Drew Brees far outdistanced the field in week 15 for quarterbacks with 29 fantasy points.
It was a nice bounce-back performance for Brees after being dismal in the last few weeks leading up to the fantasy playoffs. Brees was on point against an Arizona defense that was previously the best in the NFL.
Brees should once again be a top-flight option this week against a Tampa Bay defense that was shredded by rookie Dak Prescott in week 15. It’s a no-brainer to start Brees in the championship round of the fantasy football playoffs.
For those players who are on the fence, here’s the week 16 quarterbacks start ’em, sit ’em guide.
Start
Jameis Winston vs. New Orleans Saints
Lost in the top performance by Brees was Carson Palmer’s top-five fantasy day against the New Orleans defense. Palmer was a mess before getting right against New Orleans in week 15.
That should help make Winston a solid fantasy option for week 16.
He hasn’t been great in recent weeks, but that shouldn’t deter you from starting him against New Orleans. He’s at 10 or fewer fantasy points in the last two weeks, but that was due to not keeping a hold of the football in week 15 against Dallas. He had four turnovers against the Cowboys, which offset his two touchdown passes.
He should be able to get back on track this week against New Orleans, which owns the second-worst pass defense in the NFL. This game won’t be near as low-scoring as the first meeting two weeks ago. Expect more points, allowing Brees and Winston to be top-tier quarterback options in week 16.
Russell Wilson vs. Arizona Cardinals
Despite being inconsistent, I was on the Wilson fantasy bandwagon last week, much to my delight.
After a dismal performance in week 14 at Green Bay, Wilson bounced back with an efficient effort in week 15 against Los Angeles. I expect Wilson to have a similar effort against an Arizona defense that appears to have forgotten there’s still a little season left before 2016 is finished.
This won’t be like the last time these two teams squared off against one another. In that contest, neither quarterback could do anything for fantasy owners.
This one should be different. Arizona looked disinterested on the defensive side of the ball in week 15. I can’t imagine that’s going to get much better on a short week and traveling to Seattle.
Seattle will throw the ball, giving Wilson enough volume to be a solid fantasy play in week 16. If he’s on your roster, don’t worry about his output this week.
Matthew Stafford vs. Dallas Cowboys
Stafford didn’t look like himself in week 15 against a solid New York Giants secondary. It may have been because of injury, but it also may have been because New York’s defense is among the best in the NFL.
I’m going with the latter and I consider Stafford to be a decent choice against a Dallas defense that still has its moments as a bad pass defense.
While turning Winston over in week 15, the Cowboys still allowed the second-year quarterback to have some success. And Stafford should be back on track in week 16 with more rest as this game will be played on a Monday night.
Despite improving in recent weeks, the Cowboys still own a bottom-five passing defense. That should open up the possibilities for Stafford to move the chains.
Sit
Tyrod Taylor vs. Miami Dolphins
The volume just isn’t there for Taylor.
I expected him to be a decent option in week 15, and while he was a low-end QB1, he still didn’t do enough to conjure up enough optimism for this week.
Taylor has thrown for less than 200 yards in four of the past five games. He couldn’t even muster more than 200 yards against a Cleveland defense that is one of the worst in the NFL.
Miami’s pass defense is much better, ranking in the top-10 against the pass. Miami has a tough time stopping the run, so I expect the Bills to focus even more on the run than usual. I’m staying away from Taylor in championship week.
Carson Palmer vs. Seattle Seahawks
I was all over Palmer last week. This week, it’s a different story.
He’s been atrocious on the road this season. Much of that has been while traveling to the East Coast, but he’s still a different player on the road. That is an issue, especially on a short week on the road against a divisional opponent that has played him well in past years.
Seattle owns a top-10 pass defense. What’s even more problematic for Palmer and the rest of his crew is that the Seahawks allow an average of 6.9 yards per completion, another top-10 attribute.
Palmer and company like to throw the ball deep and get big chunks of yards. The Seahawks won’t let him do that. Arizona won’t have patience to move the ball in small increments. I’m fading Palmer, even after a big effort in week 15.
Andy Dalton vs. Houston Texans
Dalton was good for a half against Pittsburgh in week 15. After that, he, along with the rest of his team collapsed.
He managed less than 200 yards passing against a Pittsburgh defense that hasn’t exactly been the best unit in the NFL this season. That worries me ahead of the week 16 tilt against the Texans, which now own the league’s best pass defense.
Houston is going to keep Dalton in check enough that it’s not worth starting him with the championship at stake. There are better matchups available for quarterbacks who may not be regular starters.
The Bengals are not used to playing this late in the season without the playoffs being an option. Dalton’s lack of weapons were glaringly obvious in week 16 after Pittsburgh woke up.
It won’t take long for the Texans to be ready in this game. That means there’s little to desire from Dalton.
