Week 16 is here, congrats on making it to the semi-finals! If you’re here for DFS plays, welcome back! As it has been all year, this will typically not cover teams with ownership above 50% or any plays from the previous week. So if you have a defense like the Bucs, you should be starting them every week. If you grabbed the Eagles last week and want to start them again, great! No need to waste waiver priority. If you would like to talk about a selection or have any questions, reach out to me on Twitter (@Doombot12_FF) or find me over at the QB List Discord.
Kansas City Chiefs
Opponent: vs Pittsburgh Steelers
DraftKings: $3500
FanDuel: $4300
Week 8 against the Giants was a turning point for the Chiefs. Their DST has averaged over 11 ppg since then and that includes a donut last week against the high-powered Chargers’ offense. Before they got to play the Giants, it seemed like the Super Bowl hangover was dragging the defense into the ground. They were worst in the league at stopping the run, coverage was weak at best, and the line could not get pressure on opposing QBs. That all changed with big improvements from players like Frank Clark who played his best game of the season against New York and has since recorded three sacks, 9 QB hits, and 17 hurries. In that same time frame, Chris Jones has 27 hurries and six sacks, including a dominant four sack performance against the Cowboys. Pittsburgh’s line is still porous and with the lifeless statue of Ben Roethlisberger behind them, this could be another dominant performance.
CHIEFS BALL!!!!
📺: #KCvsLAC on FOX pic.twitter.com/Kmg0ZFUdl3
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) December 17, 2021
Los Angeles Chargers
Opponent: @ Houston Texans
DraftKings: $3400
FanDuel: $4800
The Texans have relied on their pass protection the last few weeks, but they’ve also played three teams in the bottom half of the league. Now, they draw the Chargers, one of the best in the league at generating pressure. With what should be an early negative game script with constant pure passing downs, the Chargers are going to have plenty of opportunities against one of the worst offenses in the league. As already the 5th most generous offense, I’m expecting the Texans to help serve up another double-digit performance. The Chargers, much like the Chiefs are a more expensive DFS play with a high ownership so I would avoid them in GPP, but could be a good cash-game play.
chenna called it!!! #ProBowlVote + @UchennaN_42
(📺: fox, nfln, prime) pic.twitter.com/YOmxn6UFjL
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) December 17, 2021
Las Vegas Raiders
Opponent: vs Denver Broncos
DraftKings: $2900
FanDuel: $3900
While it’s true that the Raiders have been erratic and middling since their bye week, they’ve also had to face the Bengals, Cowboys, and had two games against the Chiefs. The pass rush has had a harder time getting through and that has hurt the secondary as well, dropping an average of more than 10 points in both in PFF grading. After their walk-off win against the Browns, the Raiders get to play at home in a 2nd must-win game in as many weeks. They will get a Broncos team led by Drew Lock who will be making his first start of the season. There should plenty of opportunity for turnovers as Lock is one of the least efficient QBs in the league and is careless with the ball. Add in the Raiders’ ability to dominate on the edge when they’re locked in and this could be exactly what the Raiders need to see on their schedule right now. They are priced in the middle of the pack as well so they make a good GPP play with people sleeping on their 2nd half.
Defense came READY ☠️@JohnathanAbram1 with the gorgeous TFL.#LVvsCLE | #RaiderNation pic.twitter.com/ApSVNbIoag
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) December 20, 2021
Seattle Seahawks
Opponent: vs Chicago Bears
DraftKings: $3000
FanDuel: $4500
I believe it’s safe to say that as long as the offense has Justin Fields under center and Matt Nagy calling the shots, the Bears won’t be running up the score against anyone. What does sound good though, is starting the Seahawks DST and hoping for another single-digit scoring output with three turnovers and three sacks like the Bears mustered this past week at home against Minnesota. Since week 7, the Seahawks DST have only allowed two 20 point games and have forced 7 turnovers. They also get to play at home for the first time since week 13 where they beat the seemingly playoff-bound 49ers. The Bears give up the 4th most fantasy points to opposing defenses so Seattle could be an interesting pivot in GPPs with a low roster percentage.
Why run around when you can run right through? 🤷♂️#ProBowlVote @Carlos_Dunlap
📺 #SFvsSEA on CBS pic.twitter.com/LX4VEj1g3d
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) December 5, 2021
Previous Week: Eagles, Dolphins, 49ers, Browns
Photos by Zach Bolinger & Stephen Lew/Icon Sportswire | Design by Michael Packard (@designsbypack on Twitter @ IG)