Fantasy Football Week 16 Start 'Em Sit 'Em Playoffs Flex picks feat. Michael Penix Jr, Jerome Ford and more

As we sit on the doorstep of the fantasy football finals next weekend, we need to do one little thing: win this week. The absolute hardest weekend in fantasy is here, Week 16. If you win, it’s off to play for a trophy and all the glory. A loss means you’re in the dreaded third-place game nobody cares about.

Let’s set our lineups with the right players to give ourselves a shot at hoisting those championships next weekend. I’ll go through my starts and fades, which might not be obvious plays. I often give players who could be on your waiver wire and available freely to add or to block your opponent from getting.

I’ll use PPR as my default scoring and Fantasy Points Data as my statistical provider.

Sportskeeda's Who Should I Start tool

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Fantasy Football Week 16 Start 'Em Sit 'Em Playoffs Flex picks

Michael Penix Jr. (QB, ATL): While I’ll never waver on how stupid it was for Atlanta to draft Penix after guaranteeing $90 million to Kirk Cousins, I’m fine starting him in a two-QB league against the Giants. Quarterbacks love seeing New York on the schedule more than people enjoy stockings full of gift cards. New York, on the season, allows the eighth most points to fantasy quarterbacks. They just were bombed by Lamar Jackson to the tune of 290 yards and five touchdowns. Penix couldn’t have a better landing spot for his first start than if he were playing on a little field made of pillows. I’m calling three passing scores for Penix on Sunday.

Brenton Strange (TE, JAX): We’re digging deep or are we? Like the best gifts, sometimes we need to realize that the flashiest or most expensive items aren’t the best. Strange, a second-year tight end from Penn State is a really good athlete. We’ve seen him produce this year when given the opportunity. In week 1, he replaced Evan Engram and collected 3 of 6 targets for 65 yards. Last week, like an on-call mall Santa, hopped into action and caught an astounding 11 of 12 targets for 73 yards. Playing on 82% of the Jaguars' snaps last Sunday, he was a focal point of Doug Pederson’s offense. I’m not saying he’s going to catch 11 balls again, but I absolutely think Strange can deliver 10 PPR points if you’re needy at tight end or flex.

NFL: Kansas City Chiefs at Cleveland Browns - Source: Imagn

Jerome Ford (RB, CLE): I could see Ford getting nearly 100% of the Browns running back snaps on Sunday. That should perk up your ears faster than the first playing of Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” each winter. Ford is a three-down back who can convert his chances into meaningful points for your roster. In Weeks 1-4, when Ford was working at Cleveland’s main back, he averaged 14 touches. He had double-digit fantasy points in three of those four games. He’s back in that role, like Rudolph, when he took the helm of the reindeer sleigh. Ford is going to light the way to fantasy championships. He just needs you to believe in that Christmas spirit one more time.

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FADE THESE PLAYERS:

Kendre Miller (RB, NO): Yes, I know Alvin Kamara is hurt and unlikely to play. Yes, I also know that Spencer Rattler will be under center for the Saints against Green Bay. I can’t get behind the Miller play. This offense is going nowhere fast. A week ago, the Saints converted just three of eleven third downs and ran for 69 yards. Facing a Packers team that hasn’t allowed a 100-rusher since Joe Mixon in Week 7 gives me pause on starting a kid in a terrible offense who also isn’t a very good pass catcher. I’d rather invite Cousin Eddie from Christmas Vacation to stay for a month than play Miller on Monday night with my season on the line.

Travis Kelce (TE, KC): Mr. Swift isn’t touching my semi-final lineup if I can help it. With Patrick Mahomes ailing due to a bad ankle, I can easily see Kelce staying in to block more against the Texans’ vicious front. Even when Kelce goes out for a route, what’s he really going to do? He’s like the drunk uncle at Christmas who brings a bag of ice. Thanks, buddy. Couldn’t have done it without you. Houston allows the fourth-fewest points to fantasy tight ends. Kelce hasn’t topped 70 yards since Week 9. Since Week 11, Kelce has ranked 17th among tight ends in fantasy points per game and 25th in yards per route run. It’s over. Go make a Hallmark movie.

Josh Downs (WR, IND): Back in Week 6, the Colts beat the Titans, and Josh Downs had seven receptions for 66 yards and a touchdown. That’s great! It’s like a warm Christmas memory from your childhood when you got a Nintendo and a Starter jacket. Fast forward to this week, when the two teams meet again in Indy, but the Colts won’t have Joe Flacco under center. Instead, we get the inaccurate Anthony Richardson. While seeing 15 targets in his last two starts, Downs has corralled just six for 59 yards. In his last two games where he was active, the Colts' speedy slot man hasn’t eclipsed seven PPR points. While Downs is an electric playmaker, I’m not comfortable with my season on the line playing him unless I had no other options.