NFL Week 16 Fantasy Football Recap: Chicago Bears vs. Buffalo Bills

• Devin Singletary: 12 carries, 106 yards, 1 touchdown, 2 receptions, 19 receiving yards

• James Cook: 11 carries, 99 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 reception, 9 receiving yards

Jump to another recap:

ATL@BAL | DET@CAR | SEA@KC | NO@CLE
HOU@TEN | CIN@NE | NYG@MIN | BUF@CHI
WSH@SF | PHI@DAL | LVR@PIT

Khalil Herbert’s return: Herbert was activated off injured reserve after suffering a hip injury in Week 10.

• Herbert received more playing time than expected, playing a little more than he had in the games leading up to his injury.
• Typically, David Montgomery plays 100% of the Bears' snaps on their first two drives, but Herbert began seeing some snaps on the second drive.
• Herbert took all of the snaps on the third drive, as was the case before the injury.
• The two backs were used interchangeably despite the fact that Herbert has performed better as a rusher and Montgomery better as a receiver over the past two seasons.
• The significant playing time didn’t necessarily lead to more touches or production. He managed just seven rushing yards on six carries, and he lost four yards on two receptions.
• That lack of touches and production likely means he can be left on the waiver wire, but there is at least a chance he could have a huge Week 17 against the Detroit Lions‘ defense after how they performed against the run in their Week 16 outing.

Bills running backs dominate: The Bills split carries between their two running backs, and both enjoyed success.

• They each averaged nearly nine yards per carry while scoring a touchdown.
• This worked because of the weather and game script, as Buffalo preferred to run the ball more than usual.
• It will be much more difficult for either running back to have a similar performance next week against the Cincinnati Bengals.
• The Bengals have ranked in the top 10 at preventing fantasy points to running backs, and the game script is unlikely to be a decisive Bills victory where they run the ball in the fourth quarter.
• While James Cook might not have reached the point of being a fantasy starter this season, he could be the Bills’ lead running back next season with Devin Singletary hitting free agency.

Khalil Shakir surpasses Isaiah McKenzie on pass routes: Shakir has cut enough into McKenzie’s snaps in the slot to have run more pass routes.

• Shakir has been the primary backup outside receiver since Jake Kumerow was injured, as well as the primary backup slot receiver.
• Cole Beasley was in for the first three-receiver set for the second straight game, likely out of respect for the veteran, but he barely played once again.
• McKenzie remained the primary slot receiver in the first half, but Shakir took the majority of snaps from the slot in the second half.
• This didn’t lead to much production, with Shakir catching a five-yard pass and McKenzie going without a reception
• This is unlikely to matter much for fantasy purposes next week but could play into daily contests throughout the rest of the season and the playoffs.
• This also opens a path for Shakir to be the Bills' primary slot receiver in 2023, which could give him some fantasy value.

Table Notes

• Snaps include plays called back due to penalties, including offensive holding or defensive pass interference. The other three stats have these plays removed.

• Targets may differ from official NFL sources. The most likely discrepancy would be from a clear thrown-away pass, where the NFL may give the target to the nearest receiver, while this data will not.

• Carries are only on designed plays. Quarterback scrambles won’t count for the total number of carries in the game.