Biggest starting/sitting decisions for Week 16 (Fantasy Football)

Congratulations on making it this far – well done, Footclan! I knew you would rise to the challenge (ba dum tss). But now it’s time for the crisis. Welcome to Week 16, the Fantasy Playoff Semifinals! This is the week that separates the contenders from the contenders. Now it’s all about winning to keep the dream of the championship alive. We were hit with a wave of RB injuries and some benching on the QB side, leaving many of us in distress. No Montgomery? No Jameis? It’s time to adapt and take the decisive steps. I’ll help you navigate these difficult lineup decisions with the Fantasy Footballers Start/Sit Tool. Let’s dive in, get you locked up and loaded, and make sure you get one step closer to the championship trophy!

The Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams connection is officially back in business. It took a while for the two to get on the same page, but things are now turning. Over the last two weeks, Rodgers delivered back-to-back 100-yard performances for Adams, who also reached the end zone three times during that span. Last week, Adams missed 200 yards by just three yards. While the Jets may not have playoff aspirations, Rodgers still has a lot to prove. Pride and legacy are at stake, and he is determined to remind everyone that he still has “it.”

Rodgers, Wilson and Adams do it for the imagination. pic.twitter.com/EFizlqFovk

– Fantasy Footballer (@TheFFBallers) December 18, 2024

This week the Jets travel to LA to take on the Rams, a team fighting tooth and nail for the NFC West crown. The Rams, currently tied with Seattle at 8-6 (but holding the tiebreaker), are in must-win mode. With the Seahawks facing a tough matchup against the Vikings, a win here would be huge. Translation: LA will pull all stops and the jets out it will have to Keep up. The game line is set to 46.5 points, which is pretty high, and yet I’m still betting on the over. The Rams’ defense isn’t exactly a fortress against the pass and ranks as the 11th easiest matchup for QBs per Strength of Schedule tool.. Rodgers and Adams should find plenty of opportunities to light up the scoreboard.

What is the opposite of heating up? Well, yes, that is Exactly what Tua did last week. That’s what we like to call it a “Jameis game” – four turnovers. Four. The was a significant departure from the consistent performances we have become accustomed to. The game highlighted a worrying pattern: Tua’s difficulty facing stiffer competition. His recent success against weaker teams looked promising, but this latest performance raises questions about his ability to handle pressure when the stakes are higher. Speaking of pressure: He faces the San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers have established themselves as an elite pass defense, allowing QBs to average 15.8 fantasy points. They have only allowed 17 passing touchdowns all season. It’s Week 16. Miami will also be without Jaylen Waddle this week. Tua himself was only able to train to a limited extent all week due to a hip injury. For me there are too many warning signs here.

Verdict: Compete against the Ballers and move into the championship fight with Aaron Rodgers.

Due to the injuries to Nick Chubb and Alvin Kamara, we are carefully reviewing their insurance policies starting this week. But which one will produce this? better Fantasy performance is the question. Andy threw his confidence behind Jerome Ford and named him his beginning of the week. With Jameis on the bench, the Browns will likely lean on the run to prevail against a lazy Cincinnati Bengals run defense. How lazy? They rank 31st in schedule-adjusted fantasy points allowed at the position over the last six weeks.

“In the last five games, Cincinnati has allowed a top-15 RB in every game, including two top-5 finishes.” -Kurt Mullens Fantasy matchups to consider.

Last season, Ford recorded more than 15 carries in six different games, but this year? Zero. That changes this week. He’s proven he can deliver with a heavy workload, and with matchups against the Bengals and Dolphins, Ford could emerge as a waiver wire league winner for managers lucky enough to snag him.

“Arrrrgh! Ma Groin!” – Alvin Kamara via GroinIndex.com.

Welp, losing Alvin Kamara in the fantasy playoffs is absolutely brutal. He is the RB2 on the season, averaging 19 fantasy points per game. Now Kendre Miller gets the opportunity. Alvin Kamara is an absolute unit, but the Saints’ O-line and run blocking are also among the best in the league. Kamara’s fantasy dominance relied heavily on his receiving game – something Miller is very comfortable with. Whether or not Derek Carr fits in this game will determine how efficient this offense will be. Without Carr, I expect the Saints offense to have a lot of threes and not a lot of chances, especially in the red zone. Since it’s a Monday night game, keep an eye on Carr’s practice status through Saturday. With so few weapons left in this offense, Miller could make a great fantasy play just on sheer volume. He had to sit out most of his career due to injury, which didn’t go down well with the coaches. This could be his big chance to prove his worth on this team.

