The Minnesota Vikings will visit the New York Giants in Week 16. Here’s the latest fantasy football news and advice to help you with your lineups this week and moving forward, specifically regarding WR Justin Jefferson.
Is Jefferson Playing in Week 16?
Jefferson is not on the injury report and barring a surprise, he is expected to play.
We’ll continue to monitor the Vikings’ injury report leading up to kickoff for any changes. You can also visit and bookmark our Fantasy News Tracker for the latest updates.
Should You Start or Sit Jefferson in Week 16?
Pain.
There was a TD wiped off the board last week, another one miss handled, and before you know it, I’m spiraling down a research rabbit hole to try to quantify just what we are seeing.
Three receivers this season have had three straight games where they caught multiple passes while running 20+ routes in a game where they finished with fewer than 25 receiving yards.
- Justin Jefferson
- Cooper Kupp
- Xavier Hutchinson
No big deal. That’s a third-year receiver that saw not one, but two replacements drafted for him in April, a 32-year old who was released this summer and his current employer traded for a WR2 at the deadline, and maybe the best receiver of a generation.
I don’t get it and I fail to believe it.
He owns a 30.2% target share from J.J. McCarthy, so it’s not a volume thing. He hasn’t popped up on the injury report, so it’s not a health thing. I wish I could explain it. From a spreadsheet point of view, it just looks like a crazy swing in variance happening at the worst time possible.
Percentage Of Expected Points Achieved, JJ McCarty Passes
- Josh Oliver: 203.8%
- Jalen Nailor: 132.6%
- TJ Hockenson: 99.7%
- Jordan Addison: 76.1%
- Justin Jefferson: 70.8%
The only thing I can come up with is that McCarthy spent more time with the lesser talented players while injured last season (and this season for that matter), but this would be a comical run out if it wasn’t leaving fantasy teams in the dust.
Call it stubborn, call it stupid. Call it whatever you want, but I have Jefferson ranked as a starter in all formats, even if the recent box scores suggest that he’s not worthy of starting in those crazy 32-team leagues.
Are you looking for start/sit advice for other players in your lineup? Read our Fantasy Football Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Cheat Sheet.
Jefferson’s Fantasy Points Projection in Week 16
Jefferson is projected to score 12.6 fantasy points in PPR formats.
We project Jefferson to have 4 receptions for 62 yards and 0.3 touchdowns. Jefferson could also add 0 rushing yards.
Check out the free PFSN Fantasy Start-Sit Optimizer for the latest projections and advice for your lineups this week.
Week 16 Weather Impact: Vikings at Giants
The forecast for kickoff is 46 degrees Fahrenheit with 13 mph winds. These are ideal conditions for fantasy production.
