FantasyPros - Fantasy Football Podcast
Episode: Top 10 Fantasy Football Predictions & Prop Bets for Week 16 (Ep. 1903)
Date: December 16, 2025
Hosts: Ryan Wormley (A), Andrew Erickson (B)
Episode Overview
This episode tackles semifinal-week predictions, player prop bets, and strategic fantasy football advice ahead of Week 16. Ryan and Andrew recap their previous week’s picks and dive into their most compelling predictions and fantasy prop bets for a critical playoff slate, mixing sharp analysis with lively debate. There are bold calls on fading or starting big names, deep-dive stats, injury updates, and some great actionable advice for fantasy players navigating the most important games of the season.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Fantasy Playoff Survival and Week 15 Recap
[00:51-02:56]
- Both Ryan and Andrew discuss how many leagues they're still alive in. Andrew laments the volatility of playoff weeks, especially as a six-seed, and Ryan notes “Week 16 has obliterated me the last couple years. Hoping that won’t be the case yet again.”
- Both struggled with Week 15 predictions (“We both went one of four last week… Overall records for both of us are 4 and 6”). Their only correct picks: their “Hard Rock best bets."
Monday Night Football Fallout & Player Trends
[03:03-06:25]
- Steelers–Dolphins recap: high total, low fantasy relevance. Jalen Warren struggles with efficiency; Kenneth Gainwell continues to shine ("Gainwell... seven catches for 46 yards plus 80 on the ground even though he didn't get a touchdown. That was a good day." - Ryan, [05:03]).
- Darren Waller produces in garbage time. Andrew sets up Waller as a high-upside TE for Week 16 with a “juicy” matchup against the Bengals.
Main Predictions & Prop Bets (Countdown Format)
1. Chiefs at Titans – Will KC Flop or Rally?
Andrew’s Prediction [06:51-09:28]:
- Chiefs to lose outright to the Titans. “This is just a flat spot for Kansas City… knocked out of the playoffs for the first time in the Mahomes era… I think that this Chiefs team is going to be really deflated. What are they playing for? Again, pride."
- Tony Pollard over 51.5 rushing yards. “What is he playing for? Contract incentives! ... They've given up over 58 rushing yards to the lead RB in their last three games.”
Ryan’s Rebuttal & Prop [09:43-12:45]:
- Pushes back: “I agree with your Tony Pollard side more than the Chiefs losing side. ... but my number five prediction is that the Chiefs offense is actually OK without Patrick Mahomes, at least for this week.”
- Predicts Travis Kelce “Anytime Touchdown” — “These are the last three games of Travis Kelce’s career... I wouldn’t be surprised if the Chiefs are like, ‘Hey, we’re not playing for anything. Let’s just pepper our guy and get him, you know, whatever final stats we can.'”
Joint Analysis [12:45-15:24]:
- Both see possible value in the “over” (37.5 points) due to shaky defenses and motivation questions.
- Fantasy angle: Both remain bullish on Kelsey and Rashee Rice, down on Hunt except in deep leagues.
2. Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – The TMAC Bounceback?
Andrew’s Prediction [15:46-21:05]:
- Tetro McMillan (TMAC) to be top 20 WR. “He’s actually been under his receiving yards prop three straight games, but I think he’s going to be a top 20 guy this week. … if this game gets kind of crazy and goes back and forth, you could see a ceiling spike performance from TMAC.”
- Relies on expected positive game script (Buccaneers strong vs. run), pushing Carolina to pass more.
Ryan’s Response [18:14-21:05]:
- Notes TMAC’s rank (WR16, ECR) is aggressive given recent finishes — “the real upside has only kind of shown itself once.” Wonders if rankers are holding on too long, as with Justin Jefferson earlier in the year.
- Andrew explains rankers are propped up by the Bucs matchup and the need to hunt for league-winning upside rather than settle for safe floor at this playoff stage.
3. Cardinals vs. Falcons – Double Elite Tight Ends?
Ryan’s Prediction [22:33-25:53]:
- Both Kyle Pitts and Trey McBride to finish top 5 TEs again this week. “Pitts…having just a career best game… 166 and three touchdowns… and by the way, his third straight good game. … Trey McBride has just been… maybe the best pick you could have made in terms of relative to position.”
- Recaps McBride’s incredible consistency: “Since week 6, [his] worst finish is TE6.”
Andrew’s Analysis/Concerns [25:55-31:06]:
- Warns that Drake London’s possible return may cap Pitts’ usage — “He got the targets that Drake London would have got and the targets he would normally get.”
- “It’s very possible we see a much suppressed performance from Pitts.” However, “I don’t really see a scenario where you would have the luxury of benching him.”
- Ryan: “Isn’t the toothpaste kind of out of the bottle? How are you gonna not give Kyle Pitts 10 targets?”
- Both agree: if London is back and not limited, Pitts’ top-5 streak is at risk.
4. RB Value Shot: Omarion Hampton (Chargers) vs. Dallas
Andrew’s Prediction [31:49-34:16]:
- Omarion Hampton will finish as an RB1 — “Hampton...15 carries for 61 yards...playing more in third downs...and more of the red zone touches...I think that Hampton, you’re thinking about him in your lineup like, ‘Man, like he really hasn’t popped since coming back’. … This is a really good spot for him.”
