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Welcome RotoBallers to another edition of Fantasy Matchmaker! This article will go through which players have the best and worst matchups in Week 16. With the second round of the playoffs in full swing, paying attention to matchups could be the difference in advancing to the next round.
Now, players that make this list are not necessarily a must-start or sit. But if you're deciding between two or more players, matchups could come into play in that decision.
This list will feature several quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends that have matchups I love in Week 16 and matchups to avoid this weekend. I will also try to avoid naming the fantasy studs on this list because you will be starting them regardless of matchup. So, let's dive in and see which players come in below.
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Week 16: Quarterback Matchups We Love
Trevor Lawrence- Jacksonville Jaguars
Opponent: at TB
Opponent Rank vs. QB: 28th
Starting Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence will depend on his health over the next few days. Lawrence was placed in the concussion protocol following Sunday's loss and has not practiced on Wednesday or Thursday. But if he can clear it in time, he's a great fantasy play in Week 16 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Buccaneers are allowing the fifth-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks this season (19.1). They have also allowed at least 280 pass yards in three of the past five games, including a career-high from Desmond Ridder (374) in Week 14. If active, Lawrence should able to exploit this weak Tampa secondary. If not, C.J. Beathard would likely draw the start and will be more of a QB2 in Week 16.
Baker Mayfield- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Opponent: JAX
Opponent Rank vs. QB: 30th
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield is coming off one of the best games of his career. Last week, Mayfield threw for 381 yards and four touchdowns. The 381 passing yards are his most in a game since his rookie season when he threw for 397 yards in Week 13. Now, the veteran will get a Jacksonville Jaguars defense that has struggled to contain the pass all season.
From Week 5 to Week 14, the Jaguars allowed seven of nine quarterbacks to hit the 300-yard passing mark in a game. The only two quarterbacks to not were Kenny Pickett in Week 8 and Will Levis in Week 11. Outside of that, quarterbacks like Derek Carr, Gardner Minshew, Jake Browning, and Joe Flacco have all eclipsed that mark during that span. With the way Mayfield is playing right now, he's a great start against this defense.
Week 16: Quarterback Matchups to Avoid
Russell Wilson - Denver Broncos
Opponent: NE
Opponent Rank vs. QB: 7th
It's been a revival season for Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson. He has thrown 24 touchdown passes to just eight interceptions this year and has made himself a solid fantasy start. But in Week 16 against the New England Patriots, he is more of a QB2 option. For starters, the Broncos find themselves as seven-point home favorites in this game, which could mean fewer throwing opportunities for Wilson.
On top of that, the Patriots are allowing the seventh-fewest fantasy points per game to quarterbacks this year at 14.8 points. New England has also only allowed one quarterback to throw for over 215 yards and two touchdowns since Week 10. That happened to be Patrick Mahomes just last week. From Week 10 to Week 14, that secondary gave up just 787 passing yards and two touchdowns combined. That's why I'm likely staying away from Wilson on Sunday.
Week 16: Running Back Matchups We Love
Breece Hall - New York Jets
Opponent: WSH
Opponent Rank vs. RB: 25th
If there was ever a game for New York Jets running back Breece Hall to explode, it would be against the Washington Commanders in Week 16. The Jets should be able to move the ball on Sunday, facing the 32nd-ranked defense, and that starts in the run game.
Washington is coming off a game where they just allowed 168 rush yards on 5.1 yards per carry to the Los Angeles Rams last week. This Commanders run defense has allowed six total touchdowns to running backs over the last three contests. This game should be close, and Hall should benefit from that.
Ezekiel Elliott- New England Patriots
Opponent: at DEN
Opponent Rank vs. RB: 31st
Those who started Ezekiel Elliott in fantasy last week were likely disappointed with his production and results. Elliott had just 11 carries for 25 yards and five catches for 21 yards. But Elliott should be in for a better day against a Broncos defense that has surrendered the second-most fantasy points per game to running backs this season.
With Rhamondre Stevenson (ankle) still dealing with an injury and missing the first two days of practice to start the week, Elliott could be in for another monster day. In Week 15, Denver allowed the Lions to rush for 185 yards and one touchdown. That unit has also given up a touchdown to running backs in five of the past six games, making Elliott a great start with or without Stevenson in the lineup.
