Welcome to Week 16 of the 2023 season, and our Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em series. This is where all the hard work is done as we prepare for another week of hard-hitting action and paper championships.
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. All stats refer to 1/2 PPR, 6 point per passing touchdown leagues. The number in brackets next to an opponent is that teams rank against the position. Rank 1 is the best possible matchup, Rank 32 is the worst. Follow me on Twitter @FFMadScientist
Start’Em
Tommy DeVito, Giants v PHI (2)
DeVito got off to a hot start after taking over as the Giants starter but the league seems to have found a way to limit his effectiveness of late. This week however, he goes up against an Eagles defense that has given up yards in massive quantity. Philadelphia is currently the 2nd best matchup for opposing quarterbacks and is allowing 20.7 fantasy points per game to the position. DeVito is a high-end QB2 in this matchup.
Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers v JAC (3)
Mayfield has been surprisingly consistent and is easily the best quarterback streaming option this week. He faces a Jaguars defense that is the 3rd best matchup for opposing quarterbacks and allows 20.0 fantasy points per game. Look for Mayfield to continue to be a borderline QB1.
Nick Mullens, Vikings v DET (4)
Mullens was good for fantasy in his first game as the Vikings starter and gets a prime matchup in Week 16. He goes up against the Detroit Lions who are the 5th easiest matchup for quarterbacks. The Lions are allowing 19.1 fantasy points per game and should make Mullens a worthwhile streamer again this week.
Sit ‘Em
Jordan Love, Packers v CAR (32)
Love has been incredibly boom or bust all season long and has been matchup dependent. This week he gets the worst matchup for quarterbacks in the Carolina Panthers. Carolina is allowing 12.7 fantasy points per game to the position and will make it difficult for Love to crack the top 15.
Sam Howell, Commanders v NYJ (31)
Howell has been brutal over the past two games and has been benched in both. The Commanders coaching staff has stated that he will remain the starter this season but he is certainly not inspiring fantasy managers. In Week 16 he faces the Jets who are the 2nd worst matchup for quarterbacks. The Jets are allowing 13.4 fantasy points per game to the position and are sure to limit Howell to QB2 value this week.
Aidan O’Connell, Raiders v NYJ (31)
O’Connell has been on a roll as of late and came through for fantasy managers who were forced to start him in Week 15. In Week 16 though, he will face a Chiefs defense that is the 8th worst matchup for opposing quarterbacks. Kansas City is limiting quarterbacks to 15.4 fantasy points per game and will be all the reason you need to leave O’Connell on your bench.
Start ‘Em
D’Onta Foreman, Bears v ARI (1)
Foreman has been part of a messy three-headed backfield this season but seems to have the most guaranteed role of the bunch. He is splitting carries with Khalil Hebert on early downs but against a Cardinals defense that is the easiest matchup for the position he should have more than enough opportunities to produce as an RB2. The Cardinals are allowing 26.7 fantasy points per game to the position and are a prime spot for a great performance.
Ezekiel Elliott, Patriots v DEN (2)
Elliott has been solid in the absence of Rhamondre Stevenson and has been relevant largely due to a consistent receiving role. Should he again be the starter if Stevenson is out again. In Week 16 he faces the Denver Broncos who are the 2nd best matchup for opposing running backs. The Broncos are allowing 26.5 fantasy points per game to the position and are an excellent matchup for whichever Patriots back gets the start.
Aaron Jones, Packers v CAR (3)
Jones dealt with injuries for much of the season before finally getting healthy and producing in Week 1 of the fantasy playoffs. This week the Packers are expected to once again be without AJ Dillon and Jones will get the bulk of the running backs touches to himself in a meeting with the Carolina Panthers, the 3rd best matchup for opposing running backs. The Panthers are allowing 23.5 fantasy points per game to the position and are a great spot for Jones to milk the last of his fantasy football value before plummeting off the age cliff.
Sit ‘Em
Saquon Barkley, Giants v PHI (32)
Barkley has not looked like his old self in 2023 and that can be partially attributed to how bad the Giants offence is. This week in addition to that bad offence, he gets to face the toughest run defense in the league, Philadelphia. The Eagles are allowing 13.4 fantasy points per game and are sure to stack a wall of defenders in front of the only offensive weapon on the Giants roster. If you have other options, play them over Barkley.
Alexander Mattison, Vikings v DET (31)
Mattison missed Week 15 allowing Chandler to go off but he is expected to be back in the lineup for Week 16. Regardless of who the starter is for Minnesota, they are a must-sit in a matchup with the Detroit Lions who rank as the 2nd worst matchup for opposing running backs. The Lions are allowing only 14.8 fantasy points per game and if both Mattison and Chandler are active it will make for a terrible scenario that is unlikely to produce fantasy points.
