Losing your virginity. Graduating. Landing that job. Staring down the aisle at your beautiful wife and sealing a life together with a kiss. Holding your little bundle of joy child for the first time.
These moments pale in comparison to what Week 16 could be — a fantasy football title. Having that trophy as a centerpiece in your living room for a full year, reminding both you and your loser league mates of your dominance. Being able to sneak in barbs and brags into every conversation, no matter how irrelevant.
The way is simple: set the better lineup, and score more points. Make sure you’re doing so by checking out The Wolf’s rankings, and sending in some Sit/Start questions to our Twitter @RotoStreetJ or message our Facebook page.
Note – Theo Riddick is assumed out in these rankings.
Tier 1 – Potential Top Scorers
Tough week of matchups for the high-end options, but they are elite for a reason. Ride your horses.
1) Le’Veon Bell (PIT) vs. BAL
2) LeSean McCoy (BUF) vs. MIA
3) Ezekiel Elliott (DAL) vs. DET
4) David Johnson (ARI) @ SEA
Tier 2 – Locked in RB1s
But a lot of the lower-end RB1s have CAKE matchups, giving solid depth to the position
5) DeMarco Murray (TEN) @ JAC – Henry’s newfound vulture status is the only thing keeping Murray from the above tier.
6) Jordan Howard (CHI) vs. WAS
7) Devonta Freeman (ATL) @ CAR
8) Latavius Murray (OAK) vs. IND
9) Todd Gurley (LA) vs. SF – If you somehow made it to the finals with Gurley, congratulations. Even he and the pathetic Rams should pillage San Fran on the ground.
10) Bilal Powell (NYJ) @ NE
11) Lamar Miller (HOU) vs. CIN
12) Carlos Hyde (SF) @ LA
13) LeGarrette Blount (NE) vs. NYJ
14) Frank Gore (IND) @ OAK
Tier 3 – Quality RB2s
15) Rob Kelley (WAS) @ CHI
16) Spencer Ware (KC) vs. DEN
17) Jonathan Stewart (CAR) vs. ATL
18) Ty Montgomery (GB) vs. MIN – Obviously I saw last week’s explosion, but I’m still nervous about his usage in a tougher matchup.
19) Doug Martin (TB) @ NO
20) Dion Lewis (NE) vs. NYJ
Tier 4 – Low-end RB2s, Solid Flex Plays
21) Ryan Mathews (PHI) vs. NYG – His status significantly depends upon that of Darren Sproles and Wendell Smallwood; if Mathews is again the unquestioned featured back, another 100+ total yards and a TD is fully possible.
UPDATE – Sproles is practicing in full, leaving receiving work off the table for Mathews. He remains a fair bet at 60+ yards and a TD, but his ceiling is far more capped.
22) Jay Ajayi (MIA) @ BUF – Seems like a shell of the guy who was steamrolling for 200+ yards in back-to-back contests.
23) Kenneth Farrow (SD) @ CLE
24) Isaiah Crowell (CLE) vs. SD – Love The Crow’s chances of a score, possibly even two, against a San Diego team that bleeds scores to RBs
25) Mark Ingram (NO) vs. TB – Hightower’s vulture status really limits Ingram’s ceiling, despite a fairly high yardage floor here
26) Thomas Rawls (SEA) vs. ARI
27) Tevin Coleman (ATL) @ CAR
Tier 5 – Last Names Worth Consideration
28) Darren Sproles (PHI) vs. NYG – He’s practicing in full and set for a smattering of receptions and a potential TD against the Giants
29) Duke Johnson (CLE) vs. SD – After hitting double-digit PPR points last week, Johnson could have a sneaky big day if the Browns are in catch-up mode early
30) Kenneth Dixon and 31) Terrance West (BAL) @ PIT – Just when Dixon appears to be the clear guy… West outsnaps and outgains him in convincing fashion. Smdh. Avoid if possible.
32) T.J. Yeldon (JAC) vs. TEN – Despite his complete lack of talent, Yeldon’s involved passing game role keeps him relevant in PPR formats
33) Tim Hightower (NO) vs. TB – His locked-in vulture status makes him a fairly solid bet at a TD this week
34) Adrian Peterson (MIN) @ GB – Ranking Peterson below Yeldon is a truly painful experience, but his workload and on-field productivity both remain major question marks. He shouldn’t be in lineups.
Tier 6 – Hello Darkness, one last time
35) Charles Sims (TB) @ NO
36) Derrick Henry (TEN) @ JAC
37) Rashad Jennings (NYG) @ PHI
38) Justin Forsett (DEN) @ KC
39) Chris Ivory (JAC) vs. TEN
40) Matt Forte (NYJ) @ NE
41) Mike Gillislee (BUF) vs. MIA
42) Rex Burkhead (CIN) @ HOU
43) Chris Thompson (WAS) @ CHI
44) Paul Perkins (NYG) @ PHI
45) Dwayne Washington (DET) @ DAL
