Congratulations to those fantasy football owners advancing to the next round of the seasonal league playoffs, and a special greeting to those shallow leaguers having their first matchups on the road to a championship looming this week. No matter your situation, chances you are you have some start 'em, sit 'em questions ahead of your must-win Week 16 matchups.
Christmas week is always wild, as everyone is hoping to unwrap some high-scoring presents in their lineups. Compounding late-season injuries and more key personnel changes just makes it tougher on top of a full game slate scattered over four days on a long weekend.
Sporting News' Vinnie Iyer is here to help again with his combination of rankings, recommendations, information, and insight to help you make the right calls with the Week 16 "Decider."
If you have specific lineup questions, check out RotoBaller's industry-leading "Who To Start?" tool below and compare up to four players across all positions.
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Fantasy Football Week 16 Start 'Em: Quarterbacks
Must starts
- Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs (vs. LV)
- Brock Purdy, 49ers (vs. BAL)
- Lamar Jackson, Ravens (at SF)
- Justin Fields, Bears (vs. ARI)
- Josh Allen, Bills (at LAC)
- Jalen Hurts, Eagles (vs. NYG)
- Dak Prescott, Cowboys (at MIA)
Stronger starts
8. Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins (vs. DAL). The Cowboys' man coverage will create another Seattle situation for his strong downfield passing game as Tua rebounds in a shootout with Dak Prescott.
9. Matthew Stafford, Rams (vs. NO). There's no reason to think he'll cool off, as he's locked in with all of his weapons and the Saints are no longer a dominant pass defense.
10. Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers (vs. JAX). On paper, this is a great matchup, and that's where he tends to let down. However, he has enough weapons for him to be trusted at home.
11. Jared Goff, Lions (at MIN). Let's try this again with him, too, after whiffing last week, this time in a road dome vs. a home dome. He is playing well and could be in the mix for 300 yards and another multiple-score game.
12. Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars (if he plays, at TB). He should be game for a potential QB1 fun fest staying in Florida, but he may not get out of concussion protocol in time.
13. Nick Mullens, Vikings (vs. DET). You'll have to live with some mistakes, but his wide receivers and tight end say he's pretty much a plug-and-play vs. a Lions' pass defense that gets defanged on the road.
14. Joe Flacco, Browns (at HOU). He's getting it done by getting it to the right targets, and with the running game not being as automatic, he can put up often in a sneaky shootout.
15. Gardner Minshew, Colts (at ATL). He can fare pretty well spreading the ball around, but check to see that he has all his key weapons healthy (mainly Michael Pittman Jr.).
16. Russell Wilson, Broncos (vs. NE). The Patriots' pass defense has been better lately, but it also preys on weaker, pocket-stuck QBs. Wilson isn't one of those, and he tends to also perform much better at home.
DFS picks
Justin Fields, Bears (vs. ARI, $7,100 DraftKings, $8,300 FanDuel). It's a Dream of Fields in Chicago with the Cardinals coming into town. He should blow up with his running leading the charge, but he's also capable of having his best passing effort in weeks.
Nick Mullens, Vikings (vs. DET, $5,300 DraftKings, $7,000 FanDuel). He's very cheap for a starting QB, right down near the backups.
WEEK 16 PPR RANKINGS
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Fantasy Football Week 16 Sit 'Em: Quarterbacks
Weaker starts
17. Kyler Murray, Cardinals (at CHI). The Bears defense is feeling the force with Matt Eberflus all-around, so no.
18. Jordan Love, Packers (at CAR). The Panthers' pass defense is balling out, so you can't feel going here outside.
19. Derek Carr, Saints (at LAR). The Saints will need to rely on the ground game more while the Rams counter with more passing and the much better QB.
20. Tommy DeVito, Giants (at PHI). Stop it already. The Eagles' new-look pass defense played much better until the end in Seattle.
21. Jake Browning, Bengals (at PIT). He struggled against them in his first start, but they have adjusted well to help him. This just feels like a game in which he won't need to throw for the desired volume.
