The final week of the Page 2 Fantasy Football Challenge is upon us. Each week, a guest picker chooses a QB, RB and WR. The only players off-limits are those selected by the previous week's guest picker. This week's guest — Ted Schwerzler, an IT recruiter and also an editor of the Twins blog Puckett's Pond — will go head-to-head against Star Tribune writer Michael Rand, who is not allowed to pick anyone projected to score in the top 10 by NFL.com experts at their respective positions. Rand only has three wins this year. This is his last chance.
Ted Schwerzler's WEEK 16 FANTASY PICKS
QB: Aaron Rodgers, Packers
NFL.com QB projection: No. 1
Matchup: Buccaneers
I love Rodgers in this spot. He's coming off a terrible outing against a good Bills defense, and the Packers need a win to stay alive for home field in the NFC playoffs. It helps that he gets to face the Buccaneers defense as well.
RB: Justin Forsett, Ravens
NFL.com RB projection: No. 16
Matchup: Texans
He has struggled the last two weeks, and while the Texans are stout up front, they are likely going to be on the field a lot. If Case Keenum starts at QB for Houston, Forsett should have plenty of opportunities.
WR: Calvin Johnson, Lions
NFL.com WR projection: No. 4
Matchup: Bears
Held in check by the combination of Xavier Rhodes and safety help against the Vikings, Megatron gets a great matchup against a bad Bears defense. Matthew Stafford and Johnson should have good days.
MICHAEL RAND's WEEK 16 FANTASY PICKS
QB: Tony Romo, Cowboys
NFL.com QB projection: No. 13
Matchup: Colts
Romo continues to be one of the most underappreciated QBs in the NFL, both in real life and fantasy football. He has put up at least 20 points in four of his past five weeks and has 28 TDs to just eight INTs this year. In what could be a high-scoring game against the Colts, I like Romo's run to continue.
RB: Eddie Lacy, Packers
NFL.com RB projection: No. 12
Matchup: Buccaneers
Lacy has eight total touchdowns in the past six weeks and looked strong running last week against Buffalo. He has become a reliable fantasy performer after a slow start.
WR: A.J. Green, Bengals
NFL.com WR projection: No. 13
Matchup: Broncos
Green was largely a bystander last week as the Bengals ran all over Cleveland in a shutout victory. Cincy likely will need to air it out against the Broncos, and Green will be the beneficiary.
SCOREBOARD WEEK 15 FANTASY RECAP (USING NFL.COM DEFAULT SCORING METHOD)
Winner: Anthony Maggio — Andrew Luck (15.3), Le'Veon Bell (23.9), Demaryius Thomas (18.3). Total: 57.5.
Loser: Michael Rand — Ben Roethlisberger (14.2), Justin Forsett (4.7), Emmanuel Sanders (5.3). Total: 24.2.
Overall standings: Guest pickers 12-3.
