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Quarterback
Start of the Week: Bo Nix (v IND)
Nix has been lights out since an 0-2 start for Denver, and he should come out of the bye week firing after his most aggressive game yet in the win over Cleveland his last time out. Over the past 11 games, Nix has a 17:4 touchdown-interception ratio—and three of the interceptions were tipped/deflected, with the other being one Sean Payton took responsibility for based on the play call. Basically, there aren’t many quarterbacks playing better than Nix, so he is our overall QB6 against an Indy defense that is allowing the sixth-most passing yards per game in the league (232.4).
Start: Brock Purdy (v LAR)
Purdy shredded the Rams for 292 yards and three touchdowns through the air in Week 3, and San Francisco appears to be fully back on track following a 38-13 win over the Bears. Now, they’ll look to keep the momentum going on a short week for a massive matchup against Los Angeles, and the Rams have remained vulnerable through the air with the second-most yards per attempt allowed (8.0). It’s able notable that Purdy rushed 10 times for 41 yards in the first meeting—making him a strong QB1.
Start: Aaron Rodgers (@ JAX)
Trusting the Jets in a fantasy semifinal matchup could be too much of a leap of faith, but Rodgers is coming off his first 300-yard game since December of 2021—and he’s put up solid numbers in six outings with Davante Adams as a full-time player (10:1 touchdown-interception ratio). The Jaguars ranking at or towards the bottom of the NFL in passing yards per game (263.5), passing touchdowns (24), and passing yards per attempt (8.2) allowed makes them a tremendous matchup, so Rodgers should be a top streaming option for Week 15.
Start: Justin Herbert (v TB)
Herbert had a quiet game on Sunday night, but Ladd McConkey (knee/shoulder) being out hurt—and he’s still played efficient football all year with just one interception (compared to 14 touchdown passes). Whether or not McConkey is back, I would expect Buccaneers-Chargers to be more of a back-and-forth game than we saw against the Chiefs last week, and Tampa Bay has allowed the third-most passing yards per game in the league (253.4). Roll with Herbert as a top-eight play with the Bucs being without their best defender in Antoine Winfield Jr. (knee).
Sit of the Week: Anthony Richardson (@ DEN)
Richardson can always come through with a monster rushing day (especially if he finds the end zone), and Denver isn’t as feared of an opponent with cornerback Riley Moss (knee) seeming like he’ll remain out. However, the Broncos will be rested and focused after Jameis Winston threw for nearly 500 yards against them in Week 13, and the floor for Richardson could be too risky in a quest to make the fantasy championship. We have him as our overall QB20 on the road.
Sit: Jordan Love (@ SEA)
Packers-Seahawks feels like an unpredictable game that could be anything from a slugfest to a shootout, but Seattle has been much more formidable on defense in recent weeks—while Love has seen his numbers dip with 14.56 fantasy points per game over his past seven appearances. The difficulty of facing the Seahawks on the road in primetime is another factor, and Love will likely need a high-scoring game to break out with a finish as anything more than a midrange QB2.
Sit: Matthew Stafford (@ SF)
Last week’s win over the Bills showed that Stafford can have a big game against any opponent, but the Niners have certainly had his number—limiting him to 241.7 passing yards per game and a 7:7 touchdown-interception ratio in six matchups since he joined the Rams. Even in the win for LA back in Week 3, Stafford had just 12.84 fantasy points, and he’s only reached 20.0 fantasy points in a game three times season. I’d go for a better option in one-quarterback leagues.
Sit: Russell Wilson (@ PHI)
This is all about the matchup, as Wilson continues to play great for Pittsburgh—but the Eagles have allowed the second-fewest passing yards per game (178.5) and easily the fewest passing yards per attempt (6.1) in the league. Plus, the Steelers being without George Pickens (hamstring) really limits the firepower at Wilson’s disposal, so I’d anticipate Pittsburgh trying to win in the trenches, which will make their quarterback very reliant on hitting a play-action shot and/or producing as a runner.
Running Back
Start of the Week: Jonathan Taylor (@ DEN)
Taylor not living up to expectations this season combined with a matchup versus the Broncos could make him a guy some consider benching—but you should start your best players in the fantasy playoffs, and we still have him as a top-12 option at running back. As shown by Derrick Henry last month (23 carries for 106 yards and two touchdowns), Denver can be run on, and Taylor has been a dominant late-season performer throughout his career (1,762 rushing yards and 14 rushing touchdowns in 16 career December/January games). It could take just one crease for Taylor to pay dividends this weekend.
Start: Rico Dowdle (@ CAR)
Dowdle has turned into an unquestioned feature back for Dallas, so he’s a clear RB2 option with upside to begin the fantasy playoffs—particularly for a matchup versus a Carolina defense that is allowing an NFL-worst 170.1 rushing yards per game. After rushing 22 times for 112 yards and a touchdown on Thanksgiving, Dowdle followed it up with 18 carries for 131 yards on Monday night, and he’s had a quality floor all year with at least 7.1 fantasy points in all but one game since the opener.
