By Andrew Doherty
It’s go time.
Whether you’re battling for a higher seed, ready to make the final playoff push, or looking to play spoiler to someone else’s playoff aspirations, the stakes are high in fantasy football this weekend. With 6 teams on a bye and injuries piling up, each start/sit decision becomes more crucial. Luckily for you, I’ve gone through all the matchups for this weekend to help make some of your less obvious start/sit decisions a little easier. As always, I’ll remind you to start your studs regardless of matchup. Here’s what I have for you this week:
Quarterback to start
Jared Goff vs Vikings
The Vikings defense has allowed over 300 passing yards in 4 consecutive games, making Goff the perfect streamer in what should be a high scoring affair. The Lions lead the league in red zone scoring and the Vikings are a bottom 10 red zone defense, making this a smash spot for Goff.
Quarterback to sit
Deshaun Watson vs Bengals
I mean, you saw what he did last week, right? We’re in “I’ll believe it when I see it” territory with Watson until further notice.
Running backs to start
D’Onta Foreman vs Seahawks
Since the Christian McCafferey trade, Foreman has averaged 19.7 touches per game. He’s getting workhorse volume for the most part and should feast this week against a Seattle D that has led the league in rushing yards allowed over the last 4 games.
Jeff Wilson vs Chargers
I get the hesitation to play Wilson after last weeks flop where he was out-snapped and out-touched by teammate Raheem Mostert. However, Wilson was limited all week in practice and working his way back from injury. When healthy he’s led the Dolphins backfield since being traded and gets an enticing matchup against a Chargers defense that has allowed the 3rd most fantasy points to running backs this season.
Running backs to sit
Leonard Fournette vs 49ers
Not only does he appear to be a true game time decision on Sunday, he’s entered a full blown time share with Rachaad White. Neither player can be trusted this weekend against a stout 49ers defensive front but Fournette’s injury, backfield committee situation and matchup make him an easy sit this week.
Dameon Pierce vs Cowboys
Pierce seems to have hit the rookie wall in recent weeks – and a matchup with a Dallas defense allowing the 5th fewest fantasy points to running backs isn’t going to make things any better. There’s also a very real risk that Pierce, who has ceded passing work to Dare Ogunbowale recently, is scripted out of touches in the event of a blowout.
Devin Singletary vs Jets
As if the matchup isn’t tough enough, Singletary was out-snapped by rookie James Cook last week. Cook has already been cutting into Singletary’s work in the passing game but last weeks increased snaps and carries suggest the Bills could be starting to transition to Cook leading the backfield.
Najee Harris vs Ravens
Aside from battling an injury, Harris has an imposing matchup on Sunday. Since Week 6, Baltimore is allowing just 55 rushing yards per game and ranks 3rd in rush defense DVOA.
Wide receivers to start
DJ Chark vs Vikings
Minnesota’s defense allows the most yards per game to wide receivers and Chark leads the league in aDOT this season. Chark is coming off of a 5-98-0 line on 6 targets last week and should continue rolling this week.
Jerry Jeudy vs Chiefs
The Kansas City defense allows the 5th most fantasy points to wide receivers in a matchup where the Broncos should be forced to throw early and often. With Courtland Sutton sidelined, Jeudy is in for a massive target share this weekend.
Wide receivers to sit
Gabe Davis vs Jets
Number 2 wide receivers haven’t fared well against the Jets this season and Davis is no exception. Earlier this season, Davis recorded a lowly 2-33-0 line on 5 targets against a Jets defense that has allowed the fewest fantasy points to wide receivers since Week 6.
Juju Smith-Schuster vs Broncos
Juju led all Chiefs wide receivers in routes from out-wide last week, which means he’s in line to see plenty of coverage from lockdown perimeter cornerback Patrick Surtain this week. Denver allows the 2nd fewest fantasy points to opposing wide receivers on the season.
Darius Slayton vs Eagles
Philadelphia ranks first in DVOA against opposing number 1 wideouts this season. While Slayton has been solid in recent weeks, a matchup with his almost namesake Darius Slay makes Slayton an easy sit this week.
Tight end to start
Hunter Henry vs Arizona
Anyone who’s been streaming tight ends this season knows that the Cardinals have been the ideal matchup to attack. Arizona ranks dead last in red zone defense and has allowed the most fantasy points to tight ends this year. With no Jakobi Meyers on Monday, Henry should be in line for a significant bump in targets.
