Sit/Start Week 16: Reviewing All the Fantasy Relevant Players In Every Single Game

Cardinals@Seahawks

 

Game Info

Kickoff: Sunday, December 22nd at 4:25 pm EST

Location: CenturyLink Field, Seattle, WA

Betting Odds: SEA -9.5, 50.5 Total via Oddsshark

Network: FOX

Sleeper Spotlight: Jacob Hollister

 

Arizona Cardinals

 

Quarterback:

• Kyler Murray (Sit, QB2)

 

Kyler Murray’s been pretty hot-and-cold this year. It seems like he doesn’t put up an impressive fantasy performance unless he finds himself in a shootout. The past three weeks have not been encouraging. Scores ranging from 10 to 16.4 and five interceptions over three games isn’t going to cut it in the fantasy playoffs. Opposing quarterbacks are averaging a middling 16.7 fantasy points to the Seahawks and Murray needs to play them on the road. To make matters worse, this is an important game for the Seahawks’ playoff seeding and they won’t go down without a fight. 

 

Running Backs:

• Kenyan Drake (Start, RB2)

 

I’m likely a bit lower on Kenyan Drake this week than most. After last week, Drake owners are likely hoping he can win them their season. Thing is, Drake had less than 38 rushing yards in three of his last four games heading into Week 15. Overall, Seattle has been middling against the run but they have been heating up lately. The Seahawks have averaged about 51 yards allowed to opposing leading rushers in seven of their last eight games. Drake is a good running back but he’s still on a bad team which is precisely why he’s going from multiple single-digit scores to nearly forty last week. As they say, fortune favors the bold. I wouldn’t fault any fantasy owners for trying to chase the largest point total they possibly can on championship week. I just think we should temper expectations a bit. 

 

Wide Receivers/ Tight Ends:

• Larry Fitzgerald (Sit)
• Christian Kirk (WR2)

 

Seriously, is any Cardinals receiver viable at this point? Last week, nine different receivers caught at least one reception. I certainly wouldn’t want to rely on veteran Larry Fitzgerald, who’s only had three receptions in each of his past two games. That being said, Seattle’s pass defense has been atrocious this year. The Cardinals will likely try to air the ball out, slightly raising Fitz’ already low floor. I can’t help but feel like his ceiling is still limited given how much Murray has been spreading the ball around and Fitzgerald’s average depth of target. 

 

Given the matchup, I would have hoped this had the making of a get-right game for Christian Kirk but that will be tough to predict. Kirk has scored 10.2 fantasy points or fewer in three of his last four games. Kirk could have a huge week given the matchup but I believe a disappointing performance could be just as likely considering how well Murray has been spreading the ball around. 

 

Seattle Seahawks

 

Quarterback:

• Russell Wilson (Start, QB1)

 

Russell Wilson should be a rather easy start this week. The Cardinals have consistently allowed opposing quarterbacks to walk all over them this year. Arizona is the worst in the league against opposing quarterbacks, allowing 23.4 fantasy points per game to the position. Start Wilson with confidence and don’t give it another thought. 

 

Running Backs:

• Chris Carson (Start, RB1)

 

Arizona is bottom-10 in the league when it comes to rushing yards allowed per game. Rashad Penny is out for the year with an injury meaning Chris Carson is “their guy” in Seattle. Carson had a whopping 24 carries last week and two touchdowns. Ride this bell-cow back for as long as you can. 

 

Wide Receivers/ Tight Ends:

• Tyler Lockett (Start, WR1)
• DK Metcalf (WR2 territory)
• Jacob Hollister (Start, TE1)

 

Given the matchup, I don’t think it’s a reach to at least slightly raise most of Seattle’s receivers’ floors. Assuming he sees enough targets, Tyler Lockett should have plenty of upsides this week. He finally returned to form last week with a huge 26-point performance. Either way, Lockett is an efficient receiver and is capable of putting up respectable stats with just four or five receptions.

 

DK Metcalf should have a pretty safe floor of about 12 fantasy points this week with the possibility of a raised ceiling given the matchup. That being said, it could be difficult trusting the rookie in Week 16 if you’ve got some money on the line. Sure, his floor is safe; but can he win you an important fantasy week? That’s for you to decide. It may be worth noting that the last time the Seahawks played a terrible pass defense (Tampa Bay) DK put up his best performance of the season. So the upside is certainly there. 

 

I’ll likely end up eating crow for this call but I think Jacob Hollister has a TE1 performance this week. The Cardinals are dead-last against tight ends this year and the Seahawks should air the ball out plenty in this game. 

-Ryan Kruse (@ryanpkruse)