Here it is, the final week of the fantasy regular season is underway and securing those final victories will be the difference in challenging for the championship, or watching from the sidelines. If there is a shred of hope that securing a spot is present – a clear cut top-end roster is needed this week. With injuries and Covid still paramount in the league, lesser players will be forced to fill the void. We ride with you this week to get those wins! Follow us as we look at the best to play and sit this week.
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Philip Rivers (IND)
The Colts Philip Rivers has been very reliable these past six weeks and has a glorious matchup against the Texans in week 13. Finding streaming options at the position has been difficult, but if you are stuck – Rivers is a good bet this week. We fully expect a solid showing that could carry you.
This is one start that could go in both directions, but the way in which the Titans have played recently – they seem to have everything firing. The reason for the start is that the floor is very safe and 18-points could be the outcome. Seeing over 20-points is also in the cards as the Browns haven’t really faced this type of competition with great outcomes. Tannehill will be a good play.
Jonathan Taylor (IND)
Missing last weeks contest to Covid, Jonathan Taylor is a player that we should be able to trust more moving forward. Reviewing his last contest verse the Packers, Taylor again proved what can be accomplished with a heavier volume set. The last time Taylor saw over 20-carries was back in week two and he had himself a fabulous day. Securing 22-carries in week 11 proves he is that volume runner that needs carries to produce. Facing the Texans – he is a good play this week.
Never in our wildest dreams would we say “the man crush is real” when talking about Wayne Gallman. Finding new levels to his game the past five contests – Gallman has witnessed nothing less than 13-points and a ceiling of over 18. The last five games have been against stiff run defenses, where this week they get the Seahawks. A touchdown is almost a certainty at this point as he has scored six in the last five. Start him with confidence.
Boy is it good to see Austin Ekeler back on the field and playing with Justin Herbert. Our offseason evaluation for this Charger club was in fact, the offense would move much better with Herbert over Tyrod Taylor – which is seen now. Ekeler is a multi-dimensional player that can do it all and his return gained a whopping 18.40 half PPR points last week. Fire up Ekeler with high assurance.
Robert Woods (LAR)
Robert Woods and the LA Rams haven’t been anything spectacular this season, but a level of consistent play has been there. Woods is starting to turn the corner in terms of earning potential again, with his target share being plentiful. Even with Jared Goff struggling on more than one occasion, Woods is a very good play to get you into the playoffs.
The fear last week in suggesting to bench Tee Higgins was the unknown of how this offense would move without Joe Burrow. Brandon Allen isn’t the best in the business but is serviceable to feed these receivers. Facing the Dolphins and their steady set of corner backs – Tyler Boyd and AJ Green should warrant the most attention, leaving Higgins the opportunity to roam free. It could be a risk, though a good flex play in our eyes.
Watching the injury report is the only marker that could and should force DJ Chark to the bench this week. Facing the leaky Vikings secondary – Chark would be a fabulous player to earn big numbers with Mike Glennon able to support the deep pass. While all the reports have shown Chark is trending in the right direction to suit up – if he plays, we are all in this week.
Eric Ebon (PIT)
How can you not like what’s transpired with Eric Ebron this season? We mentioned more than once in the offseason that waiting to grab this tight end could pay dividends and that is turning out to be the case. Ebron is currently ranked as the 10th best player at the position in half PPR and his usage will only continue to rise. This Steeler offense is pass happy – making for another good day for Ebron considering the other options.
Matt Ryan (ATL)
The last time these teams met, the Falcons were absolutely bombarded with pressure leaving nothing offensively to transpire. While teams typically adjust after film is dissected, we fully expect a much better showing from Matt Ryan. However, Julio Jones is hampered with an injury and Todd Gurley isn’t likely to suit up either. The Saints defense is playing very well and we fear this could be another under 10-point event. Keep him on the bench.
Will we ever see Kenny Golladay back on the field to help move this offense this season? That is the million-dollar question. However, we must move forward with what have and playing the Bears defense, who will be looking to regroup in a big way, is the primal fear. These teams met back in week one and a lot has changed. Stafford still managed just over 15-points in that contest and we could see much less with fewer weapons to pass to. The safe play is not to start him.
Devin Singletary (BUF)
The evolution of the Bills Devin Singletary hasn’t materialized as we envisioned this season, but a lot of that comes from usage over skillset. The Bills began the season running many screen-plays which lifted the perspective of Singletary in the PPR game. Now, the Bills have seemingly removed that from their game plan leaving his floor extremely poor. Being touchdown dependant is truly an understatement as that is commonly the only this saving his fantasy days.
With the uncertainty of the Falcons backfield – we have cautiously placed both Todd Gurley and Brain Hill as sit players this week. Not being able to trust this backfield at the moment and facing a Saints club that is moving in the right direction on defense – there is no way we can support these backs. Kwon Alexander is a massive piece to the Saints run defense, don’t forget that.
