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Fantasy Insider: Players To Start In Week 16

Scott Engel at RotoExperts.com offers fantasy football advice for owners heading into what stands as the league's premier championship week. 

Scott Engel of RotoExperts.com has more than 20 years of experience in the Fantasy industry and is an inaugural member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association's Hall of Fame. This is his seventh season providing Fantasy Football coverage and advice on Seahawks.com.

The Seahawks have a huge marquee game coming up against the Chiefs on Sunday Night Football. It will also be a very important game for Fantasy purposes in the most important week of the Fantasy sports season. Week 16 of the NFL is customarily Fantasy Football Super Bowl week in most leagues. Seahawks-Chiefs will kick off after most of the week's schedule is finished and with high-profile Fantasy players on both sides of the ball, the game could ultimately be pivotal in deciding many Fantasy Super Bowl fates.

This is the one week on the entire Fantasy sports calendar that competitors want to be participating in more than any other. This is the week they started preparing for in August, and if they have made it this far, it's because they have done a lot of Fantasy work to get here. Yet when you get to this point of the season, you tend to put extra pressure on yourself to make the right decisions more than ever.

Don't give into additional self-imposed Fantasy anxiety this week. Don't overthink things and worry about what you cannot control, such as who the other team starts. You must remain confident and calm. Advancing to your Fantasy Super Bowl is a significant accomplishment, so you deserve to have made it this far. My Guide for Surviving Fantasy Football Super Bowl Week on RotoExperts.com is what you need to read to have the correct mindset to win it all this week.

Recommended Fantasy Football Super Bowl Starters

Running Backs

Sony Michel vs. BUF: When he has been healthy, Michel has looked like one of the best young RBs in the game. Last week in a tough matchup vs. the Steelers, he rushed for 59 yards on just 13 carries but looked decisive and authoritative every time he touched the ball. He remains the best Fantasy play of the New England RBs and the Bills have allowed an AFC-high 15 rushing TDs to RBs. There is always the concern of another RB stealing a TD chance, but you have to still consider Michel as a RB2 play. The Patriots passing game is not looking as dominant as usual and Michel could be a key performer against the Bills.

Derrick Henry vs. WAS: Over the past two weeks, Henry has looked like an elite Fantasy RB, with 408 rushing yards and six TDs. There is always the concern that Henry could deliver a disappointing performance when you least expect it, but this is not the week to be worrying about that. The Titans are feeding the ball to Henry regularly and he has responded, and the formula will continue to work against a Washington defense that has allowed an NFL-high 575 rushing yards over the past four games.

Jamaal Williams vs. NYJ: He has to take over for the injured Aaron Jones for the final two games of the Green Bay season, and indications are Williams could have a significant workload this week. He rushed for 55 yards and a TD on 12 carries last week and should see more touches against the Jets. Aaron Rodgers is banged up and the Pack must continue to employ a respectable ground game to ease pressure on the QB, who also has a thinned receiving crew this year.

Gus Edwards vs. LAC: There were some whispers that Edwards was in danger of seeing his hold on the No. 1 RB job for the Ravens slip away entering last week. But Edwards responded with 104 rushing yards and a TD on 19 carries, his third 100-yard outing in five games. The Ravens will certainly try to run the ball and establish control of the clock against the Chargers, and Edwards will remain a key cog in executing that game plan. Lock him in as your Fantasy RB2 this week.

Wide Receivers

Doug Baldwin vs. KC: He delivered his best Fantasy performance of the year in Week 15, with four receptions for 77 yards and two touchdowns against the 49ers. Baldwin is a solid WR3 start against the Chiefs, especially in PPR formats. The Chiefs have allowed 198 catches to opposing WRs, third most in the AFC, so Baldwin could stack up a good amount of catches this week.

DaeSean Hamilton vs. OAK: The rookie has emerged as the best Fantasy WR on the Broncos since Emmanuel Sanders went down. He has caught seven passes in each of his past two games, and Case Keenum has looked for him on all types of routes. The Raiders have allowed an AFC-high 20 TD passes this season, so Hamilton could find the end zone for the second time in three weeks.

Alshon Jeffery vs. HOU: With Nick Foles back at QB, Jeffery resurfaced last week and caught eight passes for 160 yards against the Rams. The week before, he caught six passes for 50 yards and a TD. Jeffery is looking to be back in his better form at the most important Fantasy time of the year. The Texans have allowed 28.78 Fantasy Points Per Game to opposing WRs on NFL.com over the past four weeks, the second-highest total in the AFC during that span.

Robby Anderson vs. GB: Sam Darnold has returned and Anderson has started to perform well again. He has 172 receiving yards and two TDs in each of his past two games. The Packers have allowed 26.36 FFPG to WRs, fifth-most on NFL.com this season. Anderson has upside again as a Fantasy WR3 this week.

Tight Ends

Ed Dickson vs. KC: This is a very daring play if you are having issues at the TE position. Russell Wilson will certainly look for Dickson on key passing downs if the matchup is favorable, and on paper, it appears that Dickson will have his opportunities to make some plays this week. The Chiefs have allowed 10.76 FFPG to TEs, the second-highest total on NFL.com this year.

Evan Engram vs. IND: The second-year TE has started to step forward again recently as the Giants have needed him to play a more prominent role in the passing game. Engram has gone over 70 receiving yards in each of the past two games. The Colts have allowed an NFL-high 1,017 receiving yards to TEs this season.

Quarterback

Baker Mayfield vs. CIN: The impressive rookie has displayed crisp mechanics and lots of confidence while becoming a viable Fantasy streamer. This is a week to definitely use him, as the Bengals have allowed an AFC-high 21.04 FFPG to QBs this year. Mayfield threw four TD passes against Cincinnati in Week 12.

Seahawks Fantasy Focus

This can be a week when a few Seahawks can play key roles in your Fantasy championship games. Russell Wilson is a prime start against a Chiefs pass defense that has allowed an NFL-high 4,265 passing yards and four rushing TDs to opposing QBs, also most in the league. Tyler Lockett will be a frequent threat for big plays downfield and is a must-start as a Fantasy WR3. The Chiefs have allowed 24.78 FFPG to RBs this year, the second-highest total in the AFC. Chris Carson is a top-level Fantasy RB2 start this week who should see a lot of carries, a few receptions, and some rushing TD opportunities. If you play in a larger league and are scrambling for a fill-in flex, consider Mike Davis, too. He is versatile and should see a respectable amount of work.

For more Fantasy Football Super Bowl advice, check out Scott Engel'sWeek 16 Fantasy Football Lineup Rankings, with complete player outlooks, on RotoExperts.com.

The Seattle Seahawks take on the Kansas City Chiefs, the 53rd meeting between the two teams, for Week 16 of the 2022 season. Take a look back at some of their previous matchups.

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