Somehow, the winner of the Week 16 game between a 6-8 team and a 5-9 one has a good shot at a playoff spot. It's the awfulness of the NFC South, and the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons face off Sunday as the two battle -- along with the Carolina Panthers -- to be the season's worst playoff team.
Fantasy football advice, Week 16: Who to start/sit for Falcons vs. Saints
One of these teams is probably going to the playoffs ... somehow.
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The Falcons have injury concerns throughout their receiving corps. All three of the team's top receivers -- Julio Jones, Roddy White, Harry Douglas -- were on the weekly injury report. Jones, still dealing with a hip issue, is clearly the biggest worry. The team hasn't announced for sure whether he'll be active Sunday, and there's the risk that he'll be active only as a decoy. The Saints, meanwhile, only had three names on their entire injury report for the week, and none of the three is fantasy-relevant.
The Saints will host the game Sunday, scheduled for 1 p.m. ET. Here’s a look at the fantasy names to consider:
FALCONS
Start 'em: No matter who plays at receiver for Atlanta, Matt Ryan makes for an intriguing play, going against a bad defense in a dome. With all his receivers, he's a top-six or top-seven quarterback; even if he's down a guy, he's top 10. ... Steven Jackson has played much better of late, and against New Orleans he's a sure RB2. ... No matter what happens with his high-profile teammate, Roddy White is a must-start receiver. ... Matt Bryant has been a top-flight kicker for several weeks now, and is an easy must-start.
Start ‘em?: At this point, even if Julio Jones plays, I’m pretty loathe to play him -- it’s hard to imagine he’ll be anywhere near full strength. Meanwhile, Harry Douglas is an increasingly appealing option, and if Jones is ruled out, I think he becomes close to a must-start.
Sit 'em: There's just nothing going on for Levine Toilolo in fantasy. ... The Falcons' defense isn't anywhere near fantasy-useful.
SAINTS
Start 'em: Maybe Week 14 was a blip, because Drew Brees put up 11 that week but 27, 30 and 27 in the games around it. He looks like a top-flight option. ... You're probably still using Mark Ingram, but where he was a low-end RB1 a few weeks back, he's now more like a low-end RB2. ... I'll admit to some concern over Jimmy Graham's health, but he's still Jimmy Graham, and you're still using him.
Start 'em?: Both Kenny Stills and Marques Colston are looking decent of late, though it's tough to say who will do what on a week-to-week basis. Both are mid-range flex plays.
Sit 'em: Neither Pierre Thomas nor Khiry Robinson is much of a fantasy option; they're mainly there to hurt Ingram's stock. ... Shayne Graham hasn't reached double-digit fantasy points in any of his last seven games. ... The Saints' defense did great against the Bears in Week 15, but had four straight negative fantasy games before that.
SUMMARY
Start in every league: Matt Ryan, Steven Jackson, Roddy White, Matt Bryant, Drew Brees, Mark Ingram, Jimmy Graham
Start if you're desperate: Julio Jones, Harry Douglas, Kenny Stills, Marques Colston
Bench: Levine Toilolo, Atlanta defense, Pierre Thomas, Khiry Robinson, Shayne Graham, New Orleans defense
