TNF Preview, Week 16

Week 16 of the NFL Season gets under way tonight as the Jacksonville Jaguars travel to New York to battle the Jets. In years past this would have been just another game, but this one has massive playoff implications. It’s also a battle between the top two picks in the 2021 NFL Draft. Let’s dive into this game.

The Jaguars have had a rollercoaster ride this season. The team posted an early season win over the Chargers that seemed to indicate a move in the right direction. But after a soft middle, the team sat at 4-8 entering a Week 14 battle with the Tennessee Titans. The Jaguars beat the Titans, then hung 40 points in a win over the Cowboys, moving to 6-8, just a game back of the reeling Titans in the AFC South.

The Jets, meanwhile, started hot. The team started 5-2 and moved to 7-4, in the thick of the playoff picture. The Jets have since lost three straight and find themselves coming into Week 16 facing a stout closing stretch and a game back of the playoff field. They need a win, as does former No. 2 overall pick Zach Wilson, if they want to keep their drive for the playoffs alive.

In terms of fantasy, for the Jaguars Trevor Lawrence has been hot, even against a good Dallas defense. The Jets’ defense is no joke, so he’s just a QB2. Of the receivers, I like Zay Jones the best. He’s a WR2 for me. Travis Etienne has been up-and-down, making him hard to trust for me. He’s on the border of low-end RB2 and flex. While Evan Engram has been solid at a difficult position, so I like him as a low-end TE1.

For the Jets, Wilson looked solid in throwing for a season-high 317 yards last week. Still, he’s a QB2 for me. I like Garrett Wilson as a low-end WR2. The backfield has been a question for the Jets. Zonovan Knight has been the better option, but he’s more of a flex range option.

Now, on to my Week 16 picks!

NFL Picks, Week 16

Jets Over Jaguars
Bills Over Bears
Saints Over Browns
Titans Over Texans
Chiefs Over Seahawks
Vikings Over Giants
Bengals Over Patriots
Lions Over Panthers
Ravens Over Falcons
49ers Over Commanders
Cowboys Over Eagles
Raiders Over Steelers
Dolphins Over Packers
Broncos Over Rams
Buccaneers Over Cardinals
Chargers Over Colts

Last Week: 12-4
Season: 126-96

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.