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GAME CAPSULES WEEK 16 SATURDAY MATCHUPS By Matt Wilson FantasySharks.com Senior Writer TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (9-5) (5-9)

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 26 TH 1 :00 P.M. ET FORD FIELD  DETROIT, MI LINE: TB – 1 0 .0 OVER/UNDER: 53.0

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

INJURIES TO MONITOR: Ronald Jones (finger, reserve/COVID-19)

BYE: Week 13

The clinched the NFC South on Christmas day by pounding the 52-33 on the awesome strength of ’s record-tying six rushing performance, so it’s Wild Card or bust for the 9-5 Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They’ll make the postseason if they defeat the Detroit Lions or if the Chicago Bears lose to the Jacksonville Jagaurs. The Lions will have (ribs, thumb) but won’t have interim head coach Darrell Bevell or virtually the entire defensive coaching staff for COVID-19 protocol reasons.

QUARTERBACK MATCHUP ’s best fantasy outings have come on the road this season. Even though the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will have success running the ball against the Detroit Lions, pass-happy head coach Bruce Arians won’t dial back the throwing. Since Week 12, the Lions have hemorrhaged the fourth-most passing yards and the most touchdown strikes.

RUNNING BACK MATCHUP Ronald Jones (finger, reserve/COVID-19) will miss his second straight game. Tampa Bay used Leonard Fournette in a workhorse role against the Atlanta Falcons last week. He racked up 14 carries for 49 yards and two , and caught three passes for 16 yards on five targets. Detroit’s defense has coughed up the third-most rushing yards and the second-most rushing touchdowns on the season. Fournette won’t do an Alvin Kamara (Saints) impersonation but could rack up his best fantasy outing of the season.

WIDE RECEIVER MATCHUP During the last month, the Lions have permitted the second-most receiving yards, the fifth-most touchdown grabs and the second-most fantasy points to wideouts, and they won’t have their top- two , Desmond Trufant and Jeffery Okudah, once again. Scoring machine Mike Evans likely will face undrafted free agent Alexander Myres while Chris Godwin draws an equally favorable matchup against . It looks like Antonio Brown has the most challenging draw versus , but it’s not a shy-away matchup. I like Brown’s chances to find the end zone for the second week in a row.

TIGHT END MATCHUP In his last seven games, , averaging 6.1 targets per contest, either scored or racked up a 100-yard performance in four games but managed a combined six receptions for 56 scoreless yards in the other three. During the last month, the Lions defense was ranked just 14th in fantasy points allowed to tight ends and yielded two scores to the position in its last three outings. You’re probably starting Gronk no matter what. We didn’t project a touchdown grab for him, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if he hit paydirt.

WEEK 16 PLAYER PROJECTIONS

PASS PASS RUSH RUSH REC REC PLAYER REC YDS TD YDS TD YDS TD QB Tom Brady 354 3 0 0 RB Ronald Jones ------RB Leonard Fournette 100 2 3 24 0 RB LeSean McCoy 20 0 2 17 0 RB Ke’Shawn Vaughn 10 0 0 0 0 WR Mike Evans 6 100 1 WR Chris Godwin 6 88 1 WR Antonio Brown 4 53 1 WR Scotty Miller 1 12 0 WR Justin Watson 0 0 0 TE Rob Gronkowski 4 50 0 TE Cameron Brate 1 10 0

FGM FGA XPM XPA PTS PK Ryan Succop 2 2 5 5 12

P/A SK INT FUM TD DT Buccaneers 27 5 1 1 0

PREVIOUS MATCHUP: 2019 Regular Season – Week 15  Tampa Bay routed Detroit 38-17 at Ford Field.  Jameis Winston (Saints) passed for 458-4-1 and rushed for 2-4-0.  Ronald Jones compiled an 11-23-0 rushing line and a 1-26-0 receiving line (3 targets).  (Wash.) amassed a 10-17-0 rushing line and a 2-23-0 rec. line (2 targets).  Mike Evans missed the game because of a hamstring injury.  Chris Godwin caught five passes for 121 yards (8 targets).  (Jets) reeled in five balls for 113 yards and three scores (6 targets).  Scott Miller made three grabs for 49 yards and one touchdown (3 targets).

DETROIT LIONS

INJURIES TO MONITOR: Matthew Stafford (thumb, ribs), Kenny Golladay (hip)

BYE: Week 5

After watching the 5-9 Detroit Lions get destroyed 46-25 by the last week, it’s clear that the emotional bump the team experienced following the firing of unpopular head coach has faded. Matthew Stafford (ribs, thumb), always tough as nails, is expected to play. However, interim head coach Darrell Bevell and virutally the entire defensive coaching staff will miss the game because of COVID-19 protocol reasons. Wide receivers coach Robert Prince will serve as interim head coach while coach Sean Ryan will call the plays for the first time in his career. Yup, this situation has the all the makings of a train wreck.

