Hungry for More: The Fantasy Footballers’ Predictions for Week 16

For fantasy managers getting to the semifinals of their fantasy playoffs, there’s no better time to insert a player who’s ready to take that next step forward into fantasy history and make an impact! When we’re in the most important weeks of the season, finding an additional difference-maker is the most crucial! The Ballers have gone back to their cookbooks once again to put together a trio of players they’re looking to rise to the challenge like fresh sourdough bread in this week’s Hungry for More presented by Uber Eats!

Each week throughout the season, Andy, Mike, and Jason are putting together their own blend of fantasy herbs and spices to deliver a player they’re looking to take a step forward for fantasy managers this week!

WR – Jalen McMillan (TB)

Week 15
Receptions	Receiving Yards	TDs
5	75	1

Easily Andy’s favorite player to continue bringing up throughout the last few weeks has been Jalen McMillan, and for good reason! The uptick of usage for McMillan in the fantasy-friendly offense of the Buccaneers has been huge over the last two weeks, with the rookie WR finishing as a top-20 WR in back-to-back weeks. During those two games, McMillan has seen a target on 24% of his routes, up from 14% prior to Week 14. McMillan has filled the Chris Godwin void that Cade Otton had been occupying but is making an even bigger impact for fantasy managers with three TDs over the last two games.

The added bonus to having McMillan on their roster for fantasy managers is the tasty schedule that awaits the Buccaneers over the final games of the season. For the semifinals, McMillan takes on a Dallas defense that is allowing 1.9 fantasy points above expectation to opposing fantasy WRs and has given up a combined 84.9 fantasy points to opposing teams’ WRs in their last two games. Then in championship week, Tampa takes on a Panthers team that has allowed the most passing TDs in the league this season. McMillan has the makings of a big-time difference-maker in the fantasy playoffs!

Upcoming Schedule: at Dallas, vs. Carolina, vs. New Orleans

RB – Tyjae Spears (TEN)

Week 15
Carries/Receptions	Total Yards	TDs
10	92	2

Despite being the backup for most of the season in Tennessee, Jason has his eyes set on Tyjae Spears ahead of the semifinals! Spears made a huge impact in Week 15, finishing as the RB5 scoring two TDs on just 10 total touches. While Spears got just four carries for the Titans, it was his six receptions that should have fantasy managers’ ears perked up. What could be even bigger for Spears is the possibility of starting RB Tony Pollard being slowed by an ankle injury that he suffered last week against the Bengals. If Pollard’s injury allows Spears to take more than the season-high 56% of snaps that he saw last week, Spears could play an even bigger role for fantasy managers.

If Spears does get a chance to stay involved for the Titans, the matchups remaining for the fantasy playoffs couldn’t be better. In each of Tennessee’s last two games for the fantasy season, they’ll face teams that are allowing at least 1.4 fantasy points above expectation to opposing RBs. For the semifinals, the Colts are 23rd in schedule-adjusted fantasy points allowed to RBs and Spears scored double-digit fantasy points against Indianapolis in both games played against them last year. If the pathway clears for Spears even just for Week 16, he could go down in fantasy history for some fantasy managers and help them get to championship week!

Upcoming Schedule: at Indianapolis, at Jacksonville, vs. Houston

TE – Brenton Strange (JAX)

Week 15
Receptions	Receiving Yards	TDs
11	73	0

With Mike out, I’ll add a third in this week, and while it might seem, well, strange, to be talking about backup TEs in the fantasy football semifinals, Brenton Strange’s usage from last week is too much to ignore at this point in the season. Strange stepped in for Evan Engram in the Jacksonville offense and saw a career-high 12 targets from Mac Jones that he turned into the TE4 finish on the week without getting into the end zone. While that certainly isn’t something that fantasy managers should think will happen every week, we have already seen Strange be productive when called upon earlier this season, with three top-10 TE finishes from Weeks 2-5. 

To make getting a little Strange even more enticing for fantasy managers in their semifinal matchups, the Jags get a great matchup against the Raiders’ defense in Week 16. Las Vegas’ defense has a great matchup for fantasy TEs all season, allowing 2.37 fantasy points above expectation to the position. What fantasy managers should be looking for in these crucial matchups are explosive weeks and the Raiders have allowed 18+ fantasy points to opposing teams’ TEs in four of their last seven games! While Strange may be a risky play, his usage is worth noting and could be a game-changer for fantasy managers in need.

Upcoming Schedule: at Las Vegas, vs. Tennessee, at Indianapolis

from Fantasy Footballers Podcast https://ift.tt/pu2JO7g