Quarterback
Start
Derek Carr: Carr is being asked to sling the ball often, which has translated into big time production. He has topped 300 yards in two straight and thrown for at least three touchdowns in three straight games. He even threw for 333 yards and four scores against the Jets defense, so the Vikings matchup should not scare his owners.
Blake Bortles: Bortles is emerging as a reliable Fantasy option. He has topped the 300-yard mark in three of his last four. He has also thrown for multiple scores all but twice this year, including in four straight. He takes on a Ravens defense that has been lit up through the air all season.
Sit
Russell Wilson: Wilson has not topped 300-yards all year. In fact, he’s broke 250 passing yards twice all year. He is also not running nearly as effectively as we all imagined, only rushing for over 50 yards twice and failing to run anything in for a score. He takes on a Cardinals defense that is allowing just over 17 points to opposing quarterbacks in the past month.
Carson Palmer: This is a tough one, given how great Palmer has been this season, but the Seahawks defense has really returned to form as of late. Seattle is allowing just over 10 Fantasy points per game to opposing QBs in the last month, and just over eight per game in the past two games.
Running Backs
Start
James Starks: The Packers have finally made the decision to start Starks over Eddie Lacy and so should Fantasy owners. Starks, in a limited role, is averaging 4.3 yards-per-carry (YPC) compared to Lacy’s 3.7. He is expected to be a larger factor and that bodes well for him against a Detroit defense which has allowed over 27 Fantasy points per game and five scores to opposing running backs over the last four weeks.
LeGarrette Blount: The Giants defense has been torched both by the pass and the run game as of late. Expect the Patriots to be able to have their way with that defense, which should lead to Blount finding paydirt. The Giants are allowing over 20 Fantasy points per game to opposing running backs over the last month.
Sit
Chris Johnson: Johnson has the difficult task of facing the Seahawks in Seattle. In the past month Seattle is allowing less than 15 points per game to opposing running backs and only two touchdowns.
Ronnie Hillman: Hillman’s thigh injury clearly affected him last week and could be an issue once again this week. Add in that C.J. Anderson is clearly still in the mix after he played efficiently, averaging 4.9 YPC, and it could be difficult for Hillman to see enough touches to have an effective game. The Chiefs have also allowed less than 12 Fantasy points per game to RBs over the past month.
Wide Receiver
Start
Allen Robinson: The Ravens have allowed nearly 33 Fantasy points per game to opposing receivers in the past month, as well as seven touchdowns. Robinson is clearly a favorite of Bortles as he has been targeted nine or more times all but once this year. In that one game he was targeted seven times. Allen Hurns is also a strong play if he suits up.
Stefon Diggs: Diggs was held in check last week for the first time all season. Expect a bounce back game against a Raiders defense that has allowed nearly 30 Fantasy points per game to opposing receivers over the last month. Besides last week Diggs has been targeted nine or more times in every game he has played.
Sit
Arizona Wide Receivers: Starting to see a trend here? I just do not trust starting opponents in Seattle. In the past month the Seahawks have been the stingiest defense against receivers, allowing less than six Fantasy points on average and no touchdowns.
Jeremy Maclin: Yes, the Broncos will be without Aqib Talib. However, I am still not trusting Alex Smith to find Maclin enough to make him worth starting. Not against the Broncos, who hold opposing wideouts to less than 13 Fantasy points per game. When they matched up earlier this year Maclin had four grabs for 57 yards.
Tight End
Start
Jordan Reed: Rule of thumb here is: if Reed is healthy, you start him. The Saints have allowed three touchdowns to tight ends in the past month and Reed should add onto that number, as he is the Redskins’ best red zone weapon. He leads the team in both red zone targets and touchdowns.
Delanie Walker: The Panthers one blemish has been against the tight end. In the past month they are allowing an average of 11.9 Fantasy points to tight ends, the fifth most in the league in that span. Walker is coming off of a strong game, despite a fluky tipped pass, and has a strong rapport with his rookie QB.
Sit
Julius Thomas: The Ravens have allowed less than five Fantasy points to TEs over the past four weeks. Thomas has 20-yards or less in three of his four games and only has one touchdown. He has to show Fantasy owners that he can be productive outside of Denver before they can trust him.
Martellus Bennett: Bennett has topped 60-yards once and only has scored three times. He’s taking on a Rams defense that has allowed 6.5 Fantasy points per game and no touchdowns to tight ends in the past month.
If you have any other questions follow me on Twitter, @MichaelFFlorio.
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