Once again, we are faced with a week filled with player inactives due to COVID-19 protocols, but we are a little more experienced with how to handle it after last week’s wild shuffling of games. In fact, we actually have some players returning from protocol in time for their respective games, which adds a twist to how we approach them — or their teammates.

Based on our expected Week 16 DFS game flow analysis and Week 16 Games to Target published earlier, we can carry our thoughts into actual lineup positions. The long list of players that fit the requirements set forth by the projected flow of the game was cut dramatically by the requirements set forth by salaries.

Below are Sporfolio’s DFS Week 16 Plays:

Quarterback

Tom Brady – Tom Brady was just shutout for the first time since 2006. Do we need to write more? Or is it blatantly obvious that he will be looking to make a statement on Sunday? Perhaps more importantly, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers entered last week with the league’s highest-scoring offense, making the 9-0 loss a complete outlier against the rest of the season’s numbers. The Carolina Panthers’ defense is excellent — second-best in yards-per-game — but teams are also attempting the fewest passes-per-game against them. Granted, opponents avoid the aerial attack because of how well Carolina covers it, but therein lies the value of Brady and the Buccaneers. The volume will be there, which opens the door for production.

Jalen Hurts – In Jalen Hurts’ last five starts, he has had four games in which his team scored at least 24 points. In those four games, he threw for at least 145 yards, rushed for at least 35, and contributed at least one touchdown — either passing or throwing — and a combined nine. In the other game, Hurts threw for 129 yards, failed to find the end zone, tossed three interceptions, and led his team to only seven points. That one outlier? Against the New York Giants. The Philadelphia Eagles and Hurts have come a long way since the start of the year, but they were clearly caught off-guard when facing New York a few weeks ago. That won’t happen in the encore, especially as the Eagles fight for a playoff berth.

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