The first week of the Fantasy Playoffs dealt us all plenty of curveballs. If you advanced, you likely have a few more curveballs to overcome this week. Who should start? Who should sit? Let this weekly post be your guide as I go on a journey with you these next 18 weeks.
The criteria are simple: I pick one sit and one start from each position (quarterback, running back, wide receiver, and tight end). This is based on my rankings for each week, which you can find in full at www.campus2canton.com. The standard is the top 12 for quarterbacks and tight ends and the top 24 for wide receivers and running backs. Each week I’ll begin with a review of how I did the previous week because accountability is a part of this process.
Before we move forward, let’s look at how I did in Week 15.
Starts Week 15
QB: Kirk Cousins, QB3 hit. Not gonna lie, that comeback helped me a lot.
RB: Joe Mixon, RB32 miss. The Bengals went to the air…
WR: Terry McLaurin, WR32 miss. It wasn’t the Commanders’ night.
TE: Evan Engram, TE6 hit. Engram continues to be hot.
Start Record: 2-2
Sits Week 15
QB: Ryan Tannehill, QB23 Hit. Tannehill hasn’t had a great season, nor does he have great weapons.
RB: Latavius Murray, RB10 miss. As a Broncos fan, I was pumped. As a writer, I was dismayed.
WR: Chase Claypool, NA hit. Claypool didn’t even suit up.
TE: Mike Gesicki, TE53 hit. I wager Gesicki is elsewhere in 2023.
Sit Record: 3-1
Now, on to Week 16!
Quarterbacks
Start: Justin Fields, Chicago Bears
About: I get some of the concerns. Fields is going against the Bills, a strong defense. The thing is, the Bills have been vulnerable to the run. Fields is a decent passer, but he’s a great runner, and that makes a difference. Even against a tough Eagles team, Fields managed 152 yards and two touchdowns as a passer, rushing for 95 yards. He’s averaging more than 21.5 points per game this season. Don’t get cute, fire up Fields.
Sit: Baker Mayfield, Los Angeles Rams
About: Baker has had a tough year. He was dumped by the Browns to the Panthers. There, he struggled and ended up being released. Landing with the Rams could well be the chance he needs to turn things around. He also looked good in his first game, despite only being with the team for a few days. Mayfield returned to Earth in Green Bay, throwing for just 111 yards, a touchdown, and an interception in the loss. The Rams’ receiving corps is depleted, adding Ben Skowronek to the list of those out this week, and he gets to face Patrick Surtain II and Justin Simmons on Christmas Day. I’m steering clear.
Running Backs
Start: Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots
About: The Patriots’ offense has been a mess in 2022. And yet, the best part of the offensive attack has been Stevenson, who’s run the ball well and been a factor in the passing game. To this point, he’s RB8 on the season, averaging more than 16 points per game. He already has more than 900 yards rushing and has added 60 receptions. He’s a player I want in my lineup for the fantasy playoffs.
Sit: D’Onta Foreman, Carolina Panthers
About: In the wake of Christian McCaffrey being traded to the 49ers, Foreman looked like a great bet. But as the Panthers have gotten better and climbed back into the playoff race, Foreman has looked like a less reliable option. He’s not a factor in the passing game, and he has just one 100-yard performance in his last four games. That, combined with the fact the Panthers are using several backs each week, makes Foreman a shaky bet in a must-win Week 16.
Wide Receivers
Start: Zay Jones, Jacksonville Jaguars
About: The Jaguars added a ton of weapons this off-season, but it was unclear how it would work out. Turns out Christian Kirk has been a reliable option throughout the year, as has tight end, Evan Engram. But the player that’s been on fire of late is Jones, who’s become a go-to option for Trevor Lawrence and a surging Jaguars squad. Jones is WR19 on the season, averaging more than 14 points per game. He already has seen a career-high 106 targets and posted a career-high 74 receptions. I expect him to remain a critical part of the Jaguars’ offensive attack down the stretch for the Jaguars. He’s in my lineup.
Sit: DeMarcus Robinson, Baltimore Ravens
About: The Ravens’ passing attack has been a nightmare all season. Rashod Bateman is on IR, and this week the team added Devin Duvernay. That’s left Robinson as perhaps the best option at wide receiver. Despite that, he has only one touchdown and one 100-yard game all season. He gets somewhat decent volume, but he averages just 9.5 yards per reception. Robinson might be the best receiver option for the Ravens, but he’s not the best receiver option for your fantasy team, especially in a must-win Week 16.
Tight Ends
Start: Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles
About: I realize Jalen Hurts is out this week, but Goedert is returning from IR. He gives the Eagles another dimension in the passing game. While plenty of attention will be paid to A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith on the outside, that leaves Goedert to run in the middle. Another great sign is that a pass-catching tight end is a quarterback’s best friend, and Gardner Minshew will need a few friends on Saturday. Goedert has been productive when he’s been on the field, tied for TE2 on a points-per-game basis this season at 12.6. Tight end is a rough position, but I am excited to have Goedert back, and I plan to stick him in my lineup.
Sit: Tyler Higbee, Los Angeles Rams
About: Higbee is one of the few opening-day starters left on the Rams’ offense. That’s probably the appeal. He has name value and recognition, which might tempt you to throw him out there. Avoid that temptation. Higbee has just eight receptions for 52 yards in his last three games, despite 13 targets. Sure, he scored a touchdown in Week 15, but that is his only touchdown all season. I’m not taking a chance this week.
Matthew Fox is a die-hard NFL fan and Broncos’ homer. He’s a member of the FSWA. You can find more from him on Twitter @knighthawk7734 or as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast, a part of the Campus2Canton Network.
