It’s sad to say, but we are about half way done with this football season already. So far, it has been a fun but hectic year. The injuries are piling up down the stretch, bye weeks begin to ramp up and lineups are getting harder to set. It’s time to buckle down and make a run for the playoffs. I’ll try my best this week to point you in the right direction for your lineups. Here we go.
Starts
QB Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars (@Pit)
When it comes to fantasy QBs you have only a few that take over games. Unless you are drafting one high you really just want someone consistent and reliable week in and week out. Lawrence has been that guy. He has scored 14 or more fantasy points in all but one contest so far. The former first overall pick is a true game manager for you fantasy team. He’s not gonna go out there and get you a 30 point comeback victory but he won’t give you a 6 point bust either. In a mediocre matchup with the Steelers, Lawrence should be making your lineup.
Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buf)
The Bills have allowed the fifth most rushing yards this season along with 5.2 YPC. White is also coming off a season high 6 catches.
WR Courtland Sutton, Denver Broncos (KC)
Sutton has had an under the radar top 20 fantasy season so far. He has no games over 100 yards yet, but he now has a TD in 5 of 7 games this year. That’s must start territory with that stat alone. Whenever the Broncos are in the red zone, Sutton has been the clear go-to target. He’s matched up against the Chiefs this week who he played just two weeks ago in Arrowhead. He got a TD in that game and I wouldn’t be surprised if he gets another one in this division rival matchup. A guy with this scoring efficiency has to be in your lineup.
TE Taysom Hill, New Orleans Saints (@IND)
If the TE position was anywhere reliable a guy like this wouldn’t even make the list. But here we are and Hill is a top 20 TE in fantasy yet again. Early on in the season he was mostly used in the run game and got very little passing action. In the last two contests he’s hauled in 11 catches for 99 yards and ran for a TD. If he can stay active in the passing game, I wouldn’t be surprised if he finishes the year as a top 10 TE. Also with 29 carries on the year, Hill is a true X-factor. It might seem a little risky to play him but that’s how it feels with most TEs anyways.
Defense New York Giants ( NYJ)
On paper the Giants defense is a lackluster unit at best. They are trying their best to turn it around after back-to-back great performances. After holding the Bills offense to just 14 points in Week 6 they backed it up by dominating the Commanders in Week 7. Allowing just 7 points and accumulating 6 sacks in the process. Back-to-back great performance plus a great matchup against the Jets this week makes this is a no-brainer for a streamer defense that will be available.
Sits
QB Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys (LAR)
Coming off the bye week and staying on your bench. Yes, Dak is coming off his best performance against the Chargers in Week 6, but he’s got a tough matchup against the Rams this week. The Rams have allowed just over 200 passing yards a game and have only allowed 4 TDs through the air, which is fewest in the league. Dak has been truly mediocre this season, no games over 300 yards passing and only one game with more than 1 passing TD. The Cowboys QB doesn't belong in any lineups.
RB Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers (Min)
You can chalk it up to injuries if you want, but bottom line is this season has been a flop for Jones. Now with just three healthy games played, Jones has yet to carry the ball even 10 times in a game so far. Meanwhile, teammate AJ Dillon has ran the ball a minimum of 11 times in all but one game this season. Matched up against a solid Vikings front who has allowed just 3.7 yards per carry this season, Jones is just too risky of a play and a TD dependent RB at the time being. Find a better option this week.
WR Tyler Lockett, Seattle Seahawks (Cle)
After a two TD game in Week 2 against Detroit, it’s been nothing but mediocrity from the veteran WR. Now with just two games with 5 or more catches, Lockett is not doing what you drafted him to do. Half of his games this year have resulted in fewer than 40 yards receiving and he’s only topped 60 yards once. Now matched up against a Browns defense allowing a mere 149 passing yards a game. It doesn't make sense for him to be in your lineup.
TE Cole Kmet, Chicago Bears (@LAC)
You wanna know how bad the TE position is? Kmet has totaled 2 catches for 9 yards over the last two games. He is still the 7th ranked TE this season. I don’t care where he’s ranked, he shouldn’t be in any lineups. With starting QB Justin Fields out, Kmet wasn’t even targeted in Week 7 and only has 8 targets over his last three games. When it comes to TEs you have to chase the volume and Kmet has none at the moment. Find a better option.
Defense Pittsburgh Steelers (Jax)
The Steelers have a great defense, but that doesn't always translate to fantasy points. Such as last week where they held the Rams to just 17 points. They only got to the QB twice along with a lone takeaway so fantasy wise they only got 4 points. I see this week against Jacksonville about the same. The Steelers are not a lock down unit and the Jags are coming off another 30 plus point showing. They have combined for 93 points over their last three games. This game could easily turn into a shootout which makes the Steelers a must bench.
