Who Made the List?
Happy Thanksgiving to you all! This holiday is about family, friends, food and last but not least, football. I hope the only thing greater than your caloric intake is your fantasy score, and I’m here to help you achieve that.
Each week I sift through the schedule to find the best and worst matchups in fantasy football. I chose two quarterbacks, two tight ends and two defenses to start, along with three running back and three receivers. I then find the same number at each position to sit and detail the reasons why.
Any players from the Thursday games that make the list are featured in their own standalone article. The rest list is released on Saturday so to advise you with the most up-to-date information available.
I make these suggestions based on each player’s weekly matchups, surrounding talent and in-game usage. While predicting the future is anything but easy, using these tools can help us make better choices when determining which players we start or sit from week to week.
Let me remind you that these lists consist of players who aren’t obvious. I shouldn’t have to tell you to start super stars like Drew Brees, Alvin Kamara, Michael Thomas, Zeke Elliot and Julio Jones. This article revolves around players who haven’t yet reached “stud” status, and thus require weekly consideration for your lineup.
For more help with your lineup check out The Wolf’s weekly rankings.
Start
Quarterback
Matt Ryan:
Matty Ice didn’t do so hot last week as the Falcons failed to score 20 points for the second straight game. He’s poised to rebound this week against a Saints defense that has allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. Volume shouldn’t be a problem as Atlanta will be forced to pass profusely in hopes to match New Orleans’ top-scoring offense (37.8 PPG).
Wide Receiver
Kenny Golladay:
What was once a three-headed-monster is now a one man show. With Golden Tate shipped off to Philadelphia and Marvin Jones Jr. nursing a bone bruise, Golladay saw a career high 15 targets last week. He caught eight of those throws for 113 yards and a touchdown and will look to log a similar stat-line against a Bears defense that has allowed the eighth-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers.
Defense
Chicago Bears:
The Bears have forced the most turnovers in the NFL (27) and have recorded the fifth-most sacks (32). They’ve also held offenses to the third-fewest yards per game (314.4) and the fourth-fewest points per game (19.5 PPG). Chicago faces a Lions team that has averaged just 16.2 PPG over the last four weeks and will be without two of their best offensive weapons, Marvin Jones Jr. and Kerryon Johnson.
Sit
Quarterback
Matthew Stafford:
When Stafford faced the Bears in week 10 he was intercepted twice and took six sacks. This time around he’ll be without two of his best offensive weapons, Marvin Jones Jr. and Kerryon Johnson. Chicago has allowed the eighth-fewest fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks and has held them to the lowest quarterback rating in the league (79.4).
Running Back
Adrian Peterson:
Peterson has averaged 3.09 yards per carry over the three weeks. This Turkey Day he visits a Dallas defense that has allowed the third-fewest yards per carry (3.7) and the fifth-fewest rushing touchdowns (6). With Alex Smith out for the season, the Cowboys are sure to stack the box against Washington and dare backup QB Colt McCoy to beat them.
Check back on Saturday for the full slate of Start/Sits
