Uncover the Hidden Gems in Week 16 Fantasy Football

Fantasy Football Storylines

Lamar Jackson's Struggle Against a Frustrating Rival

In Week 15, Lamar Jackson showcased his prowess by shredding the lowly Giants. He's having an exceptional season. However, one blemish this year was his dismal performance against the Steelers in Week 11. Jackson managed to complete only 16 out of 33 passes for 207 yards, with one touchdown and one interception. He also ran four times for 46 scoreless yards. This poor showing against his AFC North foe isn't an isolated incident. Throughout his career, in five starts and two rookie appearances, he has completed only 56.97% of his 165 pass attempts for 1,077 yards, five touchdowns, and eight interceptions. Additionally, he has added 57 rushes for 308 scoreless yards. He has thrown for multiple touchdowns just once against the Steelers, and his passing yardage outputs in five starts, working backward from this year through 2019, were 207, 236, 253, 208, and 161. Gamers with Jackson are hoping for a better performance against the Steelers as T.J. Watt injured his ankle on Sunday. But they shouldn't rely too much on his pass-catching weapons.

Joe Mixon and Nico Collins' Battle Against Offensive Ineptitude

Houston's Week 14 bye didn't solve their offensive woes. In Week 15 at home against the Dolphins, they had 12 first downs, 181 total yards, 3.6 yards per play, and scored 20 points in 11 drives. Joe Mixon ran 12 times for 23 scoreless yards but salvaged his day in half PPR and PPR formats with five receptions for 33 scoreless yards on six targets. He was tied for the team lead in targets and led the Texans in receptions and receiving yards. Nico Collins didn't have a huge receiving effort with six targets, four receptions, and 17 receiving yards. But he saved his day with two touchdown receptions. Mixon has had fewer than 60 scrimmage yards in two of his previous three games and failed to score touchdowns in both. However, he had 101 rushing yards, one rushing touchdown, four receptions, and 18 receiving yards against the Jaguars in Week 13. In 12-team leagues or larger, gamers might need to rely on his volume. In 10-team leagues or smaller, it's not unreasonable to consider benching him. The Chiefs had allowed the fewest half PPR points per game (14.6) to running backs this year.

Nico Collins: A Reliable Fantasy Asset

In nine games this year, Houston's top wide receiver, Nico Collins, has exceeded 115 receiving yards four times, cleared 75 yards seven times, and surpassed 50 yards eight times. He had two touchdowns in Week 15 on his season-low 17 receiving yards. His performance doesn't depend on the rest of the offense. Gamers shouldn't be tempted to start Tank Dell as his quarterback, C.J. Stroud, is in a sophomore slump and performs poorly on the road and outdoors. According to Pro Football Reference, in 14 career games on the road, Stroud has averaged 217.1 passing yards per game, 7.08 adjusted yards per attempt, 13 passing touchdowns, and five interceptions. In nine career starts outdoors, he has completed only 57.97% of his passes for 202 passing yards per game, 6.78 adjusted yards per attempt, seven touchdowns, and two interceptions.

Will the Three Double-Digit Home Favorites Deliver Fantasy-Friendly Defensive Performances?

According to Betting Pros, the Falcons are 10.0-point favorites against the visiting Giants, the Packers are 12.5-point favorites at Lambeau Field against the Saints, and the Bills are 14.0-point favorites against the Patriots in Western New York in Week 16. Fantasy defenses can score points by keeping opponents off the scoreboard. The key to piling up fantasy points on defense is forcing the opposing offense into passing situations and making the offensive line protect in dropback scenarios. When defenses can focus on a one-dimensional offense, they can perform exceptionally well. The Bills, Packers, and Falcons are among the most desirable fantasy defenses in Week 16.