Welcome to Week 16! Here’s a little something about me. I like to consider myself somewhat of a Fantasy Football Zen Master. Mentally, it can become a rough hobby. I have many friends in leagues who spend so much time saying things like, “Oh, Man! If only I played that obscure player on my bench, Then I would have won!”or,”I can’t believe this stupid quarterback won’t throw to my receiver! Instead, he’s throwing to that other guy who keeps catching touchdowns.”
Sound familiar? I thought this week I’d give you some Fantasy Football Zen Wisdom as you prepare for that playoff push.
In everyone’s new favorite show, Ted Lasso, Ted tells one of his star players to have the memory of a goldfish. What Ted is getting at, is that dwelling on past mistakes won’t help future successes. What I mean is a little different.
You’re going to set your fantasy football lineups using whatever information you have available to you. Some of you will set multiple lineups. What I suggest is that, once you set your line up, you forget it. Unless there is a last-minute potential inactive you have to worry about, forget who you started. Then sit yourself down in front of your television, and enjoy watching football. We all like football, if we didn’t we wouldn’t be here. So stop stressing out about players and coaches you have no control over, and watch the game you enjoy. Best of luck in the playoffs. I hope you win.
As always all roster percentages will be via ESPN Fantasy Football. The players that follow are all below 65% rostered.
Quarterbacks
Cam Newton, CAR 27.1 % Rostered – Until Cam Newton stops scoring fantasy football points I will start him. Fantasy football is not real football, and the players who provide more opportunities to score are more valuable. Facing off against the Buccs in Week 16 does make me a bit scared, as I anticipate them coming out with a vengeance after being blanked. However Cam Newton scores points, and I don’t rightly care if 75% of them are in garbage time. Start him.
Ben Roethlisberger, PIT 19.6% Rostered – Ben didn’t have the best week last outing against the Titans, but he has been fairly reliable in fantasy football for the last month. This week he gets to throw against the Chiefs who rank bottom-5 in passing yards allowed. I for one am rooting for some fireworks to close out his career.
Mac Jones, NE 19.2 % Rostered – A few weeks ago we were treated to a historic “performance” by Mac Jones when he passed three times in a win over Buffalo. This week, Buffalo is coming to town, and narratively I am choosing to subscribe to Mac making up for lost throws and going for over 200 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Tyler Huntley, BAL 4.9 % Rostered – Harbaugh said Lamar may be back in Week 16. If that is the case you should not start Tyler Huntley. If Huntley gets the start, I will start him with glee. This guy has proven to be effective this season. He can help you win.
Running Backs
D’Onta Foreman, TEN 62.9 % Rostered – It seems the Titans have decided that D’Onta Foreman is the starting running back. With 22 attempts for 108 yards against the Steelers, I feel very happy to play him next week against San Francisco.
Duke Johnson, MIA 0.6% Rostered – Duke may have just been elevated from the practice squad, but with 22 rushes for 107 yards and 2 touchdowns, I bet he’s played himself into some more touches next week too. Miami does tend to make odd decisions with their running backs, but I’m hoping they don’t ignore his success here.
Rashaad Penny, SEA 52.7 % Rostered – Since this will be published prior to tonight’s games, and I am not at all sure how the Seahawks will treat their backfield. However judging on last week, I believe in Penny’s production. His fantasy football roster percentage is far too low right now. Keep an eye on the Tuesday Night Football game, and try to get him on your squad.
Ronald Jones, TB 23.4 % Rostered – Arians is on record saying ‘It’s Ronald Jones’ time now’. I remember Fournette’s late-season glow-up last year, and I look forward to Jones doing the same. This team wants another Super Bowl. If they’re going to get there (I for one am done betting against Tom), Jones is going to play a huge part in it. I’m going hard in the paint to pick up RoJo.
Wide Receivers
Christian Kirk, ARI 62 % Rostered – Kirk was targeted 12 times in the baffling loss against the Lions. With Hopkins out the rest of the fantasy football playoffs, I like Kirk to continue producing for this team.
Amon-Ra St. Brown, DET 24.4 % Rostered – Looking at the last three games, St. Brown has had 12, 12, and 11 targets with no less than 15 fantasy football points in each. It has taken all year, but Amon-Ra seems to have developed into a must-start WR. Don’t let the team he plays for scare you away.
Gabriel Davis, BUF 12.6 % Rostered – With Emmanuel Sanders being phased out of this offense, it seems Josh Allen has found a new end zone threat. This offense is going to be fighting until the end of the season, and I would love to have more pieces in it.
Russel Gage, ATL 54.6 % Rostered – I will keep beating this drum until he is over the threshold for this article. Gage is a legit playmaker for Matt Ryan, and he belongs on your fantasy football team.
Tight Ends
Gerald Everett, SEA 18.5 % Rostered – Again, the Seahawks play tomorrow so I can’t tell you if Everett scores against the Rams. I would however bet on Russ trying to make it happen.
Hunter Henry, NE 47.6 % Rostered – Henry had a fantastic fantasy football night against the Colts. Mac prefers him over Jonnu, and I like this offense to score some points against Buffalo next week.
Defense/STs
Here are some defenses who have fantasy football playoff match-ups I like.
Eagles- NYG, WSH
Chargers- HOU, DEN
Bears- SEA, NYG
Kickers
Evan McPherson has had some really good fantasy football weeks this year, and it seems the Bengals trust him to make 50+ yarders.