22. Sam Howell, Commanders (at NYJ). The commitment to him is now shaky, and the road matchup is shakier.
24. Geno Smith, Seahawks (at TEN). The matchup is worse than you think, so no Geno.
WEEK 16 STANDARD RANKINGS
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Fantasy Football Week 16 Start 'Em: Running backs
Must starts
- Christian McCaffrey, 49ers (vs. BAL)
- James Cook, Bills (at LAC)
- Kyren Williams, Rams (vs. NO)
- Rachaad White, Buccaneers (vs. JAX)
- Alvin Kamara, Saints (at LAR)
- Raheem Mostert, Dolphins (vs. DAL)
- Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions (at MIN)
- Bijan Robinson, Falcons (vs. IND)
- Breece Hall, Jets (vs. WAS)
- Ezekiel Elliott, Patriots (at DEN)
- Joe Mixon, Bengals (at PIT)
- Derrick Henry, Titans (vs. SEA)
- Aaron Jones, Packers (at CAR)
- Jonathan Taylor, Colts (at ATL)
- Tony Pollard, Cowboys (at MIA)
- Isiah Pacheco, Chiefs (vs. LV)
- David Montgomery, Lions (at MIN)
- Travis Etienne, Jaguars (at TB)
- Saquon Barkley, Giants (at PHI)
- Josh Jacobs, Raiders (if he returns, at KC)
Stronger starts
21 Chuba Hubbard, Panthers (vs. GB). The Chuba Chuba train rolls right along vs. the reeling Packers' run D.
22. D'Andre Swift, Eagles (vs. NYG). He ran well in Seattle on Monday, but now it's time to add a TD to his work.
23. Najee Harris, Steelers (vs. CIN). The Bengals are really struggling against power runners and just also lost D.J. Reader.
24. James Conner, Cardinals (at CHI). The Bears have been solid against the run but not to the point that Conner will be taken out of the game.
25. Kenneth Walker, Seahawks (if the plays, at TEN). Walker surprised in a tough spot last week, and this usual tough matchup hasn't been that tough lately.
26. Austin Ekeler, Chargers (vs. BUF). You can't totally trust him to produce anymore, but the Bills can give it up passing to backs and Easton Stick must grease this squeaky wheel, stat.
27. De'Von Achane, Dolphins (vs. DAL). Just don't go in expecting a big game. Achane is a change-of-pace who seems to have a cap on his touches.
28. Roschon Johnson, Bears (vs. ARI). Johnson hasn't been handed the lead back role, but it would not be surprising if he were the man over D'Onta Foreman and Khalil Herberet.
29. Tyjae Spears, Titans (vs. SEA). They desperately need to get him involved behind Derrick Henry, and this is where he gets going to spark the offense.
DFS Picks
Aaron Jones, Packers (at CAR, $6,400 DraftKings, $6,700 FanDuel). Between his lingering injury and questionable usage, it's been a rough year for Jones, but he's used to running well in the elements and should score at least twice given how the Panthers can't stop anything like that.
Breece Hall, Jets (vs. WAS, $6,100 DraftKings, $7,400 FanDuel). He was supposed to be to Aaron Rodgers what Jones was to Rodgers in Green Bay. Hall is coming off a terrible game where he wasn't fed the ball much, but this price feels like an absolute overcorrection. The Jets have a clear every-other-week pattern, too.
WEEK 16 FANTASY ADVICE: Sleepers | Busts | Projections
Fantasy Football Week 16 Sit 'Em: Running backs
Weaker starts
30. Javonte Williams, Broncos (vs. NE). He was bad in a tough matchup last week, and the Patriots can take him away.
31. Gus Edwards, Ravens (at SF). The 49ers were inured up front to boost James Conner, but Edwards is more of a limited back and the expected game script doesn't play in his favor.
32. Ty Chandler, Vikings (vs. DET). The Lions stop the run very well in most spots, and the game script likely calls for a lot of Nick Mullens chucking.
33. Jerome Ford, Browns (at HOU). The Browns aren't running as well of late, so he's hard to trust here.
34. Devin Singletary, Texans (vs. CLE). Singletary can exploit porous, power-run defenses. The Browns aren't one of them.
35. Jaylen Warren, Steelers (vs. CIN). The Bengals give it up to power backs but less so to shifty pass-catching types.
36. Kareem Hunt, Browns (at HOU). He's pretty much in the same boat as Ford.
37. Antonio Gibson, Commanders (at NYJ). You'll want to go there should Brian Robinson Jr. (hamstring) miss a game, but you can't feel good about it.
