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What to expect from Steelers, Dolphins going forward
By Eric Moody
The Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Miami Dolphins 28-15 on Monday night. Aaron Rodgers delivered his most efficient performance of the season, completing 85% of his passes with two touchdowns to keep Pittsburgh atop the AFC North. The Steelers' offense controlled the game with quick throws, strong production from Kenneth Gainwell and timely scoring from DK Metcalf and Marquez Valdes-Scantling. Miami's playoff hopes ended as the Dolphins mustered little offense in the cold, continuing Tua Tagovailoa's struggles in sub-40-degree games. Here are a few other takeaways from the Monday night meeting.
Jaylen Warren had been listed as questionable early Monday with an illness, but he was active. He and Gainwell operated as a committee and finished with a similar number of snaps and routes, but Gainwell delivered the more productive fantasy outing with 20 touches and 19.6 points. Warren finished with 15 touches and 7.8 points. A healthier Warren should have a chance to reestablish himself as the leader of the Steelers' RBBC in Week 16 against the Detroit Lions.
Metcalf has been the only Steelers wide receiver fantasy managers can trust this season. He caught all three of his targets (including a TD) for 14.5 fantasy points, and he has now surpassed 14 points in three of his past four games. Pittsburgh leaned more on newcomers Valdes-Scantling and Adam Thielen in their second games with the team. Valdes-Scantling moved into a full-time role in 11 personnel after being promoted to the 53-man roster, while Thielen split slot work with Calvin Austin III. Roman Wilson was again inactive, and Ben Skowronek saw only situational usage. Neither veteran produced much outside of a Valdes-Scantling touchdown, but the snap shifts show Pittsburgh is moving away from its early-season receiver rotation. Metcalf and the Steelers now face a Lions secondary in Week 16 that has given up the second-most WR fantasy points per game.
De'Von Achane was the Dolphins' only source of offense against the Steelers prior to garbage time despite suffering a rib injury last week. He finished with 18 touches and 18.7 fantasy points. It was Achane's ninth game this season with at least 100 yards from scrimmage -- the most by a Dolphins player since Ricky Williams had 10 in 2003. Ollie Gordon II suffered an ankle injury and played only a few second-half snaps, while Jaylen Wright continued to operate as Achane's primary backup. Achane now faces a Cincinnati Bengals defense in Week 16 that has allowed the most RB fantasy points per game.
Who got the ball on Sunday?
Notebook by Eric Moody
Snaps, targets, routes run and other participation data that can portend future value, because you can't score fantasy points if you don't get the ball. Here are some performances that stood out on Sunday.
Running backs
Matt Bowen explains why D'Andre Swift's expected workload makes him a solid RB2 option in Week 16.
D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai still operate as a committee, sharing snaps, routes, and touches, but it was Swift who delivered a matchup-winning performance with 19 touches and 22.6 fantasy points against the Cleveland Browns, thanks to two rushing touchdowns. The Chicago Bears leaned more on Swift in the second half as they closed out the game. He has now seen at least 16 touches in three consecutive games and has scored at least 20 fantasy points in two of them, putting him firmly on the RB2 radar against the Packers in Week 16.
Bam Knight left early with an ankle injury and did not return, leaving Michael Carter to handle every-down work for the Arizona Cardinals against the Houston Texans. Carter finished with 18 touches and 13.4 fantasy points. Emari Demercado returned from his own ankle injury but was used sparingly, mostly on passing downs. With James Conner and Trey Benson already out for the season, Carter becomes the clear waiver priority unless Knight is confirmed healthy. There's a strong chance he'd lead the Cardinals backfield in touches over the next two weeks.
Breece Hall's number of snaps were normal in the first half for the New York Jets, but as the game got away from New York in the second half, Isaiah Davis saw more touches. Davis finished with 13.5 fantasy points thanks to a touchdown, while Hall managed just 5.7.
