Who Should I Start? Trey McBride or Zay Flowers

Saturday, December 20, 4:02 PM

Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride remains a top fantasy option despite a difficult matchup against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 16. On paper, it may appear that the odds are stacked against McBride. Not only is he facing a Falcons defense that has allowed the third-fewest fantasy points to tight ends in 2025, but he could also face additional competition if Marvin Harrison Jr. (heel, questionable) returns from his two-game absence. However, McBride has consistently established himself as matchup-proof this year, so he should feast despite facing Atlanta. Furthermore, he could still lead the team in targets and catches, even if Harrison does return to the mix. In total this year, the 26-year-old has 105 catches, 1,071 yards, and a career-high 10 touchdowns. He is on track to finish this year as the overall TE1 in PPR leagues after finishing 2024 as the TE2. McBride has especially benefited from the presence of quarterback Jacoby Brissett. In full-PPR leagues, he averaged 12.5 fantasy points per game with Kyler Murray (foot) as the starter, and a whopping 23.3 fantasy points per game with Brissett as the starter. We should expect more otherworldly, video-game numbers from McBride this week. He's the undisputed TE1 in this week's fantasy rankings and should be a must-start as the fantasy playoffs continue.

Saturday, December 20, 8:12 PM

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers carries plenty of momentum into Sunday Night Football against the New England Patriots in Week 16. Flowers has been playing at a high level lately, amassing 11 catches, 192 yards, and one touchdown over his last two games. He scored at least 15 full-PPR fantasy points in each of those contests. Flowers will have a tougher matchup this week against the Patriots' secondary, which typically has star cornerback Christian Gonzalez traveling with the opponent's No. 1 receiver. With that being said, if Gonzalez doesn't stay with Flowers, he'll have a much higher ceiling. The Patriots have allowed the 14th-most fantasy points and fourth-most receiving touchdowns to opposing wide receivers in 2025. He ranks as the overall WR17 in RotoBaller's latest fantasy football rankings for Week 16.