It’s Week 16, so a technique or one other, the fantasy soccer playoffs are in full swing. Want to ensure you’re in your approach to a potential championship? Check out the sport notes and extra, and let’s get these wins.
Reminder! I all the time have some enjoyable ranks! This may be something from cartoons to gamers from the 80s to issues to not do while you’re over 30 — be happy to recommend yours. And, I attempt to reply as many feedback as humanly potential… nevertheless… if it’s a easy WDIS inside a place or “Who ought to I commerce for?” kind query, these are 99% lined with the ranks and hyperlink to the commerce charts. Let’s duckin’ go!
#CheckTheLink-age
Week 16 Waiver Wire
Week 16 SOS Ranks
Fantasy 101 (climate, begin/sit, buying and selling, extra)
🎙️All in Fantasy Podcast🎙️
WEEK 16 FANTASY FOOTBALL GAME NOTES
Broncos at Chargers, Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET
► Even if Jaleel McLaughlin is out, I’m not touching the Broncos backfield. The Chargers have been powerful towards the run with a mere three speeding TDs allowed.
► Kimani Vidal had 38.5% of the touches in Week 15 with 100% on third down and all RB targets. Even although Gus Edwards “leads,” you might be praying for a landing, however good luck with that — the Broncos have given up 5 RB speeding touchdowns this yr, and none since Derrick Henry’s two in Week 9.
► Quentin Johnston has at the least 11.4 fantasy factors in each recreation however one wherein he scored a landing and by no means greater than 5.3 factors when he hasn’t. It’s a troublesome week to belief Johnston — the Broncos have allowed simply seven touchdowns to wideouts this season.
Texans at Chiefs, Saturday, 1 p.m. ET
► After six video games of 20+ factors in 2023, together with two of 30+, C.J. Stroud has topped 18.7 factors simply as soon as this yr. Similarly, Tank Dell had six tallies of 14.7+ factors in simply 11 video games in 2023, however he has simply three double-digit scores, with a excessive of 15.6, in 13 video games this season.
► If Carson Wentz is at quarterback, downgrade everybody a couple of half tier. And if Hollywood Brown returns, DeAndre Hopkins and Xavier Worthy change into even riskier WR4s — no matter whether or not it’s Patrick Mahomes or Wentz.
Steelers at Ravens, Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET
► If George Pickens returns, he’s a WR2 in a more durable matchup now than it was weeks in the past.
► There has been just one working again to eclipse 63 speeding yards towards the Ravens: Saquon Barkley (107). The 63 yards have been truly Najee Harris, however I’m not beginning both of the Steelers working backs outdoors of desperation.
► As talked about final week, Rashod Bateman feasts on unhealthy defenses, and Zay Flowers is extra within the more durable matchups/higher opponents. Bateman’s video games with 9+ factors: TB, CIN (x2), LAC, DAL, WSH and NYG (final week). His video games with 6 or fewer factors: KC, LV, DEN, PIT, CLE, BUF, PHI. The LAC and LV matchups are the bizarre ones, however examine the performances and final assembly with the Steelers.
Giants at Falcons, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
► It doesn’t matter the quarterback, Malik Nabers is the one startable Giants participant, and even then, he’s nonetheless a threat/reward WR3.
► I get that the Giants stink greater than duck poop baking within the solar, however Michael Penix carries threat is his first begin. Though, Penix does additionally carry extra upside than Kirk Cousins of late. As talked about throughout the NFL Draft, I see Penix with Matthew Stafford potential (4000-4200 yards and mid-upper 20-touchdowns), together with some however restricted speeding. Drake London turns into a back-end WR2 with WR1 upside, and Darnell Mooney is a increase/bust WR3/4, despite the fact that he’s been extra busty of late (Michael Scott dot GIF).
Lions at Bears, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
► No David Montgomery may result in extra passing, however the Bears aren’t the most effective matchup for Jameson Williams, as they’re Cover-3 heavy (45.1%), and Williams has 2.17 YPRR and 4 TDs towards all different coverages (24 receptions) and simply 1.68 and one TD towards Cover-3 (18 receptions).
► Caleb Williams has struggled for a lot of the yr, particularly towards man protection, and you’ll see it with no Bears participant having greater than 1.04 YPRR towards it. Williams has been higher towards zone, with 4 Bears over 1.40 YPRR. But one thing clicks within the crimson zone (faster choices, and so forth.) — Williams has eight landing throws towards man, seven of them within the crimson zone towards man. Oh, the Lions are the man-heaviest workforce within the league.
Browns at Bengals, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
► With Dorian Thompson-Robinson at quarterback, Jerry Jeudy is a WR3 with threat to backside out. Elijah Moore and Cedric Tillman are unusable, and David Njoku is a backend TE1. DTR has 540 yards, 1 TD, 7 INTs and a 51.4 Comp% on 207 NFL makes an attempt.
► You’re beginning all of your Bengals. Well… if Tee Higgins is out, Mike Gesicki turns into a TE1, and Andrei Iosivas could be a Hail Mary play — basically landing or bust.