- Prop: Over 47.5 rushing yards.
Ryan’s Response [34:16-35:24]:
- “I would so much rather start Hampton than Aaron Jones this week. … I think Hampton is primed to have a very good week.” Surprised at RB23 ECR.
5. THE Justin Jefferson Comeback Week
Ryan’s Prediction [35:26-39:33]:
- “I am predicting here that this is the Justin Jefferson game. We finally get him back. I’m calling it top 15-ish… the prop here obviously is just Jefferson anytime touchdown. … if McCarthy continues to look a bit better and he finally gets on the same page, we couldn't get a 110 yards, one or two TD type game from Jefferson.”
Andrew’s Analysis [38:00-39:33]:
- “Eventually he’s going to have to have one of these big games. … If you’re still kicking around, I don’t think you look at Jefferson this week and think, ‘Oh, I have to bench this guy.’ … still very much in startable range as a WR2.”
6. Quinshon Judkins (Browns) – Breaking the Slump
Ryan’s Prop [39:50-43:51]:
- Quinshon Judkins top 12 RB vs. Buffalo — “His efficiency has been terrible the last couple weeks… but it's a good matchup, and volume isn't the issue. … Judkins breaks out of his slump here."
7. Ravens vs. Patriots – Prime-Time Shootout?
Andrew’s Prediction [44:39-50:22]:
- "Patriots are going to win this game, obviously." Also: Ravens TEs (likeliest Isaiah Likely) bounce back as top-12 plays.
- “Ravens threw 12 times last week...I’m not going to hold that against Isaiah Likely...Patriots are worst in the red zone… Lamar loves his TEs in the end zone.”
- Prop: Lamar Jackson over 1.5 passing TDs.
Ryan’s Analysis [47:16-50:22]:
- Expects points — likes the "over" (currently 48). “Drake May is awesome. … I think this will be played in the 50s and the Ravens will win.”
- “This defense...statistically is not bad, but hasn’t faced a lot of QBs like a healthy Lamar.”
8. Hard Rock Best Bets of the Week
Andrew: Audric Estime (Saints RB) Flex Play [50:49-54:20]
- “If Devin Neal and Alvin Kamara are out, Estime—against the Jets as home favorites in positive game script—could go north of 20 carries… I think that Estimate is going to smash this week.”
- Prop: Estime over Kareem Hunt, positionally a strong flex candidate.
"Just play the RB facing the New York Jets."
Ryan: Raiders Stay Irrelevant [54:54-56:47]
- “Raiders have a better offensive game than last week, but still end up with no startable players in fantasy against Houston. ... Prop: Under on any Brock Bowers stat.”
- “Their implied point total is ludicrous. ... I don’t expect a single startable fantasy option unless something wacky happens.”
Notable Quotes & Moments
- On Chiefs motivation post-Mahomes injury:
“They’ve played so much extra football...they basically played an extra season over anybody else in the Mahomes era. I think a lot of these guys are probably tired.” – Ryan [09:43] - On chasing playoff upside:
“You’re shooting for ceiling in the playoff weeks. ... At least T Mac has shown one time this year, hey, I can do that and be that guy.” – Andrew [19:49] - On Pitts and London splits:
“He got the targets that Drake London would have got and he got the targets he would normally get.” – Andrew [28:32] - On Jefferson's outlook:
“I’m not gonna get this far and then sit him the week where he goes off. Like, I just, I simply refuse.” – Ryan [39:14]
Notable Timestamps
- [06:51] Chiefs losing to Titans prediction, Tony Pollard prop
- [09:43] Ryan: Chiefs’ offense can still function, Kelce TD prop
- [15:46] TMAC vs. Bucs WR2/ceiling debate
- [22:33] Cardinals-Falcons, Pitts & McBride double-top-5 TE call
- [31:49] Omarion Hampton RB1 assertion
- [35:26] Justin Jefferson “bounce-back” narrative
- [39:50] Judkins RB1 case, Bills defense
- [44:39] Ravens-Patriots, passing/TE props, shootout setup
- [50:49] Audric Estime and Saints RBs: potential flex play
- [54:54] The “do not start Raiders” segment
Tone and Style
- Insightful, direct, slightly irreverent.
- Data-driven but still accessible and fandom-friendly.
- Encourages risk/reward calculations mid-playoffs: “You’re not benching these guys, you’re hunting for ceiling!”
For Listeners Who Missed the Episode
This episode is packed with nuanced playoff advice, bold and practical prop bets, and a realistic look at both team and individual player trends heading into Week 16. Key takeaways: don’t overthink studs with tough weeks, chase upside from the right matchups, be wary of late-splitting usage (especially at RB/TE), and monitor injury/callback news (especially with Drake London’s possible return impacting Kyle Pitts).
Fun, fast-paced, and directly relevant to your Week 16 lineup and bet decisions.
Closing Notes
- Brief holiday talk closes the show; main content ends at [56:56].
- Next prediction show will return for Week 18 and the playoffs, skipping Christmas week.
“Best of luck everybody here in Week 16. Hard to believe we are trying to lock up those championship spots already.” – Ryan [61:45]
For further insights or questions, follow the hosts @FantasyPros.
