NFL Fantasy Football 2025: Start ‘em, Sit ‘em – Week 16
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.
Bears WR Rome Odunze was a gameday scratch after aggravating his foot injury during warmups and his week 16 availability is up in the air, Packers WR Christian Watson was taken to the hospital with a chest injury, Rams WR Davante Adams will struggle to suit up in a short week with a hamstring injury deeming him week-to-week, and Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes is done for the year after tearing his ACL.
As we move into fantasy championships, utilizing the waiver wire and paying attention to matchups becomes critical to secure that championship crown.
Per usual, let’s take a look at what we’ve got left to work with this week.
Ian’s Record: 71-50
Start ’em
CJ Stroud (QB, Texans) vs Raiders
Stroud should have no problem piecing apart this defense after putting up a 40-burger on the Cardinals. Houston has won six in a row as the AFC South race comes down to the wire, so Stroud needs every win he can get.
Aaron Rodgers (QB, Steelers) at Lions
Rodgers is getting his swagger back at the right time, and this game can easily become high scoring as Detroit has surrendered the second most fantasy points to QBs AND WRs in the past six weeks.
De’Von Achane (RB, Dolphins) vs Bengals
Don’t let the lost season fool you, Achane is still set to play and is poised for a delicious matchup against this horrendous Bengals defense. Not only has Cincy’s run defense been awful, but Trey Hendrickson is also set to miss the rest of the season AND the fins are going with rookie QB Quinn Ewers as QB1. Achane will win you your league.
Omarion Hampton (RB, Chargers) at Cowboys
Hampton has been a slight disappointment in his return, but the Chargers’ offense should come alive in all aspects against an almost equally messy Dallas defense.
Bucs WRs vs Falcons
As the Bucs try to stay alive in the NFC South, Baker will utilize his full WR corps against a terrible Atlanta secondary that has surrendered the most fantasy points to WRs in the past TEN weeks.
Sit ’em
Jaxson Dart (QB, Giants) vs Vikings
Both these teams are eliminated from playoff contention, but the Giants are dead in the water after dropping to Washington last week. Even though Minnesota is out as well, Brian Flores will still bring the heat and cause Dart trouble downfield.
Ashton Jeanty (RB, Raiders) at Texans
Jeanty hasn’t found the endzone in three weeks, and you can’t go to him in this brutal matchup. Wouldn’t be surprised to see a shutout here.
George Pickens (WR, Cowboys) vs Chargers
He’s quieted down the past couple weeks amid Dak Prescott’s struggles, and a date with the Chargers won’t help. LA has surrendered the fourth least fantasy points to opposing WRs in the last seven weeks with only three receiving touchdowns.
Harold Fannin Jr. (TE, Browns) vs Bills
Buffalo’s nasty against TEs, and it’s tough to trust Shedeur in what’s arguably his biggest challenge coming up as a starter.
BYES: NONE