QUARTERBACK MATCHUP Matthew Stafford (ribs, thumb) has usually racked up his best fantasy outings at home this season unless the opponent is the . The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense, since Week 12, has allowed the 11th-most passing yards and the 12th-most touchdown tosses, and the Bucs will be missing No. 1 Carlton Davis. Stafford is banged up but still playing well enough to light it up in this plus matchup. Keep in mind that one big hit to his tender ribs could knock Stafford out of the game.

RUNNING BACK MATCHUP As the Lions’ goal-line tailback, D’Andre Swift has scored four times in his last three games and has toted the rock at least 13 times in three of his last four outings. During the last two weeks, has taken a back seat to Swift, amassing a combined 11 touches. Tampa Bay’s defense, since Week 12, has permitted the fewest rushing yards and just one rushing score to a tailback. The Buccaneers, however, have yielded the 14th-most catches to the position, which is why I like Swift’s chances for a receiving score.

WIDE RECEIVER MATCHUP Kenny Golladay (hip) will miss his eighth consecutive game, and Tampa Bay’s top cornerback, Carlton Davis, will miss the game, as noted. During the last month, the Buccaneers have coughed up the most wideout fantasy points. With Davis out, Marvin Jones is a much safer play. hasn’t scored in 2020 and has been good for moderate yardage more times than not. He faces the weak link in the Tampa Bay secondary – slot cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting. hasn’t scored or cleared 40 receiving yards in four straight. Jones is the only reliable play. TIGHT END MATCHUP Last week T.J. Hockenson, the fantasy TE4 in PPR formats, posted just two catches for 18 yards on four targets versus a Tennessee Titans defense that had been getting trashed by tight ends. Give Hockenson another chance versus a Buccaneers defense that has surrendered the third-most tight end fantasy points during the last month. Hockenson has either scored or cleared 65 receiving yards in five of his last seven outings.

WEEK 16 PLAYER PROJECTIONS

PASS PASS RUSH RUSH REC REC PLAYER REC YDS TD YDS TD YDS TD QB Matthew Stafford 288 3 0 0 RB D’Andre Swift 50 0 6 45 1 RB Adrian Peterson 24 0 0 0 0 RB Kerryon Johnson 12 0 2 17 0 WR Kenny Golladay ------WR Marvin Jones 6 80 1 WR Danny Amendola 6 50 0 WR 1 10 0 WR Mohamed Sanu 4 30 0 TE T.J. Hockenson 6 50 1 TE Jesse James 1 6 0

FGM FGA XPM XPA PTS PK Matt Prater 2 2 3 3 9

P/A SK INT FUM TD DT Lions 41 3 0 0 0

PREVIOUS MATCHUP: 2019 Regular Season – Week 15  Detroit was blown out by Tampa Bay 38-17 at Ford Field.  Matthew Stafford missed the game because of broken bones in his back.  threw for 260-0-2 and rushed for 5-19-0.  Kerryon Johnson sat out the contest due to a knee injury.  Wes Hills amassed a 10-21-2 rushing line and a 2-1-0 receiving line (2 targets).  Kenny Golladay made three grabs for 44 yards (7 targets).  Marvin Jones missed the game because of an ankle injury.  Danny Amendola hauled in eight passes for 102 yards (13 targets).  T.J. Hockenson sat out the contest because of an ankle injury. (5-9) (8-6)

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 26 TH 4 :30 P.M. ET STATE FARM STADIUM  GLENDALE, AZ LINE: ARZ – 5 .0 OVER/UNDER: 48.5

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

INJURIES TO MONITOR: (high-ankle sprain), (throwing elbow), (ankle), (hamstring), (ankle), (foot)

BYE: Week 11

The San Francisco 49ers lost to the Dallas Cowboys last week to pick up loss number nine on the season and clinch a losing record. Injuries have taken huge a toll on a defense that has coughed up a combined 98 points during the last three weeks. George Kittle was expected to make his return following a six-game layoff due to a foot injury. The Arizona Cardinals are battling for a playoff berth, which is why loss number 10 seems likely for Kyle Shanahan’s crew.