There is some level of optimism with the return of D’Andre Swift to the field, but verse the Bears – we struggle to be overexcited. If you are truly struck at the position, targets and volume should be here, but the fear in that the Bears have one of the best run defenses is scaring us away. Play at your own risk – we are comfortable sitting him this week.
Marvin Jones (DET)
It has been quite the disappointment this season for Marvin Jones, as Kenny Golladay’s injury should’ve opened the door to many more positive showings. Being the typically boom-or-bust player now, it has become impossible to believe he will score points to carry your club. Facing the Bears stout pass secondary – Jones could find holes and be productive, but we aren’t taking that chance.
With news that Brandon Aiyuk is heading in the right direction to play this weekend, what is the expectation for him to produce? The Bills secondary is still a very solid unit that will take away the top targets on most weeks. If we had to put money on the fact of which receiver will have the better day – Deebo Samuel gets the nod in that department. If Samuel sits this week via injury, then Aiyuk would see the increase in targets to back the start. Watch the injury report for that.
The PPR revelation that was the Patriots Jakibi Meyers has certainly come back down to earth. Having subpar showings, the past two weeks, this contest against the Chargers isn’t a formidable matchup to endorse. The stipulation is the Patriots will move to feature the ground game again over trying to throw this week, leaving Meyers an afterthought.
Jared Cook (NO)
Based on circumstance, Jared Cook can no longer be played until Drew Brees returns to the field. Had Jameis Winston been the quarterback behind center, a totally different outlook would’ve been had. Nevertheless, we must shy away from the glorious matchup verse the Falcons and sit him down once again this week.
Kirk Cousins (MIN)
Its actually comical how much disrespect the Vikings Kirk Cousins still receives after what he’s done this season. Altering his game to be more of a protection passer over the gun slinger – Cousins is putting up very strong performances, especially verse weaker competition. Facing the Jags this week, we could again witness a 25 to 30-point showing. Get him into your lineup again this week for what could be a banner day.
This may be something of a stretch to promote the play of a potential big day for Cam Newton. Newton has been underwhelming so far this season and it appears he won’t get back to the levels we once knew. With that said, facing the Chargers who can’t stop the run game on the best of days – this has the makings to be a top-end play for him and your club. There is risk to starting him, but we love the rushing upside of course.
James Robinson (JAX)
Being a top five fantasy running back isn’t a breaking news event when suggesting to start him on a weekly basis. Nevertheless, James Robinson has become full proof with a very safe floor, but these evaluations also suggest big day players. If Jacksonville intends to compete in this game, Robinson will be a massive part. 20-points scored is in the ballpark this week.
This prediction is contingent on J.K Dobbins getting clearance to play off his Covid isolation. If he finds his way onto the field – this could be the coming out party we’ve all been waiting for. With Lamar Jackson a possible absent again with his positive Covid test – Dobbins would lead the way on the ground producing very big numbers against the Cowboys weak defense. We should know his status before Sunday.
While its been tough to trust the Bears David Montgomery overall this season, he is coming off one of his best showings of his career. Facing the Lions and their porous run defense – the installation of Mitchell Trubisky adds to the running ability and read option into the scheme. Montgomery has been saving his days in the PPR game, but should have enough volume to produce sound stats this week. We really like this play to be another blow up.
Denzel Mims (NYJ)
With the rookie class of pass catchers showing out this season, Denzel Mims had a later start due in part to injuries. Now that he’s been back for the last five weeks, getting his feet wet while stealing more of the target share is encouraging. Facing the Raiders who are showing signs of struggle in the secondary, Mims and his 23-targets over the past three games is a potential for having an explosion. There is risk here, but the payoff could be fantastic.
Being lost last week due to Covid, Adam Thielen returns to the field this week to face the struggling Jaguars secondary. While Justin Jefferson should see the top coverage for most of the day, Thielen will slot right back into his normal sets to feast. Target share and redzone opportunity is climbing, which is rising the outlook for him to have a massive day once again.
Rookie Darnel Mooney is a player we have all gotten to know based on play and some level of consistency. Being something of a revelation in his rookie campaign, this week could bring a strong amount of work – especially with Allen Robinson still nursing an injury. Seeing 65-targets on the season is a nice statistic and perhaps we see the plethora of passes again come his way, with Mitchell Trubisky behind center. Volume is here, but will it be executed? With that, he is dealing with an injury which could preclude him from playing – if so, fire up Anthony Miller with a similar outlook.
Noah Fant (DEN)
This is the beginning of Noah Fant’s wonderful upcoming schedule which will lift him back into the top-10 conversation. While Kansas City can cover the position well, the Broncos will have to alter their approach and integrate this man to stand a chance. Garbage time points appear to be plentiful this week, with many solid showings on the horizon. With Drew Lock back in the mix, Fant is again a starting tight end with what could be a very good day.
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