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It's the championship week in the majority of Fantasy leagues and it's a little crazy to look at the running backs some of us might be forced to start. You never imagined using these guys when the season started, let alone with a potential Fantasy Football title on the line, but here we are.

It's been that kind of year.

Before we break down the specifics, here's a look at what you should have on your radar for a Fantasy title.

Week 16 quick read

Quarterbacks

Injuries: Drew Brees (foot), T.J. Yates (knee), Marcus Mariota (knee), Brock Osweiler (shoulder) and Matt Hasselbeck (back)

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Priority list (Add them in this order): Kirk Cousins (44 percent) and Teddy Bridgewater (35 percent)

Running backs

Injuries: LeSean McCoy (knee), Adrian Peterson (ankle), Lamar Miller (quad), Shaun Draughn (knee) and Melvin Gordon (knee)

Priority list (Add them in this order): Karlos Williams (64 percent), Bilal Powell (37 percent), Christine Michael (15 percent), Cameron Artis-Payne (8 percent) and Rashad Jennings (68 percent ownership)

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Wide receivers

Injuries: Danny Amendola (knee), A.J. Green (back), Michael Crabtree (concussion), Alshon Jeffery (hamstring), Robert Woods (groin), Cecil Shorts (groin), Seth Roberts (abdomen) and Phillip Dorsett (ankle)

Priority list (Add them in this order): Rueben Randle (50 percent), Markus Wheaton (34 percent), Jermaine Kearse (15 percent), DeVante Parker (50 percent) and Dorial Green-Beckham (28 percent)

Tight ends

Injuries: No one of significance

Priority list (Add them in this order): Zach Ertz (27 percent), Zach Miller (65 percent) and Will Tye (23 percent)

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DST streamers: Lions (vs. SF) 43 percent, Vikings (vs. NYG) 56 percent, Colts (at MIA) 11 percent and Titans (vs. HOU) 36 percent

Kicker streamers: Jason Myers (at NO) 15 percent, Nick Novak (at TEN) 10 percent and Sebastian Janikowski (vs. SD) 35 percent

LeSean McCoy (knee) is the biggest injury we're monitoring this week, and with the Bills eliminated from playoff contention, we doubt he will play against the Cowboys in Week 16. That opens the door for Karlos Williams to start, barring a setback with his recent shoulder injury, and I would pick up Mike Gillislee as well just for insurance.

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Bilal Powell has been fantastic of late, and the matchup with the Patriots should mean more work for him over Chris Ivory this week. Powell is a must-start in PPR leagues, but you should definitely consider starting him in standard formats as well.

Christine Michael emerged from Week 15 as the best running back for the Seahawks unless Marshawn Lynch (abdomen) is able to return this week. It will still be a timeshare with Bryce Brown, Derrick Coleman and Fred Jackson, but Michael had the most work and ran well against the Browns. It's a tougher matchup against the Rams, but you should consider Michael at least a flex option in the majority of leagues.

It's the same situation with Cameron Artis-Payne with the Panthers since he emerged from Week 15 as the best running back unless Jonathan Stewart (foot) is able to play at Atlanta. He also will share touches with Mike Tolbert and Fozzy Whittaker, and Cam Newton remains Carolina's best threat at the goal line. Still, Artis-Payne should get the majority of work if Stewart is out, and he belongs in the No. 2 running back/flex conversation.

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It's worth adding Rashad Jennings where available because he's done a nice job over the past two games, and he could be a low-end starter/flex option this week at Minnesota, especially with Odell Beckham (suspended) out. We also need to monitor injuries to Adrian Peterson (ankle) and Lamar Miller (quad), although both are expected to play in Week 16.

If both are out then Jerick McKinnon and Jay Ajayi become huge priorities off waivers, so you might want to speculate on one or both of these guys off waivers if you have an open roster spot. I might start Ajayi over Miller this week even if both are healthy based on Miller's usage the past two games.

And if Ameer Abdullah is still available in your leagues add him as well, and I would start him this week with his matchup against the 49ers at home. Abdullah ran well against the Saints on Monday night, and San Francisco's run defense has been awful on the road, which should also help Joique Bell.

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In deeper leagues, you can also look at Donald Brown since Melvin Gordon (knee) is now out for the season, and Brown will work in tandem with Danny Woodhead.

Finally, the Patriots signed Steven Jackson this week, but the former Rams and Falcons running back is likely someone they will lean on for depth or to see if he can help in the playoffs. It would be a shock to see him get meaningful work in Week 16 at the Jets, but since it's New England, you never know. That said, there's no way you should start Jackson in a Fantasy championship game.

