We’ll examine team performance in various categories after each week of the 2025 NFL season. Here come the Bills: Buffalo clinched a playoff spot in Week 16 and has quietly been surging up the EPA ranks, now sitting neck-and-neck with the Patriots in this week’s team tiers. The Rams are still on track despite a Week 16 defeat: Impressively, 90% of their dropbacks this season have resulted in a target (as opposed to a sack, throwaway, batted pass, etc.) — 4 percentage points better than any other team. Get PFF+ for 30% off: Use promo code HOLIDAY30 to unlock the PFF Player Prop Tool, Premium Stats, fantasy dashboards, the PFF Mock Draft Simulator, industry-leading fantasy rankings and much more — everything you need to win your season. Estimated Reading Time: 3minutes This is a weekly statistical review of all NFL teams during the 2025 season. For more statistics, snap counts and PFF grades from the 2025 NFL season, check out PFF Premium Stats. Team Strengths The following chart groups teams by expected points added per play. To improve predictive power, high-leverage plays such as turnovers and goal-line plays are down-weighted a bit. Additionally, the team strengths account for opponents faced and recent performances count more toward the estimated team strength than performances earlier in the season. Note that we highlighted playoff teams (with the Buccaneers and Panthers both highlighted amid their battle to clinch) in this version. We will also separate the teams by rushing and passing efficiency. The following chart shows rushing efficiency:
NFL season-long statistical review ahead of Week 17: Team tiers, pass rates and more
Bengals News (12/23): NFL Draft Positioning
Bengals News: Bengals got the help they needed to experience the best of both worlds after huge win over Dolphins Bengals glimpse hope defensively with Al Golden’s unit vs. Dolphins Something to (hopefully) build on. A win is always great, but not hurting your draft position in the process is the cherry on top. Former […] Bengals News: Bengals got the help they needed to experience the best of both worlds after huge win over Dolphins Bengals glimpse hope defensively with Al Golden’s unit vs. Dolphins Something to (hopefully) build on. A win is always great, but not hurting your draft position in the process is the cherry on top. Former Bengals player defends his time in Cincinnati He is a free agent after this year… Bengals’ New, Improved Run Game Sees Red (Zone); Nickel Jalen Davis’ Priceless Journey The run game is emerging and it should continue. Mike Gesicki Relishes in Touchdown He’d ‘Been Waiting For’ Against Dolphins A griddy with a hint of revenge. NFL News: Steelers’ DK Metcalf suspended two games for fan altercation It was a wild scene in Detroit. Chiefs announce move from Arrowhead Stadium in Missouri to new $3 billion domed stadium in Kansas A legendary NFL venue will soon lose it’s team. Bryce Young comes up clutch again as Panthers take control of NFC South race The Panthers are for real. Lamar Jackson details back injury, says he hopes to start in Ravens matchup vs. Packers Baltimore’s playoff hopes hang in the balance. Chargers linebacker Denzel Perryman suspended 2 games after helmet-to-helmet hit With a playoff spot locked up, the Chargers lose a piece of their defense.
Minnesota Vikings Odds: Vikings Underdogs on Christmas Day
The Minnesota Vikings have won three consecutive games, including two in a row on the road, but the odds are currently against them making it four in a row when they take the field on Christmas Day. The folks at the FanDuel Sportsbook have opened the betting lines for this week’s games, and the Vikings […] The Minnesota Vikings have won three consecutive games, including two in a row on the road, but the odds are currently against them making it four in a row when they take the field on Christmas Day. The folks at the FanDuel Sportsbook have opened the betting lines for this week’s games, and the Vikings are currently a 5.5-point underdog for their matchup against the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium. The over/under for this one currently sits at 43.5 points. This one is currently clouded for the Vikings by the fact that. . .well, we’re still not really sure who will be starting at quarterback for the purple. J.J. McCarthy is injured again, as he left at halftime of the Vikings’ 16-13 win over the New York Giants on Sunday with