Week 16 Playoff Semifinals Start and Sits
It is the 2022 Fantasy Semifinals and that means there is little room for error in terms of setting your lineups. There’s a lot of great matchups along with many players who should stay on your bench. We’re gonna go through both with the starts and sits of week 16. Without any further ado, we’re in the thick of those 8 crazy nights and are about to have a miracle on 34th street, so let’s hopefully not shoot our eyes out with these picks, kid!
Starts of the Week
QB
Tua Tagovailoa: MIA Dolphins vs GB Packers
Tua has come into his own this season but as of late has hit a cold patch. However, that patch is about to defrost as they play at home in the lovely Miami weather which is a far cry from the past few weeks of play. Green Bay can be thrown on and that’s Miami’s bread and butter with going over the top to Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.
This might end up being an exciting game with a good amount of points scored which will keep him active and needing to make big plays either through the air or on the ground. Expect a return to form in this game for the dolphins to set them back on track to a solid playoff spot and hopefully your fantasy championship.
RB
J.K. Dobbins: BAL Ravens vs ATL Falcons
This one may be a little obvious but just in case it isn’t, if you have Dobbins on your team, you should be starting him this week. He is coming off back to back 120 or more yard games and he faces the Falcons.
They are a bad run defense allowing over 100 yards per game on the ground and 4.3 yards per carry. They have been run on the 4th most this year. Dobbins has a great opportunity to continue his great fantasy streak this week and help you move on to the fantasy championship.
WR
Marquise Goodwin: SEA Seahawks vs KC Chiefs
Tyler Lockett is not playing in this game due to a finger injury, which opens the door for Goodwin to come in and make some big plays. He has come in and done this before when D.K. Metcalf was injured for a game. In that game, he had 67 yards and 2 touchdowns. That same thing might not happen again, but it certainly could given their opponent this week.
The Chiefs have one of the worst defenses vs the receiver position allowing the most touchdowns per game to the position and the 8th most receptions as well as being the worst red zone defense vs receivers. This all bodes well for Goodwin on a week that should see him be a bigger part of the offense in a game the Seahawks need to do well in to stay alive in their playoff hopes.
TE
Juwan Johnson: NO Saints vs CLE Browns
He has averaged 7 touchdowns over his last 7 games. He might not get a ton of yards, but he is targeted a good amount for a tight end. He has the chance to get in the endzone and that's what you are looking for in a streaming tight end. They face Cleveland which can be a tough matchup but a trip to the endzone makes that all go away. Take the chance on him if you have to stream.
Sits of the Week
QB
Dak Prescott: DAL Cowboys vs PHI Eagles
All of the pressure in this game solely lies on the Cowboys and therefore Dak Prescott. He has not looked super great at times this year making crucial mistakes such as a pick six in overtime last week and not relying on his best tight end, Dalton Schultz in crunch time.
They also face a stout Eagles defense that would love to make his day awful and send them home with as little points as possible. They are ranked 2nd best vs the quarterback position and they can get some turnovers in this game along with some sacks. It might be a tough day for Dak but luckily he can get some rest on his Sleep Number mattress. I’m not comfortable starting him this week.
RB
D’Onta Foreman: CAR Panthers vs DET Lions
He hasn’t been looking great as of late finishing outside the top 24 in his last 4 games. He also hasn’t found the endzone since week 10. Foreman is a big volume guy in terms of carries but gets little to no passing work.
The Lions have also been a stout defense vs the run allowing 15.5 or fewer fantasy points to opposing teams’ running backs since week 9. They have really buckled down and have forced opponents to pass the ball which means fewer opportunities for Foreman. I would avoid putting him in your flex spot this week.
WR
Brandon Aiyuk: SF 49ers vs WAS Commanders
This is more of a gut feeling on this one, but I will reiterate what I have already talked about with Aiyuk and that offense. It is hard for teams to facilitate 3 fantasy relevant options on a consistent basis. We saw Christian McCaffrey and George Kittle get theirs last week with Aiyuk not having much to show in his numbers. He is a great player and is in a great offense, but I don’t know if I can take the gamble this late in the season for him to get less than 5 points again.
It’s not a terrible matchup but still one that can stifle him. I’d rather sit him and have him get a 13 point game than play him for 5. That's why I say he’s my WR sit for this week. You have to start trimming any fat that exists or any doubt, and Aiyuk gives me some doubt.
TE
Mark Andrews: BAL Ravens vs ATL Falcons
I know this is one of the best matchups on paper for a tight end, but there is a huge caveat to Mark Andrew’s fantasy performance for this week. Lamar Jackson is not going to be playing and the last two games he has not bee the starting quarterback, Andrews has finished as the tight end 23 both times. Anything outside the top 12 is a bad finish for the position.
He is getting a similar number of targets but he is just doing anything with it. He has less than 50 yards total over the last 2 weeks and has not found the endzone since week 6. He is a great option, but there are other guys at the position to play this week.
I hope week 16 brings you prosperity and that you get what you’ve been wishing for all year, a trip to the fantasy championship. Good luck and stay dreamin’!
