Fantasy Football Semifinals: Boom or Bust? Players to Start & Sit This Week
Congratulations on making it to the semifinals of your fantasy football league! It’s been a crazy season, and as you navigate these high-stakes matchups, you’re probably facing some tough decisions about which players to trust. To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of Boom and Bust players for Week 16 based on the latest info. Let’s dive into which players are primed to shine and which ones could leave you disappointed when it counts the most.
Boom: Breece Hall (RB, New York Jets)
Breece Hall is a prime candidate for a boom performance this week. He’s been working his way back from injury and is now off the injury report, ready to assume a larger role for the New York Jets. With the Jets playing at home against the Rams, Hall is in an ideal spot to see a full workload.
Though his production has been up and down at times, the upside is undeniable when healthy. Hall can make an impact both in the running game and through the air. If you have Hall on your roster, this is the week to trust him, especially with the Jets likely needing to lean on their running game to keep the offense moving. Hall’s the type of player you want in your lineup during the fantasy playoffs.
Boom: Jerry Jeudy (WR, Denver Broncos)
Jerry Jeudy has emerged as one of the biggest fantasy winners over the past few weeks. He’s been playing much better since the Broncos’ bye week, and with Cedric Tillman now hurt, Jeudy has cemented himself as Denver’s top receiving option. Despite the quarterback change, Jeudy has been getting plenty of targets and producing big plays, including a solid run of performances against teams like Pittsburgh, Kansas City, and Denver.
This week, Jeudy faces off against Cincinnati, which has been a vulnerable defense against the pass. Even with backup quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson leading the charge, Jeudy’s chemistry with him has been strong, and he should continue to see a high volume of targets. With the Bengals expected to play fast-paced offense, Jeudy should be in for another solid week. Trust him as a top start in your semifinals lineup.
Bust: Marvin Harrison Jr. (WR, Arizona Cardinals)
Marvin Harrison Jr. has been a frustrating player for fantasy managers this season, as his inconsistency has made it difficult to trust him on a week-to-week basis. This week, the Arizona Cardinals face the Carolina Panthers, and while it might seem like a favorable matchup, Harrison’s recent performances have left much to be desired.
The Cardinals have been leaning heavily on James Conner in the running game, and with Kyler Murray continuing to struggle with consistency, Harrison could have another underwhelming performance. Even if Arizona does try to force the issue with Harrison to get him involved, the lack of a reliable connection between him and Murray this season makes it a risky play in the semifinals. In such a critical week, it’s tough to take the chance on a player with so many question marks.
Bust: Jerome Ford (RB, Cleveland Browns)
Jerome Ford has been a popular waiver wire pickup with Nick Chubb now out for the season, but there are some serious concerns about his outlook this week. Despite stepping into a lead role, Ford has shown flashes but hasn’t been able to fully seize the opportunity. This week, the Browns face the Cincinnati Bengals, and while it looks like a decent matchup on paper, Ford’s role in the passing game has been limited. Additionally, if the Browns fall behind early, they could struggle to get Ford heavily involved.
Cincinnati has been decent against the run, and Ford hasn’t been able to get much going in the lead back role. If you’re looking for a high-ceiling play in your semifinals, Ford doesn’t offer the same kind of upside as other options. The game script could limit his touches, making him a riskier start this week.
Boom: Brian Robinson Jr (RB, Washington Commanders)
Brian Robinson Jr has been a steady contributor for Washington all season, and his role only continues to grow, especially after Ekeler’s injury. Robinson has been the workhorse for the Commanders, seeing a heavy workload and handling most of the touches out of the backfield. Last week, he had 21 carries for 65 yards and added three receptions for 22 yards—solid numbers despite some inefficiency.
The Commanders face a tough opponent in the Philadelphia Eagles this week, but Robinson’s volume alone gives him a safe floor. With the Eagles’ defense focusing on Washington’s passing attack, Robinson could be leaned on even more to help keep the offense balanced. In a high-stakes playoff week, Robinson’s guaranteed touches and role in the goal-line offense make him a strong start.
Bust: Terry McLaurin (WR, Washington Commanders)
Terry McLaurin has been a solid fantasy option for much of the season, but this week, he draws a tough matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles. In their previous meeting this season, McLaurin was held to just 1 catch for 10 yards—a disappointing performance to say the least. While McLaurin has been more involved lately, the Eagles’ defense is playing at a high level, and McLaurin has historically struggled to produce against them.
With the game likely to feature a lot of passing for Washington, McLaurin will be heavily involved, but it’s hard to trust him to put up the big numbers you need in the semifinals. While he’s been consistent in recent weeks, this week’s matchup against one of the league’s top defenses is a tough pill to swallow. If you have a better option at receiver, it might be best to look elsewhere this week.
Boom: Devonta Smith (WR, Philadelphia Eagles)
Devonta Smith started the season hot, cooled off for a stretch, but is now back to form and looking like a key contributor in the Eagles’ passing game. The Eagles are facing Washington this week, a team they’ve had success throwing against in the past. Washington’s defense has struggled against wide receivers, and with Philadelphia continuing to lean on their passing attack, Smith should see plenty of targets.
Smith has been playing exceptionally well since returning from injury, and with the Eagles likely to be in a high-scoring affair, he should be in for another strong performance. If you have him, start him with confidence in your semifinals matchup.
Bust: Isaac Guerendo (RB, San Francisco 49ers)
Isaac Guerendo had a brief moment of fantasy relevance when both Christian McCaffrey and Jordan Mason went down with injuries, but with the 49ers facing the Miami Dolphins this week, he’s a risky start. Guerendo hasn’t been able to fully seize the lead back role, and even when given the chance, his production has been limited.
Miami is one of the higher-scoring teams in the league, which could lead to a game script where the 49ers have to pass more than they’d like, limiting Guerendo’s opportunities. Given the 49ers’ offensive struggles this season and their depleted backfield, Guerendo is a high-risk play in the fantasy playoffs. It’s tough to trust him, especially with the stakes so high.
Conclusion: Trust Your Studs, but Stay Smart
As you make your semifinal decisions, it’s critical to trust your studs but also be aware of matchups and game scripts that could derail your players’ potential. Players like Breece Hall, Jerry Jeudy, and Devonta Smith are in prime positions to deliver, while Jerome Ford, Marvin Harrison Jr., and Isaac Guerendo are more likely to disappoint.
Don’t be afraid to make bold decisions, but always base those decisions on the facts and matchups you’re dealing with. Good luck in your fantasy semifinals, and may the best team win!
