Author: Adam Filadelfo Staff Writer
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to be prepared.
Quarterback
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Kirk Cousins- Washington Redskins- With a Monday night tilt versus the Panthers, Cousins looks like a safe play this week. The defending NFC champions are allowing the fourth-most Fantasy points per game to quarterbacks, while Cousins himself is averaging more than 24 per game and has thrown 22 touchdowns versus only eight interceptions. How do you like that?!
Sam Bradford– Minnesota Vikings- While Bradford hasn’t done much to impress this season, he does get the Colts defense this week, which is allowing the third-most Fantasy points per game to quarterbacks. The Colts have allowed 23 passing touchdowns this season, so Bradford figures to be able to move the ball pretty well against them.
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Allen Robinson has been a massive disappointment to Fantasy owners this season. Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire
Blake Bortles- Jacksonville Jaguars- This should come as no surprise to anyone at this point but Bortles versus the Texans is not an ideal matchup for him. The Texans are allowing less than 19 Fantasy points per game to the quarterback, while Bortles is averaging less than 23. Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns have been a huge disappointment and the Jaguars can’t seem to right the ship.
Brock Osweiler– Houston Texans- Osweiler was supposed to bring stability to the quarterback position for the Texans and he has done so, but not in the way Houston had hoped. He is averaging less than 17 Fantasy points per game, while the Jaguars’ defense has been pretty stingy versus the quarterback. This is not a good game to start Osweiler.
Wider Receiver
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Jamison Crowder- Washington Redskins- Crowder now has seven straight games with at least 80 yards and or a touchdown. This week he gets a Panthers defense allowing the sixth-most Fantasy points per game to wide receivers. With Cousins playing the way he has, it could be another good game for Crowder, who should continue his streak.
Rishard Matthews– Tennessee Titans- Matthews now has four double-digit Fantasy point performances in his last five games. He faced a stingy defense last week in Denver, but this week he gets the Kansas City defense, which has allowed the third-most Fantasy points per game to receivers.
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Tyler Boyd- Cincinnati Bengals- While Boyd has been receiving a healthy dose of targets in the absence of A.J. Green, he has only two games in which he’s posted double-digit Fantasy points. This week he gets a Steelers defense that is allowing less than 20 Fantasy points per game to receivers. He may not be a great option in this game.
Allen Robinson– Jacksonville Jaguars- I’m done with this guy. His Week 14 produced another dud, and this is no time for stud players to give Fantasy owners goose eggs. The targets are there but the production isn’t. He faces a Texans defense allowing the fourth-fewest Fantasy points per game to receivers. If you can, stay clear.
Running Back
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Jeremy Hill- Cincinnati Bengals- I’m going back to Hill this week. He gets a Steelers defense that’s allowing the seventh-most Fantasy points to running backs, and he looks to be the work horse for the rest of the season. Start him if you’ve got him.
Jordan Howard– Chicago Bears- After posting another 100-yard game versus the Lions last week, the rookie faces a Packers defense that is rather tough versus running backs, but it shouldn’t make much of a difference for him. He will still get his and come through for his Fantasy owners, while averaging more than 13 Fantasy points per game.
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Devontae Booker- Denver Broncos- While Booker hasn’t been bad, he faces a Patriots defense that may look to shut down the run game and put the ball in an unexperienced quarterback’s hands for the win. A Gary Kubiak run game is always a safe bet but if BillBelichick commits to stopping the run, there may not be much for Booker to do.
Mark Ingram– New Orleans Saints- Even if an injury wasn’t bothering him, facing the Cardinals’ run defense that’s allowing the second-fewest Fantasy points per game is not an ideal situation for Ingram. This game will need to be won on the arm of Drew Brees if the Saints expect to move the ball.
Tight End
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Cameron Brate- Tampa Bay Buccaneers- While Brate can be touchdown dependent, he is getting a steady dose of targets. He’s had 19 targets through his last three games and this week gets a Cowboys team allowing the ninth-most Fantasy points per game to his position. With the Buccaneers playing a little more consistently over the last few weeks, Brate could find himself among the top Fantasy tight ends to finish up the season.
Vance McDonald– San Francisco 49ers- He’s probably not a top choice at the tight end position but McDonald has seen at least six targets in five of his last six games. Granted, he hasn’t done much with those targets, but this week he gets a Falcons team that is allowing the fifth-most Fantasy points per game to tight ends. It could be a good day for McDonald.
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Coby Fleener- New Orleans Saints- Forget about the inconsistency of Fleener, forget the six interceptions Drew Brees has tossed in his last two games, Fleener gets a Cardinals defense that allows the fewest Fantasy points per game to tight ends. Fleener has his ups and downs but this week looks more down.
Dennis Pitta– Baltimore Ravens- I know Pitta went off in Week 13 to the tune of 21 Fantasy points, but this week he gets an Eagles’ defense allowing the second-fewest Fantasy points to tight ends. It’s hard to believe Pitta can repeat that performance versus a stingy defense.
Defense/Special Teams
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Buffalo Bills- I like the Bills this week, not because I like their defense but because I don’t like the Browns’ offense. Robert Griffin III was a train wreck and the quarterback of the future is nowhere to be seen in Cleveland. This offense is a mess and the Bills should have their way with them.
New York Jets– It looks like Ryan Tannehill will not be suiting up for the Dolphins this week. As bad as he’s been, it could get worse at the quarterback position for Miami. Matt Moore could be next man up and the Jets’ defense should take full advantage of him.
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Carolina Panthers- The Panthers get the Redskins this week and Kirk Cousins is averaging 24 Fantasy points per game, while the Panthers are allowing almost 23 Fantasy points per game to the quarterback. This is not a good week for the Panthers’ defense.
Denver Broncos- It may be difficult to sit a defense that has been tops all season long but this week the Broncos face the Patriots. Tom Brady has been on a tear since his return and is averaging almost 26 Fantasy points per game, while throwing 19 touchdowns versus only one interception. The Patriots should be able to move the ball on the Broncos, especially if the Denver offense puts their defense in tough spots.
