The fantasy football playoffs begin next week. That means our focus shifts from building rosters that can win long term to constructing lineups that can win the next matchup. If you are fortunate enough to have a bye, it’s time to start planning for the semifinals. Here are a handful of quarterbacks you can stash now to stream in Week 16.
We also have you covered for Week 17 QB streamers to stash.
Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins (vs. CIN)
Easily the top streamer for the fantasy semifinals, Tua Tagovailoa could hardly be in a better spot to propel your team into championship week.
Of course, streaming Tagovailoa is scary. He’s been nothing short of awful the entire season.
Since Week 6, the Miami Dolphins signal-caller has had a mere two games with double-digit fantasy points. We want our streamers to have a shot at 16+ points. Tagovailoa hasn’t come close most weeks.
Despite his poor season, though, Tagovailoa hasn’t really had a great run of opponents. He flopped against a weak Washington Commanders pass defense in Week 11. Other than that, all of his opponents have been average, at best, and extremely difficult, at worst. That all changes in Week 16.
The Cincinnati Bengals currently allow the second-most schedule-adjusted fantasy points per game to quarterbacks. And with Joe Burrow back, the offense is humming. This could be one of the highest-scoring games on the slate.
These are two mostly bad teams who will either be out of the playoff hunt or clinging to minimal percentages of life. This game is ripe for a shootout.
Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers (vs. TB)
Can you really trust Bryce Young with your playoff life on the line? Probably not. But the Week 16 streaming options aren’t great.
Young has flashed upside at times. He’s thrown for three touchdowns in four different games this season, one of which came against an elite Los Angeles Rams defense. That proves Young is capable of overcoming bad matchups. Fortunately, he won’t have to do anything of the sort in Week 16.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a mild pass funnel. They allow the ninth-most schedule-adjusted fantasy points per game to quarterbacks. This is another game where we can expect a lot of scoring, as both teams are fighting for the NFC South crown. Young is a viable, if a bit terrifying, streaming option.
Jacoby Brissett, Arizona Cardinals (vs. ATL)
There are a couple of reasons Jacoby Brissett is last on this list. For starters, he’s rostered in 63% of Yahoo leagues. Given how incredible he’s been from a fantasy perspective, it’s more likely than not that he isn’t available.
Second, we’re talking two weeks from now. We know Kyler Murray isn’t returning in Week 14. But he could have his practice window opened ahead of Week 15 and play in Week 16, making this stash a waste.
With that said, if Brissett remains the starter, he’s proven to be matchup-proof. Since taking over for an injured Murray in Week 6, Brissett has hit 18+ fantasy points in every single game. He is the only quarterback in fantasy to do that.
Brissett has had a good run of pass defenses overall. However, he has also succeeded against the Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks. We’ll see if he can do it this Sunday against a tough Rams defense.
The Atlanta Falcons have been an average matchup against quarterbacks, which is plenty enough reason to trust Brissett. If someone in your league dropped him because of the bad matchup this week and you need a QB, scoop him up.
