How was your weekend? Did you advance in the fantasy playoffs? Hopefully you did, but if you didn’t then, well, there’s always next year. I got booted from several playoffs myself, so I’m hoping Jahmyr Gibbs gets 64 touches in Week 16 to ensure that I’m making a fantasy championship. Lets see if we can make it to the championship with some not-so-obvious starters this week, because let’s be honest, we are going to need it. Just win baby.
Isaac Guerendo, RB, 49ers at Dolphins
We all saw that brutal game (from an offensive standpoint) between the 49ers and Rams in Week 15. However, a silver lining for Guerendo was that he still had 20 touches for 75 yards, despite coming off a foot injury in Week 14. That was a phenomenal sign as you’d expect him to be healthier this week. The Dolphins aren’t an easy defense to run against by any means as they haven’t allowed a running back to run for more than 45 yards in five straight games, but Guerendo’s volume, plus his ability to break long runs make him a viable start in Week 16.
Cedric Tillman, WR, Browns at Bengals
Hey, remember this guy? Now, we still don’t know if he’ll be active for Week 16 against the Bengals, but what a matchup for him if he is. If Tillman is somehow out again, don’t hesitate (within reason) to take a look at Elijah Moore. At this point, if you’re reading this then you: A. Know about the Bengals defense, B. You’re still alive in the fantasy playoffs or C. You are just enjoying reading my stuff (if that’s you, thanks). The Bengals have allowed a receiver to score a touchdown in four of their last five games. With Dorian Thompson-Robinson starting at quarterback for the Browns in Week 16 there might not be as much passing volume, but the Bengals’ defense might be so bad that it doesn’t matter.
D’Andre Swift, RB, Bears vs. Lions
I’d take a swing at trusting Swift here in the fantasy semifinals even though the Bears’ offense looked rough in Week 15. Swift was decent, carrying the ball 19 times for 79 yards, while adding another 10 yards on one catch against a respectable Vikings front seven. The thing here is that the Lions’ injuries have been piling up on the defense to a scary degree and offenses have been benefiting. The Lions were once the top rush defense in the NFL, but they’ve allowed seven rushing touchdowns in their last two games. Swift is still seeing enough volume to take advantage of the Lions’ ailing defense.
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DeVonta Smith, WR, Eagles at Commanders
Look who’s back. In Week 15, Smith got back to doing what he does against the Steelers who entered the game with a top 10 defense. Smitty went off, catching 11-of-12 targets for 109 yards and a touchdown. He has now scored a touchdown in two straight games as the Eagles have now got the passing game back on track. He’ll be looking to improve upon his 4-29-0 stat line that he had in Week 11 against the Commanders. They’ve allowed two receiving touchdowns in six straight games, so expect both Smith and A.J. Brown to be factors for a second straight week in a pivotal game with major playoff implications.
Adam Thielen, WR, Panthers vs. Cardinals
Thielen had to grind out just 10 fantasy points (in PPR formats) after going 5-51-0. For the day though, he still saw 25% of the targets (seven) which led the team in Week 16. Furthermore, Xavier Legette is suffering from a groin injury that is considered week-to-week, so expect to see the targets to continue to head Thielen’s way (with some Jalen Coker mixed in). The Cardinals are among the best at allowing the fewest fantasy points per game to receivers, but Thielen is simply seeing too many opportunities to be ignored. The Panthers are only 4.5-point underdogs and the Over/Under is 47 points; this one could have more offensive fireworks than we think.
Rachaad White, RB, Buccaneers at Cowboys
White has been the RB12 in fantasy points per game over the last three weeks to Bucky Irving’s RB17. It has definitely helped that he’s scored in two of his last three games, but the volume has been consistent as ever. In White’s last five games he’s averaging 15.4 touches and 77 yards from scrimmage per game. The Cowboys’ defense is the fifth-worst team at allowing fantasy points per game to running backs and have given up the second-most rushing touchdowns to them as well. The Bucs are on a roll and look like the team who will take the NFC South. White has earned himself a vital role, so it’s all systems go.
