Alright guys! There are just two weeks left of the fantasy season and it’s time to clutch up for the second round of the fantasy playoffs. If you made it this far, congratulations! It’s time to keep pushing to the goal of winning your league’s championship and attaining all the glory that comes with it. For those that didn’t make it past round one that’s ok. Better fight next season. But at least you made the playoffs.
Now setting your lineups are even more important and every decision is much greater than it was when we were back in the regular season. That just means that you get an even greater chance to show off your fantasy acuman to your league. So here are a few options to consider in this week’s start/sit article.
Starts
Quarterbacks
Baker Mayfield vs. DAL
The Dallas Cowboys will be without starting corner Trevon Diggs, who landed on injured reserve with a knee injury and will miss the rest of the season. With Diggs out and injuries mounting for the Cowboys, the Bucs’ fourth-ranked passing offense should be a solid matchup for Baker Mayfield in the second round of the fantasy playoffs. Mayfield is averaging 258 passing yards per game, the fourth-most yards per game among quarterbacks this season. Mayfield is also completing nearly 71% of his passes and has thrown a whooping eight touchdowns over his last three games.
The Cowboys are allowing the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks at 21.6 per game and have allowed 21 passing touchdowns. Baker Mayfield could be a part of championship teams this season if he can come out and cook up the Cowboys’ defense.
Kyler Murray vs. CAR
Kyler Murray is a bit of a passing funk as he’s thrown just three touchdowns over his last four games. Against the Carolina Panthers, this could be the game needed to get Kyler Murray back on track. The Panthers have been one of the worst defensive units in the league this season, allowing the third-most passing touchdowns. The Panthers are also giving up 21.5 fantasy points per game, the sixth-most among fantasy defenses this season. Murray is also on record stating that he’ll get Cardinals tight end Trey McBride his first touchdown this week. For what it’s worth, that might be a good sign. The Panthers are allowing one of the worst defenses against the run which gives Murray another lane to produce on the ground as well as in through the air.
Running Backs
Bucky Irving vs. DAL
Another solid play this week. Bucky Irving returned after dealing with a back issue and ran for 117 yards against the Los Angeles Chargers. Irving has been one of the better rookie running backs this season and having him up against a vulnerable run defense in the Dallas Cowboys is key to a successful week for the playoffs. The Cowboys have been gutted on the ground this year, allowing 4.8 yards per carry to opposing running backs. Irving this season is averaging 5.6 yards per attempt on the ground this season. Combine that with his pass-catching ability, Irving is set up for a great game. The Cowboys are giving up nearly 25 fantasy points per game to opposing running backs.
Patrick Taylor vs. MIA
This is more of a volume play for me but it should also pay off for fantasy managers dealing with injuries. Isaac Guerendo has been ruled out for Week 16 and paves the way for Patrick Taylor to assume the starting role against the Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins allow 4.3 yards per carry this season but are giving up just 23 FPPG to running backs. The 49ers are averaging 27.6 rushing attempts per game which gives Taylor a solid floor for production. Taylor did score a rushing touchdown earlier this season but hasn’t seen much action as he was lower on the depth chart. The amount of volume Taylor could see if the 49ers make this game competitive could be what an ailing fantasy lineup needs.
Wide Receivers
Tee Higgins vs. CLE
Higgins is another play I like this week. Over his last four healthy games, Higgins has seen 36 targets and produced 15+ fantasy points in three of his four outings. Higgins may not get the deep ball targets like fellow Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase does but Higgins is averaging a healthy 13.4 yards per reception. Higgins is also seeing a lot of targets in the Red Zone, sitting 12th in Red Zone targets with 16. The Browns allow 36.2 fantasy points per game to enemy wide receivers, falling inside the top 10 in points allowed to the position on the season. Higgins’ 24.5% target share this season could be even higher had he not missed time due to injury this season but Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is looking for him early and often. That knowledge should be comforting for fantasy managers heading into their playoff matchups.
Jakobi Meyers vs. JAX
I wouldn’t recommend Jakobi Meyers without knowing Aidan O’Connell returning but it looks like that’s the case. O’Connell missed Week 15’s game with a knee injury against the Atlanta Falcons which allowed Desmond Ridder to get the start. Meyers did see nine targets in the contest but finished with just 10.9 fantasy points. With O’Connell under center, there’s a possibility for a slightly higher ceiling for Meyers against the Jacksonville Jaguars defense allowing 40.4 fantasy points per game to wide receivers. Meyers is one of the top options for the Raiders as he leads all Raiders wide receivers in targets with 105. The Jaguars are giving up 264 yards per game through the air.
Tight Ends
Brenton Strange vs. LVR
Let’s be honest. This is a “deep heave down the sideline” kind of play. The tight end position has been a rocky road this season and the Jaguars have lost Evan Engram for the season. Brenton Strange stepped in as the top option and saw 12 targets from Mac Jones against the New York Jets. With minimal options remaining for the Jaguars as injuries have beaten them over the head, Strange and rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr are the team’s best remaining pass-catching options. The Raiders are giving up nearly 16 fantasy points per game to tight end and should Strange see a similar target share as he did in Week 15, Strange could be fantasy’s unsung hero in the playoffs.
Sits
Caleb Williams vs. DET
The Bears have been a mess when it comes to passing the ball. While I can’t blame quarterback Caleb Williams too much, he’s not helping the situation either. Williams ranks as the QB15 over his last three games which might not sound bad initially. However, Williams is averaging 16.7 fantasy points and completing just 59% of his passes. Williams has decided to run a bit more as of late, rushing for the ninth-most yards among quarterbacks with 69 yards. The Lions are a bit beat up on defense and give up 234 passing yards per game but they’re only giving up 18 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks heading into Week 16. Williams is a desperation play at best or a QB2 play in Superflex formats.
Brian Robinson Jr. vs. PHI
Brian Robinson Jr. could be in hot water after his statements about the Commanders being the better team than the Eagles. The Eagles are allowing the seventh-fewest rushing yards so far this season and just 17.5 fantasy points per game to running backs this season. BR wasn’t great against the New Orleans Saints in Week 15 as he finished with just 11.7 fantasy points on 21 carries for 65 yards. This could be an uphill battle for the Commanders running back against a formidable Eagles run defense.
Michael Pittman vs. TEN
It feels weird putting a number one wide receiver on the list but Michael Pittman hasn’t been doing enough this season to warrant taking a chance on him in one of the biggest spots of the fantasy season. Pittman averaged just 9.5 fantasy points per game over his last three games and the Colts passing attack has been sporadic for much of the fantasy season. Pittman gets a Titans defense allowing the third-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers this season. With Anthony Richardson still inconsistent as a passer, Pittman might not be the safest option to play for the fantasy playoffs.
Cole Kmet vs. DET
Kmet hasn’t been involved in the Chicago Bears offense like fantasy managers would like. Averaging just 2.7 fantasy points per game over his last three games, Kmet isn’t seeing the amount of work he needs to be a viable option now that the Bears wide receiver corp is back to full strength. The Detriot Lions are playing better against the tight end position this season, allowing the fewest fantasy points to the position at 8.2 fantasy points per game. Fantasy managers may want to look elsewhere for a tight end if they can find one this late in the game.
