There are two weeks left of the greatest thing ever: fantasy football. Last week featured my worst week yet for starts and sits. I apologize to those who listened. Our starts and sits were opposites of each other. I followed the data, and it took a left turn off a cliff. Now, it is the semi-finals across leagues this week. Remember, match-ups are key in the fantasy football playoffs. A player you would never expect will end up helping you win a fantasy football championship. Here are Week 16’s quarterback and running back starts and sits.
Week 16 Quarterback Starts
Caleb Williams vs. Detroit Lions
The Lions’ defense has taken knockout punches all season long with injuries. Last week, they lost two more players for the season, Carlton Davis III and Jalen Reeves-Maybin. Injuries can very well be why the Lions lose their shot at the Super Bowl. The Lions overall are allowing the 16th most fantasy ppg to quarterbacks. The past month has been a different story. The Lions have allowed the most fantasy PPG to quarterbacks and now face Caleb Williams. Williams had the second-best game of his rookie season and a QB5 finish the last time he faced the Lions. Despite being sacked for fun, Williams has underachieved but still provided decent numbers for a rookie.
Aaron Rodgers vs. Los Angeles Rams
This Aaron Rodgers is not the same as the former four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers. Although he has shown flashes with some great moments this season, father time is getting to Rodgers. Last week, Rodgers had his best fantasy finish this season and seems to finally have clicked once again with Davante Adams. Rodgers was the QB4, and Adams was the WR1 in Week 15. The Rams have allowed the 10th most fantasy ppg to quarterbacks this season and the third most the past month. If Adams becomes a league winner, it will also reflect on Rodgers and his fantasy numbers. He is worth the start where this Jets team is just playing for pride, and two of the NFL players with the most pride are Rodgers and Adams.
Quarterback Sits
Jared Goff @ Chicago Bears
Jared Goff had a disastrous fantasy playoff performance a few seasons ago when he was on the Rams. Against the Bears, Goff threw four interceptions and had negative fantasy points. The Bears have been average the past month against quarterbacks but overall have allowed the fewest fantasy ppg to the position this season. Goff also had one of his lower fantasy outputs against the Bears this season. Goff is a dependent guy, and despite his QB2 finish against the Buffalo Bills last week, he is a sit in starts and sits for the fantasy football semi-finals.
Jayden Daniels vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Jayden Daniels has had three consecutive QB1 finishes and should easily win the Rookie of the Year award. The issue here is the match-up he has this week, the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles contained Daniels to 191 passing yards, 18 rushing yards, and a QB24 finish. The Eagles have been playing like the best team in football, being winners of ten consecutive games. He is a QB1, but what is at stake is too costly to rely on someone facing the best team in football.
Week 16 Running Back Starts
Tennessee Titans Running Backs @ Indianapolis Colts
Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears both found the end zone in Week 15. Spears scored twice and finished as the RB3. Pollard missed practice Thursday and seems to have an ankle injury that has bothered him for most of the season. Even if he plays, there is life for Spears, as the Colts are allowing the sixth most fantasy ppg to the position this season and the fifth most the past month. The answer is Pollard, but if you need a dart throw, look at Spears. The Colts have given up the 11th most receptions to running backs this season, and that is where Spears thrives.
Las Vegas Raiders vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
The same as the Titans’ running backs, the Las Vegas Raiders’ running backs both have a chance to be fantasy-relevant as they host the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jaguars are allowing the third most fantasy ppg to the position with 17 total touchdowns. Alexander Mattison will be the RB1, but I am more intrigued by Ameer Abdullah. Abdullah excels in catching the football, and the Jaguars have allowed 73 receptions to running backs this season, which is the sixth most. Abdullah is my biggest sleeper in starts and sits.
Running Back Sits
Brian Robinson vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Brian Robinson finished as the RB15 the last time he faced the Eagles. Scoring a touchdown is what saved him because he had just 63 yards on yards per carry of just 3.94. The Eagles have allowed only five rushing touchdowns to running backs the entire season. I just personally think no one can stop the Eagles on either side at this point in the season. The Commanders have a bright future, but in the semi-finals, Robinson is a sit.
D’Andre Swift vs. Detroit Lions
D’Andre Swift tricked us all at the start of this season. From Week 1-8, Swift was the RB16 with four RB1 finishes. Since Week 9, Swift has been the RB22 with zero RB1 finishes and more finishes as a RB3 than RB2. He was the RB30 the last time the Bears faced off against the Lions. The Lions have allowed the 14th most fantasy ppg to the position the past month, but it still does not make me confident in Swift, who has been a letdown the past two months. If the Bears stand a chance at winning, it will be from Caleb Williams throwing the football. Keep Swift on your bench.
Make sure to check out all of our Week 16 Fantasy Football Rankings and Analysis!