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

Saints at Titans

 

Game Info

Kickoff: Sunday, December 22nd at 1:00 pm ET

Location: Nissan Stadium, Nashville, TN

Betting Odds: NO -3, 50.5 Total via Oddsshark

Network: FOX

Sleeper Spotlight:  NA

 

New Orleans Saints

 

Quarterback: 

• Drew Brees (Start/QB1)

 

The NFL’s all-time career leader in passing touchdowns has been on quite a hot streak. Drew Brees threw his 541st career touchdown, passing Peyton Manning, as he torched the Colts in Week 15. Brees has thrown nine touchdowns in just two weeks and has finished as a QB1 in five of seven games since returning from injury in Week 8. Tennessee has struggled against the pass all season, especially to opposing quarterbacks. They have allowed multiple passing touchdowns in nine of fifteen games and a 300-yard passer in two others. Brees should light this team up and continue his hot streak.    

 

Running Backs: 

• Alvin Kamara (Start/RB2)
• Latavius Murray (Sit)

 

For many fantasy owners, Alvin Kamara is on their list of fantasy disappointments this season. While he has still performed as a fantasy RB1 in PPR leagues overall, he’s had just one explosive fantasy performance on the year. Kamara has zero 100-yard rushing or receiving weeks, however, the area where he has taken the largest step back is in touchdowns. He’s managed to score just twice this year but touchdowns are a highly volatile statistic. On the field, Kamara looks to be the same explosive playmaker, just one that can’t seem to find the endzone. The Titans matchup may give Kamara a chance to get back on track and into the endzone, Tennessee has allowed rushing touchdowns in four straight weeks. It’s an excellent matchup for Kamara, don’t even think about leaving him on your bench.  

 

Aside from a couple of productive weeks, Latavius Murray has struggled to receive enough opportunity to make a fantasy difference. Murray will again be used sparingly and without a lead back role, he belongs on your bench.  

 

Wide Receivers / Tight Ends: 

• Michael Thomas (Start/WR1)
• Ted Ginn Jr. (Sit)
• Jared Cook (Start/TE1)

 

Can’t guard Mike has certainly earned his nickname. Despite being double-teamed and the focus of every defense, receiver Michael Thomas has been the most consistent fantasy receiver this season. Thomas has finished as a WR1 in 70% of games this year, a remarkable achievement in a league where 50% is a metric that most receivers struggle to hit. At this point it hardly even matters the matchup, no one can seem to slow Thomas down. This weekend’s matchup against the Titans is his best matchup in weeks. Thomas is an excellent play in all formats this weekend. 

 

This late in the season, fantasy owners are mostly looking for consistency and outside of Thomas, no receiver in New Orleans can offer much. Ted Ginn Jr. is an explosive playmaker but he’s had just one WR2 or better performance. The same goes for the rest of the receiver corps. Look elsewhere if you need help at receiver.

 

If you are looking for a sneaky start at tight end you won’t find a better play than Jared Cook. Cook has at least 50 yards receiving in five of his last six games and he’s scored four times during that stretch. In recent weeks, Tennessee has given up big games to several tight ends across the league and owners can expect more of the same this weekend. 

 

Tennessee Titans

 

Quarterback

• Ryan Tannehill (Start/QB1)

 

Since being inserted as the Titans starter in Week 7 Ryan Tannehill has enjoyed a career rejuvenation and the best stretch of his fantasy career. Tannehill must be in your lineup until he falls flat and the matchup against New Orleans is a solid one. Until stopping the Colts struggling pass offense, the Saints have surrendered multiple passing touchdowns in five straight weeks and three 300-yard passers in that time. Tannehill is a low-end Qb1 with upside this week.     

 

Running Backs: 

• Derrick Henry (Start/RB2)

 

If anyone is to struggles in this game it will likely be Derrick Henry. The Saints have been a tough team to run against for a few years now, and even with recent injuries, the team did manage to shut down Indy last week. This is Henry’s most difficult matchup since Week 8 when Tampa Bay held him to just nine points. The Titans will need to pass the ball to stay in this game and while Henry has seen increased opportunity in the passing game, he can hardly be relied on there. Henry is still too valuable to sit, but owners should lower expectations this Sunday.    

 

Wide Receivers / Tight Ends:

• A.J. Brown (Start/WR2)
• Corey Davis (Sit)
• Jonnu Smith (Start/TE Premium)

 

Much of Tannehill’s rise can be attributed to his favorite target, rookie receiver A.J. Brown. Brown was a favorite of QB List in the offseason draft process, and owners can see his explosive talent. Brown looks bigger and stronger than nearly anyone covering him and he has the quickness in and out of his breaks to get open. Brown has finished with 100 or more yards and a touchdown in three of his last four games and the Saints aren’t likely to slow him down. Brown is a WR2 with high upside this week. 

 

As Brown has ascended the depth chart in Tennessee Corey Davis continues to descend. Davis has failed to break out in his third year and is not a player that owners can trust in the most important weeks of the year. Davis belongs on your bench. 

 

Owners who are desperate for a tight end may look at Jonnu Smith but only in two tight end or tight end premium leagues. Smith is an athletic marvel and has enjoyed several solid performances, but also several stinkers. Smith should be able to find a way to produce and continue his mini hot streak.      

-Marc Salazar (@dingwog)