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You made it to the second week of the playoffs. Congratulations. Or perhaps you had a bye and are coasting into the second week. Hats off to you, my friend. But now comes the hard part.
Are you a play my studs regardless kind of manager? Or are you a give me the best matchup and let the chips fall where they may kind of manager? Regardless, we have you covered.
Below are the three best and worst fantasy matchups for Week 16. Remember, you can't account for injuries (looking at you, Jonathan Taylor) or crazy weather (lake effect?), but you can attempt to zig and zag your way around the uncontrollable to fantasy glory.
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Quarterback Playoff Matchups
With the injuries to Jalen Hurts, Russell Wilson (yeah, I know), Ryan Tannehill, and Mike White, looking at quarterback matchups might not be such a bad idea.
Bad Quarterback Matchups
Defenses that average less than 14 fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks
| TEAM | AVG FANTASY POINTS ALLOWED | WEEK 16 MATCHUP | QB STATS vs WEEK 15 | QB STATS vs WEEK 14 | QB STATS vs WEEK 13 |
| Cincinnati Bengals | 13.8 | Mac Jones | Tom Brady 312 passing yards, 3 TD, 2INT | Deshaun Watson, 276 passing yards, 1 TD, 1 INT | Patrick Mahomes, 223 passing yards, 1 TD |
| Dallas Cowboys | 13.7 | Jalen Hurts or Gardner Minshew | Trevor Lawrence, 318 passing yards, 4 TD, 1 INT | Davis Mills, 175 passing yards, 0 TD, 1 INT
Jeff Driskel, 38 passing yards, 1 TD, 0 INT |
Matt Ryan, 233 passing yards, 2 TD, 3 INT |
| Houston Texans | 13.6 | Ryan Tannehill or Malik Willis | Patrick Mahomes, 336 passing yards, 2 TD | Dak Prescott, 284 passing yards, 1 TD, 2 INT | Deshaun Watson, 131 passing yards, 0 TD, 1 INT |
| Buffalo Bills | 13.5 | Justin Fields | Tua Tagovailoa, 234 passing yards, 2 TD | Mike White, 268 passing yards
Joe Flacco, 1 passing yard |
Mac Jones, 195 passing yards, 1 TD |
| San Francisco 49ers | 12.9 | Taylor Heinicke | Geno Smith, 238 passing yards, 1 TD | Tom Brady, 253 passing yards, 1 TD, 2 INT | Tua Tagovailoa, 295 passing yards, 2TD, 2 INT |
| Philadelphia Eagles | 12.9 | Dak Prescott | Justin Fields, 152 passing yards, 2 TD, 15 carries, 95 yards | Daniel Jones, 169 passing yards, 1 TD, 26 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD
Tyrod Taylor, 47 passing yards, 1 TD, 40 rushing yards |
Ryan Tannehill, 141 passing yards, 1 TD
Malik Willis has 16 passing yards |
| Denver Broncos | 12.1 | Baker Mayfield | Colt McCoy, 78 passing yards, 1 INT
Trace McSorley, 95 passing yards, 2 INT |
Patrick Mahomes, 352 passing yards, 3 TD, 3 INT | Lamar Jackson, 11 passing yards,
Tyler Huntley, 187 passing yards, 1 INT |
There is very little chance of you trotting out Baker Mayfield in your fantasy playoffs, but stranger things have happened. Hurts is almost matchup-proof (if he plays). Minshew isn't Hurts.
Prescott's ceiling is limited not only by his Week 16 opponent but because of the run game with Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard. He has thrown for 170 yards, 284 yards, and 256 yards in those three games ( and those were against the Indianapolis Colts, Houston Texans, and Jacksonville Jaguars). In his last three games, Prescott has seven touchdowns and five interceptions.
Good Quarterback Matchups
Statistically speaking, the best quarterback matchup for Week 16 goes to Sam Darnold. Darnold and the Carolina Panthers will play the Detroit Lions, averaging 23 fantasy points per game to the quarterback position.
