NFL Week 16 predictions, fantasy sleepers, QB notes, bets - ESPN

Week 16 of the 2025 NFL season is underway after an important NFC West matchup that saw the Seahawks beat the Rams in overtime Thursday night. Now, let's look at what you need to know for the last 15 games on the slate. We have last-minute nuggets from our NFL analysts on matchups from Saturday through Monday.

First, analytics writer Seth Walder breaks down three stat trends that could be pivotal this weekend. Then, fantasy writer Eric Moody highlights five players who are rostered in fewer than 50% of ESPN leagues as of Saturday and could be started in a jam. That's followed by NFL analyst Ben Solak's three potential surprises, NFL analyst Matt Bowen's key matchup to watch and sports betting analyst Pamela Maldonado's favorite bet for Week 15. We also asked our NFL Nation reporters to answer questions about interesting QB situations around the league.

Could quarterbacks J.J. McCarthy and Tyler Shough have big fantasy performances? Which bet stands out in Patriots-Ravens? And what has a full week of preparation looked like for Colts quarterback Philip Rivers? We dig into all of it.

Jump to:
Stat trends | Fantasy sleepers
Potential surprises | Key matchup
Bet of the week | QB questions

Will the Packers generate a pass rush without edge rusher Micah Parsons against the Bears?

There's no question the Packers will feel the effect of losing Parsons for the rest of the season to a torn ACL, but the sheer degree of the team's on-off splits with him is wild. With Parsons on the field this season, the Packers recorded a 43.9% pass rush win rate, which would be rank around third in the NFL. Without him? That number drops to 23.4%, which would rank 32nd. Their EPA allowed per dropback increased from 0.06 to 0.15. And opponents'