Fantasy Football Week 16: Andrew Luck, Deshaun Watson and other must starts

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – DECEMBER 16: Andrew Luck #12 of the Indianapolis Colts throws a pass down field in the game against the Dallas Cowboys in the second quarter at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 16, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

Here’s the Week 16 edition of the top five quarterbacks to start in fantasy football.

The clock is winding down on the NFL regular season. It feels like Week 1 kicked off yesterday.

However, we are creeping towards Week 16 and while teams look to punch their playoff tickets, fantasy football players look to bring home the championship title. Yes, Week 16 marks either the first week or final week of fantasy football championship games.

The Week 15 edition of top 5 quarterbacks to start in fantasy football fared well. Three players listed finished as top 10 scorers in ESPN PPR standard scoring leagues.

Deshaun Watson led all players listed with his 22.4 fantasy points. Philip Rivers racked up 18.5 and Patrick Mahomes came in one spot behind Rivers with 18 points of his own.

Of course, Sam Darnold wasn’t listed, and he was the third-highest scoring QB of the week with his 21.6 points. Regardless, let’s dive into this week’s list.

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – DECEMBER 15: Quarterback Deshaun Watson #4 of the Houston Texans throws a first-down pass against the New York Jets during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium on December 15, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)

5. Deshaun Watson, Houston Texans

Deshaun Watson finds himself on the list for the second straight week. As mentioned before, and much to the dismay of New York Jets fans, he walked out of MetLife Stadium with a big win under his belt.

Watson threw for 294 yards and two touchdowns. He also escaped the pocket and did some damage with his legs with 26 rushing yards.

The Texans offensive game plan may be a bit suspect to owners. They are a rush first team, but they had to rely on Watson through the air last week.

However, don’t worry too much about that. Even with that run first look, Watson has still been a great quarterback option, especially as the Texans travel to Philadelphia to take on that depleted secondary.

Next: 4. Lamar Jackson

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – DECEMBER 16: Quarterback Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens throws the ball in the second quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at M&T Bank Stadium on December 16, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Todd Olszewski/Getty Images)

4. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens

Crazy is the word that may be used with this candidate. However, you’d also be crazy not to consider staring Lamar Jackson.

Jackson has been a productive quarterback option since he took over the starting role for the Baltimore Ravens. He has gone for steady points each week.

Yes, owners and fantasy players will be wary of Jackson’s ability, or lack thereof, to throw the football. While he has been a winning QB, he hasn’t thrown for over 200 yards in a single game yet.

This week Jackson’s throwing will be tested against the Los Angeles Chargers. But you can almost guarantee he rushes for a ton of yards and finds the end zone at least once.

Next: 3. Andrew Luck

3. Andrew Luck, Indianapolis Colts

When you look at the score from the Indianapolis Colts shutout of the Dallas Cowboys, you’ll think “Andrew Luck must have had himself a day”. Actually, no, he did not.

Luck did throw for 192 yards but had no touchdowns or turnovers. The Colts beat down the Cowboys with a fierce rushing attack.

Luck’s 9.7 points may worry owners into thinking the Colts may go with the same offensive look this week as well. However, he isn’t going to have a game like that in back-to-back weeks.

This week the Colts play the New York Giants at home. Expect Luck to have one of his traditional games of 250+ and a few scores.

Next: 2. Russell Wilson

SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 16: Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks looks to pass against the San Francisco 49ers during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on December 16, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

2. Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks

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Russell Wilson must be one of the most underrated quarterbacks in the NFL. Rarely do we hear him in the discussion of the game’s best.

Wilson and his Seattle Seahawks have been able to play great football in a season in which many wrote them off. Last week, he gathered 19 points with 237 yards and two touchdown tosses.

The Seahawks are 8-6 and right in the thick of things for the NFL Playoffs. This week the play in front of their home fans as they welcome in the Kansas City Chiefs.

This game will feature two great quarterbacks with Wilson and Mahomes. The Seahawks will want to grab a big statement win on their home turf.

Next: 1. Patrick Mahomes

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – DECEMBER 13: Quarterback Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs passes against the Los Angeles Chargers at Arrowhead Stadium on December 13, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images)

1. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs dropped a heartbreaking game against the Chargers last week. The team was up late, only to fall even later on a two-point conversion.

Luckily, the inability of the Chiefs defense to stop anyone has no bearing on whether or not Mahomes fills up the fantasy stat sheet. Even in the loss, he threw for 243 yards and two scores.

Mahomes’ 18 points were one of the lowest scores of the season for him. Yeah, that’s pretty impressive.

Mahomes will be on the opposite sideline of the already mentioned Wilson. We’ve seen what Mahomes can do while matched up against the game’s best, and this week won’t be different.