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FFL: Playoff Week 1 | NFL: Week 15

Jerry Jones with 3 games left: 'Very disappointed,' Cowboys 'underachieved'

Mon Dec 15 2:27pm ET
Field Level Media

Owner and general manager Jerry Jones walked away from the home stadium of the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night with one overwhelming emotion.

"It's very disappointing. I'm really obviously very disappointed for our fans," Jones said of the Cowboys losing to the Minnesota Vikings and falling to 6-7-1 to be eliminated from wild-card playoff contention.

"I'm disappointed for these players. I didn't expect that. I thought we could come out here and on both sides of the ball make a better accounting of ourselves. Minnesota did the best job out there on both sides of the ball."

The Cowboys have a playoff prayer left, but they would have to finish the season with three consecutive wins while the Philadelphia Eagles lose their final three games to forfeit their lead in the NFC East.

Dallas plays the Los Angeles Chargers (10-4) on Sunday and faces the Washington Commanders (4-10) on Christmas Day in another short-week, Thursday game. The season finale is Jan. 4 against the New York Giants (2-12).

Philadelphia plays at Washington on Saturday night, at Buffalo (10-4) on Dec. 28 and faces the Commanders again in the Week 18 finale on Jan. 4.

Like Jones, first-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer also used the "d" word after a deflating loss to the Vikings (6-8) that dropped Dallas to 3-6-1 against NFC opponents this season.

"I'm disappointed," Schottenheimer said. "We didn't play well against Detroit (Week 14). I really do think ... we're beating ourselves quite a bit and that starts with us as a coaching staff. It's always going to start with me and the things that I messed up and didn't do very well. (Vikings DC) Brian Flores was better than me."

Quarterback Dak Prescott said he was "definitely surprised" by Sunday's loss because of what the Cowboys knew was at stake. He's focused on being a consistent voice the rest of the season to bring professional accountability to the offense.

"Nothing's going to change for me, and that's going to be my influence as a leader," Prescott said. "My message to anybody around me is take pride in who you are as a man and who you are as a football player and the job responsibility that you have and what that entails is giving your best every day. And if you don't, you probably won't be in this league for long."

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Five Fantasy Takeaways: Week 15

Player Notes
Brandon Jones Dec 15 1:40pm CT
Brandon Jones

Denver Broncos starting safety Brandon Jones (chest) is believed to have suffered a pectoral injury in the team's Week 15 win over the Packers, and he will undergo an MRI, according to NFL Insider Ian Rapoport. Jones' 78 tackles through 14 games rank 3rd on one of the most dominant defenses in the league. His fluid usage alongside Talanoa Hufanga has seen him line up frequently in the box, making him both a strong weekly IDP play and an important piece in what has been one of the highest-scoring DST units in fantasy. Jones left the game on Sunday and was unable to return, being replaced on the back end by veteran safety P.J. Locke. Losing Jones would be a serious blow to the Broncos' defense, though they will remain a must-start fantasy DST with their NFL-leading 58 sacks through Week 15.

From RotoBaller

Evan Hull Dec 15 1:20pm CT
Evan Hull

New Orleans running back Evan Hull was a trending name heading into the Saints' Week 15 matchup with the Panthers, and with Devin Neal (hamstring) exiting the team's upset win with a hamstring issue, his name will likely pop up again this week. Alvin Kamara (knee, ankle) was ruled out before Sunday's divisional matchup, while Neal began the week limited by an abdomen issue, leaving Hull and second-year back Audric Estime as the presumptive next in line should Neal miss time. Ultimately, Neal played, and even though he left the game in the first half, Hull saw only a 32% snap share and finished with four total opportunities for 12 yards, leaving him behind Estime in the pecking order. Neal's status will need to be monitored throughout the week, but even if he's forced to miss what would be a favorable Week 16 matchup against the Jets, Hull's infrequent usage to this point makes him very difficult to trust heading into the fantasy semifinals.

From RotoBaller

Drake London Dec 15 1:10pm CT
Drake London

Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris is "very hopeful" that wide receiver Drake London (knee) can return to face the Arizona Cardinals in Week 16, according to Josh Kendall of The Athletic. "Obviously got to get to the practice week. I'm very hopeful he can go out there and play for us," Morris said. London has missed the last four games after spraining the PCL in his left knee back in Week 11, but if he can return to practice this week, the 24-year-old could return on Sunday to face the Cardinals. Fantasy managers still alive in the playoffs will need to keep a close eye on his status this week. In London's absence, Kyle Pitts Sr. has finally broken out, going nuclear for 11 catches, 166 yards, and three touchdowns in last Thursday night's win over the Buccaneers. Pitts will lose valuable targets whenever London returns, possibly this weekend. It's unclear if London would face a snap count if he returns in Week 16.

