Dynasty Fantasy Football 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)
Veterans Jared Goff and Kirk Cousins stayed hot last week, each notching top-three fantasy scores for the week. Cousins is the QB1 over the past three weeks, averaging over 31 fantasy points per game. Backup Gardner Minshew proved to be a solid replacement for Jalen Hurts, at least from a fantasy football standpoint. He finished as the QB7 for the week, but didn’t do enough to get his team a win over the Cowboys. New Rams Quarterback Baker Mayfield produced his first QB1 game since Week Nine of 2021 in a blowout win over the Broncos, which ultimately led to Denver making a head coaching change following the game.
Year to Date QB1s
The injured Hurts understandably fell from QB1 down to QB3. It is obviously frustrating that such a dominant season for the Eagles quarterback may not be remembered as such with presumably no MVP trophy or an overall QB1 season to show for his impressive performance.
The other changes among the top-twelve scorers came near the bottom of the QB1 list. Daniel Jones and Justin Herbert switched spots as “Dimes” moved up to QB9 and the struggling Herbert dropped to QB11. The injured Lamar Jackson also dropped two spots, narrowly hanging onto his QB1 spot. Goff was the beneficiary, swapping positions with Jackson.
QB1 Games this Season
Most QB1 Games Allowed
The Lions and Chiefs have each allowed eleven QB1 games and Justin Fields is likely drooling over his upcoming matchup with division-rival Detroit, with the hopes of playing playoff spoiler. Fields is a locked-in weekly starter regardless of the matchup, but this one is extra juicy. Meanwhile, the Chiefs host disappointing veteran Russell Wilson. Maybe there is some hope of improved play following the coaching change, but it’s not worth risking a league title on, so even in this matchup, stay away.
Other quarterbacks with enticing matchups this week are: Brock Purdy (vs. LV), Aaron Rodgers (vs. MIN), and Davis Mills (vs. JAX.)
The 49ers have only allowed two QB1 games on the season and now they are set to face Jarrett Stidham making his first ever NFL start. Ouch! Other matchups to consider avoiding are: CLE (vs. Carson Wentz), HOU (vs. Trevor Lawrence), and GB (vs. Cousins.) Also, neither should be benched in fantasy league finals, but both the Bills and Bengals have held opposing quarterbacks in check and face each other in Week Seventeen. The Monday Night battle between Josh Allen and Joe Burrow will be one that decides multiple league titles.
Running Backs
Week Sixteen RB1s (top 12 scorers)
It was another crazy week at the running back position, which is starting to remind me of how wild and unpredictable the tight end position can be. Yes, some of the star backs we count on each week came through, including Saquon Barkley, Austin Ekeler and Derrick Henry. But there was also Cam Akers producing the best game of his career, scoring a hat trick’s worth of touchdowns for the Rams. D’Onta Foreman was one of the clear “stay away” players of last week, until he ran all over a Lions defense that had been shutting down the ground game for weeks.
Year to Date RB1s
There was minimal movement among the top season-long scorers this past week. Miles Sanders dropped out of the RB1 group, replaced by Leonard Fournette at RB12. With Ekeler, Henry, Tony Pollard and others potentially out this week, expect this group to be shaken up following next week’s action.
RB1 Games this Season
Most RB1 Games Allowed
The Texans have surrendered eleven RB1 games on the season, which would presumably make Jaguars Travis Etienne an obvious starter for fantasy league title games. That is likely true but this game will have no impact on the Jaguars playoff hopes, meaning Etienne and other starters could sit out or not play a full game. This will be a difficult decision for fantasy players, one which will need to be closely tracked up until kickoff.
The Cardinals and Chargers also offer nice matchups for opposing backs having each allowed ten RB1 games on the year. Arizona faces the Falcons and suddenly-hot rookie back Tyler Allgeier, along with veteran Cordarrelle Patterson. The Chargers and Rams face off in a battle of Los Angeles and this will give Akers a chance to stay hot on the ground.
Other backs with solid matchups include: Zonovan Knight (vs. SEA), Barkley (vs. IND) D’Andre Swift (vs. CHI) and Brian Robinson (vs. CLE.)
The Cowboys, Jets, 49ers and Titans have each only allowed a pair of RB1 games. Dallas and Tennessee face each other in a meaningless game for Tennessee, who has already ruled out multiple starters, labeling Henry as doubtful to play. He won’t be out there and Pollard might not either. The Jets face the Seahawks and rookie Kenneth Walker is another player whose Week Seventeen status is up in the air. Finally, the 49ers face the fading Raiders. With a change at quarterback, it will be difficult to know what to expect from Josh Jacobs or any member of the Las Vegas offense.
