The best part about fantasy football is winning. The second best part is the draft. However, the draft has come and gone, and fantasy owners struggle with who to start, who to sit, and who to target as a sleeper each week. Thankfully, four of our writers (Mike Fanelli, Joshua Abbe, Mason Thompson, and MJ Hurley) offer up their takes on who fantasy owners should start, sit, and play as a sleeper this week. Be sure to follow all of them on Twitter and reach out with any fantasy football questions you may have. Without further ado, let’s get started.
Quarterbacks
Starts
Taysom Hill at Atlanta Falcons
It’s 2020 and nothing makes sense anymore. If at the begging of the season you said that in Week 13, Hill would be starting at quarterback, you would be called crazy. However, it is 2020 and Hill is a top-10 option this week. In his two starts at quarterback, Hill is averaging almost 21 fantasy points per game. Meanwhile, the Falcons have given up the second-most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season and in their matchup two weeks ago, Hill scored 24.2 fantasy points. Expect another 22 plus point performance from Hill. – Mike
Ryan Tannehill vs Cleveland Browns
Tannehill has been consistent this season as he has scored 17 or more fantasy points in 73 percent of his games this season. He is averaging over two passing touchdowns per game and this week takes on a struggling Cleveland secondary. They are giving up an average of 19 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks and have given up at least one passing touchdown in all but one game this season. Tannehill is a QB1 this week. – Joshua
Derek Carr at New York Jets
Unfortunately, Carr stunk last week. Thankfully, he has a get-right game this week against the lowly Jets. New York is fourth-worst against fantasy quarterbacks this year and allowed Ryan Fitzpatrick to have over 19 points last week. Take last week’s game out of your mind and start Carr this week. – Mason
Matt Ryan vs New Orleans Saints
The Saints have been one of the best defenses in the NFL, and last time the Saints played Atlanta, Ryan struggled mightily. With the second matchup in three weeks, the Saints will face a much more formidable opponent than the Broncos last Sunday. With Janoris Jenkins limited this week in practice and Marcus Davenport in concussion protocol, some of the Saints’ defensive depth will be in question. Additionally, with Drew Brees out, the Saints offense will not be as high powered as usual. Ryan will be able to rely on Calvin Ridley and not escape their offensive flow like they have done many times this season. – MJ
Sits
Deshaun Watson vs Indianapolis Colts
More than likely you don’t have a better option this week but if you start Watson, temper your expectations. While he is coming off back-to-back games with 31 or more fantasy points, he will be without his top wide receiver in Will Fuller for the rest of the season. Furthermore, he faces a Colts team that is holding quarterbacks to an average of 14.8 fantasy points per game. They have held quarterbacks under 19 fantasy points in 70 percent of their games this season. – Mike
Carson Wentz at Green Bay Packers
There is no denying that Wentz has struggled this season but things have been awful over the last four games. During that span, Wentz is averaging 12.6 fantasy points per game, scoring fewer than nine fantasy points twice. This week he faces the Packers, who are giving up the eighth fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks, giving up 16.8 per game. Furthermore, they have held quarterbacks to under 12 fantasy points in three of their last five games. Avoid Wentz this week if possible. – Joshua
Matthew Stafford at Chicago Bears
Stafford was a garbage-time machine last week against Houston. Well, Chicago’s defense isn’t what it used to be, but Stafford and the Lions could struggle on Sunday. He had one of his worst outings of the season in Week 1 against Chicago, and the Bears are sixth-best against quarterbacks on the season. With Kenny Golladay out once again, Stafford is better off left on the bench. – Mason
Josh Allen vs San Francisco 49ers
Allen has been amazing this season, there is no doubt about that. Allen has struggled in their last two games, and the 49ers’ defense has consistently improved since their initial injury collapse. San Francisco has only allowed 232 passing yards per game in the last two weeks, even when facing the Saints and Rams offenses. With a still stout run defense, the 49ers should be able to zero in on the passing game and know what is coming from Allen and Stefon Diggs. – MJ
Sleepers
Mitchell Trubisky vs Detroit Lions
