Happy fantasy playoffs continued to everyone and happy week 16 of the 2024 NFL season! Welcome back to my weekly Start/Sit HUB! Mike here, providing you with information that can help you win your fantasy league week in and week out.
This week’s TNF matchup is one between the 9-5 Broncos and the 8-6 LA Chargers. The game is in LA who is favored by 3 points with a total points over/under of 42.5. My prediction for this game is an upset win for the Broncos by a score of 20-17.
I am here every week during the fantasy football season with start and sit suggestions that can impact your team each week. My decisions as always include obvious and not so obvious picks. I would also like to clarify that my sit suggestions are based on the assumption you have or can add a player that has a better chance at success. Good luck this week and continue to check out my weekly articles.
TNF START/SIT
Start – Courtland Sutton – The Broncos have won 9 games this season and a lot of it has to do with their defense, and the connection between Bo Nix and Sutton on offense. The WR has been targeted 8+ in every game since week 8 and he has scored 4 TDs in his last 5 games. The Charger’s defense is not great, but it is not terrible either. Last time they matched up the Chargers got the last laugh although Sutton scored a TD and gained 53 receiving yards.
Sit – Gus Edwards – Gus has been RB1 since JK Dobbins ended his season, but his numbers do not show that. Instead, he is splitting time with Kimani Vidal and neither have made a substantial impact. Edwards has scored 2 times, but other than that he has been an average to below average rusher. He has to face the Broncos defense that has been one of the best surprises this season. I would bench Edwards unless you are desperate in this fantasy playoff week.
Last night we saw the Chargers defeat the Broncos by a score of 34-27. Both QBs threw for 2 TDs, and both found 10 different pass catchers. Gus Edwards scored 2 TDs. Next weeks TNF game is between the Seahawks and the Bears. But do not forget we get 2 games on Wednesday next week which will be the Chiefs @ Steelers and the Ravens @ Texans. Whether you celebrate Christmas or Hanukkah or any other holiday, it should be a good Wednesday.
Texans @ Chiefs (SATURDAY)
Start – DeAndre Hopkins – D Hop has averaged 7.5 targets per game in his last 4 games played and has 4+ receptions in all 4 with 2 total TDs. The Houston defense has given up almost 20 TDs to WRs this season, so Hopkins has a great chance to score this weekend, especially with Mahomes planning to play after his injury scare.
Sit – CJ Stroud – Stroud has had an okay season but not the one he was hoping for. He has only 1 game with 3 or more TD passes this season and has not eclipsed 300 passing yards since week 5. Kansas City is at home where they do not usually give up many points and end up sneaking out a close win.
Steelers @ Ravens (SATURDAY)
Start – Pat Freiermuth – Lots of starters for this matchup but I chose Pat. Freiermuth is playing his best right now and is streaking in a positive direction. The TE gets the ravens defense that he has already seen once and has not been the defensive powerhouse they are used to in past seasons. Pat has 6 receiving TDs total this season and 1 in each of his last 3 games.
Sit – Jaylen Warren – This could come back to bite me but choosing Warren to sit this weekend. Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren are in a very tough stretch with their matchups to end the season. Ravens have been great against RBs so I don’t expect many rushing yards here. Warren is coming off one of his worst games in Philly when he ran for just 12 yards and caught 1 pass for 3 receiving yards. Unless the Steelers abandon the run and start passing to Warren in desperation, he is a solid sit.
START OF THE WEEK
Start – James Connor – Connor must be sleeping well knowing he has the Panthers next. Dream matchup for a guy who has been tearing it up these last few weeks and most of the season. In his last 3 games he had total yard counts of 81, 122, and 138. He also has 2 rushing TDs and a receiving TD in his last 2 games. With Kyler Murray struggling on and off it’s nice to know Connor is reliable and should have a great game.
Eagles @ Commanders
Start – DeVonta Smith – Smitty has a crazy good week 15 with 11 receptions for 109 receiving yards and caught a TD. He saw a season high in targets and now gets the Washington defense that is not great. He was held to 29 receiving yards the last time these teams played, but the Eagles passing game looked revamped last week and Hurts should look to Smith and Brown often to expose the Washington secondary.
