Fantasy: Start, Sit, Stash, Quit - Week 16
SSSQ is a weekly look at the under-the-radar fantasy players you should consider starting and the potential busts you should leave on your bench. We also identify breakout candidates to stash on your roster and players you can safely cut. For the rest of your lineup decisions, consult our weekly rankings.
Start
Robert Griffin III, QB, Redskins
vs. Eagles
If you qualified for your league's championship game despite shaky play and are looking to upgrade, consider Griffin in a potential shootout with the Eagles. Griffin gave the Redskins a spark after entering the game last week and should continue to produce fantasy points with both his arm and his legs. It's a home run swing for sure - Griffin's floor is negative fantasy points - but it's the kind of bold move that you may need to make if you're an underdog.
Fearless prediction: 214 yards passing, 2 TDs, 46 yards rushing, TD
Matt Asiata, RB, Vikings
at Dolphins
Does Asiata have another three-touchdown game in him - the fourth of his career? If so, he'll permanently etch his name in fantasy football lore. Three scores is wishful thinking, but Asiata has a strong chance to produce a stat line that can propel running back-needy fantasy owners to a title. The Dolphins are in the middle of their usual December collapse and aren't offering much resistance in the running game.
Fearless prediction: 78 yards rushing, 2 TDs
Kenny Stills, WR, Saints
vs. Falcons
Stills has produced two touchdown-free games since exploding for 162 yards and a score in Week 13, but he's still a big part of the Saints' passing attack. At home against a porous Falcons secondary, Stills is a good bet to grab a deep one and take it to the house.
Fearless prediction: 98 yards receiving, TD
Dwayne Allen, TE, Colts
at Cowboys
Allen caught two passes for 16 yards and a touchdown - his eighth in 12 games - in Week 15. He's a good bet to cross the stripe again this week because the Cowboys are generous to opposing tight ends.
Fearless prediction: 62 yards receiving, TD
Sit
Philip Rivers, QB, Chargers
at 49ers
Rivers is averaging 1.2 touchdowns and 1.3 interceptions per game over his past six contests and now he must deal with the loss of receiver Keenan Allen to a broken collarbone. Rivers isn't a top-15 fantasy option this week. Chances are you don't need a quarterback if you qualified for the championship game, but if by some chance you're still starting Rivers, you would be wise to find a replacement on the waiver wire.
LeGarrette Blount, RB, Patriots
at Jets
Avoid Patriots running backs this week if at all possible. Though the Jets are a bad defense, they are still above-average defending the run, and it won't be surprising to see the team push hard to give outgoing coach Rex Ryan one last win over the Patriots. Blount is a particularly risky proposition, as Shane Vereen got the bulk of the work the last time the Patriots played the Jets, and Jonas Gray handled the majority of inside runs a week ago.
Josh Gordon, WR, Browns
at Panthers
Gordon is Exhibit A in why you don't stash suspended or injured players all season in hopes of using them in the fantasy playoffs. After occupying a roster spot for 10 weeks, Gordon appears likely to produce only one decent fantasy week for his owners. But, it's not all his fault. Though Gordon looks out of rhythm, the Browns' quarterbacks have been terrible. Gordon simply can't be trusted in lineups with the championship on the line considering how awful Johnny Manziel looked last week.
Kyle Rudolph, TE, Vikings
at Dolphins
Rudolph has really struggled to hit top gear since returning from sports hernia surgery and isn't expected to get there until he goes through a full offseason of rehab. The Dolphins' pass rushers should be in Teddy Bridgewater's face all afternoon. Stay away from this one.
Stash
There's no point stashing anyone at this point. It's Week 16. Have some fun and add a weird player to your roster in order to get him a ring.
Quit
Feel free to drop anyone on your roster you don't plan to play in the championship game.