Well I’m back again in place of Chris Hexter in the biggest stretch of games this season. Time is dwindling down, but assuming there’s still light at the end of the tunnel for your playoff hopes, I'm here to help give you that edge and hopefully the boost that gets you the win in a crucial week.
Starts
QB - Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings (@ DET)
Every Vikings fan I talk to, none of them seems to like Kirk Cousins. I mean it makes sense, he’s only won 10 games once in his career and has more loses than wins. In fantasy it’s a completely different outlook. I think Cousins is just outside the top tier QB group in fantasy. This guy is surrounded by talent, gets yards and doesn't turn the ball over. What more can you ask for. He’s a must start this week against a not-so intimidating Detroit Lions defense. Kirk has only one interception in his last 215 attempts, paired with one of the best wide receiver duos in the league and one of the best backup running backs in the league. Start Cousins with confidence this week.
RB - Antonio Gibson, Washington Football Team (@ LV)
Before the football teams week nine bye, it had been a pretty lackluster season for Gibson. He was averaging well under 20 carries a game and just wasn’t involved in the offense as advertised to begin the year. Well exiting the bye the Football Team came back from a time machine, playing the definition of old school football. They are on a win streak with playing stifling defense and pounding the rock. Over the 3 game winning streak, Gibson has 81 touches for 319 yards and 2 TDs. They are now up against a Raiders defense surrendering the fourth most fantasy points to running backs. Rivera will continue to feed Gibson. He’s a must start and could be a top 10 RB this week.
WR - Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@ ATL)
The Tampa Bay offense has looked a tad different the past few weeks due to a slight Brady slump. They have chosen to run the ball and it has been winning them games. They get back to their roots this week against an Atlanta Falcons team who is just poor against the pass. They are bottom 5 in almost all major defense categories and they have sacked the QB a league low 15 times. Brady will find his stride this game and that means Evans will go off. In the 5 games Brady has thrown for 4 or more TDs, Evans has caught 8 of them. Evans has caught a 1/3 of Brady’s TDs this year. Brady will be on fire and so will Evans. He’s a must start that could finish top 5 this week.
TE - Noah Fant, Denver Broncos (@ KC)
Tight end has been hands down the most frustrating position of the year. The consistency is all over the place and it seems to be like playing a game of Russian roulette every week where either you get 0 points or 10. This week, I’m going with Fant as a must start. He’s matched up against a Kansas City Chiefs team giving up the 7th most points to TEs this season. I think this is going to be a fun game to watch with lots of scoring. Mahomes is coming off the bye and the offense had been looking lackluster. Look for the Chiefs to attack early while the Broncos try to keep up. Fant gets 10 targets this week and should be in your lineups.
D/ST - Indianapolis Colts (@ HOU)
The Colts are coming off of their worst performance of the year after giving up 38 points to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Well now they move on from a Goliath in the Bucs, to play the lowly Houston Texans this week. The Colts have had a solid year all around on defense but they have excelled at forcing turnovers. They have a league high 13 fumble recovery’s along with 14 Int. That’s a total of 27 takeaways and they play a team that’s turned the ball over 16 times this year. Strengths vs weaknesses all around in this matchup. No brainer start here.
Sits
QB - Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals (LAC)
The Bengals have won their last two games 73-23. It might then come as a shock when you look at what Burrow has done during that time. Throwing for just a measly 338 yards 2 TDs and a pick. Yes he did run for a TD but his legs have been a non factor this year as he’s ran for just 63 yards in 11 starts. He was throwing at a high clip but since the bye week he has yet to reach 30 attempts in a game. He’s now playing a Chargers defense giving up the 6th fewest points to opposing QBs. Burrow stays on the bench until proving otherwise.
RB - Saquon Barkley, New York Giants (@ MIA)
Oh how the mighty have fallen. Not that long ago it was Barkley and McCaffrey as the clear number 1 and 2 picks of everyone’s draft. Now some of us have to contemplate even starting him, and you might be able to get away with it this week. Barkley was coming back healthy off the bye week (Week 10) and over the last 2 games he just looks like an average RB. With only 19 carries for 65 yards over the last 2 games, the matchup against a solid defense in Miami just doesn't bode well for Barkley. It might sting a bit, but keep Barkley on the bench if you have other options.
WR - DK Metcalf Seattle Seahawks (SF)
Another guy that was a set-it-and-forget-it player to begin the year, now shouldn’t even be in your lineup this week. Last week Metcalf only caught 1 ball and that was after 59 minutes were already off the clock. He’s only hauled in 70 yards receiving in his last three games combined. The Seahawks don’t have an identity right now, Russ doesn't look like Russ and now Metcalf is matched up against the 49ers. A team that’s tied for 3rd fewest receiving touchdowns and 5th fewest receiving yards given up. Don’t start Metcalf or anyone on the Seahawks.
TE - Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles (@ NYJ)
After Zach Ertz was traded to the Arizona Cardinals it was thought that maybe Goedert could jump into the top 5 TE conversation. Well that just hasn’t been the case. Godert has had 11 catches for 133 in his last 4 games combines and hasn’t scored a TD in 7 weeks. It doesn't help that the Eagles have had less than 200 yards passing in 5 straight games either. They are focused on the run, which means focus on finding a TE other than Goedert.
D/ST - New England Patriots (@ BUF)
Yes, I’m telling you to bench the number one ranked defense in fantasy football. The Patriots have been on an extraordinary run on defense but that ends this week. They have only allowed 20 points in the last 3 weeks but they weren’t playing the Buffalo Bills in New York in a heated playoff contention match up. Josh Allen is coming off a hot game against New Orleans and he’s not going to slow down this week. I know the Patriots are on fire but the defense will finish outside the top 15 this week.
