The fantasy football playoffs aren’t just a game of numbers; they are a gauntlet of emotion, with that leading into the second round of the playoffs in Week 16. We just watched Patrick Mahomes go down with a season-ending ACL injury, a sight that sucked the air out of Arrowhead and left fantasy managers staring blankly at their screens. We saw Davante Adams pull up lame, and we watched poor-performing young starters like J.J. McCarthy finally show a pulse when it mattered most.
If you survived Week 15, congratulations. You dodged the landmines. But the war isn’t over. The semifinals are here, and the waiver wire is your last line of defense. Whether you’re patching a hole left by a superstar or looking for that one lightning-in-a-bottle play to send you to the championship, this is where fantasy legacies are made.
Here is your battle plan for Week 16.
Quarterbacks: The desperate search for a signal caller
- J.J. McCarthy, Vikings (35% Rostered)
It’s been a rough year for the sophomore out of Michigan. Let’s be honest, there were weeks where starting McCarthy felt like forfeiting. But football is a game of redemption. Over the last two weeks, McCarthy has looked like the guy Minnesota drafted, tossing five touchdowns and running for another. He’s taking advantage of soft defenses, and he gets another gift this week against the Giants. New York’s secondary is generous, to put it mildly. If you lost Mahomes or you’re streaming the position, McCarthy isn’t just a dart throw anymore; he’s a legitimate lifeline.
Other options: If C.J. Stroud is somehow sitting on your wire, grab him immediately. For the truly desperate, Tyler Shough has a decent matchup against the Jets, but you’re playing with fire there.
Running Backs: Next man up mentality
- Michael Carter, Cardinals (5% Rostered)
Injuries are the cruelest part of this sport. Bam Knight was carted off with an ankle injury, ending his fantasy season and leaving a massive void in the Arizona backfield. Enter Michael Carter. He didn’t just fill in; he stepped up. Against a stingy Texans defense, he racked up 94 yards on 18 touches. That’s workload gold.
The schedule gods are smiling on Carter, too. He gets Atlanta and Cincinnati next—two defenses that have been gashed on the ground all year. Carter isn’t just a waiver add; he’s a potential league-winner for teams that just lost their RB2.
- Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Commanders (48% Rostered)
Sometimes, you just need a guy who is going to get the rock. With Chris Rodriguez Jr. scratched late, “JCM” took the lead role and ran with it, posting 96 yards and a score. It wasn’t flashy, but it was effective. Washington is playing out the string in a lost season, which often means audition time for rookies. If Rodriguez sits again, Croskey-Merritt is a volume-based play against the Eagles. It’s a tough matchup, but volume is king in the playoffs.
- Audric Estime, Saints (0% Rostered)
This is for the deep leaguers. Devin Neal went down with a hamstring issue, opening the door for a committee approach in New Orleans. Estime looked like the better pass-catching option, turning six touches into 50 yards. The Saints play the Jets next, a team that has seemingly forgotten how to stop running backs from scoring. Estime is a gamble, but he has the kind of TD-upside that wins weeks.
Wide Receivers: Finding a spark
- Jayden Reed, Packers (41% Rostered)
If you are chasing a championship, you don’t want a “safe floor.” You want a ceiling that can blow the roof off. Jayden Reed provides that. With Christian Watson dealing with a chest injury, Reed becomes the focal point of the Packers’ passing attack.
We know what Reed can do. Last year, he was a revelation. This season started hot but cooled off considerably after the bye week. However, the talent didn’t disappear. Facing the Bears in Week 16, Reed has a chance to recapture that early-season magic. He is the top priority add at receiver this week.
Tight Ends: A glimmer of hope
- Colby Parkinson, Rams (4% Rostered)
The tight end wasteland has been particularly brutal this year. But quietly, Colby Parkinson has been putting up numbers. He has six touchdowns in his last six games. You read that right. He’s coming off a two-score game and now gets a “Revenge Game” narrative against his old team, the Seahawks. Seattle has been tough on defense, but they leak points to tight ends. Ride the hot hand.
Good luck in Week 16. Trust your gut, play the matchups, and bring that trophy home.
