The fantasy football playoffs are reaching the championship round in many leagues now that Week 16 is arriving.
Hopefully, your teams are in a championship game this week. After all, Week 16 will be the last week where all 32 NFL teams figure to play all of their starters for four quarters.
Once those teams lock up their spots in the NFL postseason, they’ll start resting starts in Week 17, making it very difficult for you to pick the right fantasy lineup.
With that in mind, here is a look at the biggest start-sit decisions facing your fantasy teams in Week 16.
START
Detroit Lions QB Matthew Stafford vs. Cincinnati Bengals
The Lions are poised for a playoff berth thanks in large part to the arm of Matthew Stafford, who needs a strong finish to carry his team to the postseason. The good news for Stafford is a fading Bengals defense is on deck. They’re struggling to stop anyone, allowing a combined 67 points to the Vikings and Bears in the past two weeks. Cincinnati is also allowing the seventh-most fantasy points to quarterbacks over the last five weeks. Conversely, Stafford has scored the seventh-most points among quarterbacks during that same span. Start Stafford in Week 16.
Dallas Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott vs. Seahawks
The Cowboys finally get Ezekiel Elliott back this week following his six-game suspension. Though that’s nearly a two-month layoff, Elliott should be ready for a big workload this week with his team vying for a playoff spot. Despite getting blitzed by the Los Angeles Rams in Week 15, Seattle is still allowing the fourth-fewest fantasy points to running backs over the last five weeks. Even so, you’ll absolutely be starting Elliott in Week 16.
Baltimore Ravens RB Alex Collins vs. Indianapolis Colts
The Ravens are trying to ride Alex Collins to a playoff berth, and he’ll need to come up big in the final two weeks for that to happen. Collins is averaging 105.3 total yards over his last three games, and that should continue against one of the NFL’s worst defenses this Saturday. The decimated Colts are allowing the fifth-most fantasy points to running backs this season. Make sure to get Collins into your starting lineup for Week 16.
Pittsburgh Steelers WR JuJu Smith-Schuster vs. Houston Texans
With Antonio Brown down for the final two games, Pittsburgh is going to rely heavily on JuJu Smith-Schuster. The promising rookie has 26 catches for 468 yards and two scores over his last five games. He now gets to face a Texans defense allowing the third-most fantasy points to wide receivers this season. Start JuJu on Monday.
Carolina Panthers TE Greg Olsen vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Panthers have finally gotten Greg Olsen re-acclimated into their passing game. After catching a combined two passes in his previous three games. Olsen erupted for 116 yards and one score on nine grabs against the Packers. Expect Olsen to keep up that kind of production over the final two games. It helps that Tampa Bay is tied for the sixth-most receptions allowed to tight ends over the last three weeks. Get Olsen into your starting lineup this Sunday.
SIT
Cincinnati Bengals WR A.J. Green vs. Detroit Lions
A.J. Green continues to be one of the biggest fantasy disappointments of the 2017 season. The Pro Bowl wide receiver has caught just 23 balls for 287 yards and three scores over his last five games. He now faces a Lions defense allowing the eighth-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers over the last five weeks. Making matters worse for Cincinnati, starting tackles Cedric Ogbuehi and Andre Smith will be out, so Andy Dalton will be under siege throughout this game, making it very hard for him to get Green the ball. It’s a painful move to make, but put Green on the bench this week.
Washington QB Kirk Cousins vs. Denver Broncos
Washington’s obliterated offensive line has led to Kirk Cousins being sacked 13 times over his last four games. During that span, he has thrown for seven scores, but he’s also failed to pass for 200-plus yards in his last two games. That’s not cutting it in the final rounds of your league’s fantasy playoffs. Don’t expect things to get better against a Broncos defense allowing the fifth-fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks over the last five weeks. Bench Cousins in Week 16.
Oakland Raiders RB Marshawn Lynch vs. Philadelphia Eagles
The Raiders have fallen out of the playoff mix, despite some solid outings by Marshawn Lynch down the stretch. The veteran running back has 387 total yards and three scores over his last four games, but now he’ll face an Eagles defense allowing the second-fewest fantasy points to running backs this season. It’s time to stick Beast Mode on the bench.
San Francisco 49ers RB Carlos Hyde vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Carlos Hyde and the resurgent 49ers have been one of the NFL’s feel-good stories of the past month, but don’t expect that to continue against a Jaguars team contending for a first-round bye in the AFC. Hyde has faded a bit as the season has worn on, and Jacksonville is allowing the second-fewest fantasy points to running backs over the last five weeks. Sit Hyde this week.
New York Jets WR Robby Anderson vs. Los Angeles Chargers
With Josh McCown out of the Jets’ lineup, Robby Anderson has been catching passes from the ineffective Bryce Petty. That’s led to Anderson catching just eight passes for 67 yards over the last two games. Things won’t get any easier this Sunday, as he’ll face a Chargers defense allowing the fewest fantasy points to wide receivers over the last five weeks. Keep Anderson benched this week.