Even though the Bears were blown out last week, Trubisky had a solid fantasy game. He threw for 242 yards and three touchdowns against the Packers, scoring 18.8 fantasy points. On Tuesday, Matt Nagy said Trubisky would start against the Lions. For fantasy owners looking for a bye week replacement for Tom Brady, Trubisky is an excellent target. The Lions are giving up an average of 20.1 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks and have given up at least 20.5 fantasy points to quarterbacks in three of their last five games. – Mike
Philip Rivers at Houston Texans
Over the last six games, Rivers has played some of the best football of his career. During that span, he is averaging 18.3 fantasy points per game, scoring at least 16 fantasy points in all but one game. He has thrown an average of two passing touchdowns per game during that span. Meanwhile, the Texans are giving up an average of 19.1 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks. They have given up at least 19 fantasy points to quarterbacks in 64 percent of their games this season. Rivers has the weapons and matchup to finish the week as a QB1. – Joshua
Mike Glennon at Minnesota Vikings
This is a desperate play. The Minnesota defense has gotten better recently, but Glennon had a solid performance last week against the Browns where he had over 18 points. He is a streaming option for teams that have Brady or Teddy Bridgewater on a bye or players who have their starters in tough matchups. – Mason
Kirk Cousins vs Jacksonville Jaguars
The Vikings offense has finally achieved their dynamic ability. With Justin Jefferson emerging as one of the best receivers in the NFL, and Adam Thielen returning from the Covid list for the game against the Jaguars, Cousins will have his full array of weapons this week. The Jaguars are the second-worst team in the NFL and have struggled against every opponent. Although Dalvin Cook will get some carries, Cousins, Jefferson and Thielen will once again have a good week. – MJ
Running Backs
Starts
Wayne Gallman at Seattle Seahawks
Since taking over for Devonta Freeman, Gallman has played well. Over his last five games, Gallman has scored at least one touchdown and 13 fantasy points in each contest. Furthermore, he is coming off a season-high 24 carries for 94 yards. Meanwhile, the Seahawks give up an average of almost 25 fantasy points per game to running backs. They have given up seven rushing touchdowns over their last five games. Gallman’s role and recent success make him a safe floor RB2 this week. – Mike
Damien Harris at Los Angeles Chargers
Harris has a firm grasp on the Patriots’ power running back role. He has at least 10 carries in all but one game this season and is averaging 9.4 fantasy points per game. However, he has scored 12 or more in two of his last three games and has a great matchup tomorrow. The Chargers are giving up almost 25 fantasy points per game to running backs and gave up 141 rushing yards to the Bills’ running backs last week. Furthermore, they have given up seven rushing touchdowns since their bye week and Harris should make it eight tomorrow. – Joshua
Nyheim Hines vs Houston Texans
Hines played in 65 percent of the snaps last week, but the Colts decided to let Jacoby Brissett have two red-zone touchdowns. Even with Jonathan Taylor activated off of the Covid list, Hines should still have plenty of touches due to Jordan Wilkins being banged up. Houston is horrendous against the run, ranking as the second-worst team against opposing running backs. – Mason
Miles Sanders vs Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are bad at stopping the run and Wentz is not a very good quarterback right now meaning Sanders should receive a decent workload this week. The Eagles may be playing from behind, but when a running back of his caliber plays the Packers’ poor run defense, they will always be a must-start. – MJ
Sits
Ezekiel Elliott at Baltimore Ravens
On name and talent alone, you would never bench Zeke. However, since Dak Prescott suffered a season-ending ankle injury, Zeke has averaged 9.6 fantasy points per game, scoring more than nine fantasy points only twice. Furthermore, his offensive line has been destroyed by injuries. He is averaging only 3.7 yards per carry over his last five games. Meanwhile, the Ravens have given up an average of 21.2 fantasy points per game to running back and have held running backs to a total of four rushing touchdowns this season. If you start Zeke, tempter your expectations. – Mike
Todd Gurley vs New Orleans Saints
After missing last week’s game against the Raiders, Gurley is questionable to play tomorrow against the Saints. If he doesn’t play, you should avoid Brian Hill as well. The Saints have given up the fewest fantasy points to running backs this season, giving up only 16.8 per game. Furthermore, they have held running backs to under 15 fantasy points in six straight games and haven’t given up a rushing touchdown since Week 4. – Joshua