Titans at Colts, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
► Calvin Ridley might be in for a down recreation, even with Mason Rudolph at QB. The Colts run probably the most zone (80.0%), and Ridley has 2.94 YPRR towards man however simply 1.22 towards zone. He additionally has a YPC mark of 17.0 towards man in comparison with 12.9 versus zone. You doubtless can’t bench Ridley, however be warned he carries a bit extra threat this week.
► Tony Pollard’s FPPG with at the least 16 carries: 14.4. In video games with fewer carries: 5.9. As lengthy as he’s wholesome, and the Titans don’t deploy extra Tyjae Spears, Pollard is an RB1.
Rams at Jets, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
► Last week was the primary time since Week 10 of 2022 (-3 yards towards the Cardinals) Cooper Kupp didn’t put up constructive receiving yards. It was additionally simply his third recreation with out 51+ yards and 11.5+ fantasy factors this yr. The Jets protection has given up stat traces of 14-10-115-1 to Tyreek Hill, 12-9-99-0 to Jaylen Waddle and 14-10-102-2 to Brian Thomas Jr. up to now two video games.
► If Breece Hall sits and Braelon Allen performs, Allen is a dangerous RB2/3 enjoying by means of damage, with Isaiah Davis an upside RB3 gamble. If Hall performs, he’s a Top 20 possibility with the danger of exiting early. If Hall performs and Allen is out, Davis turns into an upside RB3 gamble. If Hall and Allen are out, Davis is Top 20, with Top 10 potential.
Eagles at Commanders, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
► Since A.J. Brown’s arrival in Philly, the Eagles common 4.8 TD/ATT% and 28.7 TD/Drive% with him on the sector, in comparison with 3.3 TD/ATT% and 4.5 TD/Drive% with out Brown.
► Since their bye, the Eagles have allowed simply 4 double-digit wideout scores — none greater than 12.0, with simply two totaling greater than 65 yards (Puka Nacua and Adam Thielen). You have to start out Terry McLaurin, however he’s not assured for WR1 manufacturing like his previous three video games.
Cardinals at Panthers, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
► Since Week 4, Marvin Harrison Jr. has three video games over 6.9 factors and only one with over 60 receiving yards. During that span, Harrison is WR43 total and WR58 in FPPG. I’d sit him in favor of Adam Thielen, enjoying for the opposite facet.
► Chuba Hubbard has been a lot much less environment friendly since dealing with the Giants — 5.1 YPC and 4.9 YPT heading into the Panthers’ bye, and three.5 and three.5, respectively, since. Hubbard is volume-reliant at this level, nevertheless it’s a constructive matchup.
Vikings at Seahawks, Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET
► The Vikings protection is about as much as give the Seahawks suits, particularly as Jaxon Smith-Njigba has been considerably higher versus man than zone — 2.76 YPRR towards man and 1.67 versus zone. If Sam Howell is at quarterback, JSN turns into a dicey WR3 gamble as an alternative of a must-start.
► If Kenneth Walker returns, he’d rank behind Zach Charbonnet given it’s his first recreation again and a troublesome matchup. Both Charbonnet and Walker could be in RB2/3 combine with equal upside and threat.
Patriots at Bills, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
► Five of the previous six quarterbacks towards the Bills have thrown at the least two touchdowns (Tua Tagovailoa, Joe Flacco, Patrick Mahomes, Matthew Stafford, Jared Goff). Only Brock Purdy didn’t, who wasn’t 100%. While Drake Maye is much from reliable, the Bills protection isn’t as powerful because it was.
► Amari Cooper ran simply 15 routes and didn’t see a goal in Week 15. Khalil Shakir is the one Bills wideout you may belief outdoors of a Hail Mary play with Keon Coleman.
Jaguars at Raiders, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
► This one might be temporary. There are two names you have to begin on this recreation: Brian Thomas Jr. and Brock Bowers.
► There might be a 3rd semi-trustworthy possibility with Jakobi Meyers, however provided that QB Aidan O’Connell returns.
49ers at Dolphins, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
► With Isaac Guerendo out, all 49ers are dangerous gambles who I wouldn’t need to use in my playoffs, significantly towards a quite stable Dolphins run protection.
► Brock Purdy with out precipitation (outdoor clearly) in comparison with with…
- Comp: 68.3% vs 51.0%
- YD/Comp: 13.6 vs 9.4
- TD/ATT: 6.3% vs 0.0%
- Pass RTG: 109.8 vs 56.2
- EPA per DB: 0.24 vs -0.33
► If Jaylen Waddle performs, he’s not more than a Hail Mary chase, and if he’s out, Malik Washington is the same gamble however extra volume-reliant.
Buccaneers at Cowboys, Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET
► If Bucky Irving is sweet to go, he’s within the Top 15, however with damage threat. Rachaad White could be a Top 25 play on this matchup. If Irving is out, White is an RB1 and Sean Tucker as an RB3 gamble.
► RBs with extra fantasy factors than Rico Dowdle the previous three weeks: Josh Jacobs, Chase Brown, Zach Charbonnet, James Conner, Bijan Robinson, Kyren Williams, Jahmyr Gibbs… finish of listing. Yes, he’s RB8 in that span.
