Matthew Stafford, Quarterback, Detroit Lions
Two weeks of awful production by Stafford has forced me to list him as a fantasy football player to avoid in Week 16, even in a game at home against the Giants. With playoffs or championships at stake, Stafford’s horrendous performances of the past few weeks label him as a “high-risk” fantasy start this week. Stafford owners likely forgave his bumbling performance two weeks ago in a blinding snowstorm. However, fantasy owners who started Stafford in Monday’s game against the Ravens, where the Lions played in their comfortable, weather-proof dome got duped big time. Stafford threw one lousy touchdown and three humongous interceptions. His teammates, namely, Calvin Johnson were dropping balls left and right. I would feel more comfortable starting Jay Cutler against the Eagles or Kirk Cousins versus Dallas over Stafford in Week 16. Avoid if you can as Stafford could easily deal you another hand of major disappointment.
Projected Statistics: 19/37, 240 yards, two touchdowns, two interceptions
Matt Ryan, Quarterback, Atlanta Falcons
Ryan was showing signs of his former “elite” quarterback status a few weeks ago, however his production slumped immensely last week against Washington’s mild-mannered defense as he only managed 210 passing yards, one touchdown and an interception. Week 16 takes the Falcons on the road to endure torture by the San Francisco 49ers rugged defense. Ryan shouldn’t be in anyone’s fantasy lineup in Week 16 if you’re counting on a win. Hopefully, if you drafted Ryan high, you’ve secured a plug and play quarterback for when Ryan is faced with upcoming doom. Leave him benched in Week 16.
Projected Statistics: 22/36, 215 yards, one touchdown, one interception
Roddy White, Wide Receiver, Atlanta Falcons
If it is fair to list Ryan as a fantasy football player to avoid in Week 16, then White should be avoided as well in San Francisco 49ers territory. White has increased his performances over his past three games, but look for WR3 fantasy numbers against the 49er’s wicked pass defense who allowed Tampa Bay’s Vincent Jackson a touchdown, but only 58 yards. With Atlanta’s crowded backfield of Harry Douglas and Tony Gonzalez, fantasy owners cannot count on many, successful targets for White in Week 16. Alternative options are advised.
Projected Statistics: Five receptions, 49 yards, zero touchdowns
Larry Fitzgerald, Wide Receiver, Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals travel to the NFL’s noisiest stadium to play the Seattle Seahawks in Week 16. If Fitzgerald, who suffered a concussion towards the end of last week’s game is cleared to play, he will in for a long and testing day against Seattle’s top cornerback, Richard Sherman. Seattle allows the fewest fantasy points to wide receivers and with his quarterback, Carson Palmer, dinged up with elbow and ankle ailments, the fantasy outlook for Fitzgerald in Week 16 looks extremely gruesome. He is a tough guy to sit, but if you have a wide receiver with a less stifling opponent in Week 16, I’d steer clear of Fitzgerald.
Projected Statistics: Four receptions, 47 yards, zero touchdowns
Torrey Smith, Wide Receiver, Baltimore Ravens
Smith and the Baltimore Ravens host the New England Patriots in Week 16 and you can bet the scorned Patriots, who lost due to a last minute Tom Brady interception, will be looking to avenge that loss on the Ravens. To lessen Smith’s fantasy appeal, Joe Flacco went down last week late in the game with a minor knee injury and while he appears to be healthy for Week 16, he truly could not get anything thriving with his receivers last week with zero touchdowns against a giving Lions defense. With the Patriots best corner shadowing Smith, his production for Sunday’s game will be limited. If you have other alternatives to using Smith in Week 16, I would recommend them.
Projected Statistics: Two receptions, 59 yards, zero touchdowns
Andre Brown, Running Back, New York Giants
Brown and his mess of a Giants offense travel to Detroit in Week 16 for a matchup against the Lions who should be hungrily salivating to take advantage of Eli Manning and crew. While the Lions pass defense isn’t exactly top-notch, they have a rather solid ground attack as they contained the Ravens running backs to only 77 combined yards last week and no touchdowns. Brown’s playing time will once again be limited because of the ineptness of Manning to maintain possession of the ball for any decent length of time. Brown should not be held at fault for his lack of performance, but he should be held out of your fantasy lineups if you have a stronger choice in Week 16.
Projected Statistics: 12 attempts, 43 yards, three receptions, 11 yards, zero touchdowns
Pierre Thomas, Running Back, New Orleans Saints
Thomas’ production has tapered off quite significantly over the past four weeks of play with only 108 total rush yards and zero scores. Not qualifying as a “must-start” any longer, Thomas should be avoided in Week 16 in daunting divisional matchup between the Saints and the Carolina Panthers on their home ground. Carolina will be looking to acquire a crucial win at home and Drew Brees will likely be airing things out to gain a lead to conquer on the road. The Panthers allow the seventh fewest points to running backs, so leaving Thomas, who won’t see double-digit fantasy points, benched in Week 16 will avoid disappointment.
Projected Statistics: Seven attempts, 23 yards, four receptions, nine yards, zero touchdowns
Shane Vereen, Running Back, New England Patriots
Last week, Vereen was severely shut out by the Dolphins toughest defensive back who didn’t allow Vereen but only 13 yards. Week 16 does not present Vereen with a much friendlier opponent when the Patriots play the Baltimore Ravens, who possess one of the NFL’s strictest rush defenses. Vereen will struggle to find open space to attain any significant gains and share carries with fellow backs, Stevan Ridley and LeGarrette Blount, diminishing his fantasy value again. Vereen is a challenging person to sit, but remember his few measly fantasy points he rewarded last week and look for a more suitable player in Week 16.
Projected Statistics: Nine attempts, 35 yards, two receptions, 17 yards, zero touchdowns
Danny Woodhead, Running Back, San Diego Chargers
In Week 16, Woodhead and the Chargers play at home where they face the Oakland Raiders. The matchup is not a scary one by any means, as you can see what Jamaal Charles accomplished on the ground last week against the Raiders. The problem with Woodhead, in Week 16 is he’ll surely take a backseat to Ryan Mathews, which has been par for the course lately. Mathews possesses the “hot-hand” as they say, so as long as he is producing on the ground for the Chargers, he’ll see many more carries including the goal line work which Woodhead is getting stiffed on. In Week 16, he should be avoided unless you are in a points per reception (PPR) league where he is mostly utilized in the short passing game.
Projected Statistics: Six attempts, 28 yards, three receptions, 25 yards, zero touchdowns
Coby Fleener, Tight End, Indianapolis Colts
It would be difficult to trust Fleener after laying a big, pathetic goose egg last week, which is why you should avoid Fleener again in Week 16 at the home of the Kansas City Chiefs. Fleener seems to have gotten lost in the shuffle in the Colts backfield, and his fantasy points have taken a dive over the last few weeks. Tight ends are at a shortage, however, Fleener is too much of a risk playing against the Chiefs whose defense allow the fewest points on average to this position. In order to win your fantasy matchup in Week 16, Fleener should remain out of your lineup.
Projected Statistics: Two receptions, 26 yards, zero touchdowns.