In what is a meeting between two of the worst teams in the NFL, the Las Vegas Raiders will host the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 16. If the Raiders want to win (they don’t because of draft positioning), they’ll need quarterback Aidan O’Connell, running back Alexander Mattison and wide receiver Jakobi Meyers to step up.
O’Connell is making his return to action after sitting out last week’s game with a knee bruise. He’s going to provide a massive upgrade for the Raiders’ offense after Desmond Ridder was a total zero in Week 15.
Ridder’s struggles no doubt had an impact on Meyers, who finished with just five catches for 59 yards, with most of that production coming near the end of regulation.
Mattison jumped back into the lead role in Week 15 after Sincere McCormick was injured and exited the game early. McCormick has since been placed on injured reserve, which ends his season and paves the way for Mattison to start.
Should any of the three Raiders starters be in your fantasy football lineup in Week 16? Let’s find out.
Fantasy Football start or sit Week 16: Jakobi Meyers
After a rough showing in Week 15 against the Falcons, things are looking up for the Raiders veteran wideout in Week 16.
Las Vegas will have Aidan O’Connell under center after he sat out last week, and he amounts to a big upgrade over last week’s starter, Desmond Ridder, for the entire Raiders offense.
On top of that, the Jaguars are giving up the second-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers and sport the league’s worst pass defense. Meyers is a borderline WR2 play.
Verdict: Start Meyers
Fantasy Football start or sit Week 16: Alexander Mattison
With Sincere McCormick out for the season, Mattison is expected to take back the reins of the Raiders’ backfield. Typically, we wouldn’t suggest him as a starter, but things are different this week.
The Jaguars are ceding the second-most fantasy points per game to running backs and are giving up the ninth-most rushing yards per contest. Consider Mattison a flex option.
Verdict: Start Mattison
Fantasy Football start or sit Week 16: Aidan O’Connell
While we certainly wouldn’t go out of our way to start O’Connell, he is a viable lineup option in Week 16 for those in a desperate situation.
O’Connell has been cleared after sitting out last week’s game, and now he draws a matchup against a Jacksonville defense that ranks dead-last against the pass and is giving up the most fantasy points per game to signal-callers.
Again, we wouldn’t roll with O’Connell over another quarterback we’ve been depending on all season, but if you need a streamer in a desperate situation, O’Connell can be that guy.
Verdict: Start O’Connell
