Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Week 16: Advice for Fringe Flex Fantasy Football Starters

It takes a combination of luck, skill and hard work in order to have a successful fantasy football season. That's why it's a huge accomplishment for fantasy managers who still have a chance to win their league's championship to be in that position.

The playoffs got underway in the majority of fantasy leagues last week, with the winners advancing to semifinal matchups in most formats. Some leagues may not be opening the postseason until this week. Either way, the most important games of the NFL season are now taking place, for fantasy purposes.

In order to make it past Week 16 (and possibly into your league's championship matchup), you must have the optimal lineup in place. So here is some start/sit advice to help with potential fringe flex decisions for this week.

Start 'Em: Jamaal Williams, RB, Detroit Lions

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - DECEMBER 18: Jamaal Williams #30 of the Detroit Lions runs with the ball as Will Parks #39 of the New York Jets defends at MetLife Stadium on December 18, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

For much of the season, Jamaal Williams has been a touchdown machine. He scored 14 TDs over his first 12 games, and the 27-year-old running back got into the end zone multiple times in five of those contests.

Williams' production has slowed a bit the past two weeks, though. Despite getting 29 carries over that span, he's rushed for only 70 yards (an average of 2.4 yards per attempt). And he also didn't score a touchdown in either of those games.

Week 16 should provide an opportunity for Williams to be a strong fantasy producer again. The Lions are going on the road to face the Carolina Panthers, who just gave up 156 rushing yards against the Pittsburgh Steelers last week.

Detroit should have success on the ground, making D'Andre Swift and Williams worthy of starting consideration in fantasy lineups. Plus, Williams hasn't had three consecutive games without a touchdown all season, so he's due to get back into the end zone.

Sit 'Em: Brian Robinson and Antonio Gibson, RBs, Washington Commanders

AP Photo/Rich Schultz

Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. (8) celebrates his 1-yard touchdown run with Washington Commanders running back Antonio Gibson (24) during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2022, in Philadelphia. The Commanders defeated the Eagles 32-21. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz)

It's not wise to start running backs when they're going up against the San Francisco 49ers this season. The matchup is less than ideal, considering the 49ers are allowing an NFL-low 74.7 rushing yards per game and giving up the fewest fantasy points per game to RBs, per NFL.com.

Washington running backs Brian Robinson and Antonio Gibson have both had high points during the 2022 campaign and been start-worthy fantasy players at times. But neither can be trusted in lineups in Week 16, when the Commanders will be playing in San Francisco.

Robinson has been the primary back out of Washington's backfield of late, but he'll likely need a touchdown in order to have a decent fantasy output this week. And the 23-year-old rookie hasn't gotten into the end zone in either of his past two games.

Gibson has had nine or fewer rushing attempts over his past three contests and hasn't scored a touchdown since Week 10. This isn't the week he'll get back on track.

Steer clear of both Commanders RBs, as the 49ers will likely shut them both down.

Start 'Em: Richie James, WR, New York Giants

AP Photo/Susan Walsh

New York Giants wide receiver Richie James (80) celebrates after converting on a fourth down reception during the first half of an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

If you're in need of a sleeper flex option, Richie James is a solid wide receiver to consider in Week 16. He isn't the most consistent fantasy performer, but there are reasons to believe the 27-year-old will produce a solid output this week.

James has scored three touchdowns over his past five games. He's also been targeted five or more times in three of the past four weeks, so his involvement in the Giants' offense has been increasing.

Now, New York is going on the road to face the Minnesota Vikings. And while that's a tough matchup in some aspects, the Vikings have not been good against the pass. They're allowing 278.8 passing yards per game (the second-most in the league) and giving up the third-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers, per NFL.com.

The Giants should have plenty of success through the air in what could be a high-scoring affair, and James may once again find the end zone. So if your roster is shorthanded because of injuries, he could be a potential high-reward player to plug in at the flex spot.