Notes:
• Injuries to some of fantasy’s best couldn’t come at a worst time, headlined by the injury to Jalen Hurts’ throwing arm. Hurts could miss this week’s showdown against the Cowboys and it comes in championship week for some leagues.
• Deshaun Watson was a popular stash for quarterback-needy teams, but he cannot be trusted in the fantasy playoffs, making him one of my players to drop this week. He’s finished as QB30, QB14 and QB21 in his three weeks back in the Browns lineup. We need a lot more for these crucial weeks.
• Jonathan Taylor was the No. 1 overall pick in many fantasy leagues but did not live up to expectations. Now, he will miss the rest of the regular season with a high ankle sprain. Zack Moss, not Deon Jackson, handled the bulk of the carries in Taylor’s absence.
• Since Watson’s return, the Browns’ offense has shifted from a dominant run game to a more pass-heavy approach. As such, Nick Chubb’s fantasy numbers have dipped. With that said, don’t get cute and think about putting him on the bench. He’s still a top-10 running back.
• The same goes for Alvin Kamara. He hasn’t found the end zone since Week 8 when he found the end zone three times, and this past week was his first game with 100 scrimmage yards in that same timeframe. Up next is the Browns’ poorly-ranked rush defense, placing Kamara in the top 10 backs this week.
Maryland online sports betting is here.
Sign up now with these special offers.
• Zay Jones was someone I repeatedly mentioned as a must-add in my waiver-wire pickups in previous weeks. If you followed my advice, you’ve had a wide receiver who has scored 20-plus points in three of his last four games, including a three-touchdown performance against the Cowboys this week. The Jaguars face a tough Jets secondary this week, but Jones has played his way into a weekly starter.
• It was a crazy week for the receiver position as K.J. Osborn, Russell Gage, Jahan Dotson, Noah Brown and Rashid Shaheed all finished in the top 10 in scoring. Osborn and Dotson are deeper plays this week, but it’s hard to trust the others.
• Darren Waller caught a touchdown pass in his return to the Raiders’ lineup, meaning Foster Moreau can be sent to the waiver wire. We’ve talked all year long at how weak the tight end position has been, but Waller owners are hopeful he remains healthy and active in the pass game.
• Important reminder that the majority of this week’s games will be played on Saturday instead of Sunday because of Christmas. There will be three games on Christmas Day, following the same time slots we saw this past Saturday. Set your lineups accordingly.
Thursday Night Game: Jaguars vs. Jets
Sunday Night Game: Buccaneers vs. Cardinals
Monday Night Game: Chargers vs. Colts
Top Pickups of the Week: Brock Purdy, Zack Moss, Jerick McKinnon, K.J. Osborn, Chig Okonkwo
Send to the Waiver Wire: Deshaun Watson, Jonathan Taylor, Tyler Lockett, Foster Moreau
Start ‘Em:
Quarterback: Derek Carr
Running Back: Brian Robinson
Wide Receiver: DJ Moore
Tight End: Dawson Knox
Defense: Chiefs
Sit ‘Em:
Quarterback: Deshaun Watson
Running Back: Tyler Allgeier
Wide Receiver: Marquise Brown
Tight End: David Njoku
Defense: Patriots
Sleepers:
Quarterback: Brock Purdy
Running Back: Zack Moss
Wide Receiver: Jauan Jennings
Tight End: Chig Okonkwo
Defense: Titans
NFL Picks for Week 16
Weekly Pick ‘Em (Season Record: 133-87-2)
Jaguars (vs. Jets)
Titans (vs. Texans)
Vikings (vs. Giants)
Browns (vs. Saints)
Bills (vs. Bears)
Chiefs (vs. Seahawks)
Bengals (vs. Patriots)
Lions (vs. Panthers)
Ravens (vs. Falcons)
49ers (vs. Commanders)
Cowboys (vs. Eagles)
Steelers (vs. Raiders)
Dolphins (vs. Packers)
Rams (vs. Broncos)
Buccaneers (vs. Cardinals)
Chargers (vs. Colts)
Five Picks Against the Spread (Season Record: 38-35-2)
Jaguars -1.5 vs. Jets
Bengals -3.5 vs. Patriots
49ers -7.5 vs. Commanders
Seahawks +9.5 vs. Chiefs
Rams +1 vs. Broncos
Five Over-Under Totals (Season Record: 46-29)
Texans-Titans under 38.5
Saints-Browns over 31.5
Falcons-Ravens under 37.5
Packers-Dolphins under 46.5
Buccaneers-Cardinals under 41.5
One Bold Prediction for the Week
Week 1: Baker Mayfield and Russell Wilson each throw for 300 yards and two touchdowns against their former team. (miss)
Week 2: Four different wide outs finish with over 100 receiving yards in the two Monday night games. (miss)
Week 3: Jalen Hurts has five total touchdowns against the Commanders. (miss)
Week 4: Lamar Jackson has more than 500 yards of offense against the Bills. (miss)
Week 5: Josh Allen finishes with more rushing yards than the entire Steelers offense. (miss)
Week 6: Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes combine for 800 yards of total offense in a potential preview of the AFC championship game. (miss)
Week 7: Derrick Henry has three rushing touchdowns against the Colts. (miss)
Week 8: The Colts rush for more than 200 yards against the Commanders. (miss)
Week 9: Davante Adams goes over 150 receiving yards after being held to one catch in Week 8. (missed by 4 yards on 17 targets)
Week 10: Justin Fields has his first 300-yard passing game on the season against Lions. (miss)
Week 11: The Patriots’ defense forces four turnovers against the Jets. (miss)
Week 12: Tua Tagovailoa throws five touchdown passes against the Texans. (miss)
Week 13: The Jets’ defense holds Justin Jefferson under 55 receiving yards (FINALLY, got one!)
Week 14: The Cowboys tally over 500 yards of total offense against the Texans. (miss)
Week 15: The Ravens throw for under 150 passing yards against the Browns. (win)
Week 16: Joe Burrow throws four touchdown passes against the Patriots.
Photo Credit: Kenya Allen/PressBox