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Week 16 Deeper Sleepers - Fantasy Super Bowl Time

We've made it. For most leagues Week 16 is code for The Fantasy Super Bowl. If that's the case with your league, congrats. Now let's bring that trophy home!

Same rules as always - in this column we will be looking at NFL players owned in 25% or less of Fleaflicker leagues. These players can be sneaky fantasy football lineup sleepers for Week 16 as you consider adding players off the waiver wire and optimizing your fantasy football lineups. If you own Odell Beckham Jr. and LeSean McCoy, I'll give you some players who could be a do-or-die fill in for this week.

Same as last week, I'll include a player from every position (including D/ST) each week - as long as the options are worthy of discussion. Let's get to it.

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Digging Deeper - Week 16 Playoffs Waiver Wire Options

Teddy Bridgewater (QB, MIN)

36% Owned in Fleaflicker

I'm bending the rules for ownership with quarterbacks, deal with it. Unless you were depending on Marcus Mariota in the semi-finals (and if you survived you deserve a medal), the chances are you don't need quarterback help. But if you need a one-week filler look no further than Bridgewater. Teddy had five touchdowns in Sunday's beatdown of Chicago and has a primetime matchup with the soft Giants pass defense. The Giants have allowed the most passing yards in football in what should be a shootout.

Bold Prediction: 23-32 passing, 270 yards, 2 TD

FAAB: $1 should do

 

Christine Michael (RB, SEA)

17% Owned in Fleaflicker

Last week the discussion was whether DuJuan Harris or Bryce Brown would tote the rock for Seattle. This week Harris finds himself on the Baltimore practice squad and Brown took a backseat to a not-so-new face: Christine Michael. Michael has been on the fantasy radar before and infuriated more owners than he pleased in limited action. This year he's been let go by Seattle, Dallas, and Washington until finding himself back in Seattle. Perhaps he's registered the reality check that NFL stands for Not For Long. He certainly played like that on Sunday.

Michael saw 16 carries for 84 yards and looked unlike the runner we've seen previously. Seattle needs a workhouse back until Marshawn Lynch returns and Michael looks up to the task. This week he gets a Rams defense that has given up the 23rd most rushing yards in football and just lost Robert Quinn last week. If you need a LeSean McCoy replacement and Karlos Williams (46%) is snatched up, this is the route I'd take.

Bold Prediction: 20 carries, 94 yards, 1 TD

FAAB: Everything you got

 

Jermaine Kearse (WR, SEA)

10% Owned in Fleaflicker

If you're gambling on skill positions the final week, at least make sure they're on a high-scoring offense. And right now there isn't a more potent offense in football than the Russell Wilson-led Seahawks. The Seahawks cruised versus Cleveland to a 30-13 win while Wilson improved his TD:INT ratio over the last five weeks to 19:0. And while the spotlight has been on Doug Baldwin's crazy run, the focus here is on Kearse. Kearse caught seven-of-eight targets for 110 yards on Sunday. He now has at least seven catches and his past two games and has emerged as a focal component of the offense along with Tyler Lockette.

He faces the St. Louis Rams this week, a team he caught eight-of-ten targets for 76 yards in their last outing. He's not going to win you your fantasy championship, but he's shown he has a safe enough floor to help your team in this crucial week.

Bold Prediction: 6 catches, 80 yards, TD

FAAB: $5

 

Will Tye (TE, NYG)

8% Owned in Fleaflicker

No tight ends suffered major injuries in Week 15 but perhaps you've been streaming the position up to this point. In that case, you deserve another medal for making it this far. Have no fear, Will Tye is here.

Tye caught five-of-eight targets for 43 yards and a score on Sunday, his second straight week with a touchdown. He's been a steady contributor for the Giants offense since Week 10, accruing at least 56 yards or a touchdown in every game. With Odell Beckham Jr. likely suspended for Week 16, Tye will need to become a more prevalent target for Eli Manning. Minnesota ranks 24th versus tight ends, making this a great spot for Tye to step up.

Bold Prediction: 5 catches, 50 yards, TD

FAAB: $10

 

Tennesee Titants Defense

16% Owned in Fleaflicker

I hate starting a shoddy defense in a championship bout, but the Titans are line to face Brandon Weeden. If they're ever going to show up, this is the week. If not for your fantasy championships, keep Tennessee in mind when making your DFS lineups.

Bold Prediction: 13 points allowed, 3 sacks, 2 INT

FAAB: $1

 

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