The Yahoo Fantasy team shares its predictions for Week 16 – for most, the week of the semifinals – the final step toward a trip to the Fantasy Football Super Bowl.
A big week in store for JSN
It looks like we’ll have Geno Smith in this Week 16 game, rather than sack-eating backup Sam Howell under center for the Seahawks. Even though Smith is a better sack avoider than Howell, he’s still prepared to deal with waves of pressure from the Vikings front. Seattle’s offensive line doesn’t match Minnesota’s. As such, expect a ton of quick passes to Jaxon Smith-Njigba throughout the game.
According to Fantasy Points Data, when Seattle has faced two-level coverage since Week 10 – Minnesota has been among the most two-level heavy defenses this season – JSN paces the team with 3.2 yards per route run, while DK Metcalf sits just above 1.0. This isn’t a coverage look that favors deep passes outside the number to begin with, and Seattle’s quarterbacks rarely have time to uncork those throws behind their offensive line. — Matt Harmon
https://sports.yahoo.com/sports_ms/_rcv/remote?m_id=fantasy&ctrl=GenericPromo&m_mode=custom&template=iframe&darkmode=1
Maye gets the seal of approval
I’m amazed that Drake Maye continues to play well every week despite a patchwork offensive line and an ordinary set of pass catchers. He’s always ready despite high pressure, and the athletic Maye has proven resourceful as an occasional runner. I view Maye as a safe and interesting option for Week 16 as New England will need to be more aggressive as they likely face a negative game scenario in Buffalo. Maye is heavily endorsed as your second QB in Superflex formats, and I would consider him a QB1 in standard pools if your marquee starter hasn’t produced. — Scott Pianoowski
Jauan Jennings returns to form
At first glance, Jauan Jennings’ production appears to be taking an extremely volatile turn. He finished WR48, WR52, WR5 and WR67 over the last four games. However, there are valid excuses for this production.
Purdy missed Week 12 – the WR48 performance – due to injury. He returned in Week 13, but was clearly still dealing with his injury and only threw 18 passes. Purdy returned to form in Week 14 against a tough Chicago secondary, and Jennings thrived with a top-five finish. Week 15 was the terrible rain-soaked Thursday night game against the Los Angeles Rams, where neither Purdy nor Matt Stafford topped 160 passing yards. This week is the perfect bounce-back scenario against the Miami Dolphins. Expect Jennings to return to his WR1 form and thrive against an inconsistent Miami secondary. — Tera Roberts
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Trey McBride finally scores a TD… no, seriously
I’m just going to keep propagandizing Trey McBride until the man finally gets back in the end zone. This has been a shockingly long drought for TD – one that simply must end soon. McBride is too talented and too focused for this to continue. Somehow this man is the overall TE3 of the season without a single receiving score.
This week, the most touchdown-challenged player in recent memory faces a Carolina defense that has allowed the most touchdowns to the tight end position of the year. Something has to give, at least in theory. The Panthers have allowed 27 assists on the season, tied for first in the league. Ten of those TDs belong to tight ends. Fantasy luminaries such as Noah Gray, Grant Calcaterra, Foster Moreau, Adam Trautman and Ben Sinnott have already visited the end zone against Carolina (some of them more than once). Surely McBride can come home this week, right?
If not, I’ll be back to beat the man again next week. — Andy Behrens
Turn on Mr. Meyers!
Jakobi Meyers has seen the second-most targets (45) and air yards (447) in the league over the past month — and that was with Desmond Ridder starting last week. Aidan O’Connell is tipped to play on Sunday and his return would be a boost for Meyers.
The Jaguars have allowed the third-most fantasy points to wide receivers this season, and this game should be a quick one. Meyers’ target rate has jumped to 25.5 percent in man coverage this season, which Jacksonville has used at the fourth-highest rate in the league (38.2 percent). Meyers finishes as a top-15 WR this week. — Dalton DelDon
James Conner keeps rolling
Although he is almost 30 years old, James Conner is improving as the season goes on for the Cardinals. He’s coming off back-to-back season-high fantasy performances, including an overall RB1 ranking in Week 15 when he produced 138 yards and two touchdowns against the Patriots. Conner had 70% of the opportunities in the backfield in this game, which was more than his usual role due to the Cardinals’ two backups suffering injuries. Emari Demercado was placed on IR before Week 15 and Trey Benson injured his ankle in the second half against the Patriots.
This increased usage of Conner could continue in a great matchup this week against the Panthers who are allowing the most rushing yards per game and the second-most rushing touchdowns this season. Carolina has allowed 125 rushing yards per game to starting RBs over the past six weeks, making it the perfect place for Conner to complete his third consecutive weekly top 10 at RB. — Sal Vétri
