'Who Needs Reality?': Excellent Fantasy Football Starts for Week 16

If you've made it to Week 16 in your seasonal fantasy football league, congratulations. For most leagues, this is championship week, and while playing in a do-or-die final game is very stressful, you've officially had a good season. 

Now, after a quick pat on the back, it's time to focus. The good news is that this year, unlike some others, not much has been locked up in the way of NFL playoff seeding, so there are no teams resting starters. 

With everyone free to use and playing to win, here are some recommended starts to help you out in the crucial Week 16 of fantasy football. 

Please remember that I use a standard scoring system when projecting these points:

• One point per 10 rushing or receiving yards
• One point per 25 passing yards
• Six points for each rushing or receiving touchdown
• Four points for passing touchdowns
• Minus-two points for interceptions and fumbles lost

Additionally, be sure to stay tuned to the official NFL injury report to get the word on who's in and who's out come game day.

Finally, please remember that with this column, I intend to list players you should start who wouldn't be ultra-obvious picks. Therefore, I won't be telling you to start Peyton Manning, Matt Forte, Julio Jones, etc. 

Quarterbacks to Start

Rick Osentoski/Associated Press

Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford killed it on Thanksgiving against the Chicago Bears, and I expect him to do so again in a huge game for the Lions. The Bears are in disarray, have benched starting quarterback Jay Cutler and are out of the playoff race. To add insult to injury, their defense allows the most points in the league.

Expect Stafford and the Lions to perform well on offense in a game that can easily turn into a runaway. 

• 340 yards, three touchdowns and one interception = 23 points

Other Solid Ball-Throwers

• Mark Sanchez, Philadelphia Eagles: I'm not usually a "recommend Mark Sanchez person," but I'll recommend just about any professional quarterback against the Washington Redskins. Their defense is horrible, and the Eagles are both coming off a loss and in a must-win situation. Last week, my recommended start of the week was Eli Manning against Washington, and it worked out wonderfully. 

• Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers: It's tough to not like Big Ben a lot this week when the Steelers host the Kansas City Chiefs. He's been superb at home throughout his career, and this season is no exception. A common trend this week among recommended starts? Most of the players are playing in very crucial games to their teams' playoff standings. The Steelers fit this bill. 

Running Backs to Start

Steve Nesius/Associated Press

It's actually a great week for sleeper running backs. While I expect big games from the usual suspects, I also think some lesser-known backs will flirt with the top of the leaderboard.

One of these players is Tampa Bay Bucs running back Doug Martin. Martin's name is not highly regarded in fantasy this season. He was a universal top-12 pick, yet he's been an absolute dud. The Bucs have been a mess all season, and Martin has suffered from both poor play and playing for a bad team.

This week against the Green Bay Packers, I think Martin has a chance to come through with a big game. It's certainly risky to start him in your fantasy playoffs, but if you're dealing with an injury to a starter, you could do worse. It's worth noting that for his price, he's a great play in daily leagues. 

• 85 yards and one touchdown = 14 points

Other Solid Ball-Runners

• Matt Asiata, Minnesota Vikings: Asiata is another sleeper I love at running back this week. The Vikings have been playing some inspired football of late, and while they are playing purely for pride at this point, they are a fun young team. Asiata has been a workhorse for them this season and will continue to be this Sunday in Miami. He's not a fast or flashy runner, but he's a truck who will find the end zone if the Vikings give him red-zone carries. 

• Joseph Randle, Dallas Cowboys: Randle is a big "if" play—the "if" being whether or not DeMarco Murray plays. If Murray suits up, Randle can't be started, as it's too risky to predict whether Murray will carry the whole workload or need assistance. Should Murray sit out, however (as I think he will), Randle is a fantastic start. The Dallas offensive line is good enough for almost any running back to succeed. 

Wide Receivers to Start 

Don Wright/Associated Press

There's literally an endless array of wide receivers I love this week. Almost every "stud" has a great matchup, in my opinion. Outside of those guys, there's a lot of sleepers and B-level guys I'm excited about.

One of them is New Orleans Saints wide receiver Kenny Stills. The Atlanta Falcons defense is so, so bad, and the Saints will finally have control of the NFC South should they win. While it seems like no one wants to win this division, I trust the Saints the most to win out and make the postseason. Stills should be a major part of the Saints' victory on Sunday. 

• Seven catches, 101 yards and a touchdown = 16 points (23 in PPR)

Other Solid Pass-Catchers

• Marquess Wilson, Chicago Bears: Jimmy Clausen is starting at quarterback for the Bears, which means we can pretty much throw anything we know about this offense out. I think Wilson will get a ton of playing time, and I think Clausen will look his way often, and the two likely know each other well from practicing on the second-string squad for most of this season. 

• Jordan Matthews, Philadelphia Eagles: With the favorable matchup against the Washington Redskins, everyone is starting Eagles wide receiver Jeremy Maclin, and everyone should be starting his teammate Matthews as well. Multiple wide receivers should be able to succeed for the Eagles in this game. 

• Donte Moncrief, Indianapolis Colts: With his teammate and fellow receiver T.Y. Hilton questionable to play, Moncrief may be the backup who finds himself a starting role this week. Moncrief's talent is raw yet undeniable, and if Hilton sits or is limited, he'll need to play a huge role for Indianapolis to win in Dallas.

Tight Ends to Start  

AJ Mast/Associated Press

I think Indianapolis Colts tight end Dwayne Allen is going to be a stud this week. The Cowboys struggle immensely against opposing tight ends, and while fellow Indianapolis tight end Coby Fleener splits time with Allen, Allen is the greater red-zone threat. Don't expect much yardage from him, but do expect a score or two. 

• Five catches, 35 yards and two touchdowns = 15 points (20 in PPR)

Other Fantastic Tight Ends

• Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs: I think I'm cursed a little bit when it comes to projecting Kelce, so maybe take this one with a grain of salt, yet I do love Kelce's matchup in Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Chiefs are going to have to be effective on offense in order to win this game, and Kelce is basically their No. 1 wide receiver. The stars are aligned for a big game.  

• Julius Thomas, Denver Broncos: Thomas returned from injury last week and was not highly involved, but to be fair, the Denver offense was sluggish all day. I expect Denver to return to their pass-happy ways this week on Monday Night Football, and I think Thomas will find the end zone. He tends to be good in prime time, so roll with him. 

Joe Rapolla Jr. covers the Denver Broncos and fantasy football for Bleacher Report. He's an NFL and fantasy nerd who is always asking, "Who Needs Reality?"