As fantasy football playoffs and championship rounds take place in Week 16, take note of some players that have extraordinarily good matchups as you set up your fantasy lineups to divide and conquer this week.
Andrew Luck, Quarterback, Indianapolis Colts
Luck may have not been so lucky last week, as his numbers took a dip against Houston. However Week 16 has Luck and the team facing the Dallas Cowboys who, over the last four weeks have allowed 287 passing yards per game, and the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. With Dallas being handy in squashing the run game as of late, Luck will have to air things out more than usual to keep up with a competitive Cowboys’ offense, making him a jackpot quarterback for your fantasy playoffs.
Tom Brady, Quarterback, New England Patriots
Brady has a fabulous history of crushing it when he and the team play against the New York Jets, throwing for 17 touchdowns in his last eight meetings against them. This sets the perfect foundation for Brady to reign in top fantasy points once again Week 16 as your team enters playoffs. In fact, over the course of the season, the Jets have allowed an average of 19.0 fantasy points per week to quarterbacks. Brady shouldn’t have any problems piling up yardage and scoring touchdowns against the team who has allowed the second-most touchdowns (29) to quarterbacks this season.
Matt Ryan, Quarterback, Atlanta Falcons
Week 16 has Ryan and the Falcons playing on the road against the New Orleans Saints. With the Falcons hopefully getting wide receiver Julio Jones back, Ryan should have a field day against the Saints’ defense who have allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season. Additionally, over the course of the last four games, the Saints have allowed opposing quarterbacks an average of 274 yards and two touchdowns per game. With Ryan on an upswing as of late, look for his hot streak to continue in Week 16.
C.J. Anderson, Running Back, Denver Broncos
Lately the Broncos have been leaning heavily on their run game as proven by the phenomenal numbers that Anderson has sported the last four weeks. Averaging 27 rushing plays and 119.5 rushing yards per game, along with four touchdowns in his last four games, Anderson remains a must-start in Week 16 against a Bengals’ defense who have allowed running backs to score the fifth-most fantasy points against them this season. If you don’t have Anderson on your team, hope that you aren’t playing against him this week in your playoff round.
Eddie Lacy, Running Back, Green Bay Packers
Week 16 should have Lacy posting some awesome fantasy numbers against a Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ defense who have allowed 197 rushing yards in their past two games. Additionally, if Green Bay gets back into stellar play mode, they could certainly gain strong lead over their opponent where Lacy will see more carries as the clock ticks down. With how strongly Lacy plowed through Buffalo’s tough defense last week, he should have no problem tearing it up on the ground again in Week 16.
Calvin Johnson, Wide Receiver, Detroit Lions
Johnson gets to feast on a depleted Chicago Bears’ defense in Week 16, where he should get back on track to light up your fantasy lineup. Over the last four games, the Bears’ defense has been awful and has allowed a staggering average of 215 yards per game to opposing wide receivers. If Johnson plays anything like he did last time the Lions faced the Bears, to the tune of 146 receiving yards and two touchdowns, then your playoff opponent this week should be extremely nervous.
Mike Evans, Wide Receiver, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Evans and the team face the Green Bay Packers in Week 16, whose defense over the last four weeks have allowed opposing wide receivers the sixth-most fantasy points. Up to date, Evans has the third most touchdown catches of all wide receivers this season which bodes well for the rookie, playing against the team who has allowed the most touchdowns by wide receivers this season. With this said, Evans makes a sneaky, smart play in your Week 16 playoff lineup.
Rob Gronkowski, Tight End, New England Patriots
Gronk, like Brady mentioned above has a successful history playing history against the New York Jets. Over their last four games together, Gronkowski has scored four touchdowns and has averaged nearly 94 yards per game. Coincidentally, the Jets have generously allowed the third-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends this season, setting Gronk up for a monster performance as you compete in your Week 16 playoffs.