Sit em, Start em – Week 16
Championship week is upon us and we will give you the goods on ten players we suggest to either sit or start this week. Of course we will answer all of your sit/start questions on twitter or via our sit/start tool which can give you instant answers on any player or position.
Start Em
Andre Williams – Anyone who has seen the Giants play knows that Williams is one of the most exciting and violent runners since Adrian Peterson, Alfred Morris and Marshawn Lynch; however we are still waiting for his talent to shine consistently. Rashad Jennings has been ruled out for week 16 and Williams makes for a high upside start for the finals. Williams’ yards per carry has been horrible in all but one game this year as Williams seems to be just as happy trying to run people over as he is finding the hole and exploding through it for a higher yards per carry clip. Lets just say it is no fluke that two of Williams’ best game of the season came when he saw over 20 carries. Williams is a volume, wear you down and beat you up, ground and pound type back who needs to eat to defeat and he should be able to do just that vs the Rams in week 16. Start Williams wherever possible.
Branden Oliver – We all know Oliver had some big days earlier in the season and this week vs the 49ers Oliver has some opportunity for success. Typically thought of as a hard nosed run defense the 49ers have quietly give up some big game to player like Tre Mason, Marshawn Lynch, Demarco Murray, Mark Ingram and Ronnie Hillman. We expect Oliver to push for 100 yards from scrimmage this week and possibly find the end zone against a team that has given up more rushing touchdowns this year than they have in the two previous years combined. Start Oliver where needed.
Josh Gordon – Josh Gordon has been subpar that last two weeks and some may actually be considering benching their stud receiver for the all important championship week. We are here to tell you to start your stud. Widely considered Qb proof prior to Johnny Manziel’s faceplant of an NFL debut as a starter Gordon should be in line for double digit targets and at least Wr2 value for week 16. We expect Gordon to post something close to a 6-110-1 line this week as Manziel has proven to be able to get big numbers out of his top receiver as he did in college with the less talented Mike Evans. Star Gordon with confidence this week as a WR1 with a WR2 floor.
Jordan Matthews – Matthews posted a bagel last week and cots many fantasy owners including yours truly their semi finals matchup in various leagues across the globe. Matthews however has proven he is a top tier talent in this league and is a weekly must-start despite the disappointing performance. This week Matthews has a plus plus matchup versus Washington and he needs to be in fantasy lineups for all of his owners. Matthews is our 20th ranked receiver for week sixteen.
Mark Sanchez – After struggling the past few weeks we believe Sanchez will have an easy bounce back game against Washington. There are some trains of thought that the Eagles will look to ground and pound but the simple fact of the matter is that the Eagles need to use this game to get Sanchez ready for the playoffs if the Eagles hope to advance. Sanchez should post 270+ yards with 2 touchdown this week against a depleted and defeated Washington secondary. Start Sanchez as a QB1.
Sit Em
Michael Floyd – With the Cardinals down to their fourth string QB and Floyd struggling for the better part of the year the prudent thing to do this week is to keep Floyd nailed to the bench with the Seahawks on the schedule. Nothing more really needs to be said about this widely talented wide receiver who has suffered through what is for all intents and purposes an aberration season. The Cardinals need to make sure to upgrade their Qb depth so their young stud receiver does not suffer through the indignity of such a bad season again.
Harry Douglas – With Julio expected back this week it is time to send Douglas beck to fantasy benches. He has been nothing more than a role player when Julio and Roddy are both healthy and has lost snaps to Devin Hester, that will not change this week if Julio is indeed healthy enough for a return to the lineup. Sit Douglas in all but the ocean deepest of formats.
Colin Kaepernick – Kaep has struggled so bad this season the scuttlebutt is that being on a pay-as-you-go contract as he is that he might be let go and follow coach Jim Harbaugh to Oakland in the off-season. Kaepernick has an embarrassment of skill position riches but has failed to capitalize on their talents. Kaep has thrown for over 300 yards only once this season and has rushed for over 50 yards only twice. The problem here is we all know that Kaep has game breaking talent and thus don’t not want to be the fantasy GM that sits him when he goes off but the risk at this point is simply not worth the reward. Sit Kaep in all but the 20+ team league formats.
Doug Martin – There may be some of you out there who have Doug Martin as a flex option this week but we are here to suggest leaving him on the fantasy pine as you have done with him most of the season. Charles Sims seems to finally be coming into his own and Martin has struggle all year aside from his 63 yard scamper last week. Martin had a solid 14 carries for 96 yards but only 33 on 13 carries if you take away the long run and counting on a middling back to break a long one in championship week is a recipe for disappointment.
Matt Asiata – Yes he scored a touchdown last week but this is not someone anyone who made it to their fantasy football finals should even be pondering in any but the deepest of leagues but we are here to tell all owners regardless of league size to leave the touchdown dependent Asiata on fantasy benches. He is ranked as a flex option due to his rushing TD upside and his passing game involvement (he tied for team lead in receptions in week 15) but this is one of the least talented current ‘starters’ in the league and those in the finals should not plug in a player with as low a floor as Asiata.
