For many, Week 16 is the end of their fantasy season. If you are in the championship game or trying to save some face in the consolidation bracket, this could be your last week of fantasy football. Put out your best lineup by starting and sitting the following players in the NFL in Week 16.
Start of the Week Quarterback – Russell Wilson vs Dallas Cowboys
Although the Seahawks are collapsing down the stretch, Russell Wilson remains one of the best fantasy quarterbacks in the NFL. Week 15 saw Wilson pressure on 48% of his pass attempts. At that percentage of pressure, it is nearly impossible to have a good game. He should not face nearly as much pressure in Week 16 against Dallas. Dallas allows the seventh most passing yards to quarterbacks. Expect Wilson to rebound to his fantasy MVP-form in Week 16.
Sit of the Week Quarterback – Jimmy Garoppolo vs Jacksonville Jaguars
The first few weeks of the Jimmy Garoppolo experiment in San Francisco have gone exceedingly well. However, Jimmy will face his hardest test yet when the 49ers welcome the Jacksonville Jaguars to town. The Jaguars have the best pass defense in the NFL, while also leading the league in sacks. Lower expectations for Garoppolo in Week 16.
Start of the Week Running Back – Kenyan Drake vs Kansas City Chiefs
Over the last few weeks of the season, the biggest surprise in fantasy football could be the play of Kenyon Drake. Drake will try to continue his hot play against the Chiefs. The Chiefs could not contain Melvin Gordon in Week 15, allowing his to gain 169 yards from scrimmage and score a touchdown. Even if the Dolphins are out of the playoff mix, Drake is still playing for the starting running back role next season. A big game is definitely in the mix for Drake.
Sit of the Week Running Back – Marshawn Lynch vs Philadelphia Eagles
With the Raiders season essentially over, the organization may find it better to look at the young running backs on the roster than continue to use Marshawn Lynch as their primary back. Even if Lynch sees the bulk of the carries in Week 16, the Eagles are a top-three rush defense should not allow him to have a very productive game.
Start of the Week Wide Receiver – Michael Thomas vs Atlanta Falcons
In the first three games of Michael Thomas’ career against the Atlanta Falcons, the Saints top receiver has broken the 100 yard each time. Thomas has been great this season, breaking the 80-yard mark eight times this year. Thomas has just one game this season with less than five receptions. Additionally, the Falcons defense did not look great against the Buccaneers on Monday night. Expect a big game from Thomas this weekend.
Sit of the Week Wide Receiver – Rishard Matthews vs Los Angeles Rams
After watching the Rams hold the Seahawks receivers to under 100 yards combined, starting Rishard Matthews in Week 16 seems quite risky. The Rams rank seventh in fantasy points to receivers this year and fourth in receiving touchdowns allowed. Additionally, expect the Rams to pressure Mariota all game, forcing him to look elsewhere than downfield to Matthews.
Start of the Week Tight End – Ricky Seals-Jones vs New York Giants
No team in the NFL has allowed more touchdowns or yardage to tight ends than the New York Giants. The Giants have allowed a touchdown to a tight end in 11 of their 14 games this season. They gave up two touchdowns to the Eagles last week, with the Eagles playing their backup quarterback. Even though the Cardinals have not scored a touchdown in nine quarters, Jones could be the man to break the streak in Week 16.
Sit of the Week Tight End – Cameron Brate vs Carolina Panthers
With five games against the Carolina Panthers in his career, Brate has not shown the level of success needed to be worth a start in Week 16. Only once in the five games has Brate topped 40 yards receiving and not once has he reached the end zone. The Panthers are one of the best defenses at stopping tight ends this season. Avoid Brate in Week 16.
Start of the Week Defense – Baltimore Ravens vs Indianapolis Colts
With a spot in the playoffs on the line, the Baltimore Ravens defense needs to carry this team over the final two weeks of the season. They should not have a problem putting up big numbers against the Colts. The Colts have allowed 53 sacks this season, most in the NFL. Baltimore is tied for seventh with 38 sacks this season. Baltimore ranks first in interceptions this year with 22. The Colts have only thrown nine picks this year, but their passing offense ranks 30th in the NFL. Overall, the Ravens should not have a hard time stopping the Colts on Saturday.
Sit of the Week Defense – Seattle Seahawks vs Dallas Cowboys
After last week, it could be time stop calling the Seahawks defense elite. The Seattle Seahawks were embarrassed at home, allowing the Rams to run all-day on their defense. The Seahawks will face rested (and speculatively angry) Ezekiel Elliott in Week 16. Their defense seems close to the boiling point and cannot be trusted to play smart football. With so many key players out of the lineup, avoid this team for now.
Start of the Week Kicker – Phil Dawson vs New York Giants
The warmth of Arizona should help Phil Dawson have a big game against the New York Giants. The Giants rank in the bottom-ten against kickers this season. Also, the Cardinals offense has not scored a touchdown in nine quarters, settling for field goals. Look for that trend to continue this weekend (although Arizona should challenge for at least a touchdown in Week 16).
Sit of the Week Kicker –Mason Crosby vs Minnesota Vikings
With Aaron Rodgers potentially sitting for this game against the Vikings, avoiding Packers players in Week 16 is a smart strategy. In the Packers Week 6 game against the Vikings, when Rodgers went down with the shoulder injury, Crosby scored only four fantasy points. Also, with the game starting at 8:30 PM EST, the temperature could be quite low, making kicking more difficult.
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