Start 'Em, Sit 'Em quarterbacks: Week 16 fantasy football

Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em quarterbacks: Week 16 fantasy football

Admin December 19, 2024

Fantasy football managers are getting closer to their goal of winning championships, but first, they must face a difficult set of lineup decisions in Week 16.

Several notable fantasy signal-callers could end up being replaced in Week 16. Patrick Mahomes is dealing with an ankle injury that may impact his status for the Kansas City Chiefs‘ Saturday game; Geno Smith suffered a knee injury on “Sunday Night Football,” and his status remains unclear; and, of course, the Atlanta Falcons benched Kirk Cousins in favor of Michael Penix Jr., adding another intriguing rookie to the mix for Week 16.

At this point, you won’t sit lineup anchors like Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson, though the Baltimore Ravens quarterback has struggled against the Pittsburgh Steelers during his career. Anyone looking at the streaming ranks must evaluate whether they can keep trusting guys like Bo Nix on a short week or if it’s time to go in a different direction with someone like Jordan Love.

Who are the best quarterbacks to start and sit in Week 16? Here’s a breakdown of the signal-callers to trust and fade in this week’s fantasy playoff matchups.

Fantasy football start ’em: Week 16 QBs

Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals (at Carolina Panthers)

Don’t be scared off by Murray’s zero-touchdown game against the New England Patriots. The Panthers are a better matchup for Murray, as they have allowed the 10th-most rushing yards to quarterbacks this season. Comparatively, the Patriots have given up the third least, which explains why James Conner did most of the damage for the Cardinals in Week 15.

The Panthers have an all-around poor defense that has surrendered a league-high 27 passing touchdowns to quarterbacks. That includes multiple scores through the air in three of the last four games, so don’t be surprised if Murray finds the end-zone a couple of times and has one of his best rushing performances of the season.

Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers (vs. New Orleans Saints)

The Saints have allowed the third-fewest passing touchdowns to quarterbacks in the NFL this season, but they are allowing the fifth-most passing yards to the position league-wide. They have also allowed three of their last four opponents to throw multiple touchdowns against them, with the lone exception being the Drew Lock-led New York Giants.

That bodes well for Love’s chances of success against New Orleans. Love is averaging 246.1 passing yards per game this season and has recorded multiple touchdowns in three of his last four games. If he continues to click with Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs and Co., Love can be trusted as an explosive fantasy playmaker.

Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at Dallas Cowboys)

Mayfield is fresh off a 288-yard, four-touchdown game against the Los Angeles Chargers, who sport one of the best scoring defenses in the NFL. Comparatively, the Cowboys allow 27.1 points, the third-most in the NFL.

With Micah Parsons back in the fold, Dallas has been able to shut down weaker passing offenses. However, Liam Coen’s Buccaneers unit ranks eighth in the NFL in passing EPA this season, which will make Mayfield and Tampa Bay hard to contain.

Patrick Mahomes or Carson Wentz, Kansas City Chiefs (vs. Houston Texans)

Trusting Mahomes on a balky ankle or Wentz behind a shaky offensive line against a great pass rush may sound scary, but it’s worth remembering that the Texans are one of four NFL teams that have allowed 27 passing touchdowns to quarterbacks this season. Andy Reid will likely scheme up some quick passing plays to negate the effect of Will Anderson‘s pass rushing ability, so don’t be surprised to see Kansas City’s quarterback – whoever that may be – post a solid day.

Fantasy football sit ’em: Week 16 QBs

Bo Nix, Denver Broncos (at Los Angeles Chargers)

Nix continues to help guide the Broncos to wins, but he has thrown a whopping five interceptions over his last two games. The Chargers have largely been strong against opposing quarterbacks this year, save for last week’s four-touchdown performance from Mayfield, but they should have an easier time defending Nix with their top-ranked scoring defense.

The Broncos also sport a top-ranked scoring defense, so this might be a low-scoring game that could limit Nix’s scoring chances.

Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins (vs. San Francisco 49ers)

Tagovailoa struggled to move the ball consistently last week against the Texans and had the first four-turnover game of his career. Things won’t get much easier against a San Francisco defense that has allowed the fewest passing yards to quarterbacks this season and just held the high-powered Los Angeles Rams offense without a touchdown.

Jared Goff, Detroit Lions (at Chicago Bears)

Goff has played on the road in Chicago four times during his career. Below is a look at his stat lines in those contests.

2018: 20-of-44 passing, 180 yards, 0 TDs, 4 INTs
2021: 24-of-38 passing, 299 yards, 2 TDs, 0 INTs
2022: 19-of-26 passing, 236 yards, 1 TD, 0 INTs
2023: 20-of-35 passing, 161 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs

Outside of his first game back in 2018, those numbers aren’t awful, but they aren’t special either. That makes him a risky play against a Bears defense that has allowed the fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks this season.