We reached the tipping point of the season. Yes still lots of football to be played but fantasy playoffs are upon us. Unless you are here so you don’t come in last place, I assume you are in the run for a championship this season. Let’s stop beating around the bush and jump right into it. Let’s set that lineup to solidify your playoff push.
Starts
QB- Daniel Jones, New York Giants (@Was)
Daniel Jones starts off this week as a top 10 fantasy quarterback on the season. That’s shocking when you notice he’s gone over 200 yards passing just four times and surpassed 300 yards only once. Man, has the game of football changed. Jones has cut down on the turnovers and has stayed consistent running the ball and that’s why he’s fantasy relevant. The Giants season is on the line this week against the Commanders. In their meeting just a couple weeks ago, Jones passed for 200 yards and added another 70 on the ground. Expect the same game plan against a subpar Commander’s defense. Start Jones with confidence, he will be solid at the very least.
RB- Zonovan Knight, New York Jets (@Det)
This is one of the few times this season a player has made the start list in back-to-back weeks. And to top it off, somehow, that player is on the New York Jets. Knight has now had three straight solid fantasy performances. He's had at least 15 touches and over 75 combined yards in those three contest. He now has his most favorable match up yet against the Detroit Lions. The Lions are one of the 7 teams to have already given up over 1,800 yards on the ground on a staggering 5.0 yards per carry. If Knight can play well in an away game against Buffalo I don’t think he will have much problem against the Lions. Make sure he’s in your lineup.
TE- Evan Engram, Jacksonville Jaguars (Dal)
Week after week I talk about how dismal the TE position is. In Engram's first 12 games this year he scored double digits in fantasy once. Now in his last two games he’s combined for 16 catches 192 yards and 3 TDs. Those numbers brought him from TE 20 to being a top 5 TE. That's how bad it’s been for the position this year. We are at the end of the year and now Engram is a top 5 fantasy TE after just having 1 TD in his first 12 games. He’s now matched up with the Cowboys, which will no doubt be a high scoring affair. Got to ride the hot hand in this one. Make sure Engram is in your lineup.
WR- Donovan Peoples-Jones, Cleveland Browns ( Bal)
It appears that new QB Deshaun Watson has found his new favorite target in DPJ. He finished this last week with a team high 12 targets and hauled in 8 of those for 114 yards. He has now had double digit points in 5 of the last 6 games. Now that’s a stat that screams must-start. He’s now matched up against a Ravens defense giving up the 7th most points to WRs this season. With his target share on the rise and big play ability, it just makes sense for DPJ to be in lineups.
Defense- Pittsburgh Steelers (@Car)
Coming into the year, the Steelers were supposed to be one of the best defenses in the league. It hasn’t quite turned out like that but they should be in your lineup this week. They have allowed fewer than 20 points in 4 out of their last 5 games. They now play a Sam Darnold-led Panthers team that they are built to beat. The Panthers can run the ball well but they only accumulated 120 passing yards last week. Look for the Steelers to pin their ears back and key on the run, which they have done well all year allowing just 4.2 yards per carry this season.
Sits
QB- Tom Brady, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (CIN)
The bigger they are, the harder they fall. The Bucs got beat so bad last week, I thought Brady was gonna do his best Antonio Brown impression and retire mid game. He did not, but he did make the sit list this week. Brady has now failed to reach 300 yards passing in 5 straight contest. He’s now failed to reach 20 points in fantasy for 8 straight games. He’s now playing the Bengals who have allowed the 5th fewest fantasy points to QBs this year. Brady is on his downfall so make sure he’s on your bench so you don’t go down with him.
RB- Najee Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers (@Car)
Some have probably already had the thought, but it’s time to give up on Harris. Where Harris was taken in most draft this year he’s been a pretty huge bust. He has been spectacularly mediocre having between 8-11 points in 10 of 13 games this year. He has also failed to reach 100 yards rushing in a game this year. This is a definition of a sophomore slump. Last year Harris hauled in 74 catches. This season he has 32. The Panthers haven't been great against the run but Harris has rushed for fewer than 50 yards this season 7 times. I won’t be shocked if it happens again. Make sure he’s stays in your bench, not just this week but for the year.
WR- DJ Moore, Carolina Panthers (PIT)
Kinda feels like I’m picking on this game in particular but it’s full of bust from this season. Moore finished this past week with 3 targets and zero catches. I guess it doesn't help when your QB throws for 120 yards. It really doesn’t matter who Moore has in at QB this season, he’s most likely to disappoint. Moore now has six games this year with fewer than 30 yards receiving. That’s pretty wild when he’s gone over 1,000 yards receiving in each the last three seasons. Moore has a good matchup this week but don’t let that trick you into playing him.
TE- Mike Gesicki, Miami Dolphins (@ Buffalo)
Gesicki is currently in the low 20s for TEs this season. That’s kinda wild because in his last 5 games he’s caught 3 catches for 34 yards combined. Yes he’s only caught 3 passes in the last 5 games a he’s still ranked in the low 20s. Told you TE is insane this season. Gesicki is still owned in about 50% of leagues so people are still playing him. He’s in a great offense but that offense has too many mouths to feed. Gesicki now three straight games with 0 catches and going up against Buffalo. So, don’t be silly, keep him on your bench.
Defense- Oakland Raiders (NE)
The Raiders with be at the top of the waiver this week after playing well against the Rams. I’m here to remind you that the Raiders are a bottom dwelling defense this season. The Raiders have allowed over 20 points in ten games this year. They played well against a backup QB for the Rams this week but it will be a different story against a Patriots team trying to make the playoffs. The Raiders get some sacks but with only 4 Int on the year it just doesn't make sense for them to be in your lineup.
