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Fantasy Football Start/Sit Week 16
Quarterbacks
Start – Cam Newton vs Buccaneers
The Carolina Panthers star quarterback Cam Newton broke out of a mini-slump last week against the Green Bay Packers throwing for 4 touchdowns. In the previous three weeks, Newton failed to record a 200 yard passing game and had a total of 3 passing touchdowns. So what was the reason for the drastic change? Newton’s opponent. Newton faced much stiffer competition in his previous three games facing off against the Jets, Saints and Vikings. He gets a sweet match-up this week against a depleted Buccaneers defense that could be missing key starters Gerald McCoy and Lavonte David. The Buccaneers aren’t playing for very much while the Panthers need to win this game to keep pace in a tight NFC South race with the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons. I fully expect Super Man Cam to be at the top of his game this week through the air and on the ground.
Start
- Case Keenum vs Packers
- Matthew Stafford vs Bengals
- Jared Goff vs Titans
- Nick Foles vs Raiders
Sit – Marcus Mariota vs Rams
Running Backs
Start – Devonta Freeman vs Saints
The Free is Back! The Falcons who usually rotate their running backs throughout the game have been rotating Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman as main ball carriers over the last 6 weeks due to both backs missing time with head injuries. From weeks 10-12 it was all Coleman as he received 59 carries, rushing for 223 yards and 4 touchdowns. In the last two weeks without Coleman, Freeman has gone for 217 yards on 46 carries and 2 touchdowns. The Falcons received good news as Coleman has passed the concussion protocol and looks to be ready to go this weekend in a big divisional game against the New Orleans Saints. While this is good news for the Falcons, Freeman’s fantasy owners can’t be too happy with this news as the running back’s load will be a bit lighter. I am here to tell you “No worries” as I expect Freeman to get the majority of the carries as Coleman gets worked into the offense slowly. Freeman has been a Saints killer throughout his career and the Falcons are relying on him to carry the offense with their MVP quarterback Matt Ryan struggling of late. Start Free confidently in your lineups this week.
Start
- Alex Collins vs Colts
- Latavius Murray vs Packers
- Giovani Bernard vs Lions
- Kenyan Drake vs Chiefs
- Dion Lewis vs Bills
- Christian McCaffrey vs Buccaneers
Sit – Orleans Darkwa vs Cardinals
Wide Receivers
Start – JuJu Smith-Schuster vs Texans
Is it JuJu or is it Martavis? I’ve contemplated which Steelers receiver will have the bigger game with the absence of Antonio Brown this week against the Houston Texans. The answer is Mr. JuJu Smith-Schuster. I actually believe both receivers are starts against a porous Texans secondary but if I had to choose one it will be Juju in my lineups. Smith-Schuster has the higher ceiling and floor as Ben Roethlisberger will look to target the rookie receiver early and often all over the field while Bryant will be dependent on a big play or a touchdown. The Texans haven’t been the same since the loss of Deshaun Watson and the defense has allowed 27 passing touchdowns and the 5th most PPR points to wide receivers. Roethlisberger’s home/road splits are a concern but the match-up and the targets make Smith-Schuster one of the best plays of the week.
Start
- Stefon Diggs vs Packers
- Marvin Jones vs Bengals
- Robert Woods vs Titans
- Tyreek Hill vs Dolphins
- Devin Funchess vs Buccaneers
- Larry Fitzgerald vs Giants
- Martavis Bryant vs Texans
- Michael Crabtree vs Eagles
Sit – Robby Anderson vs Chargers
Tight Ends
Start – Greg Olsen vs Buccaneers
We finally saw the Greg Olsen we all grew accustom to last week against the Green Bay Packers. Olsen broke his foot in Week 2 and was put on the injured reserve (designated to return) list rendering this predominantly a lost season. After spending 9 weeks on the shelf, Olsen made his triumphant return in Week 12 but after putting up just 1 catch for 10 yards in two weeks, some might have been hesitant to start him last week against a Packers defense that has played solid against opposing tight ends. Wrong! The veteran went out there and had himself a ballgame catching 9 of his 12 targets for 116 yards and a touchdown. He can’t be ignored this week against a Tampa Bay defense that has been reeling. The Panthers will score a lot of points this week and Olsen more than likely will be a main benefactor.
- Eric Ebron vs Bengals
- Delanie Walker vs Rams
- Charles Clay vs Patriots
Sit – Cameron Brate vs Panthers
Defense to stream
Chicago Bears vs Browns
Got to pick on the win-less Cleveland Browns and their turnover prone quarterback DeShone Kizer. The Bears record isn’t much better but they know how to play defense. Look for turnovers this weekend in the Windy City.
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