Love
PIT WR D.K. Metcalf vs. GB CB Keisean Nixon
Metcalf fell on the “Love” list last week, but he flopped with just three catches for 50 yards. However, he lands on the “Love” list again for the fact that Aaron Rodgers is playing his former team on Sunday Night Football, and if you know anything about Rodgers, there is certainly a chip on his shoulder from the latter years of Rodgers’ tenure in Green Bay.
The Packers’ pass defense started out somewhat strong, but they have surrendered points and passing yards over the last three weeks, including last week, when Jacoby Brissett threw for 279 yards and two touchdowns. If the Steelers’ offensive line can keep Micah Parsons and the Green Bay pass rush at bay, Rodgers could throw the ball all over the yard in Pittsburgh.
PHI WR DeVonta Smith vs. NYG CB Cor’Dale Flott
Smith had a monster game against a good Vikings defense last week, reeling in nine catches for 183 yards and two touchdowns. This would be a good week to put him into your lineup again. The Eagles are looking to avenge an embarrassing loss to the Giants just a few weeks ago. Last week could be a turning point for the Eagles to get their season back on track and keep rolling as they did last season.
Meanwhile, the Giants are coming off a humiliating defeat after blowing a 19-point lead in the fourth quarter, where their defense completely collapsed. To make matters worse, starting CB Paulson Adebo and starting S Jevon Holland are banged up. Look for Philly to roll and the pass game to keep their momentum.
DEN WR Courtland Sutton vs. DAL CB DaRon Bland
Sutton made a great catch last week on the game-winning drive to help score the Broncos a victory, but he has not found the end zone since Week 4. That could change this week, going up against the Dallas secondary. Sutton leads the team in targets and he leads the team in receiving yards by a wide margin. His fantasy performances have been solid with a couple of busts, but Dallas is giving up 260 passing yards a game so far this season.
With the status of Trevon Diggs up in the air still, Bland slides in as CB1. Bland signed a contract extension earlier this year, and he pulled off one of his pick-sixes last week against the Commanders. However, this defense is not fixed by any means. Plug Sutton into your lineup this week.
Hate
MIA WR Jaylen Waddle vs. ATL CB A.J. Terrell Jr.
Waddle took over as WR1 for the Dolphins after Tyreek Hill’s season-ending injury. He has had a few games this season that have boomed in terms of fantasy production, but last week he was held to just one catch for 15 yards against Cleveland. Miami’s downward spiral this season is like watching a fire grow larger and larger. And it will not get any better for this offense as they face the top pass defense in the league.
Atlanta’s pass defense and top corner A.J. Terrell Jr. were highlighted last week on this list. They held the Niners to 152 passing yards and picked off Mac Jones once, but the Falcons cannot turn enough of these games into victories as they sit at 3-3. Given Miami QB Tua Tagovailoa’s performance this season, Waddle should not be in your lineup this week.
WSH WR Terry McLaurin vs. KC CB Trent McDuffie
McLaurin is set to practice this week with the intention of playing on Monday night against the Chiefs. Unfortunately, Jayden Daniels will not be the one throwing to him as Daniels deals with a hamstring injury. McLaurin will be playing his first game in just over a month against a Chiefs team that is looking dangerous again.
Despite their early struggles, Kansas City is giving up just a little under 175 passing yards a game this season. Going on the road with a backup quarterback and players returning from injury like McLaurin and Deebo Samuel is a tall task. I would evaluate your other options before sliding Scary Terry into your lineup.
Texans WRs vs. SF Secondary
The Texans’ season has not gone the way they expected, and they are now coming off a loss to Seattle on Monday Night Football, with their best receiver dealing with a concussion. Nico Collins will be hard-pressed to pass the concussion protocol on a “short” week to play on Sunday against the Niners. On top of Collins’ concussion, off-season signing Christian Kirk still has not returned to practice as of Wednesday, which would leave Xavier Hutchinson, Jayden Higgins, and Jaylin Noel as the top options for QB C.J. Stroud.
Given how San Francisco’s defense has been playing, this is problematic for the Texans and fantasy managers who are looking for options with several teams on bye this week. Stay away from the fill-in receivers from the Texans. It will be a long day for Stroud and company.