In week 15, Darnold attempted 23 passes and completed 14 for 225 yards and one touchdown. In Week 14 against the Seattle Seahawks, Darnold attempted 24 passes, completed 14 for 120 passing yards and one touchdown. The Panthers are averaging 22 pass attempts per game since Darnold's return under center.
Aaron Rodgers has the second-best quarterback matchup for Week 16. But as I sit and watch him get sacked yet again, statistics may not matter. The Green Bay Packers play the Miami Dolphins in Week 16. The Dolphins are surrendering an average of 21.3 fantasy points to the quarterback position.
The Dolphins have given up 304 yards and four touchdowns to Josh Allen, 367 passing yards and a touchdown to Justin Herbert, and 210 yards and two touchdowns to Brock Purdy. Rodgers hasn't eclipsed 250 passing yards since Week 9 against the Detroit Lions. Rodgers threw for 291 yards with three interceptions and one touchdown.
Also in consideration is Daniel Jones against the Minnesota Vikings' defense. The Vikings are giving up an average of 18.9 fantasy points to the quarterback position. In Week 15, Matt Ryan passed 182 yards with one touchdown; in Week 14, Jared Goff torched them for 330 passing yards and three touchdowns. The hope is that Jones falls somewhere in between.
The Giants average 28.8 passing attempts per game. Jones also has the rushing ability that raises his floor. He has 95 carries, averages 7.3 yards per carry, and has five rushing touchdowns.
Running Back Playoff Matchups
Jonathan Taylor, Dameon Pierce, and Zonovan Knight all have injuries. Two of them are out for the rest of the season. Let's see who has the best and worst running back matchup for Week 16.
Bad Running Back Matchups
| TEAM | AVG FANTASY POINTS ALLOWED | WEEK 16 MATCHUP | TEAM vs RB WEEK 15 | TEAM vs RB WEEK 14 | TEAM vs RB WEEK 13 |
| WASHINGTON | 15.6 | Christian McCaffrey | Saquon Barkley, 18 carries, 87 yards, one TD, 4.8 avg, eight targets, five receptions, 33 yards | BYE WEEK | Saquon Barkley, 18 carries, 63 yards, one TD, 3.5 avg, five targets, five receptions, 18 yards |
| TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS | 15.2 | James Conner | Joe Mixon, 11 carries 21 yards, 1.9avg, six targets, five receptions, 33 yards
Samaje Perine, seven carries, 24 yards, one target, one reception |
Christian McCaffrey, 14 carries, 119 yards, one TD, 8.5 avg, three targets, two receptions, one TD | Raheem Mostert, seven carries, 30 yards, 4.3 avg |
| DALLAS COWBOYS | 15.0 | Miles Sanders | Travis Etienne, 19 carries, 103 yards, 5.4 avg, three targets, two receptions, 24 yards | Dameon Pierce, 22 carries, 78 yards, 1TD, 3.5 avg | Jonathan Taylor, 21 carries, 82 yards, 3.9 avg, four targets, three receptions, 21 yards |
| BALTIMORE RAVENS | 14.3 | Tyler Allgeier and Cordarrelle Patterson | Nick Chubb, 21 carries, 99 yards, 4.7 avg, two targets, 0 receptions | Najee Harris, 12 carries, 33 yards, one TD, 2.8 avg, three targets, two receptions, 17 yards | Latavius Murray, 17 carries, 47 yards, 2.8 avg, four targets, four receptions, 14 yards |
| TENNESSEE TITANS | 14.0 | Royce Freeman | Austin Ekeler, 12 carries, 58 yards, one TD, 4.8 avg, three targets, two receptions, 12 yards | Travis Etienne, 17 carries, 32 yards, 1.9 avg | Miles Sanders, ten carries, 24 yards, 1 TD, 2.4 avg, two targets, two receptions, 14 yards |
| NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS | 13.3 | Joe Mixon | Josh Jacobs, 22 carries, 93 yards, 4.2 avg., three targets, two receptions, 17 yards | James Conner, 15 carries, 85 yards, one TD, 5.7 avg, seven targets, six receptions, 29 yards | Devin Singletary, 13 carries, 51 yards, one TD, two targets
James Cook, 14 carries, 64 yards, 4.6avg., six targets, six receptions, 41 yards |
| SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS | Brian Robinson | Kenneth Walker, 12 carries, 47 yards, 3.9 avg., five targets, four receptions, 32 yards | Rachaad White, 13 carries, 56 yards, 4.3 avg, five targets, five receptions, 21 yards | Raheem Mostert, seven carries, 30 yards, 4.3 avg | Alvin Kamara, seven carries, 13 yards, 1.9 avg, seven targets, six receptions, 37 yards |
There is no such thing as a bad matchup with McCaffrey, he is matchup-proof, but you knew that.