Start: Rhamondre Stevenson (@ ARI)
Maybe we’ll see the Cardinals come out ready to stop the run this week after Zach Charbonnet rumbled to 193 total yards last Sunday—but Stevenson is another power back that could give them problems, and he’ll be fresh coming off the bye. There have been times where the Patriots abandon the run, but Stevenson has seen 21+ touches in four of the past six games, and I’m optimistic he can snap his four-game touchdown drought after beginning the season with seven scores across his first seven appearances.
Start: Tank Bigsby (v NYJ)
Travis Etienne Jr. was able to do damage through the air with four receptions for 50 yards last week, but it was Bigsby that led the ground game—churning out 55 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries (compared to four carries for Etienne). Even if the Jags get Etienne more involved as a runner, we should expect Bigsby to have at least a solid role, and he’s averaging 5.0 yards per carry on the season. Consider the Auburn product an improved FLEX despite all 32 teams being back in action.
Sit of the Week: James Cook (@ DET)
Cook saw a season-low eight touches last week, and his playing time has declined in recent weeks with 37%, 45%, and 45% of the snaps played over the past three games. If the split for Buffalo’s backfield continues, that’s bad news for Cook heading into a matchup versus a Detroit defense that’s allowed the second-fewest fantasy points per game to opposing running backs (15.0)—and the Bills could be even more crowded on offense with Keon Coleman (wrist) and Dalton Kincaid (knee) set to return. We have him as a low-end RB2.
Sit: Tyrone Tracy Jr. (v BAL)
If the Giants were more trustworthy as an offense/team, there would be reason to keep Tracy in the top-20 range because he’s been so good as a rookie. Unfortunately, we can’t trust the receiving usage from last week (five receptions for 38 yards on 10 targets) to continue, and Baltimore having the NFL’s best run defense (82.7 yards per game allowed) makes this a clear spot to avoid. Before handling 21 touches last week, Tracy had nine carries in back-to-back games, and he’ll have a capped ceiling if the Giants fall behind early.
Sit: Nick Chubb (v KC)
The Browns fed Chubb with 20 carries last month in a snowy win over the Steelers—but he’s combined for 20 carries in two games since, and there is a real possibility they decided to pull back his workload for what has become a lost season. On the year, Chubb is averaging just 3.1 yards per carry and Kansas City ranking third in rushing yards per game allowed (88.3) and second in yards per carry allowed (3.8) makes this a bad matchup; and there is also the possibility of Cleveland falling behind if the Chiefs turn it on offensively.
Sit: Travis Etienne Jr. (v NYJ)
As mentioned previously, Etienne is another runner that has seen decreased touches, and Jacksonville turning to Tank Bigsby as the between-the-tackles hammer is something we can probably expect to continue down the stretch. Etienne can still produce as a pass-catcher and/or rip off a chunk gain, but the Jets have been much better against the run over the past several weeks—and they’re suddenly down to 4.0 yards per carry allowed for the season. Etienne is firmly in FLEX territory.
Wide Receiver
Start of the Week: Zay Flowers (@ NYG)
Flowers has seen quiet yardage totals of 34, 39, 62, and 71 since a season-best 5/127/2 line to begin November—but I think the bye week will lead to him being prioritized, especially with Rashod Bateman (knee) banged up and Diontae Johnson suspended. Although he’s not really been outspoken about it, Flowers has shown some frustration with the ball not coming his way when open, and New York’s attackable secondary puts the explosive weapon in the WR1 ranks with the hope for double-digit targets.
Start: Jauan Jennings (v LAR)
All we have to do is watch the damage done by Jennings against Los Angeles back in Week 3 with 11 receptions for 175 yards and three touchdowns to feel confident in him as a high-end WR2—and it helps that he went off last week with a 7/90/2 line. The Rams will be more prepared for Jennings in the rematch, but George Kittle hasn’t put up the biggest numbers in the NFC West rivalry and could remain the focus of LA’s defense, and the connection Jennings has with Brock Purdy is among the best in football.
Start: Jayden Reed (@ SEA)
Hopefully you were able to bench Reed last week to avoid a goose egg, but if you started him and are still alive—be sure not to hold a grudge based on the past. While the Packers having plenty of weapons could always lead to disappointment, Seattle will be a much better matchup for Reed, and it’s easy to imagine him running open through the secondary multiple times on Sunday night. Get the versatile weapon back in lineups (or stick with him) for Week 15.
Start: Courtland Sutton (v IND)
Those not wanting to give Bo Nix credit for his play has resulted in Sutton’s season being overlooked—but the veteran wideout has been outstanding since a zero-catch effort in Week 7 with lines of 8/100, 7/122, 6/70/1, 7/78, 8/97/2, and 6/102 over the past six games. I’m not worried at all about Indianapolis having bigger cornerbacks that could match up well with Sutton’s size, as Nix has made it known that getting the ball to his No. 1 target is a weekly priority. Consider him a clear top-20 option.
