Fantasy Football Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em Week 16
We’ve reached the semi-finals of most fantasy leagues. Congratulations on advancing this far. There are only two wins left and our Fantasy Football Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em Week 16 will give you the edge to make sure you advance to next week.
Additionally, FullTime Fantasy has some of the top tools of the trade and accurate rankings.
QuarterbacksÂ
Start ‘Em
Jared Goff (Lions) vs. Vikings
Coming off a stellar performance in Week 15 with five touchdown passes against the Broncos, Goff is displaying improved consistency. While earlier in the season, his fantasy production fluctuated, recent performances have been more stable, with only one game outside the top 18 in the last six matchups.
Facing the Minnesota Vikings, who have allowed significant fantasy points to quarterbacks, Goff is expected to capitalize on this favorable matchup. The Lions, though favored to win, might lean on Goff more than the run game, making him a compelling start option.
Nick Mullens (Vikings) vs. Lions
Mullens emerges as a strong streaming quarterback option for Week 16 against Detroit. His impressive 21.1 fantasy points in his first start in Week 15 at Cincinnati showcased his potential. With quality weapons in Justin Jefferson, T.J. Hockenson, and Jordan Addison, Mullens is set for another favorable outing against the Lions, who rank sixth in Fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterbacks.
Considering the recent trend of quarterbacks scoring well against Detroit, Mullens has the potential to secure a top-10 fantasy quarterback position.
Sit ‘Em
Sam Howell (Commanders) vs. Jets
Following a challenging Week 15 performance, Howell is expected to remain the Commanders’ starter in Week 16 against the Jets. Despite struggling against the Rams, this matchup against New York poses a brutal challenge.
The Jets rank third in fewest fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterbacks, making Howell’s fantasy outlook grim. With a recent streak of fewer than 20 Fantasy points in four consecutive games, caution is advised when considering Howell for Week 16.
Russell Wilson (Broncos) vs. Patriots
While Wilson secured a QB1 position last week with a rushing touchdown, his failure to reach 18 fantasy points in the last five games raises concerns. The Patriots, boasting a strong defense in terms of passing yards and touchdowns allowed since Week 11, present a challenging matchup.
With the Steelers’ Mitchell Trubisky as the only QB to surpass 16 points against New England since Week 10, Wilson’s Fantasy prospects are diminished. Fantasy managers with alternative options should explore alternatives to Wilson for Week 16.
Running Backs
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Chuba Hubbard (Panthers) vs. PackersÂ
Since the coaching change three weeks ago, Hubbard has been a workhorse, running 22 or more times in each of the last three games. Despite averaging less than 4.0 yards per carry in the last four games, he has maintained a top-25 fantasy running back position.
The matchup against the Green Bay Packers, who have allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to running backs, bodes well for Hubbard. With the Packers yielding over 100 rushing yards to running backs in their last four games, Hubbard’s high floor positions him for a strong performance against Green Bay.
Aaron Jones (Packers) vs. Panthers
Despite missing multiple games due to injury, Jones has showcased his talent with two top-eight fantasy finishes this season. In the absence of A.J. Dillon in the last game, Jones played 48% of the team’s offensive snaps. Those numbers are expected to increase as he distances himself from injury.
Facing the Carolina Panthers, whose run defense has improved but still allows good numbers to running backs due to game scripts, Jones combines talent and expected game flow for a solid fantasy performance.
Sit ‘Em
Jerome Ford (Browns) vs. Texans
Ford’s performance in Week 15 against the Bears, with only eight carries for 20 yards and minimal involvement in the passing game, raises concerns. The Texans, with a streak of not allowing a rushing touchdown to running backs in five games, present a tough matchup.
Additionally, the split playing time with Kareem Hunt further diminishes Ford’s fantasy appeal. While Ford may serve as a flex option, fantasy managers should approach with caution in Week 16.