Sit – Terry McLaurin – Every time I put Scary Terry in a sit spot, he likes to prove me wrong, so tread lightly here. Terry is coming off back-to-back 2 TD performances which marks his third and fourth time scoring multiple TDs in game this season. That is the good news; the bad news is that he must face the best defense in the NFL right now who held him to 10 receiving yards just 5 weeks ago. But like I said, tread lightly.
Rams @ Jets
Start – Davante Adams – Adams are you serious? He is eating out there making defenses look silly. 4 TD catches and an average of 124 receiving yards in his last 3 games. Rams will have their hands full because the Rodgers to Adams connection is lethal again like back in Green Bay.
Sit – Cooper Kupp – Bench Kupp? Never thought I would be in this position, but I have my reasons. First reason is that Kupp was targeted just 3 times in week 15 and did not record a reception. In week 13 he had just 3 receptions for 17 receiving yards. Those types of games show inconsistency. My other reason is the matchup. Jets defense is one that thrives on pass defense which hurts Kupp a little more than usual. Not saying you must bench him, just weigh your options.
Giants @ Falcons
Start – Bijan Robinson – Bijan has been in beast mode and is a guy who can win you your fantasy game this week. He gets a soft Giants defense and will be the focal point of the Falcon offense, especially with the late change at QB. Michael Penix will want to find ways to get Bijan the ball in order to have a first good start for him.
Sit – Kyle Pitts – Pitts seems to have gone missing again after a mid/early season surge. Since about week 9 the TE has been background noise a lot not scoring any TDs and averaging under 20 receiving yards per game. A WB change does not seem likely to help Pitts or Penix this week, but he could not get much more mediocre.
Cardinals @ Panthers
Start – James Connor – SEE START OF THE WEEK TOP OF PAGE
Sit – Marvin Harrison Jr – Such an elite young talent at WR but not living up to that potential lately and Kyler Murray is partially responsible. They have not clicked in a while and Harrison has not eclipsed 60 receiving yards since week 8. If you look at his entire game log he has only eclipsed 65 receiving yards twice all season! He has just the 1 TD since their week 11 BYE and that is not ideal. I understand if you have to start him based off potential, but consider him sitting out.
Browns @ Bengals
Start – Tee Higgins – Higgins gets the Browns weak secondary for the second time this season. First time he played them he had 82 receiving yards and a TD. If we look at games Tee has played in, he has scored 6 TDs total in his last 7 games. That is while Ja’Marr Chase is on the same field going off weekly. Joe Burrow is playing out of his mind so Tee is in good hands another week.
Sit – Jerry Jeudy – This is a painful sit suggestion because Jerry has been playing lights out lately. Problem here for him and the entire pass caching Browns offense is that they decided they will start Dorian Thompson-Robinson over Jameis Winston, Winston was known to air it out but that is not the case with Dorian. Matchup is not terrible for Jeudy but not worth the risk here.
Titans @ Colts
Start – Tyjae Spears – Both Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears could be in line for a good week 16. They combined for over 100 rushing yards the first time these teams met this season. Mason Rudolph is starting this week for the Titans who has not gotten a ton of time on the field at the same time as Tyjae, but if last week was any indication, Spears could go for another 6 reception 87 receiving yard and TD performance.
Sit – Anthony Richardson – Richardson’s gameplay has been concerning. He has not reached 200 passing yards since week 11 and that was his first since week 2 (remember he had sat a bunch of games). Anthony has 4 INTs compared to just 2 passing TDs in his last 2 games. If he can not run wild, his game is very one dimensional and he makes too many mistakes. Only start him if you are willing to risk a TD-less performance.
Lions @ Bears
Start – Keenan Allen – Keenan Allen is old reliable. There’s clearly evidence that the Bears are struggling, but Allen has held his own. If Bears want to even be competitive this weekend, they will need to throw the ball and who better than Allen with his experience, his recent success, and his volume. Allen had 73 receiving yards and 2 TDs against Detroit just weeks ago. He has scored 4 TDs in his last 4 games and is getting a ton of targets.
