Fine or Pine: Week 16

By Adam Filadelfo (@FNTSYArchitect)

If you're still playing fantasy football in week 16, congratulations. That means you are more than likely playing for a championship. If you are playing for a championship, that means you still need to set your lineups and obviously this week is the most important week of the 2014 fantasy football season. This week is do or die. There is no next week (unless your championship week is week 17). This is the week you just have to get it right. No margin for error. Every roster decision counts. Best of luck to every owner vying for the championship in their leagues. Here's a little something to help you out should you have roster questions. Consider it an early Christmas present from The Fantasy Sports Brain.



Quarterback

Fine- Tom Brady- New England Patriots- Of course it's "fine" to play Tom Terrific every week because Tom Terrific has been as good as fantasy quarterbacks get this season (after week four that is) but with a terrific matchup on tap for championship week versus a Jets defense allowing almost 20 fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks, Brady is a must start yet again. He is averaging 23.3 fantasy points per game and hasn't scored under 20 fantasy points since the debacle in Kansas City back in week four. He also has thrown multiple touchdowns in every game since the week four blowout loss. Let Tom Brady help lead your fantasy team to a championship.

Pine- Philip Rivers- San Diego Chargers- Rivers just hasn't been himself the last two games scoring under 20 fantasy points in both contests. Now with the news of a back injury that may be worse than previously thought, it will be difficult for fantasy owners to trust him heading into the biggest week of the fantasy season. It won't help matters any that Rivers faces a 49ers defense that's ranked seventh versus the quarterback and Rivers is looking like a less attractive option heading into week 16.

Running Back

Fine- C.J. Anderson- Denver Broncos- When the 2014 fantasy football is done and over with, there's a good chance that C.J. Anderson will be one of the fantasy waiver wire MVPs. Since week 10, Anderson has posted just one single digit fantasy points game and is averaging almost 11 fantasy points per game since being named the Broncos starting tailback. This week, C.J faces a Bengals defense that is allowing the third most fantasy points per game to opposing running backs. Fantasy owners really couldn't ask for a better matchup heading into their championship game.

Pine- Latavius Murray- Oakland Raiders- After his breakout game versus division rivals Chiefs, Murray has cooled off a bit. Having scored single digit fantasy points the last two weeks may have fantasy owners thinking twice before inserting him into their lineups. Making matters worse is the opponent Murray will be facing this week the Bills, have been one of the toughest defenses this season. Especially the last two weeks. Buffalo is the fifth best fantasy defense versus the run and Murray may have a difficult time finding much room to run.

Wide Receiver

Fine- A.J. Green- Yes I know every fantasy owner knows to play A.J. Green each and every week but seeing how he had a disappointing week 15 may scare some owners away. Well, I'm here to tell you to play Green with he utmost confidence this week. Averaging over 13 fantasy points per week and facing a defense in the Broncos allowing 35 fantasy points to wide receivers is just the thing Green needs to bounce back from his only single digit fantasy points game since week ten (which was his first game coming off of an injury). If the Bengals wideout is on your roster, get him in your lineups and sleep like a baby knowing he will produce.

Pine- Larry Fitzgerald- Arizona Cardinals- Seeing how his last double digit fantasy points game came six weeks ago and the Cardinals are down to their fourth string quarterback and the Seattle Seahawks are the best fantasy defense when it comes to defending against wide receivers, it's best for fantasy owners to look elsewhere when it comes to deciding on what to do with the multiple Pro Bowl wideout for championship week.

Tight End

Fine- Dwayne Allen- Indianapolis Colts- Being one of the more consistent fantasy tight ends this season, fantasy owners can trust the third year tight end for another week when he suits up against the Dallas Cowboys. Jerry's team is the worst when it comes to stopping the tight end and Allen is averaging eight fantasy points per week while finding the end zone four times in his last five games. In a season where the tight end has been a major disappointment for fantasy owners, Dwayne Allen has been as consistent as the position has come.

Pine- Mychal Rivera- Oakland Raiders- Having just one double digit fantasy points game in his last five games, it's safe to say Rivera has cooled off quite a bit. He has not scored more than four fantasy points in a game except for week 14 and the Bills defense is allowing the second least amount of fantasy points to the tight end. All of this is a recipe for disaster if you're planning on starting Mychal Rivera in week 16.

D/ST

Fine- Buffalo Bills- The Bills have to be the best option for a fantasy defense heading into this week. They've faced Peyton Manning and Aaron Rodgers on consecutive weeks and allowed exactly zero touchdowns. They held Peyton to just 8.5 fantasy points in week 14 and Aaron Rodgers to just 12 fantasy points in week 15.  Fantasy owners must be salivating thinking about what will happen to Derek Carr in week 16. The Buffalo Bills defense is ready to help you capture a fantasy championship this week.

Pine- Denver Broncos- The Broncos are allowing the seventh most fantasy points to opposing signal callers and most (if not every) fantasy owner is expecting fire works in this Monday night matchup. While Andy Dalton may not be the scariest quarterback the Broncos have faced all season, he does have A.J. Green to throw to and the Broncos are allowing 35 fantasy points per game to the wide receiver. All the free agent acquisitions on defense the Broncos made during the off season will not be enough to shut down the Bengals and A.J. Green this week.