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Fantasy Football Quarterback Streamers & Waiver Wire Pickups (Week 16)

Week 15 of the 2025 NFL season is in the books. Hopefully, your team pulled out the victory. However, the only easy win was last week’s win. So, let’s look at the top streaming quarterback options for Week 16.

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Fantasy Football Quarterback Streamers & Waiver Wire Pickups

All the quarterbacks in this article are rostered in under 50% of ESPN leagues.

Jacoby Brissett (ARI) vs. Atlanta Falcons (44.1% Rostered)

Last week, many fantasy players benched Brissett because of the matchup against an elite Houston Texans defense. However, he was productive despite the matchup, completing 67.5% of his pass attempts for 249 yards, three touchdowns, and 20.6 fantasy points. Brissett has been one of the best streaming options since taking over as the Cardinals’ starting quarterback, averaging 300.9 passing yards, two touchdowns, and 20.5 fantasy points per game. He has had at least two passing touchdowns in all but one game, totaling 18.7 or more fantasy points in every start.

Fantasy players should feel confident starting the veteran during the final two weeks of the playoffs, starting Sunday against the Falcons. Atlanta had an elite pass defense earlier this year. Unfortunately, they have struggled lately. Last week, the Falcons surrendered 277 passing yards, two touchdowns, and 19.2 fantasy points to Baker Mayfield. Furthermore, Atlanta has allowed quarterbacks to average 277.8 passing yards, 1.8 touchdowns, and 20.5 fantasy points per game over the past five weeks, totaling 19 or more in all but the matchup against Tyler Shough in Week 12.

J.J. McCarthy (MIN) vs. New York Giants (30.5% Rostered)

Many have already labeled McCarthy a bust only eight games into his career. However, he has played well since returning from a concussion. The former Michigan star completed 69.6% of his pass attempts for 163 yards, three touchdowns, and 20.4 fantasy points in Week 14 against the Washington Commanders. Furthermore, he completed 62.5% of his pass attempts for 250 yards, two touchdowns, a rushing score, and 23.5 fantasy points against the Dallas Cowboys last week. While both games had fantasy-friendly matchups, McCarthy has another appealing matchup on Sunday.

The former Michigan star faces his third consecutive NFC East team in Week 16. Last week, Marcus Mariota had only 19 pass attempts against the Giants. Yet, he had 211 passing yards, a touchdown, and 14.7 fantasy points. More importantly, New York has struggled to stop opposing passing attacks, surrendering 238.7 passing yards, two touchdowns, and 22.5 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks over the past 10 weeks, allowing 20.5 or more fantasy points in all but three contests. Don’t be surprised if McCarthy has his third consecutive top-10 finish.

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Tyler Shough (NO) vs. New York Jets (6.9% Rostered)

New Orleans was eliminated from the playoffs a few weeks ago. Yet, they have been the biggest thorn in the side for the NFC South lately. The Saints have won back-to-back games over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers. More importantly, Shough has played well lately, completing 70% of his pass attempts for 218.3 yards, a touchdown, and 18.9 fantasy points per game over the past three weeks. Furthermore, the rookie has averaged 35 rushing yards and 7.5 fantasy points per game on the ground during that stretch.

More importantly, Shough is one of the better streaming options for the final two weeks of the fantasy playoffs. He faces the Jets on Sunday and the Tennessee Titans in Week 17. New York had no answer for Trevor Lawrence last week. They made the former Clemson star look like Josh Allen, surrendering 330 passing yards, five touchdowns, 51 rushing yards, a touchdown, and 44.3 fantasy points. While Shough won’t have six touchdowns against the Jets, expect him to have his fourth consecutive game with at least 17.4 fantasy points.

Kirk Cousins (ATL) vs. Arizona Cardinals (3.6% Rostered)

While many have had low expectations for Cousins, he has played well since taking over as the starter for the injured Michael Penix Jr. Cousins has averaged 242 passing yards, 1.5 touchdowns, and 14.3 fantasy points per game over the past month, totaling 13.4 or more in every contest except the matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. Furthermore, he is coming off his best performance this year, completing 68.2% of his pass attempts for 373 yards, three touchdowns, and 26.9 fantasy points in the upset win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Meanwhile, Cousins has an underrated fantasy matchup on Sunday against the Cardinals. Arizona had one of the top pass defenders earlier this season. Unfortunately, they have struggled lately. The Cardinals have surrendered 238.2 passing yards, 2.6 touchdowns, and 19.4 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks over the past five weeks, allowing 17.1 or more in all but one contest. Furthermore, C.J. Stroud completed 75.9% of his pass attempts for 260 yards, three touchdowns, and 23.4 fantasy points last week against Arizona. Expect another solid fantasy performance from Cousins this week.

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Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.


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