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Polak’s Picks: NFL Week 16 Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em

Ethan Polak

Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert stiff arms a New York Jets defender during the first half of the game on Dec. 5th, 2021. Photo courtesy of Associative Press taken by Bill Koustron


To the lucky survivors or top fantasy managers enjoying their bye week, congrats on making it to Week 16. Normally, this would be the week of fantasy football championships, but thanks to the additional week, the fantasy football playoffs will go until Week 17.


With COVID-19 now running rapidly throughout the league, figuring out what players are healthy enough to start is becoming a difficult task. However, in such an important week of football, you have to be ready for anything. Here are the key players to start and sit for Week 16 of the NFL season.


Quarterbacks


Start ‘Em

Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars. Maybe the expectations were set a little too high for Lawrence. It isn’t his fault that Urban Meyer tore down the entire Jags franchise in less than a season, but there still hasn’t been many flashes of excellence from him. The entire draft class has been very underwhelming — minus Mac Jones. However, this week he will have a chance to prove us all wrong in an easier matchup against the New York Jets defense that has allowed the sixth most passing yards per game in the league. Trusting the luscious locks of Lawrence might be worth a try.


Sit ‘Em

Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings. Skol nation he’s got three words for you — you like that? Despite the fact that the Vikings have only played in one game with a final deficit of more than one possession, the Vikings sit at a solid 7-7 record still in the mix of the playoff race. How could anything go wrong? Well the Vikings are known for finding new ways to lose each week and this week they face a tough Los Angeles Rams defense with Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey on the other end. With money on the line, Cousins is not worth the risk.


Running Backs


Start ‘Em

Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Kansas City Chiefs.


Sit ‘Em

Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers.


Wide Receivers


Start ‘Em

Amonra St. Brown, Detroit Lions.


Sit ‘Em

Brandon Cooks, Houston Texans.


Tight Ends

Start ‘Em

Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles.


Sit ‘Em

Austin Hooper, Cleveland Browns.


Kickers


Start ‘Em

Brandon McManus, Denver Broncos.


Sit ‘Em

Jason Sanders, Miami Dolphins. Last time I talked about Sanders, I was telling you to drop him. Seven weeks later the Fins are officially back 7-7 and in the center of the playoff race.


Defenses


Start ‘Em

Buffalo Bills Defense.


Sit ‘Em

Washington Football Team Defense.


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