Kenyan Drake vs Los Angeles Rams
Upon returning in Week 10, Drake has found success. Last week, he had 25 touches and two touchdowns against the Patriots. Unfortunately, he has a tough game this week against a Rams defense that has stifled running backs this season. The Cardinals will likely look to the aerial attack for success against Los Angeles, meaning Drake could lose out on his massive touch total. – Mason
All Seattle Seahawks Running Backs vs New York Giants
For some reason, the Seahawks have decided to not use their running backs this year. Add onto that the Giants improving run defense and the Seahawks running backs are in for another sub-par performance. With Chris Carson and Carlos Hyde both still recovering from injuries, Pete Caroll has been hesitant to rely on a heavy workload from those two. Expect another pass-heavy weekend against New York from Russell Wilson. – MJ
Sleepers
Frank Gore vs Las Vegas Raiders
With La’Mical Perine on injured reserve, Gore had a featured role last week against the Dolphins. He had 18 carries for a season-high 74 rushing yards. Gore has scored 11.5 or more fantasy points in back-to-back games. This week he faced a Raiders team that is giving up the fourth-most fantasy points to running backs, giving up 28.2 fantasy points per game. Furthermore, they have given up 218 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns to running backs over the last two weeks. Expect Gore to finish the week in the RB2 range. – Mike
Devontae Booker at New York Jets
With Josh Jacobs out, Booker is an RB2 this week against the Jets. They are giving up an average of 25.1 fantasy points per game to running backs. They have given up 90 or more rushing yards to running backs in 64 percent of their games this season. Meanwhile, when given the opportunity, Booker has played well this season, averaging 5.5 yards per carry. – Joshua
Cordarrelle Patterson vs Detroit Lions
For some reason, Matt Nagy likes to incorporate Patterson into the offense more than he should. The hybrid running back had 14 touches in Week 10 against Minnesota, and while David Montgomery is back, Patterson matches up well against a Detroit defense that is in the bottom 10 against running backs. – Mason
Joshua Kelley vs New England Patriots
Given the odd season for the Patriots, this week’s game against Justin Herbert and the Chargers is sure to be an odd one as well. The Chargers excel at finding themselves in one-score games, even if they rarely win them. Kelley has been improving each week and as a flex option, he could very well produce against New England this week. – MJ
Wide Receivers
Starts
Jarvis Landry at Tennessee Titans
Landry has been quiet this season, scoring under 11.5 fantasy points in all but two games this season. However, last week he scored a season-high 28.3 fantasy points against the Jaguars after catching eight of his 11 targets for 143 yards and a touchdown. This week he faces a Titans defense that is giving up an average of 41.3 fantasy points per game to wide receivers. With limited weapons in the passing game, expect the Browns to target Landry early and often tomorrow. – Mike
Justin Jefferson vs Jacksonville Jaguars
Without Thielen last week, Jefferson had his best game as a pro. He pulled in seven of his nine targets for 70 yards, two touchdowns, and scored 26 fantasy points against the Panthers. Even with Thielen back this week, Jefferson is still a must-start as the Jaguars are giving up over 40 fantasy points per game to wide receivers. Furthermore, they have given up at least 185 receiving yards and a touchdown in five straight games. – Joshua
Deebo Samuel vs Buffalo Bills
In his first game back from injury, Samuel was targeted 13 times and caught 11 passes for 133 yards. San Francisco loves to manufacture his touches, and the 49ers always do well when they incorporate him into the offense. Samuel and the 49ers go against the Bills, where San Francisco will likely be trailing and have to target him. – Mason
Damiere Byrd vs Los Angeles Chargers
Even though Byrd did not match his breakout performance from Week 11 last Sunday, he still saw more targets from Cam Newton than even in Week 11. After a 132 yard week against the Texans, Byrd struggled against Patrick Peterson and the speedy Cardinals defense. Chargers pass defenders have been good but struggled against almost any team outside of the worst five in the NFL. Byrd will be a good flex or WR2 option this week. – MJ
Sits
Cole Beasley at San Francisco 49ers
