Fantasy Football – Week 16 Start 'Em And Sit 'Em

By Derek of The Sportmeisters

Welcome to the best time of the year Sports Fans. Here is where I will tell you who I think you should start or who I think you should sit for your fantasy team. This year, I will give you your obvious must starts (guys you start every week no matter who they play), a few players from each position who you should start, a sleeper start 'em, and a must sit 'em. Also, I will be giving projections for those players. It’s playoff time! This will be my final Start 'Em And Sit 'Em of the season, as most leagues don’t play in Week 17. I hope I have helped you this year and that you continue to request my assistance with fantasy sports throughout the year. Enough talk, let’s get down to business!

QB Obvious Must Starts

Drew Brees—NO vs. TB—Projection: 300 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT

Tom Brady—NE vs. JAX—Projection: 275 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT

Aaron Rodgers—GB vs. SEA—Projection: 350 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT

Kurt Warner—ARI vs. STL—Projection: 300 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT

QB Start 'Em

Matt Schaub—HOU vs. MIA—Schaub has thrown for 365 yards in two consecutive games and has three touchdowns and just one interception in those games. This week, he faces the Miami Dolphins and their 23rd ranked pass defense in a game that is a must win, or they will be fully eliminated from the playoff race. Start 'Em. Projection: 300 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT

Alex Smith—SF vs. DET—While Smith has had his troubles in the last two weeks (three touchdowns to five interceptions), nothing heals an ailing Quarterback like a visit from the Detroit Lions and the worst pass defense in the NFL. Sleeper Start 'Em. Projection: 255 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT

QB Sit 'Em

Peyton Manning—IND vs. NYJ—I can’t believe I am actually writing this, but you have to bench Peyton Manning this week. The Colts are 14-0 and have home field advantage through the playoffs locked up. Eventually, they will rest their starters, and that is not good news for fantasy owners. Even if he plays most of the game, he has a really tough matchup vs. the New York Jets, who have allowed just eight touchdowns through the air all year and have the best pass defense in the NFL. You just can’t trust him this week with the possibility of being pulled, especially in the fantasy playoffs/finals. Sit 'Em. Projection: 125 yards, 1 ID, 1 INT

Jay Cutler—CHI vs. MIN—Cutler started the year great, but has gotten to the point where you just can’t trust him with interception (he leads the NFL with 25). This late in the year, you can’t have a Fantasy QB like that, especially against the Minnesota Vikings and their 16th ranked pass defense, which must be pissed after Carolina dominated them last week. Must Sit 'Em. Projection: 150 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT

RB Obvious Must Starts

Adrian Peterson—MIN vs. CHI—Projection: 100 yards Rushing, 1 TD, 3 receptions, 25 yards

Steven Jackson—STL vs. ARI—Projection: 100 yards Rushing, 1 TD, 4 receptions, 30 yards

Maurice Jones-Drew—JAX vs. NE—Projection: 100 yards Rushing, 1 TD, 5 receptions, 40 yards

Ray Rice—BAL vs. PIT—Projection: 60 yards Rushing, 1 TD, 5 receptions, 50 yards

RB Start 'Em

Frank Gore—SF vs. DET—Gore has been running wild these past two weeks, rushing for 274 yards and a touchdown. This week he faces a fantastic matchup against the Detroit Lions and their 24th ranked run defense. Start 'Em. Projection: 115 yards Rushing, 1 TD, 3 receptions, 20 yards

Pierre Thomas—NO vs. TB—Thomas rushed for 92 yards in Week 11 against Tampa Bay and, I expect him to get into the end zone this week against their 30th ranked run defense. Start 'Em. Projection: 80 yards Rushing, 1 TD, 4 receptions, 35 yards

Cedric Benson—CIN vs. KC—Kansas City is horrid vs. the run (ranked 31st in the NFL), and I expect Cincinnati to exploit that all day long. In fact, I might even start Larry Johnson if you have him. Start 'Em. Projection: 135 yards Rushing, 1 TD

Beanie Wells—ARI vs. STL—Wells has been receiving more playing time recently, and it has payed off for fantasy owners. He has 189 yards and two touchdowns in the past two weeks, and this week he faces the St. Louis Rams and their 27th ranked run defense. Sleeper Start 'Em. Projection: 75 yards Rushing, 1 TD, 2 receptions, 15 yards

RB Sit 'Em

Matt Forte—CHI vs. MIN—This has been the biggest disappointment in Fantasy Football this year. Forte has reached 100 yards just twice (one 121 yard Rushing game and one 120 yard Receiving game) and has just four touchdowns. You can’t trust him in the playoffs, especially against the Minnesota Vikings and their 4th ranked run defense. Sit 'Em. Projection: 40 yards Rushing, 4 receptions, 25 yards

Rashard Mendenhall—PIT vs. BAL—Mendenhall had a good game last week against a solid Green Bay run defense, rushing for 38 yards and a touchdown and catching six balls for 73 yards. This week’s matchup vs. the Baltimore Ravens and their seventh ranked run defense won’t be that easy. Sit 'Em. Projection: 40 yards Rushing, 4 receptions, 30 yards

