Arguably, the most frustrating thing in fantasy football is seeing someone in your starting lineup struggle that week. Therefore, the logic behind this article is simple – identify fantasy football lineup landmines.
These are players you’re leaning towards starting this week but could end up being a landmine that blows up and destroys your starting lineup, potentially costing you your matchup.
- Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups
- Weekly Fantasy Football Expert Rankings
- Fantasy Football Start/Sit Advice
- Fantasy Football Trade Tools
Fantasy Football Lineup Landmines: Week 16
Brace yourself and take cover. These six players could blow up in your face in Week 16.
Dak Prescott (QB – DAL) vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Hopefully, fantasy players advanced last week despite Prescott’s poor performance. He scored 12 fantasy points against the Minnesota Vikings despite playing at home, completing 60.5% of his pass attempts for 294 yards, zero touchdowns, and nearly no production on the ground. It was the second consecutive game where Prescott was a bust after totaling 376 passing yards, one touchdown, two interceptions, and 18.4 fantasy points in Week 14 despite an appealing matchup against the Detroit Lions. Unfortunately, he likely will be a fantasy bust for the third consecutive game.
The star quarterback has three passing touchdowns over the past three weeks after averaging 2.1 per game over the first 12 weeks. Prescott will likely continue to struggle on Sunday against the Chargers. Los Angeles has held quarterbacks to 12.1 fantasy points per game this season, the second-fewest in the NFL. They have also given up the fewest passing touchdowns to quarterbacks this year (12), allowing only four over their past six matchups. Furthermore, quarterbacks have averaged 8.6 fantasy points per game against the Chargers over the past two months.
Ashton Jeanty (RB – LV) vs. Houston Texans
Fantasy players spent a top-20 pick on Jeanty, believing he would be the next Saquon Barkley and have an excellent rookie season. While Jeanty hasn’t been a massive bust, the rookie is the RB16 for the year, averaging 13.7 PPR fantasy points per game, a lower average than Rico Dowdle (14). Furthermore, his production has declined after a hot stretch a few weeks ago. Jeanty has averaged 2.8 yards per rushing attempt and 8.7 fantasy points per game over the past three weeks, totaling 8.2 or fewer in back-to-back outings.
While fantasy players likely don’t have a better starting option than the rookie this week, they need to temper their expectations for the former Boise State star. Jeanty faces a Texans defense that has shut down opposing offenses this season. They’ve held running backs to 19.5 fantasy points per game, the ninth-fewest in the NFL. Furthermore, Houston has allowed running backs to average only 71.5 rushing yards, 0.5 touchdowns, and 19.1 fantasy points per game over the past six weeks despite facing Jonathan Taylor and James Cook during that stretch.
Jaylen Warren (RB – PIT) vs. Detroit Lions
Last week, Warren struggled, totaling 12 rushing attempts for 33 yards, three receptions for 15 receiving yards, and 7.8 PPR fantasy points, setting a season-low in fantasy production. While he was battling an illness, Kenneth Gainwell has taken over as the Steelers’ top running back. The veteran has averaged 13.8 touches and 18 fantasy points per game over the past five weeks, totaling at least 16.2 in all but one contest. By comparison, Warren has averaged 13.6 touches and 11.4 fantasy points per game over the past five weeks.
Furthermore, Gainwell has arguably become Pittsburgh’s top passing game weapon. He has averaged 5.6 receptions for 41.8 receiving yards per game over the past five weeks, totaling at least six receptions in all but one contest. Meanwhile, Warren has 10 receptions for 78 receiving yards during that stretch, totaling more than 15 yards only once. More importantly, Detroit has held running backs to 17.6 fantasy points per game, the second-fewest in the NFL. They’ve surrendered 16.7 or fewer fantasy points to running backs in eight of their past 10 matchups.
Terry McLaurin (WR – WAS) vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Unfortunately, McLaurin has only played in seven games this season because of injury. However, the veteran has been solid lately, averaging 15 PPR fantasy points per game over his past four contests. Yet, he has been touchdown-dependent, averaging eight fantasy points per game in the four contests without finding the end zone, totaling 9.8 or less in all but one outing. More importantly, McLaurin has averaged 6.4 targets per game this year, totaling six or fewer in all but two contests, including last week against the New York Giants.
Despite having an excellent matchup, the veteran needed a touchdown to score 15.9 fantasy points, totaling three receptions on four targets for 69 receiving yards. McLaurin has seen four or fewer targets in over half the games this season. Unfortunately, he will need a significantly higher target volume to put up fantasy points against the Eagles. Philadelphia has surrendered only seven receptions for 54.7 receiving yards, zero touchdowns, and 13 fantasy points per game to wide receivers over the past three weeks despite facing two capable passing attacks.
Brian Thomas Jr. (WR – JAC) vs. Denver Broncos
Thomas has been arguably the biggest bust in fantasy football this year. He was drafted as a top-10 wide receiver but ranks as the WR44 for the season, averaging 10.8 PPR fantasy points per game. However, the former LSU star has had solid back-to-back performances, totaling 11.7 fantasy points in Week 14 and 17.1 last week, totaling four receptions on seven targets for 66 receiving yards and a touchdown. Unfortunately, Thomas’ second-best performance this year came on a day where Trevor Lawrence had five passing touchdowns and 44.3 fantasy points.
Sadly, the Jaguars don’t face the New York Jets again in Week 16. Instead, they take on the Broncos’ elite defense in Denver. The Broncos have held wide receivers to 27.8 fantasy points per game, the ninth-fewest in the NFL this season. More importantly, they’ve shut down opposing No. 1 wide receivers, surrendering 9.6 fantasy points per game over the past six weeks. Furthermore, Nico Collins (14.5) and Terry McLaurin (22.6) are the only No. 1 wide receivers to score more than 9.8 fantasy points against Denver since Week 9.
Harold Fannin Jr. (TE – CLE) vs. Buffalo Bills
This year’s rookie tight end class has been outstanding, as Tyler Warren, Colston Loveland, Oronde Gadsden II, and Fannin have been weekly starters for at least part of the season. Fannin has been the best of the bunch, averaging 5.5 receptions on nine targets for 61.3 receiving yards, 0.5 touchdowns, and 14.3 PPR fantasy points per game over the past month. However, the former Bowling Green star has faced multiple struggling defenses during that stretch. Furthermore, he had only 12 fantasy points last week despite seeing 14 targets.
More importantly, Fannin had the toughest matchup of his career on Sunday. Buffalo’s run defense might be one of the worst in the league. However, they’ve completely erased opposing tight ends. The Bills have held tight ends to seven fantasy points per game, the fewest in the NFL. Buffalo has surrendered 8.1 or fewer fantasy points to tight ends in 78.9% of their matchups this year, including 10 of the past 12 games. Furthermore, they’ve limited tight ends to three or fewer receptions in 71.4% of their games this season.
Subscribe: YouTube | Spotify | Apple Podcasts | iHeart | Castbox | Amazon Music | Podcast Addict | TuneIn
Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.