From RotoBaller

Patrick Mahomes Dec 15 1:00pm CT
Patrick Mahomes

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said on Monday that quarterback Patrick Mahomes (knee) is heading to Dallas for a second opinion on the surgery that is required to fix the torn ACL in his left knee that he suffered in Sunday's loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, according to Nate Taylor of ESPN. It was a dark day in KC on Sunday, as not only did they lose Mahomes for the rest of the season, but they were also eliminated from the postseason for the first time in a decade. Regardless of when Mahomes has surgery on his knee, he'll likely be fighting an uphill battle to be ready for the start of the 2026 season. For the final three games of the year, Gardner Minshew will run the Chiefs' offense, which means all of the team's offensive skill players should be downgraded in fantasy football. Mahomes finishes his ninth year in the NFL with 3,587 passing yards, 22 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions in 14 games.

From RotoBaller

Colston Loveland Dec 15 12:40pm CT
Colston Loveland

Chicago Bears rookie first-round tight end Colston Loveland had another solid showing for his fantasy managers in the team's 31-3 blowout win over the visiting Cleveland Browns on Sunday, catching four of his five targets for 63 yards. Most of Loveland's damage in this game came on receptions of 24 and 19 yards, and he wasn't really involved late with the game already in hand. The 21-year-old 10th overall pick out of Michigan got off to a slow start in his first year in the NFL, but he's been more involved in the second half of the season and is worth rostering in most fantasy leagues. It started with a six-catch, 118-yard, two-touchdown breakout in Week 9 against the Cincinnati Bengals. Since then, Loveland has had at least 40 receiving yards in five of seven games, including all four of his touchdowns in 2025. He has had at least five targets in four straight games. More work could be coming for Loveland in Week 16 against the Packers, especially if receiver Rome Odunze (foot) misses a third straight game.

From RotoBaller

Micah Parsons Dec 15 12:20pm CT
Micah Parsons

An MRI exam on Monday confirmed that Green Bay Packers star pass-rusher Micah Parsons (knee) suffered a season-ending torn left ACL in Sunday's loss to the Denver Broncos, sources told Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports. It's a devastating injury for Parsons and the Packers as they battle to make the postseason in the final three weeks of the 2025 regular season. The 26-year-old was having another All-Pro campaign in his first year with the Packers, recording 41 tackles (19 solo), 12.5 sacks, 12 tackles for loss, 26 QB hits, and two forced fumbles in 14 games. Parsons suffered the non-contact injury in the second half of Sunday's game in Denver while rushing quarterback Bo Nix. Even if Parsons recovers ahead of pace following knee surgery, he will most likely not be ready for the start of next season. Green Bay's defense won't be nearly as formidable down the stretch without its best pass-rusher.

From RotoBaller

Bryce Young Dec 15 12:20pm CT
Bryce Young

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young completed 15 of 24 pass attempts for 163 yards and a touchdown in the team's 20-17 loss to the Saints in Week 15 on Sunday. The Carolina QB also added a season-high 49 rushing yards on seven carries, totaling 15.4 Fantasy points. In 13 games played this season, Young has averaged 14.2 fantasy points per game. He has also registered more than 15 fantasy points in three of his last four starts. In Week 16, the Panthers will go up against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In the four weeks leading up to Week 15, the Buccaneers ranked last in the league in fantasy points per game allowed to QBs. Tampa Bay's pass defense also surrendered the second-most passing touchdowns against opposing QBs during that span (eight). Although his fantasy totals for the year have been mediocre, this matchup makes Young a more favorable starter in superflex leagues for Week 16. Those who are desperate in one-QB leagues can also consider streaming Young.

From RotoBaller

Rico Dowdle Dec 15 12:20pm CT
Rico Dowdle

Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle rushed for 49 yards on 16 carries with one touchdown in Carolina's Week 15 loss to New Orleans on Sunday. He added five receiving yards on one reception and totaled 12.4 PPR points. Dowdle outperformed Chuba Hubbard, who registered 38 scrimmage yards and 4.8 PPR points. Despite the workload being mostly split between the two RBs, Dowdle logged the most snaps (60%). In Week 16, the Panthers will face their NFC South rival, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Tampa Bay ranked 16th in fantasy points per game allowed to the RB position in the last four weeks leading up to Week 15. Even though Dowdle has a middling matchup this week, he is still worth starting as an RB2 or flex option based on his volume. In his last five games, he has fewer than 16 carries once, and he averaged 15.4 carries per game.

