Fantasy Football

Fantasy Football Players to Start or Sit: Week 16

Sean Patterson continues the "Start or Sit" segment and offers advice for Fantasy Football players on who should be in their line-ups week 16. Sean notes the teams that have favorable schedules down the stretch as well.

By Sean R. Patterson Dec 17, 2013, 11:49pm EST

It is championship time fantasy players! This edition is a little longer since most of you are playing your championships this week. I know you are looking for guys with good match ups for a flex spot. I am doing the same in two of my three leagues (I finished 5^th in the other one, womp womp). Also, Jamal Charles for fantasy MVP! Am I right?

If you are ever having some issues with your line-ups, like who to start between a guy you drafted high with a bad match-up and an ok player with a great match-up, I always go with the better player. Teams are playing for the playoffs in the NFL right now and the great ones tend to step up. So if you are stuck between two guys, remember the guy you drafted high and is a stud. Remember, if you have concerns about specific players, feel free to leave a comment with your player concern or tweet (@Spatters91) me and I will try to help you out.

Guys to Start:

Phillip Rivers: Oakland has given up the 4^th most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season. Phillip will need to show up and play well for the Chargers to stay in the palyoff race. That is very likely against this weak Raiders team.

Collin Kaepernick: Atlanta has given up the 5^th most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season. Did you see how good Kirk looked gainst these guys? No more words are needed.

Giovani Bernard: Minnesota has given up the 5^th most fantasy points to running backs this season. The Bengals need to win this game to have a chance to win the division. Giovanni is the better running back by far, and I am sure the Bengals coaching staff has noticed.

Le’Veon Bell: Green Bay has given up the 12^th most fantasy points to running backs this season. Bell is a monster and the Packers are a not a great defensive unit. Bell was effective against a tough Bengals defense. Bell is also a great pass catcher. This should be a fun game for running backs.

Pierre Garcon: Dallas has given up the 6^th most fantasy points to wide receivers this season. Pierre crushed it last week. Roll with the hot hand that is trying to break Art Monks record for receptions in a season. Kirk will be passing a lot (so that we can showcase him and get a first round pick for him…right), so that will benefit Garcon.

Brandon Marshall/Alshon Jeffery: Phillidelphis has given up the most fantasy points to wide receivers this season. These two should destroy the Eagles defense. It should be a fun day for the high flying Bears offense. Does anyone else think the Bears are going to win the Super Bowl because the Redskins beat them? Because I do.

Michael Crabtree (Waiver Option): Atlanta has given up the 8^th most fantasy points to wide receivers this season. I started him last week in one of my leagues, and it paid off. Crabtree is still the number one on a top notch team in a great match-up. The Falcons should get killed by the 49ers.

Delanie Walker (Waiver Option): Jacksonville has given up the 2^nd most fantasy points to tight ends this season. Tight Ends with good match-ups are about as good as you can do unless you have one of the top guys. Walker should rake in a touchdown with Ryan Fitzpatrick in for the Titans.

Guys to Sit:

Tom Brady: Baltimore has given up the 10^th fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks this season. Without Gronkowski, Tom Terrific is playing terribly again. In a tough match-up on the road, I would not expect much out of Brady.

Pierre Thomas/Darren Sproles: Carolina has given up the 5^th fewest fantasy points to running backs this season. Bro, this game in not in the Dome. And this duo did not fair so well in New Orleans. I would avoid them both this week.

Ray Rice: While New England has given up the 14^th most fantasy points to running backs, Rice is awful. If you have him, you likely aren’t in your championship anyways. But just in case you are, do not start him.

Steven Jackson: San Fransisco has given up the 8^th fewest fantasy points to running backs this season. Jackson just is not the same running back. If you picked him up when someone else dropped him in your league, find someone else to start. San Fransisco is too nasty for running backs, especially ones on terrible teams.

Rashard Mendenhall/Andre Ellington: Seattle has given up the 4^th fewest fantasy points to running backs this season.

Marques Colston: Carolina has given up the 3^rd fewest fantasy points to wide receivers this season. When the Saints are not at home and are in tough match-ups, I would just avoid all of them.

Favorable:

Eagles: CHI

Cowboys: @WAS

Redskins: DAL

49ers: ATL

Bears: @PHI

Lions: NYG

Dolphins: @BUF

Bengals: MIN

Cleveland: @NYJ

Broncos: @HOU

Steelers: @GB