Week 16 Starts & Sits – Based on Full PPR
By Keith Sheeran
Week 15 of the NFL season is in the books, and all the focus is now on bringing home the championship title. There seemed to be a lot of tight wins or small margin losses in week 15, so I hope you were on the right end of the stick. Preparing for a final can be tough, so I’m here to shed some light on who you should start and sit in week 16. As always, start your stud players like Patrick Mahomes and Davante Adams. Let’s take a look at the players who I think have the opportunity to outscore their projections and help you bring home your championship title.
Starts
QUARTERBACK
Jalen Hurts (PHI) @ Dallas Cowboys
The Carson Wentz era in Philadelphia looks to be very much a thing of the past. Over the past 2 weeks, Jalen Hurts has looked like a breath of fresh air for this Philadelphia offense. He is big, strong, has a good arm, and is a cheat code as he has a rushing ability that looks similar to Lamar Jackson. In week 16, Hurts takes on the Dallas Cowboys, who are ranked 21st against quarterbacks. Hurts put up a massive fantasy stat line in week 15, but I do not think he’ll get to 37 points again this week. He should get over 20 points, making him a sure-fire starter in week 16.
Other Quarterback’s I would start this week: Justin Herbert (LAC) vs. Denver Broncos, Baker Mayfield (CLE) @ New York Jets, Mitchell Trubisky (CHI) @ Jacksonville Jaguars
RUNNING BACK
David Montgomery (CHI) @ Jacksonville Jaguars
Over the last 4 weeks, David Montgomery has been a beast for your fantasy team, having not scored less than 24 points. Montgomery takes on the Jacksonville Jaguars in week 16, and I predict another great day for the Bears running back. The Jaguars are ranked 30th against running backs and give up an average of 4.5 yards per carry. The Jaguar’s poor run defense makes Montgomery a must starts this week. Make sure you start him everywhere, as he could be the one to lead you to a fantasy championship.
Other Running Backs I would start this week: Giovani Bernard (CIN) @ Houston Texans, J.K. Dobbins (BAL) vs. New York Giants, Salvon Ahmed (MIA) @ Las Vegas Raiders
WIDE RECEIVER
Robert Woods (LA) @ Seattle Seahawks
The Los Angeles Rams are coming off an embarrassing defeat in week 15. But, Robert Woods had a productive day with 6 receptions for 56 yards and a touchdown. Woods has now seen 8 plus targets in the last 3 weeks, and I think that will continue into week 16. The Rams take on the Seattle Seahawks, who give up the most yards to wide receivers, and are ranked 32nd against the position this season. The Seattle defense has improved in recent weeks, but Woods should still see his fair share of targets, making him a solid start in week 16.
Other Wide Receivers I would start this week: Jarvis Landry (CLE) @ New York Jets, Antonio Brown (TB) @ Detroit Lions, Emmanuel Sanders (NO) vs. Minnesota Vikings
TIGHT END
Logan Thomas (WAS) vs. Carolina Panthers
Logan Thomas is coming off a massive game against the Seattle Seahawks, and I’m predicting that his good form will continue this week against the Panthers. Thomas has become a safety net and a RedZone target for Dwayne Haskins, making him a great fantasy play. The Carolina Panthers are ranked 25th against tight ends and give up an average of 14 points to the position. Thomas could be a matchup winner for you this week so make sure he’s in your line-up.
Other Tight End’s I would start this week: Noah Fant (DEN) @ Los Angeles Chargers, Dalton Schultz (DAL) vs. Philadelphia Eagles, Jordan Akins (HOU) vs. Cincinnati Bengals
DEFENSE
Buffalo Bills @ New England Patriots
The Buffalo Bills roll into New England as AFC East Division Champions for the first time since 1995. On the other side of the ball, the New England Patriots have failed to make the postseason for the first time since 2008. The Buffalo team’s confidence will be high, and I think they will be on a mission to beat up this New England Patriots team. The Patriots offense has been poor all season as they have no real quality wide receivers and a running game that is average at best. If the Bills can keep Cam Newton in the pocket and force him to throw, they should rack up several sacks and a couple of interceptions. Playing the Bills defense this week should be rewarding for your team.