Gus Edwards, Ravens, v SF (26)
Edwards saw his role diminish as rookie Keaton Mitchell burst onto the scene a month ago. Mitchell was lost for the season on Monday Night and Edwards will once again have a chance to battle Justice Hill for touches. A situation where we are likely to see both running backs involved is typically a situation to avoid for fantasy and if you add in a matchup with the San Francisco 49ers who are the 6th worst matchup for running backs, it’s a must-avoid situation. The 49ers are allowing 16.1 fantasy points per game to the position and I’m steering clear of the Raven’s backfield in this one.
Start ’em
Garrett Wilson, Jets v WSH (2)
Wilson and the Jets offence have been an up and down roller coaster all season behind terrible quarterback play. Regardless of who the Jet’s are starting at quarterback this week, they face the Commanders who are the 2nd best matchup for opposing wide receivers. Washington is allowing 36.3 fantasy points per game to the position and should allow Wilson to have his best game of the season.
Calvin Ridley, Jaguars v TB (4)
Ridley has become the best option for the Jaguars since Christian Kirk went down to injury and he should continue to be reliable this week in a matchup with a Buccaneers defense that ranks as the 4th best matchup for opposing receivers and has had a hard time stopping any passing attacks this season. Tampa Bay is allowing 31.9 fantasy points per game to the position and Ridley should carve them up nicely.
DK Metcalf, Seahawks v TEN (6)
Metcalf has been solid as of late despite Geno Smith missing time with injury. Their Week 16 opponents the Tennessee Titans are so bad at defending the pass that even if Drew Lock starts again for Seattle he should be able to produce. The Seahawks are the 6th best matchup for opposing receivers and are allowing 30.5 fantasy points per game to the position.
Sit ’em
Terry McLaurin, Commanders v NYJ (32)
McLaurin has been inconsistent with the inconsistencies of quarterback Sam Howell. This Week the Commanders face a Jets pass defense that is a lock down unit and ranks as the worst matchup for wide receivers. The Jets are limiting the position to only 22.1 fantasy points per game and will surely make things difficult for the Commanders.
Nico Collins, Texans v CLE (31)
Collins will once again be without star quarterback CJ Stroud in Week 16 and that is just another nail in his coffin this week. The other nail is the matchup with the Cleveland Browns who rank as the 2nd worst matchup for opposing receivers. Cleveland is allowing only 22.1 fantasy points per game to the position and is a tough ask for the banged up Texan’s offence.
Romeo Doubs, Packers v CAR (29)
Doubs seems to have found his way down the Packer’s depth chart at receiver. The emergence of rookie Jayden Reed has seemingly lowered his upside. This week he faces the Carolina Panthers who rank as the 3rd worst matchup for receivers. Carolina is allowing 22.4 fantasy points per game to the position and this is a receiver room I’d prefer to avoid this week.
Start ‘Em
Pat Freiermuth, Steelers v CIN (2)
Freiermuth has battled injury often this season and has been ineffective when he has played. This matchup in Week 16 with the Cincinnati Bengal’s is imply too good to pass up. The Bengals are 2nd easiest matchup for tight ends and are allowing 13.1 fantasy points per game to the position. Fire up The Muth this week.
Trey McBride, Cardinals v CHI (4)
McBride has had the best usage of any tight end in football over the past month. This week he takes that elite usage into a matchup with the Chicago Bears whoa re the 4th best matchup for tight ends. Chicago is allowing 11.9 fantasy points per game to the position and will give McBride true TE1 overall upside.
Taysom Hill, Saints v LAR (5)
Hill is the most volatile asset in fantasy, so this week when he faces the Los Angels Rams it’s simply playing the matchup and praying. The Rams are the 5th best matchup for opposing tight ends and are allowing 11.2 fantasy points per game to the position. Hill is risky as always, but has more upside than almost every tight end. He unfortunately also has more downside than any tight end as well.
Sit ’em
Dalton Schultz, Texans v CLE (31)
Schultz has seen his production suffer as a result of CJ Stroud’s injury. This week he will be without Stroud once again and will face a Browns defense that ranks as the 2nd worst matchup for tight ends. Cleveland is allowing 6.8 fantasy points per game to the position and will prove a tall task for the depleted Texans offence.
Adam Trautman, Broncos v NE (30)
Trautman has been mostly fantasy irrelevant this season with the exception of a handful of performances. This week he faces the Patriots who rank as the 3rd worst matchup for opposing tight ends. New England is allowing only 7.1 fantasy points per game to the position and will prove yet another matchup that Trautman is unable to overcome.
Gerald Everett, Chargers v BUF (24)
Everett has been bad this season and the loss of Justin Herbert will not improve his situation. Add in a meeting with the Buffalo Bills who are the 7th toughest matchup for tight ends and he is a must-avoid in Week 16. The Bills are allowing only 8.2 fantasy points per game to the position and make for a poor situation for Everett.
Well, that’s it for our Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em for Week 16 of the 2023 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. Follow me on Twitter @FFMadScientist
Image Credit: Ed Mulholland – USA TODAY Sports
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