NFL Week 16 Fantasy Football Sleeper Focus

Raise your hand is you are still alive in one of your fantasy football leagues.

Luckily, thanks to the Browns stuffing Brian Westbrook at the 1-yard line on Monday night and the Eagles sitting Westbrook for most of the 4th quarter, I advanced to the championship round of my primary league. I do not feel bad about this at all, however. My team scored the most points by nearly 100 in the regular season, and then Kurt Warner and Larry Fitzgerald threw up a stinker in the biggest week of the season. Damnit, I deserve to be in the championship game and if it took a flukey Monday night performance from Brian Westbrook to get me there, well do be it. A

Anyone who plays fantasy football has been on the losing end of games they should win, and on the winning end of games they should lose. It’s the nature of the beast. Hopefully I can just survive one more week and win this league for the first time.

To kick this Week 16 Sleeper Focus off, I will take you through my thinking on some of the decisions I have to make this week. Perhaps you have similar players on your roster and it can be helpful:

Team #1: The Best Men

QBs: Drew Brees, Kurt Warner, and Eli Manning

I can pick two, and I’m sticking with the two I’ve ridden all year: Brees and Warner.

RBs: Chris Johnson, LT, Steve Slaton, Willie Parker, Le’Ron McClain

Chris Johnson and Steve Slaton are must-starts. And I always play a RB at flex. I don’t trust WRs. I have to admit that I am considering benching LT for Le’Ron McClain, who has been more productive recently. However, Tampa Bay’s defense has shown some signs of trouble against the run, and with the Chargers desperate to stay alive in the AFC West I think LT may be able to get in the endzone. I know this: if he has a huge game, and I sat him for the championship after sticking with him all season, I’ll regret it. I won’t regret playing him. LT starts.

WRs: Wes Welker, Larry Fitzgerald, and DeSean Jackson

Do you have to ask? Welker and Fitzgerald.

The rest of my spots are set: Chris Cooley at TE, Steven Gostowski at K, Tennessee’s D, and then the amazing trio of John Abraham, Joey Porter, and Ed Reed at DB. I’m feeling good in this league.

Team #2: THE Carlos Quentin

(I am playing a team called “Steelers Suck” coached by our good friend Ryan Russell in the championship, by the way.)

QB – Drew Brees. He starts. No questions.

RBs: Steve Slaton, DeAngelo Williams, Brandon Jacobs, Jerious Norwood, Leon Washington

Well, Steve Slaton and DeAngelo Williams are no-brainers. That leaves the flex spot, where I would love to play Brandon Jacobs. The latest news is that he will “likely” play. I hope so. If not, I do not trust Norwood or Washington to get enough touches. Sure, they are capable of big days, but it’s the championship. I can’t afford a 0. In this case, I’d rather play a receiver like Davone Bess who will certainly get catches and at least give me something guaranteed.

WRs: Davone Bess, Randy Moss, Calvin Johnson, Muhsin Muhammad, Justin Gage

Randy Moss and Calvin Johnson definitely start. Hopefully I don’t have to choose from Bess, Muhammad, or Gage for the flex spot. If I did, I would go with Davone Bess. Miami is playing a weak Kansas City team and Bess has played well over the past month. It’s a PPR league and he will get 3-5 catches minimum. Gage is all or nothing and the Panthers passing game sometimes totally disappears.

The rest of the lineup is Witten at TE, Jets D, and John Kasay. The Jets D playing in a West Coast game scares me, but I’m sticking with them. They have play-makers and the Seahawks suck.

Team #3: Small Craft Advisory

(I am actually only in the Final Four in this league, as the championship is Week 17. However, there are still choices:)

QBs: Kurt Warner, Jake Delhomme – my backups are Trent Edwards and Matt Hasselbeck, so no help there.

