Week 16 Start 'Em Sit 'Em: Who Are the Smart Matchup Plays?

We've played 15 weeks of the 2011 fantasy football season, which means only one game remains in the majority of leagues—and that game is for all the proverbial marbles.

It's time for fantasy championship week!

As a service to those owners fortunate enough to reach their league's title game but still forced to look outside the Top 10 Players at Every Position when setting their lineups, here's a look at 10 players who have the sort of favorable matchup that makes them worth a look in this most important of fantasy weeks.

1. Rex Grossman, QB (Washington Redskins) vs. Minnesota

Quarterback Rex Grossman of the Washington Redskins wasn't spectacular in last week's win over the New York Giants, but the nine-year veteran did enough to get the job done, throwing for 185 yards and a score while also tossing a pair of interceptions.

Those aren't the sort of numbers that inspire a lot of championship week confidence, but Grossman does face off this week against a Minnesota Vikings team that has been getting shredded through the air while surrendering the most fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks.

2. Mark Sanchez, QB (New York Jets) vs. NYG

New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez has been hot and cold for much of this season, and last week could qualify as one of his chillier performances; the third-year pro threw for only 150 yards and tossed a pair of interceptions in the Jets' blowout loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Sanchez has a decent shot of heating up this week when the Jets "host" the New York Giants. The Jets' crosstown rivals have given up the third-most fantasy points per game to opposing signal-callers so far this season.

3. Michael Bush, RB (Oakland Raiders) at Kansas City

With starting running back Darren McFadden sidelined for much of this season with a foot injury, the job of bellcow in the Oakland Raiders' backfield has fallen to fourth-year pro Michael Bush.

Bush has responded, rushing for more than 800 yards and topping 100 total yards in a game five times this year.

Bush should have a solid shot at making it six times this week when the Raiders clash with the Kansas City Chiefs in a huge game for both teams; the Chiefs are the fifth-friendliest fantasy matchup for opposing running backs in 2011.

4. Felix Jones, RB (Dallas Cowboys) vs. Philadelphia

With running back DeMarco Murray out for the season with a broken ankle, Felix Jones has regained his spot atop the depth chart for the Dallas Cowboys. To this point the fourth-year pro has stepped up, rushing for more than 100 yards in both games since reclaiming the top spot.

Jones may well make it three 100-yard games in a row this week when the Cowboys face the Philadelphia Eagles, who rank 17th against the run and have allowed the ninth-most fantasy points per game to opposing running backs this year.

5. Rashard Mendenhall, RB (Pittsburgh Steelers) vs. St. Louis

It's been something of a disappointing fourth season in the National Football League for Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall, who has managed only 710 rushing yards this year and is averaging a career-low 3.8 yards per carry.

This may be the week that Mendenhall finally rewards his fantasy owners with a big game, as he and the Steelers play host to a St. Louis Rams squad that ranks dead last in the NFL in run-defense and allows the seventh-most fantasy points per game to opposing running backs.

6. Santonio Holmes, WR (New York Jets) vs. NYG

Last week's loss to the Philadelphia Eagles was a game that New York Jets wide receiver Santonio Holmes would likely just as soon forget. Holmes fumbled a ball that was returned for a score, had another ball bounce off his hands and be intercepted, and drew a 15-yard taunting penalty after catching a touchdown pass.

Holmes and the Jets should have an opportunity to redeem themselves when the Jets and Giants meet this week in a battle of two teams fighting for their playoff lives, as the Giants have surrendered the second-most fantasy points per game to opposing wideouts.

7. Julio Jones, WR (Atlanta Falcons) at New Orleans

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones has, to this point in his rookie season, justified the high price that Atlanta paid to move up in last April's draft to select the former Alabama star, hauling in 42 passes for 755 yards and five touchdowns so far this year.

Jones' first-year success should continue this week when the Falcons travel to face the New Orleans Saints, who will almost certainly force Atlanta to the air. The Saints have also allowed the seventh-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers.

8. Mike Wallace, WR (Pittsburgh Steelers) vs. St. Louis

Whether it's due to the various injuries suffered by quarterback Ben Roethlisberger or the emergence of fellow wideout Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Mike Wallace has been quiet as of late. Although the third-year pro has topped 1,000 yards for the second straight season, Wallace hasn't topped 100 receiving yards in a game since Week 7.

That cold snap may well come to halt when the Steelers host the St. Louis Rams this week, as they feature an injury-ravaged secondary that is the fifth-friendliest matchup in the NFL for opposing wide receivers.

9. Vernon Davis, TE (San Francisco 49ers) at Seattle

Fantasy owners of San Francisco 49ers tight end Vernon Davis have been frustrated mightily by his production this season, as Davis has topped 60 yards in only two games and is set for his worst statistical season since 2008.

Davis may alleviate that frustration—at least temporarily—this week when the 49ers travel to face the Seattle Seahawks, who have struggled a bit in defending tight ends; the Seahawks have allowed the 11th-most fantasy points per game to the position.

10. Washington Redskins Defense vs. Minnesota

The Washington Redskins haven't done much to inspire fantasy owners that they're a viable starting unit this season, ranking 23rd in fantasy points scored, 12th in total defense and 21st in the NFL in interceptions.

However, fantasy owners in deeper leagues that rotate defenses may want to consider the Redskins as a matchup play this week, as they face a Minnesota Vikings team that's allowing the ninth-most fantasy points to opposing defenses.