Fantasy football start ’em, sit ’em: This inconsistent WR could be a playoff hero in Week 16

If you’re reading this, chances are you’re in the second round of the 2023 fantasy football playoffs. You’ve come a long way, but as the late NBA legend Kobe Bryant once said, “What’s there to be happy about? Job’s not finished.”

With that, here’s what to do about a few players who you may be on the fence about locking into your starting lineup for Week 16.

Quarterbacks

Start: Justin Fields, Chicago Bears

Cardinals at Bears / 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday

Fields struggled against Cleveland’s stout defense last week, scoring 9.64 fantasy points in four-point passing touchdown formats, though he’s well-positioned to rebound in a matchup with a far inferior unit. The Cardinals have conceded the eighth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season (256.52) but have been especially poor against the position over the last two weeks, allowing 26.28 points per contest, the second-most in the NFL. Additionally, the dual-threat Fields should enjoy more success with his legs, as Arizona is the league’s second-worst run defense on a per-game basis (139.6 ypg allowed).

Other starts: Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers; Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins

Sit: Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams 

Saints at Rams / 8:15 p.m. ET Thursday

One of our must-starts from last week, Stafford has been on a tear over his last four games, ranking as the QB2 overall during that span. While he and the Rams have plenty of momentum heading into a pivotal “Thursday Night Football” matchup, the Super Bowl LVI champion could have difficulty overcoming a formidable Saints defense. Since Week 12, New Orleans has allowed the seventh-fewest fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks (11.18) while only giving up three touchdowns through the air.

Other sits: Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks; Russell Wilson, Denver Broncos

Running Backs

Start: Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers

Packers at Panthers / 1 p.m. ET Sunday

Jones returned to action last week after missing the previous three games with a knee injury, though he played sparingly after an eight-carry opening drive, earning just nine total touches from then on. Even so, since Jones only played 29 snaps, 17 touches is an encouraging enough workload to expect a productive effort against the Panthers, especially if he sees an uptick in volume. Carolina has been vulnerable against the run this season, having allowed the most rushing touchdowns (21) and third-most fantasy points to running backs (304.7).

Other starts: Breece Hall, New York Jets; Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans

Sit: Joe Mixon, Cincinnati Bengals

Bengals at Steelers / 4:30 p.m. ET Saturday

Mixon has been the second-best fantasy running back in PPR scoring formats over the last three games but could start losing steam now that the Steelers defense won’t have to gameplan for WR Ja’Marr Chase. The Steelers kept the 27-year-old tailback in check during their Week 12 encounter, limiting Mixon to eight PPR points. Unless Mixon reaches the end zone, it is unlikely that he will deliver a week-winning performance, which seems unlikely since Pittsburgh hasn’t allowed a rushing touchdown in three of its last four games.

Other sits: Saquon Barkley, New York Giants; Ty Chandler, Minnesota Vikings

Wide Receivers

Start: Calvin  Ridley,Jacksonville Jaguars

Jaguars at Buccaneers / 4:05 p.m. ET Sunday

Assuming QB Trevor Lawrence clears concussion protocol, there’s finally reason for optimism about starting Ridley. Despite failing to post at least 10 PPR points in each of his last three games, Ridley has had the usage of an elite wideout, earning 33 targets in that stretch. As Fantasy Points’ Scott Barrett pointed out, Ridley’s 21.7 expected fantasy points last week were the third-most among wide receivers, suggesting he could be in line for a massive outing against the NFL’s second-worst pass defense.

Other starts: Stefon Diggs, Buffalo Bills; Rashee Rice, Kansas City Chiefs

Sit: Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders

Commanders at Jets / 1 p.m. ET Sunday