WEEK 16 DFS:
DK lineup | FD lineup | Best values | Best stacks
Fantasy Football Week 16 Start 'Em: Wide receivers
Must starts
- Tyreek Hill, Dolphins (vs. DAL)
- A.J. Brown, Eagles (vs. NYG)
- CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys (at MIA)
- Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions (at MIN)
- Justin Jefferson, Vikings (vs. DET)
- Cooper Kupp, Rams (vs. NO)
- Mike Evans, Buccaneers (vs. JAX)
- DJ Moore, Bears (vs. ARI)
- DK Metcalf, Seahawks (at TEN)
- Deebo Samuel, 49ers (vs. BAL)
- DeVonta Smith, Eagles (vs. NYG)
- Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers (vs. BAL)
- Rashee Rice, Chiefs (vs. LV)
- Stefon Diggs, Bills (vs. LAC)
- Puka Nacua, Rams (vs. NO)
- Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins (vs. DAL)
- Chris Olave, Saints (vs. LAR)
- Garrett Wilson, Jets (vs. WAS)
- Davante Adams, Raiders (at KC)
- Tee Higgins, Bengals (at PIT)
- Courtland Sutton, Broncos (vs. NE)
- Amari Cooper, Browns (at HOU)
- DeAndre Hopkins, Titans (vs. SEA)
Michael Pittman Jr., Colts (out, at ATL)
Stronger starts
25. Jakobi Meyers, Raiders (at KC). He rocked them pretty well the first time and is coming off a huge game vs. the Chargers.
26. Jordan Addison, Vikings (vs. DET). He really feels when he plays off Justin Jefferson, so yeah, Addison can stay hot with the Nick Mullens chemistry.
27. Jayden Reed, Packers (if he plays, at CAR). He's battling a toe injury, but he's the best bet among their wideouts to have impact in a tough overall sport.
28. Adam Thielen, Panthers (vs. GB). The Packers' zone defense at the wrong times will give up easy, short chunks to old NFC North nemesis Thielen.
29. Chris Godwin, Buccaneers (vs. JAX). They got him involved at the right time again outside ahead of this sweet home spot.
30. Drake London, Falcons (vs. IND). He's much better at home and should see the ball a lot more in a decent outside matchup.
31. Noah Brown, Texans (vs. CLE). He's the man by default and should avoid Denzel Ward regardless of Nico Collins' status.
32. Calvin Ridley, Jaguars (at TB). They're trying their best to get him the ball in high-leverage situations, so you can feel good about this matchup vs. his former NFC South friends.
33. Diontae Johnson, Steelers (vs. CIN). Look for Mason Rudolph to trust him often in the right matchup and be aggressive throwing downfield to him again.
34. Odell Beckham Jr., Ravens (at SF). Let's try this again in prime time, as they didn't need him against the Jaguars, but this will be a different target volume story in a back-and-forth game script.
35. Demario Douglas, Patriots (at DEN). The Broncos have Pat Surtain, but Douglas can go to work well with volume inside.
DFS picks
DK Metcalf, Seahawks (at TEN, $6,000 DraftKings, $7,600 FanDuel). Metcalf can be awesome in getting some favorable single coverage, and should Geno Smith return to get him the ball better in spots all over the field than Drew Lock, he can blow up as their top wideout.
Jordan Addison, Vikings (vs. NYG, $6,000 DraftKings, $7,300 FanDuel). He's a much better value in relation to potential production than his higher-profile, double coverage-drawing teammate.
Garrett Wilson, Jets (vs. WAS, $5,800 DraftKings, $7,000 FanDuel). Wilson is set to get another QB change this week, but the Commanders' secondary is so atrocious that Wilson just needs five or six catches to totally go off.
Fantasy Football Week 16 Sit 'Em: Wide receivers
Weaker starts
36. Terry McLaurin, Commanders (at NYJ). Don't chase that Rams matchup because you'll be Sauced like he will be.
37. Zay Flowers, Ravens (at SF). He draws the tougher matchup than Rashod Bateman, so he's more of a rookie lump here late.
38. Tyler Lockett, Seahawks (at TEN). Here's hoping he can get going, but the numbers generally aren't good for a reliable WR3 finish.
39. Romeo Doubs, Packers (at CAR). Not here vs. those corners.
40. Josh Palmer, Chargers (vs. BUF). The Bills can contain the big plays to him from Easton Stick.
41. George Pickens, Steelers (vs. CIN). Pickens, not Diontae Johnson, likely will draw Chidobe Awuzie, so good night.
42. Curtis Samuel, Commanders (at NYJ). Michael Carter might be playing better than their outside guys.
43. Rashid Shaheed, Saints (vs. LAR). Not with Chris Olave likely back in a suddenly crowded wide receiver room.
44. Tyler Boyd, Bengals (at PiT). Not in the slot even with no Ja'Marr Chase (shoulder) in this tough inside draw.
45. Brandin Cooks, Cowboys (at MIA). He'll get Xavien Howard or Jalen Ramsey, so no.
46. Gabe Davis, Bills (at LAC). He'll once have a tough matchup and clearly can't be counted on for any catches.
Fantasy Football Week 16 Start 'Em: Tight ends
Must starts
- T.J. Hockenson, Vikings (vs. DET)
- Trey McBride, Cardinals (at CHI)
- Travis Kelce, Chiefs (vs. LV)
- Sam LaPorta, Lions (at MIN)
- David Njoku, Browns (at HOU)
- Evan Engram, Jaguars (at TB)
- Jake Ferguson, Cowboys (at MIA)
- Isaiah Likely, Ravens (at JAX)
Stronger starts
9. George Kittle, 49ers (vs. BAL). He drops into his category given how stingy the Ravens are against the position, but he's still George Kittle.
