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About Last Night …

Nothing like the Steelers scoring four touchdowns on MNF, only to have three of them be scored by players who were nowhere near the fantasy playoff rosters of most teams. There were still some fantasy nuggets in the 28-15 Steelers victory over the Dolphins in frigid Pittsburgh. One Dolphins star did not look like a fish out of water in the end zone:

• Connor Heyward has 3 targets on the season, but scored on this tush push.

• Unexpectedly Kenneth Gainwell led the Pittsburgh backfield with 126 total yards and 19.6 points.

• Aaron Rodgers went 23-for-27 with 224 yards and 2 scores, including this TD to old friend MVS.

• DK Metcalf was just the biggest kid on the playground on this TD, which may have won a matchup for one of our staff members.

• Jonnu Smith rushing TD? Yeah, sounded funny to us, too. But not so funny.

• Darren Waller made some beautiful music in sub-freezing Pittsburgh. Twice.

The #1 Utilization Takeaway From Week 15 Is …

The Return Of Mike Evans Shakes Things Up In Tampa

Mike Evans

Evans returned from a collarbone injury in Week 15. While the Buccaneers limited his route participation rate to 70%, he still led the team in targets (10) and air yards (176). The veteran delivered 19.2 fantasy points and an 88 Utilization Score against the Falcons.

Evans has played over 70% of the pass plays in four games this season. In those contests, he has averaged 13.3 points per game (PPG). He has been highly targeted with target shares of 28%, 31%, 29% and 36%. His average Utilization Score is 77.

Evans' historical Utilization Score comparisons averaged 15.2 points per game, with 60% performing as top 18 WRs.

• WR1 to WR12 performers: 31%

• WR13 to WR24 performers: 53%

• WR25 to WR36 performers: 15%

» Evans UPGRADES to mid-range WR2 territory.

Emeka Egbuka

Of course, the return of Evans and Jalen McMillan came with a price. Egbuka's route participation rate plummeted to a season low of 63%. From Week 8 to Week 13, that number was 96%.

Egbuka still finished second on the team in targets (25%), but a loss of playing time would hamper his fantasy outlook over an extended period.

» Egbuka DOWNGRADES to low-end WR3 territory with his playing time now uncertain.

Chris Godwin

Godwin's route participation rate has steadily climbed since his return in Week 12, and he locked down a season-high 95% in Week 15 with Evans back.

Last season, Godwin led the Bucs with a 27% target share. To this point, he hasn't been able to capitalize on his newfound playing time. He has an 18% target share since his return. Health and the presence of Egbuka are likely contributing factors.

» Godwin is a WR4 with WR2 upside if he gets hot in a full-time role.

» For the rest of Dwain McFarland’s Utilization Report ahead of Week 16, click below!

Early Week 16 Rankings: Believe the T-Law Explosion?

People saw the TDs pile up for Trevor Lawrence on Sunday to the point that it looked like some passes were replays when they were actually fresh scores. Five TD passes and a scoring run for a scintillating 44.3 fantasy points gave us the QB1 we projected when he was selected first overall in 2021. But is this real or fool’s gold against subpar competition? The 12 TD passes in the last four games are great and all, but a step up in weight class awaits T-Law in Week 16, says our own Ian Hartitz:

“The results have also been quite nice in fantasy land: T-Law has ripped off five consecutive top-12 finishes and has worked as the QB3 in fantasy points per game (21.2!) since returning from the team's Week 8 bye. This high-end performance will really be tested in Week 16 against the Broncos' third-ranked scoring defense in Mile High, but Lawrence has proven enough to still earn QB13 status for me ahead of guys like C.J. Stroud, Baker Mayfield and Jordan Love among others.”

The early rankings are in for Week 16, and now that you’ve advanced to the semis it’s time to focus on the players moving up and down. Plus, you get a little peek at how their matchups shape up for the week ahead.⤵️

Around the Watercooler

The latest fantasy nuggets, silliness, and NFL gossip from our merry band of football nerds.

💰 Week 16 means contract incentives are within sight. Which players are chasing a bag this year?

👀 Which DSTs will propel you to the championship? Week 16’s top streamers.

📺 Bill isn’t the only RB to target on the wire. Turn your attention to Houston …

🤯 Are we overreacting to Bo Nix’s big day?

🐐 Most receiving yards per game in NFL history??? What a GOAT.

🖐️ Rivers was fine … just don’t ask him to throw the ball more than 20 yards.

🚑️ Bad news for the Jags. I’d pick up LeQuint Allen in case something happens to Etienne.

💥 Good news for the Jags. They are red-hot.

🦵🏽And the Rams get bad news, just before their NFC West showdown in Seattle.

🙏 The Jamo we were all promised … is finally here.

5️⃣ Washington still has Faith in 5, but wait ‘til next year to see him play again.

🤢 If you’re pleading the 5th in your sicko league …