Who To Start And Sit In Week 16 Of The 2015 Fantasy Football Season

I’m sure the following names were ones you considered when putting together your starting lineup last week: Kirk Cousins, Teddy Bridgewater, and Brock Osweiler. No? Well they should’ve been because they finished second, third, and fourth in points scored by quarterbacks in Week 15. Names like Woodhead, Bell, Jennings, Gilleslee, McKinnon, and Powell were in the list of nine highest scoring running backs last week. This just shows you that the playoffs aren’t something you can easily plan for. Do you own David Johnson? Chances are you made the finals after his mammoth performance on Sunday Night Football. Johnson wound up on 42.2% of teams playing in the Week 16 final, by far the highest of any player. At least that made sense. Let’s move on. Since it’s Week 16, I’m giving you a few extra players to work with this week. You’ll see what I mean shortly.

Below is a list of guys I’m focused on for one reason or another this week. They’re especially important in daily fantasy sports (DFS) leagues like DraftKings. If you’re curious about guys you don’t see listed here, you can always find me on Twitter (@MrT_BroBible) to ask questions, but remember to mention league specifics like PPR.

You Know Who You Should Start?

Jameis Winston (QB – Tampa Bay)

The Bears had some strong defensive showings in the middle of the season, but they’ve fallen apart on that side of the ball in recent weeks. The Bears have given up an average of 21.6 fantasy points to quarterbacks in the last five weeks including four games of 18 points or more. Winston allows you a nice floor as he’s scored double digit points in every game this year and has no less than 13 points in his last five starts. A few other QBs to look at this week are Matthew Stafford, Kirk Cousins, Brian Hoyer (if he gets cleared from concussion protocol), and Teddy Bridgewater.

Latavius Murray (RB – Oakland)

It was a nice moment when the Chargers gave it their all in what could be the last home game at Qualcomm Stadium, but that time has now passed. Now we’re back to reality where the Chargers are five point underdogs in Oakland on Thursday. San Diego has given up 100 rushing yards to backs in 10 of 14 games this year. You can’t trust Miami to know that because they’re coaching it terrible, so that’s why Lamar Miller and friends didn’t’ go off last week. If we know anything about Murray, it’s that he’ll get the rock plenty from his coaching staff. He’s put up at least 15 carries in 10 of his 14 games this year and should see plenty of success against the fifth worse defense at holding down fantasy backs.

Christine Michael (RB – Seattle)

The Michael truthers on Twitter has been waiting for this day to come. Michael’s 16 carries for 84 yards last week have given them hope that Michael will actually be a successful NFL running back after all. Michael took the hot hand and ran with it last week, so it’s very possible that happens again this Sunday. You see he got to attack 11th most porous to fantasy RBs last week and this week he takes on #9. The Rams have given up double digit fantasy points to RBs in each of the seven games, which should allow Michael to succeed on Sunday if given the chance. I warn that it’s not a 100% chance because all backs will touch the ball at some point. We just need to hope Michael takes the ball and runs with it. A few other RBs to look at this week are: Charcandrick West, Denard Robinson (or whoever starts for Jacksonville), Ameer Abdullah, James White, Jonathan Stewart (or Cameron Artis-Payne if Stewart can’t play), Jay Ajayi (if Lamar Miller can’t play), and Bilal Powell.

Marcus Wheaton (WR – Pittsburgh)

I’d never ever think I would recommend Wheaton in a playoff game, but here we are. The Steelers passing offense has been so prolific in recent weeks that Wheaton has been completely usable. He’s put up double digit points in three of the last four games and hasn’t had less than fifty receiving yards in any of those games. The Ravens have given up more touchdowns to wide receivers than any other team, so Wheaton could find the end zone again.