an injury to his throwing hand. Max Brosmer played the second half and led the Vikings to a fourth-quarter field goal, but that was all they needed to hold on for the victory. The Lions are playing to keep their slim postseason hopes alive in this one. The only shot they have at the playoffs is if they win both of their remaining games (this one and their regular-season finale against Chicago) and for Green Bay to lose their final two games (Saturday against Baltimore and next week against the Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium). The first time these two teams met, the Vikings pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the season, as they were 9.5-point underdogs heading into Ford Field back in Week 9, but managed to walk out of Detroit with a 27-24 victory. Kickoff for this one is scheduled for 3:30 PM Central time on Saturday afternoon, and the game is scheduled to be broadcast on Netflix. If we get word on whether or not one of the local broadcast networks will be showing the game, we will pass that news along to you. See More:
James Daniels won’t return this season – The Splash Zone 12/23/25
The Miami Dolphins lost James Daniels in week 1 when he suffered a pectoral injury and hasn’t been seen since. He won’t be seen the rest of the season as Mike McDaniel said the guard would not return. Daniels was considered one of the better guards in the league but was coming off an Achilles […] The Miami Dolphins lost James Daniels in week 1 when he suffered a pectoral injury and hasn’t been seen since. He won’t be seen the rest of the season as Mike McDaniel said the guard would not return. Daniels was considered one of the better guards in the league but was coming off an Achilles injury from last year. The signing didn’t work out and who knows if he’ll be back next season but that comes down to how this offseason plays out with the general manager search and whether McDaniel is back or not. You can check out that story here, and the rest of the day’s round-up below. Why Dolphins Latest Injury Update Makes James Daniels Future MurkyDolphins head coach Mike McDaniel provided new information on whether Daniels would play again in 2025. Mike McDaniel Miami Dolphins’ Mike McDaniel gives rookie Quinn Ewers positive reviewMiami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel met with reporters a day after losing to the Cincinnati Bengals 45-21 at Hard Rock Stadium. Mike McDaniel’s job may not be safe, new report says; plus, Dolphins injury updatesOn the heels of the Miami Dolphins’ embarrassing 45-21 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, a new national report Monday afternoon indicates coach Mike McDaniel may not be safe after all. Dolphins General Manager Search The Dolphins’ general manager search nears kickoff and Miami will have a chance to prove they’ve made the most of their head start with how they handle itLet’s get ready to rumble! Dolphins Quarterbacks Upon Further Review: Takeaways From Quinn Ewers First StartThe Miami Dolphins started Quinn Ewers against the Bengals, and there are plenty of good and bad plays to break down. Dolphins Offensive Line Two of the Dolphins’ biggest whiffs this season are aging horribly for Miami and Mike McDaniel’s latest update made it even worseThis could go down as an all-time bad signing by the Fins. Dolphins 2025 Season The Dolphins’ most important asset for the 2026 offseason is starting to take shapeMiami’s most important asset for 2026 is becoming more clear. Miami Dolphins overreaction Monday: Trade De’Von Achane for 4 picks?The Miami Dolphins are 6-9 after a blowout loss to the Cincinnati Bengals at Hard Rock Stadium. Phinsider News You May Have Missed Dolphins steamrolled by Bengals – The Splash Zone 12/22/25Welcome to the Splash Zone, the quickest way to get your day started off right. We bring you a rundown of Miami Dolphins news from the last 24 hours. The Good, Bad & Ugly from the Miami Dolphins Week 16 loss to the Cincinnati BengalsDolphins play poorly at home; lose to Bengals by 24 points. NFL Draft Order 2026: What pick do the Miami Dolphins have after Week 16?The Miami Dolphins are out of playoff contention, which means it is time to start looking toward the 2026 NFL Draft. What is the current first-round order as Week 16 comes to a close? James Daniels to miss remainder of Miami Dolphins seasonMike McDaniel confirms James Daniels’ 2025 season to be over.
