If you are playing in a fantasy football championship… Congratulations, I hope there is money involved. It’s been a long, grueling season and as important as this week is, we will look at who I think will help you win the ‘ship and who may cause you to go into the off-season brokenhearted. So here we go…
Quarterbacks
? Money Makers
Ryan Fitzpatrick – The Bengals are the 9th worst team against the QB position. And although Cincinnati has defended against Quarterbacks fairly well over the last 4 weeks (opposing teams have averaged less than 200 passing yards and scored 3 total pass TDs against the Bengals in that span), but the Bengals also didn’t play a gunslinger like ‘Fitzmagic’ in any of those games. Fitz threw the ball 41 times last week against the Giants and now welcomes back his surprising breakout WR, Devante Parker. The journeyman QB led the Dolphins in rushing yards with 8 carries for 65 yards last week, which is indicative of a solid floor. Expect a big game from Fitzpatrick if you are streaming your way to the championship.
Philip Rivers – Over the past month, the Raiders have been scorched by opposing QBs as Oakland has allowed nearly 24 points per game to the position. Darnold and Tannehill both went for over 300 yards and 3 touchdowns each when they faced off against the Raiders. Rivers is coming off another volume-heavy game where he threw the ball 39 times in Week 15. Add in the heated rivalry between the two franchises and it’s very feasible to predict a wild west shootout. In terms of streaming options, Rivers is a good one this week.
Ryan Tannehill – The Titans signal-caller has been playing at a high-level since taking over as the starter. In fact, since week 7, Tannehill has only one game in which he has not thrown for multiple touchdowns. One. Tennessee is matched up against the Saints who are coming off a prime time dismantling of the Indianapolis Colts as they completely shut down Brissett and the passing game. But New Orleans has also given up 300+ passing yards in three out of the last four games while allowing teams to score multiple passing touchdowns. Tannehill is simply getting it done and is on 34% of teams playing in championships on ESPN
Other quarterbacks I like in Week 16: Minshew, Dalton and Haskins
? Heart Breakers
Jimmy Garoppolo – Jimmy G has put up a meager 200 passing yards or less with a single touchdown in two out of the past three weeks (15 completion for 165 yards and a touchdown against the Ravens in Week 13 and 22 completions for 200 yards and a touchdown against Atlanta in Week 15). The 49ers are still a strong team out in the West but they are predicated on tough defense and running the ball with their multitude of backs. Now San Francisco faces a hot Rams team whose defense has only allowed one quarterback to score over 18 points over the last 10 weeks. Garoppolo has been volatile as of late and this week is no different.
Jared Goff – The counterpart to Jimmy G this week (Goff) is coming off of three weeks of wonderful play and that may make you think he is startable in fantasy championships. This is one of those trap plays if you ask me. In their last meeting, Goff completed 13 passes for 78 yards and didn’t score. In fact, he scored 1.12 points in standard formats that week. Prior to his three weeks of great play were three weeks of horrendous play where he did not top 10 fantasy points against the likes of the Ravens, Steelers and Bears. The 49ers are in this class of defenses so expect Goof to struggle early and often even with Richard Sherman banged up.
Running Backs
? Money Makers
Saquon Barkley – Barkley has been a bust for his standards as he is currently RB17 in PPR. Last week Barkley put up 112 yards and 2 TDs and this week he plays the Redskins who are the 7th worst team against the run. Washington has also been torched in recent weeks by Aaron Jones and Miles Sanders so the path to a big day is there. Daniel Jones is expected to be back under center for the Giants, but the rookie will be fresh off a high ankle sprain so New York will likely lean on the run. You want to fire Barkley up if you own him, he is also a nice play in DFS.
Marlon Mack – Mack is healthy and he’s playing against the worst run defense in the league. Mack is coming off a major letdown game against the Saints but he will get volume this week as the Panthers will be trotting out rookie Will Grier for the first time. The game script should be in Indy’s favor and Carolina gives up an average of 123 rushing yards and 1.6 rush TDs per game. Mack is a phenomenal flex play if you have been looking to plug him.