QUARTERBACK MATCHUP C.J. Beathard is a slight downgrade from Mullens, but Beathard knows the 49ers’ system and has proven in the past that he can play well enough to keep the offense afloat. Beathard likely will have some garbage-time opportunities against an Arizona Cardinals defense that’s ranked just 17th in quarterback fantasy points allowed, but he’s not a reliable streamer for fantasy bowl lineups.

RUNNING BACK MATCHUP With Raheem Mostert sidelined, Jeff Wilson will handle the lead runner duties, and he’s the only reliable option in this committee backfield right now. Jerick McKinnon, the passing-down specialist, has caught five passes in the last four weeks, and Tevin Coleman hasn’t been effective since he returned from an injury layoff three weeks ago. During the last month, Arizona’s defense has permitted the 10th-fewest rushing yards but also the most (tie) rushing touchdowns to the running back position.

WIDE RECEIVER MATCHUP With Deebo Samuel (hamstring) parked on the injury yet shelf again, , Kendrick Bourne and Richie James are the top-three wideouts. During the last month, the Cardinals’ defense has yielded the ninth-fewest wideout fantasy points. Aiyuk is the only reliable option, but the switch from Mullens to Beathard has me nervous about the rookie wideout. Arizona’s No. 1 cornerback, , hasn’t shadowed much this season, but I suspect he’ll shadow Aiyuk.

TIGHT END MATCHUP George Kittle (foot) is expected to return. Even though he’s playing with a pitch count, Kittle should be in starting lineups. The Cardinals defense has yielded the 13th-fewest tight end fantasy points. Back in Week 1, he caught four passes for 44 yards against Arizona.

WEEK 16 PLAYER PROJECTIONS

PASS PASS RUSH RUSH REC REC PLAYER REC YDS TD YDS TD YDS TD QB Jimmy Garoppolo ------QB Nick Mullens ------QB C.J. Beathard 265 2 10 0 RB Raheem Mostert ------RB Jeff Wilson 67 1 2 17 0 RB Jerick McKinnon 15 0 1 10 0 RB Tevin Coleman 23 0 1 8 0 WR Deebo Samuel ------WR Brandon Aiyuk 4 64 1 WR Kendrick Bourne 4 40 0 WR Richie James 3 30 0 WR Trent Taylor 1 10 0 TE George Kittle 5 56 1 TE Jordan Reed 4 30 0

FGM FGA XPM XPA PTS PK 2 2 3 3 9

P/A SK INT FUM TD DT 49ers 41 3 1 0 0

PREVIOUS MATCHUP: 2020 Regular Season – Week 1  San Francisco was outdueled by Arizona 24-20 at Levi’s Stadium.  Jimmy Garoppolo passed for 259-2-0 and rushed for 1-9-0.  Raheem Mostert amassed a 15-56-0 rushing line and a 4-95-1 receiving line (5 targets).  Jerick McKinnon compiled a 3-24-0 rushing line and a 3-20-1 receiving line (5 targets).  Tevin Coleman rolled up a 4-18-0 rushing line and a 1-6-0 receiving line (2 targets).  George Kittle logged four receptions for 44 yards (5 targets).  Deebo Samuel missed the game due to a foot injury.  Brandon Aiyuk sat out because of a hamstring injury.  Kendrick Bourne caught two passes for 34 yards (5 targets).

ARIZONA CARDINALS

INJURIES TO MONITOR: Chase Edmonds (ankle), Larry Fitzgerald (groin), Dan Arnold (back), Zane Gonzalez (back – IR)

BYE: Week 8

If the playoffs started today, the 8-6 Arizona Cardinals would back in as the No. 7 seed in a seven-team field. The Cardinals will clinch a postseason berth if they defeat the San Francisco 49ers or if the 7-7 Chicago Bears lose to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

QUARTERBACK MATCHUP During the Cardinals home win over the this past Sunday, the must-start passed for 403 yards and three touchdowns against one pick, and rushed eight times for 29 yards and one score. It looks like the throwing shoulder problem that limited him I previous weeks is no longer an issue. San Francisco’s defense has allowed the ninth-fewest quarterback fantasy points, but don’t obsess over the numbers. The 49ers defense is depleted by injuries, and Murray usually plays his best at home.

RUNNING BACK MATCHUP and Chase Edmonds continue to split the snaps with Drake handling a 70/30 split in the rushing chances while Edmonds handles close to a 70/30 split in receiving chances. Prior to Drake’s dud outing in the Eagles game, he has either rushed for 100 yards or scored at least once in five straight games. The 49ers defense has allowed the fourth-fewest rushing yards and the ninth-fewest running back fantasy points, but San Francisco has been softer on the road and has allowed eight running back touchdowns in its last four games. Drake scored against the 49ers in Week 1, and I like Edmonds chances for a receiving touchdown but with low yardage.

