Quarterback play overall in Week 15 was very up and down across the NFL. And my Week 15 results show that to the 10th degree.
LAST WEEK
Matthew Stafford did not have a terrible game; he just didn’t live up to his ECR of QB7. He finished his QB12 with 258 yards and two touchdowns. Joe Flacco showed up and showed out for the Cleveland Browns in Week 15. He outperformed all expectations, finishing as QB9. He threw for 374 yards, two passing touchdowns, and three interceptions.
My biggest mistake of the week was telling you to sit Jared Goff in 1QB leagues. He had a fantastic game, finishing as the QB1 in Week 15. He had 278 yards and 5 touchdowns. Tua Tagovailoa struggled against the New York Jets, just like I predicted. He had 224 passing yards and one touchdown, putting him at QB23 on the week.
With this week being the Fantasy Football semi-finals, you are definitely starting your studs no matter what. So, this week, I am focusing on fringe starters and guys a little lower in the ECR rankings.
WEEK 16 STARTS
Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers, QB11
Through Week 15, Baker Mayfield is QB15. Mayfield has seven top 12 weekly performances in 2023. In his past two games, Mayfield has had 20-plus point performances. In Week 15, Mayfield was QB2 with 29 fantasy points.
The Jacksonville Jaguars will look to stay in first place with a Week 16 victory. The Jaguars are 30th in the NFL, giving up 21.4 FPPG to quarterbacks. They have given up over 300 passing yards in three of the last four games. The Jaguars have given up 23 passing touchdowns, which is seventh most in the NFL.
Mayfield has an ECR with QB11 in Week 16. The Buccaneers are still in the NFC South playoff race. Therefore, Mayfield still has something to play for besides padding the stat line. I am comfortable starting Mayfield in all formats and would not be surprised if he finishes as a top-10 quarterback.
Nick Mullens, Vikings, QB16
Nick Mullins wasn’t even on our fantasy football radar at the beginning of the 2023 season. Mullens has only started one game, which was last week against the Cincinnati Bengals. He finished his QB11 with 303 yards and two touchdowns. Will Mullens be able to do the same in Week 16?
The Detroit Lions are in the driver’s seat to win the NFC North. Their defense has struggled at times, especially against quarterbacks this season. The Lions are 27th in the NFL, giving up 20.2 FPPG to QBs. Five of the last six games have been over 50 points in total scoring. This is one major reason they give up so many points to quarterbacks.
After having one game under his belt, Mullens should be more comfortable with the Vikings offense. He has an ECR of QB16. Mullens is a must-start in Superflex leagues and is a possible streaming option in 1QB leaves in Week 16.
WEEK 16 SITS
JORDAN LOVE, PACKERS, QB14
In 2023, Jordan Love is QB8 and has eight top-12 weekly performances. Love has had six 20-plus point performances so far this season. Surprisingly, Love is tied for 5th with 25 passing touchdowns.
The Carolina Panthers have struggled as a team, having only two wins this season. However, passing defense has been a plus for the Panthers. They are first in the NFL, giving up 13.1 FPPG to QBs. The Panthers have given up 2,432 passing yards, the third fewest in the NFL.
In Week 16, Love has an ECR of QB14. Against a struggling Panthers team, this is a game script that I don’t see in Love’s favor. The Panthers have a Percent Over Average of -42% in this matchup. Love is a must-start in Superflex leagues but sit him in 1QB leagues if possible.
Russell Wilson, Broncos, QB13
Russell Wilson is currently QB13 on the season. Wilson has been a top-12 quarterback in three of his last six games. He hasn’t thrown for more than 300 yards since week three. Can he get back on track in week 16?
The New England Patriots are already eliminated from playoff contention. The defense has been a bright spot lately, even though the team has struggled. The Patriots are fifth in the NFL, giving up 15.7 FPPG to QBs. They have only given up 17 passing touchdowns on the season. They have also only given up over 300 passing yards in one of their last five games.
Wilson has an ECR of QB13 in Week 16. One thing to note is the Broncos are still fighting for a playoff spot. With the Broncos defense also playing well as of late, Russell Wilson might not need to have a great performance for the Broncos to get the victory. I also expect a low-scoring affair. I would sit Wilson in 1QB leagues if at all possible.
