You know the feeling. It’s why you’re here. That glorious, maddening, weekly riddle that consumes us right until kickoff: WHO DO I START? The impact? Maybe the difference is between mess-talking victory and soul-sucking defeat. And we all want that “edge,” don’t we? That little nugget that pats us on our tushies and tells us everything will be ok. A gentle nudge, if you will. I want you to know that I’m here each week to pat your tushies (figuratively). To give you my two cents on who needs to be touching grass and who needs to be riding pine. And why.
This is your nudge. *pats tushie* Now, let’s get this ‘W’.
WEEK 14 RECEIPTS
Fourteen! I went 14-2 on the week, baby! Just call me John Anthony! Missed on Daniel Jones (injury) and Brenton Strange. Sigh. Perfection was within my grasp.
On the season, I’ve banked 136-88 (60.7%). I’ll take it heading into the fantasy playoffs, kids.
Start:
Drake Maye (NE v. BUF): The sophomore signal-caller is arguably the hottest quarterback in fantasy football right now, eclipsing 270 passing yards in four straight contests. The Bills’ secondary is leaking, and Maye’s rushing floor makes him a league-winner you simply cannot bench in the playoffs.
Jaxson Dart (NYG v. WAS): This rookie’s rushing upside is the cheat code you need, as evidenced by his 66-yard, 2-touchdown rushing performance against Chicago earlier this season. Washington’s defense flat-out refuses to tackle, so expect Dart to get back to that at MetLife and salvage any passing struggles with his legs.
Sit:
Jacoby Brissett (ARI @ HOU): You are really considering starting a former backup quarterback against the Texans’ pass rush in the fantasy playoffs? See Patrick Mahomes for reference. Put down the drink and bench him unless you enjoy watching 150 empty yards and three picks destroying your season.
Justin Herbert (LAC @ KC): Arrowhead in December is where passing games go to die, and Spags will have Herbert seeing ghosts all afternoon. The Chiefs have struggled, to be sure, but this feels like a get-right game, frankly. Herbert’s hand has this offense (rightfully) leaning on the run, which I expect to continue (unsuccessfully) this week.
Start:
Saquon Barkley (PHI v. LVR): The Raiders’ run defense is a polite suggestion at best, and Saquon is in a prime “set it and forget it” smash spot. He looks to be back on track, and 100 yards with a score is the absolute floor in this matchup.
Chase Brown (CIN v. BAL): Baltimore’s front seven isn’t horrible, but Brown is seeing bell-cow usage that you simply cannot bench in December. He might only average 3.5 yards a carry, but he’s getting 20+ touches and falling into the end zone at least once in this one.
Sit:
Omarion Hampton (LAC @ KC): The rookie has looked sharp, but running into the teeth of the Chiefs’ defensive line in Arrowhead is suicide. You didn’t make the playoffs to lose because your RB2 got stuffed for 2.5 yards per carry all day in a negative game script.
Aaron Jones Sr. (MIN @ DAL): Jones is running on fumes, and the Cowboys’ defense at home is a completely different animal now that Overshown is back and Williams was added at the deadline. He is a sentimental favorite, but sentiment doesn’t win fantasy championships – points do, and he won’t score enough of them here.
Start:
George Pickens (DAL v. MIN): Dak loves forcing the ball to his alphas, and with CeeDee possibly out (concussion), I expect a massive target share where Pickens feasts on deep balls. Hell, even if Lamb plays, I don’t think the Vikings can hang with them both.
A.J. Brown (PHI v. LVR): The Raiders have absolutely nobody who can physically match up with Brown, and he’ll stay on track this week with a massive statistical explosion. Hurts will look his way early and often; sit back and enjoy the 30-point bomb incoming.
Sit:
Christian Watson (GB @ DEN): Patrick Surtain II is a blanket, and even with his recent surge, Watson is tough to trust against the league’s premier shutdown corner. You are praying for a fluke 50-yard touchdown, but you are infinitely more likely to get two catches for 18 yards and a headache.
Khalil Shakir (BUF @ NE): The Patriots’ defense does fine work against opponents’ slot option, and Khalil is just too inconsistent to trust in your playoffs. I expect another TE-heavy week for Josh Allen, leaving Shakir with a hollow 4-point performance that kills your week.
Start:
Harold Fannin Jr. (CLE @ CHI): The rookie tight end has loudly become the safety valve this offense desperately needs. Chicago’s linebackers are soft in coverage, making Fannin a sneaky top-5 play at a wasteland position where volume is king. And by the way, maybe forget what I’ve been saying about Shedeur.
Travis Kelce (KC v. LAC): He’s old, he’s slow, and he is still Mahomes’ favorite target when the chips are down in crucial divisional games. The Chargers’ safeties won’t check him in the red zone, so fire up the legend for this divisional ride.
Sit:
Darren Waller (MIA @ PIT): He doesn’t look to be in game shape after missing half the season, and Tua’s play is so bad at this point I’m not chancing it either way. Don’t get cute with this name-brand bust.
Oronde Gadsden II (LAC @ KC): After a two-week explosion earlier this season, Gadsden II has basically disappeared. Add in Herbert’s injury, and a game against a premier defensive unit, and this is a hard pass unless you are in a 20-team league and desperate for a heartbeat.
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