Najee Harris (Steelers) vs. Bengals
Harris, with a season-low snap count in the last game, faces a challenging scenario against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Steelers, being home underdogs, may alter Harris’ usual workload. With two of the last three teams facing the Bengals averaging 3.1 yards per carry or less, Harris’ efficiency may suffer.
Fantasy managers may witness a decrease in Harris’ carries. That would potentially leave him outside of the starting range for Week 16. Finally, it’s not like we need a reason to avoid this moribund Pittsburgh offense. But there are numerous.
Wide Receivers
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Noah Brown (Texans) vs. Browns
With Nico Collins potentially missing the game, Brown is likely to assume the No. 1 receiver role for the Texans in Week 16 against Cleveland. Brown’s previous performances without Collins in Weeks 9, 10, and 15 resulted in at least 22.2 PPR points per outing.
Despite not having C.J. Stroud, Brown’s connection with Case Keenum in Week 15 and his consistent performance in Collins’ absence make him a viable No. 3 fantasy receiver in all leagues.
Tee Higgins (Bengals) vs. Steelers
Higgins, despite a somewhat challenging season, demonstrated his capability with a remarkable two-touchdown performance against the Vikings. With Ja’Marr Chase missing time, Higgins stands as the top target for Jake Browning.
Browning, averaging 318 passing yards per game in the last three weeks, enhances Higgins’s fantasy prospects. Also, with Chase ruled out, Higgins should see a noticeable spike in opportunities.
Sit ‘Em
Adam Thielen (Panthers) vs. Packers
Thielen’s recent performances without Frank Reich calling plays have seen a decline, averaging just 9.9 fantasy points per game in the last six games. Sharing more work with rookie Jonathan Mingo further complicates Thielen’s Fantasy outlook.
Additionally, facing the Packers, who had been stingy to wide receivers before a recent setback, adds to the challenges. Fantasy managers should exercise caution with Thielen and explore alternative options for Week 16.
Zay Flowers (Ravens) vs. 49ers
Dealing with a foot injury and coming off a subpar game in Week 15, Flowers may face challenges in Week 16 against the 49ers. While he had impressive outings in the two previous games, the matchup against San Francisco cornerback Charvarius Ward will impact Flowers’ performance.
Fantasy managers considering Flowers should be aware of the potential difficulties, making him a low-end No. 3 fantasy receiver for Week 16, instead of the locked-in WR2 we’re accustomed to.
Tight Ends
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Cole Kmet (Bears) vs. Cardinals
Kmet has showcased improvement throughout his NFL career. He currently holds the seventh-best PFF receiving grade among tight ends this season. Garnering at least six targets in six of his last seven games, Kmet offers reliability for fantasy managers. This consistency has translated to at least five receptions in all six of those games. That is a nifty average of 13.2 PPR points per game.
Facing the Cardinals, who tend to focus on wide receivers rather than tight ends, Kmet’s status as the second receiving option behind D.J. Moore ensures a normal target share, supporting his potential for double-digit fantasy points.
Isaiah Likely (Ravens) vs. 49ers
Likely has demonstrated both a safe floor and a high ceiling as the Ravens’ starter. He is scoring 15.1 fantasy points per game filling in for Mark Andrews.
Despite a seemingly tough matchup against the 49ers, who have allowed the second-most yards to tight ends since Week 11, Likely remains a strong tight end option for Week 16. The combination of Likely’s impressive performances and the potential for a high-scoring matchup makes him a reliable choice for fantasy managers.
Sit ‘Em.
Dalton Schultz (Texans) vs. Browns
Schultz, despite returning last week with a solid performance, faces a daunting matchup against the Cleveland Browns. With the Browns having the second-fewest fantasy points allowed to tight ends this season, Schultz may encounter challenges.
Additionally, the absence of C.J. Stroud could impact Schultz’s ceiling. Considering the Browns’ inclination toward man defense, Schultz’s potential to secure a top-12 position among fantasy tight ends for Week 16 is uncertain. Fantasy managers may expect a decent floor with a few catches. But they should also be prepared for a potential dip in scoring.