The problem with the Falcons isn't just a bad matchup but the timeshare between Allgeier and Patterson. Week 13 was Patterson at 46% and Allgeier at 52%. Week 15 Patterson was on the field for 50% of the offensive snaps and Allgeier for 49%.
Good Running Back Matchups
The sigh of relief is that the good matchups favor your studs with a couple of exceptions.
Derrick Henry goes against the Texans, who give up an average league-high 26 fantasy points per game to the running back position. Austin Ekeler goes against the Indianapolis Colts, who surrender 20.7 average fantasy points to the running back.
Here are a few men you might want to consider, Zack Moss rushed 24 times for 81 yards against the Vikings in Week 15 after Taylor went down. Deon Jackson rushed 13 times for 55 yards, averaging 4.2 yards per carry. The Colts play the Los Angeles Chargers, who give up an average of 22.0 fantasy points per game to the running backs. Last week Henry averaged 5.0 yards per carry while rushing for 104 yards and one touchdown against them.
If you want to put Alvin Kamara in the trust circle (but why), he is running against the Cleveland Browns, who have given up the third-most fantasy points to the running back (22.3) per game.
Kamara is currently RB16. He is on the field for a 79.2% snap share and a 76.2% opportunity share. He is currently 24th in carries and 33rd in red zone targets. Kamara is averaging 14.5 fantasy points per game. But in his last three games, he has had 5.7, 7.0, and 12.9 fantasy points per game.
Wide Receiver Playoff Matchups
The best matchup for wide receivers is a grab bag of maybe you could pick them up for one week. But first, let's look at the bad matchups.
Bad Wide Receiver Matchups
| TEAM | AVG FANTASY POINTS ALLOWED | WEEK 16 MATCHUP | TEAM vs WEEK 15 MATCHUP | TEAM vs WEEK 14 MATCHUP | TEAM vs WEEK 13 MATCHUP |
| GREEN BAY PACKERS | 19.6 | Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle | Tyler Higbee, five targets, four receptions, 27 yards, one TD | BYE WEEK | Cole Kmet, seven targets, six receptions, 72 yards |
| PHILADELPHIA EAGLES | 18.8 | Cee Dee Lamb | Cole Kmet, five targets, four receptions, 25 yards | Richie James, nine targets, seven receptions, one TD | Chigoziem Okonkwo, five targets, four receptions, 68 yards
Austin Hooper, five targets, three receptions, 22 yards |
| INDIANAPOLIS COLTS | 18.7 | Keenan Allen and Mike Williams | KJ Osborn, 16 targets, ten receptions, 157 yards, 1 TD
Justin Jefferson, 16 targets, 12 receptions, 123 yards, 1 TD |
BYE WEEK | CeeDee Lamb, seven targets, five receptions, 71 yards, 1 TD
Michael Gallup, seven targets, four receptions, 23 yards, 2 TD |
| HOUSTON TEXANS | 17.9 | Treylon Burks | Travis Kelce, ten targets, ten receptions, 105 yards
JuJu Smith-Schuster, ten targets, ten receptions, 88 yards |
Dalton Schultz, ten targets, six receptions, 87 yards | Amari Cooper, nine targets, four receptions, 40 yards |
| SEATTLE SEAHAWKS | 17.5 | JuJu Smith-Schuster | Christian McCaffrey, eight targets, six receptions, 30 yards | Laviska Shenault, four targets, four receptions, 31 yards | Tutu Atwell, five targets, two receptions, 48 yards |
| NEW YORK JETS | 17.3 | Christian Kirk and Zay Jones | Amon-Ra St. Brown, ten targets, seven receptions, 76 yards | Dawson Knox, seven targets, four receptions, 41 yards, 1 TD | Justin Jefferson, 11 targets, seven receptions, 45 yards, 1 TD |
| DENVER BRONCOS | 14.8 | Rams Wide Receivers | DeAndre Hopkins, 11 targets, seven receptions, 60 yards | JuJu Smith-Schuster, 11 targets, nine receptions, 74 yards, 1 TD | Demarcus Robinson eight targets, seven receptions, 41 yards |
Let's take a second to notice how much teams that go against the top defenses against wide receivers use tight ends and McCaffrey. Also, notice that Week 15 was a good week against these defenses.