Golden Tate (WR – Detroit)

I’ve never been a fan of Tate as long as Calvin Johnson was on the field at the same time, but times are changing in Detroit. As referenced by Rich Hrbirar on Twitter (@LordReebs), “Since DET shuffled coaches in Week 8, Golden Tate averages 6.9 receptions (6th) and 16.9 PPG (13th) with an average scoring week of WR21.” That’s pretty reliable production from Tate, especially in PPR. The Lions get San Francisco this week in a matchup that should allow them to score, so look for Tate to continue producing. A few other WRs to look at this week are: Allen Hurns, Jeremy Maclin, Kamar Aiken, Willie Snead (if Drew Brees plays), Stefon Diggs, Reuben Randle, Jordan Matthews, Dorial Green-Bekcham, and Dwayne Harris.

Julius Thomas (TE – Jacksonville)

Thomas has played reasonably well since returning from injury and has especially stepped it up in the last four weeks. Thomas has managed at least five catches and at least 54 yards in three of the last four games as Blake Borltes gets more comfortable with him. Thomas should continue to feel comfortable this week as he goes against the defense allowing the most fantasy points to tight ends. Other TEs to look at this week are: Kyle Rudolph and Ben Watson.
You Know Who You Should Sit?

Eli Manning (QB – N.Y. Giants)

The Giants passing offense revolves around Odell Beckham Jr. so much. Look at how the Giants didn’t get their offense going until the second half of last week’s game against Carolina, which was around the time Beckham starting getting loose from Josh Norman. The same was evident last year as Manning was unable to get much done until Beckham exploded onto the scene. Without their biggest offensive weapon, look for the Giants and Eli to struggle this week since the other weapons are rather pedestrian. There are better options at QB this weekend. Other QBs to be cautious of this week are: Matt Ryan and potentially Philip Rivers.

Eddie Lacy (RB – Green Bay)

It looked as if Fat Eddie had turned the corner, but that didn’t look like it was reality against an improving Raiders rush defense last week. Oakland has held RBs to 86 or less yards rushing over the last five games and Lacy’s opponent this week, Arizona, is even better. The Cardinals haven’t allowed 100 yards rushing since Week 4 with only two games above 70 in that same time frame. Lacy will be limited again this week and he’s clearly not someone you can rely on with the fantasy title on the line.

Chris Ivory (RB – N.Y. Jets)
Ivory has slowed down as the season has gone on and this week’s game against New England will keep him neutralized. Look for New England to hold the Jets under 100 yards rushing as they’ve done in every game they’ve had a healthy linebacking core Since Week 2. Ivory does better when the Jets get an early lead and try to kill the game and that won’t happen against New England. This shapes up to be more of a Bilal Powell game than an Ivory one. Other RBs that should be cautious in using this week are: Devonta Freeman, Jeremy Hill, and Frank Gore.

Julio Jones (WR – Atlanta)
We warned you the last time Julio went up against Norman and Julio got lucky by amassing yardage in garbage time. That could happen again, but is less likely with Atlanta playing at home. You’re not gonna bench Julio for terrible options, but you should consider doing it if you have some usable players on your bench.

A.J. Green (WR – Cincinnati)

We’ve seen two games of Green with A.J. McCarron as his QB. The first one was quite productive as Cincinnati chased points. Last week’s not so much as Cincinnati sat on a big lead against San Francisco. Green was a little banged up going into last week’s game and the same should apply this week. It doesn’t help Green that he’s heading up against Aquib Talib, one of the league’s best corners. Antonio Brown did a majority of his work against Chris Harris last week so don’t expect Harris to be anywhere near Green. Other WRs to be cautious of this week are: Brandin Cooks (if Drew Brees doesn’t play), T.Y. Hilton, Dez Bryant, James Jones, Brandon Lafell, and potentially Calvin Johnson.

Jordan Reed (RB – TE)

Last year we got worried Reed wouldn’t get up every time he got hit. He eventually missed a large chunk of the season due to injury. His season he’s been a lot more durable and productive, but that production will likely decrease this weekend. The Eagles haven’t allowed more than 72 yards to any TE so far this season and they’ve only allowed no more than four catches to the position in the last six weeks. Washington will find their success on the outside and Reed will not be carrying you to the championship. Other TEs to avoid this weekend are: Gary Barnidge, Heath Miller, Charles Clay, and Austin Sefarian-Jenkins.