Welcome to this week’s edition of Dynasty Start/Sits! I have a 1QB league where I roster four QBs, and my current record is 12-1. I have zero active this week. I say this because I want readers to know that the QB Landscape is insane. It’s affecting all of us. Although, just because my hopes are dwindling in a league doesn’t mean I can’t help you with yours. I have some good ones ready for you as we approach the playoffs.
Starts – Quarterbacks
Russell Wilson – Denver Broncos
Vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Wilson has emerged as a significant running threat again, and I love to see it. Over the last five games, he’s averaging eight rushing attempts per game and has scored twice in that time. He’s coming off a three Interception game and is facing the Chargers, who allow the fifth most points to QBs this year. Wilson has a top-10 upside this week.
Will Levis – Tennessee Titans
@ Miami Dolphins
We’re taking a risk here, but the QB landscape has put us in desperation mode. Almost any QB with a pulse will do at this point. In five games, Levis has only thrown two interceptions in six games. For that reason, I have hope in a game that should provide him with abnormal passing volume.
Joshua Dobbs — Minnesota Vikings
Vs. Las Vegas Raiders
Coming off a four-interception game and a bye-week, Dobbs is poised for a bounce-back game this week. The Raiders rank eighth in fewest rushing yards allowed per game over their last three. If the Vikings can’t get the run game going effectively, Dobbs must make some magic happen. The Raiders have also allowed the most passing yards per game over their last three games. Dobbs is set for success this week.
Sits – Quarterbacks
C.J. Beathard — Jacksonville Jaguars
@ Cleveland Browns
Bethard didn’t look too bad filling in for Lawrence last week but don’t let that fool you. He’s a backup QB facing a defense, allowing the third-fewest fantasy points to QBs. Nothing good will happen for Bethard this weekend. I Would only start as a last resort.
Mitchell Trubisky — Pittsburgh Steelers
Vs. New England Patriots
“Maserati Mitch” is back in the Driver’s seat! However, the Patriots’ defense just held the Chargers to six points. It should be another low-scoring game, and I don’t think Pittsburgh will be able to get much going in the air. They’ll likely try to keep the ball out of Trubisky’s hands and ground and pound their way to victory.
Vs. Carolina Panthers
Whichever QB is behind Center for the Saints this week will have a rough day. Carr is likely out with his third concussion in a month. As much as I love watching Winston, this Panthers defense has been a nightmare for QBs and will likely make the day miserable.
Starts – Running Backs
Jerome Ford – Cleveland Browns
@ Jacksonville Jaguars
Without Lawrence, I’m not sure what this Jacksonville offense looks like, but I’m sure I won’t like it. Last week, Ford was a top-15 back on 12 touches. I expect him to see more touches this week. He’s a top 20 play in a probable low-scoring affair.
Ezekiel Elliott — New England Patriots
@ Pittsburgh Steelers
I do not believe in Ezekiel Elliott, but Rhamondre Stevenson will be out this week. Elliott should see the majority of red-zone touches for the Patriots, and Pittsburgh has been susceptible to the run game this year. My expectations aren’t high, but he should be a serviceable fantasy option this week.
Jaylen Warren — Pittsburgh Steelers
@ New England Patriots
On the other side of the coin, Najee Harris is dealing with Knee issues. Though there’s optimism he will play, it stands to reason that Warren would see an uptick in usage. Warren hasn’t finished as a top-24 RB in the last two weeks. That’s likely to change this week.
Sits – Running Backs
Gus Edwards – Baltimore Ravens
@ Los Angeles Rams
The Rams allow the fourth-fewest rushing yards over the last three games. This and Keaton Mitchell’s increasing workload make Edwards a challenging play this week. Unless he’s uncharacteristically involved in the passing game, He’s likely to return valuable fantasy production this week.
Derrick Henry – Tennessee Titans
@ Miami Dolphins
After giving up 300 yards to Gardner Minshew, I’m afraid of what Mike McDaniel can do with his high-powered offense. In five games with less than 15 carries, Henry finished as a top-24 RB once this season. I doubt the Titans will be able to keep pace with the Dolphins on the road. This would mean the Titans would be forced to lean more toward passing than running.
