The championship games have arrived. This is the last starts and sits article of the year. It has been a wild and fun season, well, fun for those in the championship games. You are probably reading this for one of two reasons, you are fighting for a ring or you are trying your best to finish off strong. So, for you all making this last push, I’ll do my best to point you in the right direction.
Starts
QB - Matt Stafford, Los Angeles Rams (@ BAL)
Stafford has been on a bit of a downward slide the past couple weeks, but he belongs in your lineup this week. Before this past week he had 11 TDs and just 2 interceptions over his previous 4 games. He's now matched up with Baltimore who just made Burrow look like a future hall of famer. The Ravens have also hit the injury/Covid bug hard and have been missing key players on defense. Stafford might of been on a slump but he gets out of it with a good performance against the Ravens.
RB - Rashaad Penny, Seattle Seahawks (vs DET)
Penny had another strong performance as the lead back for the Seahawks while Collins is out. Penny has rushed for over 130 yards in 2 of his last 3 games along with 3 TDs during that span. He’s been getting around 15 touches a game, that’s not huge numbers but he has been taking advantage of his touches averaging 7 yards per carry over the last three weeks. He’s going up against a Lions defense that has allowed over 100 yards eleven times this year and seven of those games, over 130 yards. He’s got the matchup and the carries on his side. He’s available in over 50% of leagues, so if you need a RB he’s your guy.
WR - Devonta Smith, Philadelphia Eagles (@ WFT)
The Eagles have a true WR1 in Devonta Smith and towards the end of the year it’s looking like he’s going to shoot up in next year's fantasy drafts. After getting 80 yards and a TD last week against the Giants he is going to feast on a Washington Defense that just looks like a broken team. With injuries and Covid, the WFT defense has a lot of holes and the Eagles have a lot to play for. Don’t be surprised if Smith has his 3rd 100 yard receiving game of the season.
TE - C.J Uzomah, Cincinnati Bengals (vs KC)
The Cincinnati TE has had a quite a productive year this season, currently the 17th ranked TE in fantasy as he’s had career highs in receptions, yards and touchdowns. With Burrow on fire and Uzomah having at least 3 catches on 5 straight games he deserves to be in your lineup. He is owned in just 17% of leagues so go get him if you aren't sold on your current TE.
D/ST - Philadelphia Eagles (@ WFT)
Doubling down on the Eagles this week against a team that is just begging for the season to end. The Eagles are playing for the playoffs and will come out hard against a team that just doesn't look right on offense. The football team has failed to get over 300 yards in 4 straight games and the Eagles have allowed fewer than 300 yards in 4 straight games. The Eagles are a smart play this week and they are available in 40% of leagues. Go get them - they will be a top 10 defense this week.
Sits
QB - Derek Carr, Oakland Raiders (@IND)
Just a few weeks ago, Carr was leading the league in yards and was a solid play for the majority of the season. He should not be in your lineup for championship week though. He’s averaging just 237 yards per game over his last 4 and he has just 3 TDs during that span along with 3 interceptions. He’s also matched up against a solid Colts defense who’s fifth in the league in interceptions with 17. Find better options this week at QB.
RB - Saquon Barkley, New York Giants (@ CHI)
Saquon is no longer a top talent in this league, in fact he’s barley a solid flex play for fantasy right now. In eleven games this year Barley has rushed for over 60 yards just once. He’s also only averaging 3.5 yards a carry, which groups him with the likes of Chuba Hubbard and Mike Davis who have also averaged only 3.5 a carry. He is not the same player he was coming out of college, with the low yards per carry and only 4 TDs on the year. He is a middle of the road back on a terrible team. Even with the solid matchup it would be best to keep Barkley on the bench.
WR - Terry McLaurin, Washington Football Team (vs PHI)
It pains me to put McLaurin on this list, but it only makes sense. Over his last 5 games he is averaging 32 yards per game. It doesn't help that the QB play has been dismal but it also hurts when Terry is the only guy they are throwing the ball to. He gets doubled a lot and that's why he leads the NFL with 24 contested catches this season. McLaurin is a top-10 WR in this league. If he had a better QB and wasn’t the only receiving threat on the team he would have finished the season on much higher note. This week he is also matched up against the Eagles who have allowed the second fewest fantasy points to receivers this season. Keep him on the bench.
TE - Mike Gesicki, Miami Dolphins (@ TEN)
The Dolphins tight end is currently ranked 10th this year for fantasy TEs, which just speaks to how bad the position has been this year. In the last eight games he has had 0 TDs and is averaging just 35 yards per game during that span. Tua hasn’t looked great and they are going up against the Titans who have allowed the fifth fewest points to TEs this season. There are better options available for championship week.
D/ST - Dallas Cowboys (vs ARI)
Yes I know, the Cowboys are the number one defense in fantasy this year, but they will finish outside the top 10 this week. They are going up against a Cardinals team that’s had more than 350 yards on offense eleven times this season. Murray has only been sacked seven times over his last four games and they will most likely lean on the run because that’s the Cowboys weakness. Take away last week's blowout and they have given up an average of 117 rushing yards a game over their last eight. They are also playing a Cardinals team that’s ran for over 100 yards in four straight games. Dallas has been good this year, they won’t be this week playing the Cardinals who are still trying to win the division.
