It’s the fantasy semifinals! Congratulations on making it this far. Hopefully last week’s barrage of injuries hasn’t plagued your teams. If the injury bug did happen to infest your squad, then check out our streamers column. Still, it’s all or nothing here. Your lineups have to be impeccable, and the final tweaks start and end here.
Start ‘Em
Quarterback
Ryan Tannehill vs Texans
The Texans are a very bad defense. Pair that with the fact that since taking over the Titans, Tannehill is the QB2 behind Lamar Jackson, and you have a quarterback with week winning upside this week. The Texans rank 27th against the quarterback and Tannehill has scored 22+ in six of his seven starts.
On the season, Tannehill has established a very high floor. His worst outing was a 17 point performance against the Colts. Start Tannehill over the likes of Aaron Rodgers, Carson Wentz, and Russell Wilson this week.
Honorable Mention: Jared Goff, Ryan Fitzpatrick
Running Back
Phillip Lindsay vs Chiefs
Lindsay has clearly separated himself as the alpha dog running back for the Denver Broncos. Lindsay and Royce Freeman have been locked in the dreaded running back by committee for most of the season. The last couple of weeks have seen Lindsay’s touches skyrocket close to 20.
The Chiefs have the absolute worst defense against the running back position. Drew Lock has provided a spark to this Broncos offense and Lindsay could be in line for a breakout week. If you don’t have a stable of stud running back horses at your disposal, then Lindsay belongs in your starting lineup.
Honorable Mention: Raheem Mostert, Marlon Mack
Wide Receiver
Darius Slayton vs Dolphins
Slayton has had plenty of boom games this season. Last week, Slayton over 30 fantasy points against the Eagles with Eli Manning at the helm. Even with Daniel Jones at quarterback, Slayton has received at least seven targets in his last four games.
The Dolphins have allowed the most touchdowns to opposing wide receivers and rank 30th overall against the position. At this point in his career, it’s hard to trust Manning. Still, the Dolphins have been as trustworthy as Lamar Jackson for fantasy points. Start Slayton with confidence.
Honorable Mention: AJ Brown, Christian Kirk
Sit ‘Em
Quarterback
Carson Wentz vs Redskins
Wentz couldn’t get it going against the Giants until the final couple of drives for the game. In fact, going into the fourth quarter he only had around six fantasy points on the game. Washington might not be the stingiest of opposing defenses, ranking 21st against the position.
However, that secondary has stepped up lately. Rodgers didn’t even manage to score more than 14 points and that doesn’t instill much confidence in Wentz this week. Wentz is a low end starter this week and could easily be replaced this week.
Honorable Mention: Kirk Cousins, Josh Allen
Running Back
Devonta Freeman vs 49ers
While the 49ers secondary has really been leaking air the past few weeks, the rush defense has been stout all season. The 49ers rank second against running backs on the season and Freeman has been anything but stout. The flaccid Freeman may have turned things around somewhat during the second half of the year, I see no reason that he is able to put together a strong showing against the 49ers mauling defensive line.
Honorable Mention: Le’Veon Bell, Bo Scarbrough
Wide Receiver
Curtis Samuel vs Seahawks
If you didn’t happen to take our advice and drop kick Samuel out of your lineups in our cut report earlier this week then two things:
- Shame on you. Samuel has been dreadful since his miniature hot streak where he was consistently scoring touchdowns.
- DJ Moore has taken over that receiving core and Samuel is fighting for the scraps from the erratic Kyle Allen and isn’t even close to dependable at this point of the season.
All kidding aside, Samuel really should be on the pine this week for all of the reasons mentioned above. Seattle isn’t the most fearsome of matchups anymore, but a middle of the pack secondary should still be enough to scare you straight… this isn’t the Dolphins secondary after all.
Honorable Mention: Tyler Boyd, John Brown
Tight End Streamer
Tyler Higbee vs Cowboys
Rollllllllll Higbee! Higbee has scorched the Earth the last two weeks. He has been putting up numbers similar to what Rob Gronkowski and Travis Kelce have done in their primes. Eclipsing 100 yards each of the past two weeks is groundbreaking for the shameful tight end position. In fact, the last two weeks, Higbee has caught 14 of 19 targets for 223 yards and a touchdown. The Cowboys defense has struggled against the tight end all season and is beginning to struggle as a unit. If Gerald Everett remains out with a knee injury, Higbee is a top flight tight end streamer this week.
Honorable Mention: OJ Howard, Ian Thomas