Even with John Brown on injured reserve, Beasley scored only 9.3 fantasy points last week. However, 4.8 of those points came on a trick play where he threw a touchdown. Things don’t get better for him this week against the 49ers. They are starting to get healthy as Richard Sherman returned last week and are giving up only 33.6 fantasy points per game to wide receivers. Furthermore, over their last two games, they have held wide receivers to an average of 20.8 fantasy points per game and zero touchdowns. The only Bills’ wide receiver you should start this week is Diggs. – Mike
Marvin Jones at Chicago Bears
Once again this week, Jones will be Stafford’s top wide receiver. When these two teams played in Week 1, Jones scored only 9.5 fantasy despite Golladay missing the game. Furthermore, over the last two weeks, Golladay has caught only 10 of his 18 targets, while averaging 10 fantasy points per game. Meanwhile, the Bears are giving up the second-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers, holding them to 30 fantasy points per game. Jones is a risky WR3 at best this week. – Joshua
Brandin Cooks vs Indianapolis Colts
The comeback story of Cooks has been a pleasant surprise this season. With Fuller being suspended earlier this week, Cooks is the primary option for Watson. Against a tough Indianapolis defense, Cooks could be in for tough sledding this week. The Colts rank seventh-best against opposing receivers. – Mason
Travis Fulgham vs Green Bay Packers
Wentz has struggled this season, and the Eagles receivers have gone with him. Although Fulgham had a few good weeks, no one in Philadelphia outside of their tight ends are consistent fantasy worthy players anymore. Fulgham hasn’t had more than two catches in each of the last three weeks, and a matchup against the Packers stout secondary will not bode well for any Eagles receiver. – MJ
Sleepers
Sterling Shepard at Seattle Seahawks
When on the field, Shepard has been a reliable fantasy option, averaging 1.2 fantasy points per game. Furthermore, he has scored 10.7 or more fantasy points in all but one game this season. Shepard has seen at least six targets in every game since returning from injury. Meanwhile, the Seahawks have given up the most fantasy points to wide receivers this season, giving up 51.2 per game. They have given up 56 or more fantasy points to wide receivers in almost half of their games this season. Expect Shepard to have a big game regardless of who is playing quarterback. – Mike
Michael Pittman at Houston Texans
Pittman was a bust last week against the Titans despite the good matchup. However, he saw a career-high nine targets and has taken over as the Colts’ top wide receiver. This week he should bounce back against the Texans as they are giving up almost 40 fantasy points per game to wide receivers. Over their last eight games, they have given up 40 or more fantasy points to wide receivers six times. Pittman is a WR2 with upside against the Texans. – Joshua
Marquise Brown vs Dallas Cowboys
Brown has been one of the biggest busts of the fantasy season. He has only scored 10 or more points four times this season. Last week, he miraculously scored a touchdown off of a Trace McSorley pass. Brown could continue his success this week against the Cowboys, who are fourth-worst against receivers this year. Lamar Jackson and Brown need to hook up more often if the Ravens want to snag a Wild Card spot. – Mason
James Washington vs Washington Football Team
While Washington is fourth in the wide receiver room, he is in line for a big game this week. Ben Roethlisberger has leaned on Washington in the big moments as he did on Wednesday against the Ravens. With the playoffs coming and more dominant corners coming, Washington’s size will help him get more targets for a playoff run. – MJ
Tight Ends
Starts
Jordan Reed vs Buffalo Bills
When George Kittle was placed on injured reserve, Reed became a hot waiver wire add. Unfortunately, in his last three games, Reed has scored a total of 16.3 fantasy points, scoring fewer than four fantasy points in two of them. However, Reed has six or more targets in four of the six games he’s played this season, including two straight. Meanwhile, the Bills have given up the fourth-most fantasy points to tight ends this season, giving up an average of 15.4 per game. They have given up 17.5 or more fantasy points in about half of their games this season. If you need a bye week filler for Rob Gronkowski, Reed should be your target on the waiver wire. – Mike
Mike Gesicki vs Cincinnati Bengals