Khalil Herbert – Chicago Bears
Vs. Detroit Lions
The Bears have all three RBs healthy for the first time since week two. It’s a little hard to say how the touch distribution will out, but The Last time the Bears played the Lions, Herbert struggled. He posted less than six fantasy points on 19 touches. I don’t see a redemption game in the cards for him this week.
Starts – Wide Receivers
Rashee Rice – Kansas City
@ Buffalo Bills
Rice and Mahomes are developing some serious chemistry, and the Chiefs are starting to make him a significant cog in that offense. It may not end in fantasy superstardom; he isn’t Tyreek Hill. However, Rice can be a dependable second option for Mahomes moving forward, which is at least flex-worthy.
Brandin Cooks – Dallas Cowboys
@ Philadelphia Eagles
Cooks doesn’t need 8+ targets to be a reliable fantasy option. This Cowboys offense has become explosive. Cooks has finished as a top-24 WR in three of the last four weeks. The Eagles allow the most fantasy points to WRs in the league. Cooks is a smash play for the upside.
Elijah Moore — Cleveland Browns
Vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Joe Flacco is a gunslinger late in his career, and he will need to throw the ball to someone. Moore saw 12 targets last week. Jacksonville allows the sixth most fantasy points to WRs this season. The probability of Moore being hyper-targeted is high this week. He’s a top-30 option this week.
Sits – Wide Receivers
Calvin Ridley – Jacksonville Jaguars
Vs. Cleveland Browns
Just because Ridley will see many targets this week doesn’t mean they’ll be good targets. Cleveland allows the third-fewest fantasy points to WRs, and he’ll have CJ Bethard throwing him the ball. Given his sporadic performances this season, he’s not a trustworthy option this week.
Chris Godwin – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
@ Atlanta Falcons
Godwin is a sit this week because I don’t see the upside. He’s playing on the road and hasn’t posted a top 36 week since week eight. Things likely won’t get much better this week. Atlanta has been a minus matchup for WRs this season, and the Buccaneers are throwing for less than 200 yards a game over their last three games. Starting Godwin isn’t a wise investment this week.
Adam Thielen – Carolina Panthers
@ New Orleans Saints
I think it’s time we start Benching Thielen. He’s finished as a top-24 WR just once in his last six games. New Orleans allows the fourth fewest points to WRs, and the last time they played, Thielen had a below-average day saved by a touchdown. The ceiling isn’t high enough this week to make him a viable fantasy option.
Starts – Tight Ends
Isaiah Likely – Baltimore Ravens
@ Los Angeles Rams
The Ravens have been working Likely along slowly.
Jake Ferguson — Dallas Cowboys
@ Philadelphia Eagles
If you got ’em,’ start em.’ The last time they played the Eagles, Ferguson earned his season high in targets (10) and finished as the TE5. Every pass catcher in this game will have a chance to feast. If you need an upside play
*Taysom Hill — New Orleans Saints
@ Carolina Panthers
With the absence of Derek Carr, the Saints will utilize all tools at their disposal. He’s a threat anytime he touches the ball and can get you points in many ways. Without a QB they trust, if he’s playing, Hill is almost an automatic start as either a flex or TE. This one comes with a disclaimer, as Hill is dealing with hand and foot injuries. Monitor his situation closely.
Sits – Tight Ends
Pat Freiermuth – Pittsburgh Steelers
@ New England Patriots
The “muth” will not get loose this week against the defense, allowing the fourth fewest points to TEs. The Steelers’ offense is improving, but it’s still not good enough to trust a player over a terrible matchup.
Tyler Higbee — Los Angeles Rams
@ Baltimore Ravens
Higbee ranks fourth at best in the Rams pass-catching pecking order, and the Baltimore pass defense is among the best. There’s not going to be a lot of room on this offense for Higbee this week. There are plenty of better options this week.
I hope you all benefitted from this article, and I thank you for reading it. I find true enjoyment in sharing my experience and helping others. So, I’m always more than willing to answer any fantasy football questions via Twitter @FF_Reez. Thanks for reading! #DFFArmy #AlwaysBeBuilding
