Learn Start Or Sit: Week 16
As always, let’s stay away from the major players and focus on second-tier players — the ones we struggle to fill our flex positions or final receiver slot. This is it, the final week. All of your hard work has paid off and it’s now time to reap the benefits of knowing you made it to the dance. Do you trust Matt Moore?
START
QB Matt Moore, Dolphins (at Patriots) Moore has had mixed results as a fantasy QB but has played well for the Dolphins. This past week, he threw for 217 yards and two TDs with no interceptions. As the starter, he’s averaging 191.4 yards and 1.2 TDs per game. Scary numbers for a QB entering fantasy championship week but if you’re in two-QB leagues, he’s this week’s waiver-wire pickup. the Patriots are allowing 299.8 passing yards and 1.75 total TDs per game to opposing QBs the past four weeks. Don’t forget, they’ve made Rex Grossman and Dan Orlovsky look like quality no. 1 fantasy starters. Start Moore if you’re in two-QB or larger leagues.
QB Matt Ryan, Falcons (at Saints) Ryan’s numbers last week could have been higher than what he threw — 19-of-26 passing for 224 yards and three TDs and no interceptions — considering he exited in the third quarter. Since Week nine, he is averaging 287.9 yards and 2.4 TDs per game. Outstanding numbers and he’s facing the Saints, a team he knows very well. In six games dating back to 2008, he is averaging 263 yards and two TDs per game. the Saints are allowing 315 yards and 1.5 TDs to opposing QBs the past four weeks, making Ryan not only a must-play but with the matchup to post elite numbers. Ryan can exploit this matchup.
RB Kahlil Bell, Bears (at Packers) Bell (15-65-0 rushing and 5-43-1 on six targets) showed his pass-receiving abilities and his skills as a fantasy dual threat last week. He outplayed Marion Barber (11-33-0) and is facing a Packers team allowing 168.3 yards from scrimmage the past four weeks. There’s no guarantee how many touches he’ll see, but against the Packers, it could be a case where Chicago is playing catchup and Bell will see his targets. In larger leagues and typical leagues as an injury fill-in, he can start.
RB Ryan Grant, Packers (vs. Bears) Grant (12-66-0 rushing and 3-35-0 receiving on five targets) managed to do well against a Chiefs team that simply surprised and upended the Packers. the Bears are allowing 136.6 yards from scrimmage and 1.25 TDs to opposing backs the past four weeks, making it a matchup Grant can produce in, even if James Starks (ankle) plays. Remember, the Packers haven’t clinched home-field advantage yet so they’ll be playing from start to finish barring a blowout. Start him in larger leagues.
RB DeAngelo Williams, Panthers (vs. Bucs) Williams (15-61-1) had another TD last week and has four in the past four games. He has a two-game average of 11 attempts for 74 yards and one TD and faces a Bucs team that’s allowing 176.3 yards and 1.25 TDs per game to the position the past four weeks. He’s on a bit of a TD streak, so ride him while you can and start him.
WR Dwayne Bowe, Broncos (vs. Raiders) Bowe (4-49-0 on five targets) should be able to bounce back from a three-game average of 4.7 catches for 55.7 yards and no TDs on eight targets. QB Kyle Orton should help and Bowe is facing the Raiders, who are allowing 214.3 yards and 1.8 TDs per game to WRs the past four weeks. He’s playable, so start him.
WR Julio Jones, Falcons (at Saints) Jones had no issues with his back and had a second consecutive productive week for his fantasy owners. He has a three-game average of four catches for 85.7 yards and one TD on 8.3 targets and faces a Saints team allowing 212.8 yards and 0.8 TDs to WRs the past four weeks. Jones could pile up the yardage in what could be a high-octane game. Start him.
WR Jabar Gaffney, Redskins (vs. Vikings) Gaffney (6-85-0 on nine targets) continues to gain fantasy value, has a two-game average of six catches for 88.5 yards and 0.5 TDs and now faces a struggling Vikings defense at home. They’re allowing 175.5 yards and 1.8 TDs per game to WRs the past four weeks. He’s a solid play, continuing to be the complementary WR to Santana Moss. Start him.
TE Dustin Keller, Jets (vs. Giants) Keller (3-73-0 on six targets) is coming out of a two-game slump. while he is talented, he always has been inconsistent. This week could be one of his few bright spots this season, as the Giants are allowing 54.5 yards and one TD per game to TEs the past four weeks. Keller is good enough to start in larger leagues, as the Jets should be able to move the ball this week.
SIT
QB Joe Flacco, Ravens (vs. Browns) Flacco has been a borderline no. 2 fantasy QB in typical leagues and a matchup play in two-QB leagues. last week, he threw for 226 yards, two TDs and two interceptions. He has played well the past two games but one game was against the lowly Colts and this past week he was playing from behind and forced to pass. Don’t look for that this week, as the Browns are allowing 176 yards from scrimmage and one TD against opposing backs the past four weeks — which means heavy use for RB Ray Rice. the Browns are allowing 255.3 yards and one TD per game over the past four weeks to opposing QBs and Flacco’s last three games against the Browns, he’s averaging 174 yards and 1.7 TDs. Sit him this week.
RB Bernard Scott, Bengals (vs. Cardinals) Scott (7-20-1) could spell Cedric Benson like he did last week if Benson struggles against the Cardinals. Fantasy players have a tendency at times to assume that when a team is bad or has a bad offense the defense is also terrible. That’s not the case with the Cardinals. the Arizona defense is a big reason why the Cars are still fighting for a playoff spot. They’re allowing 104.3 total yards and 0.5 TDs per game to the RB position the past four weeks, which makes this a very tough matchup for Scott. for those owners assuming Scott can be picked up and played, don’t do it. Sit him.
WR Brandon Lloyd, Rams (at Steelers) Lloyd (5-42-0 on nine targets) has a four-game average of four catches for 58 yards and no TDs on 8.25 targets and has dropped off the fantasy map. He hasn’t scored a TD since Week 12. with the Rams on their third starting QB, in Kellen Clemens, and the Steelers allowing 103.8 yards and 0.3 TDs to opposing WRs the past four weeks, he has no upside. Sit him.
WR David Nelson, Bills (vs. Broncos) Nelson (6-60-0 on seven targets) had his best game since Week 12. despite the loss to the Patriots, the Broncos’ defense has been playing solid football. Denver is allowing 121.3 yards and 0.8 yards per game to opposing WRs the past four weeks. with QB Ryan Fitzpatrick so inconsistent that you can’t count on him, sit Nelson if you can.
<a href="http://www.profootballweekly.com/2011/12/23/start-or-sit-week-16tag:news.google.com,2005:cluster=http://www.profootballweekly.com/2011/12/23/start-or-sit-week-16Fri, 23 Dec 2011 22:01:04 GMT”>Start or sit: Week 16
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