Gus Edwards and more from the Chargers

Happy semifinal week! It’s hard to believe that fantasy football season is almost over. Here are the players to watch out for in Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Week 16.

Last week’s success rate for Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em was about 50/50. Starters Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Jonnu Smith were the top scorers, but Tua Tagovailoa disappointed while Jared Goff had an incredible game.

Note: This article is intended for players who are considered flex options or for matchup-specific reasons. You won’t see players like AJ Brown or Josh Allen here because they should always be in the starting lineup.

Fantasy Football 2024: Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Week 16

Quarterbacks

Start: Matthew Stafford

Matthew Stafford has had ups and downs this season, including the last two weeks. However, the Jets’ defense is what was feared at the beginning of the season. They have allowed three of the last four quarterbacks to throw for over 270 yards. This favors Stafford and the Rams. Expect a catch-up game on Sunday.

Sitting: Michael Penix

If this were Week 7, there might be a reason to get aggressive and start Michael Penix. However, starting a rookie quarterback in a semifinal game is the fantasy football version of playing fire. That’s not to say Penix won’t be good, but it’s a big risk to play against him unless you’re just playing for pride.

Seated: Caleb Williams

Caleb Williams rushed for more than 250 yards and three touchdown passes in the last game against Detroit. However, this was largely due to the large gap the Bears found themselves in early in the second half. This time Chicago should tighten things up. As a result, things could be as difficult for Williams as they have been the past two weeks.

Read more: Fantasy football quarterback rankings Week 16

Running backs:

Start: Jerome Ford

Jerome Ford is once again the Browns’ primary running back and has a strong matchup against Cincinnati this week. With Dorian Thompson-Robinson starting for Cleveland, the team will rely on Ford and the running game much more than Winston. Ford is a great play this week for those in need of an RB2 or flex player.

Seated: Gus Edwards

The decline from JK Dobbins to Gus Edwards is noticeable after Edwards struggled to get three yards per carry in Week 15. He has another tough matchup against the Broncos on Thursday night in a playoff-like atmosphere. Edwards is very touchdown-dependent, so he’s not worth the risk of playing in Week 16.

Start: Tony Pollard

Tony Pollard didn’t have the best performance for the Titans against the Bengals. However, he is now a week healthier and the Colts defense is struggling to stop the run and pass. Pollard ran for nearly 100 yards and touchdowns in Week 6 against Indianapolis, and he should have a chance to repeat that this week.

Read more: Upside Plays of the Week

Wide receiver:

Start: Jauan Jennings

Jauan Jennings is the top target in the 49ers’ offense. His performance in Week 15 wasn’t great, but there’s reason to believe it will improve. Jennings scored eight goals in Week 15, so it’s clear that Purdy prefers to throw the ball to him. He has a good matchup against the Dolphins this week and is worth being a flex play.

Sitting: Christian Watson

Christian Watson has racked up 170 yards in the last two games, but he’s still not the most trusted target. Jordan Love distributes the ball too much and the receiver with the most targets changes every week. Watson should only be played when necessary. So use it when you have better options.

Start: Josh Downs

The Colts offense was terrible in Week 15 against the Broncos, but Josh Downs is someone to consider for Week 16. He has been the top receiver for Indianapolis this season and the Titans are a more favorable matchup than the Broncos. With the Colts’ playoff hopes on the line, they need to get the ball on downs.

Read more: Fantasy Football Week 16 Wide Receiver Rankings

Tight ends:

Start: David Njoku

Even though the Browns will be run-heavy now with Thompson-Robinson under center, Njoku should see a lot more targets coming his way. He will be the biggest beneficiary of the passing game, especially in receptions. This gives him an advantage in PPR formats, but is still worth starting in standard leagues.

Read more: Kendre Miller Fantasy Outlook

Seated: Jake Ferguson

Jake Ferguson has been a fantasy disappointment this year. He hasn’t recorded more than 40 receiving yards since Week 9, and that was just one of four weeks in which he hit the mark. Cooper Rush just doesn’t throw much his way at all. Even with a decent matchup against Tampa Bay, you shouldn’t take any chances on Ferguson.

Main photo courtesy of Gary A. Vasquez – Imagn Images