Giants news, 12/23: Jaxson Dart, Brian Burns, Brian Flores, more
Good morning, New York Giants fans! From Big Blue View Other Giant observations Well, the New York Football Giants have succeeded in something as they strengthened their inexorable attraction to failure. The team that specializes in losing at least could feel good about selecting, developing and putting on display their franchise quarterback. That was to be the light within this dark, dank and dreary tunnel. Viking quarterbacks saw a lot of Abdul Carter Ian O’Connor: Brian Flores has proved the Giants hired the wrong Brian | The Athletic The same Flores who prevented the 2-13 Giants from scoring an offensive touchdown Sunday as Minnesota’s defensive coordinator, just like he prevented them from scoring an offensive touchdown last year. In fact, including his victory over the Giants as Miami’s head coach in 2021, Flores has allowed them a grand total of ZERO offensive touchdowns in their last 12 quarters of shared competition. That’s a total shutdown of three Giants coaches — Joe Judge, Brian Daboll, and Mike Kafka. Jaxson Dart’s downward trend should compel Giants to utilize his most valuable skills again | SNY.tv The performance continued a downward trend since Dart returned from a concussion suffered against Chicago, aligning with the firing of Daboll. Through his first seven starts — all under Daboll — Dart averaged 202 passing yards, 45 rushing yards and 2.4 total touchdowns per game. Following the concussion and Daboll’s dismissal, offensive coordinator Mike Kafka took over coaching responsibilities. The expectation internally was that the change would help them finish out games. It has not. Over his last three starts, all losses, Dart is averaging 139.3 passing yards and 30 rushing yards, with his touchdowns down to one per game. His turnovers have increased as well. After committing four total in his first seven starts, Dart has two in his last three — a number that could easily be higher, if not for drops. The Winners and Losers of the NFL Week 16 | The Ringer There have been moments this season when Dart has looked the part of a future franchise quarterback, but we haven’t seen one of those moments in a while. And now Brian Daboll, the coach who pounded the table for him, is no longer around, and Joe Schoen, the general manager who made the pick, could be out of a job in a few weeks. If New York ends up with the first pick in the draft—a loss to the Raiders next week would give them a 65 percent chance of landing it, per The Athletic’s prediction model—the new regime will almost certainly be scouting quarterbacks. The Giants may have nothing to play for over the final two weeks, but Dart could be playing for job security. “I don’t think [Brian Burns is] getting the credit right now,” Giants cornerback Dru Phillips told NJ Advance Media. “He’s killing it. During these times, you’re like, ‘Dang if he’s still hooping, then we all can’.” “Man, his motor, it don’t stop,” Defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence said of Burns. “I saw it early in camp, and he’s been consistent in bringing it to the season. I praise him most. We talk a lot, and we understand the importance of being consistent and attacking everybody.” Brian Burns on a lost season Biggest hole in the game plan: The pass game never got going. After not throwing a pass until the 17th offensive play, Dart ultimately went 7-of-13 passing for 33 yards with an interception — and only threw for 2 yards in the first half. The last Giants quarterback with fewer than 2 yards passing in a first half with a minimum of five attempts was Daniel Jones in 2024’s Week 9 loss to Washington. He was 4-of-6 for 0 yards with a touchdown. NFL Insider Says It’s A ‘Weak Candidate Pool’ for HC jobs as Giants, Titans Search | Bleacher Report At least one NFL insider feels teams looking for a new head coach could be left with relatively limited options this winter. One league source described potential head coaches for 2026 as a “weak candidate pool” when speaking about the possibility that former New York Jets boss and current San Francisco 49ers DC Robert Saleh could be considered for a job next season. The New York Giants and Tennessee Titans are the only NFL teams currently without permanent head coaches, although there could be further openings this offseason if teams like the Atlanta Falcons or Cleveland Browns respond to missing the playoffs with front office turnover. Thanks 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Dolphins make franchise-altering trade to No. 1 for Fernando Mendoza | PFF 10. New York Giants (Projected trade: New York Giants send No. 1 overall pick to Miami Dolphins for No. 10, No. 44, a 2027 first-round pick and a 2027 second-round pick): S Caleb Downs, Ohio State The Giants are still crying out for difference-makers on defense. Downs is the top-ranked player on the PFF Big Board but slips to