You might be desperate for a running back. But Jackson, even with all the mess at running back around the league, is not the answer to our running back woes.

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Quarterbacks

Kirk Cousins
ATL • QB • #18
OWNERSHIP PERCENTAGE44 percent
We told you to add Cousins last week with his matchup at home against the Bills, and he delivered in a big way with his best performance of the season with 43 Fantasy points in a standard league. He was at home, where he's played his best football, but he did score 23 Fantasy points in his last road start at Chicago in Week 14. He faces the Eagles this week on Saturday night, and Philadelphia is among the worst teams in Fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterbacks. It helps Cousins that Jordan Reed is unstoppable right now, and DeSean Jackson should do well facing his former team.
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Teddy Bridgewater
DET • QB • #10
OWNERSHIP PERCENTAGE35 percent
It's hard not to like Bridgewater this week after he had five total touchdowns in Week 15 against Chicago, and he's facing a Giants defense in Week 16 that is awful against opposing quarterbacks. But there are two things to keep in mind with Bridgewater this week that might hold him back from having a big game. Peterson got hurt against the Bears, which gave Bridgewater control of the offense, and we expect Peterson to play against the Giants. And since Beckham isn't expected to play, the Giants offense could be inept, meaning the Vikings could be sitting on a lead in the fourth quarter. I like Bridgewater as a high-end No. 2 quarterback this week, but don't overvalue him based on last week's big outing with 40 Fantasy points. Prior to Week 15, Bridgewater had more than 17 Fantasy points just once in his past seven games.
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Of note:

  • Peyton Manning (56 percent) could still start this week against the Bengals depending on what happens in practice and if Osweiler is hurt. It would be tough to trust Manning in most standard formats, but he could be needed in two-quarterback leagues. He also would get a favorable matchup with the Chargers at home in Week 17 if you still play into the final week of the season, and that could be Manning's last regular-season game of his career.
  • Andrew Luck (83 percent) isn't expected to play in Week 16, but if you play into Week 17 you should add him now where available. The Colts close the season against the Titans at home, and they could be playing for their playoff lives in that matchup. There's also the chance Luck isn't cleared to return, so only add Luck if you have an open roster spot.
  • These quarterbacks could be starters in Week 16: Zach Mettenberger (1 percent), Ryan Mallett (1 percent), Brandon Weeden (0 percent), Kellen Moore (0 percent) and Charlie Whitehurst (0 percent). Of this group, the only ones worth using in two-quarterback leagues are Mettenberger, Weeden and Moore.

Running backs

Karlos Williams
PIT • RB
OWNERSHIP PERCENTAGE64 percent
McCoy is not expected to play, so the Bills will likely turn to Williams as the starter. And Williams is dealing with a shoulder injury, but he was able to play in Week 15 against the Redskins. Still, coach Rex Ryan said he was sore following the game, so I would plan to add Williams and Gillislee (0 percent) as insurance. And Gillislee has actually played well of late with Williams hurt with a touchdown in consecutive weeks behind McCoy. Williams was great earlier this season in tandem with McCoy with a touchdown in his first six NFL games. He also started in Week 4 against the Giants and had 18 carries for 40 yards and three catches for 70 yards and a touchdown.
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Bilal Powell
NYJ • RB
OWNERSHIP PERCENTAGE37 percent
Powell has become a viable weapon for the Jets, and Fantasy owners should buy into what he's been doing of late, especially this week against the Patriots. He's been great for PPR owners with at least five catches in four of his past five games, and he had two receiving touchdowns over that span. He also scored a rushing touchdown last week at Dallas and has at least 70 total yards in four of his past five outings, including three games in a row. Now, he's been at 14 touches or less in those five games, but there's a good chance the Jets are chasing points this week against New England, meaning we could see more of Powell and less of Ivory. And Ivory also caught a touchdown against the Patriots in Week 7 when Powell was hurt. There have been eight running backs to catch at least four passes against New England this year.
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Christine Michael (15 percent): Michael was the leader of the Seattle backfield in Week 15 against the Browns with 16 carries for 84 yards. He shared time with Bryce Brown (nine carries for 43 yards), Coleman (five carries for 10 yards) and Jackson (two catches for 17 yards), but Michael should get the chance for the most touches against the Rams in Week 16. It's a tougher matchup against St. Louis, but the Rams have allowed seven running backs to get 90 total yards or a touchdown in the past seven games. Michael should be considered at least a flex option in Week 16, but I would even start him with the chance he once again leads the Seahawks backfield in touches.

