Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em for Week 16: Fantasy Football Super Bowl Edition

Start ‘Em

Mike Williams of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers gets a tasty match-up this week vs the Seahawks secondary which has allowed the third most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers. Williams is a low-end WR1 in this match-up and needs to be started in all leagues…no exceptions.

Larry Fitzgerald is a rock solid play this week even with Skelton slated to be behind the helm. Fitz exploded last week for nine receptions and can be trusted this week. He has been inconsistent this year but should be started in all formats for the fantasy super bowl. Interestingly the talented wide receiver has averaged more yards per game this year than last. Fitzgerald sqaures off against the Cowboys who have allowed the most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers of any team in the NFL.

Stevie Johnson needs to be started in all leagues as the Bills square off against the porous Patriots secondary which has allowed the fouth most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers. At this point most owners should consider Johnson and every week starter but those who drafted well and acted fast on the wire may have a multiplicity of enviable options. With that said David Nelson is, depending on your league size, a solid flex2 play in deeper leagues and is currently available in 100 percent of Yahoo! leagues.

Peyton Hillis and the Cleveland Browns square off against the Baltimore Ravens and although we usually sit our running backs against the Ravens, Hillis proved match-up proof in his contest with them earlier in the season. Hillis gashed the Ravens D for a season high 6.5 yards per carry for 144 yards and a touchdown in week 3…and this was in Baltimore. Look for the Browns to give Hillis all the work he can handle in both the passing game and the running game. Hillis is a RB2 this week.

Arian Foster is a little banged up following last weeks contest but needs to be in fantasy lineups for the fantasy football super bowl. I don’t need to tell a contending manager to play his or her studs but injury issues may lead to some hasty decisions especially in light of the recent Adrian Peterson debacle. Foster gets to sink his teeth in the Broncos friendly run defense that has allowed more fantasy points to opposing running backs than any other team in the league.

Darren McFadden looks to continue his dominant fantasy season against a beatable Indianapolis Colts run defense that has allowed the sixth most fantasy points to opposing running backs. McFadden should trash the Colts for over 100 total yards while Michael Bush may prove a fantasy factor as well. McFadden is a rock solid RB1 this week.

Felix Jones and the Dallas Cowboys square off against the Arizona Cardinals run defense that has allowed the 2nd most fantasy points to opposing running backs. With the recent injuries to the Cowboys receiving corps expect both Jones and Choice to also be involved in the passing game as well. Felix Jones is a RB3 with RB2 upside in Week 16.

Tim Tebow is worth a gander in two QB leagues as he squares off against the worst pass defense in the league in the Houston Texans. As evidenced last week and throughout this storied college career Tebow can get it done with his feet as well which only increases his potential upside this week. If you’ve made it this far you have done it without Tebow and unless you have one of our sits in your lineup we don’t recommend the somewhat risky start.

Ryan Fitzpatrick has been a revelation this season and squares off against a suspect New England Patriots secondary in Week 16 in what is shaping up to be a potential shootout. The Patriots have allowed the fifth most fantasy points to opposing signal callers and should allow both Fitzpatrick and Johnson to have solid days. Fitzpatrick is a rock solid QB2 and a very low-end QB1 in Week 16.

Josh Freeman gets a tasty match-up this week against the Seattle Seahawks. Freeman now has a new weapon at his disposal in Arellious Benn who has been steadily improving and opposing defenses can no longer just key in on stopping Mike Williams and Kellen Winslow. The Seahawks have allowed the fifth most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks and are tied with the Patriots in that dubious category.

Sit ‘Em

Chad Ochocinco should be on fantasy benches this Sunday during the all important Week 16. He obviously has the skill and potential to go off against any team but if you have better options than sitting him against the Chargers who have been the number one defense against fantasy wide receivers may pay off. The Chargers have allowed the fewest fantasy points to opposing wideouts and will now be paying Ochocinco extra attention with Terrell Owens done for the season. Ochocinco is downgraded to a WR3 this week.

James Jones may seem like an appealing play this week after going off last week and leading his team in both targets and receptions but with the Giants on the slate fantasy owners are recommended to look elsewhere. The Giants have have allowed the sixth fewest fantasy points to opposing wide receivers and despite the probable return of Aaron Rodgers this week he is not a suggested play.

Matt Forte squares off against the Jets this week and is a serious boom or bust play. The Jets have allowed the second fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs and do not represent an attractive match-up in such a critical week. Matt Forte does have upside as he doubles as a receiving threat out of the backfield. You may need to start him due to a lack of more appealing options but he should be the object of sit/start questions this week.

Jonathan Stewart owners run into the misfortune of running into the Steelers number one rated run defense in Week 16. The Steelers are the only team in the NFL to give up fewer than 800 total rushing yards this season and lead the league in limiting fantasy points to opposing running backs, Stewart has the unique skill set required to have a big day against the Steelers but you may not wish to risk your season on that gamble. I have him in one of my leagues and despite him being arguably one of the top five running backs in the NFL and one of my favorite players I am sitting him in this this critical week.

Brandon Jackson will be a popular pickup this week in the leagues he is still available in after his surprising Week 15 performance but he is not a recommended play against the New York Giants. The Giants have allowed the third fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs this year and if you’ve made it this far you should have better options.

Mark Sanchez has been hot and cold all season and the forecast calls for some more cold for Mark Sanchez when he squares off against the formidable Bears defense this week. Sanchez should be on fantasy benches even as a QB2 as the Bears have allowed the fifth fewest fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks this season.

Carson Palmer has been hit or miss all season but may still be being considered as an option in two QB leagues. Palmer has just lost one of his top two weapons in Terrell Owens who is out for the season with a torn meniscus and squares off against the NFL’s number one ranked pass defense in the San Diego Chargers. The Chargers have allowed the fest fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks and make Palmer someone to leave on fantasy benches for the fantasy football super bowl.