New York here because of positional value. For a Giants team whose starting safeties have both earned sub-60.0 PFF overall grades in 2025, a player like Downs — who has earned PFF overall grades of 89.3 and 82.5 in coverage and run defense, respectively, this season — makes too much sense. This week’s opponent But perhaps most importantly, a week after suffering their second 31-0 defeat of the season, a game in which the Raiders showed nary a pulse at the Eagles, the Raiders actually (wait for it) competed. “I think we [just] ran out of time,” said the Raiders equally-embattled quarterback, Geno Smith, who, despite throwing his NFL-leading 15th interception, a pick-six no less, had his best game since the season opener. “Obviously, we want to win games. We don’t want to just come close. I’ve never been the guy who just said, ‘Oh, man, we came close, that’s great.’ That’s not enough. But, [I’m] really happy with the effort of the guys.” Was this running back Ashton Jeanty’s best
NFL Week 16: Rookie Team of the Week
We’ve hit the holiday season, and with the playoffs right around the corner, we’ve seen a lot of rookies make key contributions to their teams’ runs. With Week 16 being so critical for many playoff hopes, we’re going to look at which rookies made the biggest impacts. NFL Week 16: Rookie Team of the Week The young Panthers help give Carolina the division lead: Tetairoa McMillan, Nic Scourton, Mitchell Evans and Lathan Ransom all contributed to the team’s paramount win. Jonas Sanker flashes for the Saints: The New Orleans safety joins Tyler Shough as the latest rookie to impress late in the year. Get PFF+ for 30% off: Use promo code HOLIDAY30 to unlock the PFF Player Prop Tool, Premium Stats, fantasy dashboards, the PFF Mock Draft Simulator, industry-leading fantasy rankings and much more — everything you need to win your season. Estimated Reading Time: 8 minutes We’ve hit the holiday season, and with the playoffs right around the corner, we’ve seen a lot of rookies make key contributions to their teams’ runs. With Week 16 being so critical for many playoff hopes, we’re going to look at which rookies made the biggest impacts. A reminder that in order to qualify for this list, a player must have played at least 10 snaps. The Titans’ playoff hopes ended weeks ago but don’t tell that to Cam Ward, who looked every bit like the first pick in the draft against the Chiefs. The 89.9 PFF grade and 88.0 PFF passing grades smashed his previous career highs, as he was dynamite through the air. Ward completed 21-of-29 passes for 228 yards and two scores. He also added three big-time throws and had zero turnover-worthy plays. Hampton has missed a good chunk of the season due to injury, but on Sunday against the Cowboys, we got a glimpse at what we had been missing during his absence. Hampton carried the ball 18 times for 103 yards and a score while also forcing eight missed tackles. Hampton also recorded four explosive runs, or carries of at least 10 yards. One of the more shocking developments of the 2025 NFL season has been the Carolina Panthers’ ascension to the top of the NFC South, which they achieved with Sunday’s win over the Buccaneers. Perhaps nobody has made a bigger difference than former eighth overall pick Tetairoa McMillan, who continued to be a steady presence in the Panthers’ offense. McMillan caught six passes for 73 yards and a touchdown in the win. Wide Receiver: Elic Ayomanor, Tennessee Titans – 80.0 Ayomanor may not have blown up the stat sheet in the Titans’ win over the Chiefs, as he caught three passes for 58 yards on the day, but his impact was also felt outside of the box score. Ayomanor had a 71.0 PFF run-blocking grade on the day, a huge step up for him considering he carries a 29.7 grade in that field on the season. The former third-round pick out of Washington State has struggled to see consistent playing time in a crowded Patriots receiver room, but he made his presence felt on Sunday night. Williams caught two passes for 46 yards and his third touchdown on the season, a 37-yard over-the-shoulder grab with Marlon Humphrey draped all over him. Tight End: Mitchell Evans, Carolina Panthers – 91.1 Evans only saw the field for 16 snaps, but he was efficient in his limited playing time. He caught all three of his targets for 23 yards on just six receiving snaps while also grading well in pass protection (72.2 grade) and as a run-blocker (68.4). Trapilo finally started seeing consistent playing time in Week 12, and he’s been a revelation protecting Caleb Williams’ blind side. Saturday’s win over the Packers was his best performance since taking over the starting job, allowing just three pressures on 42 pass-blocking snaps for a 72.0 grade. He was even better blocking for the run, posting a career-high 82.9 figure that included 84.4 on 10 outside zone runs. Offensive Tackle: Josh Fryar, ArizonaCardinals – 74.2 The undrafted rookie out