Cameron Artis-Payne
CAR • RB • #34
OWNERSHIP PERCENTAGE8 percent
Stewart could return this week, so keep that in mind when adding Artis-Payne, but he led the Panthers backfield in Week 15 and should be the main guy again in Week 16 at Atlanta. Artis-Payne had 14 carries for 59 yards and two catches for 34 yards against the Giants, and the Falcons have allowed five touchdowns to running backs in the past four games, including Stewart in Week 14. Tolbert and Whittaker will also get touches against the Falcons, but Artis-Payne has the chance to be a No. 2 running back or flex option in this matchup on the road.
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Rashad Jennings
NYG • RB • #23
OWNERSHIP PERCENTAGE68 percent
Jennings has done a nice job the past two games with 102 total yards against the Dolphins in Week 14 and then 107 rushing yards and a touchdown against the Panthers in Week 15. He had 22 carries against Miami and 16 carries against Carolina, and the Giants could lean on him even more with Beckham out. The Vikings are still dealing with injuries on defense, and they have allowed a running back to score or gain 100 total yards in six of the past seven games. Shane Vereen will still play a role for the Giants in the passing game, but Jennings is worth buying into as a No. 2 running back or flex option this week.
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Of note:

  • I'm excited about Abdullah (71 percent) this week, and even Bell (42 percent) is worth a look based on their matchup against the 49ers at home. San Francisco has struggled with running backs on the road, and Abdullah and Bell ran well against the Saints in Week 15, as both had over 80 total yards and a touchdown.
  • If Miller is hurt then Ajayi (30 percent) would become a must-start option against the Colts at home, and I would even consider starting Ajayi over Miller this week since it appears like the Dolphins might be going with a youth movement. Ajayi scored his first NFL touchdown in Week 15 at San Diego, and the Dolphins could be ready to move on from Miller, who is a free agent after this year.
  • It sounds like Peterson is definitely going to play in Week 16 against the Giants, but please add McKinnon (9 percent) just in case. He would split time with Matt Asiata if Peterson was out, but McKinnon has the higher ceiling. In Week 15, McKinnon had seven carries for 10 yards and four catches for 76 yards and a touchdown against the Bears.
  • Donald Brown (0 percent) will split time with Woodhead now that Gordon is out for the season, and Brown did a nice job in Week 15 against the Dolphins after Gordon got hurt with 12 carries for 90 yards and two catches for 14 yards. Woodhead is still the running back to trust for the Chargers, and Brown did well in a situation where San Diego was sitting on a lead. That could be the case in Week 16 at Oakland, but Brown is just a flex option at best this week.
  • I would try to avoid the Ravens backfield if possible, especially in a matchup with the Steelers. But if you're stuck, go with Terrance West (6 percent) since he should get more touches after Javorius Allen was benched the past two games. West had seven carries for 35 yards and two catches for 11 yards in Week 15 against the Chiefs.
  • Jackson (2 percent) will likely share time with Brandon Bolden and Joey Iosefa if he's active in Week 16 at the Jets, and we would avoid all New England running backs aside from James White moving forward. He's the only trustworthy option given his role in the passing game.

Wide receivers

Rueben Randle
CHI • WR • #82
OWNERSHIP PERCENTAGE50 percent
None of the receivers listed here are anything more than No. 3 options in the majority of leagues, but Randle should get a boost in value with Beckham likely out. He has scored a touchdown in three of the past four games, and the Vikings are dealing with injuries in their secondary, which could help Randle this week.
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Markus Wheaton
PHI • WR • #80
OWNERSHIP PERCENTAGE34 percent
It's hard to overlook what Wheaton has done of late with at least 11 Fantasy points in three of his past four games. He's scored in three games over that span, and he's had at least six targets in four games in a row. He faces the Ravens this week, and Baltimore has a terrible secondary. Antonio Brown and Martavis Bryant should be started in all leagues, but Wheaton remains a solid No. 3 option in Week 16.
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Jermaine Kearse
DET • WR • #18
OWNERSHIP PERCENTAGE15 percent
Kearse should be considered a quality option in PPR leagues with the way he's played lately. He has seven catches in each of his past two games, and he had 74 yards in Week 14 at Baltimore and 110 yards last week against Cleveland. With the way Russell Wilson is playing right now, it's worth trusting Doug Baldwin, Tyler Lockett and Kearse, and he had eight catches for 76 yards on 10 targets in Week 1 at St. Louis.
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DeVante Parker
PHI • WR • #1
OWNERSHIP PERCENTAGE50 percent
Parker is coming off a strong game at San Diego in Week 15 with four catches for 87 yards on six targets, and the Dolphins definitely want to keep him involved as they continue to evaluate for next season. He has a great opportunity this week against the Colts, who have been awful against No. 2 receivers all season. Parker is a great sleeper in seasonal leagues and a tremendous flier on FanDuel this week.
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Dorial Green-Beckham
PHI • WR • #18
OWNERSHIP PERCENTAGE28 percent
Green-Beckham is starting to play at a high level in recent weeks with two games of at least 113 receiving yards in his past three outings. He did well with Mettenberger in Week 15 at New England with six catches for 113 yards on nine targets, and he has at least six targets in three games in a row. This will be a tough matchup against the Texans this week, but Green-Beckham is also a high-upside No. 3 Fantasy receiver in Week 16.
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Of note:

