Let’s dive into some news and notes around the league, my top fantasy plays and favorite picks for Week 16.
Notes:
• Congrats on being in the fantasy football playoffs! No matter how the regular season finished, you have made it into the dance. The decisions you make the next two weeks will either lead you to a championship or a heartbreaking end to a winning season.
• Quarterbacks came to play in Week 15. Four scored more than 30 points. Jared Goff and Lamar Jackson each threw for five touchdowns, while Josh Allen finished with four touchdowns total. Aaron Rodgers went back in time with a 30-point performance, and Devante Adams looked to be his old self as well. If you advanced because any of these quarterbacks, keep riding them while they are hot. That includes Rodgers, who is someone to consider for anyone who has Patrick Mahomes.
• Several injuries impacted fantasy teams this weekend. Patrick Mahomes suffered a high ankle sprain. David Montgomery is out for the rest of the season due to a knee injury. Alvin Kamara exited early with a groin injury. Nick Chubb broke his foot. Jaylen Waddle left with a knee injury. Kenneth Walker and George Pickens missed Week 15 and could be out this week as well. Not the ideal time to lose these players, but there are promising options available if needed. Make sure to check my waiver-wire additions and player rankings for the best additions to your roster.
• While some roster decisions are no-brainers, matchups matter when making choices on your FLEX, defense and kicker. I know I am repeating myself, but make sure to keep in mind the opponent and weather when finalizing your starting lineup. I am upgrading players on the Cardinals, who play the Panthers this week. I am downgrading Steelers in their matchup against the Ravens.
Thursday Night Game: Broncos vs. Chargers
Saturday Games: Texans vs. Chiefs, Steelers vs. Ravens
Sunday Night Game: Buccaneers vs. Cowboys
Monday Night Game: Saints vs. Packers
Start ‘Em:
Quarterback: Aaron Rodgers
Running Back: Jerome Ford
Wide Receiver: Khalil Shakir
Tight End: Hunter Henry
Defense: Falcons
Sit ‘Em:
Quarterback: Russell Wilson
Running Back: D’Andre Swift
Wide Receiver: DeAndre Hopkins
Tight End: Jake Ferguson
Defense: Steelers
Sleepers:
Quarterback: Mac Jones
Running Back: Kendre Miller
Wide Receiver: Jalen Coker
Tight End: Brenton Strange
Defense: Jaguars
NFL Picks for Week 16
Weekly Pick ‘Em
Chargers (vs. Broncos)
Texans (vs. Chiefs)
Ravens (vs. Steelers)
Bengals (vs. Browns)
Lions (vs. Bears)
Cardinals (vs. Panthers)
Eagles (vs. Commanders)
Falcons (vs. Giants)
Colts (vs. Titans)
Rams (vs. Jets)
Vikings (vs. Seahawks)
Bills (vs. Patriots)
Dolphins (vs. 49ers)
Raiders (vs. Jaguars)
Buccaneers (vs. Cowboys)
Packers (vs. Saints)
Five Picks Against The Spread
Texans -2.5 vs. Chiefs
Steelers +6 vs. Ravens
Cardinals -4 vs. Panthers
Eagles -3 vs. Commanders
Colts -4.5 vs. Titans
Five Over-Under Totals
Broncos-Chargers under 42.5
Browns-Bengals over 48
Rams-Jets over 42.5
Vikings-Seahawks under 42
49ers-Dolphins over 46
One Bold Prediction for the Week
Week 1: Jayden Daniels finishes as a top-five fantasy QB against the Buccaneers. (Off to a good start!)
Week 2: Greg Dortch finishes as a top-25 wide receiver against the Rams. (WR89 — yikes!)
Week 3: Derek Carr makes it three straight weeks as a top-five fantasy QB against the Eagles. (Major miss)
Week 4: Malik Nabers remains WR1 after scoring two touchdowns against division rival Dallas Cowboys. (Still WR1, but no TDs)
Week 5: A running back will finish with more than 100 rushing yards and 100 receiving yards for the first time this season. (Not even close)
Week 6: A tight end — a position that has been AWFUL to this point — leads all position players in scoring this week. (Close! Cole Kmet finished No. 6)
Week 7: The four rookie QBs — Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye and Bo Nix — combine for more fantasy points than the top four quarterbacks drafted this summer — Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson and Jalen Hurts. (Miss)
Week 8: Courtland Sutton finishes as a WR2 or better after failing to earn a single target last week. (JUST missed. WR25!)
Week 9: Tight ends keep rolling, with four tight ends scoring 20-plus points. (Tight end struggles continue)
Week 10: A receiver, back or tight end will account for more than 200 yards of offense. (Ja’Marr Chase did it on Thursday night)
Week 11: The running backs finish with more touchdowns than the quarterbacks in the Chiefs-Bills matchup. (Miss)
Week 12: The Eagles’ defense holds both Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua to under 100 receiving yards. (Miss)
Week 13: Six rushing touchdowns are scored between Lamar Jackson, Jalen Hurts, Derrick Henry and Saquon Barkley in the showdown between the Eagles and Ravens. (Miss)
Week 14: Caleb Williams finishes as a top-five QB against the 49ers. (Miss)
Week 15: Sincere McCormick finishes as a RB2 or better against the Falcons. (Miss)
Week 16: The Raiders and Jaguars score more points than the Steelers and Ravens.
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