It's Championship Week! Here are a few players who I would start and sit for the final week of the season. Plus a couple bonus players to help out for the all important finals. Good luck!
QB
Start Colin Kaepernick - Kaepernick has had an up and down season but lately it has been up. The 49ers have been rolling thanks in large part to Kaepernick's play. This week he goes up against the shaky Atlanta defense on Monday Night Football. San Francisco will want to make a statement to the rest of the League that they should be feared and behind it all will be Kaepernick.
Predicted Stats - 21/31, 265 yards, 2 TD, 51 yards rushing - 23.7 points
Sit Carson Palmer - Palmer is banged up and played last week with a high ankle sprain. This week he faces the number one defense against quarterbacks in Seattle. This game is in Seattle and weather could be a factor. Larry Fitzgerald is recovering from a concussion sustained at the end of last week's game as well so it's left to be seen how effective he will be as well.
Predicted Stats - 24/46, 231 yards, 1 TD, 2 Int - 9.24 points
RB
Start Alfred Morris & DeMarco Murray - The two defenses that have allowed the most points to opposing running backs this season square off in Week 16. I expect huge games from both Alfred Morris and DeMarco Murray. The kicker here is if the Cowboys decide to abandon the run like they have done many times this season, Murray's stats could take a hit. Regardless, he should be able to make up for it in the passing game though.
Predicted Stats - Morris: 126 yards, 2 TD, 1 rec, 7 yards - 25.3 points, Murray: 143 yards, 1 TD, 4 rec, 42 yards - 24.5 points
Sit Marshawn Lynch - Now to the defense that has allowed the least points to opposing running backs, the Arizona Cardinals. The Cardinals will be tasked with slowing down Marshawn Lynch and I believe they will be successful. Lynch is a very physical runner and the Arizona defense is equally just as physical. This is going to be a very intense game between NFC West rivals and expect the Cardinals defense to come ready.
Predicted Stats - 71 yards, 2 rec, 11 yards - 8.2 points
WR
Start Brandon Marshall & Alshon Jeffrey - The Bears face the Eagles this week in what is a huge game for both teams and their playoff aspirations. Chicago has one of the best passing attacks in the entire League and Philadelphia has had one of the worst secondaries. Both Marshall and Jeffrey should see a lot of targets (Marshall more than Jeffrey since he is Cutler's absolute go-to guy) and a lot of production. The Eagles have a very slim chance of containing these two beasts in the air.
Predicted Stats - Marshall: 9 rec, 114 yards, 1 TD - 17.4 points, Jeffrey: 7 rec, 96 yards, 1 TD - 15.6 points
Sit Marques Colston & Steve Smith - The game between the Saints and Panthers will most likely decide the NFC South, so get ready for a good one. Carolina has had one of the best defenses all season and New Orleans hasn't been too far behind. Once both top 10 receivers in the NFL, Colston and Smith have had down years and both will continue to struggle against these stingy defenses. If I had to pick one receiver to break out and have a possible good game it would be Colston.
Predicted Stats: Colston: 4 rec, 51 yards - 5.1 points, Smith: 3 rec, 40 yards - 4.0 points
TE
Start Zach Miller - Back to the Arizona/Seattle matchup. Tight ends that face the Cardinals this season have been in absolute heaven, as Arizona allows the most points to opposing tight ends. That alone would warrant must start status for Millet, however he has added incentive to perform well in this game. Miller went to high school in Phoenix and played college football at Arizona State University. This game is against his hometown teams and he will want to produce while many of his former teammates and coaches watch on local television in Phoenix.
Predicted Stats: 6 rec, 62 yards, 1 TD - 12.2 points
Sit Coby Fleener - This one is simple. Kansas City is the toughest matchup against tight ends, allowing the least amount of points. Plus the Colts offense has not been great since Reggie Wayne went down. Andrew Luck has struggled and this matchup will not be any easier. Leave Fleener on your bench.
Predicted Stats - 4 rec, 32 yards - 3.2 points
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