Fantasy Football Matchups We Love - Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Picks for Week 16 Include Jameis Winston, James Conner, Ja'Marr Chase, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, more

If you are reading this, then the odds are you made it through to the next round of your fantasy playoffs. Whether you dominated your matchup or squeaked by, a win is a win. Fantasy is a weekly game and anything can happen.

With championship week around the corner for single-elimination leagues and here for two-week matchup leagues, time is of the essence. It is as important as ever to ensure that your matchup is pristine.

With so much at stake, we will do our best to help guide you through the madness. Read on to find the best and worst matchups of the week.

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Fantasy Football Quarterback Matchups We Love

Jameis Winston - Cleveland Browns
Opponent: at CIN
Opponent Rank vs. QB: 30th

Winston was a popular pickup a few weeks ago when he started lighting the league on fire. He has been quiet for a few weeks, but he is in a nice spot to succeed against a horrible Bengals defense in Week 16. This game is likely to be a track meet, and Winston is going to have to chuck the ball around the yard.

If you made it to the playoffs on the back of a Patrick Mahomes or a cold Bo Nix, then Winston may be worth a look this week as a streaming option. You never know what quarterback can get hot at the right time and propel you to a championship.

#Browns coach Kevin Stefanski has declined to name a starter for this week, opening the door to Jameis Winston possibly heading to the bench and Dorian Thompson-Robinson starting.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 16, 2024

Winston is a fun ride with plenty of upside for fantasy, just make sure he is the one starting at quarterback this week for the Browns just in case.

Russell Wilson - Pittsburgh Steelers
Opponent: at BAL
Opponent Rank vs. QB: 29th

A Saturday early evening game with a solid quarterback matchup. Wilson has been a revelation this season, reverting to his form during his later days in Seattle.

The Ravens have been leaky in the secondary all season. The last time these two teams played, it was a defensive slugfest. However, with this game in Baltimore, expect the Ravens to put up points. Wilson should be solid as a result of the Steelers’ need to keep up.

It’s official. Russell Wilson is back in the playoffs. Chills. pic.twitter.com/idSGScvKoq

— Cole🔮 (@WilsonBurghhh) December 16, 2024

Fantasy Football Quarterback Matchup to Temper Expectations

Jayden Daniels - Washington Commanders
Opponent: PHI
Opponent Rank vs. QB: 4th

Unfortunately, everyone’s favorite rookie quarterback draws an exceptionally tough matchup this week. The last time these two teams played, it took a generous garbage-time drive for Daniels to avoid scoring single-digit fantasy points.

The nice thing about this game is that it is going to be in Washington, and it is incredibly important for both teams. Still, Daniels could struggle. If you have a potentially better option, then this may be the week to deploy him.

Fantasy Football Running Back Matchups We Love

James Conner - Arizona Cardinals
Opponent: at CAR
Opponent Rank vs. RB: 32nd

Let’s throw some confidence back Conner’s way. He has not been the same player over the last several weeks that he was early in the season. However, this is a cupcake matchup this week.

Although the Panthers have played better of late, they are still not the gold standard of defense. Conner should be able to find plenty of running room in this game. With the way both teams have played lately, it could also be competitive. That would keep Conner on the field all game long.

Bucky Irving/Rachaad White - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Opponent: at DAL
Opponent Rank vs. RB: 27th

This dynamic duo has been a rare backfield in which multiple players have fantasy value. Both players have been league winners over the last few weeks. With a potent offense behind them, that should not slow down in Week 16.

The Cowboys have not been able to stop a nosebleed all season. Both players have found success on the ground and through the air lately. Both can be safely deployed as RB2s.

Fantasy Football Running Back Matchup to Temper Expectations

Joe Mixon - Houston Texans
Opponent: at KC
Opponent Rank vs. RB: 1st

Mixon has been unbelievable all season, but that could change in Week 16. Despite Kansas City allowing more points over the last several weeks, it still can limit the output of opposing running backs.

The Texans have not been very impressive all season, even though they have found a way to keep winning in a bad division. If Kansas City can shut down their running game, then things are going to be difficult for Mixon because the offense essentially runs through him.

Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Matchups We Love

Ja'Marr Chase - Cincinnati Bengals
Opponent: CLE
Opponent Rank vs. WR: 24th

Chase is likely going to propel a lot of fantasy managers to their championship game this week. The league leader in touchdown receptions is in a smash position to succeed this week with a leaky Cleveland secondary coming to town. At this point in the season, there is no stopping this guy.

If Cleveland is competent offensively, then Chase could have one of his signature boom games due to the Bengals' need to continue passing. You were never going to bench him but fire him up with week-winning confidence this week.

Jamarr Chase 30 point performance pic.twitter.com/6JOg6goxrH

— ʏᴀsʜ (@YashCoD) December 10, 2024

Jaxon Smith-Njigba - Seattle Seahawks
Opponent: MIN
Opponent Rank vs. WR: 32nd

Smith-Njigba has been operating as the Seahawks' No. 1 wide receiver over the second half of the season. Whether he is catching passes from Geno Smith or Sam Howell in Week 16, Smith-Njigba is in a great position to be peppered with targets. The Seahawks are unlikely to have the support of a running game in this matchup and the Vikings have been vulnerable to the pass.

Seattle is likely going to need to throw to keep up in this game. With Smith-Njigba receiving such a large target volume recently, look for his PPR numbers to be huge. If he finds the end zone, you will be very happy with his performance.

Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Matchup to Temper Expectations

Jauan Jennings - San Francisco 49ers
Opponent: at MIA
Opponent Rank vs. WR: 3rd

If it was not for a couple of red-zone touchdowns last week, the Dolphins would have completely shut down the Texans passing attack for fantasy football purposes. This defense has been solid all season and does not project to slow down.

The Kyle Shanahan offense in San Francisco has not been the same of late. Jennings has been the de facto No. 1 wide receiver and should receive a lot of attention from the Dolphins. Jennings was quiet in Week 15 and could have a repeat performance in Week 16.

Fantasy Football Tight End Matchup We Love

Brock Bowers - Las Vegas Raiders
Opponent: JAX
Opponent Rank vs. TE: 24th

This pick did not exactly work out last week against a competent Falcons defense and an incompetent Desmond Ridder at quarterback. With Aidan O'Connell potentially back in the lineup this week, look for Bowers to bounce back against a poor Jaguars defense.

Bowers has had a handful of down games this season, so it is not out of the ordinary. Keep deploying him with confidence despite the off week in Week 15.

Brock Bowers trying to salvage a fantasy performance with Desmond Ridder at QB pic.twitter.com/gZpBbfKMLn

— Jevils Fan (@JetsDevilsGuy) December 17, 2024

Fantasy Football Tight End Matchup to Temper Expectations

Hunter Henry - New England Patriots
Opponent: at BUF
Opponent Rank vs. TE: 11th

If you have been riding the Henry wave this season, then you may want to temper expectations this week. The Bills look likely to roll all over the Patriots both offensively and defensively. Henry will likely be a safety valve for Drake Maye, but this Patriots offense may not be on the field very much.

The Bills are one of the better teams at stopping tight ends with solid linebacker and safety play. It could be a long day in Buffalo for the Patriots.

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