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If you’re here, it means you’ll be playing for the championship this week, or just enjoy keeping up with the latest fantasy football trends. Congratulations either way. Lets get right into it this week:
Starts
Todd Gurley, RB, Los Angeles – It’s been a rough season for the 2015 Rookie of the Year. Gurley has only reached the 80-yard mark once despite having five games of over 100 in his rookie season. But I truly believe the stars have aligned for anyone that owns Todd Gurley this week for a number of reasons:
- He’s going up against the worst run defense in the league.
- The 49ers haven’t won a game since they crushed the Rams in Week 1. This will be a revenge game for the Rams.
- Despite a rough season, Gurley is still only 222 yards away from hitting the 1,000 yard mark, and I’m sure he’s well aware this is in reach.
- Gurley is one of the most competitive guys on the team. He’s not going to let this season end without having a big game.
This is the week Gurley owners have been waiting for. Unfortunately, most people who own Gurley were eliminated long ago. But the rest of us who are playing Gurley in the championship should be plugging him in this week.
DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Houston – It’s the revenge of the busts in Week 16. Finally freed from Brock Osweiler last week, Hopkins nabbed eight receptions on 17 targets for 87 yards, good enough for his second highest reception and yardage total on the year and the second most targets he’s received in his entire career. Hopkins has been waiting for his chance to break out, just like Gurley has. He and Tom Savage had an immediate connection and Savage was actually looking his way. Hopkins is a great start this week for the first time in a long time.
Ty Montgomery, RB/WR, Green Bay – Another fantasy zombie rising from the ashes last week is Ty Montgomery. He tore up the Chicago defense last week for 162 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. Montgomery owners and Packer fans have known that he’s been the best running back on the team all season, but it seems like this will finally make Mike McCarthy realize it. Even if James Starks were to come back this week it wouldn’t matter. Montgomery is the guy in Green Bay, and he’s a borderline must start this week whether it be at running back or wide receiver. It’s unlikely that he’ll post 162 yards and two touchdowns strictly on the ground again, but he should see more targets out of the backfield as the Packers will open their passing game up again in Week 16.
Ezekiel Elliot, RB, Dallas – This is more of a PSA for Zeke owners than anything. With the Giants loss on Thursday night, the rest of the Cowboys season is essentially meaningless. This could lead to the Cowboys resting certain players for the rest of the season. At least for this week, it’s highly unlikely that Zeke would be one of those guys. He’s going to get the usual workload in Week 16 and potentially even Week 17. The only Cowboy that gives me pause this week is Dez Bryant, who’s been dealing with a few nagging injuries. Don’t hesitate about playing Zeke in the championship this week.
AJ Green, WR, Cincinnati – If AJ Green suits up in Week 16, he’s going to be getting his usual workload. The Bengals have been eliminated from the playoffs and there’s no reason to rush Green back onto the field if he’s not ready. He’s only going to play if he’s near 100% and I’d expect big things from him in Week 16. You have to start Green if you’ve made it this far with him.
Sits
Jordan Reed, TE, Washington – Benching Jordan Reed is a painful, painful decision, but it has to happen even if he plays in Week 16. Reed hasn’t practiced all week and hasn’t even totaled 30 snaps in his last two games combined. He’s just not worth the risk of putting up a goose egg in championship week. Reed owners should look at a guy like Charles Clay should Reed suit up, or Vernon Davis if Reed is inactive.
Stefon Diggs, WR, Minnesota – Diggs hasn’t had over 60 yards since Week 10 and hasn’t found the end zone since Week 8. He’s banged up and on the injury report going into Week 16. I know he’s always an enticing play since he’s the only competent player on the Vikings offense, but he just hasn’t been able to perform in recent weeks. He’s not a guy I’d be trusting in championship week or any Viking for that matter.
J.J. Nelson, WR, Arizona – Nelson is an intriguing fantasy option for a couple reasons: he’s scored a touchdown in each of the last three games and has stepped up big time after Michael Floyd was cut by the Cardinals. However, Nelson has been ridiculously touchdown dependent and has had just one productive game on the year in which he didn’t score. He makes for an interesting desperation dart throw due to his big play potential, but nothing more than that.
Thomas Rawls, RB, Seattle – The Seattle Seahawks offensive line is absolutely brutal this year, and it has cost Rawls every last shred of his fantasy relevancy. Rawls was pounded behind the line of scrimmage multiple times against the Rams last week and wasn’t even able to top 40 yards on the day. His 100 yard, two touchdown game against Carolina two weeks ago feels like it was in a different season. Rawls has a tough divisional matchup against the Cardinals this week. I’d break out one of my other options rather than hope for a miracle with Rawls this week.
Theo Riddick, RB, Detroit – Riddick may finally make his return to the field in Week 16 but it shouldn’t matter to any Riddick owners who made it this far. He hasn’t had over 100 total yards since October and his last game against the Saints was saved by a touchdown. Outside of deep PPR leagues, Riddick isn’t worth considering this week. His questionable tag and Monday night kickoff don’t add to the problem either.
