RADIO
Week 16 of the NFL season brings games with serious importance. Some for NFL teams battling for playoff spots, and all for fantasy owners playing for season-long titles.
If you’re not in a fantasy championship game, it’s the perfect time to play props on Monkey Knife Fight. Dive into the Star Shootout and play the biggest names in the game. Pick right and you can cash in that very same day, the perfect way to recover a fantasy football season.
Here are some angles to consider before making your Monkey Knife Fight prop picks for Sunday’s Week 16 action.
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STAR SHOOTOUT - EARLY GAMES
MORE OR LESS
Matt Ryan MORE THAN 286.5 PASSING YARDS – The Falcons have been disappointing overall this season but have become lively underdogs in the second half, and Matt Ryan has passed for more than 286 yards in nine of 13 starts this season. Jacksonville has held opponents to 232.3 passing yards per game, which is better than average, but they’re also allowing 7.9 yards per pass attempt, which is worse than average. That’s enough of an opening to ride with Ryan.
Drew Brees MORE THAN 282.5 PASSING YARDS – He’s probably due for some regression after completing 29 of 30 passes (!) against Indianapolis last week but the Saints quarterback has passed for at least 283 yards in six of nine starts. Tennessee has a solid enough defense, allowing 7.3 yards per pass attempt, but 258.1 passing yards allowed per game is below average, which should create room for another big performance from Brees.
Baker Mayfield LESS THAN 262.5 PASSING YARDS – The Browns are likely to be trailing against the Ravens, so that does mean that Mayfield should have lot of opportunities to throw the ball but he has been held under 262 yards in five of the past six games, and eight of the past 10.
Ryan Tannehill MORE THAN 255.5 PASSING YARDS – The Titans do have an improved passing attack since Tannehill took over and he has thrown for more than 255 yards three times in the past four games, and five times in his eight starts. Presuming that the Titans will be chasing the Saints, that ought to give Tannehill a chance to hit the over.
Saquon Barkley MORE THAN 19.5 FANTASY POINTS – The Giants running back put up 143 yards and two touchdowns last week, a relative eruption compared to what has been an inconsistent season hampered by injury. The chance to go against Washington, a team allowing the eighth-most fantasy points to running backs this season, should be just what Barkley needs for another big game.
RAPID FIRE
Lamar Jackson -0.5 fantasy points vs. Christian McCaffrey – Talk about a marquee matchup. Jackson is the heavy favorite for MVP and has been involved in at least three touchdowns in six of the past seven games. It’s tough to keep pace with that, even if Jackson doesn’t throw for so many yards.
Michael Thomas -1.5 receptions vs. Julio Jones – There isn’t a receiver that can be counted on week-in and week-out like Thomas, who is averaging 9.5 receptions per week. While Jones had a monster game against San Francisco last week, catching 13 of 20 targets for 134 yards and two touchdowns, this has been an inconsistent season for him relative to previous seasons.
Derrick Henry -0.5 rushing yards vs. Nick Chubb – The Titans may not have great opportunity to run against New Orleans, he is averaging 137 rushing yards per game in the past five, which makes for a good matchup against Chubb, whose team is also likely to be trailing, and has averaged 100.8 rushing yards per game in the past six. Still, edge to Henry.
Update: Henry is not expected to play this week.
STAR SHOOTOUT - LATE GAMES
MORE OR LESS
Philip Rivers MORE THAN 292.5 PASSING YARDS – This is a big number, and Rivers threw for only 207 yards in the first game against Oakland this season, but he’s passed for more than 292 yards in six of his past nine starts. That’s a favorable trend and the Raiders are allowing 262.4 passing yards per game, the sixth-highest mark in the league.
Russell Wilson MORE THAN 259.5 PASSING YARDS – While Wilson doesn’t tend to put up huge passing numbers, and has been held under 259 yards in six of the past eight games, he does get to go against an Arizona defense that has allowed a league-high 290.4 passing yards per game.
Carson Wentz MORE THAN 257.5 PASSING YARDS – For much of this season, Wentz has been underwhelming and injuries have left him with a patchwork receiving corps, he is averaging 300.3 passing yards in the past three games and Dallas’ defense is vulnerable enough in what should be a competitive and, potentially, high-scoring affair.
Dak Prescott MORE THAN 256.5 PASSING YARDS – With a must-win game against the Eagles, the Cowboys will need Prescott to be productive and he has thrown for at least 257 yards in nine of 14 starts this season. If the expectation is for the Eagles and Cowboys to score, Prescott will have to do his part.
RAPID FIRE
Keenan Allen +0.5 receptions vs. Zach Ertz – After a midseason swoon, Allen has re-established his place in the Chargers offense, averaging 7.2 receptions over the past five games. Ertz is the primary target for the Eagles at this point, but banking on eight catches seems like a lot.
Chris Carson -8.5 rushing yards vs. Ezekiel Elliott – Two quality runners, but Carson has been rushing for more yards per game (88.5 to 74.5) in the past six games and gets the benefit of facing an Arizona Cardinals Defense that is allowing 4.5 yards per carry.
