The best part about fantasy football is winning. The second best part is the draft. However, the draft has come and gone. Now fantasy owners struggle with the weekly decision about which players to start, which to sit, and which to use as a sleeper. To help with that, I will provide two starts, two sits, and two sleepers at each position every week. Be sure to reach out with any fantasy football questions you may have. Without further ado, let’s get started.
All stats are based on four-point per passing touchdown and PPR scoring.
Quarterbacks
START: Taysom Hill at New York Jets
In his first start this season, Hill threw four interceptions against the Dallas Cowboys last week. However, he still scored 20.7 fantasy points, thanks to his 101 rushing yards. Even without his legs, Hill still had a productive fantasy game, throwing for 264 yards and two touchdowns. While he is dealing with a finger injury, Hill will play tomorrow without limitation. Unlike last week, Hill has a terrific matchup tomorrow. The Jets have given up an average of 18.4 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks this season. Furthermore, they gave up 242 passing yards, two passing touchdowns, and 18.8 fantasy points to Gardner Minshew in his first start of the season last week. Between the matchup this week and his rushing ability, Hill has top-five upside.
START: Russell Wilson at Houston Texans
Coming off the finger injury, Wilson had two awful performances in his first two games back. However, he has averaged two passing touchdowns, 239 passing yards, and 18.1 fantasy points per game over the past two weeks. Wilson made the start list last week and scored 16.7 fantasy points in a win over the San Francisco 49ers. Tomorrow he takes on a Texans defense that has struggled to slow down quarterbacks this season. The Texans have given up an average of 1.5 passing touchdowns and 17 fantasy points per game this season to quarterbacks. After winning last week, the Seahawks’ playoff hopes are still alive. Expect Wilson to come out swinging in this contest.
SIT: Jimmy Garoppolo at Cincinnati Bengals
Garoppolo has played well this season, averaging 15.2 fantasy points per game. Recently he has picked up his play, scoring at least 15.4 fantasy points in five of the past six games. He scored two touchdowns in five of the games in that span. However, his hot play will come to an end this week. The Bengals have held quarterbacks to 17 fantasy points per game this season, the ninth fewest in the league. Furthermore, they have held quarterbacks to only 14.1 fantasy points per game over the past three weeks. The Bengals have also given up under two passing touchdowns in 58.3 percent of the games this season. Fantasy owners who need a bye week replacement for Jalen Hurts need to look elsewhere this week.
SIT: Ryan Tannehill vs Jacksonville Jaguars
Many will see the matchup against the Jaguars and rush to add Tannehill off the waiver wire. However, that would be a vast mistake. Tannehill has averaged only 15.5 fantasy points per game this season, making him the QB16 for the year. He has thrown for under two touchdowns in all but two games this season, including four straight. More importantly, Tannehill has struggled lately, averaging only 12 fantasy points per game over the past three weeks. Meanwhile, the Jaguars have given up an average of 17.6 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks this season, just above the league average. In the Week 5 matchup, the Jaguars held Tannehill to only 197 passing yards and 14 fantasy points. Expect a quiet fantasy performance from Tannehill in this game.
SLEEPER: Justin Fields at Green Bay Packers
After missing last week’s game with a rib injury, Fields will start tomorrow for the Chicago Bears. The last time we saw Fields, he had 3.5 fantasy points on 11 pass attempts before suffering the rib injury. However, Fields played excellent in his previous two starts, averaging 233 passing yards, 74 rushing yards, and 21.7 fantasy points per game. Tomorrow night he takes on a Packers defense that has struggled to slow down quarterbacks lately. Over their past two games, the Packers have allowed quarterbacks to throw six touchdowns and score 47.2 fantasy points. Furthermore, they have given up over 20 fantasy points to quarterbacks in almost half of the games this season. While he isn’t a must-start quarterback this week, Fields is an excellent QB2 option for super flex leagues.
SLEEPER: Zach Wilson vs New Orleans Saints
The former second overall pick has struggled this season, averaging only 10.3 fantasy points per game. However, there have been bright spots for Wilson this season. He has scored 17.7 or more fantasy points in two of his past four starts, including last week. Furthermore, Wilson threw for 226 yards, scored three total touchdowns, and a career-high 21 fantasy points last week against a talented Philadelphia Eagles secondary. Meanwhile, the Saints have given up an average of 18.5 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks this season, the sixth-most in the NFL. Over the past six weeks, they have given up an average of two passing touchdowns and 23.6 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks. Fantasy owners in super flex leagues can feel confident starting Wilson as their QB2 tomorrow.
