Fantasy football advice, Week 16: Who to start/sit for Browns vs. Chiefs

No team in the NFL is hotter than the Kansas City Chiefs, with the obvious exception of the still-undefeated Carolina Panthers. The Chiefs started the season 1-5 but have won eight in a row since to rise to 9-5 and get themselves right in the thick of the AFC playoff race. Sunday, they put their winning streak on the line against the 3-11 Cleveland Browns.

Both the Browns' top running backs, Isaiah Crowell and Duke Johnson Jr., are on the injury report. Crowell should be fine to play, while Johnson is much more of a question mark with a hamstring issue. Kicker Travis Coons is also listed, but he should be fine for Sunday. For the Chiefs, running back Spencer Ware should be back on the field after a rib injury, and tight end Travis Kelce will once again be fine to play despite his own appearance on the injury report.

Start ‘em: He's only reached double-digit fantasy points once in his last four games, but Gary Barnidge is still averaging nine fantasy points a game in that time.

Sit ‘em: We're still waiting for even one big game out of Johnny Manziel, who has maxed out at 15 fantasy points in a game on the season. ... With Duke Johnson Jr. either out Sunday or at far less than 100 percent, Isaiah Crowell looks a bit more appetizing, but even then, he's impossible to trust. ... Travis Benjamin has six total fantasy points in his last three. ... Travis Coons continues to be a below-average fantasy kicker. ... The Browns' defense has three negative fantasy days in its last five.

Start ‘em: With his running mate banged up, Charcandrick West rises back to must-start territory, though the risk he loses goal-line touches keep him from the top of the top. ... Jeremy Maclin has averaged 14.5 fantasy points a game over the last month. He's been a monster. ... The Chiefs' defense has double-digit fantasy points in three straight, seven of eight and eight of 10.

Start ‘em?: Even as the team has been on fire, Alex Smith is little more than a high-floor, low-ceiling QB2. ... You're probably using Travis Kelce if you have him, but he certainly has played himself out of must-start territory. ... Cairo Santos has had some big swings in performance this year, but he's still the only kicker with two games of 20-plus fantasy points.

Start in every league: Gary Barnidge, Charcandrick West, Jeremy Maclin, Kansas City defense
Start if you're desperate: Alex Smith, Travis Kelce, Cairo Santos
Bench: Johnny Manziel, Duke Johnson Jr., Isaiah Crowell, Travis Benjamin, Travis Coons, Cleveland defense, Spencer Ware