of Ohio State has played sparingly this season. But on Sunday against the Falcons, he experienced a career-high 43 snaps while producing PFF pass- and run-blocking grades over 70.0. On 25 pass-blocking snaps, Fryar permitted just one pressure for a 73.7 grade. As a run-blocker, he was equally impressive, carrying 70.4 grade. Milum only played 10 offensive snaps in the Jaguars’ win over the Broncos, lining up exclusively as an extra offensive lineman. Nine of those snaps came as a run-blocker, and he performed at a high level — securing a 77.4 grade. Interior Offensive Line: Hayden Conner, Arizona Cardinals – 74.3 Like Milum, Conner didn’t see the field often, suiting up on just 11 snaps against the Falcons. However, he was good in his limited stint. The former sixth-rounder out of Texas won all of his pass-blocking reps for a 79.3 grade while also being solid as a run-blocker, receiving a positive grade on two of the three inside zone runs the Cardinals deployed. In the team’s victory over the Giants, Jackson continued to be a reassuring presence along the Vikings’ offensive line — particularly as a run-blocker. Jackson set a career-high in run blocking grade with a 70.8 score, including 72.2 on 10 outside zone runs. Edge Defender: Nic Scourton, Carolina Panthers – 77.9 The former second-rounder out of Texas A&M has been a force along the Panthers’ defensive line, and he was a key contributor in Carolina’s huge win over the Buccaneers. Scourton recorded two stops as a run-defender and added another while in coverage. Scourton also tallied his sixth sack of the year while contributing another pressure to the mix. Ezeiruaku has been a steal for a Cowboys defense that has needed a steady pass-rusher in the worst way. Despite the loss to the Chargers, Ezeiruaku wasn’t part of the problem, particularly as a run-defender. Ezeiruaku recorded a stop and received a positive grade on 11.8% of his run-defense plays,
Colts lose fifth straight to 49ers on MNF as playoff hopes hang by a thread
The tightrope finally snapped inside Lucas Oil Stadium on primetime Monday Night Football as the Indianapolis Colts suffered a fifth straight loss in a 48-27 blowout against the San Francisco 49ers. What began as a hopeful holiday stage to showcase what was at one point the league’s most explosive offensive unit entering the Week 11 […] The tightrope finally snapped inside Lucas Oil Stadium on primetime Monday Night Football as the Indianapolis Colts suffered a fifth straight loss in a 48-27 blowout against the San Francisco 49ers. What began as a hopeful holiday stage to showcase what was at one point the league’s most explosive offensive unit entering the Week 11 BYE, has turned into a miserable five-game drought. It was a sobering reminder of the annual collapse around this time of year that leaves playoff dreams dangling by a thread. The Colts loss guaranteed playoff berths by the Bills, Chargers and Jaguars, which reduces the Colts’ postseason hopes down a fragile path. Indianapolis must win out and hope Houston stumbles Saturday night against the Los Angeles Chargers. The door could be slammed shut before the Colts play another game, which could alter the game plan of who commands the offense for the final two weeks of the regular season. Rivers completed 23 of 35 passes for 277 passing yards and two touchdowns, but for the second consecutive game, his final throw landed in the hands of the opposing team. San Francisco made sure there would be no late drama in Indianapolis. The 49ers scored on six of their first eight meaningful possessions and racked up 440 total yards of offense, methodically dismantling a Colts defense that spent most of the night on its heels. 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy threw for 295 yards and five touchdowns, spreading the ball to seven different receivers while repeatedly exploiting mismatches over the middle. Far too often, opponents scheme to stop the run, but Colts head coach Shane Steichen dialed up an aerial attack to bring it to the 49ers and make it seem competitive. 44-year-old Philip Rivers delivered five completions to engineer a crisp opening drive, capped by a 20-yard touchdown strike to receiver Alec Pierce. The Colts standout receiver later hauled a 16-yard touchdown to level the score at 14 midway through the second frame. The Colts were rolling early on, but those wheels fell completely off from that point forward. San Francisco answered every Colts jab with a punch of its own. Purdy hit Demarcus Robinson for a 22-yard score and connected with Christian McCaffrey in the end zone twice through the air. The fourth-year pro leaned on veteran tight end George Kittle, who torched the Colts secondary for 115 receiving yards and a touchdown in just three quarters. San Francisco erased any lingering doubt as the 49ers opened the second half with an eight-play, 64-yard march finished by a short touchdown pass to