Kimani Vidal led the Los Angeles Chargers in snaps while Omarion Hampton handled more touches in his second game back, finishing with 16 touches and 7.5 fantasy points compared to Vidal's 13 touches and 5.8 points. Los Angeles used a true rotation, with Vidal playing roughly twice as many snaps as Hampton, with Hampton touching the football on most of his. The Chargers' backfield should continue to operate as a committee moving forward, providing a decent floor for both backs but limiting their ceilings.
Blake Corum set a career high in snaps against the Detroit Lions, finishing with 11 rushing attempts and 13.1 fantasy points, while Kyren Williams recorded 16 touches and 21.8 fantasy points. The Los Angeles Rams' backfield has transitioned into a near 50-50 split between Williams and Corum. Los Angeles continues to rotate running backs by drive, but Williams remains the preferred option in key situations or to close out games. Williams stays on the RB2 radar, while Corum is firmly on the flex radar as he has scored at least 13 fantasy points in three consecutive games.
Isiah Pacheco reclaimed the Kansas City Chiefs' early-down role, jumping to nearly 70% of early-down snaps after two limited weeks post-injury. Kareem Hunt handled passing downs and short-yardage situations, but Pacheco led the backfield with 11 touches. The Chiefs face a Tennessee Titans defense in Week 16 that has given up the fifth-most fantasy points per game to running backs. With Patrick Mahomes out for the season with a torn ACL, Kansas City should lean more on the running game moving forward. Pacheco is firmly on the flex radar.
Tyrone Tracy Jr. continues to lead the New York Giants' backfield, finishing with 18 touches and a season-high 24.7 fantasy points. He took on a larger role against the Washington Commanders, setting season highs in snaps on early downs and third downs. Devin Singletary remains involved, but Tracy's expanding role positions him as the more reliable fantasy option moving forward.
Javonte Williams left briefly with a shoulder injury against the Minnesota Vikings and saw reduced snaps as Malik Davis took on more work. Williams still finished with 15.1 fantasy points, but his usage was clearly limited. Davis is a name to monitor if Williams has a setback. As long as Williams is active, he remains a viable fantasy starter despite a tough Week 16 matchup against the Chargers' defensive front.
RJ Harvey left late against the Green Bay Packers with a rib injury after maintaining his usual lead role in the Denver Broncos' backfield, finishing with 19 rushing attempts. If Harvey misses time, Jaleel McLaughlin becomes the Broncos' top running back and a strong waiver target, even though the Jacksonville Jaguars and Chiefs have been stingy against opposing running backs.
Jahmyr Gibbs set a season high in snaps against the Rams, finishing with 17 touches while David Montgomery managed just seven. The only thing keeping Montgomery afloat in fantasy is that he has scored a rushing touchdown in three straight games, which makes him hard to trust in a must-win fantasy matchup.
The Seattle Seahawks' committee between Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet continues to frustrate fantasy managers, as both finished with similar snaps, routes and touches. Walker had 10 touches and Charbonnet had nine. Both remain on the flex radar depending on league size, but you'll need some antacid if you're forced to start them.
Wide receivers
Liz Loza breaks down Ja'Marr Chase's fantasy performance in Week 15 for the Bengals.
Ja'Marr Chase's 16 targets and 23.2 fantasy points against the Baltimore Ravens were his most in a game since he posted 19 targets and 21.1 fantasy points against the Jets back in Week 8. Tee Higgins was ruled out on Friday due to a concussion, and with the Cincinnati Bengals officially eliminated from playoff contention, it remains to be seen whether Higgins will return, or whether Cincinnati will limit or shut down Joe Burrow and Chase.
DJ Moore stepped up for the Bears after Rome Odunze was ruled out shortly before Sunday's kickoff, having aggravated the foot injury that kept him sidelined in Week 14. Chicago also lost Luther Burden III in the third quarter because of an ankle injury. Moore became the focal point of the Bears' passing game, leading all Chicago pass catchers in snaps, routes, and fantasy points (22.9). His fantasy viability in Week 16 ultimately depends on the availability of Odunze and Burden.
