QB:
Josh Allen, Bills
The Colts defense has given up points in droves to opposing offenses all season long and is the seventh-worst team versus opposing quarterbacks. This game feels like the last stand for the Colts to have any chance at making the playoffs. Conversely, Buffalo is nearing a playoff berth if they can continue winning. Indianapolis plays a lot of zone defense, which should be perfect for Khalil Shakir, and Allen will take advantage of a weak Colts’ pass rush to have time to throw to his receivers. We also haven’t seen a Josh Allen rushing touchdown in the last three games and I think we just might see one this week.
Brock Purdy, 49ers
The BYE week came at a perfect time for San Francisco as Christian McCaffrey and Deebo Samuel are expected back. Purdy gets to face Tampa who’s coming off an emotional loss on Monday night to Kansas City. Moreover, Tampa plays a Cover 2 zone, which is exactly what Deebo Samuel loves to face. Purdy hasn’t had a big game yet this year, but this feels like one of those weeks where he could pass for 250 yards and three touchdowns, especially against the team that is worst in the league against opposing quarterbacks.
Sam Darnold, Vikings
The breaking news out of Jacksonville is that Trevor Lawrence will miss this game with a shoulder injury. Former first-round pick Mac Jones will be the starter, and he’s going to have a lot of issues dealing with the Vikings’ blitz. With Jacksonville not being able to convert a ton on offense it’s going to give the Vikings way more opportunities to put up fantasy points. Look for Darnold to throw for 250 yards and at least two touchdowns against the team that is the second-worst versus opposing quarterbacks.
Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins
It’s been an awful year for Miami Dolphins skill players not named De’Von Achane, but flying out West might be the cure to that. The Rams’ defense has let up the highest yards per passing attempt this season, and they just traded star CB Tre’Davious White this past week before the trade deadline. Dolphins fans have been waiting impatiently for the Tyreek Hill/Jaylen Waddle breakout game. I have a Visionary feeling that it’s coming on Monday night.
Aaron Rodgers, Jets
Arizona has played way better than expected especially on defense this season. They’ve let up the sixth most passing yards, but their pass rush has improved, and coverage hasn’t been as leaky. Last week felt like a must-win week for the Jets, and it wasn’t until after halftime that the offense seemed to click. Hopefully, Rodgers can build on that success. With a condensed passing tree, Rodgers should have at least 240 yards and two touchdowns as the Jets cling to their slim playoff hopes.
RB:
Saquon Barkley, Eagles
There’s not much more to say about the season Barkley is having right now except that either Barkley or Lamar Jackson is in line to win the league’s MVP. This week, the Eagles play a divisional game against the Cowboys, who have struggled to stop any team on defense. With Cooper Rush playing, Dallas might have a few more three-and-outs than usual, so look for Barkley to continue his MVP-type season with 100+ from scrimmage and a touchdown.
Bijan Robinson, Falcons
When the season started, Robinson was sharing carries with Tyler Allgeier, but as the season has gone on, he has become the bell cow running back that fantasy managers have envisioned. The Saints have let up 5.10 yards per carry and the second most touchdowns to opposing running backs. Look for Robinson to have about 70 or 80 yards rushing as well as 30 or 40 yards receiving with a good chance at a touchdown
Alvin Kamara, Saints
The Saints have lost so much on offense that there’s nowhere else to turn to except Kamara. Atlanta has been stingy against opposing running backs, but they have let up the fourth most receptions to the position. There might be no better receiving running back in the league, and with all the injuries the Saints have at wide receiver, Kamara should put up about 16 to 20 fantasy points.
D’Andre Swift, Bears
The Bears are in disarray, with many players speaking out negatively against head coach Matt Eberflus. There’s also been a lot of negative talk about Caleb Williams and how he has progressed thus far. At one point last week, wide receiver DJ Moore left the field supposedly with an ankle injury, but people are thinking that it’s way more than that. The one player that the Bears have been able to rely upon all season has been Swift. The Patriots have let up the second-most rushing yards to opposing running backs this season, as well as the second-most touchdowns to the position. Look to Swift to have 120 all-purpose yards this week with a TD.
Tyrone Tracy Jr., Giants
Please set your lineups early on Sunday morning because the Giants are playing at 9:30 on Sunday morning in Munich against the Panthers. The Panthers have let up the most rushing yards AND the most rushing touchdowns to opposing running backs this season. Tracy has been fantastic and has earned the role of Giants RB1 with his spectacular play of late. Tracy will have another great week rushing with about 100 yards and a touchdown.
