Weekend Wonderings: Week 16 (2024)

By Winsto (12/20/2024)

  1. I wonder if I am overreacting to the impact of Cleveland putting Jameis Winston (QB) on the bench.  I mean, Dorian Thompson-Robinson (QB) is an NFL QB, right?  Okay, the more I think about it, the more I just cannot advise starting any Cleveland offensive player, aside from maybe Jerome Ford (RB) if you can avoid it.  For me, Jerry Jeudy (WR) now falls into WR4 territory.  David Njoku (TE), who may not even play, moves down to a TE2, though in PPR leagues, he could still be a low end TE1.  As for Elijah Moore (WR) and Cedric Tillman (WR), who also looks iffy to play, I do not even have them ranked in the top 50 WRs.  It is sad.  Oh, what might have been, especially considering the matchup against a very generous Cincinatti defense.
  2. My biggest takeaway from TNF’s Broncos-Chargers game is that Justin Herbert (QB-LAC) is still a top tier QB who just needs some playmakers on offense to have a higher ceiling.  I would pay attention to what the Chargers do in the offseason.  If they are able to add some offensive weapons, I could easily envision Herbert becoming a top 5 fantasy QB for the 2025 season, even with the more conservative play calling of Greg Roman (Offensive Coordinator).
  1. I wonder if I overlooked Hollywood Brown (WR-KC) in my Waiver Wire column.  The reality is he probably does not see enough snaps in the regular season to trust him.  Probably.  Still, he was going to be the WR1A or WR1B, along with injured Rashee Rice (WR-KC) this season.  I would pay attention to his snap count.  If he sees 50% or more against Houston in Week 16 and has success, he may be a solid plug and play in Week 17.
  1. As of this writing, Isaac Guerendo (RB-SF) looks to be on the wrong side of Questionable for Sunday’s game against Miami.  Patrick Taylor Jr. (RB-SF) would, presumably, be the next man up.  I would rank him a low-end RB2, around RB20.  The 49er offense is still good, as long as the weather is not terrible and Brock Purdy (QB-SF) is playing.  Remember that 3 of their last games saw poor weather and Purdy missing time.  This should also be something to consider when you are looking at Jauan Jennings (WR-SF).  He is WR16 for me this week, even in a tough match-up with Miami.  Yes, their secondary is good, but Jennings sees targets.  In the 3 games with Purdy and decent weather since he replaced the injured Brandon Aiyuk (WR-SF), Jennings is averaging 10 targets, 8 receptions, 91 receiving yards, and 1 TD per game. He has not had a game under 90 yards receiving during that stretch.
  1. I wonder who else has noticed that CeeDee Lamb (WR-Dal) seems to have found his grove with Cooper Rush (QB-Dal) at QB.  After a rough stretch there, Lamb has 93 receiving yards and scored 1 TD in each of the last two games.  Tampa Bay’s very generous secondary is up next.  I have him ranked 5th at the WR position for Week 16.  As for Rush, he is even in consideration in two QB leagues.
  1. My colleague and I view Terry McLaurin (WR-Was) very differently this week in our rankings, as I have him as a low-end WR1 while my colleague has him outside the top 20.  To defend my position, McLaurin has been on fire, scoring 5 TDs over the last 3 games, with at least 73 receiving yards in each.  Of course, my colleague would probably counter with the fact Washington plays Philadelphia’s very stingy secondary, which has given up the fewest fantasy points to the WR position this season.  The last time McLaurin faced Philadelphia, he only had 1 reception for 10 yards on 2 targets.  I think McLaurin will have a solid day, though he may not have a ceiling game.
  1. I wonder if Trey McBride (TE-Ari) and/or Jake Ferguson (TE-Dal) will score a TD for the first time this season in Week 16.  I mean, McBride has the 2nd most targets for a TE this season.  Surely, he is due, right?  Right?  Meanwhile, Ferguson averages as many targets a game as George Kittle (TE-SF) with 6.2.  There has to be some positive regression, right?  Right? Both have nice matchups this week that could finally help it happen.
  1. If you have been struggling with Kylar Murray (QB-Ari) as your QB, I have some good news: He has had one of the most difficult schedules for a QB in the league, facing only 1 defense in the top 13 in terms of allowing fantasy points to the QB.  His week 16 matchup, Carolina, allows the 3rd most fantasy points.  If you were to ever start him, this would be the week to do so.  I have him as my 10th ranked QB, and my colleague has even more confidence, ranking him as his 5th best QB for the week.
  1. If you were to ask me what my Golden Rule of fantasy football is, I would respond with always go with the guys who got you here, the guys you rely on.  Go with your fantasy studs, even against tough opponents.
  1. And finally…, I wonder why Santa Clause always uses the chimney to deliver presents.  I guess it just soots him.