An Early Guide to Fantasy Football Success in Week 16

Russell Wilson has come on late this season to become a fantasy football stud. With another huge performance last Sunday that included three rushing touchdowns, why wouldn't you want to start a quarterback who has the hot hand?

Well it just so happens Wilson is going up against the 49ers this week, who have one of the best defenses in the NFL.

Although it's only Tuesday, here is an early guide to fantasy football success and how to solve such dilemmas in Week 16.

Start 'Em

Tony Romo vs. New Orleans Saints

Last week against the No.1 defense in the NFL, Romo threw for over 300 yards and two touchdown passes. Just think about what he is going to do this week against the Saints' last-ranked defense. Expect 350 yards and at least two touchdown passes from Romo.

Matt Forte vs. Arizona Cardinals

Despite having a significant amount of touches this year, Forte has been a bust so far. After 15 weeks, Forte has only ran for 903 yards and scored four touchdowns. Pretty horrible numbers for a player that was a first-round draft pick in most fantasy football leagues. I know he has been a disappointment so far, but Week 16 is going to be the week that Forte shows some signs of life. The Chicago Bears are going up against the Cardinals who have the 28th-ranked run defense. If the Bears want to make the playoffs and end their losing streak, then they are going to have to give Forte the ball this weekend.

Steve Smith vs. Oakland Raiders

With Cam Newton on a roll late in the season, Smith has become one of the better fantasy receivers. In his last three games, Smith has 18 receptions for 286 yards and two touchdowns. Going up against the Raiders this week, look for Newton to be targeting Smith all game long.

Sit 'Em

Russell Wilson vs. San Francisco 49ers

Wilson is coming off a four touchdown performance, but fantasy football owners need to remember that it came against the Buffalo Bills. Going up against the 49ers defense this week, do not expect Wilson to put up big numbers. The 49ers have the No. 2 defense in the NFL and will hold Wilson to less than 200 total yards of offense.

Steven Jackson vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

In three of his last four games, Jackson has had at least 100 total yards of offense. However, the Bucs have the best run defense in the NFL, allowing less than 84 rushing yards per game. Even if Jackson gets 20 carries against this defense, he is not going to score double digit fantasy points this week.

Larry Fitzgerald vs. Chicago Bears

Poor Larry Fitzgerald. He is by far one of the most talented wide receivers in the NFL, but when his quarterback is Ryan Lindley, there is no way he is ever going to produce any fantasy points. I mean seriously, has there been a worse quarterback than Lindley? In five games, Lindley has thrown for only 611 yards, zero touchdowns and six interceptions. Besides his one game where he threw for 312 yards, Lindley has never thrown for more than 104 yards in any other game this season. Face it, you have to leave Fitzgerald on the bench for the rest of the year.

Sleepers

Sam Bradford vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Coming off an impressive performance in Week 15, where he threw for 377 yards and three touchdowns, Bradford is definitely worth starting this week if you are in need of a quarterback. The Bucs have the last-ranked pass defense in the NFL, allowing over 310 passing yards per game. Bradford will definitely throw for at least 250 yards and two touchdowns this week against Tampa's weak secondary.

Danny Woodhead vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

With Stevan Ridley and Shane Vereen both fumbling in New England's last game, Woodhead took advantage of his opportunity and was a stud, running for two touchdowns. If Ridley and Vereen are both still in Bill Belichick's doghouse this week, expect Woodhead to have another big-time performance. The Jaguars have the last-ranked run defense, so expect Woodhead to have no problems producing fantasy points against them.

Dwayne Harris vs. New Orleans Saints

Harris has slowly taken over the No.3 receiver role for the Dallas Cowboys offense and could have a big game this weekend. With 23 targets in his last five games, compared to Kevin Ogeltree's nine, Harris has a great matchup against the Saints secondary this week. The Cowboys are going to be shredding this secondary apart, so expect Harris to get a good amount of looks from Tony Romo.

Key Injuries

Jordy Nelson

If Nelson is unable to go again in Week 16, then James Jones, Greg Jennings and Randall Cobb should all be in your starting line ups this week. All three of them are coming off solid performances last week, including Jones who had three touchdowns. The Green Bay Packers go up against the Tennessee Titans this week, who have the 27th-ranked pass defense. Look for Aaron Rodgers and the Packers receivers to have a dominant performance.

Ryan Mathews

I said it during the entire preseason and I will say it again: Ryan Mathews is never going to be a legit fantasy football running back. With Mathews out for the season with an injury, fantasy football owners should look to pick up Jackie Battle. The San Diego Chargers are going up against the New York Jets in Week 16, who have the 29th-ranked run defense.