Making lineup decisions can be the most frustrating or most rewarding part of fantasy football. Here to help you make those decisions are our positional start ’em and sit ’em picks.
Fantasy decisions are more important than ever now that we’ve reached the fantasy playoff semifinals! Let’s look at our Week 16 start/sit plays for the QB position.
Which QB Should You Start in Fantasy This Week?
Joe Flacco, Cleveland Browns (at HOU)
It is the year 2023, and Joe Flacco is almost a QB1 in the fantasy semifinals. What a time to be alive!
What more can you really say about the greatest Joe to ever play QB (that’s a joke, everyone)? The man spent three months at home on his couch, got a call from the Cleveland Browns, walked in, and started airing it out like 2012 Matthew Stafford.
Flacco has attempted a staggering 133 passes over his three starts with the Browns. He’s thrown two or more touchdowns in each game, and the Browns have won two straight games.
Now, Flacco gets a Houston Texans defense allowing 18.4 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks, the 10th-most in the league.
Flacco hasn’t scored fewer than 17 fantasy points in any of his three starts. Fantasy managers who need to start Flacco will gladly accept that floor. If he can limit the interceptions (five in three games), Flacco can deliver a top-eight performance when we need it most.
Which QB Should You Sit in Fantasy This Week?
Sam Howell, Washington Commanders (at NYJ)
After six straight games with 18+ fantasy points, Sam Howell completely flopped in what should’ve been a favorable matchup against the Los Angeles Rams last week. Howell threw for 102 yards, one touchdown, and one interception before getting benched for Jacoby Brissett.
Head coach Ron Rivera claims the benching was to protect Howell and that Howell remains the starter. I somewhat believe him, but the fact remains Brissett outplayed Howell and almost brought the Commanders back.
I fully expect Howell to start this week, but do you really want to start him against the Jets? They may not have a good offense, but the Jets’ defense is as elite as ever. New York is allowing 13.4 points per game to quarterbacks, the second fewest in the league.
Add in the risk of another benching, and there may not be a whole lot of slingin’ for Sammy in Week 16.
Trending Searches for QB Start/Sit
Did you know that we have a Start/Sit Optimizer here at Pro Football Network?! It’s completely free to use, and it allows you to enter up to six players to find the best option to plug into your starting lineup!
It also allows us to see the most popular trending searches, and we’ve jotted some of them down here to help provide some clarity on!
Should You Start Flacco or Gardner Minshew?
This is not only a question I’ve gotten in messages and the PFN Discord, but it is one I face myself in a league where I will be without Trevor Lawrence. So rest assured, I want to get this correct.
The PFN Start/Sit Optimizer has Gardner Minshew edging out Joe Flacco 14.7-13.9. This is very close, and it was not an easy decision. However, I am going with Flacco.
The Houston Texans are a more favorable matchup than the Atlanta Falcons. Additionally, even with Case Keenum, I trust the Texans to create a more favorable game environment than the one Taylor Heinicke will create, as the Falcons just run, run, and run some more.
MORE: PFN’s FREE NFL Playoff Predictor
If the Texans fall behind, DeMeco Ryans won’t be afraid to unleash Keenum in an effort to come back, potentially forcing Flacco to answer. If the Falcons fall behind the Indianapolis Colts, Arthur Smith will continue to run the ball, making no effort to actually put pressure on Minshew to respond.
I don’t think there’s a wrong answer here. We’re probably getting 14-16 points from either, but I am going Flacco.
Should You Start Howell or Nick Mullens?
The Start/Sit Optimizer is quite down on Nick Mullens, projecting him for a mere 11.4 points. Sam Howell is projected for 13.7, making him the clear start.
I, too, have this as not being particularly close. Mullens is way ahead of Howell in my Week 16 rankings. I don’t think Howell is even remotely startable against the Jets.
As for Mullens, he was competent last week. He made some awful decisions, but that’s to be expected from third-string quarterbacks. You will have to stomach an interception of two, but Mullens is far more likely to throw two touchdowns against the Lions’ pass-funnel defense than Howell is against the Jets’ elite pass defense. I would confidently go Mullens over Howell this week.
Looking to make a trade in your fantasy league? Having trouble deciding who to start and who to sit? Setting DFS lineups? Check out PFN’s Free Fantasy Football Trade Analyzer, Start/Sit Optimizer, and DFS Lineup Optimizer to help you make the right decision!
