Week 16 is here! With that, we have fantasy Championships! Exciting times of the year and what better for Christmas than a championship?! It would also be a horrible way to start off the new year if you leave that crucial player on your bench or start someone that has a less than stellar performance. Without further ado, Sports Al Dente’s Start Em Sit Em Week 16.
Fantasy Football Start Em Sit Em Week 16
Quarterback
Start Em
Matthew Stafford has been a solid fantasy quarterback throughout this season and he has an opportunity to be QB1 these last two weeks. His week 16 opponent is a Bengals team that seems to have just lost all motivation. Since losing to the Steelers in a bloodbath of a game, the Bengals defense has given up 67 points in the last two weeks. With all the injuries to the Cincinnati unit, Stafford is a must-start QB1 this week that has potential to be the highest scorer amongst his position group.
This start goes against the storylines of last week. Philip Rivers had his worst game of the season against the Chiefs and could have possibly ended a Cinderella story for the Los Angeles team. But there is still no reason to fear a Bryce Petty led Jets team that has allowed 20 or more points in all games this season but two. Rivers should have a bounce-back week in New York and is a great start.
The Eagles had a scary game against the Giants in week 15 but it was not in anyway Foles fault. He threw four touchdowns and led an efficient offense. While it may not be as explosive as a Carson Wentz led-offense, fantasy points are still fantasy points. Week 16 has the Eagles facing a Raiders’ defense that has allowed an average of 238.6 passing yards per game and 20 passings touchdowns this season. Foles should continue to be a good streaming option this week.
Sit Em
A season after winning MVP, Ryan has had a pretty disappointing year. He has no real blowout game this season and none with 3 or more touchdowns. A Saints defense presents a tough matchup that Ryan has already struggled with once. In his game against New Orleans in week 14, he threw three interceptions and only had one touchdown. Traveling to New Orleans in week 16 is pointing to another disappointing game from the Falcons quarterback.
Cousins has had a tough season. The talent around him is getting injured or is just underperforming. He’s proven he can be a franchise quarterback but this week is a tough matchup against the Denver Broncos. The Broncos have the second-ranked passing defense behind Jacksonville and can terrorize Cousins all day with the injuries to the right side of his offensive line. Cousins should remain on the bench this week and you can look for a streaming option on waivers.
The Garoppolo experience has been fun and given life to a 49ers team and fanbase. His play has been exciting and he is very much a potential franchise quarterback. But all this excitement is about to meet a brick wall when the Jaguars defense comes into town. This is a true test for the new 49er but leaving him on the bench and him doing well is going to have a lot lower chance of happening than him being in your starting lineup and giving you a poor fantasy outing. Garoppolo is not a streaming option this week.
Running Back
Start Em
McCaffrey has not been the superstar many thought he could be but he has been productive in good matchups. His first game against the Buccaneers he was basically shut down but this not the same defense. Injuries and a poor season make this matchup even more appealing for McCaffrey, especially in PPR leagues. The Buccaneers have the worst passing defense and while the return of some star players should help them, this is still a good week to have McCaffrey in the line-up.
After a bounce-back game against the Bengals, Murray is looking at another good matchup against the Green Bay Packers. The Packers defense is allowing an average of 116 yards rushing a game this season. With the Vikings in a good position to sweep the Packers, Murray can be a valuable asset in your fantasy championship.
With an injury to Rex Burkhead, Dion Lewis is now in a great position to be the lead back in the New England backfield. Lewis should rack up on snaps and targets against a Bills defense that has just been bad against versatile running backs. Lewis is an RB2 with high upside sharing the field with Tom Brady.
Sit Em
With Aaron Rodgers out of the starting lineup, the potential for the Packers offense and Jamaal Williams fantasy points takes a dip. Williams should see more touches with Rodgers out but the Vikings defense is a stacked unit that is second in the league against the rush. Allowing only 85 rushing yards a game, Williams will hurt your chances of winning your fantasy championship more than helping.
Perine has come up short the last three weeks. He failed to capitalize against a struggling Arizona defense and could lose some touches to newly added Kapri Bibbs. The Denver defense is a top defense and has potential to shut down a Washington run game that is also dealing with a large number of injuries. There is too much risk with this pick for your fantasy game this week.
The Jaguars are joining Santa this weekend in visiting the Bay area. That makes every player on the 49ers offense lose a lot of potential and Hyde is surely a bust candidate in week 16. The Jaguars defense is nearly at a historical level that has to be respected. Hyde is at best a flex play and should not be in your starting lineup if you can make it happen.