WR:
Justin Jefferson, Vikings
Jacksonville plays the most man coverage in the league, which might not be such a good thing for them, considering they’re playing the best receiver against man coverage in the NFL. Sam Darnold has leaned on Jefferson week in and week out, and he will continue to do so on the road (on the grass), where the Vikings have struggled in the past. The Jaguars have let up 9.11 yards per target, which is the worst in the league. Look for Jefferson to be one of the locks of the week as he puts up 100 receiving yards and a touchdown.
Tank Dell, Texans
Dell thrives in man coverage, and although the Texans have a difficult matchup against Detroit, I think they can take advantage of the Lions secondary, which can be beaten when they lose confidence. Nico Collins is practicing but he might be another week away from a return. Dell should have another game where he leads the team with double digit targets. Look for Dell to have about 80 yards and a touchdown.
Josh Downs, Colts
We’ve talked a lot about flop lag this season. Simply put, flop lag means that a player who underperformed against expectations the week before has a rebound week and excels. We can say that about the entire Colts’ offense against Minnesota. Look for Joe Flacco to feel more comfortable at home and work their offense better. If Jonathan Taylor can find a few holes, the passing game should be able to make some big plays, too. Lock Downs in for a rebound with 70 receiving yards and a touchdown.
Darnell Mooney, Falcons
There was a video on social media on Thursday showing Drake London at Falcons’ practice still looking tentative with his injured hip. While there might be a chance that London plays, I don’t expect that he’s going to have a huge week. This should play right into the hands of Mooney, who is sensational against man coverage, which is primarily what New Orleans plays. Look for Kirk Cousins to take a couple of chances deep down the field and find Mooney on at least one—if not multiple– big plays. I love Mooney to have 100 yards and a touchdown this week.
Brian Thomas, Jr., Jaguars
Let’s not forget that Mac Jones used to be considered one of the top young quarterbacks in the league. Because Mac has been a backup, it makes sense that he’s going to come in and probably feature one receiver, and I expect that receiver to be Thomas. The Vikings run a lot of zone coverage, and Thomas is quick enough to exploit the holes in the Vikings secondary. I think he’s going to have double-digit targets with about seven receptions for 90 yards and a touchdown.
TE:
George Kittle, 49ers
My favorite start at tight end this week is Kittle. Tight ends have done a great job against Tampa Bay (Tampa is the third-worst team versus opposing tight ends), including Travis Kelce, who just had a terrific week last Monday night. Tampa Bay’s pass rush is good but not good enough to force Kittle to block, so he’ll be able to go out on a lot of passing routes. Speaking of those routes, Tampa allows the third most yards per target to opposing tight ends, too. This could be one of those weeks where we see Kittle catch multiple touchdowns.
Cade Otton, Bucs
If you ask me right now if Cade Otton is one of the top five tight ends in football, the answer would unequivocally be yes. He is the number one option for Baker Mayfield with Mike Evans and Chris Godwin injured, and he has proven to be a reliable target even in the most difficult of situations. San Francisco is a tough defense and stingy against tight ends, but Otton is a huge target who never leaves the field. Look for him to have about 5 or 6 catches for 60 yards with a great chance of a touchdown.
Dalton Kincaid, Bills
The Colts have given up touchdowns in droves to opposing tight ends (the second-most in the league). Rookie receiver Keon Coleman is in danger of missing this game and Amari Cooper is not necessarily playing at 100% either. Allen may be forced to rely on Shakir and Kincaid more than ever which should be a perfect opportunity for Kincaid to get about 12 to 14 fantasy points.
T.J Hockenson, Vikings
Hockenson did not play a full load of snaps against the Colts but I expect that to change in his second week back against Jacksonville. Minnesota should have their way on offense as the Jacksonville defense will be tired from playing so many reps on defense with Trevor Lawrence out. Look for Hockenson to be used as a force in the red zone and I expect that he will be doing a touchdown celebration on Sunday.
Taysom Hill, Saints
At this point, the Saints are running out of players on offense. Chris Olave has not been cleared yet, and they might be forced to lean on Hill as they did last week. Look for Hill to play multiple roles, including backup running back, backup tight end, and Wildcat quarterback. Hill’s value mainly comes from his touchdown equity—don’t forget that he had two touchdowns the last time these teams played–and I think he gets another one this week.
