Week 16 Start ’Em, Sit ’Em: Kickers and Team Defenses

Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em is the ultimate look at the best and worst matchups based on a PPR scoring system in fantasy football. This column will not cover the elite players in the NFL like Patrick Mahomes, Christian McCaffrey or Justin Jefferson. Instead, I'll look at the players you have questions about who could exceed or fail to meet expectations at each position. For all of your final fantasy lineup decisions, be sure to check out my weekly player rankings which will be updated daily throughout the 2023 NFL season.

Fabs’ Top 10 Defenses

1. Eagles defense vs. Giants
2. Broncos defense vs. Patriots
3. Chiefs defense vs. Raiders (Mon.)
4. Browns defense at Texans
5. Bills defense at Chargers (Sat.)
6. Packers defense at Panthers
7. Jets defense vs. Commanders
8. Colts defense at Falcons
9. Bengals defense at Steelers
10. Commanders defense at Jets

Week 16 Start ’Em, Sit ’Em: QUARTERBACKS | RUNNING BACKS | WIDE RECEIVERS | TIGHT ENDS | KICKERS & TEAM DEFENSES

Week 16 Start ’Em: Defenses

Start of the Week

Eagles defense vs. Giants (Mon. 1 p.m. ET, CBS): The Eagles defense is in a good spot to succeed this week, facing a Giants offense that’s averaged a mere 13.3 points per game in the last four weeks. New York has also allowed a league-high 76 sacks (15 more than the next most team), and the Eagles are at home.

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Start ’Em

Broncos defense vs. Patriots (8:15 p.m. ET, NFL Network): The Broncos’ D/ST is in a good spot to succeed this week, facing a Patriots offense that’s averaged a mere 11.3 points per game in the last four weeks. New England has committed a combined 22 giveaways as well, and the Broncos are on waivers in some leagues.

More Starts

Jets defense vs. Commanders (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
Packers defense at Panthers (1 p.m. ET, Fox)
Chiefs defense vs. Raiders (Mon. 1 p.m. ET, CBS)

DFS Bargains (DraftKings)

Browns defense at Texans ($3,400)
Jets defense vs. Commanders ($3,100)
Bears defense vs. Cardinals ($2,800)

Week 16 Sit ’Em: Defenses

Sit of the Week

Ravens defense at 49ers (Mon. 8:15 p.m. ET, ABC): The Ravens defense ranks second in fantasy points this season, but a brutal road matchup in San Francisco makes it a fade. The Niners are averaging more than 30 points and 403 yards per game, not to mention committing just 12 giveaways and allowing just 26 sacks.

Sit ’Em

Dolphins defense vs. Cowboys (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox): The Dolphins defense went wild last week, scoring 24 fantasy points against the hapless Jets. Things won’t be as easy this week though, as the Cowboys are coming for a visit. Their offense has averaged over 30 points per game, and it’s also committed just 12 giveaways.

More Sits

Saints defense at Rams (8:15 p.m. ET, Prime Video)
Vikings defense vs. Lions (1 p.m. ET, Fox)
Cowboys defense at Dolphins (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox)

DFS Fades (DraftKings)

Commanders defense at Jets ($3,700)
Texans defense vs. Browns ($3,600)
Falcons defense vs. Colts ($2,900)

Fabs’ Top 10 Kickers

1. Brandon Aubrey at Dolphins
2. Justin Tucker at 49ers (Mon.)
3. Dustin Hopkins at Texans
4. Harrison Butker vs. Raiders (Mon.)
5. Jake Elliott vs. Giants (Mon.)
6. Jason Myers at Titans
7. Matt Gay at Falcons
8. Evan McPherson at Steelers (Sat.)
9. Michael Badgley at Vikings
10. Younghoe Koo vs. Colts

Week 16 Start ’Em: Kickers

Start of the Week

Dustin Hopkins at Texans (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Hopkins has scored 17 combined points in each of his last two games, and this week’s matchup against the Texans makes him a nice option. Over the last four weeks, their defense has allowed nine field-goal attempts and the fourth-most fantasy points per game to kickers.

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Start ’Em

Jason Myers at Titans (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Myers has been inconsistent in the stat sheets, but he can be a useful option when the matchup is favorable. That’s the case this week, as he faces a plus matchup against the Titans. Their defense has allowed eight or more fantasy points to all but two enemy kickers this season.

More Starts

Matt Gay at Falcons (1 p.m. ET, Fox)
Greg Zuerlein vs. Commanders (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
Michael Badgley at Vikings (1p.m. ET, Fox)

Week 16 Sit ’Em: Kickers

Sit of the Week

Jason Sanders vs. Cowboys (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox): Sanders has been on fire in his last four games, scoring a combined 42 fantasy points. Still, this week’s game against the Cowboys makes him less attractive. Their defense has allowed just one kicker to beat them for more than nine fantasy points in a game this season.

Sit ’Em

Cameron Dicker vs. Bills (Sat. 8 p.m. ET, Peacock): Dicker was a useful fantasy option when the Chargers offense wasn’t in shambles due to injuries, which it is now. Lately, he’s failed to score more than six points in four straight games. Buffalo has also surrendered the fifth-fewest points to opposing kickers this season.

More Sits

Matt Prater at Bears (4:05 p.m. ET, Fox)
Daniel Carlson at Chiefs (Mon. 1 p.m. ET, CBS)
Anders Carlson at Panthers (1 p.m. ET, Fox)