Wolfpack, welcome to the fantasy football playoffs! Last week was a good week if you heeded my advice. If you started Kirk Cousins, Corey Davis, and David Montgomery, as I recommended, you got the QB11, WR1, and RB1, respectively. If you happened to stream Mike Gesicki, you also weren’t disappointed. Gesicki’s 23.8 FPs was good enough for the TE4.
Now that the chips have been pushed into the center of the table let’s keep this positive momentum going!
Quarterbacks
Start ‘Em
Ryan Tannehill vs Jacksonville Jaguars
This week and the rest of the season, slap a saddle on Tannehill’s back and ride him to a fantasy title. If you were patient enough to wade through the waters of a brutal second-half schedule for Tannehill, it’s time for your reward.
Last week, as I watched the Browns boat race the Titans in the first half, all I could do was smile. This just set the stage for Tannehill to have to uncork the football and let the fantasy goodness just flow like the Nile River.
I don’t think anyone expects the Jaguars to come out and throttle the Titans early. However, it’s still well within the realm of possibility for Tannehill to put up a similar stat line. In fact, in Week 2, Tannehill scored 29.2 FPs in a shocking loss to the Jaguars.
Speaking of the Jaguars, their defense ranks second in touchdowns scored by the quarterback behind… the Titans. Jacksonville also ranks fourth in fantasy points against the QB position.
After getting embarrassed by the Browns last week and seeking revenge from their early season beating, Tannehill will be out for blood. Play all of your Titans this week, especially Tannehill, and prepare for a bountiful pig roast.
Honorable Mention: Philip Rivers, Mitchell Trubisky
Sit ‘Em
Kyler Murray vs New York Giants
Murray is currently going through a spell. It’s clear that Murray’s shoulder injury is bothering him more than he is letting on. While a good passer, Murray wasn’t particularly known for airing the ball out across the yard, only ranking 13th in air yards thrown on the season.
What separated Murray from the rest of the pack this season was his blazing speed running the ball and his tendency to keep the ball at the goal line. Murray has rushed the ball only five times in each of the last three games, and none have been for scores. Murray’s high floor that sustained his otherwise erratic passing tendencies has been removed for whatever reason.
The Giants have been stingy against the quarterback this season, ranking sixth in points allowed to the QB.
Until I see Murray’s shoulder and rushing back on the up and up, I’d consider sitting Murray if you have another strong streaming option, like Rivers or Tannehill. Don’t get too cute with it though.
Honorable Mention: Baker Mayfield, Kirk Cousins
Running Backs
Start ‘Em
Jonathan Taylor vs Las Vegas Raiders
Did Frank Reich finally figure out how to use Taylor? Has he gotten past his curmudgeonly “it’s my way or the highway” mentality? Well, most coaches don’t often change their stripes, especially when it comes to coaching styles. However, Reich would have to be a pink slip candidate if he couldn’t see that Taylor was CLEARLY the best running back on the team.
Looking at his last two games since that awful stretch, Taylor has seen at least 16 touches and turned that into at least 110 total yards from scrimmage. Most importantly, he’s finally getting good work in the receiving game. Las Vegas could not stop a parked car with cinder blocks for wheels right now.
The Raiders rank 28th against the RB on the season and have allowed an average of 22.6 FPPG to the position. Since Reich appears to have finally committed to giving Taylor a consistent workload, Taylor has a high yardage floor and a great opportunity for a touchdown this week.
Honorable Mention: Ronald Jones, Myles Gaskin
Sit ‘Em
Raheem Mostert vs Washington Football Team
That is still just awkward to type out. Come up with a nickname already Washington!
Mostert is clearly the best back on this San Francisco team. Every time he touches the ball he’s a threat to blaze through the defense and take it to the house. So why am I suggesting sitting him? What if that explosiveness isn’t all there? What if he’s just quick and serviceable instead?
#49ers RB Raheem Mostert indicated his high ankle sprain is something that won’t be 100 percent the rest of the season. He called it a “nagging feeling.”
— Chris Biderman (@ChrisBiderman) December 10, 2020
Kyle Shanahan is probably the best play-caller and one of the two to three best offensive minds in the game. Shanahan LOVES to run the football. Mostert still could take some red zone carries to the house, but that’s not exactly where he does his damage. Mostert has thrived on the big play all year and was consistently ripping off large chunk plays for touchdowns in both the running and receiving games.
Washington ranks third against the running back position in touchdowns allowed and fifth overall in fantasy points. With Mostert being out-touched by Jeff Wilson last week and even admitting his ankle is going to be a nagging injury all season, I’m just avoiding him altogether.
Honorable Mention: Miles Sanders, Devontae Booker
Wide Receivers
Start ‘Em
Robby Anderson vs Denver Broncos
With the status of DJ Moore (COVID-19) and Curtis Samuel (contact tracing) up in the air, and Christian McCaffrey likely out again, Anderson is in line for more targets than he can handle. Now that AJ Bouye has been popped with a PED suspension, Denver’s secondary should be open for business.
Anderson hasn’t been a league winner this season. Anderson has finished as a WR3 or worse in 58% of his games and has been below the WR2 line in six of his last seven games. However, Anderson did find the endzone in his last game against the Vikings.
With such a projected high target share and a weakened secondary, Anderson is an excellent flex consideration with upside this week.
Honorable Mention: Corey Davis, Brandon Aiyuk
Sit ‘Em
DeVante Parker vs Kansas City Chiefs
This one isn’t very hard. Ryan Fitzpatrick was expected to start last week. Instead, Tua got the green light from the medical team and played. Tua doesn’t sling the ball with reckless abandon as Fitzpatrick does, and that really puts a chokehold on Parker’s ceiling.
Last week, Parker did see eight targets before being tossed for channeling his inner Rocky Balboa.
Still, Parker had only caught four of those eight passes for 35 yards.
With Kansas City’s defense being tough on WR’s (5th in fantasy points against) and a capped ceiling with Parker, there should be better options lying elsewhere. Parker should garner no more than flex consideration.
Honorable Mention: Jarvis Landry, Chase Claypool
Tight End Streamers
Hunter Henry vs Atlanta Falcons
Will Dissly vs New York Jets
