Fantasy Stat Pack: Week 16

If you follow me on Twitter, you’ve probably noticed a series of tweets I share on a weekly basis regarding player and team defensive performances, all from a fantasy lens. I’m going to be sharing some of that same information with you here.

I use this each week as I am making my own lineup and waiver wire decisions and thought you might find this valuable as well.

Note: The scoring system used for this data is always PPR with four points for passing touchdowns.

All year to date fantasy ranks are based on total points.

Quarterbacks

Week Sixteen QB1s (top 12 scorers)

While Lamar Jackson, Patrick Mahomes and Drew Brees came through for fantasy players in title games, the week surprising belonged to quarterbacks Daniel Jones, Andy Dalton and Ryan Fitzpatrick. The trio each threw for at least four touchdowns and 350 yards with Dalton and Fitzpatrick battling against each other into overtime.

Year to Date QB1s

Mahomes moved up a couple of spots while veteran Tom Brady replaced Kirk Cousins in the top 12.

QB1 Games this Season

Most QB1 Games Allowed

The Giants and Lions have each allowed at least 11 QB1 games to opponents. In the season finale, t1he Eagles and Carson Wentz face the Giants in a must-win game. Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has really only been good against the worst defenses this season, which is good news this week as he faces Detroit. The Packers are still playing for a better seed so Rodgers should play the entire game. The Cardinals are next in line, giving up ten QB1 games and they face the Rams and Jared Goff in a meaningless game.

The Ravens have only allowed one QB1 game all season and even in a week in which they are resting their starter against the Steelers, that is not enough to rely on Devlin Hodges, who has been terrible in recent weeks. The Chargers and Bears have each given up two QB1 games. Chicago faces the Vikings with Kirk Cousins expected to sit out and the Chargers travel to Kansas City as Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs look to secure their playoff seed.

Running Backs

Week Sixteen RB1s (top 12 scorers)

Giants superstar back Saquon Barkley finally gave us the game we’ve been waiting for. Unfortunately, for many already eliminated from the playoffs, it was simply too late. Barkley totaled a new career-high 279 yards from scrimmage along with two touchdowns. Kenyan Drake nearly repeated his amazing Week 15 performance while Devonta Freeman had his best game of the season, scoring twice.

Year to Date RB1s

With Jamaal Williams ailing, Packers back Aaron Jones had another huge game and that moved him from RB4 to RB2 for the season. He leads the league with 19 total touchdowns. Barkley used his recent hot streak to sneak into the RB1 range despite multiple missed games and some poor performances. He replaced veteran Todd Gurley at the RB12 spot.

RB1 Games this Season

Most RB1 Games Allowed

The Panthers and Lions are the league’s worst rushing defenses, each allowing ten RB1 games. This should be good news for Alvin Kamara, as the Saints attempt to lock in a playoff bye against Carolina, and Aaron Jones, who gets the Lions lame-duck defense.

The Steelers haven’t had much to celebrate this season but have still yet to allow an RB1 game all season long. With veteran Mark Ingram sitting out with a calf injury, Gus Edwards and Justice Hill are set to share the workload in a meaningless game for the Ravens.

Wide Receivers

Week Sixteen WR1s (top 12 scorers)

Bengals receiver Tyler Boyd took advantage of garbage time as his team came all the way back to force overtime. Michael Thomas set the all-time record for receptions on his way to a WR2 finish for the week. Much of the rest of the WR1 group included surprises like Steve Sims, Tajae Sharpe, Hunter Renfrow and Diontae Johnson.

Year to Date WR1s

The receiver position included a great deal of movement as Julio Jones moved up to WR4. Allen Robinson (WR9 to WR7), Keenan Allen (WR10 to WR8) and Kenny Golladay (WR12 to WR9) all moved up the season-long ranks. Injured Mike Evans continued to fall, dropping from WR6 to WR10. Second-year receiver DJ Moore suffered a concussion after just one catch, dropping him from WR8 to WR12.

WR1 Games this Season

Most WR1 Games Allowed

The Dolphins have been embarrassing, allowing 13 WR1 games through 15 contests. This week, they face the Patriots and a banged-up Julian Edelman. The Buccaneers and Giants are the next targets. Julio Jones should totally feast against the Bucs with the Eagles leftovers at receiver could enjoy a nice day. This includes Greg Ward and disappointing rookie JJ Arcega-Whiteside.

The Patriots have still only allowed one WR1 game all year and now get the Dolphins and the difficult test of slowing down DeVante Parker. Since Miami’s Week Five bye, Parker is the WR3 in fantasy, behind only Michael Thomas and DeAndre Hopkins. The Steelers and Ravens are among the league’s best in slowing down wideouts and face each other in what looks like a low-scoring game. The Bills (vs. Jamison Crowder/Robby Anderson) and Bengals (vs. Jarvis Landry/Odell Beckham) have also been tough against opposing receivers.

Tight Ends

Week Sixteen TE1s (top 12 scorers)

A trio of young tight ends claimed the top spots as Mark Andrews and Mike Gesicki each scored a pair of touchdowns. Dallas Goedert filled in admirably for the injured Zach Ertz and set a new career-high with nine catches.

Year to Date TE1s

The tight end position saw a massive shakeup following Week 16. Andrews and Darren Waller swapped spots as Andrews moved up to TE3. Red-hot Tyler Higbee continued to climb up the list and is now the TE8 on the season despite just a month of real production. Goedert and Geskicki moved into the TE1 range, replacing veterans Greg Olsen and Kyle Rudolph.

TE1 Games this Season

Most TE1 Games Allowed

The Cardinals continue to be the poster boys for the “flow chart,” meaning it’s safe to play any tight end against the Arizona defense. This week, that means Tyler Higbee staying hot in the season finale.

The Ravens and Eagles have been the two stingiest defenses against tight ends, which is bad news for Vance McDonald and Kaden Smith, as if you were considering using either this week anyway.

Finally, here is the chart summarizing how teams have fared against each position. I’ve also included the schedule for this week for reference.

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Ryan McDowell

Contributor at Dynasty League Football

In addition to his senior leadership role here at DLF, Ryan is also a husband, father of three and PE teacher. Ryan is the commissioner of multiple dynasty leagues, most notably the Kitchen Sink Dynasty Leagues. Here at DLF, Ryan’s focus is on identifying, monitoring and analyzing player value.

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