Fantasy Football 2024 Week 16: Start ’em, Sit ’em
Welcome back to Fantasy Football Start ‘em, Sit ‘em – where each week we explore some of my best picks for who should be starting in fantasy managers’ lineups, and who should be sitting the week out.
Week 15 saw a few more injuries occur – Nick Chubb broke his foot which will end his season, Alec Pierce suffered a concussion, Jaylen Waddle left early with a knee injury and didn’t return, Alvin Kamara left with a groin injury and didn’t return, Zach Ertz suffered a concussion, Jalen Hurts has a broken finger on his non-throwing hand, and Patrick Mahomes is considered week-to-week after reaggravating his right ankle.
Per usual, let’s take a look at the best of what we have left to work with this week.
Ian’s Record: 72-43
Start ’em
Kyler Murray (QB, Cardinals) at Panthers
It was a very tough week 14 for Arizona, as every other NFC West team secured a victory in a very tight NFC West race. Their victory over the Pats last week though jars some hope, as the race remains just as tight as it was two weeks ago.
It’s a favorable schedule remaining for the Cards, with their date in Carolina on Sunday followed by the Rams and the 49ers – both of whom they’ve already beaten earlier in the season. Murray should go off against the Panthers though, as they’ve surrendered the third most fantasy points to QBs in their last four games as well as nine passing touchdowns given up.
Tony Pollard (RB, Titans) at Colts (if he plays)
Amid all the horrific QB play in Tennessee, Pollard has found himself quietly having a decent year, on the brink of surpassing 1000 rushing yards for only the third time in his career and notching five touchdowns.
He had a good day the first time the Titans met the Colts this year, and I’m expecting leniency on the run game as Indy’s secondary (2nd least FanPts) has been far better than its run defense (4th most FanPts PG) in their last four games.
Courtland Sutton (WR, Broncos) at Chargers
It’s a tough road down the stretch for Denver, but the connection between rookie star Bo Nix and Sutton should have Sutton in every fantasy manager’s starting lineups against a struggling secondary this week.
Sutton has had at least eight targets for SEVEN consecutive games, surpassing 100 yards three times and four touchdowns in that span. The Chargers in their last five games have surrendered both the most fantasy points and receiving touchdowns to opposing WRs in the past five weeks. Cha-ching.
George Kittle (TE, 49ers) at Dolphins
Kittle on paper is a high-end starter every week, but with San Fran’s struggles just about everywhere, it’s been up and down for him the past few weeks. This week however is like a match made in heaven, as Miami sucks against TEs and hasn’t looked able to cover or tackle just about anyone in their last couple games. Expect big production from both Kittle and Deebo.
Sit ’em
Jayden Daniels (QB, Commanders) vs Eagles
As fun as Daniels has been to watch during his rookie year, there’s little margin for error as Washington fights to remain in a wildcard spot – and that’s a steep hill to climb against a red-hot Eagles squad.
Philadelphia has held opposing QBs to just 15 fantasy points per game in their last six contests, and Daniels didn’t look great the first time these teams met. Pass.
Zach Charbonnet (RB, Seahawks) vs Vikings
Is it true that Charbonnet has four touchdowns in his last three games? Yes. Is it also true that Kenneth Walker is on the right path to return for week 16? Also yes.
Regardless of whether or not Walker plays, Minnesota has been too good against the run to count Charbonnet into your starting lineup for the playoffs. They’ve surrendered the least fantasy points per game to opposing backs in the last seven weeks, and Geno Smith will get things done through the air against a weaker secondary.
Titans WRs at Colts
Like I mentioned earlier, Indy’s secondary has been playing much better than their run defense – and the shakeup at QB leaves questions for a receiving core that hasn’t put up much of anything this season anyway. Pass.
Kyle Pitts (TE, Falcons) vs Giants
The QB shakeup applies here as well, as the shocking news broke this past Tuesday that Michael Penix Jr. will be stepping in as starting QB late in the season.
I thought this year would be different for Pitts with a more comprehensive QB room, but I was wrong. Ever since week 8, Pitts hasn’t caught more than four balls nor surpassed 60 receiving yards. Such a shame.
BYES: NONE
