Fantasy owners know what’s at stake at this point of the season, and when the Browns take on the Chargers, there are lots of volatile options that won’t sit well in the nervous stomachs of those competing for fantasy league championships. Let’s take a look at the options for one of Saturday’s games:
Fantasy football advice, Week 16: who to start/sit for San Diego Chargers vs. Cleveland Browns
Dan Ciarrocchi reviews who should be in fantasy lineups or on benches for a Week 16 AFC clash.
Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
San Diego Chargers
Start ‘em
Philip Rivers and company have a dream matchup at hand against a Browns defense that hasn’t challenged anyone, and has allowed more fantasy points to opposing quarterback than every team except the Atlanta Falcons. Rivers remains a high-end QB1 for Week 16, and fantasy owners would be wise for penning Tyrell Williams into lineups once again.
Start ‘em?
Melvin Gordon owners have to be disappointed that their stud running back isn’t available to take the reins against a defense that has allowed 100 yards or more on the ground in seven of their last eight contests. That trend could be bucked against Kenneth Farrow, who mightily struggled in his spot start against the Raiders, but he has flex appeal for fantasy owners who aren’t deep at the running back position.
Aside from Williams, it is difficult to rely on Chargers receivers and for fantasy production given Dontrelle Inman and Travis Benjamin’s week-to-week riskiness. Obvious upside exists against the Browns, but Rivers’ even target distribution prevents both receivers from being obvious starts.
Sit ‘em
Hunter Henry and Antonio Gates continue to cannibalize each other’s snaps and targets, making both hard to trust for fantasy owners in all formats. They, along with Ronnie Hillman, can remain on benches.
Cleveland Browns
Start ‘em
No one.
Sit ‘em
Everyone.
With Robert Griffin III under center, the Browns offense has just two touchdowns over its last two games. Both scores wound up being rushing touchdowns by Griffin himself, and with such poor yardage outputs, the once-promising fantasy values of Terrelle Pryor and Corey Coleman have been dashed. In the running game, Isaiah Crowell had a promising Week 14 against the Bengals and immediately fell back to earth against a struggling Bills run defense. Things won’t be easy for him and Duke Johnson against a Chargers run defense that is allowing the ninth-fewest rushing yards per game.
