With a win on Saturday, Washington would find itself locked into a playoff spot as the NFC East champion. Their opponents, the Philadelphia Eagles, need to beat Washington and continue the success into Week 17 to have a shot at a playoff berth themselves. Saturday's game is a big one in shaping the playoff race.
Fantasy football advice, Week 16: Who to start/sit for Washington vs. Philadelphia on Saturday night
Washington could lock up a playoff spot with a win on Saturday.
Washington will be without running back Chris Thompson on Sunday, but should have running back Matt Jones, wide receiver DeSean Jackson and tight end Jordan Reed despite all three appearing on the injury report leading up to Saturday. On the Philadelphia side, quarterback Sam Bradford was the only fantasy contributor on the injury report, and there's no reason to think he'll be at less than full strength for Sunday's game.
Washington heads to Philadelphia for Saturday’s game, with kickoff scheduled for 8:25 p.m. ET. Let’s take a look at the fantasy names to consider:
WASHINGTON
Start 'em: With 21-plus fantasy points in three of his last four and a game against a pretty generous Philadelphia defense, Kirk Cousins suddenly finds himself as a must-start option. I don't get it either. ... Maybe there's something to the revenge-game narrative for DeSean Jackson and maybe there isn't, but even if not, he's averaged 12.6 fantasy points a game in his last five. ... Jordan Reed has been a fantasy monster, and he's stayed healthy over the second half. That's a nice mix. ... Dustin Hopkins has put up seven-plus fantasy points in 10 of his 13 games with Washington.
Start ‘em?: The Washington defense is only decent, but the Philadelphia offense does have occasional implosion games.
Sit 'em: The Washington running game doesn't feed one player enough for regular fantasy success, especially with the whole position group underwhelming. Sit Matt Jones, Alfred Morris and Pierre Thomas. ... Pierre Garcon has given you a couple of points every game, but he's only reached double figures once all year, and that was way back in Week 4.
EAGLES
Start 'em?: It seems the Eagles will lean on Ryan Mathews as their No. 1 running back to close out the season, but without any total clarity at the position, he's hard to trust. ... Jordan Matthews put up 21 fantasy points a week ago (good!), right after one point the week before (bad!). Good luck predicting what you'll get from him week to week. ... Zach Ertz is closing his season strong. After no more than six points in a game through Week 11, he has six-plus in his last three, averaging 9.3 per game. He's a high-end TE2. ... Caleb Sturgis has had some big ups and downs with Philadelphia. There's probably a safer option out there.
Sit 'em: Remember when everyone was excited about Sam Bradford in the preseason? He's been bad for real football this year and horrible for fantasy. ... Darren Sproles and DeMarco Murray are both down the depth chart. In a total pinch, maybe Sproles can get a look, particularly in PPR leagues, but Murray has no business in any lineups. ... Take out that out-of-nowhere 24-point game by the Eagles' defense against New England a few weeks ago, and the unit has totaled negative 14 fantasy points in its last four.
SUMMARY
Start in every league: Kirk Cousins, DeSean Jackson, Jordan Reed, Dustin Hopkins
Start if you're desperate: Washington defense, Ryan Mathews, Jordan Matthews, Zach Ertz, Caleb Sturgis
Bench: Matt Jones, Alfred Morris, Pierre Thomas, Pierre Garcon, Sam Bradford, Darren Sproles, DeMarco Murray, Philadelphia defense