Running Backs
START: Javonte Williams vs Detroit Lions
Fantasy owners have waited all season long for it, but the Williams breakout finally happened last week. With Melvin Gordon out of the lineup, Williams had 29 touches for 178 scrimmage yards and 29.8 fantasy points. Furthermore, he has averaged 23 touches for 144.5 scrimmage yards, a touchdown, and 25 fantasy points per game over the past two weeks. After his strong play the past two weeks, Williams is the RB19 for the season, averaging 12.4 fantasy points per game. Tomorrow he faces a Detroit defense that has been one of the worst teams stopping running backs this season. They have given up an average of 26.9 fantasy points per game to the position, the fourth-most in the NFL. Even if Gordon plays this week, Williams is a plug-and-play RB2.
START: Chuba Hubbard vs Atlanta Falcons
Unfortunately, Christian McCaffrey is out for the season with an ankle injury. In the five games as the starter, Hubbard averaged 20.4 touches and 12.9 fantasy points per game. Hubbard was the RB19 during that span, ahead of players like Josh Jacobs and Antonio Gibson. While he can’t fill McCaffrey’s shoes, Hubbard does have an appealing matchup this week as he takes on the Falcons. Atlanta has given up 26.6 fantasy points per game to running backs this season, the fifth-most in the NFL. They have given up over 100 rushing yards to running backs in six of their past seven games. While he won’t finish the week as a top-12 running back, Hubbard is an excellent RB2 this week, given the matchup.
SIT: Ty Johnson vs New Orleans Saints
With Michael Carter and Tevin Coleman out this week, many will want to grab Johnson off the waiver wire. However, that would be a mistake. Johnson has averaged 7.5 points per game this season. Furthermore, he has averaged only 5.2 points per game with someone besides Mike White under center. Johnson has also failed to score a touchdown or over nine fantasy points since Week 9. Meanwhile, the Saints have held running backs to only 18.9 fantasy points per game this season, the fewest in the NFL. They have held running backs to only one rushing touchdown over the past seven weeks. Not only does he have a tough matchup, but Johnson will also split work with Austin Walter. This week, fantasy owners should avoid the Jets backfield.
SIT: Mike Davis at Carolina Panthers
After Cordarrelle Patterson took over as the lead back for the Falcons, Davis became a fantasy afterthought. From Week 7 through Week 12, Davis averaged only 4.9 fantasy points per game, scoring over 7.5 fantasy points just once. Last week, Davis had a season-high 16.9 fantasy points against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. However, it came on only eight touches, as he averaged 8.6 yards and 2.1 fantasy points per touch. Tomorrow, things won’t turn out the same for Davis. The Panthers have held running backs to only 19.2 fantasy points per game this season, the second-fewest in the NFL. They have held running backs to under 18 fantasy points in over half their games this season. After a big performance last week, expect a quiet one from Davis tomorrow.
SLEEPER: Darrel Williams vs Las Vegas Raiders
While the Kansas City Chiefs are happy to have Clyde Edwards-Helaire back, Williams still plays a critical role for the team. Last week, Williams played 26 snaps compared to 29 for Edwards-Helaire. Williams had eight touches for 80 scrimmage yards and 11 fantasy points last week against the Denver Broncos. Meanwhile, the Raiders have allowed running backs to average 27.3 fantasy points per game this season, the third-most in the NFL. They have given up over 100 rushing yards to running backs in six of their past nine games. Three weeks ago, the Raiders gave up 35.5 fantasy points to the Chiefs running backs. Expect CEH and Williams to finish in the top-30 running backs this week.
SLEEPER: Rex Burkhead vs Seattle Seahawks
Last week, Burkhead made the sit list and finished with only 5.5 fantasy points despite David Johnson missing the game against the Indianapolis Colts with a thigh injury. However, Burkhead is a sneaky flex option this week given the matchup. The Seahawks have given up the second-most fantasy points to running backs this season, giving up 30.8 fantasy points per game. Furthermore, they have allowed running backs to average 1.3 rushing touchdowns and 32.9 fantasy points per game over the past four weeks. Over the past three games, Burkhead has averaged 14 touches per game. If he sees 14 touches tomorrow, he will finish the week as a top-30 running back.