Verdict: Jerome Ford. You have to keep up with the man who faces the worst run defense in the league. While Kendre Miller has a compelling narrative and is a strong option, Ford has consistently delivered when the opportunity has presented itself. This matchup is simply too exciting to pass up.

I’ve already broken down Kendre Miller’s matchup and opportunity, so let’s dive in straight in Isiah Pacheco. Pacheco hasn’t broken away from Kareem Hunt since his return. Last week, the two defenders split the runs evenly, with each recording 13 attempts. Unfortunately, Pacheco’s efficiency was abysmal – just 32 rushing yards on a meager 2.5 yards per carry. The Chiefs face the Houston Texans, who allow 17.2 fantasy points per game to running backs. This sounds promising at first glance, but don’t be fooled. The Texans have been one of the stingiest teams against the run of late, ranking in the top 10 for fewest rushing yards allowed over the past three weeks. As if that wasn’t enough to put the brakes on Pacheco, the Chiefs also welcomed back Marquise “Hollywood” Brown. With another dynamic weapon in the passing game, Kansas City could take the lead even more about Patrick Mahomes and the Air Raid. Between splitting carries with Hunt and a tough duelPacheco’s upside appears to be limited this week. Andy warned while Thursday’s episode that he would “go to great lengths not to play him.”

Verdict: Kendre Miller.

Ahh, rookie vs. vet. Adam Thielen has been impressive since returning from IR and has proven that age is just a number. He has averaged 77.25 receiving yards over the last four games, showing he is still a reliable target and capable of consistently racking up yards. Even though there haven’t been any touchdowns recently, his consistent performance in the yard department makes him valuable. This week, the team’s receiving corps faces additional challenges with Xavier Legette out with a hip injury and Jalen Coker listed as questionable with a quadriceps issue. If Coker can’t keep up, it will likely draw even more targets in Thielen’s direction, making him a potential volume-based player. Keep an eye on the injury reports, but Thielen’s combination of experience and a depleted WR room could lead to another productive outing for the “old man.” The Panthers face the Arizona Cardinals in Week 16 – a matchup that might seem intimidating on paper, but isn’t as daunting as it seems. Over the last four games, the Cardinals’ defense against wide receivers has been average. They have given up 548 yards and three touchdowns in that span, an average of 137 yards per game. Not exactly restricted area though not give too much away either.

AAfter Andy’s touchdown guarantee two weeks earlier, Jalen McMillan hasn’t been able to stop scoring since! Three total for the third-round rookie during that time. Is this a coincidence or reality? Well, the Ballers are Hungry for more McMillan. He has seen a significant increase in usage. His target share increased from 11-13% to 32-39%. He has averaged 20.2 fantasy points over the last two weeks.

Hungry for more Jalen McMillan pic.twitter.com/dQytvKWb9p

– Fantasy Footballer (@TheFFBallers) December 19, 2024

McMillan is in an ideal position this week against the Cowboys. Vegas has a total play count of 48.5, so we’re expecting plenty of fireworks. Last week, Cooper Rush dropped three touchdowns and is ready to do so again by taking on Tampa Bay’s soft-passing defense. The Bucs need to rally. Speaking of weak secondaries, Dallas isn’t much better. They are tied with Tampa at the bottom of the league, giving up 1.9 points above expectations to wide receivers. Adding to their problems, Micah Parsons came down with the flu, according to Friday’s injury report. He’ll probably put on his suit, but it’s something to keep an eye on. What concerns me most this week is Baker Mayfield’s injury. After his NFC Offensive Player of the Week performance, an injury scare was the last thing we needed. Luckily, after two full training sessions, all systems are up and running.

Verdict: Both receivers provide a solid foundation – Thielen’s consistent effort and McMillan’s favorable matchup make this a difficult decision. Still, I’m leaning towards McMillan. His effort in the red zone is hard to miss, and the recent uptick in his involvement is truly encouraging. With the Buccaneers fighting for a playoff berth, this game is shaping up to be a high-scoring one, and McMillan is poised to be a big contributor.

It’s semifinal week in the fantasy playoffs and now is the time to trust the buzz and the preparation that is brought You’re ready. Lean in Footballer toolstrust your instincts and make the clutch start/sit calls while keeping your eyes on the ultimate prize. Let’s hold on and keep the momentum towards the championship trophy! Do you have questions about the launch/session or would you like to develop a strategy? Call me To X—I’m always here to help. Good luck Footclan and most of all I hope you have a Merry Christmas full of family, football and festive cheer. let us go Get the win!