Fantasy takeaways: Week 16

By: Josh Frey-Sam

It never fails.

Every year at this time, I question why we continue to play this stupid game called fantasy football.

Am I a bit sour about a couple of early exits? Absolutely.

Contrary to my own advice that I delivered in this space last week, I decided to bench Joe Burrow in one league and instead start CJ Stroud, whom I added off waivers. The only reason I did this was that I had Nico Collins, and the idea of having that stack as the Texans were getting set to face the Raiders at home got me excited.

Simply put, I got cute. And now I have to live with that decision.

I still had a great chance to win the matchup, too, but the injury to TreVeyon Henderson kissed those championship hopes goodbye in a league that I dominated for the majority of the season.

So, here we are: booted from three playoffs in two weeks, off to the semis in one league, and clinging to an eight-point lead with a trip to the championship at stake in another.

It wasn’t my week for the most part.

Here are my takeaways from Week 16:

Rams @ Seahawks

Puka’s torrent stretch continues, and you’re probably not starting any other Rams receiver in the championship. If you need a TE stream in the championship, consider Seahawks’ TE AJ Barner. He won’t goose you, and he has at least five targets in four out of the last six games. His upside is a bit limited (only has one touchdown since Week 5), but he also gets a Panthers defence that is average at defending TEs this week.

Eagles @ Commanders

Chris Rodriguez Jr. returned from a one-game absence, and although it wasn’t pretty, he finished with a pretty solid stat line (69 total yards and one touchdown) while logging 16 touches. If Marcus Mariota can’t go on a short week, he could be in for a big workload against a vulnerable Cowboys defence.

Packers @ Bears

Last week, I benched Josh Jacobs in one league because everything I knew told me the Packers might limit his touches, and he was in a tough matchup against the Broncos. That one bit me. This week, I started him, and his last touch was a fumble, while it seems like he may have re-aggravated his knee. The Packers played it safe by sitting him the rest of the game. Emmanuel Wilson should already be rostered, but if he’s not for some strange reason, you need to nab him and fire him up with confidence in your championship if Jacobs can’t go against the Ravens this week.

Jets @ Saints

We’re seeing what a healthy Chris Olave with consistent quarterback play looks like, and it’s marvellous. Olave legitimately might be a top-two or three round pick next season.

Bills @ Browns

Quinshon Judkins’ season is done after a gruesome injury. Raheim Sanders led all backs with 12 touches (46 yards) in Judkins’ absence. Keep an eye on Dylan Sampson’s practice status this week, but Sanders appears to be the waiver target right now. Whether you would actually start him is another question — they get the Eagles next. Also, don’t sweat about Josh Allen.

Chiefs @ Titans

Isiah Pacheco had 14 touches, including six receptions, for a total of 75 yards. You can’t trust him against Denver on a short week with Chris Oladokun under center, though. Meanwhile, Tony Pollard (21 touches) continues to see elite usage. You can fire him up as a volume-based RB2 against the Saints in the championship.

Chargers @ Cowboys

Tough spot for Omarion Hampton owners this week. The matchup (vs. Houston) stinks, but with Kimani Vidal’s injury, Hampton is set to see an incredible volume. He had 17 touches without Vidal against the Cowboys on Sunday, and you have to start him next week. After missing Week 15 with a groin injury, Quentin Johnston returned and had a monster game. He’s a low-floor flex play on championship week, though.

Vikings @ Giants

Big time workload for Aaron Jones (22 touches) after Jordan Mason left with injury. Jones needs to be in your lineup on a short week against Detroit.

Bucs @ Panthers

Sean Tucker continues to steal goal-line touches from Bucky Irving, who is otherwise getting an amazing workload. Irving maintains a high weekly upside, but Tucker’s usage is frustrating.

Bengals @ Dolphins

Joe Burrow is still good at football. He gets Arizona in the championship, and I won’t be shocked if he carries some people to a title.

Jaguars @ Broncos

Parker Washington became WR1 (6-145-1) while Jakobi Meyers was occupied by Pat Surtain. I expect Meyers to reclaim the top-target role next week against the Colts, but Washington should be in flex consideration. Meanwhile, Courtland Sutton (6-86-1) is quietly having an outstanding playoff run.

Falcons @ Cardinals

Wow, lots to take from this one. Elijah Higgins (7-91) leads Cards’ pass catchers — don’t expect that to continue enxt week; Michael Carter, as expected, leads Cards’ backfield and has solid day (11-65); Tyler Allgeier gets the same amount of carries as Bijan Robinson (16), but Robinson adds seven receptions; the Kyle Pitts run isn’t a lucky stretch anymore.

Raiders @ Texans

Jeanty has his GAME in an impossible matchup. RB Woody Marks should be back for the Texans in championship week, but Jahwar Jordan must be rostered in case he’s not. Jordan touched the ball 20 times on Sunday, dominating the opportunity share over Nick Chubb (7).

Steelers @ Lions

The Steelers run through their RBs — everyone else is second. Jaylen Warren (16 touches, 151 yards, 2 touchdowns) and Kenneth Gainwell (14 touches, 128 yards, 1 touchdown) can both be in your lineup against Cleveland this week.

Patriots @ Ravens

A lot of people dropped Rhamondre Stevenson. You might want to go pick him back up. The game script against the Jets next week should be very favourable for Stevenson to have a big game, especially if Henderson is out.

Thanks for reading and, as always, have a great day.

Josh