Week 16: Running Back Matchups to Avoid
Saquon Barkley- New York Giants
Opponent: at PHI
Opponent Rank vs. RB: 2nd
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley comes into a tough matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 16. Barkley, who had just 5.7 PPR points last week, was already a risky start but now faces an Eagles defense that is allowing just 14.9 half-PPR fantasy points per game to running backs this season.
Philadelphia's run defense has been worse in recent games, especially when looking at what Kenneth Walker did to them last week -- 86 rush yards and one touchdown. But the Giants' offensive line is really struggling right now. Barkley will have to find ways to rush for big gains against a run defense that is allowing less than four yards per carry this year.
Week 16: Wide Receiver Matchups We Love
Stefon Diggs- Buffalo Bills
Opponent: at LAC
Opponent Rank vs. WR: 30th
I didn't want to put a "stud" on this list because you should always be starting them in the fantasy playoffs. But there have been enough people asking if they should sit Stefon Diggs in fantasy because of his recent performances. The last couple of weeks haven't been pretty for Diggs in fantasy. He has just one game over nine PPR fantasy points over the past five games.
However, his matchup in Week 16 against the Los Angeles Chargers doesn't get any better than this. The Chargers just gave up four receiving touchdowns to the Raiders last week, which also included a 101-yard performance from Davante Adams. With Los Angeles banged up in the secondary, Diggs will likely have to go up against a younger, inexperienced corner for most of the game, assuming the team doesn't plan on letting Asante Samuel Jr. travel with the Bills' wideout.
Calvin Ridley - Jacksonville Jaguars
Opponent: at TB
Opponent Rank vs. WR: 29th
Even if Trevor Lawrence does not play this week, Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Calvin Ridley is a smash start in Week 16 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. With Christian Kirk (core) out for the season and Zay Jones (hamstring) currently week-to-week, Ridley might enter this contest as the team's only healthy receiver.
That gives Ridley a huge boost in the passing game. He will also face a Buccaneers secondary that has struggled mightily against the pass this season. They have allowed over 170 receiving yards combined to opposing wideouts in seven of the past 10 games, including 19 catches for 215 yards last week to Green Bay wide receivers. The 29-year-old has seen 33 targets over the last three games and should see more chances this weekend with Jacksonville's wide receiver group banged up.
Week 16: Wide Receiver Matchups to Avoid
Terry McLaurin - Washington Commanders
Opponent: at NYJ
Opponent Rank vs. WR: 1st
It was a surprising game for Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin, who totaled a season-high 141 yards. Unfortunately, though, almost all of that came with Jacoby Brissett. With Sam Howell back starting for the Commanders in Week 16, McLaurin just doesn't see the same love from him. From Week 10 to Week 13, he failed to score above 10 PPR points in every game.
Now, he'll get a Jets secondary that has allowed the fewest fantasy points to wide receivers this season (17.9). New York has allowed just four receiving touchdowns to wideouts this season, which makes McLaurin a risky start in the second round of the fantasy playoffs.
Week 16: Tight End Matchups We Love
Pat Freiermuth - Pittsburgh Steelers
Opponent: CIN
Opponent Rank vs. TE: 32nd
Last week, Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth was on this exact same list. But he didn't do much, catching just three passes for 16 yards. However, Week 16 could call for a big game for Freiermuth against a Bengals defense that has given up the most fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends.
When the Steelers went up against Cincinnati in Week 12, the 25-year-old had a career day and caught nine passes for 120 yards. The Bengals have had a hard time defending tight ends this year, giving up 39 catches for 377 yards and two touchdowns combined over the past four games. This is surely a game in which Freiermuth will score plenty of fantasy points.
Week 16: Tight End Matchups to Avoid
Dalton Schultz - Houston Texans
Opponent: CLE
Opponent Rank vs. TE: 1st
Houston Texans tight end Dalton Schultz had a respectable game in Week 15 and caught four passes for 58 yards. It was a solid game for Schultz in his return, but he could score less than 10 PPR fantasy points again in Week 16. The Cleveland Browns have allowed the fewest fantasy points to tight ends this season. With Case Keenum also likely under center, he won't have a high ceiling in fantasy this weekend.
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