Welcome to our Fantasy Football Starts & Sits for Week 16 of the 2022 fantasy football season!
It’s the most wonderful time of the year.
Yes, Christmas – but mainly the fantasy playoffs. After a crazy weekend, not only of the NFL but the other kind of football too, we have reached the fantasy semi-finals. Merry Christmas to you all, and good luck this weekend. Here are my Fantasy Football Starts & Sits for Week 16.
Quarterbacks
START: Geno Smith versus The Kansas City Chiefs
This year’s comeback player of the year favorite has remained a consistent fantasy producer and should be set for another big game. Before last week’s performance against the 49ers, Smith had scored at least 19 fantasy points in six successive games. He now faces the Chiefs, which has been one of the best matchups for quarterbacks, in fantasy, this year. The team has allowed the fourth-most points to the position. In what should be a high-scoring affair, and in a game for Seattle that will most likely need them to rely on the passing game, I’m trusting Geno to help get me to the fantasy championships.
Additional start candidates: Tom Brady vs. ARI, Daniel Jones vs. MIN
SIT: Jared Goff versus The Carolina Panthers
Jared Goff’s struggles on the road continued last week against the Jets, and he has now failed to score more than 15 points away from Detroit in any game this season, according to FantasyData. Last week’s performance was also saved by the 51-yard touchdown to Brock Wright late in the game. Goff has thrown an average of 39 times per game over the last four weeks and can therefore offer a fairly stable floor if he maintains this pace. Other high upside options may be preferable in the fantasy playoffs, however.
Additional sit candidates: Russell Wilson vs. LAR, Derek Carr vs. PIT
Running Backs
START: Raheem Mostert versus The Green Bay Packers
As a Packers fan the name Raheem Mostert still gives me nightmares. He returns to face Green Bay after a stellar in-division performance last week. With Jeff Wilson Jr. out against the Bills, Mostert took control of the backfield, rushing 17 times for 136 yards, adding a further 20 yards on one reception. This coming Christmas Day, he will receive a very thoughtful gift from the NFL – a chance to face this Packers run defense. The Packers have only held teams to under 100 rushing yards on three occasions this year and remain 32nd in rush DVOA per Football Outsiders. Even if Wilson returns, Mostert remains a high-upside option in week 16.
RAHEEM JUST DRAGGING DUDES. @RMos_8Ball
— NFL (@NFL) December 18, 2022
📺: #MIAvsBUF on @NFLNetwork
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/OppdDaKY2o pic.twitter.com/FjnL5eWG5Y
Additional start candidates: JK Dobbins vs. ATL, Jerick McKinnon vs. SEA
SIT: Brian Robinson versus The San Francisco 49ers
It is clear Robinson has cemented his place as the Commanders’ lead back. Since his first game in week 5 the rookie has out-touched Antonio Gibson in all but two games. Now, however, he faces one of the toughest matchups for opposing running backs at the moment. The 49ers have allowed the fewest points to running backs this season and rank second in defensive rush DVOA. Last week Kenneth Walker’s fantasy output was saved through his work in the passing game, something which Robinson has seen very little of so far. The only hope here is that he falls into the endzone; Robinson is a low-upside option in week 16.
Additional sit candidates: D’Onta Foreman vs. DET, Royce Freeman vs. TEN
Wide Receivers
START: DJ Moore versus The Detroit Lions
It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster for DJ Moore managers this season. Moore has failed to reach double-digit points in half-PPR scoring in nine of his 14 games this season yet has showed a little more promise with Sam Darnold under center. This week provides another good opportunity for Moore. The Lions have allowed the second most fantasy points to wide receivers this year and have allowed almost 700 passing yards over the last two weeks. As we saw last week, Detroit’s rush defense has improved markedly in recent weeks – limiting Zonovan Knight to just 23 yards. The Lions remain susceptible through the air, and Moore is therefore in line to take advantage.
Additional start candidates: Marquise Goodwin vs. KC (if Lockett out), Darius Slayton vs. MIN
SIT: Marquise Brown versus The Tampa Bay Buccaneers
After a blistering start to the campaign, Brown’s fantasy production has slowly fallen away since his injury midway through the season. Despite still seeing plenty of targets, Brown has now failed to hit 50 receiving yards in each of his last three games – failing to hit double-digit points in half-PPR scoring in each. The matchup against the Buccaneers, on paper, looks okay. However, with Kyler Murray out for the season and now struggling with a concussion, Brown is someone I’d be steering well clear of in your fantasy playoffs.
Additional sit candidates: Jakobi Meyers vs. CIN, Allen Lazard vs. MIA
Tight Ends
START: Juwan Johnson versus The Cleveland Browns
Beyond the top-tier options, pretty much all tight ends are touchdown-dependent. As that’s the case, why not choose one of the best red zone options at the position? Juwan Johnson may have only seen 35 receptions this year, yet he has scored seven touchdowns, including two last week against the Falcons. Johnson now ranks second in touchdowns at the tight end position, only behind Travis Kelce. So if you’re looking for a high-upside option, Johnson remains a solid choice.
Most Rec TD among TE this season
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) December 18, 2022
Travis Kelce 12
Juwan Johnson 7
George Kittle 6 pic.twitter.com/x6UC5lGFUw
SIT: Cole Kmet versus The Buffalo Bills
After a scintillating stretch of games earlier in the season, Cole Kmet has since had a series of underwhelming outings. Despite injuries to other pass catchers on the team, in three of Kmet’s last four games he has failed to surpass 35 receiving yards. Up next is the Buffalo Bills, a team which has allowed the fourth fewest points to tight ends this year. Given how few pass attempts Fields is currently attempting, Kmet continues to possess a low floor, and is a sit candidate if no better options are available.
Additional sit candidates: Dawson Knox vs. CHI, Greg Dulchich vs. LAR
