Week 16 Recap: Stafford Throws for 457, Nacua Goes for 225, and Seattle Still Wins by One

The story of Week 16 lived in Seattle, where the Seahawks outlasted the Rams 38-37 in a game that was both the closest finish and the highest-scoring affair on the slate. Matthew Stafford went 29-of-49 for 457 yards and three touchdowns and still lost. Puka Nacua was the engine of that aerial assault, hauling in 12 catches for 225 yards and two scores. Seattle answered with balance. Sam Darnold threw for 270 yards and two touchdowns despite two interceptions, Kenneth Walker III ripped off 100 yards and a score on just 11 carries, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba posted an 8-96-1 line.

The 75 combined points in Seattle were matched by San Francisco's 48-27 romp over Indianapolis, so shootout stacks paid off in more than one window. The most lopsided result came in Miami, where Cincinnati won 45-21. Joe Burrow was surgical, completing 25 of 32 passes for 309 yards and four touchdowns. Ja'Marr Chase led all receivers in that game with 9 catches for 109 yards, and Chase Brown added 66 rushing yards and a touchdown. Quinn Ewers threw for 260 yards with two interceptions on the other side. De'Von Achane gave fantasy managers 81 yards and a score, while Jaylen Waddle chipped in 5 catches for 72 yards.

If you like late drama, this week delivered well beyond Seattle. Houston edged Las Vegas 23-21. Minnesota slipped past the Giants 16-13. Buffalo won 23-20 in Cleveland, and Carolina beat Tampa Bay by the same 23-20 score. Pittsburgh took a 29-24 win in Detroit, and New England beat Baltimore 28-24. On the other end of the spectrum, Tennessee held Kansas City to nine points in a 26-9 win, and New Orleans limited the Jets to six in a 29-6 victory. Those are defensive performances worth noting if you're streaming units.

For fantasy managers going forward, Nacua's ceiling is as high as anyone's, and Stafford's 49 attempts tell you the Rams will air it out when the game demands it. Kyren Williams drew a healthy 23 carries but turned them into only 70 yards, so his value leans on volume rather than efficiency. In Seattle, Walker's per-carry explosiveness makes him a strong play even on modest touches, and Smith-Njigba remains Darnold's go-to target. Burrow, Chase, and Brown showed the Bengals' offense can hang a big number on anyone. For DFS grinders, that trio deserves serious stacking consideration whenever the matchup looks friendly.