WIDE RECEIVER MATCHUP Since Week 12, San Francisco’s defense has given up the 13th-most wideout fantasy points, and Richard Sherman isn’t expected to play, which are two seasons why the must-start DeAndre Hopkins should have a nice game even though he’ll likely face the serviceable . The absence of Sherman actually will help Christian Kirk more since they would naturally matchup together. Kirk, however, has been struggling and hasn’t cleared 50 receiving yards or scored since Week 9. This is a bounce-back spot for Kirk, but he’s a risky play in fantasy bowl lineups.

TIGHT END MATCHUP Dan Arnold has either scored or cleared 50 receiving yards in four of his last five outings, but he has averaged just 3.4 targets per game during that stretch. On the season, the 49ers have allowed the second-fewest tight end fantasy points and permitted four touchdowns to the position. I wouldn’t roll the dice with Arnold in my fantasy bowl lineups.

WEEK 16 PLAYER PROJECTIONS

PASS PASS RUSH RUSH REC REC PLAYER REC YDS TD YDS TD YDS TD QB Kyler Murray 276 3 48 1 RB Kenyan Drake 70 1 2 10 0 RB Chase Edmonds 20 0 4 28 1 RB D.J. Foster 5 0 0 0 0 WR DeAndre Hopkins 10 130 2 WR Christian Kirk 2 20 0 WR Larry Fitzgerald 4 40 0 WR Andy Isabella 1 14 0 WR KeeSean Johnson 3 20 0 TE Dan Arnold 2 14 0

FGM FGA XPM XPA PTS PK Zane Gonzalez ------PK Mike Nugent 2 2 5 5 11

P/A SK INT FUM TD DT Cardinals 27 5 2 1 0

PREVIOUS MATCHUP: 2020 Regular Season – Week 1  Arizona outfought San Francisco 24-20 at Levi’s Stadium.  Kyler Murray passed for 230-1-1 and rushed for 13-91-1.  Kenyan Drake compiled a 16-60-1 rushing line and a 2-5-0 receiving line (2 targets).  Chase Edmonds amassed a 6-26-0 rushing line and a 3-19-1 receiving line (5 targets).  DeAndre Hopkins racked up 14 receptions for 151 yards (16 targets).  Christian Kirk caught one pass for zero yards (5 targets).  Larry Fitzgerald logged four receptions for 34 yards (5 targets).  Dan Arnold made two grabs for 21 yards (2 targets). (9-5) (7-7)

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 26 TH 8 :15 P.M. ET  LAS VEGAS, NV LINE: MIA – 3 .0 OVER/UNDER: 47.5

MIAMI DOLPHINS

INJURIES TO MONITOR: DeVante Parker (hamstring), (hamstring), (foot – IR),

BYE: Week 7

If the playoffs started today, the 9-5 Miami Dolphins would be the No. 7 seed in the AFC field. If the Dolphins win out, they’ll make the postseason. The 9-5 Baltimore Ravens are right on their heels. Winning two road games with rookie isn’t guaranteed even though he has played solidly overall since taking over as Miami’s starter.

QUARTERBACK MATCHUP This is Tua Tagovailoa’s first road outing since Week 11 when he passed for just 83 yards and one touchdown versus the Denver Broncos. Of course Tagovailoa has improved a lot since then. The Las Vegas Raiders defense has allowed the 10th-most passing yards and the 11th-most fantasy points to quarterbacks. Since the Dolphins likely will go run heavy, expect a moderate-at- best outing from Tagovailoa. He has compiled three rushing touchdowns in the last two weeks.

RUNNING BACK MATCHUP With back in the mix, Miami’s committee backfield has returned to full strength. Unless the Dolphins tell us otherwise, Gaskin will operate as the featured runner again with as his backup and handling the passing-down duties. The Raiders defense has permitted the eighth-most rushing yards and the most rushing touchdowns. Gaskin should score at least once as a high-end fantasy RB3, but I don’t expect a touchdown for Ahmed as a low-end fantasy RB3 play.

WIDE RECEIVER MATCHUP DeVante Parker (hamstring) was expected to return after he sat out last week, but Jakeem Grant (hamstring) was considered a long shot to put on his uniform. Assuming Parker is reasonably healthy, he’s a decent play with upside against a Las Vegas defense that has allowed the most touchdown grabs and the 11th-most fantasy points to opposing wideouts.

