Welcome into Week 16 of the 2021 season, and the latest in our Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em series. Did you survive last week? I hope you did! Well, as last week has shown us anything can happen in the league, and you need to try to get backup options ready to slot in if you need to.
As always, if you are struggling with a decision you can checkout our rankings for each Week. Or, if you want a more personal touch, reach out on social media. You can find us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Or jump into our Discord server.
Start ‘Em
Jimmy Garoppolo @TEN
I was thinking that Jimmy G was going to be ok last week, but he wasn’t because the Falcons just absolutely imploded. This week the Titans should be able to put up some level of competition. Garoppolo has had a number of weeks where he has scored multiple TDs. He should be able to get back to that level of performance this week.
Joe Burrow v BAL
Burrow and the Bengals didn’t go for that much against the Broncos, but after seeing what Aaron Rodgers managed last week, I’m thinking that Burrow will be able to come good in this game. Baltimore’s defense is down to the bare bones with injury/ COVID tearing the depth chart up.
Kirk Cousins v LAR
After last week and not even putting up 100 yards passing you might be tempted to bench Cousins. But don’t overthink it. He still threw for two TDS, continuing his multi-TD streak to 7 games. The Rams are a tough defense, but even so the Vikings should have a good shot at production through the air.
Sit ‘Em
Tua Tagovailoa @NO
Tua hasn’t really done too much this season for fantasy. Not really hit too many heights, while not really destroying your team either. But this is not one to slot him in for, even in Superflex leagues. The Saints are a top-tier defense, and even managed to best the Tampa Bay offense to shut them out.
Ryan Tannehill v SF
The Titans offense hasn’t been the same effective unit from the start of the season. Not being able to rely on Derrick Henry to move the chains, and open up play-action, Tannehill has really struggled. It doesn’t help that the Titans receivers have been wiped with unavailability too. Either way, against the 49ers this isn’t a good play. Even in a Superflex league I’d look elsewhere.
Start ‘Em
James Robinson @NYJ
Robinson was used heavily last week, with 21 touches. That’s exactly the usage that you need for him to be fantasy viable. Well, actually this week you might need quite that level of usage as the Jaguars take on the Jets who can’t stop RBs producing.
Cordarrelle Patterson v DET
This might seem obvious to play him, but Patterson hasn’t been the big-score guy that he was at the start of the season. Infact, he has really been a bit of a let-down recently, with him and Mike Davis almost switching roles. But, this matchup against Detroit is one for him to turn things around, isn’t it?
Justin Jackson @HOU
Austin Ekeler suffered an injury in Week 13, which limited him being played to his full (normal) workload. Then, the team added him to COVID list. With Jackson performing well last week when called upon, I can’t see why the Chargers would rush Ekeler back this week against Houston. That makes him a fine start.
Sit ‘Em
Duke Johnson @NO
I get it, last week you played him. You felt good as he had a massive game, but this isn’t something to repeat. The team put Johnson in over Myles Gaskin because Gaskin hasn’t managed to get a full week of practice in. This week, we could be looking at a timeshare then. With the opposition being the Saints, and their effective run-defense, look elsewhere.
Saquon Barkley @PHI
Yeah, you might already be out of the playoffs if you started Barkley last week, but if you are still in them I’m hoping you have a better option. The Eagles defensive line is a great unit and the Giants offense just isn’t. There isn’t much more to say.
Start ‘Em
Brandon Aiyuk @TEN
It didn’t work out last week against the Falcons, but that game got out of hand quickly. This one should be more competitive though, which means Aiyuk will see more work. The Titans are a weak unit against the position too, so you can definitely target it.
Amari Cooper v WAS
Cooper has let you down for fantasy, there is no hiding from that. But, the Dallas offense is humming nicely, and enter a matchup against one of the worst secondary units in the league. This has to be the game where Cooper turns it around doesn’t it?
Russell Gage v DET
Gage has done what many hoped he would once Calvin Ridley was out for the Falcons. He started dominating targets. In the past four weeks he has had three double-digit scoring weeks, and the one he didn’t manage it in (assuming half PPR) he had 8.4 points. This match should be a good for Gage to continue his streak.