Jauan Jennings, pushing the lead to 31-17. The Colts managed 312 total yards but struggled to generate any protection or consistency on the ground as Jonathan Taylor was held to just 46 rushing yards on 16 carries. Taylor capped a 12-play drive with a 1-yard touchdown run to pull the Colts within 34-27, briefly injecting life into the building. The response was immediate and soul crushing. McCaffrey gashed the Colts for a 24-yard run on the ensuing drive, then slipped into the flat for a 9-yard touchdown reception to restore a two-score cushion. The crowd harmonized with one last gasp moments later when Dre Greenlaw Winters sensed the quick route, picked off Rivers and returned it for a 74-yard pick-six to officially seal the blowout. McCaffrey finished with 117 rushing yards and two receiving touchdowns. With two games left to play, the Colts now stand at the mercy of the result of another game. The Colts stood at a 98% chance to make the playoffs after a sensational 7-1 start, but those odds have dwindled down to less than 5% following the fifth straight loss. Indianapolis is still mathematically alive and in the playoff hunt, but those playoff hopes couldn’t feel more further away after the latest defeat. See More: Indianapolis Colts Scores & Results
Raiders NFL Draft order 2026: Where Las Vegas stands after Week 16
After Week 16’s action, the Tank Bowl is officially set for the Las Vegas Raiders and New York Giants next week. The Tennessee Titans managed to get a win against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, meaning next week’s game between the Raiders and Giants will feature the league’s only two-win teams. So, the loser […] After Week 16’s action, the Tank Bowl is officially set for the Las Vegas Raiders and New York Giants next week. The Tennessee Titans managed to get a win against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, meaning next week’s game between the Raiders and Giants will feature the league’s only two-win teams. So, the loser could actually be the “winner”, as that team will have the inside track at the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft heading into the final week of the regular season. The order below is via Tankathon. Updated NFL Draft order New York Giants 2-13 (Week 17: @ LV) Las Vegas Raiders 2-13 (Week 17: vs. NYG) Cleveland Browns 3-12 (Week 17: @ PIT) New York Jets 3-12 (Week 17: vs NE) Arizona Cardinals 3-12 (Week 17: @ CIN) Tennessee Titans 3-12 (Week 17: vs NO) Washington Commanders 4-11 (Week 17: @ DAL) New Orleans Saints 5-10 (Week 17: @ TEN) Cincinnati Bengals 5-10 (Week 17: vs AZ) Miami Dolphins 6-9 (Week 17: vs TB) Los Angeles Rams via Atlanta Falcons 6-9 (Week 17: vs LAR MNF) Kansas City Chiefs 6-9 (Week 17: vs DEN) Dallas Cowboys 6-8-1 (Week 17: @ WSH) Baltimore Ravens 7-8 (Week 17: @ GB) Minnesota Vikings 7-8 (Week 17: vs DET) Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7-8 (Week 17: @ MIA) Detroit Lions 8-7 (Week 17: @ MIN) New York Jets via Indianapolis Colts 8-6* (Week 17: vs JAX) Carolina Panthers 8-7** (Week 17: vs SEA) Pittsburgh Steelers 9-6** (Week 17: @ CLE) Dallas Cowboys via Green Bay Packers 9-6** (Week 17: vs BAL) Philadelphia Eagles 10-5** (Week 17: @ BUF) Houston Texans 10-5** (Week 17: @ LAC) Buffalo Bills 11-4** (Week 17: vs PHI) San Francisco 49ers 10-4** (Week 17: vs CHI SNF) Los Angeles Chargers 11-4** (Week 17: vs HOU) Cleveland Browns via Jacksonville Jaguars 11-4** (Week 17: @ IND) Los Angeles Rams 11-4** (Week 17: @ ATL) Chicago Bears 11-4** (Week 17: @ SF) New England Patriots 12-3** (Week 17: @ NYJ) Denver Broncos 12-3** (Week 17: @ KC) Seattle Seahawks 12-3** (Week 17: @ CAR) *The 49ers and Colts will have their Week 16 game on Monday Night Football. **Indicates current playoff team. See More: Las Vegas Raiders Draft
NFL Week 16 Recap: Immediate fantasy football takeaways from Monday’s game
PFF’s fantasy football recap focuses on player usage and stats, breaking down all the vital information you need to achieve fantasy success in 2025. NFL Week 16 Recap: Immediate fantasy football takeaways from Monday’s game George Kittle leads an impressive San Francisco 49ers passing game: While wide receiver Ricky Pearsall was out, Brock Purdy spread targets around several wide receivers but focused the most on Kittle, who had his first 100-yard game of the season. Josh Downs has his best game of the season: The Indianapolis Colts wide receiver was on the field more often, as Indianapolis used more 11 personnel than usual, allowing Downs to have a big game. Get PFF+ for 30% off: Use promo code HOLIDAY30 to unlock the PFF Player Prop Tool, Premium Stats, fantasy dashboards, the PFF Mock Draft Simulator, industry-leading fantasy rankings and much more — everything you need to win your season. Estimated reading time: 7 minutes PFF’s fantasy football recap focuses on player usage and stats, breaking down all the vital information you need to