  • Ted Ginn (75 percent) should be added in all leagues where available, and he would be my No. 1 priority if he's still out there on waivers. He's scored two touchdowns in three games in a row, and he has at least eight targets in four of his past six games. He had two catches for 120 yards and two touchdowns on three targets against the Falcons in Week 14.
  • Tyler Lockett (61 percent) should be added in all leagues where available, and he would be my No. 2 priority if he's still out there on waivers. He has at least nine Fantasy points in a standard league in four of his past five games, and he's scored three touchdowns in his past two outings. Wilson is leaning on him with seven targets in each of his past three games.
  • Kamar Aiken (79 percent) should be added in all leagues where available, and he would be my No. 3 priority if he's still out there on waivers. He had a Hail Mary touchdown in Week 15 against the Chiefs, but without that he still had seven catches for 82 yards on 11 targets. He's scored at least nine Fantasy points in a standard league in four of the past five games, and he has a great matchup against the Steelers at home. He had five catches for 77 yards and a touchdown on seven targets at Pittsburgh in Week 4.
  • Finally, Willie Snead (75 percent) should be added in all leagues where available, and he would be my No. 4 priority if he's still out there on waivers. Snead has been great for most of the season, including the past two games with seven catches for 122 yards at Tampa Bay in Week 14 and 10 catches for 76 yards against Detroit in Week 15. We just have to make sure Brees is healthy for this Week 16 game against the Jaguars, otherwise you can't start Snead with a lot of confidence.

Tight ends

Zach Ertz
WAS • TE • #86
OWNERSHIP PERCENTAGE27 percent
Ertz is starting to play well over the past three games, and it's time to consider him a starter in the majority of leagues. He had eight catches for 78 yards and a touchdown on 13 targets against the Cardinals in Week 15, and he has either a touchdown or 98 receiving yards in each of his past three outings. He faces Washington in Week 16, and he was held to two catches for 11 yards against the Redskins in Week 4 on three targets. But he's playing much better now, and Washington has allowed a tight end to score in two of the past five games.
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Zach Miller
CHI • TE • #71
OWNERSHIP PERCENTAGE65 percent
Miller didn't have a dominant game in Week 15 at Minnesota, but he played well with six catches for 57 yards on six targets. He now has at least six targets in four of his past five games, and Jay Cutler will continue to lean on him with Martellus Bennett (ribs) out. He's scored a touchdown in four of his past seven games, and the Buccaneers have allowed four of the six tight ends they faced with at least six targets to score at least seven Fantasy points in a standard league.
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Will Tye
PHI • TE • #85
OWNERSHIP PERCENTAGE23 percent
Tye should get a boost in targets if Beckham is out as expected, and he's played well of late with at least seven Fantasy points in a standard league in four games in a row. He's scored in his past two outings, and he has at least five catches in four of his past five games. He has a tough matchup this week against the Vikings, who have only allowed four touchdowns to tight ends and two to gain more than 70 receiving yards, but Tye is playing well enough to start in the majority of leagues this week.
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Of note:

  • Kyle Rudolph (51 percent) has a good matchup this week against the Giants, but it will be tough to trust him based on his track record of late. He has combined for just 14 Fantasy points in a standard league in his past four games and has scored one touchdown since Week 7.
  • Austin Seferian-Jenkins (67 percent) scored last week at St. Louis, but the only thing that changed for him from the previous three games was the touchdown. Otherwise he had three catches in each of those three outings and 31 yards or less on six targets. It's a risk to trust him in a tough matchup with the Bears.
  • Tyler Kroft (0 percent) could start again with Tyler Eifert (concussion) likely out, and he scored in Week 15 with three catches for 31 yards on three targets. He might have a good rapport with AJ McCarron, which could help, but it will be a risk to start him in Week 16 at Denver.