NFL Reactions: Week 16

It's the most wonderful time of the year. That's right. 'Tis the season for coming together, celebrating, creating memories and crushing your opponents.

I'm sorry. You may have thought I was talking about the holidays. Nope. It's the fantasy playoffs, and for those who started Joe Burrow, all is merry and bright!

In this time of giving, Burrow gave fantasy managers all they could wish for and more. In a huge win over the division-rival Ravens, he threw for 525 yards and four touchdowns. It's fitting that Burrow was donning Santa's red hat in his postgame press conference. He was out to make us believers. 

It's been an up-and-down season for Burrow and the Bengals. What can't be disputed, though, is that Cincinnati has a plethora of offensive talent. Between Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd, the Bengals have one of the best receiving corps in the league. Additionally, a healthy Joe Mixon is a great weapon out of the backfield. With Burrow running the show, this team could be a true contender in the near future. The offensive line has improved this season, yet one would expect the team to continue to address this in the draft and possibly free agency. 

The Bengals are not quite there, but they're close. Sunday was evidence of their potential, and the future is looking bright. Burrow will be a force in this league. For fantasy, he's a candidate to make a huge draft leap in 2022 — and I'll likely be on that train. The young, offensive firepower is there, and the defense is just OK-ish enough to keep things competitive. 

This team is going to figure it out sooner rather than later, leaving some fans wondering "Who Dey?" when the Bengals take a step forward. I also believe — for any doubters out there — Burrow is making a list and checking it twice. Beware.

Sunday Takeaways

• Antonio Brown's vaccination card was fake, but his role in the Buccaneers' offense was very real. The wideout made his return from his ankle injury and suspension, and quickly became Brady's go-to receiver with both Mike Evans (hamstring) and Chris Godwin (knee) out. Brown caught 10 passes for 101 yards, soaking up 15 targets. Even if Evans returns Week 17, expect Brown to remain very involved against the Jets. Brown's connection with Tom Brady is undeniable.
• Outside of his Week 15 dud against the Broncos, Tee Higgins has been on an absolute tear the last month or so. Sunday was no different, as he caught 12 of his team-high 13 targets for 194 yards and two touchdowns. The passing volume in Cincinnati's offense is more than enough to support the fantasy production of all three of their young and talented wide receivers — Higgins, Ja'Marr Chase and Tyler Boyd. In a Week 17 matchup against the surging Chiefs, Higgins has a chance to do big things in fantasy championship week.
• Kyle Pitts had his best game in quite some time, catching all six of his targets for 102 yards. The rookie has been a grin-and-bear-it type of fantasy start all season, but he did enough in the Falcons' win over the Lions to not tank your fantasy day. Atlanta takes on Buffalo in Week 17, presenting a much more difficult matchup for tight ends.
• The Sony Michel comeback tour continues. The veteran dominated the Rams' backfield touches again, carrying 27 times for 131 yards and a score. Darrell Henderson rushed just once for a 17-yard gain before suffering a knee injury that knocked him out of the game. Assuming Michel is the starter again next week, he should be in for another hefty workload. He could be in for a huge game with the Rams' offense set to face a struggling Ravens defense in Week 17.
• Amon-Ra St. Brown caught nine passes for 91 yards and a touchdown in a loss to the Falcons. In his last four games, St. Brown has seen at least 11 targets every game while averaging 85 receiving yards. He also found the end zone three times in that span. The rookie wideout is having a bit of a breakout in the final stretch of the season while becoming one of the most trusted options in the Lions' offense. St. Brown has a chance to finish strong for fantasy managers with a matchup against the Seahawks in championship week.
• Damien Harris had a huge day against the Bills, rushing 18 times for 103 yards and three touchdowns. With fellow running back Rhamondre Stevenson on the reserve/COVID-19 list, Harris took the majority of carries. He now has 12 touchdowns, and his affinity for finding the end zone makes him an intriguing start whenever he is active. Even if Stevenson returns Week 17, there should be more than enough work to go around against a bad Jaguars defense.
• Rex Burkhead was a fantasy star in an upset win over the Chargers, rushing 22 times for 149 yards and two touchdowns. If any fantasy manager trusted him to start in their playoff matchup, their courage was rewarded with a week-winning performance. Burkhead carried the load with David Johnson (quadriceps) inactive. If Johnson returns next week, Burkhead has likely done enough to continue to see the bulk of the work in the Texans' backfield … for what it's worth.
• Ronald Jones operated as the Buccaneers lead dog in a win over the Panthers, carrying 20 times for 65 yards and a score. It was a solid fantasy day as a fill-in for Leonard Fournette, who is on injured reserve with a hamstring injury. With Fournette out again Week 17, Jones is set up for a big finish. He gets the Jets' dreadful run defense.
• Rashaad Penny is determined to prove he was worth the first-round draft pick the Seahawks spent on him in 2018. The oft-injured running back handled 17 carries for 135 yards and a touchdown. Penny now has three touchdowns in his last three games, and he has a great opportunity to end the fantasy season on a high note against the lowly Lions defense.
• Justin Jackson likely helped many win their playoff matches, leading the Chargers in both rushing and receiving in a shocking loss to the Texans. Jackson rushed 11 times for 64 yards and two touchdowns, adding eight catches for 98 yards. Austin Ekeler was out due to testing positive for COVID-19. If he returns Week 17, Jackson would likely revert back to his role as a change-of-pace back in a matchup against the Broncos.

Injury Notes

• James Robinson suffered a torn Achilles in the Jaguars' loss to the Jets, ending his season. Dare Ogunbowale likely will be the next man up to take over the No. 1 running back role in Jacksonville. He should be a priority add ahead for Week 17.
• Miles Sanders exited the Eagles' win over the Giants in the first half with a hand injury. If Sanders misses time, Jordan Howard, Boston Scott and Kenneth Gainwell could all see work. Howard, however, left the game in the fourth quarter with a stinger. Philadelphia's backfield situation is one to monitor closely this week.
• Darrell Henderson left the Rams' win over the Vikings with what is believed to be a knee sprain. He'll undergo an MRI on Monday to determine the severity of the injury. Sony Michel will continue to benefit as the lead dog if Henderson misses time.
• Clyde Edwards-Helaire left the Chiefs' win over the Steelers in the third quarter with a shoulder injury. An MRI on Monday will reveal the extent of the injury. If Edwards-Helaire is out Week 17, Darrel Williams should get the nod as the team's starting running back against the Bengals.