Joshua Abbe, Mason Thompson, Givanni Damico | November 9th, 2019
To help fantasy football players with their roster construction, three of our writers have provided some insight on which players they would start, would sit, and consider a sleeper for this week. Be sure to follow all of them on twitter and ask any of The Scorecrow’s fantasy writers for fantasy advice.
Quarterbacks
Starts
Josh – Dak Prescott vs Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings’ defense is coming off performances where they gave up two top-10 fantasy points outings to Carson Wentz and Matthew Stafford. They allowed six touchdowns and 670 passing yards in those two games before facing the likes of Matt Moore, Case Keenum, and Dwayne Haskins. Their secondary isn’t who they used to be.
Mason – Jameis Winston vs Arizona Cardinals
Winston has been a reliable option lately, posting 19 or more points in two straight games. This week, he gets a potential shootout game against the Cardinals. They have given up the most fantasy points to the quarterback position this year and is allowing almost an average of 300 passing yards per game to quarterbacks.
Gio – Kyler Murray at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Murray has looked a lot better as of late and he faces one of the worst secondaries in football. He doesn’t have elite weapons like his competition this week but he is phenomenal at using his legs when nothing else is open. He may find himself on his backside a couple times due to the stout Bucs defensive line, but he should be in line for a nice line and hopefully another 300-yard game.
Sits
Josh – Baker Mayfield vs Buffalo Bills
Baker gets a Bills’ defense that has yet to allow more than the five passing touchdowns surrendered all season long. They are the third-best in passing yards allowed at only 185 yards. Rank fifth-best in yards per completion at nine yards and with the Browns’ poor offensive line, Bills are getting to the quarterback on average 2.5 sacks a game. Baker is a sit for me this week.
Mason – Kirk Cousins at Dallas Cowboys
Lately, Cousins and the Vikings have gotten out of their early-season funk and have provided great fantasy games, well, when they aren’t trying to end the game immediately like against Washington. I’d leave Cousins on the bench if possible, this week because the Cowboys pass defense has been great this year. If Wentz struggled against the Cowboys, so will Cousins.
Gio – Kyle Allen at Green Bay Packers
Allen hasn’t produced very many great fantasy scores this year and I expect that to remain the same after this week. Despite getting demolished by the Chargers, the Packers have looked great on both sides of the ball this year. Their secondary, namely Jaire Alexander, has played very well this season. Allen will take what the Packers give him, but that’s not valuable when it comes to fantasy.
Sleepers
Josh – Josh Allen at Cleveland Browns
The Browns are the third-worst when it comes to rushing yards allowed at 141 yards per game. Mix in them giving up around 216 passing yards a game and Allen could easily see a total of 250 plus yards for his game Sunday in Cleveland. He’s a nice QB2 with QB1 upside for this weekend.
Mason – Ryan Tannehill vs Kansas City Chiefs
Since taking over as the starter, Tannehill has been a surprising fantasy asset. Two straight weeks he has put up over 19 points and gets another chance to do so against a leaky Chiefs defense who have given up over 20 points on average. Patrick Mahomes will be back so the Titans will need to try and keep pace.
Gio – Daniel Jones at New York Jets
Despite struggling against the Cowboys on Monday Night, Jones has shown flashes of brilliance this year. He had a career day against the Detroit Lions who have a more talented secondary than the Jets. The Jets also recently lost Trumaine Johnson, although that might actually end up being a good thing for them. Even with Sterling Shepard and Evan Engram he could have another day like he had two weeks ago.
Running Backs
Starts
Josh – Marlon Mack vs Miami Dolphins
Mack gets a very nice matchup this weekend after some poor performances as of late. When it comes to the running back positions, Miami has given up nine scores, five yards a carry, eight rushing first downs a game and the fifth-most fantasy points in the league. Mack is in line for a huge stat line Sunday.
Mason – Tevin Coleman vs Seattle Seahawks
Coleman put up a stinker last week, but I’d roll him out again this week against the Seahawks. Their defense has given up an average of 15 fantasy points per game to the running back position and just let Ronald Jones roll to score 16 points a week ago. Coleman is still seeing a great workload and should get plenty of opportunities again this week.
