Scott Engel is in his 11th season as the official Fantasy Football writer and analyst for Seahawks.com. He is an inaugural member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association's Hall of Fame. Scott is a four-time FSWA award winner and a 10-time nominee, including being a finalist for the 2020 FSWA Fantasy Football Writer of the Year Award, which he won previously. Scott was the No. 1 fantasy football draft accuracy ranker at tight end and No. 6 at running back on fantasypros.com in 2021. You can find more of his fantasy football analysis at The Game Day including additional lineup and roster tips for fantasy football Week 16.
Scott was the No. 2 overall fantasy football accuracy ranker for Week 9 on fantasypros.com.
We are in the midst of the most important weeks of the NFL regular season and the fantasy football schedule. As the Seahawks aim to earn an NFC playoff berth, many fantasy players will be attempting to advance to their fantasy football championship games in NFL Week 16. You may feel like the pressure has never been greater at any point of the year so far, but maintaining a confident and decisive approach is essential.
You will second-guess yourself constantly heading into Week 16, but coming this far means a lot has been done right, and faith must be maintained in the process that led fantasy teams to this point of the postseason. Don't bench a top starter based on a tough matchup for a less reliable guy when the playoff pressure is on. You should be trusting the players that spurred a run to the verge of a fantasy football championship game appearance.
While pregame fantasy projections on sites such as NFL.com can be helpful in evaluating lineup decisions, your job is to set the most ideal possible lineup based on the best information you can gather, and then let the players take over once the games start. No matter who an opponent starts, you can only control giving yourself the best shot to win by setting an optimal lineup, and don't fret if the pregame statistical outlook is not in your favor. When the games kick off, spontaneous athletic execution will always override what you see in pregame projections.
We help you set the optimal fantasy football Week 16 playoff lineup, highlighting players to pick when faced with tight lineup decisions. All players are listed in preference of starting choices at their respective positions. Analysis leans to Points Per Reception formats.
Week 16 Fantasy Football Playoff Advice: Start 'Em
Running Backs
Raheem Mostert: In Week 15, Mostert had his best game in a Dolphins uniform, rushing for 136 yards on 17 carries at Buffalo. Miami looked to further balance its RPO attack by establishing their ground game as a bigger threat behind Mostert, and the plan worked. He should continue to be a significant part of the attack this week against the Packers, who rank 29th in rushing yards allowed to RBs. Expect Mostert to continue to function as the lead ball carrier for the Dolphins after he produced so well last week. Even if he shares some of his key touches, Mostert is an upside play as a RB2/flex type.
Alvin Kamara: He finished with his third-best rushing total of the season in Week 15, with 91 yards on 21 carries, which was Kamara's second-highest attempt total of the year. The Saints avoided a three-game losing streak as they relied more heavily on the team's longtime signature player. This week's matchup presents another opportunity for Kamara to deliver good rushing totals, plus he is always a threat as a pass-catcher. The Browns rank 29th in Fantasy Points Per Game allowed to RBs. Kamara is a quality flex option in Week 16.
Latavius Murray: Last week, Murray enjoyed his best day with the Broncos, rushing for 130 yards on 24 carries against Arizona. He is still admirably working as a lead rusher at 32 years old. The Rams rank 25th in rushing yards allowed to RBs over the past four weeks. Los Angeles allowed two rushing TDs on Monday night, so Murray has a good shot to notch his sixth rushing TD with Denver in his 10th game played with the team this season.
Zack Moss: He should be the lead ball carrier for the Colts now that Jonathan Taylor (ankle) is out for the season. He had 24 rushing attempts last week and the route to success for the Colts against the Chargers is to run the ball. Los Angeles leads the AFC in rushing yards allowed to RBs, and the Chargers have also allowed 12 rushing TDs, tied for 27th in the NFL.
Wide Receivers
Christian Watson: We may see a high-scoring matchup between the Packers and Dolphins, which should point to Aaron Rodgers getting the ball to his featured and ascending rookie WR. Miami ranks 23rd in receiving yards allowed to WRs and Watson had seven TD receptions in four games prior to Week 15. Rodgers should pass for two-plus TDs, so Watson will have a good chance to find the end zone again this week.
D.J. Moore: The Panthers rank 25th in pass to run ratio, and the Lions have played very well overall recently. But Moore bounced back after the Seahawks shut him out in Week 14, catching five passes for 73 yards and a TD vs. Pittsburgh. Even while Detroit has been surging, they have still allowed the most FFPG to WRs over the past four weeks, and lead in that category for the entire season. Moore should post at least a respectable fantasy stat line as a No. 3 WR lineup option.
Drake London: In his first NFL start last week, Desmond Ridder completed 13 passes, and seven of them connected with London, who finished with 70 receiving yards. London was targeted on 11 of Ridder's 26 passing attempts. The two rookies will continue to team up to move the ball in Week 16 against the Ravens, who rank 27th in total receptions allowed to WRs. London is a viable start for a solid PPR fantasy stat line.
Marquise Goodwin: As Tyler Lockett recovers from hand surgery, Goodwin's fantasy appeal is elevated, and he is worthy of lineup consideration in Week 16, especially as a flex option. Geno Smith will not hesitate to look for Goodwin in key situations, as he targeted him 11 times in the past two games. Goodwin also caught two TD passes in a four-game span prior to Week 15. The veteran WR has become even more of a polished all-around pass-catcher in his ninth NFL season, and he will be on Smith's radar frequently this week. The Chiefs rank 28th in FFPG allowed to WRs.
Quarterbacks And Tight End
Tom Brady: We saw Brady display his better fantasy form in Week 15, as he passed for 312 yards and three TDs. This week, he faces an Arizona defense that ranks 25th in FFPG allowed to QBs. The Cardinals defense may spend a lot of time on the field this week, and Brady will have a good shot to pass for two-plus TDs again. He is a viable option if you are still streaming QBs by this point of the schedule.
Gardner Minshew: Jalen Hurts (shoulder) is expected to be out for Week 16, so Minshew can be a respectable fill-in fantasy starter at QB. He passed for 432 yards and four TDs in two starts for the Eagles last year, and the 2022 edition of the team has added A.J. Brown while DeVonta Smith has improved significantly in his second pro season. Dallas Goedert may also return from a shoulder injury. Dallas ranks 21st in passing yards allowed to QBs over the past four weeks.
Noah Fant: We can also look for Fant to operate as a frequent contributor in the Seahawks passing game this week along with DK Metcalf and Goodwin. He has been targeted five-plus times in two of his past three games, and he has caught TD passes in each of those games, in Weeks 13 and 15. It is possible that Fant challenges or surpasses his season-high of seven targets, set in Week 6. The Chiefs have allowed seven TD receptions to TEs, tied for 27th in the NFL.
For more fantasy football analysis from Scott Engel, visit The Game Day for his weekly sleepers and additional waiver recommendations.
