Week 16 of the NFL season is here, and we have Saturday and Sunday NFL games this week. We have a lot of fun, intriguing, and exciting matchups across the whole league this holiday weekend before Christmas. Also, we will have an NFL debut with the Falcons starting Michael Penix Jr. over a struggling Kirk Cousins. That storyline, along with some of the other storylines for Week 16, makes the DFS slate a lot more intriguing than normal.
Quarterback Must Starts For Week 16
Josh Allen ($8,700 Draft Kings; $9,400 FanDuel)
As an Eagles fan, I hate to say this because of how good Saquon has been for this Eagles team this season, but Josh Allen has officially locked up the MVP trophy with his last two performances against the Rams and the Lions. And this week he plays the Patriots, which have been one of the porous defenses against the pass all season long. Look for Allen to add to the 10 touchdowns he has had these last two weeks.
Kyler Murray ($6,100 Draft Kings; $8,000 FanDuel)
Speaking of porous defenses Kyler Murray and the Cardinals are facing a Panthers defense that has been mostly horrible and are coming off a game where they gave up over 30 points to a Cooper Rush-led offense. I expect Kyler to have a productive day against the Panthers on Sunday, especially with his legs.
Jordan Love ($6,200 Draft Kings; $7,700 FanDuel )
Jordan Love is playing some great football right now for the Packers as he has been taking care of the football right now. Love should have an excellent day against a Saints team struggling in the passing game since the trade that sent Marshon Lattimore to the Commanders. Love Jordan Love on Monday Night Football for DFS.
Quarterback Must Sits For Week 16
On the flip side of things, here are a few of the players we are sitting in this week.
Jayden Daniels ($7,300 Draft Kings, $8,200 FanDuel )
I’m sitting Jayden Daniels this week even though he’s playing better football lately because the Philadelphia Eagles are the No.1 defense in the NFL right now. I think Daniels is going to have a better day than he did in Philly, but the risk/reward is not worth the budget in DFS to me this week, unfortunately.
Cooper Rush ($5,200 Draft Kings, $7,000 FanDuel)
Even though the Buccaneers’ defense has been suspect when it comes to the passing game at times this season, I think Cooper Rush will have an off game this week because he’s the definition of inconsistency. Sit Cooper Rush this week due to the numerous other options on this slate.
Aaron Rodgers ($5,600 Draft Kings, $7,300 FanDuel )
It came out that Jets owner Woody Johnson made several bad decisions because of his sons in a story via the Athletic. Also, Rodgers himself has been in the news because of his Pat Mcafee appearance this week where a feud with Ryan Clark came into the limelight. Also, Rodgers hasn’t been the model of consistency all season long as he has had the 21st-ranked QBR this season. The Rams’ defensive line will be all over Rodgers this weekend as the Jets aren’t a good team.
Lock of Week 16
Jalen Hurts ($7,800 Draft Kings, $8,600 FanDuel)
Hurts is coming off his best passing game of the last month against a stout Pittsburgh Steelers defense. Hurts threw for 290 yards and 2 touchdowns last week. Jalen Hurts has been one of the most consistent fantasy quarterbacks this season and I expect him to continue that consistency this week against the Commanders with the opportunity to clinch the NFC East this week. Love Hurts in this spot this week as he’s had some of the best games of his career in Landover, Maryland.
Fade of Week 16
Caleb Williams ($5,500 Draft Kings, $7,200 FanDuel )
The frustration has gotten to this rookie quarterback, in more ways than one. And even though the Detroit Lions have so many injuries on the defensive side of the ball, the Bears have been such a mess these last few weeks it’s not worth it to risk Caleb Williams in DFS this weekend in Week 16.
Sleeper of Week 16
Michael Penix Jr. ($4,500 Draft Kings, $6,000 FanDuel)
The newest rookie quarterback is set to make his first career start in week 16. This is a guy who had several injuries in college but had a resurgence at the University of Washington. Michael Penix Jr. has the potential to be one of the better quarterbacks of this rookie class, especially with the supporting cast that the Falcons have. This is the perfect situation for Penix Jr. to get into as the Giants are a horrible defense and the Falcons should win this game by double-digits. Take the chance and start Michael Penix Jr. this week if you need a budget option for the position.
Conclusion
Week 16 of the NFL Season will see many great matchups throughout the entire weekend, and I look forward to the Holiday Weekend of games, especially the Saturday games. My picks have been doing well for the most part this season. Everyone has some misses once in a while, and as the season winds down, the quarterbacks are going to be the one position that will be key for the DFS lineups. So follow along with Total Apex Fantasy down the key stretch of the NFL season for up-to-date fantasy advice.
