FANTASY FOOTBALL: WEEK 16 TIPS

I have a feeling readership is going to go down for this week’s article. Why? There are only 2 teams left playing in most leagues. That’s right folks, time for the Fantasy Football Super Bowl! If you’ve made it that far, congratulations on a fantastic season. It takes a lot of skill and luck to make it that far. If you didn’t, there’s no shame in that. Just make sure you come back strong next year, and keep reading my article! Or keep losing, that’s your choice I suppose. Also, just a quick note, I had to write this article on Monday, because of Christmas travel obligations. So if there are any late breaking injury news that alters this article, keep an eye on my twitter account, I’ll be providing any necessary updates there! Now for the final set of tips for 2010…

Quarterback

BEST:   Mike Vick, PHI

The guy is a freak, that’s really all there is to it. He seems to have figured out how to actually play the quarterback position, and is no longer just a running back who throws the ball. The Vikings are nothing special on defense, so I have a feeling that Vick will have yet another big week. Want to know how great he’s been lately. In the last 4 weeks, in standard scoring systems, Vick hasn’t scored any fewer than 26 points. That’s production that will take you a long way.

WORST:Â Carson Palmer, CIN

A lot of people put faith in Palmer this year, based on the fact that he would have Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens to throw to. Well, Palmer hasn’t exactly been setting the world on fire this year, but I’ve seen several fantasy teams starting him this year. I’m here to warn you that this isn’t a good idea for this week. With Owens now out for the season, I don’t think Palmer will be able to be truly effective this week, especially against San Diego’s top ranked pass defense. Look for Palmer to turn the ball over at least once this week, probably won’t get more than 1 touchdown, and shouldn’t top 250 yards this week. That certainly won’t win you a fantasy championship.

Running Back

BEST:   Arian Foster, HOU

In a preview of my article for next week, Arian Foster is in the running for sleeper of the year. He went from a no-namer at the beginning of the season to one of the leading fantasy scorers among running backs. This week he faces the hapless Broncos who have been giving up an average of 158 yards per game on the ground this season. But the best thing about Foster is that he gets his production both on the ground and through the air, having gone of 50 yards through the air 6 times this season. I think Foster gets 60 through the air and 125 on the ground with at least one score this week. Start him if you’ve got him.

WORST:Â Peyton Hillis, CLE

The guy has been fantastic this season, but this won’t be his week. He hasn’t tallied more than 60 yards in 3 of the last 4 weeks, and it won’t get any easier this week when he faces the 5th ranked Baltimore rush defense. He may be able to be a better option for players in PPR leagues as he’s had 6 or more receptions in 3 of the last 4 weeks as well. I don’t see him getting more than 70 yards rushing this week and probably won’t score a TD this week. You probably don’t have a better option though, so go ahead and start him and hope for the best.

Wide Receiver

BEST:   Brandon Lloyd, DEN

Lloyd has been a tad up and down this year, with 3 great weeks in a row in weeks 3-5, followed by 2 terrible games, followed by 4 great games, followed by 2 putrid games. Whew…that was a lot of “followeds.” Lloyd had a pretty nice week last week against a solid Oakland secondary, and this week will be taking on the worst secondary in the league, and possibly one of the worst secondaries I’ve seen in a very long time. I think Lloyd will end up with around 100 yards find his way into the end-zone this week regardless of who’s at quarterback for the Broncos.

WORST:Â Chad Ochocinco, CIN

Ochocinco just hasn’t lived up to they hype this season. Sure he’s been pretty good, but 831 yards and only 4 touchdowns on the year isn’t what many owners were expecting when they drafted him as their number 1 or number 2 wide receiver this season. I think that with T.O. out this week that Ochocinco is going to have a lot of trouble. The lack of T.O. allows teams to throw more bracket coverages at Ochocinco, greatly reducing his big play ability. I don’t seem him eclipsing 60 yards this week, and probably won’t find the end zone either.

Tight End

BEST:   Jason Witten, DAL

I’ll admit it, I was dead wrong about Witten early in the year. He’s looked like the Jason Witten of old this season and is the highest scoring tight end in the league this season. This week he get’s a perfect matchup against the Cardinals’ 23rd ranked pass defense. The Cards are giving up an average of 228 yards per game this season, and I think that Witten should grab about 80 yards and a touchdown this week.

WORST: Dustin Keller, NYJ

Are you sensing a vendetta here? Well, you’re right. I refuse to let any hapless soul play Keller anymore this season. Keller is extremely talented, and I honestly have no reason to explain why Mark Sanchez refuses to throw him the ball. So long as Sanchez is locking on to his wide receivers, Keller’s value is nearly zero.

Defense

BEST:   Pittsburgh Steelers

Best defense in fantasy football + facing the worst offense in the league = if you don’t play the Steelers you’re an idiot.

WORST:Â Minnesota Vikings

They have very little to play for at this point, and they’re facing Mike Vick. There isn’t much else to say about this one. I think the Vikes will have a lot of trouble stopping the Eagles’ potent offense. Sit them unless you have no other option this week.

SLEEPER OF THE WEEK

-Jon Kitna, QB, DAL

I honestly can’t believe I’m saying this. Really, I can’t. But he’s got a fantastic matchup this week, and has been playing way above his talent level this week. Oh….dear God….I can’t write anymore about this, I just threw up in my mouth a little bit at the proposition of somebody starting Jon Kitna. In all seriousness though, only start Kitna if you’ve been playing matchups at QB, don’t sit a proven guy based on Kitna’s sleeper potential.

*For more fantasy tidbits, insights, and info make sure to follow me, @lehmanna36, on Twitter!