Uncover the Fantasy Football Matchup Secrets for Week 16

Week 16 Quarterback Fantasy Football Matchups

Kyler Murray (QB — ARI) @ Carolina Panthers presents an interesting matchup. After a subpar 10.1-point outing against the Patriots in Week 15, Murray has a chance to shine against a Panthers defense that allows the sixth-most points per game to opposing quarterbacks. His big issue this season has been finding the end zone, but the Panthers give up the most passing TDs per game to opposing QBs. Additionally, Carolina ranks third in dropback EPA allowed and 10th in rushing yards per game given up to quarterbacks. There's a good chance Murray records at least one passing touchdown as Arizona looks to get Trey McBride his first receiving TD of the year.On the other hand, Tua Tagovailoa (QB — MIA) vs. San Francisco 49ers is a tough matchup. Prior to last week's dud, Tua had scored at least 20 fantasy points in four consecutive outings. However, the 49ers give up the seventh-fewest points per game to opposing quarterbacks and lead the league in fewest quarterback passing yards per game. They also give up the 10th-fewest passing TDs per game. If you survived Tua's down week last week, it might be wise to look elsewhere for the semifinals.

Week 16 Running Back Fantasy Football Matchups

Rhamondre Stevenson (RB — NE) @ Buffalo Bills has a unique situation. Normally, the top of the table in terms of fantasy points given up to running backs is filled with bad teams, but the Bills are an exception. Buffalo gives up the second most points per game to opposing RBs, but their weakness lies in allowing running backs to catch passes out of the backfield. They lead the league in receptions and receiving yards given up to RBs and rank second in receiving touchdowns. Stevenson has maintained a solid 10% target share in the Patriots' offense this season, and with the Patriots likely playing from behind and their offensive line being poor, he's a great RB2 or FLEX play this week.Isiah Pacheco (RB — KC) vs. Houston Texans, on the other hand, is a tough matchup. The Texans rank as the fourth-toughest opponent for fantasy running backs, giving up just 16.1 points per game. Pacheco's usage since returning from injury has been far from ideal, and last week he saw similar usage to Kareem Hunt. With lackluster usage in a bad matchup, Pacheco is a player to bench if you have other options.

Week 16 Wide Receiver Fantasy Football Matchups

D.K. Metcalf (WR — SEA) vs. Minnesota Vikings offers hope. Since returning from his midseason MCL injury, Metcalf has struggled, averaging just 7.6 Half-PPR points per game. However, his usage isn't too dissimilar to Jaxon Smith-Njigba's. Metcalf has a 20% target share to JSN's 24% and leads in air yards share. The issue has been conversion. But with the Vikings giving up the most points per game to opposing receivers and 10 yards more than the second-place Jaguars in terms of yards allowed to WRs, Metcalf has a chance to return to form.Josh Downs (WR — IND) vs. Tennessee Titans is a challenging matchup. After missing a game with a shoulder injury, Downs returned with an 86% route participation rate, but his eight targets resulted in only three catchable ones. The Titans give up the fifth-fewest points per game to opposing receivers and just 6.1 Half-PPR points per game to players lined up in the slot. Downs should be left on fantasy benches this Sunday.

Week 16 Tight End Fantasy Football Matchups

David Njoku (TE — CLE) @ Cincinnati Bengals could be a great play if he returns from his hamstring injury. The Bengals allow a league-high 13.8 points per game to opposing tight ends and rank first in receptions, second in touchdowns, and third in yards. While the news that the Browns will be starting Dorian Thompson-Robinson instead of Jameis Winston makes this play slightly less appealing, Njoku played three games with DTR in 2023 and looked his tight end's way often. If he manages to suit up, Njoku is an elite TE1 play.Jonnu Smith (TE — MIA) vs. San Francisco 49ers faces a brutal matchup. The 49ers give up just 6.8 points per game to opposing tight ends and rank first in fewest yards per game to the position. They've shut down some of the league's best tight ends. If you have a solid-to-elite TE option, it might be better to start them over Smith this week.