It’s hard to believe it’s already Week 16.
Across a high percentage of fantasy leagues, it’s championship week. It’s still early in the week, but Wednesday marks the day to get things straight for the upcoming slate of games. This week just happens to be the biggest of the fantasy season. Let’s recap the news.
The Headlines
Let’s knock this one out of the way: the NFL upheld Odell Beckham’s one-game suspension. He will miss Sunday Night Football against Minnesota. Plainly, this is a massive blow to fantasy owners and the Giants’ offense in Week 16. Rueben Randle theoretically should see an increase in targets, but he’s continually failed to live up to expectations in situations he should succeed in. Dwayne Harris, Will Tye and possibly Shane Vereen will probably all see an increased role as well. None of those four players can possibly make up for Beckham’s lost presence and production.
Drew Brees is reportedly in “horrible pain” dealing with a tear in his plantar fascia (foot), but he is “intent on playing.” In theory, the Saints have nothing to gain by letting Brees play in Week 16 against the Jaguars since they are out of playoff contention. Essentially this will come down to Brees’ pain tolerance come Sunday morning. If Brees could somehow play, this would be an amazing game for fantasy goodness on both sides of the ball. The Jags’ secondary has allowed multi-passing touchdowns in 8 of 14 games this year while the Saints have allowed two or more touchdowns through the air in 9(!) of their last 10.
Tyler Eifert (concussion) has already been ruled out for Week 16 against the Broncos. It’s clear the Bengals are more than fine to get Eifert right for the playoffs after he suffered a stinger in Week 12 causing him to miss Week 13 and then a concussion in Week 14. Tyler Kroft will start in Eifert’s place for the second straight game. Kroft has just 10.5% of the team’s targets since Week 14 (six targets total). There are better options available on the wire if you’re still looking for an Eifert replacement.
Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer said Adrian Peterson (ankle) “should be good to go” for Week 16 against the Giants. Here is the thing: Minnesota can clinch a playoff spot if Seattle beats St. Louis or Atlanta loses to Carolina. If Green Bay loses in Arizona, Minnesota’s Week 17 game against the Packers would be for the NFC North title. The Week 16 Giants-Vikings game would then become absolutely meaningless. Zimmer made note that he would be open to resting players in Week 16 saying, “I do want to be smart and that would be more so with the guys that are hurt or something like that.” If those scenarios above play out as scripted, it’s entirely possible Peterson could sit against the Giants. Peterson owners need to add Jerick McKinnon as a hedge.
Denard Robinson (sprained foot) “expects to play” while T.J. Yeldon (knee) is still in a knee brace and didn’t practice on Wednesday. Along with hemorrhaging passing touchdowns to opponents, the Saints have also been demolished by running backs this season. Over the past five weeks, they have allowed 91-518-5 (5.69 yards per carry) and 24-213-2 (on 30 targets) through the air to Washington, Houston, Carolina, Tampa Bay and Detroit’s running backs. Robinson played 100% of the Jaguars’ snaps and handled 100% of the running back touches in Week 15 with Yeldon out of the lineup. Robinson is a no-brainer “RB1” (top-12) play in New Orleans.
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Quick Hits
Brian Hoyer (concussion) has not been cleared for game-action; Brandon Weeden is in line to be the Texans’ starter in Week 16. … The Broncos confirmed Brock Osweiler as their starting quarterback for Week 16; Peyton Manning (foot) will not be active. … A.J. Green (bruised back) is “on track to play” on Monday Night against the Broncos. … Alshon Jeffery (hamstring) did not practice on Wednesday. … Andre Ellington (foot) did not practice on Wednesday. … Shaun Draughn’s knee injury is reportedly “not serious” but he did not practice on Wednesday. … Stevie Johnson (groin) practiced this week and is questionable for Thursday Night Football against the Raiders. … Julian Edelman (foot) was limited in practice on Wednesday. … Finally, Jonathan Stewart (foot) did not practice on Wednesday; Cameron Artis-Payne will lead the Panthers’ running back committee this week.