Players to Watch
David DeCastro • G • Pittsburgh Steelers • Sixth season
DeCastro was named to the Pro Bowl on Tuesday for the third straight season and will likely earn All-Pro recognition for the third year running. A unanimous All-American at Stanford and 2012 first-round pick, DeCastro is widely considered one of the premier interior lineman in football. This week, DeCastro faces Houston and Pro Bowl lineman Jadeveon Clowney, who is living up to his billing as the No. 1 pick in 2014. Clowney is one of two players in Texans history with 20 or more tackles for loss (J.J. Watt).
Christian McCaffrey • RB • Carolina Panthers • First season • @run_cmc
McCaffrey's steady rookie season continued last week with 136 yards on 18 touches with his fifth receiving touchdown, becoming the first rookie tailback in league history with 70 or more catches and five or more receiving scores. He was particularly impressive on Carolina's opening drive, becoming the first player since at least 2000 with nine or more touches, 60 or more yards and a touchdown on his team's opening drive.
McCaffrey's 84.3 grade from Pro Football Focus ranks 10th in the league out of 58 qualified running backs, while his 92.2 receiving grade ranks second. McCaffrey ranks second among running backs with 73 receptions (Le'Veon Bell), and has dropped only one pass on 95 targets -- of the 12 players in the league with more receptions than McCaffrey, only one (Davante Adams) has never made the Pro Bowl. This week, Carolina faces Tampa Bay, who has allowed a league-high 16 touchdowns to running backs this season.
Matchup to Watch
Two teams with high playoff hopes face off when Atlanta visits New Orleans on Sunday. The Falcons (9-5) own third place in the NFC South, a game behind the Saints (10-4) and Panthers. Tight ends Levine Toilolo and Austin Hooper have helped Atlanta earn the second highest offensive efficiency rating from Pro Football Focus, while Andrus Peat is a major key to one of the most improved teams in the league. Peat was an emergency backup during Week 15, but an injury to opposite starting guard Larry Warford will likely mean Peat plays.
Injury Report
- Johnson Bademosi (illness) has missed practice time this week.
- Christian McCaffrey (shoulder) is a full participant in practice this week.
- Zach Ertz (concussion) is a full participant in practice this week.
Week 16 Schedule
| Date | Time (PT)/TV Network | Matchup (Players) |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday, Dec. 23 | 5:30 p.m./NBC | Vikings at Packers (Martinez) |
| Sunday, Dec. 24 | 10:00 a.m./FOX | Lions at Bengals (Hewitt) |
| Sunday, Dec. 24 | 10:00 a.m./CBS | Dolphins (Thomas, M.) at Chiefs |
| Sunday, Dec. 24 | 1:05 p.m./CBS | Bills at Patriots (Bademosi, Fleming, Richards) |
| Sunday, Dec. 24 | 10:00 a.m./CBS | Browns (Hogan) at Bears |
| Sunday, Dec. 24 | 10:00 a.m./FOX | Buccaneers at Panthers (McCaffrey) |
| Sunday, Dec. 24 | 10:00 a.m./FOX | Falcons (Hooper, Toilolo) at Saints (Peat) |
| Sunday, Dec. 24 | 1:05 p.m./CBS | Jaguars at 49ers (Thomas, S.) |
| Sunday, Dec. 24 | 1:25 p.m./FOX | Seahawks (Baldwin) at Cowboys |
| Sunday, Dec. 24 | 1:25 p.m./FOX | Giants at Cardinals (Mauro) |
| Monday, Dec. 25 | 1:30 p.m./ESPN | Steelers (DeCastro) at Texans |
| Monday, Dec. 25 | 5:30 p.m./ESPN | Raiders at Eagles (Ertz) |