Saints at Packers, Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET
► If Alvin Kamara is out, Kendre Miller is a volume-reliant RB2 with a play type very similar to Jamaal Williams.
► TmTGT% when Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, Christian Watson and Tucker Kraft have all performed collectively…
- Reed 17.0%
- Doubs 15.2%
- Kraft 14.7%
- Watson 13.4%
FUN WITH RANKS
So, I had a number of tweets and feedback speaking about how managers acquired booted from the playoffs as a result of whereas their groups went off with 160, 170, and even 180+ factors, they acquired edged out by a workforce going ham! I tweeted that I desire the factors advance methodology as soon as the playoffs are right here, which introduced the dumpster juice of individuals out of the woodwork. Whatever approach you prefer to play is okay by me — I simply have my favorites and figured I’d listing my Top 10 fantasy soccer settings, which I suggest utilizing… otherwise you’re a dummy poo-poo ugly head.
- #BanKickers — Obviously. Thank the late Rob Bironas for this one and luxuriate in this complete article stating their irrelevance.
- FAB Waivers — Any form of ordered precedence waivers needs to be banned like kickers. Every league needs to be a Free Agent Budget setup, including extra technique to waivers and gamesmanship.
- Doubleheader vs. Median — Worst case is the second-highest scoring workforce goes 1-1, because the upper-half scoring groups get an additional win whereas the underside half will get an additional loss. There is not any “realism” to a fantasy league schedule.
- Keepers — Obviously, this includes leaguemates you may play with yearly, nevertheless it retains (no pun meant) everybody concerned all yr, will increase commerce frequency, rewards those that invested in sleepers, and is only a higher expertise.
- Auction Draft — Try it. You’ll like it. It’s the one approach everybody may be in on any participant. Extra technique, workforce constructing any approach you need, enjoyable in utilizing your poker face abilities and extra. Do it. Do it now!
- TremendousFlex or Second Flex — Deepen the participant pool. In a 10-team league, TremendousFlex seems like a “should” today. In 12-teamers, it will get powerful to not have accidents destroy a workforce with no accessible beginning quarterbacks on the market after the draft, so you may go to a second Flex as an alternative, and both approach, you’re including extra expertise to groups, and making drafting, strikes, and so forth. extra essential.
- Byes for Top Seed Only, Sixth Seed Points — Just just like the NFL, make first place imply one thing. The 12-team format often offers two byes, however as an alternative, solely give one to reward the in-season champ. Also, the ultimate seed is the highest-scoring remaining workforce, which frequently doesn’t differ a lot in case you’re utilizing doubleheader scoring, nevertheless it nonetheless helps mitigate random schedule luck.
- Points Only Advance within the Playoffs — Ties into the doubleheader format and the sixth seed being primarily based on factors scored. While randomness is a part of the sport — all sports activities actually — matchups within the playoffs are identical to in-season matchups. No extra high two scores eliminating a terrific efficiency whereas two weak scores advance a workforce simply due to matchup luck.
- Punishment for Last Place — People giving up or not caring about ending final is usually mitigated with keepers, however there ought to nonetheless be one thing for being final — pay for pizza on the subsequent draft, go to a sporting occasion in a dumb shirt or outfit… one thing.
- WR/TE in Place of TE-Only Spot — The days of “true tight ends” are lifeless. The NFL doesn’t even use the place because it did years and many years in the past, so we must always adapt — identical to we did with half-PPR or full-PPR, extra WR spots, and so forth. Six-team byes make this even worse, and I’ve seen the pushback. No, tight ends will “by no means get used.” Not solely have I seen quite a few examples of groups nonetheless utilizing two tight ends (one within the Flex or additional Flex), however the level is simply to open your choices to choices like, “Should I probability a Grant Calcaterra landing or hope Wan’Dale Robinson can get six factors?”
Bonus (despite the fact that it needs to be apparent) — #BanVetoes — Unless you may show collusion — and 99.9% of the time, you may’t — individuals are free to handle their workforce nevertheless they need, and it’s not on you to determine what’s greatest. In reality, you may listing examples of “lopsided” trades early within the season, which end up utterly lopsided the opposite approach as a result of individuals have been fallacious.
WEEK 16 FANTASY FOOTBALL PROJECTIONS
🚨 HEADS UP 🚨 These can differ from my rankings, and MY RANKS are the order I’d begin gamers outdoors of added context, akin to, “Need highest upside, even when dangerous.” Also, primarily based on 4-point TDs for QB, 6-point relaxation, and Half-PPR
Projections Download Link
WEEK 16 FANTASY FOOTBALL RANKINGS
🚨 HEADS UP 🚨
- There is not any excellent widget on the market, sadly, nonetheless. I do know many view this in your telephone, however 1) use the rankings widget on a PC/laptop computer/and so forth. if potential or 2) open in your telephone’s browser, particularly for Android customers, to get the scrolling to work (or Android individuals can strive a two-finger scroll).
- ECR = “Expert” Consensus Ranking (which isn’t up to date by everybody persistently, so take with a grain of salt).
- Updated often, so examine as much as lineups locking.
(Top picture of Braelon Allen, Breece Hall: Morgan Tencza / Imagn Images)