Gesicki has been very inconsistent this season, scoring double-digits one week and then under five fantasy points the following week. However, he should have a big game tomorrow against the Bengals. Fitzpatrick should start tomorrow and he favors Gesicki. Furthermore, the Bengals give up the fifth-most fantasy points per game to tight ends, giving up 15.1 per game. Furthermore, they gave up 16.9 fantasy points to the Giants’ tight ends last week. – Joshua
Dallas Goedert at Green Bay Packers
Goedert has 22 targets in the last three weeks. He seems to be the only reliable receiver in the Philadelphia offense as Doug Pederson seems to have forgotten he has Fulgham on the roster. While Green Bay does present a tough matchup, the Eagles will be playing catch-up against a potent Packers offense. Wentz looks more confident when targeting Goedert, and Wentz hasn’t looked very confident this season. – Mason
Austin Hooper vs Tennessee Titans
Although Hooper’s goal line targets have increased, his overall targets have decreased. However, with a Titans defense that allows the fifth-most passing yards per game in the NFL, Hooper is in a position to again be a trusted goal line target for Baker Mayfield. – MJ
Sits
Logan Thomas at Pittsburgh Steelers
Last week Thomas scored 13.4 fantasy points on Thanksgiving against the Cowboys after catching all four of his targets for 20 yards and a touchdown. He also completed a pass to Terry McLaurin on a trick play, adding to his fantasy score. However, this week he faces the Steelers, who have given up the fewest fantasy points to tight ends. They are holding tight ends to only 7.3 fantasy points per game and have held tight ends to under 9.5 fantasy points in 82 percent of their games this season. Don’t expect much from Thomas on Monday night. – Mike
Jimmy Graham vs Detroit Lions
After a strong start to the season, Graham has cooled off over the last six games, scoring more than 8.5 fantasy points once. Furthermore, he has scored a total of 6.2 fantasy points over the last two weeks. Meanwhile, the Lions are giving up the eighth-fewest fantasy points to tight ends, giving up only 9.5 per game. Furthermore, they have given up only five touchdowns to tight ends this season. – Joshua
Hayden Hurst vs New Orleans Saints
The Saints have allowed only one catch for eight yards to starting tight ends over the last two weeks. That includes a game against Hurst where he had no catches. The Atlanta offense has been sputtering as of late while the defense has stepped up. Hurst has been inconsistent this season, and he likely won’t give fantasy players much production this week. – Mason
Zach Ertz vs Green Bay Packers
Even though Ertz is off injured reserve and will play this week, the Packers have been good against the pass this season. Between Kamal Martin and Krys Barnes, they have done a good job slowing down tight ends. To make matters worse, Goedert has turned into Wentz’s favorite target and Ertz has struggled this season even before the injury. – MJ
Sleepers
Anthony Firkser vs Cleveland Browns
Firkser will get this start this week as Jonnu Smith has been ruled out with a knee injury. When Smith left the Titans’ Week 6 matchup with the Texans with an injury, Firkser had his best game of the season, catching eight of nine targets for 113 yards, a touchdown, while scoring 25.3 fantasy points. Meanwhile, the Browns have given up the most fantasy points to tight ends, giving up 15.7 per game. Furthermore, they have given up four touchdowns and an average of 20 fantasy points per game to tight ends since their bye week. With Smith out of the lineup and the excellent matchup, Firkser has the chance to finish the week a TE1. – Mike
Kyle Rudolph vs Jacksonville Jaguars
Last week, Rudolph had a season-high 13.8 fantasy points against the Panthers. While Thielen will play, Irv Smith is out again this week, giving Rudolph more snaps and targets at tight end. That comes just in time as the Jaguars give up almost 14 fantasy points per game to tight ends. Furthermore, they have given up nine touchdowns to tight ends this season, including one in each of their last two games. – Joshua
Jacob Hollister vs New York Giants
Hollister is the tight end to own in Seattle following Greg Olsen‘s injury. He had five targets last week and recorded two catches. He is a streaming option once again this week against New York and could have a top-10 week at the position. – Mason
Robert Tonyan vs Philadelphia Eagles
Tonyan has consistently been a good goal line target for Aaron Rodgers. After a dominant week against Atlanta, Tonyan struggled with increased attention in the red zone. Tonyan has a touchdown in each of the last two weeks, and the Eagles have not faced a tight end of Tonyan’s quality in weeks. Averaging five targets and a touchdown, Tonyan could be a quality tight end start this week. – MJ
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