Sit – Cole Kmet – Not really an option here to start just based on his track record and the fact that he is on a Bears offense not playing well. Since the Bears week 7 BYE he has had 1 game with more than 45 receiving yards and that was the only game he had over 3 receptions in the same amount of time. I am positive you can do better at the TE position this week.
Vikings @ Seahawks
Start – Jaxon Smith-Njigba – Horrible matchup for RBs but a delicious one for pass catchers like Jaxon. Minnesota is struggling to contain pass catchers. Jaxon has not missed a beat since week 8. From week 8 on he has averaged 96 receiving yards per game, and he has scored 4 TDs in his last 6 games played. If Geno Smith is playing alongside him, there is exciting potential for yards and potential TDs.
Sit – Kenneth Walker – Walker is expected to play this Sunday, but against the Vikings who have been playing elite rush defense. Kenneth may be healthy enough to give it a full go, but do not expect a gem from him in this matchup, especially with Minnesota fighting for playoff position.
Patriots @ Bills
Start – Khalil Shakir – Shakir leads the Bills in targets, receptions, and receiving yards this season. He has had 7+ targets in every single game since week 7 and is on a 2 game TD streak. The Patriots defense does not threaten much resistance so the only worry here is a blowout when the Bills might abandon the pass game earlier than usual.
Sit – Hunter Henry – Possibly the Patriots best pass catcher is TE Henry, but the Bills know that, and the Bills are playing great football. Henry will get a lot of attention from the defense especially when the Patriots are most likely to be down early and often.
Jaguars @ Raiders
Start – Jakobi Meyers – Jakobi is in a great spot here. The WR is facing the Jaguars bad defense and he should be getting his preferred QB back behind center in Aidan O’Connell. Them 2 have great chemistry as of late and with the ideal matchup he has 100 receiving yard potential. Just make sure Aidan plays.
Sit – Tre Tucker – Brian Thomas Jr was my first choice here to sit simply because the Raiders pass defense is good. Unfortunately, I could not see myself to it with the connection he and Mac Jones have put on display lately. So, I went with Tucker because he has been inconsistent with 2 receptions or less in each of his last 3 games.
49ers @ Dolphins
Start – De’Von Achane – Achane is a do it all RB that has been killing it all season. If the Dolphins want to win and expose the 49ers defense, Achane is the way to do it. Teams have been able to run on the 49ers so Achane is in a great spot here. If Nick Bosa is inactive, it just heightens the possibilities here.
Sit – Brock Purdy – Purdy had a terrible week 15 losing to the Rams for the second time this season. He mustered just 142 passing yards and threw an INT without any scores. So, a bad game and now he must play the Dolphins whose defense is elite against QBs and pass catchers. I am steering clear from this messy situation.
Buccaneers @ Cowboys
Start – Baker Mayfield – Baker is the kind of QB you can imagine gets excited to play a team like the Cowboys and take pleasure and pride in trying to beat them senseless. Lucky for Baker that the Cowboys defense scares no one except their fans. Mayfield has 7 TD passes in his last 2 games; he just needs to work on his INTs lately. Most offensive Bucs players are good plays this week.
Sit – KaVontae Turpin – Turpin has shown moments of promise but has not been consistent or reliable. Most of his appeal comes from his kick return game. He is a boom or bust kind of WR and there have not been enough booms to feel anywhere near confident playing him,
Saints @ Packers
Start – Jayden Reed – Reed was a lot more involved in the offense in week 15 after a big goose egg performance in week 14. He gets to play a depleted Saints team that has been really bad defending WRs this season. I think Love would be smart to target Reed early and often to get points on the board quickly against the Saints. Reed will want to produce on MNF I am sure.
Sit – All Saints – Kendra Miller is the only player on the Saints I even considered as a fantasy starter this week and that is scary enough. No Saints should be starting and even garbage time points seem unlikely for them. I imagine the Packers will want to improve their playoff positioning and this game will make it near impossible for the Saints to reach the playoffs.