Steve Rebeiro is a staff writer and podcast host for Rams Talk. He graduated from Marquette University in 2016. For more of his opinions, follow him on Twitter here.
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If you’re here, it means you’ll be playing for the championship this week, or just enjoy keeping up with the latest fantasy football trends. Congratulations either way. Lets get right into it this week:
Starts
Todd Gurley, RB, Los Angeles – It’s been a rough season for the 2015 Rookie of the Year. Gurley has only reached the 80-yard mark once despite having five games of over 100 in his rookie season. But I truly believe the stars have aligned for anyone that owns Todd Gurley this week for a number of reasons:
This is the week Gurley owners have been waiting for. Unfortunately, most people who own Gurley were eliminated long ago. But the rest of us who are playing Gurley in the championship should be plugging him in this week.
DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Houston – It’s the revenge of the busts in Week 16. Finally freed from Brock Osweiler last week, Hopkins nabbed eight receptions on 17 targets for 87 yards, good enough for his second highest reception and yardage total on the year and the second most targets he’s received in his entire career. Hopkins has been waiting for his chance to break out, just like Gurley has. He and Tom Savage had an immediate connection and Savage was actually looking his way. Hopkins is a great start this week for the first time in a long time.
Ty Montgomery, RB/WR, Green Bay – Another fantasy zombie rising from the ashes last week is Ty Montgomery. He tore up the Chicago defense last week for 162 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. Montgomery owners and Packer fans have known that he’s been the best running back on the team all season, but it seems like this will finally make Mike McCarthy realize it. Even if James Starks were to come back this week it wouldn’t matter. Montgomery is the guy in Green Bay, and he’s a borderline must start this week whether it be at running back or wide receiver. It’s unlikely that he’ll post 162 yards and two touchdowns strictly on the ground again, but he should see more targets out of the backfield as the Packers will open their passing game up again in Week 16.
Ezekiel Elliot, RB, Dallas – This is more of a PSA for Zeke owners than anything. With the Giants loss on Thursday night, the rest of the Cowboys season is essentially meaningless. This could lead to the Cowboys resting certain players for the rest of the season. At least for this week, it’s highly unlikely that Zeke would be one of those guys. He’s going to get the usual workload in Week 16 and potentially even Week 17. The only Cowboy that gives me pause this week is Dez Bryant, who’s been dealing with a few nagging injuries. Don’t hesitate about playing Zeke in the championship this week.
AJ Green, WR, Cincinnati – If AJ Green suits up in Week 16, he’s going to be getting his usual workload. The Bengals have been eliminated from the playoffs and there’s no reason to rush Green back onto the field if he’s not ready. He’s only going to play if he’s near 100% and I’d expect big things from him in Week 16. You have to start Green if you’ve made it this far with him.
Sits
Jordan Reed, TE, Washington – Benching Jordan Reed is a painful, painful decision, but it has to happen even if he plays in Week 16. Reed hasn’t practiced all week and hasn’t even totaled 30 snaps in his last two games combined. He’s just not worth the risk of putting up a goose egg in championship week. Reed owners should look at a guy like Charles Clay should Reed suit up, or Vernon Davis if Reed is inactive.
Stefon Diggs, WR, Minnesota – Diggs hasn’t had over 60 yards since Week 10 and hasn’t found the end zone since Week 8. He’s banged up and on the injury report going into Week 16. I know he’s always an enticing play since he’s the only competent player on the Vikings offense, but he just hasn’t been able to perform in recent weeks. He’s not a guy I’d be trusting in championship week or any Viking for that matter.
J.J. Nelson, WR, Arizona – Nelson is an intriguing fantasy option for a couple reasons: he’s scored a touchdown in each of the last three games and has stepped up big time after Michael Floyd was cut by the Cardinals. However, Nelson has been ridiculously touchdown dependent and has had just one productive game on the year in which he didn’t score. He makes for an interesting desperation dart throw due to his big play potential, but nothing more than that.
Thomas Rawls, RB, Seattle – The Seattle Seahawks offensive line is absolutely brutal this year, and it has cost Rawls every last shred of his fantasy relevancy. Rawls was pounded behind the line of scrimmage multiple times against the Rams last week and wasn’t even able to top 40 yards on the day. His 100 yard, two touchdown game against Carolina two weeks ago feels like it was in a different season. Rawls has a tough divisional matchup against the Cardinals this week. I’d break out one of my other options rather than hope for a miracle with Rawls this week.
Theo Riddick, RB, Detroit – Riddick may finally make his return to the field in Week 16 but it shouldn’t matter to any Riddick owners who made it this far. He hasn’t had over 100 total yards since October and his last game against the Saints was saved by a touchdown. Outside of deep PPR leagues, Riddick isn’t worth considering this week. His questionable tag and Monday night kickoff don’t add to the problem either.
Steve Rebeiro is a staff writer and podcast host for Rams Talk. He graduated from Marquette University in 2016. For more of his opinions, follow him on Twitter here.
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