Other Defense’s I would start this week: Cleveland Browns @ New York Jets, Baltimore Ravens vs. New York Giants, Chicago Bears @ Jacksonville Jaguars
Sits
QUARTERBACK
Teddy Bridgewater (CAR) @ Washington Football Team
The Carolina Panthers have struggled to pick up wins this season, mostly because they are playing from behind. Teddy Bridgewater has had an up and down season, and this week against the Washington Football Team, I’m expecting him to have another down week. Bridgewater has failed to throw a touchdown pass in his last two games, and I think that streak will continue in week 16. The Washington defense has been surprisingly good this year and has an offensive line that is as good as any in the league. I don’t see Bridgewater leading your team to a championship victory this week, so he’s a sit for me.
Other Quarterback’s I would sit this week: Cam Newton (NE) vs. Buffalo Bills, Ben Roethlisberger (PIT) vs. Indianapolis Colts, Kirk Cousins (MIN) @ New Orleans Saints
RUNNING BACK
Le’Veon Bell (KC) vs. Atlanta Falcons
I know you’re thinking, “what Le’Veon Bell should be a start this week,” but hear me out on this. We all know Bell is in-line to see a bigger workload this week with Clyde-Edwards Helaire out injured, but Bell hasn’t looked very good so far, and he faces the Atlanta Falcons, who are a decent run defense that only gives up 3.7 yards per carry. The Falcons secondary is very suspect, so the way to beat them is through the air. I imagine the Chiefs will go out to a big lead and run the ball for the latter part of the game, which may be profitable for Bell. You also have to mix Darrel Williams into the running back fold, and I’m just not confident that Bells’ numbers will be good enough in a championship week.
Other Running Back’s I would sit this week: Todd Gurley (ATL) @ Kansas City Chiefs, Mike Davis (CAR) @ Washington Football Team, Kenyan Drake (ARI) vs. San Francisco 49ers
WIDE RECEIVER
Juju Smith-Schuster (PIT) vs. Indianapolis Colts
Suddenly, the Pittsburgh Steelers have crashed back down to earth with a bang. Three weeks ago, there was talk of a perfect season, but a defeat to Washington, Buffalo, and most recently, Cincinnati has made the Steelers look very vulnerable. Juju Smith-Schuster has been one of the most inconsistent wide receivers this season and very frustrating to own for fantasy managers. The Steelers welcome the Indianapolis Colts to Pittsburgh this week, who have a top 10 defense against wide receivers. If Juju decides to stop his dancing antics before the game, that might help him perform better, but I don’t think that will be the case this week. Juju is a sit for your championship game in week 16.
Other Wide Receivers I would sit this week: Corey Davis (TEN) @ Green Bay Packers, Robby Anderson (CAR) @ Washington Football Team, D.J. Chark (JAX) vs. Chicago Bears
TIGHT END
Rob Gronkowski (TB) @ Detroit Lions
The comeback season for Rob Gronkowski has not been what people thought it might be before the start of the season. It took Gronk a few weeks to adjust to his new surroundings in Tampa Bay, and if you had hoped for early success from Gronkowski, you were very much disappointed. After hitting some heights in the middle part of the season, Gronk has recently gone back to his early-season form. In the last 2 games, he has only seen a total of 4 receptions and has been held to under 8 fantasy points. I don’t see a big performance on the cards for him in week 16, so playing him this week comes with some risk.
Other Tight End’s I would sit this week: Evan Engram (NYG) @ Baltimore Ravens, Jimmy Graham (CHI) @ Jacksonville Jaguars, Dan Arnold vs. San Francisco 49ers
DEFENSE
Green Bay Packers vs. Tennessee Titans
The Derrick Henry steam train rolls into Green Bay this week, and if you’re clever, you will get out of the way. The Packers defense is one of the worst against the run, giving up 4.5 yards per carry and averaging 110.1 yards per game. The Titans are a run-first team and will target the poor run defense of the Packers. Derrick Henry has been in top form over the last 2 games posting big fantasy numbers, and I’m sure there is more to come this week. Make sure you stay well away from the Packers defense in week 16 as they will most likely cost you a championship.
Other Defense’s I would sit this week: Denver Broncos @ Los Angeles Chargers, Houston Texans vs. Cincinnati Bengals, New York Giants @ Baltimore Ravens
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