Sit ’em
Chase Claypool @KC
Claypool isn’t worth a start this week unless you are in a deep league. He is a borderline WR3 in a 12-team league in this matchup. The Steelers offense has taken a step back, and the Cheiefs have taken a step forward. I’m not sure I can rely on TD-dependent Claypool this week.
D.J. Moore v TB
Moore was great at the start of the season, but the Carolina offense has really taken a step back since it lost……Sam Darnold!? Thats 2021 for you. The switch to Cam Newton has really limited the passing yards in this offense. I might still play him, but I’m not putting him as an auto-start.
Start ‘Em
Zach Ertz v IND
Ertz was a solid start for the Cardinals last week, and comes up against a defense that has given up one the highest points totals to the position. The Cardinals offense, I hope, recognize that and scheme to get Ertz the ball.
Hunter Henry v BUF
Henry is TD dependent, but not like other TEs where they might get 30 yards if they don’t get a TD. Henry is a 10 yards and a TD guy. Against Buffalo, it might feel like a game to avoid, but Henry is really important for what the team do in the redzone. I’d put him in my lineup and feel ok about it.
Sit ’em
Foster Moreau v DEN
Every week I feel like I make an excuse for why this week will be Moreau to perform well, in the absense of Darren Waller. But this isn’t going to be the week, at least on paper, Denver have done well against TE’s and Moreau hasn’t been great.
C.J. Uzomah v BAL
Uzomah might feel like a streaming option this week, given his matchup against the Ravens, but he isn’t. Yes, Baltimore has struggled against the position this season, but they are just going to struggle everywhere on defense. I can’t see the team choosing to check it down with the strength of players they have at receiver.
Start ‘Em
San Francisco 49ers @TEN
As I mentioned with Ryan Tannehill, the Titans offense has really not been great. The 49ers have put some strong performances together on defense. Put them in and you don’t really need to think about it anymore.
Seattle Seahawks v CHI
The Seahawks defense isn’t the strength it has been a few years ago, but it still has playmakers that can make plays when needed. The Chicago offense has also not been great this season, with Justin Fields turning the ball over, and hesitating in the pocket and being sacked.
Sit ‘Em
Cincinnati Bengals v BAL
At this point, I’m not sure who the QB is going to be for the Ravens, but with how Tyler Huntley has played as the backup, the team may choose to give Lamar Jackson more time on the sidelines. Either way, this offense has been decent enough and managed to score consistently.
Baltimore Ravens @CIN
The Bengals have turned the ball over this season, and allowed tams to pressure on their QB. But, the Ravens defense is down to it’s bare bones. It would really take alot for me to consider playing the Ravens in this one. Like a super deep league, with some teams holding two DSTs.
Start ‘Em
Greg Zuerlein v WAS
Zuerlein is available in a good number of leagues still, which given his performances is strange. The Cowboys offense is one of the better units in the league, so they should have a number of kicking opportunities this week. In a dome too? Decent option.
Evan McPherson v BAL
The Bengals offense has taking a step forward this year, including their kicker. Since the bye week, McPherson has had double-digit performances in 4 of his last 5 games. He now faces up against a Ravens offense that has seen it’s depth chart absolutely smashed by injury.
Sit ‘Em
Chris Boswell @KC
The Steelers offense has taken a step back, even from where it was. Teams have found a way to limit Harris on the ground, and Big Ben isn’t the same player he was a few seasons ago. With the Chiefs defense taking a step forward too, I’m not holding out too much hope for Boswell to have that many opportunities.
Brandon McManus @LV
The Raiders have allowed kickers to perform against them recently, which is a good reason to target them. The thing is the Denver offense is now re-entering the Drew Lock experiment with Teddy Bridgewater set to miss the game against the Raiders. That change could lead to some stalled drives, but I think it’s more likely it leads to turnovers.
Well that’s it for our Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em for Week 16 of the 2021 season. Remember, you can check out rankings for each Week. Reach out on social media, you can find us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Or jump into our Discord server.
Image Credit: John David Mercer – USA TODAY Sports
