(Neil Miller/Sportsday Wire)
Quarterback
Start
Jameis Winston: Winston was in a bit of a slump failing to top 250 yards or multiple touchdowns in the four games following his five touchdown performance. Well, he woke up last week throwing for 363 yards and two scores. He takes on a Bears defense that has allowed 23 Fantasy points to opposing QB’s over the past month.
Kirk Cousins: There is a belief that Cousins cannot play on the road. I believe part of that is matchup based, as his road games have come against the Giants, Falcons, Jets, Patriots, Panthers and Bears. The one you can hold against him is the Falcons as he threw for 300 yards against the Giants and Bears and the rests re very tough matchups. I trust him against an Eagles defense allowing 24.8 Fantasy points per game to opposing QBs the past month.
Sit
Ryan Fitzpatrick: Fitzy has (surprisingly) offered a very high floor this year; this just is not the week to trust him. Fitzpatrick did throw for 295 yards and two scores, however the Pats have allowed just 10.9 Fantasy points to opposing QBs the last four weeks.
Thursday Night QBs: That means both Rivers and Carr should be sat. Both defenses have defended the position well as of late, plus both QB has to deal with injuries that could tamper key weapons. You do not want to start off your championship week with a dud performance from your QB on Thursday night.
Running Back
Start
Denard Robinson: Go all in on Jags this week. No, seriously, the Saints defense has been historically bad and all the Jaguars should be in play. Reports indicate that DRob is expected to play this week, while T.J. Yeldon is likely to sit. The Saints have allowed 27.8 Fantasy points per game to opposing running backs the past four weeks.
Karlos Williams: LeSean McCoy is unlikely to play with a torn MCL, according to reports. That puts Williams is a prime position to feast this week. In the just three games this year where Williams has had nine or more total touches he has topped 100 yards or scored a touchdown.
Sit
Buck Allen: Allen takes on a Steelers defense that has been stout against the run all year, allowing just 12.82 Fantasy points per game to the position, the second lowest in the league. Allen has struggled as of late, failing to rush for over 20 yards in two straight. He rode the pine after fumbling last week.
Chris Ivory: Ivory has topped 100-rushing yards just once in his past nine games (he did have a 99-yard game). Six times during this span he failed to rush for 50-yards and he has just four touchdowns during this stretch. The floor is too low to trust in the championship.
Wide Receiver
Start
Allen Hurns: Once again, start all Jaguars. The Saints have allowed a league high 15-passes for 40 or more yards. Expect both Hurns and Allen Robinson to be targeted often, especially deep down the field.
DeSean Jackson: Revenge game! The Eagles have been torched as of late against opposing wide receivers, allowing 28 Fantasy points per game. You know Jackson would love to stick it to his old team and beat them with the division crown possibly on the line. Jackson reminded people of his dynamic ways last week with 153 yards and a touchdown, including a 77 yard reception.
Sit
A.J. Green: Green is dealing with a back injury, although he is likely to play on Monday night. The injury forced him to leave last weeks game in the 3rd quarter and before that he was targeted just three times, catching one ball for 37-yards. He faces a Broncos defense that allows the fewest Fantasy points to opposing WRs. If you are debating between Green and another option, it is likely better to play it safe and sit Green.
Julio Jones: Just like two weeks ago, this is more of a bust alert rather than a straight sit. Owners should be hesitant to start Jones, but should not simply sit him for anyone off the waiver wire. If owners are debating between Jones and another top-20 option they should lean the other way, as Jones will face Josh Norman once again. Two weeks ago he posted seven receptions for 88 yards against the Panthers.
Tight End
Start
Julius Thomas: In case you haven’t got the gist just yet, start all Jaguars. Thomas’ four game scoring streak was snapped this past week, but he still had six receptions on nine targets for 79 yards. He has a great matchup against the Saints who have allowed 10 touchdowns to opposing TEs.
Antonio Gates: The lack of weapons in the Chargers passing game has led to more targets for Gates. He has been targeted eight or more times in three straight. The Raiders have allowed tight ends to score 11 times.
Sit
Vernon Davis: Davis has had a bad case of the dropsies as of late. He also takes on a Bengals defense that has allowed just 6.57 Fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends, as well as just one touchdown.
Austin Seferian-Jenkins: The Bears have held tight ends in check all year. They have allowed just three scores and only 6.32 Fantasy points per game to TEs.
Best of luck to all in your Fantasy Championship! I really hope this column has been of help to all this season. As always, feel free to reach out to me on Twitter, @MichaelFFlorio.
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