Love
LAR WR Cooper Kupp vs. NYJ CB D.J. Reed
Even though Kupp helped eliminate me from the playoffs in two leagues, Kupp will have a bounce-back week against the Jets. The Jets are nearly allowing 264 passing yards a game over their last three games, and they have all but punted on this season. The Rams have won three straight and now sit atop of their division. Sean McVay will have a great game plan to establish Kupp early and often throughout the game after a tough, gritty win against the Niners in which Kupp recorded zero catches.
TB WR Jalen McMillan vs. DAL CB Amani Oruwariye
McMillan has made the most of his rookie season over the past two weeks. He has nine catches for 134 yards and three touchdowns in his past two contests. McMillan has taken over the WR2 spot for Tampa Bay in the absence of Chris Godwin. The Cowboys have suffered through multiple defensive injuries this season including the latest season-ending injury to standout corner Trevon Diggs. Dallas’ secondary is banged up in general, with Jourdan Lewis, Malik Hooker, and Donovan Wilson all dealing with injuries. McMillan will have a good chance to put up a good stat line again this week.
IND WR Josh Downs vs. TEN CB Roger McCreary
Downs could return to fantasy relevance this week against the Titans. In an earlier meeting this season, Downs hauled in seven catches for 66 yards and a touchdown. Now, that was with Joe Flacco under center, but the Colts and Downs need a good game to stay in the playoff hunt. The Titans have nothing left to play for this season, and they have even made the switch to QB Mason Rudolph from Will Levis. Look for Colts HC Shane Steichen to create some easy throws for Anthony Richardson and get their talented young slot receiver involved early and often.
Hate
WSH WR Terry McLaurin vs. PHI CB Darius Slay Jr.
McLaurin is on the cusp of yet another 1,000-receiving yard season, but it is possible he may not get there this week. The Eagles now have the top-ranked pass defense in the NFL, which allows just 173 passing yards per game. In this matchup five weeks ago, the Eagles secondary held McLaurin to only one catch for a measly ten yards. Philadelphia currently holds the longest win streak in the league with ten straight wins, and they seem as if they are only getting better. It would be hard to bench McLaurin, but the tough choice may have to be made if you are still in your league’s playoffs.
CLE WR Jerry Jeudy vs. CIN CB Cam Taylor-Britt
Jerry Jeudy has been awesome since the Ravens game back in late October, but the Browns have made the switch to Dorian Thompson-Robinson due to Jameis Winston’s continued turnover issues. Thompson-Robinson has not thrown for over 200 yards in the three games that he has started in his young career. Luckily, he will play an abysmal Cincinnati secondary, but I do not think even that will help the former UCLA Bruin quarterback. The Bengals need to win this game to stay in the playoff hunt, so they will do anything necessary to stifle Jeudy and that offense.
LAC WR Ladd McConkey vs. DEN CB Pat Surtain II
Denver has won four straight games as the Chargers have lost two straight games, and the Broncos will be looking to avenge their early season loss to the Chargers. McConkey was held to just four catches for 43 yards in their first matchup. McConkey has warranted more attention as the season has gone than he did in Week 5 when these two teams met. With the Chargers run game depleted, there could be more of a focus on moving the ball through the air which plays into the strengths of the Broncos. Tread carefully before locking McConkey into your lineup for tonight.
