Get some insider tips on who to start or sit this week from our fantasy expert Jason Feiner!
Quarterbacks
Baker Mayfield VS Cincinnati Bengals
Don’t let Bakers last outing frighten you. He can still ball at a very high level, especially against Hue Jackson and his inner-state rival. In his last game against the Bengals Mayfield put up over 30 fantasy points on the day. The Bengals have given up the second most fantasy points the quarterbacks this year. If Mayfield can replicate even 75% of his production from his last game against the Bengals then you have a top 5 finisher on the week!.
Verdict: START ‘EM
Matt Ryan VS Carolina Panthers
Matt Ryan’s last few starts will not fool me. He has performed at a very high level in his last two outings, but a lot of that has to do with matchup and game script. In his last four games, the Falcons have either been blown out or have blown out a team. These factors have assisted his numbers mightily. He will now face a Panthers team who will surely keep this game close and just came off a tough loss where they shut down Drew Brees. Expect a defense that just gave New Orleans trouble to do the same against the Falcons.
Verdict: SIT ‘EM
Running Backs
Jamaal Williams VS New York Jets
Jamaal looked really good after an injury to Aaron Jones forced him into a more prominent role against the vaunted Chicago Bears defense. The Packers will need to lean on Williams due to their lack of passing weapons making him a great option to receive a vast amount of carries. While he’s not cut from the same cloth as Jones, Williams is more than capable of performing. Especially against a Jets run defense that has been questionable at best this year. Ride Williams as a solid RB2 option this week.
Verdict: START ‘EM
Leonard Fournette VS Miami Dolphins
This is certainly not what anyone who drafted Fournette in the first round of their fantasy drafts envisioned the young running backs year to look like. Hampered by injuries and attached to a poor offense, Fournette has had trouble getting anything going all year. This week against the Dolphins, nothing has changed. He is once again burdened by yet another foot injury and if he does play will certainly not be 100%. The Jaguars will most likely be behind in this one and Fournette's usage will suffer. Couple that with the Dolphins actually being decent against the run in recent weeks, giving up the fourth-fewest fantasy points per game to running backs and you have a recipe for disaster with Fournette. You’ve most likely gotten this far without him, one more week won’t kill you.
Verdict: SIT ‘EM
Kalen Ballage VS Jacksonville Jaguars
With Frank Gore out for the year, Ballage will assume the starting duties for the Dolphins against Jacksonville this week. With Gore out, Ballage was able to put up 123 yards on 12 carries and a touchdown against a very solid Vikings run defense. The Jaguars have not been the defense we were used to seeing last year. If a team were to attack a weak point of this defense it would have to be on the ground, where they have recently struggled. Just take a look at Derrick Henry’s 200+ yard game against them. Look for the Dolphins to utilize Ballage and for your fantasy team to reap the benefits!
Verdict: START ‘EM
Wide Receivers
Adam Thielen VS Detroit Lions
Thielen has come back down to earth after his record setting start to the NFL season. Since putting up eight straight 100 yard games, Thielen only has one in his last six matchups. Most of this can be put on Kirk Cousins and his inconsistency, but we should blame Thielen just a bit. That all changes this week though. The Lions are a bottom half unit against the pass, in terms of fantasy points allowed and the Vikings need wins to keep their playoff hopes alive. Look for Cousins to look at Thielen early and often in this one, he should have good value in standard leagues and fantastic value in any PPR format.
Verdict: START ‘EM
Amari Cooper VS Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Cooper had to come crashing down to earth at some point right? Well against a top-10 fantasy unit against WRs, an output like that is expected. He now faces a bottom five unit in the Buccaneers and should feast! With the Cowboys back at home, coming off of a 0-point outing, and against one of the best passing teams in the league, they should try to put up a ton of points in this one, and Cooper may just be the main beneficiary,
Verdict: START ‘EM
Tight Ends
Eric Ebron VS New York Giants
Ebron put up a huge dud against the Cowboys with only 8 yards on the day, but we know what he’s capable of. He’s still one of the best scorers at his position when he’s on the field and now has a premium matchup against one of the league’s worst teams against tight ends. The Giants have allowed almost 5 catches a game and 13 fantasy points to the position over the last four weeks. You should start your stud.
Verdict: START ‘EM
Gerald Everett VS Arizona Cardinals
Everett has not produced very much this year, and he has especially not produced his last three weeks. Putting up a combined 11 fantasy points up in that span. With a matchup against the Cardinals, I would sit Everett in this one. The Birds have been lighting up TE’s all season, allowing only three touchdowns and the fourth fewest fantasy points to the position all season. Look elsewhere.
Verdict: SIT ‘EM
Defense/Special Teams
Dallas Cowboys D/ST VS Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Cowboys average nearly 3 sacks a game and are top 12 in the league at getting after the QB. They’re facing a Bucs offensive line that has allowed 3+ sacks on seven different occasions this year, pair that with Jameis Winston who is almost always good for a turnover, and you have a fantasy D/ST with one of the highest floors and ceilings on the week. Start them and don’t think twice!
Verdict: START ‘EM
Baltimore Ravens D/ST VS Los Angeles Chargers
In the last two games, the Ravens fantasy defense has scored just 12 combined points after starting off hot and being one of the best defenses in fantasy. They now face the Chargers on the road, a team who has been on an offensive tear and are getting star running back Melvin Gordon back. I would avoid the Ravens on the road this week against a team vying for the first seed in the AFC.
Verdict: SIT ‘EM