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Fantasy Football 2017: Start or Sit for Week 16

By Dan Thomas

JACKSONVILLE, FL - DECEMBER 24: Blake Bortles #5 of the Jacksonville Jaguars carries for a touchdown off a pass from Marquise Lee, not pictured, during the fourth quarter of the game against the Tennessee Titans at EverBank Field on December 24, 2016 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FL - DECEMBER 24: Blake Bortles #5 of the Jacksonville Jaguars carries for a touchdown off a pass from Marquise Lee, not pictured, during the fourth quarter of the game against the Tennessee Titans at EverBank Field on December 24, 2016 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – DECEMBER 17: Dion Lewis #33 of the New England Patriots celebrates after an 8 yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on December 17, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – DECEMBER 17: Dion Lewis #33 of the New England Patriots celebrates after an 8 yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on December 17, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /

Running Backs

Start

Dion Lewis, New England Patriots vs. Buffalo Bills – Since Week 10, Lewis has averaged the 19th-most PPR points per game but he hasn’t been the most impressive Patriots running back during that span. Instead, that honor would go to Rex Burkhead. He has been the 12th-most productive running back in that time but with Burkhead out for Week 16, Lewis is a must start.

Duke Johnson Jr., Cleveland Browns vs. Chicago Bears – I hate recommending players to fantasy owners who have a high PRK (position rank), but I guess I have to in this case. Johnson has been the 13th-best PPR running back this season and has had four-or-more receptions in seven out of his last eight games. Despite those accomplishments, he is only being started in 21.4 percent of ESPN leagues. His teammate, Isaiah Crowell, who is the 28th PPR running back going into Week 16 is currently be started in 39.1 percent of ESPN leagues. I’m not sure why that is, but Johnson needs to be in more starting lineups.

Sit

Carlos Hyde, San Francisco 49ers vs. Jacksonville Jaguars – Jimmy Garoppolo has started the last three games for the 49ers and in that time Hyde has only averaged 9.8 PPR points per game. If that wasn’t bad enough, he’ll have to face the Jaguars during the championship week. Owners should look for better options.

DeMarco Murray, Tennessee Titans vs. Los Angeles Rams – Murray has been on my “sit” list for the last two weeks and he’s been awful. In fact, he’s been awful before the last two weeks. Since Week 11, Murray has been the 39th-PPR running back and has four single-digit performances in those five games. I’m not sure why he’s being started in 48.3 percent of ESPN leagues, but that number needs to drop.

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