RBs: Michael Turner, Chris Johnson, Le’Ron McClain, Brandon Jacobs

Michael Turner and Chris Johnson start. McClain v Jacobs is interesting for the flex spot. The Ravens are playing a Dallas defense that has been doing very well this year, and Jacobs will not be 100% healthy if he does play. Both are always at risk to lose carries to capable teammates should they struggle. I would probably go with Jacobs to avoid Dallas’ D and because the game is Sunday night. I always like having a player in the Sunday night or Monday games so I have a chance regardless of what happens in the afternoon. All else being equal, I usually let that break the tie.

WRs: Brandon Marshall, Calvin Johnson, DeSean Jackson, Braylon Edwards.

Marshall and Johnson start. I have one other slot to fill, and Edwards seems like a good play after a solid outing Monday night and the Bengals on the schedule. Plus, DeSean Jackson is playing a tough Washington D. Both Jackson and Edwards are streaky, but I’m just not sure I can bring myself to trust Edwards in a big spot. I wil l probably go with Jackson.

TE: John Carlson or Greg Olsen. This is toss-up. Carlson has been very solid, but plays a tough Jets D in a must-win game for the Jets. Greg Olsen plays Monday night against a Green Bay D that couldn’t stop traffic at a red light. I will probably go with Greg Olsen here.

Now onto some sleepers for Week 16:

Week 16 Fantasy Football Sleeper Focus

Sleeper – RB DeShaun Foster, 49ers

I listed him as a sleeper last week because of the injury to Frank Gore, and with the status of Frank Gore still up in the air, Foster remains on this list if he is available. Hopefully you are not desperate for a RB, but he could be better than a WR you were thinking about flexing. 18 carries for 76 yards plus 5 receptions for 25 yards is pretty good production. He did not make it into the endzone against Miami, but probably will against St. Louis. His matchup makes DeShaun Foster a potential #2 RB, if Frank Gore cannot go. Make sure to check the injury reports.

Sleeper – QB Matt Schaub, Texans

I would assume if you are in the championship that you do not need a QB. However, if your team is built around other positions and you have a poor matchup (like Ben Roethlisberger against the Titans, or Tony Romo against the Ravens), Matt Schaub could be a better play. He has been stellar since returning from injury and the Texans play an Oakland Raiders defense that gave up 4 TDs to Matt Cassel last week. Matt Schaub is quite possibly a top 5 QB this week, based on matchup. If you’re looking for a ballsy move, and Schaub is available, I’d think long and hard about whether or not Matt Schaub is better than the guy you have starting.

Sleeper – WR Deion Branch, Seahawks

Deion Branch has become a forgotten man playing in the Pacific Northwest and having underwhelming stats for the past few years. But check out his production over the last 3 weeks: 14 receptions, around 230 yards, and 2 TDs. And the New York Jets are coming to town, a team that consistently struggles when playing on the West Coast. I would not start Branch as a #2 WR, nor would I start him over Davone Bess against the Kansas City Chiefs, but Deion Branch is worthy of a look as a flex play.

Sleeper – RB Cedric Benson, Bengals

It pains me to do this. It really does. Drafting Cedric Benson in the 5th round last year is the most profound black mark on my relatively successful fantasy football career. Plus, Cedric Benson is playing my beloved Browns. But the clown from UT had a very solid game last week, and is playing a Browns defense that simply has not shown it can stop the run against anyone. I would not start Benson as a #2 RB, but perhaps more out of spite than for any objective reason. He may have a very good day, and is certainly a very good flex option.

Sleeper – Houston Texans Defense

Matchups baby – and the Texans are playing the Raiders. I think Houston will score a lot of points, and do it early, which will give them a lead. Then Mario Williams will be able to tee off on JaMarcus Russell and get sacks, as well as force some bad throws that could lead to interceptions. Houston is a borderline top 10 defense for this week in my mind and could end up having a very big day.

There you go. Sleepers galore and hopefully some info to help you get ready for Week 16 of the Fantasy Football season. As always, leave any questions in the comments section and we will be sure to answer them. And don’t forget to check out the NFL Week 16 Preview and TV Schedule to get you ready for your football watching weekend. Good luck!

Tags: Fantasy Football, NFL, sleepers

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