Others: DJ Moore (@ MIN), Jordan Addison (v CHI)
Sit of the Week: Garrett Wilson (@ JAX)
Wilson did very well last week with seven receptions for 114 while facing quite a bit of coverage from Jalen Ramsey, but he had yardage totals of 41, 18, and 41 in the three previous games—and hasn’t found the end zone since Halloween. Jacksonville is much better attacked between the numbers than on the perimeter, so Wilson is more of a low-end WR2 compared to Davante Adams as a top-10 play that is coming off a 9/109/1 line; that’s especially true if Allen Lazard (one target last week) becomes more of a factor in his second game back.
Sit: Marvin Harrison Jr. (v NE)
Last week, I mentioned the chemistry between Kyler Murray and Harrison simply hasn’t been there, and the modest production for the rookie continued with four receptions (on eight targets) for 49 scoreless yards in a loss to the Seahawks. We’ve seen the ability at times this season, but Harrison has been held to 60 or fewer yards in all but one game since Week 4, and possible shadow coverage from Christian Gonzalez puts him down in the low-end WR3 range with a touchdown probably needed to have any shot of reaching the expectations he had entering the year.
Sit: Brian Thomas Jr. (v NYJ)
Keeping Thomas in lineups with lines of 5/82, 4/76/1, and 8/86 over the past three games thanks to a budding connection with Mac Jones is certainly understandable, but he’s another rookie with a tough draw on Sunday—at least assuming Sauce Gardner (hamstring) plays. If not, Thomas will be a low-end WR2/FLEX option with upside, though it’s worth noting that New York has allowed the fewest passing touchdowns (11) in the league.
Sit: Jaxon Smith-Njigba (v GB)
Smith-Njigba is another wide receiver that might be too hot to downgrade, and only the most loaded of rosters should even think about benching a player that enters the fantasy playoffs as the overall WR6 in 0.5 PPR leagues. That said, I would temper expectations for JSN with Green Bay potentially getting Jaire Alexander (knee) back and typically containing Amon-Ra St. Brown (compared to his usual standards) as a similar style player. Plus, Smith-Njigba has been heavily reliant on efficiency this month with just nine targets in two games.
Others: Michael Pittman Jr. (@ DEN), Christian Watson (@ SEA)
Tight End
Start: of the Week: Jonnu Smith (@ HOU)
Smith appeared on his way to being one of the biggest disappointments of Week 14 with zero receptions until overtime, but he took over with three grabs for 44 yards in the extra period—including the game-winning touchdown. I would assume that will lead to Smith being re-prioritized for 60 minutes to continue his white-hot stretch, and Houston perhaps treating De’Von Achane and Tyreek Hill as the bigger threats should only boost his outlook as a borderline top-five option at tight end.
Start: Isaiah Likely (@ NYG)
Again, the Ravens will be very thin at wide receiver this week, so Likely should be a more central part of the game plan after being targeted eight times (resulting in a 5/38/1 line) against the Eagles prior to the bye. Mark Andrews gets a boost as well, but Likely might be treated as a wide receiver and is widely available for those seeking help at tight end.
Start: Kyle Pitts (@ LV)
Pitts has burnt fantasy owners enough that many will scoff at starting him with their season on the line, but the Raiders are allowing the fourth-most fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends (12.9)—mostly due to recent outings with the Chiefs (23.8), Bengals (39.7), Dolphins (29.7), and Chiefs again (18.1) destroying them since Week 8. If there is a time where Pitts will re-emerge, Monday night could be it.
Sit of the Week: Sam LaPorta (v BUF)
LaPorta is a borderline TE1/TE2 and there are almost certainly not any better options out there to consider, but the Bills are always stout defending tight ends—and even more so with standout linebacker Matt Milano in the lineup. Over the past two weeks, that had led to limiting the 49ers and Rams to a combined two receptions for 18 yards from the position, so LaPorta could be contained if Ben Johnson doesn’t scheme him open in scoring territory.
Sit: Jake Ferguson (@ CAR)
The connection between Dak Prescott and Ferguson has unsurprisingly not been replicated with Cooper Rush under center, and the 25-year-old has gone for yardage totals of 24, 11, and 32 in three games since Prescott went down. Finding the end zone is often a key in someone paying off as a start if they aren’t a clear TE1, so Ferguson having zero scores on the season is another strike against him for a road trip to face a Carolina defense that has improved.
Sit: Cole Kmet (@ MIN)
The only target for Kmet last week came on a failed two-point conversion, and he’s been more of an afterthought behind DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, and Rome Odunze over the past couple of months—putting him on a season-long pace of 39/386/0 across the past seven games (compared to a 74/819/8 pace in his first six games). One of the only solid recent outings for Kmet came against Minnesota in the first meeting with seven receptions for 64 yards, but I’d have a difficult time trusting anyone aside from Moore in Chicago’s offense.