achieve fantasy success in 2025. The 49ers adjust without Ricky Pearsall: He couldn’t practice all week due to knee and ankle injuries and was ruled out on Saturday. San Francisco didn’t have much stability at wide receiver over the first 10 weeks of the season. Kendrick Bourne, Jauan Jennings, Pearsall, Demarcus Robinson, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Skyy Moore, Russell Gage Jr., Malik Turner and Jordan Watkins all played at least 17 offensive snaps, and none of them played in every game. The 49ers finally had some stability in their last five games. Jennings and Pearsall started, playing 75% of the 12- and 21-personnel snaps and over 92% of the 11-personnel snaps. Robinson joined during 11 personnel, playing 85% of the snaps. Bourne was Robinson’s backup in 11 personnel, and they were the two backups in 12 personnel. Moore was the fifth-string option, playing only five offensive snaps in four games. Watkins has been on the roster but has been a healthy inactive in each of the last four games. This week, Bourne simply took Pearsall’s space in the starting lineup. Bourne had been a full-time starter from Weeks 3-10, playing ahead of Robinson, so it wasn’t a surprise that Bourne received the boost in snaps. The Pearsall loss did not impact Jennings and Robinson’s roles. Moore moved up to fourth on the depth chart but split that role with Watkins, who was active for the first time in over a month. Targets were spread out among the wide receivers. Tight end George Kittle was the focal point of the passing game. San Francisco has a big game against the Chicago Bears next week, which has generally been a favorable matchup for wide receivers. Bourne is a fine waiver-wire target in deeper leagues if Pearsall ends up missing another game. Monitor George Kittle’s health: Kittle suffered an ankle injury late in the third quarter and didn’t return. Kittle missed the first third of the season and was eased back into action for a few weeks, but he’s been dominant over the second half of the season. He is one of three tight ends to play over 90% of their team’s offensive snaps from Weeks 10-15, joining Kyle Pitts Sr. and Brock Bowers. He averaged 19.1 PPR points per game during that stretch, second-best to Trey McBride, and there is a four-point gap between him and third place. Kittle continued to play at a high rate over the first three quarters. He was the focal point of the offense, catching seven passes for 115 yards and a touchdown. After his absence, Luke Farrell and Jake Tonges took over. Farrell has been the second tight end in 12 personnel throughout the season, but Tonges took over as the receiving tight end early in the season. Tongs averaged 11.0 PPR points per game as a starter, which ranked 11th-best among tight ends during that time. The 49ers had a lead and were focused on run-heavy formations during the fourth quarter this week, but we should expect Tonges to be the more fantasy-relevant player if Kittle misses next week. The 49ers have a favorable matchup against the Chicago Bears, so Tonges would be a fine waiver-wire option in deeper leagues. However, players like Taysom Hill, Brenton Strange or A.J. Barner are likely better waiver-wire options. The Colts return to their 11 personnel roots: Indianapolis stuck with 11 personnel more in this game than in any other this season. When head coach Shane Steichen joined the Colts in 2023, they used 11 personnel on 77.1% of their offensive plays, third-most in the league at the time. His wide receivers were Alec Pierce at X, Michael Pittman Jr. at Z, and Josh Downs in the slot in 11 personnel, which has remained true each of the last three seasons. His 11 personnel rate dropped in his second year to 70.9%, in part, thanks to injuries at wide receiver. This season, that rate dropped to 61.6%, ranking 14th in the league. Their three division rivals rank in the top three. Indianapolis invested a first-round pick in Tyler Warren, while Mo Alie-Cox and Andrew Ogletree both rank in the top 16 run-blocking tight ends of the last five seasons (out of 80 tight ends with at least 1,000 snaps). This has been detrimental to Downs’ fantasy value. His snap rate has declined by over 10% of the offensive snaps per game. He’s also had to compete for targets with Warren. His receptions per game have dropped from 5.1 to 3.6, and his receiving yards per game have dropped from 57.4 to 31.2. Indianapolis’ game plan this week was to use more 11 personnel. The Colts used 11 personnel on 29 of the 32 first-half snaps. Indianapolis tried a few things on the first drive of the second half, but then it needed to use 11 personnel to try catching up to the 49ers’ offense. This allowed Downs to be more involved. He caught five passes for 65
Rams’ new special teams coach was recently fired over miscues
