Fantasy Football Talk: Week 16

Here it is. The final week of Fantasy Football Championships. Not many players remain, but if your still alive kudos to you. Also, this will be my last Fantasy Football Talk for DHS Press and I cannot thank those of you that have used my editorial at all over my time at Dominion. It’s been a fun three years writing this. Enough of that though, let’s talk fantasy. All point totals (as always) will be done in the basic ESPN PPR point format.

Must Start

Jameis Winston- Quarterback- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: This man is the most complicated player in the football world. He has a chance to lead the NFL in passing yards, passing TDs, and interceptions. That is unheard of. Even with this odd year though he is having a great fantasy year and is quietly QB5 on the year. This week the Bucs face the Texans who are super friendly to opposing QBs. They have allowed the second most FPPG to the position and are one of five teams to allow over 30 passing TDs this season. Ryan Tannehill just torched the Texans for 24.1 fantasy points and he does not rack up yards so it will be exciting to see what a pass heavy Buc offense will do.

Devonta Freeman- Running Back- Atlanta Falcons: Freeman has been super inconsistent this year but finds himself in one of the best matchups of the week. The Falcons face a Jaguar team who is tragic against the rush. They have allowed the most FPPG to opposing RBs and are tied for the second most rushing TDs to RBs as well (9 behind the Panthers who sit on their thrown far ahead of everyone else). Freeman does not see much volume in the passing game but with a very high probability to find paydirt and have a high YPC he is a top tier breakout candidate this season.

Will Fuller V- Wide Receiver- Houston Texans: Heading back to the Texans vs Buccaneers game, Fuller finds himself in a prime spot. He might be the definition of boom or bust but hear me out. The Buccaneers are going to be so focused on DeAndre Hopkins (even though they wont stop him), Fuller is going to be left with a super easy matchup against at worst a CB2 and at best a safety or CB3. The Buccaneers as a team are allowing the most FPPG to opposing WRs and the most reception yards to WRs by nearly 150. Fuller, a home run ball guy, is almost guaranteed a couple home run ball chances in this one as the Texans look to continue their success after last week’s win over the Titans.

Do Not Start

Josh Allen- Quarterback- Buffalo Bills: Sigh. It pains me to put this one as he has had a really good year so far, but against elite defense he has really struggled. Against the Patriots he put 8.7 points the first time around and then against the Ravens only had 10.7 points. The Patriots are still the top ranked defense against QBs and have allowed the lowest amount of FPPG to opposing QBs (11.4). This is obviously going to be a defensive battle between two teams who have elite defenses. Go Bills.

Todd Gurley- Running Back- Los Angeles Rams: It really is a shame he is not be utilized more in LA. He is such an elite talent but just is not being given the production he derves. He has become completely TD dependent and is practically non existent in the passing game. For example, last week he would have had 6.8 fantasy points if he hadn’t had his TDs. He only has six games with over 15 carries and from those carries he doesn’t have a very impressive YPC like he has had in past years. This week the Rams face the 49ers who have allowed the lowest FPPG to opposing RBs which does not bear well for a low volume player in Gurley.

Anthony Miller- Wide Receiver- Chicago Bears: This man has burst onto the scene out of nowhere. He has been a waiver wire pickup of mine for the past two weeks so I hope you snagged the guy. He has six or more receptions in every game except one since week 11 and is averaging 17.6 FP in that time as well. The new dual threat wide receiving corp of Allen Robinson and Miller faces off against a Chief passing defense that has been great against WRs allowing the second lowest FPPG to opposing WRs. I see Miller struggling with Robinson most likely taking the most targets while the Bears will lean heavily on their run game in this one.

Waiver Wire Pickups

Tyler Higbee- Tight End- Los Angeles Rams: He stepped into a vacant TE role in the absence of Gerland Everett and has been nothing short of great in that time. He has had three straight games of over 100 reception yards and over 7 receptions in every one of those games as well. This man is solid and only owned in 35% of ESPN leagues. Cannot go wrong with an add here and definitely a guy to keep tabs on ahead of next year.

Breshad Perriman- Wide Receiver- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: With Mike Evans out for the time being, Perriman is a must start. He had three touchdowns last week and is a part of one of the most potent passing offenses in the NFL. Perriman is a must add and play (as long as Evans is out). He is only owned in 9% of ESPN leagues.

James Washington- Wide Receiver- Pittsburgh Steelers: Finally, the Oklahoma State product is getting his chance in the Steel City. He has some FLEX appeal putting over double digits in three out of his last 4 games and seems to be super comfortable with “Duck” tossing the rock. Washington is only owned in 30% of ESPN leagues.

Thank you for reading my Fantasy Football Talks over the last three years! Good luck to all of you in the future with your fantasy teams!