Happy Holidays, folks, but more importantly, Happy Championship Week!
Well, unless you didn’t make the championship. Bah humbug.
For those of you who are playing for a title, however, let’s break down my advice for players worth starting and players worth sitting this week.
Start ‘Em: Jameis Winston, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Winston has been a bit hit-or-miss this season, but against a Chicago Bears team that has given up 24 points, 21 points and 32 fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks in the past three weeks, Winston seems more likely to hit than miss.
His head coach, Lovie Smith, certainly had nothing but praise for him this week.
“The guy is an outstanding player, a great leader, everything you would want in a first-round draft pick, top player in the draft, all of that you want him to be, he has been,” Smith said, per Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. “He is excited about finishing it up the right way like we talked about with our football team. It’s safe to say his future is pretty bright.”
Expect him to finish up the fantasy season in a big way against Chicago.
Sit ‘Em: Matt Ryan, QB, Atlanta Falcons
Ignore the fact that the Carolina Panthers have given up 20 or more fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks in two of their last three games. Ryan has scored 20 or more fantasy points just once all year and hasn’t scored 15 or more points since Week 11.
Ryan looked like a viable, lower-tier QB1 in the first three weeks of the season. Since then, he’s been an absolute bust.
Start ‘Em: James White, RB, New England Patriots
If you were only looking at the matchup, you’d probably hesitate to start White. After all, the New York Jets are giving up the third-fewest fantasy points to running backs this season.
But White has become the main offensive weapon outside of Rob Gronkowski with so many injuries to New England’s skill-position players this year, notching nine or more fantasy points in four of the last five weeks.
And his coaches and teammates are impressed with his contributions.
Mike Reiss of ESPN.com wrote, “From head coach Bill Belichick to offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and quarterback Tom Brady, the words ‘steady,’ ‘intelligent’ and ‘dependable’ were a notable theme when they were talking about White’s contributions, which have grown since Dion Lewis was lost to a torn ACL on Nov. 8.”
Just another reason to keep him in those lineups.
Besides, the Jets may be solid against the run, but White is primarily a weapon in the passing game. Don’t hesitate to start him this week, especially if you are thin at running back.
Sit ‘Em: Javorius Allen, RB, Baltimore Ravens
Allen has rushed for just 32 yards on 12 carries the past two weeks. The Steelers give up the second-fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs per game.
You do the math. Sit Allen.
Start ‘Em: Jeremy Maclin, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
Maclin has been a breath of fresh air in Kansas City, where the wide receivers were complete non-factors a year ago. Meanwhile, the Cleveland Browns have given up 150 or more receiving yards to opposing wideouts 10 times and 20 total touchdowns.
Maclin should roast this defense.
Sit ‘Em: James Jones and Randall Cobb, WR, Green Bay Packers
What a disappointment Green Bay’s offense has been this year. Well, at least compared to seasons past.
In Jones and Cobb, you get contrast. Jones is good for the occasional outburst, though he’s inconsistent, posting double-digit points just twice in Green Bay’s eight games since a Week 7 bye. Cobb is a bit more consistent, but his ceiling has been low, as he’s scored between five and eight fantasy points in six straight weeks.
Even with Tyrann Mathieu out for the season, Arizona still has a good pass defense. I wouldn’t trust either of these wideouts this week.
Start ‘Em: Julius Thomas, TE, Jacksonville Jaguars
At a weak position, Thomas is one of the hottest commodities around, posting seven or more fantasy points in five straight games. With a matchup against a Saints team that gives up the most fantasy points to opposing tight ends per week, he’s an obvious start.
Sit ‘Em: Gary Barnidge, TE, Cleveland Browns
The reason you want to sit one of the top tight ends in fantasy this week is…ah, who am I kidding? Of course you can’t sit Barnidge, even when he’s playing the stingiest defense against tight ends in fantasy, the Kansas City Chiefs.
I just wanted to make sure you were still paying attention.
But at this point in the year, you can’t afford to sit a top tight end, even when he’s facing a brutal matchup. Truthfully, if you managed to escape the season with a productive tight end who didn’t get hurt or suffer from long bouts of inconsistency, well, you’re in the minority. And you can never sit that player. Even if snarky—but dashingly handsome—sportswriters try to trick you now and again.
All fantasy stats, ownership percentages and points-against totals via ESPN standard leagues.
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