Wide Receivers
START: Tyler Lockett at Houston Texans
Since Wilson has returned from injury, Lockett has become his best weapon. Over the past four weeks, Lockett is third on the team with 26 targets, slightly behind D.K. Metcalf (28 targets) and Gerald Everett (27). However, Lockett has been the best fantasy asset of the trio. Over the past three games, he has averaged 16 fantasy points per game. Furthermore, Lockett leads the team with 279 receiving yards during that span. Tomorrow he faces a Houston secondary that has been ripped by wide receivers lately. Over the past six games, wide receivers have averaged 13.8 catches for 173.8 receiving yards, 1.2 touchdowns, and 40.1 fantasy points per game against the Texans. Not only will Wilson have a massive performance tomorrow against the Texans, but so will Lockett.
START: Michael Gallup at Washington Football Team
Every week, CeeDee Lamb and Amari Cooper are must-start wide receivers when they are healthy. On the other hand, Gallup is more of a borderline flex option. This week, he belongs in your lineup. While he has missed time this season, Gallup has been productive when on the field, averaging 10.9 fantasy points per game. Furthermore, he has averaged five catches on 8.5 targets for 71 receiving yards and 15.1 fantasy points per game over the past two weeks. Tomorrow he faces a Washington defense that has struggled to slow down wide receivers this season. They have given up the third-most fantasy points to wide receivers this season, giving up 38.8 fantasy points per game to the position. In a critical divisional matchup this week, expect Gallup to have a big performance.
SIT: Brandin Cooks vs Seattle Seahawks
After averaging 20.6 fantasy points per game over the first three weeks this season, Cooks has turned into an inconsistent fantasy wide receiver lately. Since Week 4, Cooks has averaged only 10.8 fantasy points per game, making him the WR31 during that span. More importantly, Cooks has scored over 9.7 fantasy points in only four of his past nine games. Meanwhile, the Seahawks have held wide receivers to 32.3 fantasy points per game this season, the ninth-fewest in the NFL. They have also given up only one receiving touchdown to wide receivers in their past eight games. Wide receivers have averaged only 28.1 fantasy points per game against the Seahawks during that stretch. With Davis Mills under center tomorrow, leave Cooks on the bench.
SIT: Amon-Ra St. Brown at Denver Broncos
Last week, St. Brown had his best game this season. He finished with 10 catches on 12 receptions for 86 receiving yards, his first career touchdown, and 24.8 fantasy points against the Minnesota Vikings. More importantly, he has averaged six targets per game since Week 4, seeing at least four targets in all but one contest. However, St. Brown faces arguably his toughest matchup of the season. The Broncos have held wide receivers to the eighth-fewest fantasy points this season, giving up only 32.1 fantasy points per game to the position. Furthermore, they have held wide receivers to only 26.9 fantasy points per game over their past six games. While St. Brown is coming off a career game, fantasy owners should be cautious to start him against the Broncos.
SLEEPER: Jamison Crowder vs New Orleans Saints
Earlier this week, the Jets placed Corey Davis on injured reserve with a groin injury. While Elijah Moore will take over as the No. 1 wide receiver on the team, he has a tough matchup this week against Marshon Lattimore. The No. 2 receiver will be Crowder. The veteran has played well when on the field this season, averaging 10.4 fantasy points per game. Furthermore, Crowder has scored 10 or more fantasy in almost half of the games this season, including last week against the Eagles. Meanwhile, the Saints have given up an average of 38.4 fantasy points per game to wide receivers this season, the fifth-most in the NFL. With the running game limited and Moore facing Lattimore, expect Wilson to look Crowder’s way early and often tomorrow.
SLEEPER: Marquez Valdes-Scantling vs Chicago Bears
For most of his career, Valdes-Scantling has been a boom or bust fantasy wide receiver that fantasy owners have avoided. However, he has seen an uptick in work recently. Over the past two games, MVS has averaged 52.5 snaps played, four catches on 9.5 targets for 86.5 receiving yards, and 15.7 fantasy points per game. More importantly, his 19 targets over the past two games lead the team, two ahead of All-Pro Davante Adams. Tomorrow night, he takes on a Chicago secondary that has been torched by wide receivers this season. The Bears have allowed wide receivers to average 35.3 fantasy points per game this season. After proclaiming he “owns” the Bears a few weeks ago, expect Aaron Rodgers to take plenty of downfield shots to MVS in this game.
