QBs to start in Week 16
Browns’ Baker Mayfield (vs. Jets): The Cleveland Browns are getting hot at the perfect time of the season, in large part due to the performance of Baker Mayfield. Mayfield has posted 18+ fantasy points in four straight games, making him the third highest-scoring QB in fantasy football during that span. I expect Mayfield to continue rolling against the New York Jets, who have surrendered 4,036 passing yards (third-most in the NFL) and 30 passing touchdowns (tied for second-most in the NFL) to QBs.
Bears’ Mitchell Trubisky (vs. Jaguars): Another QB that has been a somewhat viable option in fantasy football in recent weeks is Mitchell Trubisky. The former No. 1 overall pick has combined for 73.42 fantasy points in the last four weeks, which makes him the 11th highest-scoring QB in that span. After scoring a mere 13.48 fantasy points in Week 15, Trubisky is in a perfect position to bounce back against a Jacksonville Jaguars defense that has given up 31 passing touchdowns (most in the NFL) and 301 rushing yards (11th most in the NFL) to QBs.
Eagles’ Jalen Hurts (vs. Cowboys): In his first two starts in the NFL, Jalen Hurts has proven that he could be the future QB of the Philadelphia Eagles. Besides Lamar Jackson, Hurts has the most fantasy points among QBs in the past two weeks. The rookie QB out of Oklahoma should continue being a remarkable option in Week 16 against the Dallas Cowboys, especially with his rushing floor. The Cowboys have allowed 30 passing touchdowns (tied for second-most in the NFL) and 114 rushing yards to QBs in the past four weeks (sixth-most in the NFL in that span).
Other QBs to consider in Week 16: Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa (vs. Raiders), Lions’ Matthew Stafford (vs. Buccaneers)
QBs to sit in Week 16
Panthers’ Teddy Bridgewater (vs. Washington): There was once a time this season when Teddy Bridgewater looked to be a feasible option in fantasy football. However, he’s scored fewer than 17 fantasy points in six out of his 13 starts. While he’s scored a rushing touchdown in four out of his past five starts, it’s hard to bank on him doing that again in Week 16 against the Washington Football Team. Over the past month, Washington’s defense has held opposing QBs to 13.74 fantasy points per game (seventh-fewest in the NFLin that span) and five total touchdowns (tied for third-fewest in the NFL in that span).
Derek Carr/Marcus Mariota (vs. Dolphins): Starting QBs against the Miami Dolphins has become a death sentence in fantasy football. As an illustration, in the past four weeks, the Dolphins have limited QBs to three total touchdowns (fewest in the NFL in that span) and have compiled seven interceptions (most in the NFL in that span). Given that, regardless of whether it is Derek Carr or Marcus Mariota under center for the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 16, it’s worth sitting both of them this week.
