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The question is simply how big of a role there is behind Gibbs. Reynolds took 14 carries to Gibbs’ 26 in Week 8 of 2023 against the Raiders, and three carries to Gibbs’ 11 in Week 7 of 2023 against the Ravens. That was with a rookie Gibbs, though, and it’s possible the Lions are more interested in entrusting Gibbs with a large majority of the workload today. Ultimately we expect Reynolds and Vaki to command no more than a Cam Akers-ish closeout role with a snap here or there. It may not be enough for fantasy value in Week 16.

Washington, 22, was the top target for much of the game for Mac Jones until Jones remembered Brian Thomas Jr. played for the team. The 2023 sixth-round pick has shown some flashes over the last few weeks, but his lack of use in the red zone — on top of Jacksonville not getting there very often — makes him more of a long-term option than one fantasy managers should be clamoring for.

Kincaid landed hard on his healthy, left knee early on but he ultimately missed no time despite briefly sporting a limp. Though Kincaid’s final stat line undoubtedly underwhelms, both his four receptions and seven targets were team highs. Kincaid is a touchdown-dependent fantasy starter in Week 17, facing a Jets defense that lost coverage LB C.J. Mosley to injured reserve earlier this month.

It marked the fourth highest receiving yardage total of the season for Fant, who logged a pass route on 37 of the Seahawks’ 48 drop backs and functioned as a short-area dump off target for Geno Smith. AJ Barner, meanwhile, caught a fourth quarter touchdown and ran eight routes. With only three games with more than three receptions in 2024, Fant will be a deep-league-only option in Week 17 against the Bears.

Even with the touchdown, Mattison was easily outperformed by Ameer Abdullah, as Abdullah was able to procure 85 total yards and a score himself. Those who were forced to play Mattison at least got the touchdown, but outside of that was ineffective against the Jacksonville front seven. Mattison should remain the starter, but there should be much better options in fantasy in Week 17 against New Orleans.

Abdullah saw five less carries than Alexander Mattison, but still outperformed him. The 31-year-old scored from seven yards out to give the Raiders a 19-14 lead in the fourth quarter and ultimately the victory. Whether that’s a good thing for Las Vegas is debatable. It’s a nice day for Abdullah, but not one fantasy managers should take seriously for Week 17 against the Saints.

Etienne did have a 10-yard gain taken away on a holding call, but even with that yardage it was an ineffective outing for the former first-round pick. He still was in a pretty clear split with Tank Bigsby — and it’s worth noting Bigsby fumbled again — but the latter was much more effective with 50 yards compared to just the 22 for Etienne. It’s hard to trust either tailback right now, but fantasy managers should want Bigsby over Etienne for Week 17 against the Titans, if you’re forced to make that choice.

The Patriots controlled this game for much of the first half, aggressively picking on the Bills’ banged-up defense which limited Allen’s scoring opportunities. Things took a turn for the worse in the second half when Allen injured his right elbow on a scramble. The in-game broadcast soon reported that Allen was experiencing “a lack of sensation” in his throwing arm and Allen could regularly be seen shaking out the injured limb while occasionally grimacing. His accuracy was clearly impacted, as he sailed more than one pass after that. The injury did not seem to limit the Bills’ passing volume though, and Allen continued opportunistically scrambling. A series of unfortunate events brought about a Week 16 fantasy flop for the typical game-wrecker.

Bigsby plunged in from a yard away for his sixth rushing touchdown of the campaign. He outcarried Travis Etienne 12-9 in the contest, and he was the far more effective tailback with Etienne rushing for all of 22 yards. Unfortunately the lost fumble hurts fantasy managers, but it’s at least a little encouraging to see a solid 4.8 YPC and the score. Bigsby is a FLEX play for Week 17 against the Titans.

Looking to bounce back from his Kirk Cousins-induced doughnut in Week 15, Mooney rebounded for his second most yards in the past five weeks. Mooney’s effort came as Drake London checked out with a hamstring injury. The Falcons’ initial lean is that London will be good to go for Week 17 against the Commanders, but his absence would push Mooney into the top 24 for finals week. If London goes, Mooney still seems to have re-established WR3 status with Michael Penix Jr. now under center.

This was a quiet game for Thomas until he took advantage of a busted coverage to stroll into the end zone with a 62-yard touchdown connection with Mac Jones. That seemed to get things going, and it’s another big game for the 22-year-old rookie. He’s picked up at least eight catches in the last three games, and gone over the century mark in back-to-back contests. Even as the Jaguars struggle, Thomas Jr. continues to look like a future superstar. His next chance to impress comes the Titans in Week 17.