10. Pat Freiermuth, Steelers (vs. CIN). He crushed this matchup the first time, and having Mason Rudolph starting helps him return to some good production.
11. Dalton Kincaid, Bills (at LAC). He should be more involved this week, as there can be points galore here.
12. Dallas Goedert, Eagles (vs. NYG). The matchup is OK enough, and he should see more key usage after a limited Week 15.
13. Darren Waller, Giants (at PHI). The Eagles are bad at corner, but he's the most trusted receiver the Giants have at this point.
14. Cade Otton, Buccaneers (vs. JAX). The Jaguars have been very giving to the position of late, and he got a TD vultured by Ko Kieft last week to keep him from having a star day.
DFS pick
David Njoku, Browns (at HOU, $5,300 DraftKings, $6,600 FanDuel). He's red-hot with Joe Flacco, and the Texans are vulnerable to the position with their coverage looks, so yeah, keep riding him after his career day.
Fantasy Football Week 16 Sit 'Em: Tight ends
Weaker starts
15. Dalton Schultz, Texans (vs. CLE). The Browns have been rather stingy against traditional receiving tight ends.
16. Tucker Kraft, Packers (at CAR). The Panthers' pass defense has been surprisingly good around inside and out.
17. Kyle Pitts, Falcons (vs. IND). You can't trust his targets in a middle matchup after the Carolina mess, even at home.
18. Cole Kmet, Bears (vs. ARI). Kmet sees the good version of the Cardinals' tight end defense, and this will be a big game for the running game and DJ Moore instead.
19. Gerald Everett, Chargers (vs. BUF). You can't really go there or much of anywhere with Easton Stick.
20. Logan Thomas, Commanders (at NYJ). The matchup is good on paper, but there's no guarantee he will see the ball enough from either QB.
21. Tyler Conklin, Jets (vs. WAS). He's been consistent — consistently underwhelming.
22. Chigoziem Okonkwo, Titans (vs. HOU). It's still a no Okonkwo for me, dog.
23. Taysom Hill, Saints (at LAR). The Saints will need to pass to beat the Rams, and there's no guarantee he'll be involved outside of a few runs.
Fantasy Football Week 15 Start 'Em: Defenses
Stronger starts
- Jets (vs. WAS)
- Bills (at LAC)
- Chiefs (vs. LV)
- Broncos (vs. NE)
- Eagles (vs. NYG)
- Packers (at CAR)
- Bears (vs. ARI)
8. Texans (vs. CLE). Joe Flacco is putting up the numbers, but he's also taking key sacks and turning it over, so it's win-win in fantasy.
9. Colts (at ATL). They're red-hot now, and the Falcons could be shakier with another QB change.
10. Bengals (at PIT). They will go hunting Rudolph with his eyes so bright.
11. Rams (vs. NO). Derek Carr can put it up often, and with that comes mistakes.
12. Lions (a MIN). Nick Mullens can put it up often, and with that comes more mistakes.
DFS pick
Seahawks (at TEN, $3,200 DraftKings, $3,500 FanDuel). The Titans have given up massive defensive fantasy games to the Dolphins and Texans lately, as they've been crumbling up front and can make key mistakes.
Fantasy Football Week 16 Sit 'Em: Defenses
Weaker starts
13. Ravens (at SF). Not against Brock Purdy.
14. 49ers (vs. BAL). Not against Lamar Jackson.
15. Browns (at HOU). They just don't travel well.
16. Steelers (vs. CIN). Don't count on this shell of a group near the end of this season.
17. Jaguars (at TB). Not vs. this version of Baker Mayfield.
18. Dolphins (vs. DAL). They're hot and the Cowboys melted down last week, but that went against that offense's trend.
19. Commanders (at NYJ). The numbers on the Jets say "yes," but the Commanders' lack of actual defense says "no."
20. Cowboys (at MIA). Not here, either, in shootout-city Miami.
Get more of Vinnie Iyer's weekly analysis by listening or watching the daily Locked On Fantasy Football podcast.
