Week 16 Start ’Em, Sit ’Em: Quarterbacks

Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em is the ultimate look at the best and worst matchups based on a PPR scoring system in fantasy football. This column will not cover the elite players in the NFL like Patrick Mahomes, Christian McCaffrey or Justin Jefferson. Instead, I’ll look at the players you have questions about who could exceed or fail to meet expectations at each position. For all of your final fantasy lineup decisions, be sure to check out my weekly player rankings which will be updated daily throughout the 2023 NFL season.

Fabs’ Top 10 Quarterbacks

Jalen Hurts vs. Giants (Mon.)
2. Josh Allen at Chargers (Sat.)
3. Justin Fields vs. Cardinals
4. Lamar Jackson at 49ers (Mon.)
5. Dak Prescott at Dolphins
6. Brock Purdy vs. Ravens (Mon.)
7. Patrick Mahomes vs. Raiders (Mon.)
8. Trevor Lawrence at Buccaneers
9. Tua Tagovailoa vs. Cowboys
10. Jared Goff at Vikings

Week 16 Start ’Em, Sit ’Em: QUARTERBACKS | RUNNING BACKS | WIDE RECEIVERS | TIGHT ENDS | KICKERS & TEAM DEFENSES

Week 16 Start ’Em: Quarterbacks

Start of the Week

Justin Fields vs. Cardinals (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox): Fields has been up and down in the stat sheets, scoring fewer than 11 fantasy points in two of his last three games. I’d keep the faith this week, though, as he faces a plus matchup against Arizona. In the last four weeks, their defense has surrendered nine touchdown passes and an average of nearly 20 fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks.

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Start ’Em

Dak Prescott at Dolphins (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox): Prescott put up a stinker in fantasy land last week, scoring just 6.1 points in a blowout loss to the Bills. I like him to post an improved number in what could be a high-scoring affair in Miami, however. The opening Vegas total for this contest was 51, the highest of the weekend, and the Dolphins have given it up to a number of top-end quarterbacks this season.

Trevor Lawrence at Buccaneers (4:05 p.m. ET, CBS): Lawrence put up a less than stellar line last week, scoring 14.7 points in a loss to the Ravens. I’d expect a much better total this week though, as Lawrence travels west to face Tampa Bay. Their defense has allowed 17-plus points to quarterbacks seven times, including five who have scored more than 20 points and one (C.J. Stroud) with 40-plus.

Baker Mayfield vs. Jaguars (4:05 p.m. ET, CBS): Mayfield is on a hot streak, as he’s scored 20-plus points in two straight games. And with so many “lesser” fantasy quarterbacks putting up good numbers lately, he’s worth a look versus the Jaguars. Over the last four weeks, their defense has allowed an average of more than 24 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks. That makes Mayfield a viable option.

Joe Flacco at Texans (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Flacco is fresh off the couch and into your fantasy lineups! In three games as the Browns starter, he’s thrown seven touchdowns and is averaging 17.8 points. Next up is a plus matchup against the Texans, who have allowed 19 or more points to quarterbacks six times including three on their home field. Flacco could be on the waiver wire in leagues, too.

More Starts

Matthew Stafford vs. Saints (Thur. 8:15 p.m. ET, Prime Video)
Tua Tagovailoa vs. Cowboys (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox)
Nick Mullens vs. Lions (1 p.m. ET, Fox)

DFS Bargains (DraftKings)

Baker Mayfield vs. Jaguars ($6,000)
Joe Flacco at Texans ($5,500)
Nick Mullens vs. Lions ($5,300)

Week 16 Sit ’Em: Quarterbacks

Sit of the Week

Russell Wilson vs. Patriots (8:15 p.m. ET, NFL Network): Wilson posted what is a respectable 17.5 fantasy points last week, but that was his best total in his last five games. In fact, his ceiling lately has been around 18 points. That’s probably the case this week, as he faces a tough Patriots defense. This unit has allowed just three quarterbacks to beat them for more than 17.7 fantasy points this season.

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Sit ’Em

Sam Howell at Jets (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Howell was a huge disappointment last week, scoring 8.3 points and getting benched despite a plus matchup against the Rams. Next up is a much tougher matchup against the Jets, who have allowed the fewest fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks over the last four weeks. Unless you’re in a superflex league, Howell needs to be on the postseason sidelines.

Jordan Love at Panthers (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Love posted a respectable 17.5 points in last week’s loss to the Buccaneers, but that could be his ceiling this weekend in Carolina. Their defense has allowed an average of fewer than 13 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks at home, and they’ve allowed just six passing touchdowns on their home field. That makes Love a potential fantasy “Scrooge” for managers.

Jake Browning at Steelers (Sat. 4:30 p.m. ET, NBC): Browning has been a great replacement for Joe Burrow, as he’s scored 18-plus points in each of his last three games. Still, a road game in Pittsburgh makes him tough to trust in the second week of the fantasy postseason. Their defense has been tough at home, allowing an average of fewer than 14 fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks.

Aidan O’Connell at Chiefs (Mon. 1 p.m. ET, CBS): O’Connell was a top-five fantasy quarterback last week, throwing four touchdown passes in a blowout win over the Chargers. Of course, his 25.9 points in that game was almost more than he had scored in his previous three games combined. O’Connell also has a tough matchup against a Chiefs defense that’s been tough on quarterbacks at home.