Keys to a fantasy football victory in Week 16
Week 16 Fantasy Football: Dominate with Sal Vetri’s keys too Victory
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It’s crunch time in fantasy football,and every decision matters. This week, Sal Vetri breaks down the must-starts, sleepers, and players to avoid to help you secure a Week 16 victory.
Pick-Up-and-Play: Brenton Strange @ LV
With Evan engram out for the season, Brenton Strange is primed for a breakout performance. the Jaguars’ second-year tight end has shown flashes of brilliance when given the opportunity, finishing as a top-10 TE in three of his four starts earlier this season.
Strange’s athleticism and size make him a matchup nightmare, and he’s already developed a rapport with Mac Jones. In Week 15, Strange hauled in a career-high 11 receptions on 12 targets, racking up 12.8 fantasy points and finishing as a top-five TE.
Adding to his appeal, Jacksonville starting TEs have averaged 8.4 targets per game with jones under center. This week, Strange faces a raiders defense that’s vulnerable to tight ends, allowing the fourth-most yards and third-most fantasy points to the position.
Best Spot of the Week: James Conner @ CAR
James Conner is defying Father Time, putting together another extraordinary season and threatening a top-12 finish at the running back position. Despite being nearly 30 years old, Conner leads the league in broken tackle rate and ranks fifth in breakaway runs.
Conner is coming off his two best fantasy performances of the season, including a dominant Week 15 outing against the Patriots where he racked up 138 total yards and two touchdowns.
This week, Conner faces a Panthers defense that’s been a fantasy goldmine for opposing running backs. Carolina allows the most rushing yards per game and the second-most rushing touchdowns this season.
Sketchy Spot of the Week: Najee Harris @ BAL
Najee Harris is trending in the wrong direction. After a disappointing Week 15 performance against the Eagles, where he managed just 21 total yards on seven touches, Harris’s role in the Steelers’ offense appears to be diminishing.Harris fumbled in the third quarter and didn’t see another snap after that, marking the fourth straight game he’s played 50% or fewer snaps. He’s also lost carries to both jaylen Warren and Cordarrelle Patterson in recent weeks.
this week’s matchup against the Ravens is a nightmare scenario.Baltimore boasts the stingiest run defense in the league, allowing just 3.5 rushing yards per play.Sleeper of the Week: Alexander Mattison vs. JAX
With Dalvin Cook sidelined, Alexander Mattison is poised for a big week. The Vikings’ backup running back has proven himself capable of handling a heavy workload, and he’s facing a Jaguars defense that’s struggled to contain opposing running backs.
Mattison’s explosiveness and receiving ability make him a valuable asset in PPR formats.He’s a high-upside play with the potential to deliver RB1 numbers.
Fantasy Football Week 16: Breakout candidates and Must-Starts
With the fantasy football playoffs in full swing, every decision counts. This week, several running backs are poised for breakout performances and must-start consideration.
Must-Start of the Week: Bucky Irving @ DAL
Bucky Irving continues to impress despite battling injuries. In Week 15, he missed practice time with a back issue but still managed to rack up 17 opportunities, exceeding 100 rushing yards for the second time this season. irving’s efficiency is remarkable, averaging 7.8 yards per touch and ranking fifth in the NFL in yards per touch and sixth in broken tackle rate. He’s quickly becoming one of the league’s most dynamic backs.
This week’s matchup against the Cowboys is incredibly favorable. As taking on a larger role in Week 6, Irving has averaged 95 total yards on 16.8 touches per game when the Bucs are favored. This translates to 17.5 fantasy points per game, wich would rank sixth among all running backs as Week 6. Dallas’ defense is particularly vulnerable against the run, allowing the fifth-most rushing yards per play and the most rushing touchdowns this season. Irving is a must-start this week.
Bounce-Back of the Week: Chuba Hubbard vs.CAR
Chuba Hubbard had a quiet Week 15 despite a heavy workload.With Miles Sanders and Jonathon brooks sidelined, Hubbard played 94% of the Panthers’ snaps and handled 15 of the 17 running back opportunities. Regrettably, the Panthers trailed for most of the game against the Cowboys, limiting Hubbard’s production.
Though,hubbard is set for a bounce-back performance against the Cardinals in Week 16. The Panthers are four-point favorites at home, suggesting a closer game that could lead to more carries for Hubbard in the second half. Arizona’s defense ranks in the bottom half of the league in rushing yards allowed per game and explosive runs of 10+ yards allowed. Expect Hubbard to see elite usage once again and potentially threaten a top-12 finish this week, somthing he’s accomplished in seven of his 14 starts this year.
Trending up: Alexander Mattison vs. JAX
Alexander Mattison’s return from injury in Week 15 was overshadowed by the Raiders’ offensive struggles. Despite playing only 32% of the snaps, Mattison earned 11 opportunities, turning them into nine touches for 24 yards. While not eye-popping numbers, several factors suggest Mattison could be a valuable FLEX option this week.