Gio – Derrick Henry vs Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs have struggled against the running game throughout this entire season. Henry has had a pretty underwhelming start to the season and is primed for a big breakout game. Tannehill might struggle against the Chiefs’ secondary forcing him to rely on the running back more. Don’t expect much from Henry in the receiving game though. He’s just a power back who runs it down the defenders’ throats.
Sits
Josh – Kalen Ballage at Indianapolis Colts
I hope you didn’t blow the rest of your FAAB money to grab Ballage. He’s just not good. Even more so this week where he draws a matchup with the Colts who on average give up only 77 rushing yards a game and a total of five touchdowns to opposing backs. They rank ninth-best against backs in given up fantasy points and Ballage averages a dismal two yards a carry. Just don’t do it.
Mason – Devonta Freeman at New Orleans Saints
Freeman and the Falcons have been a disaster this year. He’s lucky he has gotten any sort of production this season and that’s mostly from passing work down big late. The Saints also haven’t given up a top-ten back finishes this year and haven’t given up a top-15 back at home this year, where they play this week. Freeman will likely fill his usual role of catching passes down big late in the game.
Gio – Joe Mixon vs Baltimore Ravens
There’s still a lot of people out there who continue to start Mixon, hoping that he finally lives up to the hype and has that huge game where he eclipses 100 yards and gets in the endzone. That just isn’t gonna happen at this rate. The Ravens shut down Sony Michel last week whose play parallels with Mixon. The Bengals will likely be playing from behind and forced to pass, making Mixon irrelevant once again.
Sleepers
Josh – David Montgomery vs Detroit Lions
The problem for Montgomery is his head coach is Matt Nagy. We don’t know what kind of usage he will get. While he should be a must-start, torments fantasy owners and he gets maybe five carries for 23 yards. So, this week I’ll leave him in my sleeper spot as he draws Detroit who has been putrid against the run. They have allowed the most fantasy points to the position and 13 rushing touchdowns. Let’s hope Nagy has learned to rely on the run game and give Montgomery the damn ball!
Mason – Devin Singletary at Cleveland Browns
Singletary is finally out-snapping and earning more touches than Frank Gore. He also has a role in passing work as well and is one, if not the most explosive player on the Bills offense. He gets an opportunity to continue his success against the reeling Browns this week who just allowed Phillip Lindsay to go off.
Gio – Kenyan Drake at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Yes, Drake went off last week in both the receiving game and the rushing game, but that doesn’t make him a plug and play. He’s got a solid matchup this week where he should get plenty of opportunities to touch the ball. He’s a lock in PPR leagues and we hope to see the same production as he had last week.
Wide Receivers
Starts
Josh – Golden Tate at New York Jets
The Jets last week allowed three passing touchdowns to the Dolphins. Yes, I said the Dolphins, Tate is in a prime spot to do the same on the receiving end of things. He’s been very solid as of late with his connection with Jones, producing 14 or more fantasy points in three of his last four games. With Engram and Shepard out for the game, Tate could have a nice stat line Sunday. Tate lines up in the slot 65 % of the time while the Jets have allowed five touchdowns and over 100 receiving yards a game to receivers lined in the slot. Tate is my WR2 must start with WR1 upside.
Mason – Christian Kirk at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
This game is set up to become a shootout featuring two high-powered offenses against two bottom-feeder defenses. The Bucs are awful against receivers from the slot where Kirk plays over 70% of his snaps from.
Gio – DeVante Parker at Indianapolis Colts
With Preston Williams out for the season and Mark Walton suspended, Parker will get more targets this week. Ryan Fitzpatrick will likely pass the ball even more now that he only has Ballage to rely on in the backfield. Parker is now the number one target on the Phins and faces a weak Colts’ secondary.
Sits
Josh – Tyler Boyd vs Baltimore Ravens
It doesn’t look good for Boyd facing the Ravens the second time around. He was held to just 10 total yards in week six against them. He’s been very quiet as of late and has finished with single-digit numbers his last two out of three games. Now drawing a matchup with Ravens corner Marlon Humphrey, it’s going to be another tough game for Boyd.
Mason – D.J. Moore at Green Bay Packers
Moore and fellow receiver Curtis Samuel have shown up the past few weeks against less than stellar defenses. Moore will likely have Alexander draped over him this week in what should be a fun matchup to watch. I’d expect this offense to run through Christian McCaffrey more than it usually does this week, meaning Moore and the passing attack will take a backseat.