DeAngelo Williams—CAR vs. NYG—Williams has been nursing that ankle injury and was taken out of the game against Minnesota last week. He is doubtful to play against the Giants this week, so stay away. Must Sit 'Em. Projection: Inactive (Ankle Injury)

WR Obvious Must Starts

Randy Moss—NE vs. JAX—Projection: 6 receptions, 80 yards, 1 TD

Wes Welker—NE vs. JAX—Projection: 10 receptions, 100 yards, 1 TD

Larry Fitzgerald—ARI vs. STL—Projection: 7 receptions, 100 yards, 1 TD

Anquan Boldin—ARI vs. STL—Projection: 7 receptions, 90 yards, 1 TD

Andre Johnson—HOU vs. MIA—Projection: 9 receptions, 100 yards, 1 TD

Marques Colston —NO vs. TB —Projection: 5 receptions, 75 yards, 1 TD

WR Start 'Em

Greg Jennings and Donald Driver—GB vs. SEA—Jennings finally popped back onto the scene last week with 118 yards and a touchdown, but Driver has more touchdowns on the season. Both should enjoy huge games against Seattle and their 29th ranked pass defense. Start 'Em both. Projections: Jennings: 6 receptions, 100 yards, 1 TD—Driver: 8 receptions, 75 yards, 1 TD

Chad Ocho Cinco—CIN vs. KC—Even though Cincinnati will likely run the ball a ton this week against a terrible Kansas City run defense, Ocho Cinco has been a stud all year and should put up good numbers for you in your playoff matchup, especially since KC isn’t great vs. the pass either (ranked 19th in the NFL). Start 'Em. Projection: 6 receptions, 75 yards, 1 TD

Robert Meachem and Devery Henderson—NO vs. TB—Drew Brees and the Saints were shut down last week against Dallas. However, they play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and their eighth ranked pass defense this week. Tampa Bay may be ranked eighth vs. the pass, but they have allowed 25 passing touchdowns this year, and Henderson and Meachem may benefit from that. Sleeper Start 'Em both. Projections: Henderson: 4 receptions, 50 yards – Meachem: 4 receptions, 60 yards, 1 TD

WR Sit 'Em

Reggie Wayne—IND vs. NYJ—Much like Manning, he is always a must start, but with the Colts at 14-0 and home field locked up, Wayne may sit in the second half or sooner, and that isn’t good for fantasy owners in the playoffs. You just can’t take that chance. Sit 'Em. Projection: 3 receptions, 30 yards

Roddy White—ATL vs. BUF—Buffalo actually has a good pass defense (ranked third in the NFL), and White has just six receptions for 74 yards in the last two games. Sit 'Em. Projection: 3 receptions, 35 yards

Hines Ward—PIT vs. BAL—Ward only had three catches for 47 yards in Week 12 against Baltimore, and I think they will shut him down again. Must Sit 'Em. Projection: 3 receptions, 30 yards

TE Obvious Must Starts

Tony Gonzalez—ATL vs. BUF—Projection: 7 receptions, 75 yards, 1 TD

Jason Witten—DAL vs. WAS—Projection: 7 receptions, 80 yards, 1 TD

Vernon Davis—SF vs. DET—Projection: 5 receptions, 60 yards, 1 TD

TE Start 'Em

Jermichael Finley—GB vs. SEA—In his last three games, Finley has 21 receptions for 223 yards and three touchdowns. Against the 29th ranked pass defense of the Seattle Seahawks, I don’t see him slowing down. Start 'Em. Projection: 7 receptions, 70 yards, 1 TD

Fred Davis—WAS vs. DAL—Davis has been hot recently with four touchdowns in his last three games. This week he faces the Dallas Cowboys and their 21st ranked pass defense. Sleeper Start Em. Projection: 5 receptions, 50 yards, 1 TD

TE Sit 'Em

Greg Olsen—CHI vs. MIN—So much for this being his breakout year. He hasn’t caught a touchdown since week nine and has just five catches for 23 yards in the past three games. I don’t trust anyone in the Chicago offense right now, especially in the playoffs. Sit 'Em. Projection: 2 receptions, 20 yards

Todd Heap—BAL vs. PIT—Heap has just two catches for 30 yards in his last three games against Pittsburgh, and despite his five receptions, 56 yards, and two touchdowns last week against Chicago, I don’t expect much from him this week. Must Sit 'Em. Projection: 2 receptions, 20 yards

D/ST Start 'Em

San Francisco 49ers vs. DET—The Lions are going with Drew Stanton at QB this week, and the 49ers are looking forward to making his first career start a bad one. Start 'Em.

Arizona Cardinals vs. STL—Other than Steven Jackson, St. Louis has no offense, especially with Keith Null at QB. Start 'Em.

D/ST Sit 'Em

Miami Dolphins vs. HOU—The Texans offense has been on fire, and Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson will do some serious damage against a weak Miami pass defense. Sit 'Em.

Denver Broncos vs. PHI—The Broncos allowed 20 points to Oakland last week and lost. What do you think Donovan McNabb and the explosive Eagles offense are going to do to them this week? Sit 'Em.

There you have it Sports Fans. I hope you have enjoyed reading my predictions this season, and I hope you continue to check us out at www.Sportmeisters.com . If you have any questions or concerns, please email me at [e-mail] .