sleeper
Odell Beckham Jr., WR, Baltimore Ravens [DraftKings DFS Value: $4,300]: Beckham hasn't practiced on Wednesday in weeks, but he'll be out there Monday night. A prime-time stage in one of the biggest games of the 2023 regular season is just the sort of game Beckham has exploded in in the past.
Stat to Know
8. That's the number of touchdowns 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel has scored over his recent four-game rampage. Samuel has topped 90 total yards in three of those four games, eclipsed 100 total yards twice and found the end zone in all four. The Ravens haven't been a favorable fantasy matchup for wide receivers this year (22nd in PPR points allowed), but given the tear Samuel has been on, who he's playing doesn't much matter.
Eligibility restrictions apply. See DraftKings.com for details.
Gary Davenport is a two-time Fantasy Sports Writers Association Football Writer of the Year. Follow him on Twitter, @IDPSharks.
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