Fantasy Football Week 16: Big Board and Advice for 'Monday Night Football'

Closing out for what will be many fantasy football championships features two teams that are just a little different than when the season began.

For all the marbles, it will be the Cincinnati Bengals on the road to take on the Denver Broncos.

On the Bengals side, this will be quarterback AJ McCarron's second career start, and, as we all know, Brock Osweiler will be quarterbacking the Denver Broncos.

This game has huge playoff seeding prospects, and this should be an extremely gritty game.

Both of these teams are exceptional on defense, and that will be the name of the game on Monday Night Football.

Odds Shark has the Broncos as a three-point home favorite.

This game will be very close. If you're thinking about wagering, this may be a game you want to avoid.

I'll give the edge to the home team, 16-13.

Big Board

Eric Risberg/Associated Press

Here's the Monday night big board:

Rank	Name	Pos.	Team
1	Demaryius Thomas	WR	Denver Broncos
2	Emmanuel Sanders	WR	Denver Broncos
3	Tyler Kroft	TE	Cincinnati Bengals
4	Brock Osweiler	QB	Denver Broncos
5	Ronnie Hillman	RB	Denver Broncos
6	AJ McCarron	QB	Cincinnati Bengals
7	A.J. Green	WR	Cincinnati Bengals
8	Giovani Bernard	RB	Cincinnati Bengals
9	Vernon Davis	TE	Denver Broncos
10	Jeremy Hill	RB	Cincinnati Bengals

Injury Report

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Cincinnati Bengals

• Andy Dalton, QB, Out (Thumb)
• Tyler Eifert, TE, Out (Concussion)

Denver Broncos

• C.J. Anderson, RB, Probable (Back/Ankle)
• Peyton Manning, QB, Out (Foot)
• T.J. Ward, SS, Questionable (Ankle)

Injury reports courtesy of ESPN.com.

Quarterbacks

George Gojkovich/Getty Images

Cincinnati Bengals: AJ McCarron

In the first start of his NFL career, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback AJ McCarron threw for 192 yards and one touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers.

In Week 16, McCarron will go up against a Denver Broncos defense that allows the least fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks.

Projections: 180 passing yards, 1 TD, 2 INT.

Denver Broncos: Brock Osweiler

In Week 15, Broncos quarterback Brock Osweiler threw three touchdowns, his most in a single game in his career.

In Week 16, Osweiler will face a Bengals defense that allows the second-fewest fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks.

Neither quarterback in this game is much of an option.

Projections: 210 passing yards, 1 TD, 1 INT.

Running Backs

Don Wright/Associated Press

Cincinnati Bengals Starter: Jeremy Hill

As we come toward season's end, Cincinnati Bengals running back Jeremy Hill has yet to log a 100-yard rushing performance.

Going into Week 16, Hill will face a Denver Broncos defense that ranks 19th in terms of fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs.

However, Hill will need a touchdown to be a relevant fantasy option in Week 16.

Projections: 35 rushing yards, 1 reception, 10 yards.

Cincinnati Bengals: Giovani Bernard

Bengals running back Giovani Bernard has been disappointing as of late.

To this point in the season, Bernard has zero receiving touchdowns.

However, if there is a silver lining, it is that Bernard saw the most carries he's had in a game since Week 5 with 14.

This matchup poses too much of a risk to expect a big game from Bernard.

Projections: 20 rushing yards, 2 receptions, 20 receiving yards.

Denver Broncos: Ronnie Hillman

In Week 15, Broncos running back Ronnie Hillman played just one more snap than fellow running back C.J. Anderson.

However, Hillman saw way more action, carrying the ball 14 times, and he added seven receptions. Those seven receptions were almost as many as Hillman had on the season going into Week 15.

The Bengals allow the fourth-fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs.

Projections: 45 rushing yards, 2 receptions, 15 yards.

Wide Receivers

Fred Vuich/Associated Press

Cincinnati Bengals: A.J. Green

As we saw in Week 15, Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green put up a frustrating stat line of one reception for 37 yards in his first game with quarterback AJ McCarron starting.

This week, Green will draw Denver Broncos cornerbacks Aqib Talib and Chris Harris Jr.

Green should exceed the line from Week 15, but do not expect anything big in this tough matchup.

Projections: 3 receptions, 40 yards.

Denver Broncos: Demaryius Thomas

On the season, Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas has seen double-digit targets in every game except four this season.

Thomas has been on a bit of a hot streak lately, hauling in four touchdowns in his last five games.

The Bengals have allowed just 11 touchdowns to opposing wide receivers this season, but Thomas should come up with one given the targets he should see.

Projections: 5 receptions, 60 yards, 1 TD.

Denver Broncos: Emmanuel Sanders

In Week 15, Broncos wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders had his fourth 100-yard game of the season.

Also in Week 15, Sanders caught his first touchdown since Week 9 and now has the same amount of touchdowns as Thomas.

Sanders should have a healthy amount of catches but will be kept out of the end zone.

Projections: 7 receptions, 80 yards.

Tight Ends

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

Cincinnati Bengals Starter: Tyler Kroft

With fellow tight end Tyler Eifert out with a concussion, the Cincinnati Bengals will turn to Tyler Kroft as the lead tight end in Week 16.

In Week 15, Kroft caught the first touchdown of his young career.

If the Denver Broncos are generous in any area, it is to opposing tight ends.

Going bold here—Kroft will find the end zone again in Week 16.

Projections: 3 receptions, 40 yards, 1 TD.

Denver Broncos: Vernon Davis

In Week 15, Broncos tight ends Vernon Davis and Owen Daniels each played in 42 snaps.

Coming over from the San Francisco 49ers midseason, Davis still has yet to find the end zone.

Davis is too risky an option to start in your championship matchup.

Projections: 3 receptions, 30 yards.

Defense/Special Teams

Don Wright/Associated Press

Cincinnati Bengals Defense/Special Teams

Both the Cincinnati Bengals and Denver Broncos defenses will be fine plays in Week 16.

The Bengals rank third in the league in interceptions.

Play them with confidence.

Denver Broncos Defense/Special Teams

Coming into Week 16, the Denver Broncos are the second-highest scoring fantasy defense.

Don't stop now.

Best Sleeper Add

Gary Landers/Associated Press

Tyler Kroft, TE, Cincinnati Bengals (Owned in 1.1 percent of ESPN Leagues)

If you're in need of a tight end going into the final game of your fantasy football championship, look no further than Cincinnati Bengals tight end Tyler Kroft.

Start or Sit?

Frank Victores/Associated Press

A.J. Green, WR, Cincinnati Bengals

It will be tough to sit Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green, but this has the makings of a down game for the star wide receiver.

Verdict: Sit

All advanced stats courtesy of Pro Football Focus. All fantasy numbers courtesy of ESPN.com.

Follow me on Twitter @RichardJanvrin.