Tight Ends
START: Dawson Knox at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Last week Knox made the sit list and finished with only 3.4 fantasy points on six targets. However, he was playing well before last week, averaging 4.5 catches on 6.5 targets for 56 receiving yards, a touchdown, and 16.1 fantasy points per game over the previous two weeks. More importantly, Knox has scored at least 14 fantasy points in half the games this season. Tomorrow he has an excellent matchup against the Buccaneers. Tampa Bay has allowed tight ends to average 14.6 fantasy points per game this season, 2.5 fantasy points per game more than the league average. They have given up at least 11.5 fantasy points to tight ends in all but two games this season. After a poor performance last week, Knox will bounce back tomorrow.
START: Tyler Higbee at Arizona Cardinals
It has been an up and down season for Higbee as he has scored double-digit fantasy points only four times this year. However, two of those games have come over the past four contests. Over the past four games, Higbee has averaged 8.7 targets and 8.1 fantasy points per game, scoring 9.8 or more fantasy points in three of them. Furthermore, Higbee had six targets and 7.6 fantasy points in the matchup earlier this season against the Cardinals. Meanwhile, Arizona has struggled against tight ends lately. Over their past five games, tight ends have averaged 12.1 fantasy points per game against the Cardinals, scoring 10.9 or more fantasy points in four of those contests. Given the Cardinals’ recent struggles defending tight ends, Higbee has top-10 upside this week.
SIT: Kyle Pitts at Carolina Panthers
Unfortunately, Pitts has failed to live up to his high expectations as a rookie. He has been very inconsistently weekly, scoring over 10 fantasy points only three times this season. Furthermore, Pitts has scored under 9.5 fantasy points in five of the past six games, averaging only seven fantasy points per game during that span. Tomorrow, the matchup is far from ideal for Pitts. The Panthers have held tight ends to only 10.8 fantasy points per game this season. They have also held wide receivers to the fifth-fewest fantasy points this year. When these two teams played in Week 8, Stephon Gilmore and the Panthers held Pitts to only 3.3 fantasy points on six targets. While it is difficult to do, fantasy owners need to bench Pitts.
SIT: Gerald Everett at Houston Texans
Since the bye week, Everett has averaged 6.8 targets per game. In the first three games since the bye week, he averaged 11.9 fantasy points per game, scoring over 14 fantasy points in two of them. However, Everett made the sit list last week and had only 0.7 fantasy points despite catching four of his six targets. Unfortunately for him, things don’t get easier this week. After struggling to defend tight ends earlier this season, the Texans have held tight ends to only nine fantasy points per game over the past five games. Furthermore, they haven’t given up a touchdown to tight ends since Week 7. While he has been a solid streaming option lately, this week, Everett belongs on the waiver wire.
SLEEPER: Ricky Seals-Jones vs Dallas Cowboys
After missing the past three weeks with a hip injury, Seals-Jones will play tomorrow for Washington. Unfortunately, Logan Thomas will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury, making Seals-Jones the starter. When he started earlier this season, RSJ averaged six targets and nine fantasy points per game, scoring 11 or more fantasy points in two of those contests. Tomorrow he takes on a Dallas defense that has struggled to stop tight ends recently. The Cowboys have given up an average of 13.8 fantasy points per game to tight ends this season. They have given up 13 or more fantasy points to tight ends in two of their past three games. With Thomas out for the year, RSJ is a great streaming option for the rest of the season.
SLEEPER: Austin Hooper vs Baltimore Ravens
Despite scoring zero fantasy points against the Ravens two weeks ago, Hooper is an excellent streaming option this week. David Njoku is on the Covid-19 list while Harrison Bryant is dealing with an ankle injury. Both tight ends will miss tomorrow’s game, which will lead to a massive target share for Hooper. Before the matchup against the Ravens two weeks ago, Hopper averaged six targets and 10.9 fantasy points per game in his previous two games. Meanwhile, the Ravens have given up an average of 16.3 fantasy points per game this season. They have given up 10.5 or more fantasy points to tight ends in but three games this year. With Njoku and Bryant out this week, Hooper is a great streaming option against the Ravens.
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