Every Friday throughout the NFL regular season I will be sending you this lineup helper that I like to call: Tough Decisions. In this article I will breakdown players with similar value, ranking and projection heading into this coming week.

Since this piece does come out on Fridays, injury news may pop up after posting time. Make sure you’re checking all your sources so you have up to date information regarding injuries, playing status, etc. Once again, if you want your lineup question featured in this piece, just hit me up on Twitter and your question could be featured. Anyways, let’s get into it.

Let's take a look at the TOUGH DECISIONS for Week 16:

QUARTERBACKS

Dak Prescott (vs. DET) or Kirk Cousins (@CHI)

The Case for Prescott: Prescott’s 20:4 TD/INT ratio looks pretty solid on the season, but opposing teams have started to figure him out a bit. He hasn’t thrown for more than 300 passing yards or multiple passing touchdowns in a game since Week 11. Two rushing touchdowns since Week 11 have helped keep his numbers afloat, but the fact remains that he’s been held under 200 passing yards three of the last four weeks. At the same time, whether you want to believe it or not, the Detroit defense has allowed the third-fewest fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks over the last four weeks.

The Case for Cousins: Chicago has allowed just 18 passing touchdowns on the year, which is a big reason as to how they’ve been able to minimize the damage done by opposing gunslingers. Kirk Cousins poses a tall task this week, especially since he has a plethora of weapons at his disposal. With weapons like Jamison Crowder, DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon, it’s pretty evident how Cousins has thrown for 300 or more yards in five of his last eight contests. I do think Washington leans on the run a good bit in Week 16, but when Cousins decides to throw it, he should have no problem completing passes on this defense.

The Verdict: Cousins. Prescott’s numbers have been lackluster of late and I’m not a fan of his matchup. Gimme Captain Kirk.

RUNNING BACKS

Robert Kelley (@CHI) or Doug Martin (@NO)

The Case for Kelley: If you own Kelley, you have to be excited about his Week 16 date with the Chicago Bears. Green Bay’s Ty Montgomery ran for 162 yards with two scores last week against an absolutely abysmal Bears defense. On the other hand, Kelley was terrible last week, totaling just eight rushing yards on nine carries. However, he did score a touchdown and caught a season-high four catches for 47 yards. Chicago has allowed 100 yards or a touchdown to opposing running backs in six straight games and given Kelley’s large volume of work in the offense, he’s poised to put up low-end RB1/high-end RB2 numbers in Week 16.

The Case for Martin: If you want to start Martin solely for the fact that he is opposing the Saints, then go right ahead, because I don’t blame you one bit. However, a few numbers to back it up never hurt anything. The Saints have allowed the fourth-most fantasy points per game to running backs over the last two weeks, aided by a 4.5 YPC and four scores in the past two games. For the season as a whole, only the 49ers and Browns have allowed more fantasy points per game than the Saints. Consider this; In 15 games this season, the Saints have allowed 20 touchdowns to running backs. Yeah, exactly. Martin has an excellent opportunity to produce in fantasy championship week.

The Verdict: Kelley. Martin should produce, but I’m its Fat Rob or die this week for me.

WIDE RECEIVERS

DeAndre Hopkins (vs. CIN) or Davante Adams (vs. MIN)

The Case for Hopkins: #FreeNuk. #FreeHopkins. You got it. Bill O’Brien finally benched Brock Osweiler and backup Tom Savage gave the Texans a downfield threat they’ve lacked all season. When Savage came into the game, he completed 8-of-14 passes to Hopkins, five of which went for first downs. It was a lot of the same stuff we saw last year, which is targeting Hopkins early and often and getting the ball in his hands. Hopkins has had a rough fantasy season, but with Savage under center, his value this week is as high as its been all season. He’s going to see double-digit targets on Saturday night and Cincinnati’s 21st-ranked pass coverage (according to PFF) will have no answer for him. He WILL score Saturday night.

The Case for Adams: Adams could have scored twice last week, but he didn’t because he dropped them. If those points cost you a trip to your fantasy title, then you know that all too well. Randall Cobb continues to deal with an ankle injury, which pushes Adams to the secondary target, behind Jordy Nelson, in the Green Bay passing attack. Does he have WR2 appeal this week? Hell yeah he does. Look past the fact that he has just seven catches over the last three games. His numbers wouldn’t look as bad if he caught those two touchdowns against Chicago. Don’t get me wrong, this matchup against Minnesota is no walk in the park, but knowing Aaron Rodgers’ tendencies, Adams will get his work in Week 16. Seeing as he has the second-most targets on the team, I expect him to continue to produce. Don’t get wrapped up in his recent production and solely focus on this week. He’s going to get it done.

The Verdict: Hopkins. It’s about damn time! He’s your man on Saturday.

THE FLEX CONUNDRUM

Ty Montgomery (vs. MIN) or Tyrell Williams (@CLE)

The Case for Montgomery: Montgomery has a tough matchup with the Vikings in Week 16, but he’s heading into the game with a full head of steam. He’s coming off his best game of his career and he’ll continue to receive the lion’s share of the work out of the Green Bay backfield. His work in the passing game also helps out his value, especially in PPR formats. He’s received double-digit touches in each of the past two weeks and I don’t envision Green Bay going away from something is working. Aaron Rodgers will have his opportunities to sling it, but to beat Minnesota, they are going to need Montgomery to run early and often. He could see 20 carries this weekend, which easily places him in the RB2 echelon. Despite the tough matchup, you can still trust him.

The Case for Williams: Williams hasn’t been exactly setting the world on fire of late, but when you’re facing the Cleveland Browns secondary, what can’t be done!? He’s caught just eight passes over his last three games, but don’t forget the fact that he scored a touchdown in each game from Weeks 9-13. Williams leads the team in targets and best of all, he’ll likely avoid Cleveland’s Joe Haden. It’s hard not to get excited about Williams’ potential fantasy value in Week 16 and all we can hope is that Cleveland keeps it close enough to let Philip Rivers fling it for all four quarters.

The Verdict: Montgomery. Tough matchup aside, he’ll get more work than Williams, which will lead to more production.

TIGHT ENDS

Eric Ebron (@DAL) or Martellus Bennett (vs. NYJ)

The Case for Ebron: Ebron has four receptions in each of his last three games, going for 38, 32 and 36 yards respectively. He’s been incredible consistent during that span, but he hasn’t been producing for his fantasy owners. His floor is relatively high for the position, but the ceiling is pretty damn low. He hasn’t reached double-digit fantasy points since Week 11 and to be frank, he just isn’t an attractive option at the position. However, only five teams have allowed more fantasy points per game to tight ends than the Cowboys, so Ebron does have some upside this week. He carries plenty of risk and while I don’t necessarily advise playing him unless you have to, you could do much worse at a thin position.

The Case for Bennett: While the Jets have been gashed by receivers all season, they’ve been able to keep tight ends in check. This New York defense held Bennett to just three catches for 22 yards in Week 12 and they’ve kept opposing tight ends to less than 60 yards per game on the season. Despite Rob Gronkowski’s absence, Bennett hasn’t been able to dominate the stats like many expected. However, Tom Brady could load him up with targets one game, but I don’t envision this being that game. Brady will likely attack the weaker corners and rely on Julian Edelman, Chris Hogan and Malcolm Mitchell. Bennett will likely be an afterthought on Saturday.

The Verdict: Ebron. This is a tough decision, which is why it’s in this article, but Ebron is the one for me between these two tight ends.

You can find me on Twitter: @colbyrconway