From RotoBaller

Tetairoa McMillan Dec 15 12:20pm CT
Tetairoa McMillan

Carolina Panthers rookie first-round wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan logged his worst performance of the year in the Panthers' loss to the Saints in Week 15. The first-round rookie caught two passes for 25 yards, totaling 4.5 PPR points in the first round of the fantasy playoffs in most leagues. This was the first time this year that McMillan posted less than 5.0 PPR points, and it was also the first time he had not scored a touchdown since Week 10. The Carolina Panthers take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 16. In the last four weeks leading up to Week 15, Tampa Bay ranked 18th in fantasy points per game allowed to WRs. McMillan has been targeted less than five times in each of his last two games, but he has a decent matchup for Week 16. He has averaged 7.2 targets per game this season. McMillan's possible volume still makes him startable as a WR3 or flex option for Week 16. He could see more targets in the major NFC South showdown against the Buccaneers.

From RotoBaller

Xavier Legette Dec 15 12:20pm CT
Xavier Legette

Xavier Legette was once again not very busy in the Panthers' Week 15 loss to the New Orleans Saints. The Carolina WR caught two of his three targets for 39 yards and finished with 5.9 PPR points. Although this is the most PPR points Legette registered since Week 11, he has been mostly irrelevant in fantasy football through the season. In 14 games played, Legette has only two double-digit PPR finishes. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are facing the Carolina Panthers in Week 16. Tampa Bay ranked 18th in Fantasy Points Per Game allowed to the WR position in the last four weeks leading up to Week 15. Even with a middling matchup, Legette's volume has been too inconsistent to warrant a roster spot during the fantasy playoffs.

From RotoBaller

Colby Parkinson Dec 15 12:10pm CT
Colby Parkinson

Fantasy managers should no longer be ignoring Los Angeles Rams tight end Colby Parkinson. The 26-year-old has been a bigger part of L.A.'s high-scoring offense ever since Tyler Higbee (ankle) landed on Injured Reserve, and he's not slowing down. In the team's 41-34 win over the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Parkinson played a season-high 86% of the offensive snaps and set season-highs in catches (five), targets (seven), and receiving yards (75) while finding the end zone twice. The former fourth-rounder now has a whopping six touchdown receptions in the last six games for the Rams, and yet somehow, he's only rostered in 4% of Yahoo leagues. Higbee's return isn't imminent, so Parkinson could be the team's top pass-catching TE the rest of 2025. The Rams' Week 16 matchup against the division-rival Seahawks on Thursday night isn't ideal, but with receiver Davante Adams (hamstring) potentially out, Parkinson could have an even bigger role in the passing attack. Parkinson should be a priority waiver-wire addition at the TE position this week.

From RotoBaller

Adonai Mitchell Dec 15 12:00pm CT
Adonai Mitchell

Most fantasy managers were probably avoiding all of the New York Jets' offensive skill players with rookie quarterback Brady Cook making his first career start in Week 15 against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. Wide receiver Adonai Mitchell still managed to produce for fantasy managers who were brave enough to start him, as he finished with six catches on nine targets for a team-high 58 yards and a touchdown in the 48-20 loss. His six receptions tied for the team high, while his nine targets and 58 receiving yards led the team. The 23-year-old also carried the football one time for a loss of four yards. It's not always going to be pretty the rest of the way for Mitchell with New York's less-than-ideal QB situation, but he proved on Sunday that he's a weekly flex consideration. In his five games with the Jets, he's been targeted 40 times and has 18 catches for 236 yards and two touchdowns.

From RotoBaller

Jalen Coker Dec 15 11:50am CT
Jalen Coker

Much like last year, Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jalen Coker is starting to make some noise late in the season. The 24-year-old former undrafted free agent scored for the second straight game in Sunday's 20-17 loss to the New Orleans Saints, catching all four of his targets for 60 yards to lead the Panthers in receiving. Before the Week 14 bye, Coker caught four of a season-high six targets for a season-high 74 yards and his first touchdown of the year. It wasn't all great on Sunday against New Orleans, though, as he also lost a fumble. Overall, though, it was a positive day for Coker, who had two catches of 20-plus yards for the first time this year. The Holy Cross alum could take over WR2 duties from Xavier Legette for the final three weeks of the season. He has gone over 50 receiving yards in three of the last four games. Coker is rostered in only 5% of Yahoo leagues.

From RotoBaller

Luther Burden III Dec 15 11:40am CT
Luther Burden III

Chicago Bears rookie wide receiver Luther Burden III (ankle) injured his ankle in Sunday's Week 15 win over the visiting Cleveland Browns, but he still managed to lead the team in catches (six), targets (seven), and receiving yards (84). Burden saw an elevated role in Chicago's offense for the second straight week, with fellow wideout Rome Odunze (foot) being scratched just before kickoff. In two games with Odunze sidelined, the 22-year-old second-rounder has 10 receptions on 13 targets for 151 yards for the Bears. Odunze is dealing with a stress fracture in his foot and could miss more time, which makes Burden a priority waiver-wire addition this week, despite his ankle injury. Burden has 36 catches on the year for 479 yards and one touchdown on 47 targets. If Odunze misses more time and Burden's injury isn't serious, he would be firmly in play as a WR4/flex with upside this weekend in a rematch against the division-rival Packers.

