Key Starters and Tough Calls - Lineup Spotlights and Emergency Pivots

Scott Engel provides Week 16 fantasy football lineups analysis, spotlighting key NFL players to start and tougher lineup start/sit decisions to make. This week, he also includes emergency pivots.

This whirlwind weekend has kept many of us on edge more than usual during Fantasy Super Bowl week. Not only have four games before the Sunday schedule made live scoring more nerve wracking, major news items are creating anxiety inducing lineup adjustments.

You may have been hoping that James Robinson was going to play Sunday, but now he has been ruled out. The Browns top WRs were all placed on the COVID-19 list. But not to worry - we have alternatives for you to use to complete your Week 16 championship lineups, especially in these situations where you suddenly have to pivot to another player. Or you can simply start these guys if you need an appealing streamer.

These choices are based off my Premium Weekly Lineup Rankings, available as part of the RotoBaller's NFL Premium Pass. Enter promo code KING at checkout for a 10% discount and get access to all of my ranks in all formats, plus a full roster of tools and analysis for the remainder of the 2020 season in DFS and keeper and dynasty leagues. Weekly subscription options are available.

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Week 16 Running Back Spotlights

For those who were hoping to start James Robinson or still need a running back:

Kareem Hunt: He could be much more of a contributor in the passing game this week because of all the absences at wide receiver. The Jets are 26^th in receptions allowed to running backs. Hunt (1,052) and Nick Chubb (1,043) are the only pair of RB teammates each with 1,000+ scrimmage yards this season. Cleveland could lean very heavily on its backfield this week and that could mean a good amount of receptions and some scoring chances for Hunt as both a receiver and runner. He has 10 TDs from scrimmage this season.

Giovani Bernard: The Texans are 31^st in Fantasy Points Per Game allowed to RBs. Bernard had a season-high 97 scrimmage yards (83 rush, 14 receiving) and two TDs (one rushing, one receiving) last week, his 2nd game with two TDs this season. Bernard has been very disappointing many times this season, but the matchup is so good you have to consider starting him this week.

Darrell Henderson: He has to be the lead runner for the Rams in a major NFC West showdown with the Seahawks and Cam Akers out. Los Angeles rushed for three TDs in the last meeting with Seattle. He is in a time share with Malcolm Brown, but he should edge out Brown for the primary ball-carrying duties. The magnitude of the matchup makes him worth utilizing as a RB replacement and streamer this week.

Melvin Gordon: The Chargers are 18^th in FFPG allowed to RBs. Gordon will produce well enough in games where the Broncos don’t get blown out. Los Angeles does not look like the type of team to run away from Denver. Gordon is aiming for his 4th game in a row with 80+ scrimmage yards, and is the Broncos’ prime rushing TD threat.

Ito Smith: He has become the lead RB for the Falcons, and has shown some TD potential in the past. The Chiefs are 22^nd in FFPG allowed to RBs. Smith seems like more of a desperation play, but he could provide some respectable totals. In 2018, Smith rushed for four TDs in a five-game span from late September to early November.

Gus Edwards: He has rushed for six TDs this season, including a two-score outing two weeks ago. Edwards is a top short-yardage option for the Ravens. Edwards also had 78 scrimmage yards (42 rushing, 36 receiving) last week, and is aiming for his 4th game in a row with 50+ scrimmage yards.

Week 16 Wide Receiver Spotlights

For those who need to replace Jarvis Landry or can fill in for Robinson at a flex spot with a WR.

Russell Gage: Julio Jones is out again, pushing Gage into a prominent role in a game where Matt Ryan may choose to trade offensive punches with Patrick Mahomes, or try to play catch-up with him. Gage had five receptions for 68 yards and a receiving TD last week. He has career highs in receptions (59), receiving yards (672) and TD catches (3) this season. Gage is a solid play if you need a WR3 type or a Jarvis Landry replacement.

Keke Coutee: He had five catches for 53 yards and a TD last week. Coutee is aiming for his 3^rd game in a row with a receiving TD, and has 5+ catches and 50+ receiving yards in two of his past three games. Coutee has been working through some fumble troubles, but the coaching staff is maintaining confidence in him. Deshaun Watson is second in the NFL in passing yards and will continue to gun the ball effectively. He should fare well against Cincinnati’s 20^th ranked pass defense, and personnel losses have forced Coutee to become one of his preferred targets in recent weeks. Coutee’s teammate, Chad Hansen, has also displayed some playmaking promise if you need to dig deeper for a WR replacement.

CeeDee Lamb: The rookie has lacked upside since Dak Prescott went down, but Lamb can still give you a respectable stat line against the Eagles Defense (ranked 19^th vs. WRs). He had five receptions for a team-high 85 receiving yards in Week 15. Lamb has 5+ receptions in six of his seven home games this season.

Tee Higgins: Tyler Boyd is out and Higgins will be a prime pass-catcher for Cincinnati against the Texans, who are 23^rd in FFPG allowed to WRs. Higgins has 5+ catches and 50+ receiving yards in three of his past four games on the road. He ranks 3rd among rookies with 61 catches and 809 receiving yards.

Tyron Johnson: He had three catches for 61 yards last week and is aiming for his third game in a row with 50+ receiving yards and a TD catch. Keenan Allen is still dealing with a hamstring issue and Justin Herbert may continue to look for Johnson as a downfield playmaker.

Darnell Mooney: The Jaguars are 24^th vs. WRs. Allen Robinson has a hamstring issue that could limit his usual statistical ceiling and output. Mooney has caught a TD pass in his last two games.

Week 16 Quarterback Spotlights

For those who intended to start Baker Mayfield, but should now consider a replacement with his WR crew depleted. The matchup may look good vs. the Jets, but now Mayfield becomes a much bigger risk without two of his top pass-catchers, Landry and Rashard Higgins, who had been coming on strong recently.

Matt Ryan ranks 3rd in the NFL with 4,016 pass yards and could be scripted into a shootout with the Chiefs.

Mitchell Trubisky faces the Jaguars, 31^st in FFPG allowed to QBs.

Ben Roethlisberger has three very good WRs and a pressing need to get the Steelers headed back in the right direction. He could get involved in a higher-scoring affair with Philip Rivers, who faces a Pittsburgh defense that simply doesn’t look as scary right now. Both QBs are viable streamers if you need one.

Jared Goff has averaged 325 passing yards per game in his last five meetings with the Seahawks.

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