Week 16 Saturday Night Football Fantasy Picks: Start 'Em, Sit 'Em for Raiders vs Steelers (Diontae Johnson Erupts)

Week 16 of the 2022 NFL season continues with an intriguing AFC matchup between the Las Vegas Raiders and Pittsburgh Steelers on a special edition of Saturday Night Football. Both teams have turned their seasons around after slow starts and need a win here to remain in the playoff hunt.

If you need some help with your fantasy lineups, here's our start 'em, sit 'em advice for this Week 16 Saturday Night Football matchup.

Darren Waller Fantasy

Start Darren Waller, TE, Las Vegas Raiders: Waller returned from the IR with a bang in Week 15, reeling in all three of his targets for 48 yards and a touchdown. The former Pro Bowler didn't skip a beat in his first game back since Week 5 and could be poised for an even bigger role in Week 16 now that he's shaken off some of the rust. Waller is averaging 3.8 catches, 5.4 targets, 44.6 receiving yards and 0.4 touchdowns in his five full games this season, proving that he's still an elite fantasy tight end when healthy.

Diontae Johnson Fantasy

Start Diontae Johnson, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers: Johnson has been an incredibly frustrating fantasy option this year, largely because he's still yet to score a touchdown despite racking up 745 receiving yards on 77 catches. While his scoreless streak may continue in Week 16, he still provides a lofty floor thanks to his strong volume numbers. The former Pro Bowler is back in the offense's good graces after a miserable slump during the middle of the season, as his receiving yardage has increased in four straight games. He's drawn 29 targets over his last three games, converting them into 21 catches and 240 receiving yards. That makes him a safe fantasy option against a weak Raiders secondary that's allowing the seventh-most passing yards per game this season. And who knows, maybe he'll finally score a touchdown!

Derek Carr Fantasy

Sit Derek Carr, QB, Las Vegas Raiders: Carr has been in a big-time slump lately, completing fewer than 60% of his passes in three straight games and throwing 6 interceptions over his last four. Now he has to go on the road (where his numbers are considerably worse) to face a surging Steelers defense that has allowed fewer than 20 points in seven of their last nine games. Pittsburgh also ranks second in the NFL in interceptions with 14, so don't be surprised if Carr turns the ball over at least once or twice on a frigid Christmas Eve.

George Pickens Fantasy

Sit George Pickens, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers: Pickens had a nice run earlier in the season after establishing some chemistry with Kenny Pickett, but his volume has dried up in recent weeks. Over his last three games, Pickens has seen just 10 total targets, He's managed to catch six of them for 133 yards, but averaging 22.2 yards per reception is not sustainable. With Johnson dominating the looks in the passing game, the rookie wideout is far too risky to trust this week because of his dangerously low floor.