Wide Receivers
Week Sixteen WR1s (top 12 scorers)
The Eagles and Cowboys NFC Each battle in Week Sixteen might have been missing Hurts, but there was still plenty of fantasy production to be excited about, including the top-two receivers of the week. CeeDee Lamb posted the third overall WR1 game of his career and second this season, while the Eagles “second option,” DeVonta Smith also scored twice and set a new career-high with 31.3 fantasy points. Commanders rookie Jahan Dotson stayed hot with his second-straight WR1 game.
Year to Date WR1s
Thanks to his big game, Smith joined the WR1 ranks all the way up at WR9, along with Tee Higgins at WR11. The youngsters replaced a pair of veterans who fell from the top twelve, Christian Kirk and Tyler Lockett, who missed last week’s game with an injury.
It is notable that there are now three pairs of teammates currently in the WR1 group. While it is common to see one duo among the top twelve, having three (or potentially even four) this season would be a rarity.
The Dolphins are represented by Tyreek Hill (WR2) and Jaylen Waddle (WR8) while Eagles AJ Brown (WR5) and Smith (WR9) are each hoping to hang onto their positions without Hurts on the field. The Bengals pair of Ja’Marr Chase (WR10) and Tee Higgins (WR11) could be in trouble against the Bills this week, while Seattle’s DK Metcalf (WR12) and Lockett (WR13) are knocking on the door.
WR1 Games this Season
Most WR1 Games Allowed
The Lions continue to pace the league, allowing thirteen WR1 games on the year. The bad news is, fantasy players likely can’t take advantage of that matchup this week as the Bears are in town. With Darnell Mooney done for the year and Chase Claypool also banged up, there is no safe wideout play here. Next up is the Titans, who have given up eleven WR1 games. Facing the Cowboys to kick off the Week Seventeen action, this is a smash spot for Lamb.
Other receivers with matchups to chase this week include: Allen Lazard (vs. MIN), Mike Williams/Keenan Allen (vs. LAR), and Higgins/Chase (vs. BUF.)
The Texans have still only allowed one WR1 game all season. This week they play the Jaguars, who could sit their starters in a meaningless game. This is the week to leave Kirk and Zay Jones on your fantasy bench.
The Raiders and Seahawks have also been difficult matchups for opposing wideouts. Who knows what to expect from the new-look Raiders against the 49ers and Brandon Aiyuk? Meanwhile, the Seahawks face the Jets and rookie Garrett Wilson.
Tight Ends
Week Sixteen TE1s (top 12 scorers)
Vikings tight end TJ Hockenson did it again, posting a dominant game, including 13 receptions and a pair of touchdowns. Hockenson now has two of the top-three single-game fantasy performances of the season, both coming since his trade to Minnesota. George Kittle stayed hot with multiple touchdowns for the second consecutive game and Darren Waller was among the TE1s for the second time in two weeks since his return to the field.
Year to Date TE1s
Hockenson’s latest blow-up performance was enough to push him past Mark Andrews into the TE1 spot for the season. As is always the case, the tight end position is the most weekly volatile, with many changes up and down the list. Tyler Higbee was not among the top-twelve scorers a week ago, but a two-touchdown game pushed him up to TE7 for the year. Dallas Goedert and Cole Kmet also rejoined the ranks, replacing Gerald Everett, Juwan Johnson and Zach Ertz.
TE1 Games this Season
Most TE1 Games Allowed
The Seahawks are now up to eleven TE1 games allowed on the year. Now, you just have to choose between CJ Uzomah and Tyler Conklin as which Jets tight end will find the end zone this week. Good luck! (I’d play Conklin.)
The Cardinals and Falcons have each allowed ten TE1 games and face each other this week. I guess that is good news for MyCole Pruitt and rookie Trey McBride, but they obviously can’t be relied on in title games this week. The Dolphins face the Patriots and a banged-up Hunter Henry. It’s always tough to find useable tight ends. This week, it seems even the matchups are not helpful. The good news is, if you’re still alive in your dynasty league, you probably have Travis Kelce, or at least Hockenson, on your roster.
As for matchups to avoid this week, the Bears, Cowboys, Saints and Commanders have allowed three TE1 games on the year. The Bears face the Lions, while Dallas visits the lame-duck Titans. There’s not much to take away from these matchups. The Saints visit the Eagles, which is not good for Goedert, while the Commanders host David Njoku and the Browns. Given the tight end landscape, both players should still be in lineups this week, even with a difficult opponent.
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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