Denver Broncos

Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams certainly had a bigger role in the offense with Jaleel McLaughlin (quadriceps) out in the Thursday night loss to the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers, but not in the way that many would have predicted. Williams took a back seat to rookie Audric Estime on the ground in the 34-27 loss with only four carries for 24 yards (6.0 yards per tote), but he surprisingly led the team in targets (11), securing a team-high and season-high seven catches for 29 yards through the air. Rookie QB Bo Nix was content to check it down most of the night, with Williams benefitting. The 24-year-old came into Thursday's game with a disappointing 3.5 yard-per-carry average on the ground, although he was much more efficient on limited touches against LA. It's unlikely he'll be this involved in the passing game again, but if McLaughlin misses another game, Williams will have RB3/flex appeal in a plus matchup against Cincinnati in Week 17.

With Denver Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin (quadriceps) out for the Week 16 contest on Thursday night against the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers, rookie Audric Estime was Denver's lead rusher in the 34-27 loss. Estime had team-highs in carries (nine) and rushing yards (48) while finding the end zone for the first time in his NFL career. He was not targeted in the passing game. The nine carries were the second-most that the 21-year-old fifth-rounder has seen in his first year in the NFL, and he averaged a healthy 5.3 yards per carry. The Broncos certainly have high hopes for Estime in the long term, but how big of a role he'll have in a strong matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals' porous defense in Week 17 will probably all come down to the health of McLaughlin. The fact that Estime hasn't really been utilized in the running game would also make him no better than an RB3/flex if McLaughlin misses another game.

Despite the Denver Broncos' Week 16 Thursday night loss to the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers, rookie quarterback Bo Nix had a solid showing for his fantasy managers by going 29-for-40 for 263 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. Nix was sacked twice for a loss of 18 yards and ran the ball three times for 25 yards in the 34-27 defeat. He fumbled once, but the Broncos were able to recover. Most importantly, the first-rounder out of Oregon avoided turnovers after tossing five interceptions the last two games. The 24-year-old looked really good in the first half against a strong defense, with both of his touchdown passes coming in the first two quarters, but he struggled in the second half and the vaunted Denver D was unable to hold a two-score lead. Nix has 250-plus passing yards in four of his last five games and will have clear QB1 upside in a great matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals next week.

Denver Broncos kicker Wil Lutz has been money for fantasy managers in 2024, but he'll have a little less upside in a Week 16 divisional matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday Night. In the Week 6 loss to the Bolts, Lutz made his only field-goal attempt and just one extra point. Lutz will have less upside this week because the Chargers defense is tied for first with Denver for fewest points allowed per game (17.6), meaning points could be hard to come by on the road on a short week late in the season. However, the Chargers have allowed the second-most fantasy points per game to opposing kickers in the last five weeks. Despite the less-than-ideal matchup, the 30-year-old has a high enough floor to put him in the top-10 at his position. Lutz has made 90% of his 30 field-goal attempts this year and is a perfect 9-for-9 on FGs and 16-for-16 on extra points in the last four games.

Denver Broncos wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. shouldn't be in starting fantasy lineups when the Broncos take on the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers in Week 16 on Thursday Night Football. Mims caught three passes for a season-high 105 yards in the Week 13 win over the Cleveland Browns thanks to a 93-yard touchdown reception. He followed that up by catching all four of his targets but for just 20 yards in last week's win over the Indianapolis Colts. The 22-year-old second-year wideout has big-play potential anytime he touches the football, but Denver has mostly been utilizing him on shorter pass plays, limiting his fantasy upside. Outside of his 100-yard game recently, Mims doesn't have more than four receptions or 49 yards in any of his 14 games in 2024. In the Week 6 loss to the Chargers, he didn't catch any of his three targets. Mims has no business being started by fantasy managers in the semifinals in most leagues.