As Week 16 wraps up, fantasy managers are either celebrating unexpected heroes or lamenting underwhelming performances.
Coming off the Monday night shootout with the 49ers and Colts, that could’ve decided your matchup, as it was fantasy goodness from both sides.
Let’s break down the biggest surprises and disappointments from this week’s action in Week 16.
Surprises of Week 16
- The San Francisco 49ers Trio (QB Brock Purdy, RB Christian McCaffrey, TE George Kittle)
Fantasy Points: 30.9, 32.6, 24.5 – PPR
Why It’s Surprising: If you had this stack or part of it, you likely won your matchup and are moving on. The Colts couldn’t stop a nose bleed even if they tried, as this was a barn burner offensively.
Fantasy Impact: Although Kittle could miss, all the 49ers are must-starts against the Bears in San Francisco in primetime.
- The Cincinnati Bengals Trio (QB Joe Burrow, WR Ja’Marr Chase, and RB Chase Brown)
Fantasy Points: 28.96, 32.9, 19.9- PPR
Why It’s Surprising: The Bengals had a fantasy bonanza against the Dolphins in Miami, as Burrow needed a bounce-back game, while Brown had a breakout performance that likely sent you to the fantasy championship.
Fantasy Impact: It could be another shootout against the Cardinals; however, it is in cold Cincinnati, but with Tee Higgins back, the offense opened back up and was explosive.
- Bonus Surprises: Puka Nacua (WR) and Matt Stafford (QB) Los Angeles Rams, Harold Fannin Jr. (TE) Cleveland Browns, Ashton Jeanty (RB) Las Vegas Raiders, Kenneth Walker (RB) Seattle Seahawks, Kenneth Gainwell and Jaylen Warren (RB) Pittsburgh Steelers, Tyjae Spears (RB) Tennessee Titans, Saquon Barkley (RB) Philadelphia Eagles, Trevor Lawrence (QB) and Parker Washington (WR), Justin Herbert (QB) and Quentin Johnston (WR) Los Angeles Chargers, Chris Olave (WR) New Orleans Saints, Zay Flowers (WR) Baltimore Ravens, Stefon Diggs (WR) New England Patriots, D.J. Moore (WR) Chicago Bears, Alec Pierce (WR) Indianapolis Colts, Kyle Pitts (TE) Atlanta Falcons
Disappointments of Week 16
- The Arizona Cardinals Trio (QB Jacoby Brissett, WR Marvin Harrison Jr., and TE Trey McBride)
Fantasy Points: 10.62, 2.4, 6.7-PPR
Why It’s Disappointing: This was the first start for Brissett that he wasn’t QB1, as the whole Cardinals offense underperformed massively with the return of Harrison Jr. against the Falcons.
Fantasy Impact: They all could bounce back vs. the Bengals, especially McBride with that matchup, but I wouldn’t have high hopes for Brissett or Harrison Jr.
- The New York Giants Trio (QB Jaxson Dart, WR Wan’Dale Robinson, TE Theo Johnson)
Fantasy Points: 0.02,5.2, 0- PPR
Why It’s Disappointing: Due to the concern of concussions, the Giants are taking out any running from Dart and limiting any upside for fantasy. The whole offense flatlined vs. the Vikings at home.
Fantasy Impact: Although a matchup with the Raiders is easier, this has been a trend for weeks, as Dart has been struggling under Mike Kafka, and the play-calling on offense has suffered under his regime after the firing of Brian Daboll. Other than Robinson, I wouldn’t trust too many pieces of this offense in Vegas.
- Bonus Busts: C.J. Stroud (QB) and Nico Collins (WR) Houston Texans, Travis Kelce (TE) Kansas City Chiefs, Tyler Warren (TE) Indianapolis Colts, Jake Ferguson (TE) Dallas Cowboys, Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely (TE) Baltimore Ravens, Colby Parkinson (TE) Los Angeles Rams, Dalton Kincaid (TE) Buffalo Bills, Oronde Gadsden (TE) Los Angeles Chargers, D’Andre Swift (RB) Chicago Bears, Rico Dowdle (RB) Carolina Panthers, Breece Hall (RB) New York Jets; Bucky Irving (RB), Emeka Egbuka (WR), and Baker Mayfield (QB) Tampa Bay Buccaneers, D.K. Metcalf (WR) Pittsburgh Steelers, Amon-Ra St. Brown (WR) Detroit Lions, Drake London (WR) Atlanta Falcons, Brian Thomas Jr. (WR) Jacksonville Jaguars