The Los Angeles Rams fired special teams coordinator Chase Blackburn over the weekend, the first in-season firing by Sean McVay during his nine seasons with the team. The move was called “overdue” by many fans given L.A.’s many shortcomings on special teams in 2025, but it is merely just a punishment against one person by […] The Los Angeles Rams fired special teams coordinator Chase Blackburn over the weekend, the first in-season firing by Sean McVay during his nine seasons with the team. The move was called “overdue” by many fans given L.A.’s many shortcomings on special teams in 2025, but it is merely just a punishment against one person by McVay unless the Rams actually improve on special teams over the rest of the season. Has anyone stopped to wonder WHY the Rams are suddenly going to get better on special teams just because Blackburn is gone? McVay’s answer to that question is promoting assistant Ben Kotwica and hiring outside consultant Matt Harper. Perhaps that will work, but it is has been less than a year since the Denver Broncos fired Kotwica for many of the same reasons that McVay just fired Blackburn. On January 17th, 2025, the Broncos announced that Sean Payton had fired Kotwica after two seasons with the team. Some of the takeaways you’ve probably read this week about Kotwica’s time with Denver are that the Broncos “finished top-10” in special teams both seasons by some metric and that they were one of the best punt returning teams in the league. Both true. It is also true that Payton fired Kotwica. Fired him. Why? Well, just like Blackburn, Kotwica’s field goal planning was put into question after the Broncos had a kick blocked against the Chiefs that cost Denver a huge divisional win. The first was a blocked field goal as time expired Nov. 10 that preserved a Kansas City Chiefs 16-14 win over the Broncos at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs found a weakness in the Broncos’ front on a previous kick in the game and over-loaded the left side of the line. Multiple Kansas City defenders then pushed Alex Forsyth over and linebacker Leo Chenal blocked Lutz’s 35-yard attempt to end the game. The following day Payton said it was not simply Forsyth’s fault, that “this isn’t on one player … this is on all of us. This is on us as coaches.” A 35-yard game-winning field goal try…blocked. Does that sound like how the Rams lost to the Eagles this season? Kotwica made a line adjustment after that and it seemed to work. But cut to Week 17 and the Broncos lose in overtime to the Bengals 30-24. In overtime, punter Riley Dixon (formerly of the Rams) had two punts: one went 40 and one went 38, both setting up Cincinnati in easy scoring range. The first drive ended in a missed field goal but the second time the Bengals scored the game-winning touchdown. A 12-5 Broncos team would have gone to the Texans in the wild card round instead of the Bills. Denver went to Buffalo and got blown out. There was also a special teams gaffe against the Chargers in another late season division loss: The second high-profile special teams mistake came before halftime of the Broncos’ Dec. 19 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers in SoFi Stadium, cornerback Tremon Smith was called for fair-catch interference when he bumped Chargers punt returner Derius Davis as the half was about to end. The Chargers elected, by rule, to take a free kick as a result of the penalty, and Los Angeles kicker Cameron Dicker then made a 57-yard field goal to end the half. The play cut the Broncos lead to 21-13 in the game and gave the Chargers, who went on to a 34-27 win, some momentum. Kotwica’s track record in Denver became a “when it rains, it pours” nightmare for the special teams coach in the second half of the season. All three losses in the second half of the Broncos season could point back to special teams and that’s why Kotwica is now the interim special teams coordinator of the Rams instead of retaining his position in Denver despite so much superficial statistical success over two years. You are not just your statistical success as a special teams coach though. That unit is measured more by nuance and individual plays — did you allow a key return touchdown (as the Rams did in Week 16) or a blocked field goal or shank a critical punt? — not just “what did you rank in punt return yards?“ Kotwica is not a change of special teams in L.A. because he’s merely being promoted. He’s been on the staff all year. Harper hasn’t, he’s the only thing representing a new voice here, but he has no noteworthy to track record to speak of and he was a coaching free agent available to be hired in December. So should we expect Kotwica to “fix” the Rams’ special teams problems in the final two weeks of the season and playoffs? That’s probably not going to happen. But perhaps the special teams players will see what happened to Blackburn and realize that if they don’t do better in the next two weeks, they know what will happen to their contracts sooner or later. See More: Los Angeles Rams News