Good Wide Receiver Matchups
This is the list of the wide receivers who are looking at a good statistical matchup for Week 16:
DK Metcalf @ Kansas City Chiefs, Chiefs are giving up 23.7 fantasy points per game. No Tyler Boyd in this game, so more passes are going toward Metcalf.
AJ Brown/DeVonta Smith @ Dallas is giving up 23.9 average fantasy points to the wide receiver position. The only caveat is there may be no Jalen Hurts. Who believes in Gardner Minshew mania?
The Ravens wide receivers are hosting the Atlanta Falcons. So, who will lead the Ravens in the receiving department? Last week Mark Andrews led with seven targets, and Robinson had six targets.
The Ravens pass the ball the fifth-fewest in the league, averaging 28.0 passing attempts per game.
Davante Adams is matchup-proof. Now he gets the Pittsburgh Steelers secondary, giving up 24.8 fantasy points per game to the wide receiver position.
If only we knew who to count on, the New York Giants and the Houston Texans are in positions to take advantage of better matchups.
The Detroit Lions, everyone's favorite target, get to try and stifle DJ Moore. The Lions are giving up the second most fantasy points to the wide receiver position and Moore. Has been on the receiving end of six, three, and six targets in his last three games.
Tight End Playoff Matchups
We all have to admit that the tight end pool is always shallow. If you have these tight ends, you might want to rethink playing them in Week 16.
Cole Kmet has led the team in targets over the last three weeks. Unfortunately, this week he goes against the Buffalo Bills, who have given up the fewest fantasy points to the tight end position (3.9)
Dallas Goedert is coming off IR. There is a chance that Goedert will play with Minshew and not Hurts. And the Cowboys are only giving up 4.0 fantasy points to the tight end position.
George Kittle is someone you aren't going to bench, no matter who the matchup is. The same could be said for a healthy David Njoku.
Dawson Knox and Logan Thomas are on the cusp of the trust circle. Their matchups will make you think twice but sitting them in playoffs seems riskier.
Knox plays Chicago, who give up only 4.6 average fantasy points to the tight ends, and Thomas plays the 49ers.
Trey McBride is in a good matchup but with the third-string quarterback. Cade Otton or Cameron Brate will play Arizona, who is giving up the second-most fantasy points to the tight end position.
In Week 15, Otton played 65% of the offensive snaps and Brate 39%. It was the same for Week 14. Otton played on 59% of the offensive snaps and Brate 37%.
Mark Andrews is still the alpha dog in a limping offense. He is against the Seattle Seahawks, who allow the most fantasy points to the tight end position. The question is, who will be under center?
If Robert Tonyan is available, his matchup against the Miami Dolphins is good. The Dolphins have surrendered the third-most fantasy points to the tight end position.
Whether you are a "play the studs" or "best matchup goes" type of fantasy manager, stick with RotoBaller for the best information. Here is to you slaying your Week 16, good luck!
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