From RotoBaller

Woody Marks Dec 15 11:20am CT
Woody Marks

Houston Texans rookie running back Woody Marks (ankle) aggravated an ankle injury in Sunday's win over the visiting Arizona Cardinals and didn't finish the game, but head coach DeMeco Ryans later said that Marks could have continued playing, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Sports. Practice-squad RB Jawhar Jordan rushed for 101 yards on 15 carries in Week 15 in his NFL debut after Marks left in the 40-20 win. Dare Ogunbowale and Jordan combined for 143 rushing yards on 33 carries -- Nick Chubb (ribs) was inactive. Marks finished with 30 yards on seven carries, but he salvaged his day for fantasy managers with a goal-line touchdown before aggravating his ankle injury. The 24-year-old will almost certainly be on the Week 16 injury report, but it sounds like he will have a chance to play and serve as the team's lead back in a great matchup next Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders.

From RotoBaller

Kenneth Gainwell Dec 15 11:10am CT
Kenneth Gainwell

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kenneth Gainwell could be slated for a considerable boost in workload for his Monday night home matchup with the Miami Dolphins in Week 15. Pittsburgh's backfield has been a pleasantly surprising source of fantasy output in 2025, with both Gainwell and teammate Jaylen Warren (illness) ranking as low-end PPR RB2s on the campaign as a whole. However, the former appears poised for a significant touch share when his team hosts the Dolphins on MNF, given Warren was downgraded to questionable after coming down with an illness early Monday. If the latter fails to suit up, Gainwell's upside would be massive, presuming that he assumes a workhorse role as he did the last time Warren sat out in Week 4. In that outing, the former Philadelphia Eagle popped off for 134 yards and two scores on 77% of the team's snaps.

From RotoBaller

Marquez Valdes-Scantling Dec 15 11:00am CT
Marquez Valdes-Scantling

The Pittsburgh Steelers are signing veteran wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling to the active roster ahead of their matchup on Monday Night Football with the visiting Miami Dolphins. Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported the news. Pittsburgh intended to elevate the 31-year-old from its practice squad for their meeting with Miami, but will instead choose to make him a fixture on their roster for the remainder of the season. Valdes-Scantling made his first appearance with the team in Week 14, playing 31% of snaps and failing to bring in his lone target. He doesn't figure to be involved enough to matter for fantasy, and can likely be avoided in all formats.

From RotoBaller

Jaylen Warren Dec 15 10:50am CT
Jaylen Warren

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (illness) has been downgraded to questionable for his team's Monday night home game with the Miami Dolphins due to an illness, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. It's ill-timed for the 27-year-old, who has an excellent matchup slated for Week 15 in a sieve-like Dolphins' rush defense. If Warren is eventually unable to suit up due to his illness, teammate Kenneth Gainwell projects to handle a majority of the backfield work in his place, considering the two had split snaps fairly evenly over the previous three contests. Gainwell would immediately slot in as a strong RB2 play in Warren's absence, with rookie rusher Kaleb Johnson likely to spell him on occasion as a chance-of-pace option.

From RotoBaller

Isaac TeSlaa Dec 15 10:30am CT
Isaac TeSlaa

Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa entered Week 15 on a two-game touchdown-scoring streak, but he was targeted just once and failed to record a catch in his team's Week 15 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. TeSlaa saw a slight reduction in playing time thanks to the return of veteran wideout Kalif Raymond, who had missed Detroit's two previous games due to an ankle injury. Across 14 games this season, TeSlaa has now hauled in eight receptions for 120 yards and four touchdowns on 15 targets. While he's flashed high-end contested catch ability, the 23-year-old has simply been unable to carve out a consistent role as a target-earner when the Lions' wide receiver corps is healthy. The lack of reliability makes TeSlaa very difficult for fantasy managers to trust heading into his Week 16 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

From RotoBaller

Zonovan Knight Dec 15 10:30am CT
Zonovan Knight

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Arizona Cardinals running back Bam Knight (ankle) is trending toward being inactive for Week 16's home bout with the Atlanta Falcons. Knight was out there for just one snap in the team's 40-20 loss to the Houston Texans, handling one carry for negative two yards before injuring his ankle and being carted off the field. Schefter notes that Knight will undergo an MRI on Monday to assess the severity, although it's being described as a "bad sprain." It's good news that initial testing revealed no breaks. Either way, it seems that his chances of suiting up against the visiting Falcons are slim at best. Teammate Michael Carter stepped up in Week 15 (14/56), with the 24-year-old unable to continue, though it's possible he splits more work with Emari Demercado as the latter regains health from an ankle injury of his own.

From RotoBaller