Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Week 16: Advice for Unfavorable Fantasy Football Matchups
A difficult matchup in fantasy football is exactly what it sounds like: difficult.
That's not the same as impossible, though.
While a stingy NFL defense can prevent a player from posting his typical production, some are able to breakthrough the stonewall in front of them.
Let's spotlight three players with difficult matchups on the docket and determine whether they should be started or benched.
Start: Jonathan Taylor, RB, Indianapolis Colts (at Atlanta Falcons)
1 of 3
Jonathan Taylor missed three games following thumb surgery and now returns to face a Falcons defense allowing the third-fewest fantasy points to running backs, per Yahoo.
It's a daunting task, but the all-purpose back should be up for the challenge. He typically dominates the Colts' carries and contributes in their passing game, too, and there are reasons to believe things will be the same in his return.
"He insisted he remained in good cardiovascular shape during his absence and does not expect his conditioning to be impacted by the missed time," ESPN's Stephen Holder wrote. "... Look for Taylor to get his usual workload, as he averaged 19 carries in the three games before his injury."
A healthy Taylor is one of the most talented backs in football, and he's good enough to show that even against dominant defenses. The last time he played, he drew a tough matchup in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and he still broke loose for 91 rushing yards and two scores.
Sit: Ty Chandler, RB, Minnesota Vikings (vs. Detroit Lions)
2 of 3
Ty Chandler is coming off the best game of his career, as he just ripped the Cincinnati Bengals (a middle-of-the-pack matchup) for 157 scrimmage yards and a score.
If that wasn't enough to secure Chandler a significant role going forward, Alexander Mattison is questionable with the ankle injury that sidelined him last season. There's a chance Chandler gets involved early and often in this game.
You should still stay away, though.
The Lions have allowed the second-fewest fantasy points to the position, not to mention the eighth-fewest rushing yards per game (95.9) and sixth-fewest rushing yards per carry (3.8). Even if Chandler operates as Minnesota's featured back, that may not mean much against this defense.
Start: Brock Purdy, QB, San Francisco 49ers (vs. Baltimore Ravens)
3 of 3
When the 49ers and Ravens lock horns in a possible Super Bowl LVIII preview on Christmas night, it will be the proverbial bout between the unstoppable force (San Francisco's offense, which ranks second in yards and third in points) and the immovable object (Baltimore's defense, which ranks second in yards and first in points allowed).
The Ravens defense is phenomenal. They've allowed the third-fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks. Just three quarterbacks have thrown for multiple scores against them, and even that trio combined for just seven scores and three interceptions with an average of 241.3 yards.
Could that mean Purdy is at risk for delivering one of his rare quiet stat lines? There's a risk, sure, but it isn't nearly great enough to outweigh the potential reward.
The MVP candidate has been on a tear recently, throwing 10 touchdown passes over his last three games and topping 300 passing yards with multiple scores in three of his last five. Earlier this season, he had a brutal-on-paper matchup with the Dallas Cowboys, and he scorched them for four passing touchdowns. Don't overthink this; keep starting Purdy with confidence until he gives you a reason not to.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