TIGHT END MATCHUP (shoulder) has emerged as one of Tagovailoa’s favorite targets. During the last three weeks, Gesicki caught four touchdown passes from him and amassed at least 65 receiving yards in two of three outings. He was close to playing last week and was expected to suit up for this game. The Raiders are ranked just 18th in tight end fantasy points allowed.

WEEK 16 PLAYER PROJECTIONS

PASS PASS RUSH RUSH REC REC PLAYER REC YDS TD YDS TD YDS TD QB Tua Tagovailoa 268 1 24 1 RB Myles Gaskin 70 1 4 30 0 RB Salvon Ahmed 30 0 1 11 0 RB 22 0 0 0 0 RB Lynn Bowden 0 0 5 44 0 WR DeVante Parker 6 83 1 WR Preston Williams ------WR Jakeem Grant ------WR Malcolm Perry 0 0 0 WR 1 12 0 TE Mike Gesicki 5 50 1 TE Adam Shaheen 0 0 0 TE 3 18 0

FGM FGA XPM XPA PTS PK 1 1 4 4 7

P/A SK INT FUM TD DT Dolphins 24 5 1 1 0

PREVIOUS MATCHUP: 2018 Regular Season  Miami defeated Oakland/Las Vegas 28-20 at Hard Rock Stadium.

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS

INJURIES TO MONITOR: (ankle), (concussion), (ankle)

BYE: Week 6

Even though the Las Vegas Raiders have dropped to 7-7 after absorbing two crushing losses in which they were outscored 74 to 54, ’s crew is still mathematically alive for a Wild Card spot. The Raiders, however, need to win out and get a ton of help. Las Vegas’ crumbling defense, however, has been a major problem and likely will doom the team in this Saturday night matchup with the Miami Dolphins.

QUARTERBACK MATCHUP was unable to finish his team’s loss to the Los Angeles Chargers because of a groin injury, but he’s supposedly good to go and was taken off the injury report. The Miami Dolphins defense has allowed the second-fewest touchdown strikes and the fourth-fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks. Miami’s perimeter cornerbacks are both shutdown guys, too. Expect a moderate-at- best outing from Carr. Keep in mind that he’s a risk for an in-game re-injury.

RUNNING BACK MATCHUP Since Josh Jacobs (ankle) shredded the Denver Broncos with 21 carries for 112 yards and two touchdowns back in Week 10, the banged-up ball carrier has scored in only two games and has cleared 75 rushing yards in a game just once. Despite what the Raiders have been telling us, Jacobs is far from 100 percent healthy. Miami’s defense has allowed the 10th-fewest running back fantasy points, but the Dolphins have been softer versus the run on the road. In their last four road outings, they’ve allowed at least 70 rushing yards to five different tailbacks and six touchdowns to the position.

WIDE RECEIVER MATCHUP The up-and-down is still far and away the only decent fantasy option in this group. Miami’s defense has yielded the 11th-fewest wideout fantasy points. Agholor usually runs his routes on the outside, which is a bad thing here because he’ll battle and Byron Jones, a rock-solid cornerback duo. I wouldn’t bother with Hunter Renfrow or . A score from Renfrow wouldn’t be a shock, but I wouldn’t roll the dice with him.

TIGHT END MATCHUP During the last three weeks, the must-start either notched at least one touchdown grab or cleared seven catches and 70 receiving yards in three straight outings. That includes his massive 13-200-2 outing versus the New York Jets in Week 13 and a hefty 9-150-1 effort in the Chargers game last week. The Dolphins have permitted the fifth-fewest tight end fantasy points and four touchdowns to the position, but Travis Kelce gashed them for 8-136-1 two weeks ago. I’m not promising a 100-yards game from Waller, but he definitely won’t disappoint.

WEEK 16 PLAYER PROJECTIONS PASS PASS RUSH RUSH REC REC PLAYER REC YDS TD YDS TD YDS TD QB Derek Carr 257 2 15 0 RB Josh Jacobs 80 1 3 22 0 RB Devontae Booker 20 0 1 10 0 RB 12 0 1 7 0 WR Nelson Agholor 3 40 0 WR Henry Ruggs 2 32 0 WR Hunter Renfrow 5 40 0 WR Bryan Edwards 1 10 0 TE Darren Waller 8 90 2 TE 1 6 0

FGM FGA XPM XPA PTS PK Daniel Carlson 1 2 3 3 6

P/A SK INT FUM TD DT Raiders 31 5 1 1 0

PREVIOUS MATCHUP: 2018 Regular Season  Las Vegas/Oakland lost to Miami 28-20 at Hard Rock Stadium.