- This week, using our Slot vs. Wide PPG Allowed Analysis on Razzball.com, we break down some of the top matchups for wide receivers heading into Week 17. These wide receivers are outside the top 24 in PPR PPG, while our sits are inside the top 30. I guess these would be more “BOLD” starts and sits, so if you’re second guessing some of these takes, bring your start sit questions to our Sunday live start sit show on the Razzball Fantasy YouTube channel, 9:00 am – 10:00 am PST this Sunday! Just an FYI, anyone labeled streamer is considered a WR3/flex option this week, which makes them great players to bring to our Sunday live start sit show as well!
To hear a full breakdown of the slot vs. wide matchups, join our wide receiver matchup show this Friday at 5:00 p.m. PST on the Razzball Fantasy YouTube channel, but for now, let’s dive into the top matchups for Week 17.
To see the full slot vs. wide PPG-allowed data, click here!
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Wide Receiver Starts
Week 16 Streamer: Darius Slayton
Defense: Los Angeles Rams
Out Wide PPG Allowed: 1st
The news that the Giants will be starting Tyrod Taylor should provide a boost to the skill position group in Week 17. This season, Taylor has averaged a ridiculous average depth of target of nine yards. That puts Taylor tied for the seventh-highest rate in the NFL. This is great news for Darius Slayton, who does a lot of his damage vertically on the outside.
Week 16 Streamer: Noah Brown
Defense: Tennessee Titans
Out Wide PPG Allowed: 3rd
The return of C.J. Stroud should immediately get fantasy managers excited to start their Texans. This week, Houston plays a Titans defense that has allowed the third most yards out wide over the past six weeks and the 11th most air yards this season. This is an ideal fit for Noah Brown’s usage as he’s seen a robust average depth of target of 14 yards since Week 8.
Week 16 Start: Rashee Rice
Defense: Cincinnati Bengals
Out Wide PPG Allowed: 5th
Somehow, Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs passing game was a major disappointment last week vs. the Raiders. That, unfortunately, included Rashee Rice, who finished outside the top 24. This week, we are going right back to the well with Rice. The main reason is not a good one. It’s the law of averages. Rice will once again face a defense that is inside the top 5 in fantasy points allowed out wide over the past six weeks.
Week 16 Streamer: Brandin Cooks
Defense: Detroit Lions
Out Wide PPG Allowed: 8th
The Cowboys will finally be home once again this week, which should help vault Brandin Cooks back into the WR3 conversation. This season, Cooks has played at home six times. In those six games, Cooks has gone for 14 PPR points four times, including four of the last five. The Lions, meanwhile, have allowed two wide receivers to score double-digit fantasy points in seven games this season.
Wide Receiver Sit(s)
Week 16 SIT: Tee Higgins
Defense: Kansas City Chiefs
Out Wide Allowed: 29th
The loss of Ja’Marr Chase has allowed Tee Higgins to finally shine over the past two games. Higgins has erupted for at least 22 PPR points in back-to-back weeks, putting him right back into fantasy lineups. So why should we consider sitting Higgins this week? The Chiefs this season have used top cornerback L’Jarius Sneed to shadow opposing WR1s. Snead has helped shut down Davante Adams (1-4) and Stefon Diggs (4-24) in two of the past three games. This makes Higgins a risky start on the road vs. the Chiefs in Week 17.
Week 16 Recap
- START Rashee Rice vs. the Raiders – MISS
- START Garrett Wilson vs. the Commanders – HIT
- START Chris Olave vs. the Rams – HIT
- START Adam Thielen vs. the Packers – HIT
- SIT Terry McLaurin vs. the Jets – HIT
Score – 4 of 5
Don’t forget to bring all your start/sit questions to our Sunday Live Start/Sit show starting at 9 a.m. PST on the Razzball Fantasy YouTube Channel!
For more from Bobby and his Razzball content, find him on Twitter @bobbylamarco.
Sources: Razzball.com, PFF.com, FantasyPros, FFToday, Pro Football Reference and Football Outsiders