Gio – Calvin Ridley at New Orleans Saints
The Saints’ secondary looks better now than it has ever looked in the last five years. Julio Jones will still get the same volume of targets, but Ridley’s production has been very inconsistent. Last year, I’d say this game could be a shootout, but this year, it doesn’t excite me even a little bit. Ridley brings in four catches for 33 yards. If you have better options, take them.
Sleepers
Josh – Michael Gallup vs Minnesota Vikings
Gallup has been quieted the past few weeks, though on average he is still being targeted nearly eight times a game. With a matchup against the Vikings Sunday night, they are allowing the most fantasy points to receivers who run routes on the outside as well as 10 touchdowns. Gallup is lining up 84% of the time on the outside. He has a nice WR2/flex floor on Sunday.
Mason – A.J. Brown vs Kansas City Chiefs
The Titans passing attack has finally found life with Tannehill under center and Brown has benefited. Brown is on pace for a great stat-line the rest of the year and should be a focal point the Titans try to get going early and often against the Chiefs secondary. Expect Brown to put up some big numbers this week.
Gio – Zach Pascal vs Miami Dolphins
Pascal had a nice game last week and I expect a similar week due to the absence of T.Y. Hilton. My one concern is that the Colts get up early on Miami and abandons the passing game, but the Colts tend to play to the level of their competition which should keep Miami in it and keep Pascal involved.
Tight Ends
Starts
Josh – Gerald Everett at Pittsburgh Steelers
With tight ends being slim pickings already as is it, Everett has a nice matchup this week. The Steelers have given up five touchdowns and an average of 14 fantasy points a game to the position. Last week was his first time since week one he had a snap percentage below 50 percent. With Brandin Cooks out for the game, Jared Goff will need a strong set of hands to rely on.
Mason – Jonnu Smith vs Kansas City Chiefs
Smith didn’t have as big of a performance last week as he did in week eight but was still the main focus of Tannehill. I’d expect that to continue with Delanie Walker out at least another week. The Chief’s defense isn’t great and someone like Tannehill who has the experience will find holes in the defense to exploit.
Gio – Mike Gesicki at Indianapolis Colts
Gesicki was more involved last week after Williams left the game. Like Parker, Gesicki should become more involved and looked at as a more reliable target for Fitzpatrick. He has big-play potential and could be in store for a breakout game.
Sits
Josh – Tyler Eifert vs Baltimore Ravens
With rookie quarterback Ryan Finley set to make his debut Sunday, it doesn’t look good for Eifert. He also faces a Baltimore defense that is only giving up less than 10 fantasy points a game to tight ends. That is the seventh-fewest fantasy points allowed this season. I’d stay away.
Mason – Trey Burton vs Detroit Lions
His quarterback is Mitchell Trubisky, enough said. The Bears offense has sputtered for the majority of the year and Trubisky is afraid of throwing passes past the line of scrimmage. I’d stay away from any Bears players not named Montgomery until the passing attack shows any sign of competence.
Gio – Vance McDonald vs Los Angeles Rams
My explanation for this one is short and sweet. McDonald is touchdown or bust. He doesn’t get a high volume of targets so if he doesn’t make a play in the endzone, he’s useless.
Sleepers
Josh – Jack Doyle vs Miami Dolphins
With Hilton out, Jacoby Brissett will need another outlook to throw to. Enter Doyle who draws an enticing matchup facing the Miami Dolphins who just allowed Ryan Griffin to tear them up and score a touchdown which was unfortunately called back. In a week with six teams on bye, he’s worth a look.
Mason – Jimmy Graham vs Carolina Panthers
Yes, the Panthers defense has been tough on tight ends, but the Packers are coming off a complete meltdown and should come backfiring. Graham also has more competition for his job now with rookie Jace Sternberger back from injured reserve. Graham needs to produce to keep what playing time he currently has and with Aaron Rodgers throwing him the ball, he has a chance.
Gio – Jacob Hollister at San Francisco 49ers
With Will Dissly our for the season, Hollister seems to be the best option for the Seahawks. He caught two touchdowns on had four catches with 37 yards. This is a very risky play because we don’t know if he’ll even get many targets, let alone plays in the red zone, but it’s definitely a good long shot play if you’re desperate.
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