Week 16 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Smart Sleepers to Exploit and Lineup Advice
The fantasy football playoffs are in full swing, and now, most leagues are set to have their semifinal matchups in Week 16. Four teams will be battling it out, but only two will advance to the championship game in Week 17.
If you've made it this deep into the fantasy season, then you likely have a strong roster. However, there's also a chance that you've been wise with every move and reached the semifinals despite a rash of injuries and underperforming players.
At this point, it doesn't matter how you've had success. All that matters is finding a way to win the Week 16 semifinal matchup to get into the championship tilt.
Here's some early start/sit advice for fantasy lineups heading into the most important week of the season thus far.
Start 'Em: Aaron Rodgers, QB, New York Jets
1 of 4
Even if the Jets have nothing to play for at this point in the season, their players can still be valuable in fantasy football. Among those who could help managers win a championship this season is quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who appears poised for a strong finish.
Rodgers has been putting up bigger numbers in December, as the 41-year-old threw for a season-high 339 yards vs. the Miami Dolphins in Week 14 and then had three touchdown passes against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 15. It was only his second three-TD game of the season, and he also passed for 289 yards in New York's victory.
In Week 16, Rodgers should have another strong performance. The Jets are set to host the Los Angeles Rams, who are giving up the second-most fantasy points to QBs over the past four weeks and the most over the past two weeks (per NFL.com).
The Rams are trying to win the NFC West, while the Jets will be looking to play spoiler. Regardless of how the game goes, expect Rodgers to air it out quite a bit to great success.
Sit 'Em: Isiah Pacheco, RB, Kansas City Chiefs
2 of 4
Fantasy managers have likely been disappointed by the play of Isiah Pacheco since his return from a fractured fibula. The Kansas City Chiefs' top running back hasn't rushed for more than 55 yards in any of his first three games back, and he also hasn't gotten into the end zone during that span.
Pacheco has received 27 carries over the past two weeks, but those opportunities haven't led to big numbers for the 25-year-old. That may not change in Week 16, when the Chiefs will host the Houston Texans, who are giving up the fourth-fewest fantasy points to RBs this season (per NFL.com).
Kansas City's offense also may not be rolling on all cylinders this week. Patrick Mahomes is dealing with an ankle injury, and if he is unable to play, then the Chiefs will have to turn to backup quarterback Carson Wentz.
If possible, it's best to stay away from Pacheco, as long as you have other running backs to fill the spots in your fantasy lineup. It's too risky to try to count on Pacheco again this week.
Start 'Em: Jalen McMillan, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
3 of 4
In recent weeks, Jalen McMillan has started to take on a larger role in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' passing attack. The 23-year-old rookie has scored three touchdowns over his past two games (two in Week 14 vs. the Las Vegas Raiders and another in Week 15 vs. the Los Angeles Chargers) after he hadn't gotten into the end zone since Week 1.
McMillan is also getting more passes thrown his way from quarterback Baker Mayfield. The Washington product has been targeted 13 times over the past two weeks, turning those opportunities into nine catches for 134 yards.
There's a good chance that McMillan will continue to build upon his recent performances in Week 16. The Bucs are going on the road to face the Dallas Cowboys in what should be a favorable matchup for their offense. The stakes are much higher for Tampa Bay (the NFC South leader) than struggling Dallas.
So if you're in need of a receiver to plug into your lineup, McMillan is a solid option. His output should be quite high, especially if he can get into the end zone yet again.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Sit 'Em: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Arizona Cardinals
4 of 4
For much of the 2024 season, fantasy managers have been waiting for Marvin Harrison Jr.'s breakout to begin. Instead, the Arizona Cardinals' rookie wide receiver has yet to become much of a factor in the team's offense.
Harrison hasn't recorded more than 60 receiving yards in any of his past six games, and the 22-year-old has scored only two touchdowns over that span. He also failed to capitalize on a favorable Week 15 matchup vs. the New England Patriots, notching only two catches for 32 yards despite being targeted six times.
The Cardinals should win in Week 16, when they're going on the road to face the Carolina Panthers. But Arizona may be able to keep the ball on the ground for much of the game in a favorable matchup.
It makes the most sense to leave Harrison on the bench this week and find wide receivers with a higher floor. This is not the time of the season when a manager can afford to have a player put up a small point total.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
