NFL Fantasy Start and Sit Week 16 Review: Don't Kill the Messenger

We nailed it on the head with several key vouches in our Week 16 player picks, and if you took any advice from our Start/Sit Column , you may have escaped with your league's title this week.

Read on to see how our pick's fared, who the winners and losers were, as well as some short analysis as to how they fared .

Start: 4-1

Sit: 2-3

Sleeper: 1-4


Winners

Brett Favre , QB, Minnesota Vikings (Start)

Favre did next to nothing in a scoreless first half on Monday night but erupted in the second half and finished the game with 320+ passing yards and two touchdowns, including the game-tying score that forced overtime. He was clearly a solid play for Week 16 and should have staved off his haters for at least one more week.

Alex Smith, QB, San Francisco 49ers (Start)

Smith didn't put up the insane numbers we (and you) were hoping for against a putrid Detroit Lions pass defense, but 230 passing yards, a touchdown, and zero turnovers will do just fine. It wasn't an elite day, but the solid numbers and zero mistakes made Smith a quality QB1.

Jerome Harrison, RB, Cleveland Browns (Start)

We bought into Harrison's role more than his production, and regardless of the reasoning, it paid off. Derek Anderson's return ended up having little to do with Cleveland's win, as expected, and Harrison proved to be an elite RB2 play.

Jonathan Stewart, RB, Carolina Panthers (Start)

Stewart did more than we could have ever hoped for, as he ran all over the New York Giants run defense, rushing for 206 yards and a touchdown, en route to Carolina's 41-9 trouncing of the Giants on the road.

Eli Manning, QB, New York Giants (Sit)

Manning proved to be a terrific sit call as he struggled all day and scored just one touchdown (with two picks) as he led the Giants to just nine points in an embarrassing loss at home to the Carolina Panthers.

Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers (Sit)

We give Mendenhall credit for getting in the end-zone on a four-yard run, but other than that, he was a bust for a RB2 play. He managed just 40 total yards and even fumbled the ball, making him an excellent sit call for your playoff game.

Matt Moore, QB, Carolina Panthers (Sleeper)

Moore threw three touchdowns for the second straight game, helping the Panthers to their second straight win. He's coming out of nowhere to be a solid fantasy play, but could have a difficult time next week against the New Orleans Saints, especially without star receiver Steve Smith.


Duds

Jay Cutler, QB, Chicago Bears (Sit)

We should have known Cutler would go-off against a pass defense that allowed Matt Moore to have its way with them. Cutler was still a good sit-call based on his awful performances in recent weeks, but kudos to you if you defied our logic, as he threw for four touchdowns in a Bears victory on Monday night.

Matt Ryan, QB, Atlanta Falcons (Sit)

Ryan surprised everyone with a stellar game against an elite Buffalo Bills pass defense, as he passed for three touchdowns, no picks, and 250 yards through the air. We still wouldn't have picked him with that match-up, but we have to give credit where credit is due. Ryan laid it on thick in Week 16.

Terrell Owens, WR, Buffalo Bills (Start)

Go ahead. Ask us. "What were you thinking?"

Really, we're still not sure. We thought Owens would have some luck against the Falcons' weak secondary, but it blew up in our faces as Owens saw just four passes and ended with under 40 total yards on the day. Weak sauce.

LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, San Diego Chargers (Sit)

We messed up with a "sit" vote for LT, as he topped 60 total yards and two touchdowns, despite giving way to Darren Sproles half-way through the Chargers' blowout win over the Tennessee Titans.

Brian Brohm, QB, Buffalo Bills (Sleeper)

We thought Brohm would have a chance against a vulnerable Falcons pass defense, but we were dead wrong.

Charlie Frye, QB, Oakland Raiders (Sleeper)

We dug deep for Brohm and were holding out some hope for Frye, as well, and narrowly missed out on a decent day from the former Browns quarterback. Frye topped 330 yards passing but failed to throw a touchdown while tossing three picks. Not a quality day by any league's standards.

Michael Bush, RB, Oakland Raiders (Sleeper)

Bush did continue to get the majority of the touches at running back, but the production we saw last week just wasn't there. Bush ran well (5.2 ypc) but still only finished with 59 total yards and no scores. A average Flex play, at best, in Week 16.

Lance Moore, WR, New Orleans Saints (Sleeper)

No one can figure Moore out. Whether it's his injuries, role, or ability this season, he just isn't a reliable option and proved it once again in Week 16 by failing to register a single catch against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.