The Fantasy Footballers’ Starts of the Week for Week 16
Let’s do a stress test for those in the semifinals; how are we feeling? Are you as stressed as I am with every little decision? I got to the playoffs in several leagues because of players who are now hurt; thank you Chargers. I am in a bit of a spiral with what I should do now with those roster spots I had trusted for the entire season! I sincerely hope you are not in the same boat as I am and that your roster is a juggernaut that your league mates dread having to face week in and week out, but if you are like me, then it’s a good thing that Andy, Mike, and Jason are here for us. On Thursday, they laid out their Starts of the Week and did their best to bring some confidence to some players where doubt had crept in or to give you that needed push to trust the guys you have been. To check out Thursday’s full episode, click the link below.
Of course, if you are looking for even more insight and guidance, you need to make sure you are a member of the #FootClan so you can get all the perks that go along with our website. To get that access, you must head to jointhefoot.com and sign up. You can also join our Discord community and find people who love fantasy football just like you and are there to help you achieve the ultimate goal of bringing home a #FootClanTitle. Let’s get to The Fantasy Footballers’ Starts of the Week for Week 16.
Andy’s Starts of the Week
QB – Joe Flacco @ HOU
In Flacco’s three starts, he has thrown the ball 44, 45, and 44 times. The Browns let him sling the ball all over the field because they cannot run it. Flacco has a clear connection with Amari Cooper and David Njoku, who have been quality producers for Flacco. The Texans rank 27th in schedule-adjusted fantasy points given up to QBs. The math checks out: many passing attempts, good targets to throw to, and an opponent who allows points to QBs. If the game is a high-scoring affair, there is a chance Flacco gives you a big week.
RB – Raheem Mostert/De’Von Achane vs. DAL
Andy is saying to trust Achane, but the Miami running game should feast this week. The Dallas defense was torn apart last week by James Cook. If Tyreek Hill misses another game, Achane will have to be used more in the passing game against the Cowboys. Dallas plays man coverage a ton, which makes them susceptible to athletic running backs in space. Mostert leads the league in touchdowns and averages 17.4 fantasy points per game. Achane sees a target on 22% of his routes run and sports PFF’s highest Elusive Rating. Both running backs can eat in this matchup with a team-implied 26.5 total. So don’t fear playing both options.
WR – Stefon Diggs @ LAC
It has been a rough couple of weeks for Diggs. The Ballers have received a lot of questions on whether teams should bench him in the playoffs, but Andy is here to say, “Do not bench Stefon Diggs.” He is facing a Chargers defense that gave up three good games to Raiders WRs Davante Adams, Tre Tucker, and Jakobi Meyers. Diggs has an excellent opportunity to take advantage of this defense that ranks third in most WR receiving yards per game and 26th in expected points per pass attempt. The Bills can get up early in this game, and Diggs could be a primary reason why.
TE – David Njoku @ HOU
Andy wants to highlight the TE2 in the last two weeks to pair with Flacco. Njoku is one of Flacco’s favorite targets, and since Week 7, he has been averaging nine or more targets per game and is the TE1 over that span. Houston ranks 27th in schedule-adjusted fantasy points to TEs, and Njoku should continue his solid run against them.
Jason’s Starts of the Week
QB – Justin Fields vs. ARI
Since Fields returned from injury, the Bears’ offense is playing at a blistering pace. Chicago is running 68.8 plays per game, the third most in the NFL over the last five games. To go with that, Fields is taking over on the ground, running 12.3 times per game. Now he faces a defense of Arizona who ranks 31st in points per game allowed at 26.9 and 26th in schedule-adjusted fantasy points allowed to QBs. Arizona also allows a first down or a touchdown on 40% of their opponents’ pass attempts, the highest rate in the NFL. Fields has been cooking since he returned, and this week should be another feast.
RB – Bijan Robinson vs. IND and Breece Hall vs. WAS
Since two running backs are allowed, Jason wanted to have fun with Andy. Last week both Bijan and Breece Hall pooped the bed as they combined to score 2.2 half-PPR fantasy points. However, this week, they both have plus matchups. Bijan faces a Colts defense that ranks 26th in rush yards per game and 26th in expected fantasy points per rush. Also, to add to Bijan’s hope, Atlanta plays much better at home than on the road. Breece Hall faces a pitiful Commanders defense that is mailing it in now. Washington is 31st in schedule-adjusted fantasy points given up to the RB since Week 8. The last six RBs to face the Commanders all finished in the top 10: Kyren (RB5), Achane (RB4), Pollard (RB9), Saquon (RB1), Kenneth Walker (RB5), and Rhamondre (RB3). Both players should rebound from the pain they put you in last week, and you should start them this week.
WR – Amari Cooper @ HOU
Cooper is being force-fed the ball by Joe Flacco. Cooper has 22 targets and 186 receiving yards in the last two games. The team is throwing the ball at a very high rate, and Cooper leads the team with a 25% target share versus zone coverage. Since Week 6, Houston ranks 27th in schedule-adjusted fantasy points allowed to WRs. Over the season, they are allowing the third-highest completion percentage. The usage rate for Cooper is too good to keep him on your bench.
TE – Evan Engram @ TB
Engram is quietly having a historic season. He is on pace for 107 receptions, which would tie for the fourth most all-time at the TE position. He is also on pace for 587 routes run, which is top-10 all time. He has become a genuinely steady and dependable TE, the only TE this season to have four or more targets in every game. He faces a Buccaneers defense allowing the third-highest yards per attempt, which ranks dead last versus TEs since Week 8. Schmevan has morphed into something you can play with confidence each week.
Mike’s Starts of the Week
QB – Baker Mayfield vs. JAX
Baker was the QB1 last week. He went to Lambeau and had a perfect passer rating against the Packers. He has more top-12 finishes than Dak Prescott, with seven top-12s to Dak’s six. Meanwhile, Jacksonville is 29th in schedule-adjusted fantasy points given up to the QB and allows 271 passing yards per game, which is 28th in the NFL. If you are searching for a start this week, Mayfield against the Jaguars’ pass funnel defense could be a good one to go with.
RB – Ezekiel Elliott vs. DEN
Over the three weeks without Rhamondre, Zeke has seen 22, 30, and 17 opportunities, including the passing game with 16 receptions in those three games. Denver has improved since the Miami debacle early in the season but still gives up the most rushing yards per carry in the NFL at 5.2 yards. Last week, Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery ate the Broncos up for 185 yards. The weather looks like it could be snowy, and that could mean Zeke gets even more opportunities.
WR – Tee Higgins @ PIT
Higgins erupted last week with two touchdowns. Cincinnati is throwing the ball at an enormous rate with Jake Browning at QB. In Browning’s four games, he has completed 75% of his passes, averaging 9.1 yards per attempt. In the small sample size of four games without Ja’Marr Chase since 2021, Higgins has seen a bump in production. He usually averages 6.9 targets but goes to nine without Chase, 62 receiving yards generally up to 93, and 11 fantasy points up to 15.5. Pittsburgh isn’t scary to play, so get Higgins into your lineup.
TE – Isaiah Likely vs. SF
Likely has been the TE4 in back-to-back weeks. He has been the primary read for the offense since the Week 13 bye. He leads the team in target percentage, play action target percentage, receptions, and receiving yards. The matchup seems scary, but San Francisco has been giving up the most points over expectation to the TE over the last five weeks. Trey McBride just went 10-for-102 last week against the 49ers. If you need a Christmas miracle Monday night, Likely could be an excellent place to look.