Michael Wilson continues to prosper for the Cardinals and for fantasy managers as one of Jacoby Brissett's favorite targets, posting a solid 16.4 fantasy points against a stout Texans defense. Marvin Harrison Jr. has missed four of the past five games due to appendicitis and a heel injury, and Wilson has averaged 15 targets and 27.2 fantasy points per game in those contests. Wilson is best viewed as a high-end WR2 with Harrison Jr. out, but he remains on the flex radar if Harrison returns before the end of the season.
The New England Patriots have noticeably reduced Stefon Diggs' snaps over the past three games in both 11 and 12 personnel, a sharp shift from his every-down role earlier in the season. He has accumulated just 11 targets and 15.2 fantasy points over that three-game span. Diggs' decline is significant, making it difficult to have confidence in starting him.
With Pat Bryant out, the Broncos condensed the rotation, giving Lil'Jordan Humphrey most of Bryant's snaps while Troy Franklin remained in a limited role despite finishing with six targets and 20.8 fantasy points. Franklin continued rotating in both two- and three-receiver sets, marking his third straight game below 70%. While he delivered strong production this week, his inconsistent playing time makes him difficult to trust, as he can disappear whenever Denver leans run-heavy or controls game script.
Rashid Shaheed earned a larger role in Seattle's 12 personnel and delivered with a season-high seven targets since joining the Seahawks and 12.1 fantasy points. Shaheed is on the flex radar in deeper formats, while Cooper Kupp can safely be dropped.
Ricky Pearsall had the second-most targets on the San Francisco 49ers with seven and finished with 15.6 fantasy points, his best game since Week 3 against the Cardinals. Pearsall appears to be back to full strength.
Tight ends
Eric Karabell reacts to Dallas Goedert's big fantasy game vs. the Raiders.
Dallas Goedert led the Philadelphia Eagles' pass catchers in targets (7), receptions (6), receiving yards (70), and fantasy points (25). It was a blowout win for Philadelphia and a disappointing one for fantasy managers with A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, as the Eagles ran 13 plays with one or fewer wide receivers on the field over their first seven drives. This was especially frustrating given the matchup with a Las Vegas Raiders defense that has allowed the fourth-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers but the fifth-fewest to tight ends. Brown and Smith now face a Commanders defense in Week 16 that has allowed the sixth-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers.
Harold Fannin Jr. finished with a season-high in snaps and a season-high 14 targets against the Bears. It was his second consecutive game with double-digit targets and his third straight game with at least 10 fantasy points. Fannin's results will likely remain inconsistent, but he's still on the TE1 radar, and it's clear that he is Shedeur Sanders' preferred target and will remain heavily involved in the offense.
Dalton Schultz led the Houston Texans with nine targets and ran a similar number of routes as Nico Collins. He finished with a season-high 21.6 fantasy points against a Cardinals defense that ranks inside the top 10 in fantasy points allowed to tight ends. Schultz has averaged 7.5 targets and 12.0 fantasy points per game over his past seven contests. When C.J. Stroud is at his best, Schultz is heavily involved, and the veteran tight end can be viewed as a low-end TE1 against the Raiders in Week 16.
Oronde Gadsden II had his best game since Week 9 with 10.1 fantasy points against the Chiefs, but his snaps continue to decline as Will Dissly has replaced Tucker Fisk in the Chargers' tight end rotation. Gadsden's role is shrinking, and with difficult matchups ahead against the Dallas Cowboys and Texans, he remains a risky fantasy start despite the solid Week 15 production.
Colby Parkinson delivered a career game with seven targets and 24.5 fantasy points as the Rams continued using 13 personnel (1 RB, 3 TEs, and 1 WR) at a historic rate. He now plays nearly every early-down snap and has four touchdowns in his last five games. With Davante Adams injured and a favorable matchup in Week 16 against a Seahawks defense that's allowed the second most receiving yards per game to tight ends, Parkinson could continue to produce.