It’s been a long and injury-filled season so if you’ve made it to the semi-finals, congratulations! Since you’ve come this far, you all know the drill at this point: Start your studs. For those of you who were planning on Jalen Hurts taking you to the finish line, you probably know by now that you need a backup plan. There’s a lot riding on this week, so let’s get to those Week 16 quarterback rankings and notes.
As noted before, it’s looking unlikely that Jalen Hurts will start this week – and it’s possible he’s sidelined until the postseason. Assuming Hurts doesn’t suit up this week, Gardner Minshew will get the start. While he’s one of the league’s top backups, Minshew gets a difficult Week 16 start against the Cowboys. Check to see if Brock Purdy, Zach Wilson, or Kenny Pickett are available in your league. All are viable Week 16 options.
In other injury-related news, the Ravens are eyeing a Week 16 return for Lamar Jackson. Be sure to monitor his status as the week progresses. Tyler Huntley would remain the starter if Jackson can’t go. Both Russell Wilson and Kenny Pickett cleared concussion protocol and are expected back in Week 16 after missing last week. In Arizona, Colt McCoy is in concussion protocol and his status is unclear. Trace McSorley would get his first career start if McCoy misses time. As always, monitor the week’s injury reports and adjust your playoff lineups accordingly. Good luck, everybody!
UPDATE: Jalen Hurts, Lamar Jackson, Ryan Tannehill and Colt McCoy have all been ruled out for Week 16. Additionally, Nick Foles was named the starter for the Colts for the remainder of the season.
Quarterback Notes
- Geno Smith is coming off a down game where he went 31-of-44 for 238 yards and a touchdown. It was the first time he failed to throw for multiple touchdowns or score at least 19 fantasy points since Week 7. Look for Smith to bounce back in a favorable Week 15 matchup against Kansas City. The Chiefs have allowed a league-high 30 passing touchdowns to quarterbacks, and have given up the fourth-most fantasy points to the position. Smith should throw for multiple scores in this one. He’s my QB6 this week.
- There’s no stopping Trevor Lawrence. He’s been playing at a high level recently, throwing for at least 300 yards and three touchdowns in three of his last four games. His 11 touchdowns over that period lead the position. He also only has one interception during that span. Lawrence has a challenging road matchup this week against the Jets and their eighth-ranked defense against quarterbacks. However, he just scored 26.8 fantasy points against a stingy Dallas defense. Lawrence is a top-10 option for me this week.
- Derek Carr finished as the 10th-best quarterback in Week 15, completing 20 of his 38 passes for 231 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception. He has multiple touchdowns in six of his last seven games and should continue to roll in a favorable Week 16 matchup against Pittsburgh. The Steelers have given up 24 touchdowns to quarterbacks this season, tied for third-most. The Raiders are in must-win mode and Carr should be able to move the ball through the air in this one. He’s a back-end QB1 for me in Week 16.
- Zach Wilson ended up getting the start for the Jets last week, and he had one of his best games of the season. He completed 18 of his 35 passes for 317 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception against the Lions. Wilson gets another favorable matchup this week against Jacksonville. The Jaguars allow the sixth-most fantasy points to the position. They’re also a bottom-five defense in passing yards and touchdowns allowed to quarterbacks. If you’re dealing with an injury at the position, Wilson is a solid option who could be available on your waiver wire this week.
Week 16 Quarterback Rankings
More Week 16 Rankings: QB | RB | WR | TE | Flex Rankings
| Rnk | Player | Team | Opponent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Josh Allen | BUF | @CHI |
| 2 | Patrick Mahomes | KC | SEA |
| 3 | Joe Burrow | CIN | @NE |
| 4 | Justin Fields | CHI | BUF |
| 5 | Justin Herbert | LAC | @IND |
| 6 | Geno Smith | SEA | @KC |
| 7 | Kirk Cousins | MIN | NYG |
| 8 | Trevor Lawrence | JAX | @NYJ |
| 9 | Tom Brady | TB | @ARI |
| 10 | Daniel Jones | NYG | @MIN |
| 11 | Aaron Rodgers | GB | @MIA |
| 12 | Derek Carr | LVR | @PIT |
| 13 | Dak Prescott | DAL | PHI |
| 14 | Tua Tagovailoa | MIA | GB |
| 15 | Brock Purdy | SF | WAS |
| 16 | Jared Goff | DET | @CAR |
| 17 | Lamar Jackson | BAL | ATL |
| 18 | Zach Wilson | NYJ | JAX |
| 19 | Deshaun Watson | CLE | NO |
| 20 | Kenny Pickett | PIT | LVR |
| 21 | Gardner Minshew | PHI | @DAL |
| 22 | Sam Darnold | CAR | DET |
| 23 | Ryan Tannehill | TEN | HOU |
| 24 | Andy Dalton | NO | @CLE |
| 25 | Matt Ryan | IND | LAC |
| 26 | Russell Wilson | DEN | @LAR |
| 27 | Taylor Heinicke | WAS | @SF |
| 28 | Davis Mills | HOU | @TEN |
| 29 | Tyler Huntley | BAL | ATL |
| 30 | Mac Jones | NE | CIN |
| 31 | Baker Mayfield | LAR | DEN |
| 32 | Desmond Ridder | ATL | @BAL |
| 33 | Colt McCoy | ARI | TB |
| 34 | Trace McSorely | ARI | TB |