Columnist Jon Sousa makes some bold predictions for our Week 16 Sit Start column. Make sure to also check out the Fantasy Football Toolkit (http://fantasyfootballtoolkit.com/ ) who will also have their Week 16 Sit Start out very soon.

For all of you that won your first playoff matchup, congratulations! Some of you may already have two wins under your belt if you’re in a larger league, which is even more impressive. However, if you’re like me, you may have ran into a certain 51 point producing running back in both of your matchups last week and are now playing for pride instead of the big prize. Any way you slice it, you’ve got to finish the season strong, and Week 16 presents to tough decisions to make as far as who to start and who to sit. Here are my choices on who could shine, and who could disappoint.

Start Em’

QB: Ryan Tannehill, Miami Dolphins (at Buffalo)

 Tannehill has had three straight 20-point fantasy performances, and has put up double-digit points in every game since Week 5. Mike Wallace has finally emerged as a reliable deep threat, and tight end Charles Clay has also become a nice red zone target. The Bills gave up three touchdowns to Tannehill in Week 6, and have given up a passing touchdown in every game this season except for one. Tannehill seems poised to have a good fantasy game on Sunday, and would make for a nice gamble start if you are the type of player that likes to roll the dice on players with great upside.

RB: Ray Rice, Baltimore Ravens (at New England)

 This is it. This is finally the week that Ray Rice makes fantasy owners say “This is why I spent my first round pick on you!” In my opinion, the Ravens have to get Ray Rice going if they would like any chance at beating the Pats at Gillette Stadium. Although the offensive line has been atrocious and Bernard Pierce has also been involved in the Ravens offense as well, I could definitely see Rice getting 15+ carries, getting 60 yards and at least a touchdown on Sunday. The Patriots gave up 61 yards to Lamar Miller last week, who in my mind has nowhere near as much talent as Rice does. If you lose because of Rice, feel free to blame me, but I’m starting him and I expect a double-digit fantasy point performance.

WR: Greg Jennings, Minnesota Vikings (at Cincinnati)

 Jennings is coming off of his best game of the season, catching 11 passes on 13 targets for 163 yards and a touchdown against a porous Philadelphia Eagles pass defense. This week, he faces a Bengals defense that is much better than last week’s opponent. However, since Matt Cassel has been under center for the Vikings, Jennings has seen more targets and seems to be one of his favorite targets. Although Jennings will most likely see a whole lot of Leon Hall on Sunday, I think that Jennings makes for a decent flex play and should be able to put up 10+ fantasy points. The Bengals give up an average of 19 total fantasy points to opposing wide receivers each game.

TE: Martellus Bennett, Chicago Bears (at Philadelphia)

 Bennett is currently the starting tight end in one of the hottest offenses in the league at the moment. Although the Eagles have only given up two scores to opposing tight ends this season, and Bennett himself has only scored twice since Week 7, I think Bennett makes for a good play against a Eagles defense that is not very good against the pass. Yes, he will lose looks to Brandon Marshall, Alshon Jeffery, and even Matt Forte, but I love Bennett’s size and frame when the Bears enter the red zone. There is no reason why Bennett couldn’t put up 60+ yards with the possibility of a red zone touchdown this week.

D/ST: Detroit Lions (vs. New York Giants)

 If you are someone that likes to play matchups with your D/ST, this is one to keep your eye on. The Giants offense has been a mess this year, and Eli Manning is coming off of a five-interception game. Granted, the Lions are not at the same level as the Seattle Seahawks, but with the current state of the Giants offense, I really like the Lions D/ST to shine this week. Also worth noting is kick/punt returner Jeremy Ross, who has looked pretty good in the return game and is a threat to add a touchdown to your fantasy stat line.

Sit Em’

 QB: Tom Brady, New England Patriots (at Baltimore)

 I really like the way that Baltimore’s defense has played over the past couple of weeks, and they will be even more motivated with a shot at the playoffs on the line. Brady didn’t look amazing last week against the Dolphins, which can be contributed greatly to tight end Rob Gronkowski absence. Brady no longer has a truly reliable red zone option, and that’s what is leaning me towards other options this week. If you are on the fence between starting Brady or somebody like Ryan Tannehill or Ben Roethlisberger, I would take the latter two before the former. The Baltimore Ravens give up an average of 14 points to opposing quarterbacks, which is the 10^th least in the NFL.

RB: Bobby Rainey, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at St. Louis)

 I really want nothing to do with any fantasy option that wear a Bucs jersey this week. Although the Rams give up a hefty average of 19 fantasy points to opposing running backs each game, the Bucs offense has been less than stellar in the past few weeks. Rainey himself has underwhelmed too. Aside from an 80-yard touchdown run in Week 14 against the Bills, Rainey has only averaged 2.5 yards per carry over his last four games. Rainey is a hit or miss fantasy option that can only be relied on for his big play ability. Look elsewhere for your flex option this week.

WR: Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals (at Seattle)

 I am going to make this one short. Fitzgerald will see Richard Sherman the whole game, who is arguably the best corner in the league. The Seahawks give up the least amount of fantasy points to opposing wide receivers in the NFL. The Seahawks can also clinch home field advantage if they win. The Seahawks will be motivated and inspired. Also, did I mention the game was in Seattle? Stay away from Fitzgerald and anything in a Cardinals jersey this weekend.

TE: Heath Miller, Pittsburgh Steelers (at Green Bay)

 Miller has not scored since Week 7, which was also his only score of the season. He also has not posted a double-digit fantasy point game at all this year. While Miller is a great NFL tight end, he just isn’t putting up the numbers that should make fantasy owners happy, especially with a possible league title on the line. It is worth noting that the Packers have given up three scores to tight ends over the past four weeks, but fantasy owners should look for better options this week.

D/ST: Arizona Cardinals (at Seattle)

 Remember my whole rant about Larry Fitzgerald earlier? Yeah, apply the same thing to the Cardinals defense. They been solid all year, but I fully expect Seattle to be firing on all cylinders on Sunday. Not only could the Arizona defense underwhelm, but they very well could put up negative numbers this week.

So, who are you sitting and starting this week? Anything you agree or disagree with up above? Let us know in the comments below. Good luck to everyone competing for fantasy championships this week!

Categories: Fantasy Football

Tags: Week 16 Fantasy, Week 16 Fantasy Football, Week 16 Sit Start