Fantasy Football Week 16: Start’em / Sit’em
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Last week: 28-9-4, Season: 315-149-49 (68%)
Fantasy Football Week 15 Picks Recap:
After a sluggish start with my picks during the start of the fantasy playoffs, I finally got back on track and hopefully helped some of my readers out with a 76% success rate last week.
My start’em picks were spot on (18-3-1) with my only misses on rookie Javorius Allen (-10), Brandon Bolden (-4) and Bryce Brown (-3), who didn’t look anything like the guy who saved my fantasy season back in 2012 when he was with the Eagles.
As for my good picks, David Johnson (+32), who outdid his projection by more than any other player all season, Brandin Cooks (+14), Kamar Aiken (+14), Jordan Reed (+13), Tyrod Taylor (+12), Zach Ertz (+111) and Drew Brees (+10) all out performed their projected point totals by double-digits.
Fantasy Football Week 16 Picks:
Note: Only players started in less than 75% of Yahoo leagues will be eligible for the start’em category. The purpose of this column is advice on players that might not be every week starters. I’ll usually list at least one “Deep Sleeper” pick for players started in less than 10% of Yahoo leagues who I think are under-projected.
If you have questions about specific players, hit me up on Twitter or in the comment section and I will get back to you before this weekend’s games. Good luck in your fantasy playoff match-ups this week and go Bears!
*Sorry for the last post, got screwed by airport WiFi once again!
Start’em
Quarterback
Ben Roethlisberger, @BAL (66%, 21) – Outside of one bad performance in week 14 against the Bengals, the Steelers offense has been unstoppable. Last week he threw for 380 yards and 3 TDs against the Broncos, who have been the best pass defense in football easily this season. With multiple receiving weapons, a power running game, and an O-line playing as well as any in football, Roethlisberger is a must-start against a pathetic secondary like the Ravens.
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Blake Bortles, @NO (61%, 22) – Has four consecutive starts with over 25 fantasy points and is facing the absolute worst defense in the league in New Orleans. Mediocre QBs have been putting up huge numbers against the Saints and Bortles is worth a start even if it’s your championship match-up this week. There are only a few QBs I’d start over him this week (Ben, Russell, Cam), The Saints are that bad.
Tyrod Taylor, DAL (29%, 18) – Has been running more every week and has flashed some legit starting QB potential the last few weeks. Dallas has a tough pass D, but Taylor is averaging just over 27 fantasy points per game over the last four weeks and I don’t think the match-up against a Dallas team with nothing to play for should even be a concern.
Jay Cutler, @TB (11%, 16) – Has done more with less than any QB in the league. Cutler has played most of the season behind a make-shift O-line with a group of practice squad quality receivers, but has had a respectable season. The Bucs pass D is nothing special and I think Cutler puts up 20 plus easy this week playing against Lovie Smith’s vanilla scheme that he seen plenty of over the years. If you are relying on Cutler in your fantasy championship, you have my utmost respect, but this could be a week where helps carry your squad to a victory.
Next: Start'em: Running Back