First, Sincere mccormick was placed on injured reserve, opening the door for Mattison to take over as the Raiders’ early-down back. Additionally, quarterback Aidan O’Connell is trending towards playing, which is a positive sign for the Raiders’ offense. O’Connell’s presence could provide more stability than Desmond Ridder, who struggled in Week 15.
Mattison’s matchup against the Jaguars is also favorable. Jacksonville allows the ninth-most rushing yards per game and the fifth-most explosive runs of 10+ yards this season. If you’re in a bind, Mattison is worth considering as a FLEX option.
Titans Rookie Tyjae Spears Emerges as Fantasy Football Stash Candidate
Tennessee Titans running back Tyjae Spears quietly made a statement in Week 15, hinting at a potential breakout for fantasy football managers down the stretch. While veteran Tony Pollard led the team in carries, Spears’ usage suggests a larger role could be on the horizon.
Spears saw eight more snaps than Pollard and ran a whopping 27 routes compared to Pollard’s seven. This increased involvement, particularly in the passing game, resulted in a productive performance for Spears. He hauled in six receptions for 87 yards and two touchdowns, showcasing his explosiveness and versatility.
Pollard did leave the game with an ankle injury, though he was able to return. however, the severity of the injury and its potential impact on his performance remain unclear.
Spears’ fantasy value has been hampered this season by injuries. He’s been on the injury report for six weeks and missed four games due to a concussion and hamstring injury. Coupled with a struggling Titans offense and offensive line, his efficiency has dipped to 4.7 yards per touch, down from his impressive 5.5 yards per touch as a rookie.
Looking Ahead to Week 16
Fantasy managers should closely monitor Pollard’s ankle injury heading into Week 16. Recent history provides a cautionary tale. Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon suffered an ankle injury in Week 2 but returned to the game. Though, the injury worsened afterward, causing him to miss the next three games.
Spears’ increased usage and Pollard’s injury uncertainty make him a compelling stash candidate in fantasy leagues. With Zach Charbonnet’s recent surge in popularity and Trey Benson dealing with an ankle injury of his own, Spears climbs the ranks as a valuable late-season pickup.
He now sits among the top-five stash options for the final two weeks of the fantasy season, with even greater upside if Pollard misses time.
Fantasy Football week 16 Rundown with Expert Analysis
welcome back, fantasy football fanatics!
This week, the stakes are higher than ever with playoff berths on the line. To help you navigate the crucial Week 16 matchups, we interviewed Sal Vetri, a renowned fantasy football analyst, to dissect the must-starts, sleepers, and busts for your squad.
Sal,let’s dive into some of the most intriguing matchups this week.You’re particularly high on James Conner this week. What makes him such a strong play?
Sal: James Conner is defying Father Time.He’s leading the league in broken tackle rate and looks as explosive as ever.
He’s coming off two phenomenal games, including a dominant outing vs the Patriots. This week, he faces the Panthers, a team that’s been a fantasy goldmine for running backs all season. They’re giving up the most rushing yards per game, and Conner’s combination of power and elusiveness should translate to a huge fantasy day.
Speaking of potential blowups, Bucky Irving is gaining momentum. He’s facing a tough Dallas defense, though. What are your thoughts?
Sal: Irving is a stud.His efficiency is off the charts, and he’s consistently shown the ability to break big plays. While Dallas’s defense is formidable, they’ve been susceptible to the run. Irving’s explosiveness could expose that weakness, especially if the bucs are favored in the game.
Remember, Irving has thrived when getting heavily involved in the game plan.If the Bucs lean on the run, Irving could be in line for a monster performance.
Now, let’s shift gears and talk about some potential busts. Najee Harris has been struggling lately. What’s your take on his matchup against the Ravens?
Sal: This is a tough one. Harris has looked visibly frustrated lately, and his touches have been declining.
Facing Baltimore’s stifling run defense is a nightmare scenario for him. Their front seven is incredibly tough to penetrate, and they’ve consistently shut down opposing running backs.Unless Harris sees a dramatic increase in touches, it might be best to avoid him this week.
We’ve got some key injuries affecting lineups this week. What about Chuba Hubbard with Christian McCaffrey perhaps dinged up?
Sal: Hubbard hasn’t been a consistent producer this season, but if McCaffrey is limited or out, he immediately becomes a must-consider option in deeper leagues. carolina’s offense leans heavily on the run, and Hubbard has shown flashes of his potential.
Keep a close eye on McCaffrey’s status throughout the week. If he’s ruled out, Hubbard becomes a very intriguing flex play.
Lastly, Sal, are there any under-the-radar players you think could have a big week?
Sal: Brenton strange is a tight end to watch this week. With Engram out for the season, he’s poised for a massive workload.
The Jaguars have a high-powered passing offense, and Strange has shown the ability to be a dominant red-zone target. Plus, the Raiders’ defense has struggled against tight ends.
Fantastic insights, Sal! Thanks for sharing your expertise with us. Good luck to everyone this week!
Remember folks, stay informed, track injuries, and most importantly, have fun!