Sleepers at Quarterback
Tyler Shough, New Orleans (vs NY Jets)
Shough has probably graduated from sleeper status with four QB1-level games in his last five outings. Now, are you seriously considering him in 1QB leagues because he's facing a Jets defense that just got their coordinator fired? Shough can add value as a scrambler, and he's playing indoors at home. He's a very safe high-floor play with a high ceiling because of the matchup.
J.J. McCarthy, Minnesota (at NY Giants)
McCarthy is a play that takes guts, but all of the trends point to a good game for him in Week 16. He has produced well against two weak defenses in the last two weeks, and the Giants have been almost as bad as the Cowboys and Commanders. The main risk here is that the Giants are poorer against the run than Washington or Dallas, so the Vikings could lean even more on Aaron Jones Sr. and Jordan Mason and subject McCarthy to an even lower volume of pass attempts and more variance.
Bryce Young, Carolina (vs Tampa Bay)
Can Young outduel Baker Mayfield in a battle for the division lead with three weeks to go? He has been productive as a scrambler and posted a few ceiling games as a passer this season, and Kirk Cousins just took apart the Bucs' pass defense. The Panthers' running game wasn't very good in Week 15, so head coach Dave Canales could rely more on Young in Week 16, especially if Mayfield is on his game and putting points on the board.
Kirk Cousins, Atlanta (at Arizona) **Monitor London Status**
Cousins' Week 15 performance can be written off as a continuation of his inexplicable domination of the Bucs in 2024. That still doesn't remove him from Week 16 starting consideration when he's facing the ice-cold Cardinals defense and Jacoby Brissett pulling every game into a pass-heavy shootout game script. If #1 receiver Drake London is back, Cousins becomes even more compelling. Can you resist the temptation to play him with your season on the line?
