A word about my Must Start/Sit selections: I try to avoid listing Must Start players that are obvious plays and avoid deep depth chart players in my Must Sit selections. I primarily consider matchups that are exploitable on either side of the ball, and in essence, I offer Hot Takes with statistically backed confidence.
QB Must Start
Kirk Cousins, MIN
The Falcons give up more fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks than any other team in the league. With bell-cow Running Back Dalvin Cook ruled out for the game, Cousins should throw for over 300 yards for the first time this year. This matchup is ripe for the picking.
QB Must Sit
Teddy Bridgewater, CAR
What goes up, must come down. Expect Bridgewater to struggle against the number one defense in the league that is the 3rd most stingy versus opposing Quarterbacks in terms of allowing fantasy points. Bridgewater will likely throw for less than 230 yards and be lucky to throw for a touchdown.
RB Must Start
Jonathan Taylor, IND
The Colts Running Back has only rushed for 100 yards once this season but ought to reach that milestone again this week. In the last four weeks, the Bengals are allowing opposing RBs an average of 127.5 yards/game. Indianapolis, being favored by more than a touchdown, should create a favorable game script as well.
David Johnson, HOU
The Texans running back has been inconsistent this year but faces a Titans rush defense that allows an average of 124 yards/game to opposing running backs over the last four contests. Tennessee is also playing in an unprecedented short week off of an emotionally draining win.
RB Must Sit
I may be somewhat cheating here, but both the Running Back By Committee (RBBC) groups in Los Angeles and Denver are a mess from a fantasy perspective, and none of their running backs should be in your lineup if you can avoid it.
Rams RBBC
The Rams running attack has been successful this season, but no one knows (not even Sean McVay, I think) if Darryl Henderson, Malcolm Brown, or Cam Akers will be the hot hand. Unless you own all three in a dynasty format and are willing to play all three (due to other starters on bye weeks), stay away. The 49ers have the #1 defense in the league and allow a paltry 53 rushing yards a game over the last month.
Broncos RBBC
Melvin Gordon was arrested this week while speeding in his car and got a DUI; he is said to be a game-time decision. Phillip Lindsay is supposedly returning from a three-week absence from a toe injury. Royce Freeman is, well, Royce Freeman. The Patriots boast a Top 10 rushing defense by a plethora of metrics. Do not start any Bronco RBs.
WR Must Start
Julian Edelman, NEP
Even with a questionable tag and an unknown quarterback, I am confident the Patriots bedrock at Wide Receiver will exploit a very bad Broncos pass defense. Denver is giving up about 17 catches and 200 yards per game over the last month. I would not be surprised if Edelman accounts for half those numbers.
Terry McLaurin, WAS
Another WR with a huge question mark about his quarterback this week. Fortunately, the Ohio State product is facing a very inconsistent Giants pass defense. The underdog game script suggests that Washington will be throwing a lot and volume is fantasy gold.
Marquis Brown, BAL
Hollywood Brown has been targeted at least six times in the last three games and plays a defense that gives up the second-most fantasy points to a team’s WR1. The outside speedster should have a lot of success unless the Eagles decide to shadow him with Darius Slay on every play – which is unlikely given the number of offensive weapons employed by the Ravens.
WR Must Sit
Travis Fulgham, PHI
Everyone’s favorite FAAB and Free Agent acquisition this week will have a challenging time against the Ravens. Fulgham came out of nowhere last week to catch 10 passes for 152 yards and a touchdown. Losing is anonymity will be his undoing as Baltimore will factor him into their defensive game plan that boasts a Top 10 defense.
Curtis Samuel, CAR
The Panther wideout is here strictly because of how good the Bears pass defense is. Chicago has held opposing WRs to just an average of 11 receptions for 146 yards per game over the last month.
Anthony Miller, CHI
Miller is listed as WR2 for the Bears, and the Panthers are the best team in the NFL this year at limiting fantasy production from said depth chart position. Carolina has held team WR2 to an average of 2.76 fantasy points per game this season.
TE Must Start
Eric Ebron, PIT
Big Ben has targeted Ebron at least five times in each of the last three games. The Browns have an overall improved defense over last year but still struggle to contain opposing Tight Ends and are 27th worst in the league. With minor injuries affecting the Steelers’ multiple wide receivers, Ebron is a consistent and familiar target who out to score against Cleveland in the red zone.
TE Must Sit
Chris Herndon, NYJ
The Dolphins continue to stifle opposing Tight Ends and are 4th best in the league at denying fantasy points. Expect no more than 2-3 receptions for less than 30 yards on the day.
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