NFL Fantasy Starts and Sits of Week 16: Sunday Night Gold Mine
By Erik Lambert
Dec 15, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green (18) runs with the ball as Pittsburgh Steelers strong safety Troy Polamalu (left) and cornerback Ike Taylor (24) attempt to tackle during the third quarter at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 30-20. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Sunday Night by itself should feature some prime NFL fantasy options. Who else around the league deserves a start or a sit?
Start – LeSean McCoy against Chicago Bears
The leading rusher in the league facing the worst rush defense is NFL fantasy 101. The Chicago Bears defense has struggled all year to stop opposing running backs and the same should hold true for LeSean McCoy. Despite an off week in Minnesota, he should see plenty of action in a game Philadelphia knows it has to win. McCoy is averaging five yards per carry while the Bears are giving up 5.2. That is a recipe for a record-setting night.
Sit – Zac Stacy against Tampa Bay Buccaneers
A pleasant surprise for the St. Louis Rams all year long, Zac Stacy could have a future as their featured running back. However, his hopes for a big game in week 16 should be shelved. As well as the Rams have run the ball, they are about to go against a Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense that is typically tough against the run. Their ranking isn’t impressive but head coach Greg Schiano has done a good job of at least instilling the mind set that his team will stop the run first. Stacy can expect lots of eight-man fronts.
Start – A.J. Green against Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings can’t hide from their greatest weakness. Despite winning last week they still gave up over 400 passing yards to Philadelphia, 195 of them to DeSean Jackson. Their secondary is injured and a mess. Now they have to go to frigid Cincinnati to play against an ornery Bengals team boasting All-Pro A.J. Green? Andy Dalton should get sued if he doesn’t look towards Green on every pass play in that game.
Sit – Dallas Cowboys defense against Washington
What little faith that was left in the Dallas Cowboys defense eroded over the past two games. They can’t stop anybody on the ground or through the air. Injuries are rampant and their leader Sean Lee is probably done for the season. They have to somehow summon the effort against their old rival Washington Redskins, a team with problems of their own. However, the one thing they seem to do well enough is play offense. Alfred Morris leads the best rushing attack in the league and Kirk Cousins through for 381 yards and three touchdowns in his first start of the season. Not a good sign.
Start – Calvin Johnson against New York Giants
Superstars tend to make life miserable for the next opponent after having a bad game. Calvin Johnson had one of his worst of the season on Monday Night against Baltimore, dropping several passes that could’ve made a difference. This is bad news for the New York Giants, who while playing better defensively don’t have anybody to really match up with somebody like Johnson. Their pass rush is non-existent, meaning Matthew Stafford should get plenty of time. Unless Megatron sees his hands fail again, he will have a huge day for NFL fantasy owners.
Sit – Tom Brady against Baltimore Ravens
The number 13 comes to mind for Tom Brady a lot. That is how many points his offense managed the last time they saw the Baltimore Ravens. With huge playoff implications at stake and no Rob Gronkowski, he prepares to go into a stadium where the Ravens have lost once all year and beat a team that has no fear of him. Brady is still Brady, but Baltimore is playing excellent defense down the stretch and aren’t likely to break much for the 36-year old quarterback who has very few weapons available.
Start – Jay Cutler against Philadelphia Eagles
His first game back after returning from an ankle injury was uneven but productive. It doesn’t seem to matter who runs the Chicago Bears offense, they have success. Cutler is in a pristine situation in week 16. He faces a Philadelphia Eagles defense that is worst in the league defending the pass, allowing over 400 yards per game. Their pass rush isn’t much better, ranked 23rd. With a stout offensive line and a trio of playmakers in Brandon Marshall, Alshon Jeffery and Matt Forte; Cutler is primed to have his best game of the season and maybe his career.
Sit – Larry Fitzgerald against Seattle Seahawks
Historically, or recently anyway, Larry Fitzgerald has had problems when facing the Seattle Seahawks. Richard Sherman and their excellent secondary has a knack for shutting him down and thus making life tough on the Arizona Cardinals offense. Since he now has to fight off a concussion suffered in Tennessee, his chances of lending a helping hand in a huge divisional game are slim.