Wide Receiver
Start Em
With the Injury to Antonio Brown, the rookie Smith-Schuster steps into a WR2 role with a high ceiling. The rookie is looking to close out the ceiling strong with a game against the Texans in which he could be absolutely dominant. The Texans defense is on the field too much for them to be effective all game and have allowed 16 touchdowns to wide receivers this season. JuJu could light up the board this week in your championship game.
A return to the line up saw Woods lead the Rams in targets and come back to being the number one wide receiver on the team. This offense absolutely crushed their division rival last week and should be able to do the same against a Titans squad that really is not a good team, especially late this season. Woods should be a solid WR2 this week and has a very high ceiling in the Rams league-leading scoring offense.
The historically great Cardinal is looking for his third straight 1,000-yard season. He’ll easily be able to get that and more against the Giants this week. Even with a depleted offense, Fitzgerald should help those in PPR leagues with a bounty of receptions, and in standard leagues, as he will be looking for the end zone against a struggling secondary. Fitzgerald can be a nice surprise for your fantasy championship game.
Sit Em
As much as I have loved Marquise Goodwin the past few weeks, his streak will be put to a stop when A.J. Bouye and Jalen Ramsey show up to town. The Jaguars defense is an elite unit that can spell perennial bust for Goodwin. You’ll need to find another option this week.
Crowder had a nice week against the Cardinals but now has an incredibly hard matchup against the Denver Broncos. Even in PPR Crowder is in danger as the Broncos hold most wide receivers at bay. Plus all the Redskins injuries make this a rough one. Keep Crowder on the Bench this week.
Shepard almost led the Giants to a signature win over the Eagles but sadly came up just short. He played well against that tough defense but faces another tough challenge against the Cardinals. The Patrick Peterson effect can easily come into play here as Shepard is the top dog for the Giants and the Cardinals do well against slot receivers. As tempting as it is, Shepard starting could come back to bite.
Streaming TE Options
Streaming D/ST Options
-
Lions
-
Broncos
-
Steelers
Streaming K Options
The Field
ESPN
QB Start: Cam Newton, Case Keenum, Philip Rivers.
QB Sit: Jimmy Garoppolo, Matt Ryan.
RB Start: Dion Lewis, Alex Collins, Latavius Murray, Jerick McKinnon.
RB Sit: Carlos Hyde, Marshawn Lynch, Samaje Perine.
WR Start: Mike Evans, Larry Fitzgerald, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Martavis Bryant.
WR Sit: Golden Tate, Robby Anderson.
NFL Network
QB Start: Dak Prescott, Blake Bortles, Case Keenum, Philip Rivers, Nick Foles.
QB Sit: Matt Ryan, Kirk Cousins, Jimmy Garoppolo, Derek Carr, Eli Manning.
RB Start: Dion Lewis, Kenyan Drake, Alex Collins, Latavius Murray, Giovani Bernard.
RB Sit: Marshawn Lynch, Samaje Perine, Frank Gore, Isaiah Crowell, Doug Martin.
WR Start: JuJu Smith-Schuster, Devin Funchess, Stefon Diggs, Robert Woods, Mohamed Sanu Sr.
WR Sit: Randall Cobb, Marquise Goodwin, Sterling Shepard, Jamison Crowder, Richard Matthews.
CBS
QB Start: Cam Newton, Matthew Stafford, Nick Foles, Case Keenum, Blake Bortles.
QB Sit: Jimmy Garoppolo, Kirk Cousins, Tyrod Taylor, Derek Carr, Marcus Mariota.
RB Start: Dion Lewis, Alex Collins, Latavius Murray, Jay Ajayi, Jonathan Stewart, C.J. Anderson.
RB Sit: Carlos Hyde, Samaje Perine, Frank Gore, Mike Davis, Orleans Darkwa.
WR Start: Marvin Jones, Mike Wallace, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Robert Woods, Michael Crabtree.
WR Sit: Robby Anderson, Jordy Nelson, Sammy Watkins, Jamison Crowder, Rishard Matthews.
Pro Football Focus
QB Start: Dak Prescott, Matthew Stafford.
QB Sit: Marcus Mariota, Jimmy Garoppolo.
RB Start: Ezekiel Elliott, Kenyan Drake, Devonta Freeman, Dion Lewis, Jerick McKinnon, Latavius Murray.
RB Sit: Jamaal Williams, Peyton Barber,
WR Start: Josh Gordon, Dede Westbrook, Robert Woods, Kendall Wright, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Devin Funchess.
WR Sit: Marquise Goodwin, Robby Anderson.