Other running backs set to make some money this week are Drake, Mixon and Lindsay
? Heart Breakers
Devin Singletary – Singletary is going up against the best run defense in the league in this matchup against the Patriots. Last week, Singletary had 21 carries for 87 yards for a mediocre outing against the Steelers. New England gives up and an average of 81 yards per game so if you look at the tea leaves, Singletary is lining up for a 80 yard day with the possibility of a couple of catches making a low-end RB3/flex play.
Derrick Henry – Henry is recovered from his hamstring injury and played last week against Houston rushing for 86 yards on 21 carries. But the Saints are the 5th best team against the run giving up only 65 yards per game and they just shut down the aforementioned Mack. This is a week where you can fully expect Tannehill to air it out to keep pace with Brees and the high octane Saints offense. Henry isn’t a bad RB2 play but you will need to temper expectations and hope for a score.
Wide Receivers
? Money Makers
Courtland Sutton – Last week I had him has a Breaker and this week against the Lions I have him as a Maker. Sutton tends to get peppered with targets no matter who is under center for the Broncos. Sutton has seen 7 or more targets in all but one game this season and saw 10 last week. The Lions happen to be the 3rd worst defense at defending against the pass, giving up an average of 13 receptions and 131 yards per game to the wide receiver position. Sutton is looking like a fantastic play in Week 16.
Terry McLaurin – F1 finds himself in the same exact spot I had Amendola last week. You questioned then and you may question now. But please hear me out on this one. McLaurin has scored in two consecutive weeks, seemingly finding his OSU groove with Haskins. In Week 15, McLaurin had 5 receptions for 130 yards and a touchdown against the Eagles. Like Philadelphia, the Giants are not so good against wide receivers, as they watched Davante Parker run past them for 72 yards and 2 touchdowns last week.
Other wide receivers that will shake their money makers for week 15 – Lockett, Metcalf, Miller, and Conley
? Heart Breakers
Julian Edelman – Edelman has been reeling as of late with a total of 6 catches for 35 yards over the past 2 weeks while receiving TDs are being siphoned by Harry and White. The Bills secondary led by Tre’davious White rank in the top four against wide receivers and they typically only give up about 14 points to the slot, which happens to be where Edelman plays. The Patriots will need to look elsewhere to move the ball against the Bills, likely grinding it down with the run and short screens to Michel and White.
Cooper Kupp – For a player who started off so hot, Kupp was been an utter disappointment for lack of a better word. The Rams are continuing to play a different brand of football than before and Kupp has suffered as a result. The Niners are the second best defense against wide receivers and Kupp could only muster 4 receptions for 17 yards in the Week 4 against San Francisco.
Tight Ends
? Money Makers
Jacob Hollister – Hollister hasn’t scored since Week 10 and his target share was off last week. But he is still in an every-down role and a favorite red zone target of Russ. With the Cardinals on tap, Hollister has the opportunity to get back on track just in time for the Seahawks playoff run. Giving up 6 catches for 116 yards and a touchdown on average per week to tight ends is just what the doctor ordered to make you some money.
Hunter Henry – Henry is coming off a lackluster performance last week which included a fumble. Week 16 presents a nice bounce-back spot for Henry as the Raiders are the third worst defense against the tight end position. Looking at how much production Oakland has given up to TEs in the recent weeks, including scores to the position almost every week, Henry sports a nice floor with a strong possibility of scoring.
? Heart Breakers
Jack Doyle – The Colts TE not been catching the ball the last two weeks (2 catches each week) even with Eric Ebron going to IR and Carolina is the third best defense against tight ends. The game script will likely favor the Colts who will look to pound the rock through Mack (see above). Doyle projects as a low-end TE1 this week but a shaky floor and limited ceiling.
Other Tight Ends that will break you heart and kill your championship dreams: Njoku, Gesicki, and Jonnu Smith
