Fantasy Football Week 16: 10 Stat 'Em Sit 'Ems That'll Win You a Title

In almost every fantasy football league, it is Championship Week. If you are still alive in your league, congratulations, but before you get caught up patting yourself on the back, know that your work has just begun. You haven't come this far to be turned away now. 

This is the time to look for every possible angle, for every little advantage and every insight to see who should be starting and who should be sitting. In the next ten slides, you will see players five players to start this week and five to sit. You may just find the key to winning your fantasy title.

Josh Freeman: Start

J. Meric/Getty Images

TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 19: Safety John Wendling #29 of the Detroit Lions tackles quarterback Josh Freeman #5 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game at Raymond James Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images)

The Bucs will be looking to keep their playoff hopes rolling and they will be looking for Josh Freeman to lead them there. Luckily, for Tampa and any fantasy owners of Freeman, they will be going against the anemic Seahawks' pass defense.

Freeman has been a safe start all year. He has thrown for at least one TD in nine straight games and he has thrown more than one pick only one time this year. Combine that with the fact that Seattle has given up the 27th most passing TDs on the season and you've found yourself a starter.

Projection: 283 yards, 3 TDs, 0 INTs

Peyton Hillis: Sit

Rick Stewart/Getty Images

ORCHARD PARK, NY - DECEMBER 12: Peyton Hillis #40 of the Cleveland Browns runs against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium on December 12, 2010 in Orchard Park, New York. Buffalo won 13-6. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

Hillis has been a solid fantasy back all season. Unfortunately for him and his owners he is going against the Ravens' defense. This, combined with slipping production, mean that Mr. Hillis should be left on the bench this week. 

Baltimore is tied with Pittsburgh and Cleveland for allowing the fewest TDs on the ground this season. They are fifth in rushing yards allowed per game. A bad sign for Hillis.

Projection: 19 carries, 58 yards and 0 TDs: 3 catches, 18 yards and 0 TDs

Zach Miller: Start

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OAKLAND, CA - NOVEMBER 28: Zach Miller #80 of the Oakland Raiders in action against the Miami Dolphins at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on November 28, 2010 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Zach Miller went through a drought while he battled through a plantar fascia injury, but he looks to be back on track. He had four catches last week and had another two, including a TD, called back due to penalties.

This week he will be going against an Indianapolis that has the 29th ranked DVOA against TEs. They are allowing 5.5 catches per game to TEs.

Projection: 6 catches, 72 yards and 1 TD

Greg Jennings: Sit

Jim Prisching/Getty Images

GREEN BAY, WI - OCTOBER 24: Antoine Winfield #26 of the Minnesota Vikings reacts as Greg Jennings #85 of the Green Bay Packers scores a touchdown during their game at Lambeau Field on October 24, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Jim Prisching/Gett

Jennings has been a solid contributor all season. He may be hitting a blue wall this week. The Giants have the league's 2nd ranked DVOA against team's number one WRs. They are surrendering under 60 yards per game to teams top pass catchers.

The Giants' pass defense is solid across the board. They have allowed the eighth fewest passing TDs of any team this season. Throw in the fact that Aaron Rodgers may be a little rusty and you should sit Jennings.

Projections: 6 catches, 49 yards and 0 TDs

Arian Foster: Start

Grant Halverson/Getty Images

NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 19: Arian Foster #23 of the Houston Texans runs against the Tennessee Titans at LP Field on December 19, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Titans defeated the Texans, 31-17. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

Arian Foster has been a workhorse all season, but he has slowed down a bit as the season has worn on. Thrown in the fact that the Texans are playing for nothing but pride and you'd have a right to be concerned about him.

Don't worry--here come the Denver Broncos to the rescue. The Broncos have been giving up yards left and right all season and especially so on run D. They have given up more rushing TDs than any team in the league. Foster should get the ball early and often in this one.

Projection: 26 carries, 162 yards and 2 TDs

Terrell Owens: Sit

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PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 12: Terell Owens #81 of the Cincinnati Bengals catches a pass in front of Ryan Clark #25 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the game on December 12, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Im

Terrell Owens has had an up and down season. He is the definition of a high risk/reward player. Skip him this week. He'll be going up against a Charger defense that is very good at defending team's number one WRs.

The Chargers are only giving up 40.8 yards per game to the opposition's primary pass catchers. Look for TO to have more tantrums than catches

Projections: 1 catch, 12 yards and 0 TDs

Miles Austin: Start

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ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 19: Wide receiver Miles Austin #19 of the Dallas Cowboys runs the ball against Kevin Barnes #25 of the Washington Redskins at Cowboys Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Miles Austin has not put up the same kind of numbers with Jon Kitna that he did with Tony Romo. He could be an excellent wild card pick this week. He is going against an Arizona Cardinals offense that does not defend WRs well.

They are allowing almost 90 yards per game to number ones. Throw in the fact that the Cardinals are mailing it in and Austin may be poised for a big game. 

Projection: 7 catches, 110 yards and 2 TDs

Brent Celek: Sit

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 02: Brent Celek #87 of the Philadelphia Eagles reacts after h emade a reception for a first down in the first quarter against the Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 2, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (P

Celek's production has been a bit sporadic of late. It was up last week as he had a 65-yard TD grab, but look for it to drop back off this week. One of the few things the Vikings have done well on defense this year is guard TEs.

They have the 5th ranked DVOA against TEs and they are allowing just under 37 yards per game to TEs. The Eagles may also go run heavy in this one as they are liable to get an early lead.

Projection: 0 catches

Michael Turner: Start

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SEATTLE, WA - DECEMBER 19: Running back Michael Turner #33 of the Atlanta Falcons rushes against the Seattle Seahawks at Qwest Field on December 19, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Michael Turner has been a solid fantasy back all year and you have every reason to expect that to continue. The Saints have struggled at stopping the run this year. Their best defense against the run has been their offense.

In what figures to be a close game expect them to get a full-dose of Turner. The Saints allow almost one rushing TD per game, which is 21st best in the league.

Projection: 27 carries, 137 yards and 2 TDs

Eli Manning: Sit

Nick Laham/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 19: Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants against the Philadelphia Eagles at New Meadowlands Stadium on December 19, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

The Giants will be looking to bounce back from their heartbreaking loss to the Eagles against the Green Bay Packers. If they bounce back look for them to do it via the run game.

The Green Bay pass rush and secondary have made life hard for opposing QBs all season. Green Bay leads the league by limiting opposing QBs to a 66.5 passer rating.

Projection: 15/29 for 179 yards, 1 TD and 2 INTs