The Loop Fantasy Football Update Week 16: Mahomes taking field with additional weapon
Despite the Kansas City Chiefs’ run of dominance over the past half-dozen years, there is always one bump in the road you can count on with uncanny regularity. Patrick Mahomes’ ankle injury.
ORIGINAL POST: 10:10 a.m. Saturday
Kansas City, which is fighting to hold off Buffalo for the AFC’s No. 1 seed. Got some good news heading into today’s game against Houston.
All-world quarterback Patrick Mahomes has been cleared to play despite his high ankle sprain. So fantasy mavens will have to start him, even though he very likely won’t be running around much and risking further injury.
He’s getting a new weapon: wideout Marquise Brown, who has missed the entire season because of a shoulder injury. He will make his Chiefs debut 16 weeks late. He won’t set the world on fire, but his presence will reduce the fantasy potential for both DeAndre Hopkins and Xavier Worthy.
Players who have been ruled out this weekend include 49ers running back Isaac Guerendo, Carolina WR Xavier Leggette, Indy wideout Alec Pierce and Ravens WR Nelson Agholor.
There is much doubt as to the availability of Saints RB Alvin Kamara and Miami WR Jaylen Waddle, and Tennessee RB Tony Pollard’s ankle is hurting enough that it could be another busy week for Tajae Spears.
ORIGINAL POST: 9:00 a.m. Wednesday
Despite the Kansas City Chiefs’ run of dominance over the past half-dozen years, there is always one bump in the road you can count on with uncanny regularity.
Patrick Mahomes’ ankle injury.
Like clockwork, Mahomes was knocked out of last week’s victory over Cleveland, and he’s considered iffy for the Chiefs’ Saturday night game against AFC South champion Houston.
With this being the second week of the fantasy playoffs, Mahomes mavens have quite the quandary: Do I bank on No. 15 this week, even though he might be diminished or sidelined? Or do I take a flyer on someone else.
Who could you grab in your moment of desperation? Here is our list of guys you should grab on waivers in case you need them this weekend.
Michael Penix Jr. (Falcons): You like this? The benching of Kirk Cousins came much earlier than anyone expected. So now the collegiate star will get his first start with all of Atlanta’s offensive weapons. And this week’s foe, the Giants, really suck.
Mac Jones (Jaguars): The former first-round pick’s revival will continue against Las Vegas. He completed 31 of 46 for 294 yards and two touchdowns last week against the Jets, who are a bit superior defensively than the Raiders.
Bryce Young (Panthers): The former No. 1 pick has eight touchdown passes and two TD runs since taking over after Andy Dalton’s literal car crash. Young is averaging nearly 250 yards per game over the past month and could match that against Arizona.
Cooper Rush (Cowboys): Why are the Cowboys suddenly so competitive? This guy, who has averaged 210 yards passing and two touchdowns in the far-too-late Dallas revival. He could have a big day in what looks like a shootout against the Buccaneers.
Carson Wentz (Chiefs): Just to play it safe, Mahomes mavens should at the very least pick up his backup. Wentz won’t show any of his MVP form of 2017, but he can be expected to do a passable job with the Chiefs’ array of pass-catching options.
Sitting stars
Baltimore RB Derrick Henry has slowed down after his record-challenging start, and he will have more tough going against the Steelers. … Houston RB Joe Mixon will be kept in check by the Chiefs’ top-shelf rushing defense. … Mahomes’ possible absence could mean deflated numbers this week for wideouts Xavier Worthy and DeAndre Hopkins. … Miami’s Tyreek Hill will catch only more flak against San Francisco. … Same goes for Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa. … Vikings TE T.J. Hockenson will continue to be only a third or fourth option in Seattle. .. And Pittsburgh quarterback Russell Wilson will start to look his age against the Ravens.
Matchup game
Humiliated Colts RB Jonathan Taylor will rebound for his faux pas against Tennessee. … Detroit RB Jahmyr Gibbs will be very busy in Chicago now that David Montgomery is sidelined. … Jets WR Davante Adams will continue his late-season renaissance against the Rams. … Same for Tampa Bay WR Mike Evans vs. Dallas. … Rams WR Cooper Kupp will regain some of his market share from Puka Nacua against the Jets. … Jaguars rookie wideout Brian Thomas will roam free against Las Vegas. … We’re betting Arizona tight end Trey McBride finally gets his first touchdown against Carolina. … And two QBs who will post great numbers this week are Cincy’s Joe Burrow vs. the Browns and Tampa Bay’s Baker Mayfield vs. Dallas.
Injury watch
Mahomes isn’t the only ailing standout. Week 15 went on without Seattle RB Kenneth Walker III and Steelers and WR George Pickens, and their status is still in some doubt for Week 16. The questionables at this point include Saints RB Alvin Kamara, Raiders RB Sincere McCormick, quarterbacks Justin Herbert of the Chargers and Geno Smith of the Seahawks, and five pass catchers (Miami’s Jaylen Waddle, the Chargers’ Quentin Johnston, Cleveland’s Cedric Tillman and David Njoku, and Washington tight end Zach Ertz).
Deepest sleeper
Jacksonville tight end Brenton Strange wasted no time taking over after Evan Engram was sidelined for the rest of the season. He made 11 catches for 73 yards as he became, at least for now, a favorite target of Mac Jones. And the former Nittany Lion is up against the supple Las Vegas defense this week.
The early picks
Broncos at Chargers (-2½):
Pick: Chargers by 3
Texans at Chiefs (+1½):
Pick: Chiefs by 3
Steelers at Ravens (-5½):
Pick: Ravens by 3
You can hear Kevin Cusick on Wednesdays on Bob Sansevere’s “BS Show” podcast on iTunes. You can follow Kevin on Twitter — @theloopnow. He can be reached at kcusick@pioneerpress.com.
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